Annual Report • Apr 2, 2025
Annual Report
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ANNUAL REPORT 2024

As specified by Article 4 of the Transparency Directive - Directive 2004/109/EC - the official version of the annual financial report is the ESEF version, available on the company's website.
In a world where business is often seen as short term, financially driven and disconnected from the concerns of society at large, GBL's values have never been more relevant.
When some are questioning the role of business and its impact on the planet, it is important to restate the centrality of wealth creation to our progress and our wellbeing.
This is why, now more than ever, we are focused on what impact we can have on the world, and how as an organization with influence, GBL is doing its part to create a more meaningful future.
GBL's family heritage gives it a unique perspective. Our time horizons are multigenerational. More than an investor, GBL is an owner and steward of companies, deeply embedded in the fabric of the countries and societies in which it operates, proud to be associated with strong companies and contribute in a meaningful way to their success.
We have a clear duty to ensure that the benefits of that rich heritage of knowledge, knowhow and experience are passed on to the next generation of business leaders taking their rightful place at the top of the great companies of tomorrow.
GBL believes that nurturing companies for the long term is a source of profitability. This is a conservative belief by nature. Conservative in the original sense of the term, in that its primary goal is to preserve and grow capital, investing for the long term but also ready to adapt when structural changes require it.
The depth and longevity of its relationships with the economic environment are what enable GBL to be a valuable contributor to the challenges companies are taking on. GBL is an informed voice at the table, showing respect, but also opening new perspectives where needed to make the changes that will propel them successfully into the next stage of their development.
We recognize the importance of finding the right balance between our need to seek financial returns, with the imperative to preserve the integrity of our planet and the health of the people and society. GBL is committed to striking this balance and delivering meaningful growth.
| Company profile | VOLUME 1 |
|---|---|
| Message from Paul Desmarais, Jr., Chairman of GBL's Board of Directors | 6 |
| Message from Ian Gallienne, CEO of GBL | 8 |
| Key figures as at December 31, 2024 | 12 |
| Highlights 2024 | 14 |
| CHAPTER 1 | VOLUME 1 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Presentation of the group | 17 | ||
| 1.1 1.2 |
Business model Net asset value per share |
18 20 |
| CHAPTER 2 Corporate Governance |
VOLUME 1 25 |
|
|---|---|---|
| 2.1 | Corporate Governance Statement | 26 |
| 2.2 | Board of Directors and Committees | 27 |
| 2.3 | Remuneration of corporate officers | 40 |
| 2.4 | Involvement of GBL teams in group investments | 47 |
| 2.5 | Policy on conflicts of interest and policy | |
| relating to transactions in GBL securities | 48 | |
| 2.6 | List of other offices held by the members | |
| of the Board of Directors between 2020 and 2024 | 50 | |
| 2.7 | Risk management and internal control | 54 |
| 2.8 | GBL ACT | 56 |
| CHAPTER 3 | VOLUME 1 | |
| Risk management | 59 |
3.1 Risk management and internal control 60 3.2 Description and ranking of the risks 62
| CHAPTER 4 | VOLUME 1 | |
|---|---|---|
| Portfolio review | 69 | |
| 4.1 4.2 |
Portfolio management strategy Listed assets |
70 82 |
| 4.3 | Direct private assets | 98 |
| 4.4 4.5 4.6 |
Indirect private assets (GBL Capital) Asset management (Sienna Investment Managers) Portfolio reconciliation with IFRS |
110 122 |
consolidated financial statements 128


Company profile > Message from Paul Desmarais, Jr., Chairman of GBL's Board of Directors
MESSAGE FROM PAUL DESMARAIS, Jr., CHAIRMAN OF GBL'S BOARD OF DIRECTORS
6 GBL – Annual report 2024
In investing, one has a choice to perceive difficulties as cause for concern or as an opportunity for change and growth.
There is no doubt that we are living in a world where increased uncertainty and fragmentation have become the new normal. This proved true in 2024, as the macroeconomic environment included its share of difficulties.
However, I remain optimistic. Such challenges also present the opportunity to emerge stronger. I believe this to be the case for GBL.
True to form as an engaged investor, GBL exercised its influence on its listed participations, with in particular, the appointments of two new CEOs. We are actively supporting the new leadership at SGS and Umicore as they execute with determination their respective strategies to the service of value creation and share price appreciation.
In parallel, our teams have been ardently supporting the development of the group's non-listed assets, and notably the consolidated private assets, as evidenced by their aggregate value creation. This is an asset class where GBL can create significant value over time. As such, we have reset our ambition for our portfolio composition. We are now aiming for non-listed assets to comprise 50% of the portfolio by 2027, compared to our previous ambition – and current weighting – of approximately of 40%.
This reweighted portfolio composition is merely one element of GBL's mid-term strategy. The group's strategic trajectory, as communicated in November 2024, is anchored in GBL's commitment to grow its net asset value per share and to steadily increase its already enhanced dividend per share.
From the beginning of 2024 through 2027, GBL will generate a cumulative 7 billion euros – the majority through asset disposals – to be redeployed into new investments, with a priority to private assets, and returned to shareholders in approximately equal measure. We have established our roadmap, now it is a matter of disciplined and successful execution.
We are already well on our way. In 2024, GBL realized sizeable disposals and increased by over + 80% the proposed dividend per share payable in 2025. Moreover, our teams have diligently been exploring potential value-creative investments. Given our teams' talent and determination, from both a strategic and managerial perspective, I am confident we will deliver our mid-term objectives.
With a clear roadmap and disciplined execution, GBL's teams have demonstrated their agility in the current environment. As a steward of our shareholders' wealth, we remain committed to upholding our core values and delivering meaningful growth. Doing so has served us well over multiple generations and will continue to serve us well in these fast-moving times.
Given these developments and at this juncture, I feel it is the right time for me to pass the torch. I have therefore decided to step down from my role as Chairman. I am convinced, as is the entire Board of Directors, that Ian Gallienne is the best choice to succeed me. I am delighted to remain on the Board as Vice Chairman and to support Ian in his new role.
Thank you for your ongoing support.
Paul Desmarais, Jr. Chairman of GBL's Board of Directors
Company profile > Message from Ian Gallienne, CEO of GBL
MESSAGE FROM IAN GALLIENNE, CEO OF GBL
The past year was notably important for GBL as we communicated our mid-term strategic trajectory (1) for the period 2024 through 2027. This trajectory has been conceived to result in a major transformation for the group.
I am pleased to report the initial progress of GBL's teams toward the plan's objectives.
To date, we have sold 2.4 billion euros of listed assets, representing nearly half of the total asset disposals anticipated over the full duration of our plan (2). In the context of adidas' strong share price performance, we seized market opportunities to crystallize value on our investment. In reducing our stake from 7.6% to 3.5% throughout 2024, we generated a 2.9x MoIC and a 1.1 billion euros capital gain (3). Similarly, in March 2025, we lowered our stake in SGS from 19.1% to 14.6% for 0.8 billion euros of proceeds. These sales generated a capital gain (3) of 0.2 billion euros and equate to a 1.7x MoIC. For adidas and SGS, we continue to support each company, its management and its strategy.
The adidas proceeds, along with visibility on our cash earnings, supported our decision to materially increase the FY 2024 dividend per share by over + 80% (4) to 5.00 euros, representing an attractive yield of 7.6% (5). The magnitude of the dividend per share is not a one-off. Rather, it will serve as a new base for steady growth in the coming years, thereby anchoring our commitment to pursue an attractive policy in terms of return to our shareholders and generate a double-digit TSR per annum over the medium term.
Furthermore, these disposals, along with the value we are creating for our private assets, are contributing to the group's ambition to shift the portfolio toward non-listed assets.
Value creation for our direct private assets portfolio reached 225 million euros over the year. Both Affidea and Sanoptis continue to generate double-digit top-line growth, both organically and overall. Moreover, Sanoptis, aiming to accelerate its growth initiatives, received in March 2025 a 250 million euro capital raise in preferred equity from Carlyle. This capital raise is a testament to the additional upside potential of this buy-and-build platform. Although the overall direction of our direct private assets is positive, the year was not without its challenges. Canyon had to navigate aggressive discounting affecting the entire bicycle sector as well as a one-off quality issue that the company is addressing with utmost attention.
As for our indirect private assets, we are also seeing favorable results. GBL Capital's renewed strategy has resulted in more than 210 million euros of value creation over the year. Moreover, distributions approached 490 million euros, representing another meaningful potential source of dividends to be upstreamed to GBL.
With regard to our listed assets, their performances, and therefore impact on GBL's net asset value, were contrasted. Two of our largest investments, SGS and adidas, achieved important milestones in their mid-term strategies as well as share price increases exceeding + 20%. For certain other companies, their performances – from an operational or stock market point of view – were more challenging. Pernod Ricard navigated with agility cyclical sector headwinds that impacted sales in the company's H1 2025 (6). Yet, despite organic operating margin expansion and a stable annual dividend per share, the share price declined significantly over last year. Similarly, Concentrix saw its share price decline due to fears about potential impacts of AI on the perennity of the group's business model.
(6) Ending December 31, 2024
We consider these fears misguided; the company, one of the most innovative in its sector, has been growing revenues, with new solutions accounting for a larger share of the total, and remains highly cash generative. Finally, Umicore's share price was under pressure in the face of uncertainties concerning the development of the electric vehicle market, but the newly-appointed CEO is actively addressing a strategy redesign to optimize the existing capacities and focus on efficiency measures.
Despite strong positive share price movements for certain portfolio companies, the overall evolution of our listed asset portfolio unfavorably impacted our NAV per share. We are working hard to improve future performance and are actively engaging with our portfolio companies to refine and execute their strategies.
Whatever the macroeconomic context, we have a clear playbook for value creation. With well over 5 billion euros of dry powder and a talented team, we are well positioned to shift our portfolio toward more private assets. As concerns potential investments, we will act with our characteristic financial discipline. Among these attractive investment possibilities, GBL shares are compelling. As such, we bought back close to 300 million euros of our own shares over the year. Share buybacks, and subsequent cancellations, will continue to have a positive effect on growth of the net asset value per share.
I am confident that as 2025 unfolds we will build upon our achievements. It is an honor for me to succeed Paul Desmarais, Jr. as Chairman of GBL's Board of Directors. I look forward to working with him in his new position of Vice Chairman and to promoting the highest standards of governance. As I step into this role, I must relinquish my responsibilities as CEO. I therefore would like to thank you, our shareholders, for your confidence over my 14-year tenure. I also would like to welcome our new Managing Director, Johannes Huth. Johannes is a distinguished investor, most recently at KKR as a Partner and Chairman of the group's operations in Europe, Middle East and Africa. He is the right choice at the right moment to lead GBL in the execution of our three-year strategic plan. In my new role as Chairman, I will I look forward to GBL pursuing with determination its commitment of generating double-digit TSR annually, and ultimately, of delivering meaningful growth.
Ian Gallienne CEO of GBL
2024 was marked by notable progress on the mid-term strategy(1), including sizeable disposals, value creation for private assets and a significantly increased dividend per share
EUR 113.30 (2) (- 0.3%)(3)
Liquidity profile EUR 5.1 BN
to support strategy deployment
Net asset value
EUR 15.7 BN
(- 5.9%) (3)
Market capitalization
EUR 9.1 BN
Loan To Value 3.0%
(1) Information on GBL's mid-term outlook (2024-2027) can be found in the
(subject to approval of GBL's Extraordinary General Meeting on May 2, 2025) (3) Variation 2024/2023
representing a significant portion of the EUR 5 BN in anticipated total disposals (2) over 2024 - 2027
Capital gains (3) EUR 1.1 BN
Direct private assets 22% 60% Listed assets Asset management < 1% Indirect private assets 18%
% of portfolio
Direct private assets + EUR 225 M (4)
Indirect private assets + EUR 212 M
Credit rating MOODY'S A1
+ 82% increase over prior year
Yield
7.6% (6)
Significant milestones with sizeable disposals and a material increase in the dividend per share (1)
Ongoing value creation for the private assets with the successful expansion of Affidea and Sanoptis and execution of GBL Capital's renewed strategy
– In July 2024, Pernod Ricard signs an agreement to sell its international strategic wine brands, enabling the group to further strengthen its premiumization strategy by directing its resources to its premium international spirits and champagnes
Concentrix continues to successfully develop new solutions which now represent a larger share of revenues – thereby reflecting the group's agility, particularly in the context of AI
(1) Dividend per share of EUR 5.00 payable in FY 2025 for FY 2024 as announced July 31, 2024; as is customary, subject to approval at GBL's General Shareholders' Meeting

– GBL's pan-European direct private assets investment platform is strengthened with the opening of an office in Milan and Munich (3)
– GBL's healthcare companies continue to successfully execute their expansion strategies, confirming their status as value-creative buy-and-build platforms
– Sanoptis further develops expertise and excellence across Europe through more than 450 sites in six countries (an increase of four countries since GBL's entry)
– In June 2024, Voodoo acquires BeReal, a leading social platform focused on authenticity and real interactions, thereby strengthening Voodoo's global position and diversifying its revenue base
– GBL communicates its FY 2024 gross dividend per share proposal of EUR 5.00 (1), representing an + 82% increase on the previous year and a yield of 7.6% (4). This significantly higher dividend is supported by the strength of GBL's balance sheet and liquidity profile
– As part of its mid-term Strategic Update held on November 7, 2024, GBL announces its objective to generate double-digit TSR per annum over 2024-2027. This performance will result from: (i) NAV per share growth and (ii) increasing distributions to shareholders through steady growth of the EUR 5.00 (1) dividend per share, while pursuing opportunistic share buybacks and maintaining conservative leverage
– GBL reduces its stake in SGS from 19.1% to 14.6% of the capital for total proceeds of EUR 0.8 billion. The disposals generate a EUR 0.2 billion capital gain (2) and equate to a 1.7x MoIC. GBL remains the largest shareholder in SGS and committed to supporting the company, its management and its Strategy 27, with a long-term perspective
– Sanoptis receives a EUR 250 million capital raise in preferred equity from Carlyle to further accelerate identified growth initiatives
– GBL, through its subsidiary GBL Capital, agrees to take a 5% GP stake in Sagard and to make capital commitments totaling EUR 250 million over the next five years




1.1 Business model 18 1.2 Net asset value per share 20
1.1 BUSINESS MODEL
GBL's differentiated approach
– Able to deliver expected returns without dependence on excess leverage to deliver expected returns

As of December 31, 2024, GBL's net asset value totaled EUR 15.7 billion (EUR 113.30(2) per share) compared to EUR 16.7 billion (EUR 113.64 (3) per share) at the end of 2023. Relative to the share price of EUR 66.05, the discount at the end of 2024 was 41.7%, up + 437 bps compared to the end of 2023 (37.3%).
The table below details the evolution of the net asset value per share between year-end 2023 and year-end 2024.

(1) Based on 138,400,000 shares as of December 31, 2024 and 146,700,000 shares as of December 31, 2023
(2) EUR 115.15 pro forma for cancellation of 5.2 million treasury shares (subject to approval of GBL's Extraordinary General Meeting on May 2, 2025)
(3) EUR 116.19 pro forma for cancellation of 8.3 million treasury shares approved at GBL's Extraordinary General Meeting on May 2, 2024
| December 31, 2024 | December 31, 2023 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stock price | Variation | Stock price | ||||||
| % IN CAPITAL | IN EUR (1) | IN EUR MILLION | % IN CAPITAL | IN EUR (1) | IN EUR MILLION | |||
| Listed assets | 9,105 | - 20% | 11,360 | |||||
| SGS | 19.13 | 96.56 | 3,501 | + 23% | 19.31 | 78.34 | 2,835 | |
| Pernod Ricard | 6.83 | 109.00 | 1,879 | - 32% | 6.73 | 159.75 | 2,749 | |
| adidas | 3.51 | 236.80 | 1,496 | - 41% | 7.62 | 184.16 | 2,526 | |
| Imerys | 54.72 | 28.20 | 1,311 | - 1% | 54.64 | 28.48 | 1,322 | |
| Umicore | 15.92 | 9.96 | 391 | - 60% | 15.92 | 24.90 | 977 | |
| Concentrix | 13.54 | 41.65 | 371(2) | - 54% | 13.17 | 88.88 | 807(2) | |
| Ontex | 19.98 | 8.39 | 138 | + 10% | 19.98 | 7.61 | 125 | |
| TotalEnergies | 0.01 | 53.37 | 14 | - 13% | 0.01 | 61.60 | 16 | |
| GEA | 0.06 | 47.82 | 5 | + 27% | 0.06 | 37.69 | 4 | |
| Direct private assets | 3,305 | + 8% | 3,067 | |||||
| Affidea | 99.12 | 1,477 | + 24% | 99.15 | 1,195 | |||
| Sanoptis | 83.28 | 969 | + 17% | 83.36 | 829 | |||
| Voodoo | 15.04 | 302 | + 5% | 15.90 | 287 | |||
| Parques Reunidos | 23.00 | 296 | + 0% | 23.00 | 296 | |||
| Canyon | 49.76(3) | 261 | - 43% | 48.65(3) | 460 | |||
| GBL Capital | 2,743 | - 7% | 2,951 | |||||
| Sienna Investment Managers (4) | 137 | + 25% | 110 | |||||
| Portfolio | 15,290 | - 13% | 17,488 | |||||
| Treasury shares | 851 | - 29% | 1,206 | |||||
| Gross debt | (3,070) | - 14% | (3,578) | |||||
| Concentrix note | 4 | - 99%(5) | 476 | |||||
| Gross cash | 2,606 | + 141% | 1,080 | |||||
| NET ASSET VALUE | 15,681 | - 6% | 16,671 | |||||
| Net asset value (EUR p.s.) (6) | 113.30 | - 0% | 113.64 | |||||
| Stock price (EUR p.s.) | 66.05 | - 7% | 71.22 | |||||
| Discount | 41.7% | + 437 bps | 37.3% |
(1) Share price converted in EUR based on the ECB fixing of (i) 0.9412 CHF/EUR as of December 31, 2024 and 0.9260 CHF/EUR as of December 31, 2023 for SGS,
(ii) 1.0389 USD/EUR as of December 31, 2024 and 1.1050 USD/EUR as of December 31, 2023 for Concentrix
(2) Including the market value of earn-out shares at December 31, 2024, i.e., EUR 5 million, and at December 31, 2023, i.e., EUR 27 million
(3) GBL's ownership in Canyon, excluding shares held by GBL Capital (additional indirect ownership of 1.37% as of December 31, 2024 and 1.34% as of December 31, 2023) (4) Valued at the fair market value of the acquired management companies
(5) The Concentrix note was monetized in Q3 2024; GBL has residual exposure valued at EUR 4 million as of December 31, 2024
| IN EUR MILLION | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Net asset value at year end | 15,680.9 | 16,671.5 | 17,775.5 | 22,501.1 | 20,497.9 | 20,349.4 | 16,192.7 | 18,888.0 | 16,992.2 | 15,188.1 |
| Year-on-year change (in %) | - 5.9 | - 6.2 | - 21.0 | + 9.8 | + 0.7 | + 25.7 | - 14.3 | + 11.2 | + 11.9 | - 0.5 |
| Portfolio | 15,289.7 | 17,487.6 | 19,535.1 | 22,712.5 | 21,339.5 | 20,626.6 | 16,686.1 | 18,825.7 | 16,300.4 | 15,457.2 |
| Net cash/(net debt) | (460.2) | (2,021.9) | (2,671.2) | (990.5) | (1,563.1) | (767.7) | (693.0) | (442.8) | 224.7 | (740.0) |
| Treasury shares | 851.4 | 1,205.8 | 911.6 | 778.9 | 721.4 | 490.4 | 199.6 | 505.0 | 467.1 | 470.9 |
| IN EUR | ||||||||||
| Net asset value per share | 113.30 | 113.64 | 116.18 | 143.91 | 127.03 | 126.11 | 100.35 | 117.06 | 105.31 | 94.13 |
| Year-on-year change (in %) | - 0.3 | - 2.2 | - 19.3 | + 13.3 | + 0.7 | + 25.7 | - 14.3 | + 11.2 | + 11.9 | - 0.5 |
| Share price | 66.05 | 71.22 | 74.58 | 98.16 | 82.52 | 93.96 | 76.08 | 89.99 | 79.72 | 78.83 |
| Discount (in %) | 41.7 | 37.3 | 35.8 | 31.8 | 35.0 | 25.5 | 24.2 | 23.1 | 24.3 | 16.3 |
GBL's share price ended 2024 at EUR 66.05 and 2023 at EUR 71.22, a decrease of - 7.3%. At its highest closing price, the share reached EUR 71.90 (May 8, 2024) and at its lowest closing price (November 13, 2024), EUR 63.90.

2014
| Headquarters | Market capitalization at year-end 2024 |
Issuer's (1) credit rating |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IN EUR BILLION | S&P GLOBAL | MOODY'S | ||
| Investor AB | Sweden | 78.3 | AA- | Aa3 |
| Exor | Netherlands | 19.6 | A- | Unrated |
| Industrivärden | Sweden | 13.2 | A+ | Unrated |
| Wendel | France | 4.1 | BBB | Baa2 |
| Kinnevik | Sweden | 1.8 | Unrated | Unrated |
| GBL | Belgium | 9.1 | Unrated | A1 |
Source: Bloomberg
Given (i) its geographical mandate, (ii) its positioning as engaged owner deploying permanent capital, (iii) its portfolio being primarily exposed to Investment Grade listed global companies and (iv) its size, GBL evolves in a narrow sector universe in which it identifies the peers mentioned above.


| 2.1 | Corporate Governance Statement | 26 |
|---|---|---|
| 2.2 | Board of Directors and Committees | 27 |
| 2.3 | Remuneration of corporate officers | 40 |
| 2.4 | Involvement of GBL teams in group investments |
47 |
| 2.5 | Policy on conflicts of interest and policy relating to transactions in GBL securities |
48 |
| 2.6 | List of other offices held by the members of the Board of Directors between 2020 and 2024 |
50 |
| 2.7 2.8 |
Risk management and internal control GBL ACT |
54 56 |
Groupe Bruxelles Lambert ("GBL" or the "Company") complies with all corporate governance regulations. In this context, it complies in particular with the provisions of the 2020 Belgian Corporate Governance Code (the "2020 Code")
The standards of conduct for members of GBL's Board of Directors and its specialized Committees, as well as the rules governing the functioning of these bodies, are laid out in the Corporate Governance Charter (the "Charter").
This document also includes the Dealing Code, which defines the rules applicable to transactions in GBL securities. The Board of Directors has ensured that this document reflects the various legal developments in the field of corporate governance, including the 2020 Code. The updated document is available on the Company's website (www.gbl.com).
This Corporate Governance Statement describes the composition and functioning of GBL's Board of Directors and its Committees. It outlines the practical application of GBL's governance rules during the financial year ended December 31, 2024 and the period between the end of this financial year and the Board of Directors meeting on March 13, 2025. Furthermore, it lists the Company's deviations from certain provisions of the 2020 Code and explains the reasons behind them. It also includes the remuneration policy and the remuneration report. Lastly, it reflects the principal characteristics of the Company's internal control and risk management systems.








The composition of GBL's Board of Directors reflects the controlling shareholding of the Company. GBL is controlled by Pargesa SA, a company governed by Swiss law, itself controlled by Parjointco SA, a company governed by Belgian law controlled jointly by the Frère and Power Corporation of Canada groups, under an agreement signed by the two groups in 1990.
This agreement aims to establish and maintain equal control between the Power Corporation of Canada group and the Frère group in Pargesa SA, GBL and their respective designated subsidiaries. It was extended on December 16, 2012 and shall expire in 2029 if not renewed.
As at December 31, 2024, out of a total of eleven members, GBL's Board includes six representatives proposed by the controlling shareholder, Pargesa SA. Subject to the approval of the Ordinary General Meeting, the Board of Directors will be composed of twelve members as from May 2, 2025, of which six representatives of the controlling shareholder.
The shareholding structure dictates the composition of the Board of Directors as at December 31, 2024. It deviates from Article 3.7 of the 2020 Code, which recommends a Board composition such that no individual Director or group of Directors is able to control decision-making.
This control structure also justifies the presence, as at December 31, 2024, of representatives proposed by the controlling shareholder, Pargesa SA, on the Audit Committee (two members out of four) and Governance and Sustainable Development Committee (one member out of three).
It is also in this context that GBL has developed a diversity policy for its Board of Directors in accordance with the Law of September 3, 2017 on the disclosure of non-financial information and diversity information by certain companies and groups.
The Company ensures the presence and contribution of Directors from different backgrounds and with diverse skills, as well as a sufficient number of independent Directors, thereby ensuring that the interests of all the Company's shareholders are respected.
It has also gradually increased the number of women on its Board and Committees, in accordance with the Law of July 28, 2011, which aims to guarantee the presence of women on the Board of Directors of listed companies.
GBL's Board of Directors has four independent Directors and four female Directors out of a total of eleven members. This tighter and enhanced set up provides GBL with more agile governance that is better adapted to the group's strategic challenges.
The Ordinary General Meeting of May 2, 2025 is invited to appoint Johannes Huth as Director for a period of four years.
Born on May 27, 1960 in Heidelberg, of German nationality
Johannes Huth joined KKR in 1999 and became Senior Advisory Partner in 2024. Prior to that, he was a Partner of KKR and Chairman of KKR's operations in Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Johannes Huth is Director of Axel Springer SE, Coty Inc, Roompot and Marshall Wace Ltd.
Before joining KKR, he was a member of Investcorp's Management Committee and was also responsible for the company's operations in Europe

from January 1991 to January 1999. From June 1986 to January 1991, he was with Salomon Brothers,
where he was Vice Chairman in the mergers and acquisitions departments in London and New York.
Johannes Huth holds a B.Sc from the London School of Economics and an MBA from the University of Chicago.
The mandates of Claude Généreux, Alexandra Soto, Agnès Touraine and Jacques Veyrat expire at the end of the Ordinary General Meeting of May 2, 2025. The Ordinary General Meeting is therefore asked to reappoint them as Director for a period of four years, i.e., until the end of the 2029 General Meeting called to approve the accounts for the 2028 financial year.
The independence of two Directors, Agnès Touraine and Jacques Veyrat, is to be established during the General Meeting, subject to their confirmation as Directors. To qualify for independent status, a Director must, in accordance with the Charter, meet the requirements of Article 7:87 of the Code on companies and associations and Article 3.5 of the 2020 Code. The Board of Directors is of the opinion that, in light of the criteria of the Code on companies and associations and the 2020 Code, Agnès Touraine and Jacques Veyrat qualify for independent status. They have also confirmed their independence in writing, on January 22, 2025 and February 14, 2025, respectively.
| Start of mandate | End of current mandate |
Audit Committee | Governance and Sustainable Development Committee |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS | |||||
| PAUL DESMARAIS, Jr. | 1990 | 2027 | _ | _ | |
| VICE CHAIRWOMAN OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS | |||||
| SÉGOLÈNE GALLIENNE - FRÈRE | 2015 | 2027 | _ | _ | |
| CEO | |||||
| IAN GALLIENNE | 2009 | 2028 | _ | _ | |
| DIRECTORS | |||||
| PAUL DESMARAIS III | 2014 | 2026 | _ | _ | |
| BARON CEDRIC FRÈRE | 2015 | 2027 | _ | _ | |
| CLAUDE GÉNÉREUX | 2019 | 2025 | Member | Member | |
| ALEXANDRA SOTO | 2021 | 2025 | Member | _ | |
| INDEPENDENT DIRECTORS | |||||
| MARY MEANEY | 2023 | 2027 | Member | - | |
| AGNÈS TOURAINE | 2018 | 2025 | Chairwoman | - | |
| CHRISTIAN VAN THILLO | 2023 | 2027 | - | Member | |
| JACQUES VEYRAT | 2021 | 2025 | - | Chairman | |
| HONORARY CHAIRMAN |
BARON FRÈRE (ALBERT) †
At the end of the Ordinary General Meeting of May 2, 2025, Ian Gallienne will take the Chairmanship of the Board of Directors and Paul Desmarais, Jr. the Vice Chairmanship replacing Ségolène Gallienne - Frère.
The full list of offices held by members of the Board of Directors during the last five years can be found on pages 50 to 53 of this report. The list of offices held in listed companies during the 2024 financial year can be found on pages 35 and 36.
Chairman of the Board of Directors
Age 70 Born on July 3, 1954 in Sudbury, Ontario, Canada
Nationality
Canadian
Power Corporation of Canada 751, Victoria Square Montreal, Quebec H2Y 2J3 (Canada)
Number of GBL shares held as at March 13, 2025 12,250

Age
47 Born on June 7, 1977 in Uccle, Belgium
Nationality
Belgian
Groupe Bruxelles Lambert 24, avenue Marnix 1000 Brussels (Belgium)
Number of GBL shares held as at March 13, 2025 6,750

53 Born on January 23, 1971 in Boulogne-Billancourt, France
Groupe Bruxelles Lambert 24, avenue Marnix 1000 Brussels (Belgium)

Age 42 Born on June 8, 1982 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Nationality Canadian
Power Corporation of Canada 751, Victoria Square Montreal, Quebec H2Y 2J3 (Canada)
Number of GBL shares held as at March 13, 2025 1,850

Director
Nationality Belgian and French
Frère-Bourgeois Holding 12, rue de la Blanche Borne 6280 Loverval (Belgium)
Number of GBL shares held as at March 13, 2025 1,850

Age 62 Born on April 10, 1962 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Nationality Canadian
Power Corporation of Canada 751, Victoria Square Montreal, Quebec H2Y 2J3 (Canada)
Number of GBL shares held as at March 13, 2025 2,750

Director
52 Born on May 31, 1972 in Corpus Christi, USA
Nationality French and American
72 rue du Château 62500 Tilques (France)
Number of GBL shares held as at March 13, 2025 700

Age 56 Born on October 21, 1968 in Rueil-Malmaison, France
French
50 Stratton Street London W1J 8LL (United Kingdom)
Number of GBL shares held as at March 13, 2025 1,150

Age 69 Born on February 18, 1955 in Neuilly-sur-Seine, France
Nationality French
Contact address 5, rue Budé 75004 Paris (France)
Number of GBL shares held as at March 13, 2025 1,500

Nationality Belgian
Contact address DPG Media Group Mediaplein 1 2018 Antwerp (Belgium)
Number of GBL shares held as at March 13, 2025 700

62 Born on November 4, 1962 in Chambéry, France
Impala 4, rue Euler 75008 Paris (France)

Directors are appointed on the basis of the procedures and selection criteria described in Chapter III, point A. 2. of the Charter (which comply with the 2020 Code), as well as the Company's Diversity & Inclusion Policy. The Governance and Sustainable Development Committee is responsible for the selection process of Directors.
New Directors receive appropriate information enabling them to quickly begin contributing to the work of the Board of Directors. If the Director sits on a Board Committee as well, the information provided includes a description of the Committee's duties and any other information relating to its tasks. New Director can also speak to the CEO to obtain any information that is useful or required in order to carry out its duties. Where applicable, one or more meetings are arranged with the CFO and the General Secretary to ensure that the new Director receives proper training.
Throughout their mandate, Directors update their skills and develop their knowledge of the Company in order to carry out their responsibilities as members of the Board of Directors and Committees.
The following table shows the offices held in listed companies by each of the Directors as at December 31, 2024, both in Belgium and abroad.
Two figures are given for the number of offices: the first figure represents the total number of offices held, and the second smaller or equal number is obtained by consolidating all offices held within the same group and representing it in its various holdings.
The specific nature of a holding company is to hold investments, the performances of which must be monitored by the company's managers. In this context, Directors may legitimately hold more than five offices as their main professional activity, which explains why the Charter deviates from the provision 5.5 of the 2020 Code.
| Number of offices |
Name of the listed company | |
|---|---|---|
| Paul Desmarais, Jr. | 5/1 | Power Corporation of Canada (CDN) Power Financial Corporation (CDN) Great-West Lifeco Inc (CDN) IGM Financial Inc (CDN) Groupe Bruxelles Lambert (B) |
| Ségolène Gallienne - Frère | 4/4 | Canal+ SA (F) Christian Dior SE (F) Groupe Bruxelles Lambert (B) Power Corporation of Canada (CDN) |
| Ian Gallienne | 5/1 | Groupe Bruxelles Lambert (B) adidas AG (D) Imerys (F) Pernod Ricard (F) SGS SA (CH) |
| Paul Desmarais III | 1/1 | Groupe Bruxelles Lambert (B) |
| Cedric Frère | 1/1 | Groupe Bruxelles Lambert (B) |
| Claude Généreux | 3/1 | Great-West Lifeco Inc (CDN) IGM Financial Inc (CDN) Groupe Bruxelles Lambert (B) |
| Number of offices |
Name of the listed company | |
|---|---|---|
| Mary Meaney | 2/2 | Groupe Bruxelles Lambert (B) Syensqo (B) |
| Alexandra Soto | 1/1 | Groupe Bruxelles Lambert (B) |
| Agnès Touraine | 2/2 | Groupe Bruxelles Lambert (B) Rexel (B) |
| Christian Van Thillo | 1/1 | Groupe Bruxelles Lambert (B) |
| Jacques Veyrat | 3/3 | Fnac Darty (F) Groupe Bruxelles Lambert (B) Illiad (F) |
Among the criteria laid down for the selection of Directors is their expertise and experience in management and finance as provided for in GBL's Diversity & Inclusion Policy.
The activity exercised and offices held by Directors reflect their individual expertise and experience.
None of the Directors has been convicted of fraud, charged and/or received an official public sanction from a governmental or regulatory authority within the last five years.
Likewise, none of the Directors has been banned by a court from being a member of a management, executive or supervisory body or being involved in the management or conduct of an issuer's activities within the last five years. None of the Directors is subject to any management ban within the meaning of the law of May 4, 2023 on the central Register of management bans.
None of the Directors has been subject to bankruptcy, receivership or liquidation within the last five years.
The following theoretical potential conflicts of interest have been identified:
The Company has not entered into any arrangements or agreements with the main shareholders under which the Directors were selected as members of the Board of Directors.
To the Company's knowledge, there are no restrictions on the sale by a Director of the GBL shares that they hold, except for the stipulations regarding lock-up periods and closed periods provided for in the remuneration policy.
management
As at December 31, 2024, day-to-day management is undertaken by Ian Gallienne, CEO.
Johannes Huth will take over the day-to-day management as from May 2, 2025 and will then become Managing Director replacing Ian Gallienne.
The CEO is responsible for the day-to-day management of the group.
He prepares strategic choices, researches and analyzes investment projects, studies divestments and examines the company's mediumand long-term financing needs. He presents his proposals to the Board of Directors for deliberation. The CEO reports to the Board of Directors on the progress of GBL's business, in particular on the development of the investments and financial management of the group.
On an annual basis, the Board, after having consulted the Governance and Sustainable Development Committee, assesses the performance of the CEO and the achievement of the Company's strategic objectives in relation to the agreed measures and targets.
Furthermore, the non-executive Directors meet annually, in the absence of the CEO, to review the interaction between non-executive Directors and the CEO.
The meeting on the 2024 financial year was held on November 4, 2024 (for more details, see "Effectiveness and assessment of the Board" on page 37 of this annual report).
The powers and functioning of the Board of Directors are described in Chapter III, points A. 4.1. and 4.2. of the Charter.
The Board of Directors met eleven times in 2024, with a weighted average attendance rate by Directors of 89.26% for all the meetings.
Directors' individual attendance rates for these meetings were as follows:
| Directors | Attendance rate |
|---|---|
| Paul Desmarais, Jr. | 100.00% |
| Ségolène Gallienne - Frère | 72.73% |
| Ian Gallienne | 100.00% |
| Paul Desmarais III | 63.64% |
| Cedric Frère | 100.00% |
| Claude Généreux | 90.91% |
| Mary Meaney | 90.91% |
| Alexandra Soto | 100.00% |
| Agnès Touraine | 100.00% |
| Christian Van Thillo | 90.91% |
| Jacques Veyrat | 72.73% |
| TOTAL | 89.26% (1) |
(1) Attendance rate calculated based on the weighted attendance of all members during their term of office
The Board of Directors devotes a significant part of its activity to the development of the Company's strategic plans and in particular to the examination of investment and divestment projects.
The March and July meetings of the Board of Directors traditionally include the approval of the consolidated financial statements and the parent company financial statements at December 31 and June 30.
The May and November meetings focus on the quarterly results. At each of these meetings, the year-end earnings forecasts are examined, as well as GBL's cash and debt situation and stock market trends. The portfolio of investments is generally on the agenda of all meetings. The Board reviews and approves, where appropriate, the recommendations of the Committees.
The Board of Directors, during its meetings of March 14, 2024 and of May 2, 2024 approved the sales of adidas shares. The Board meeting of March also reviewed the mapping of the group's risks (including cybersecurity risks) and set the agenda for the Ordinary and Extraordinary General Meetings.
In accordance with its internal rules of procedure (see Chapter III, point A. 4.2.6. of the Charter), the Board of Directors assesses its own performance every three years on the basis of an individual questionnaire. This questionnaire covers the size, composition and collective performance of the Board of Directors, as well as the actual contribution of each Director and the interaction of the Board of Directors with the CEO. Furthermore, the non-executive Directors meet annually, in the absence of the CEO, to review the interaction between non-executive Directors and the CEO. The scope of this evaluation extends to the Audit Committee and the Governance and Sustainable Development Committee.
The first assessment of the Board of Directors was conducted in 2007. The latest assessment of the functioning of the Board of Directors and the interaction between the Board and the CEO occurred in 2022. The results were reported to the Board at its meeting of November 3, 2022 and were satisfactory. A new assessment shall take place in 2025.
The meeting of the non-executive Directors in the absence of the CEO, covering the 2024 financial year, was held on November 4, 2024.
The following items were raised:
Each of these matters was deemed satisfactory.
When the mandate of each Director expires, the Board of Directors assesses its attendance at meetings of the Board or the Board Committees, its level of engagement and its constructive involvement in debates and decision-making, in accordance with a pre-established and transparent procedure.

The Board of Directors is assisted by the Governance and Sustainable Development Committee and the Audit Committee, which carry out their activities under its responsibility.
The internal rules of procedure of each of these Committees are set out in Appendix 1 of the Charter.
As at December 31, 2024, the Committee has three members and is chaired by Jacques Veyrat, independent Director. The mandate of the Committee's members corresponds to their term of office as Director.
| Members of the Governance and Sustainable Development Committee |
Current mandate | Attendance rate |
|---|---|---|
| Claude Généreux | 2021-2025 | 100.00% |
| Christian Van Thillo | 2023-2027 | 100.00% |
| Jacques Veyrat | 2021-2025 | 100.00% |
| TOTAL | 100.00% (1) |
(1) Attendance rate calculated based on the weighted attendance of all members during their term of office as Committee members
All members of the Governance and Sustainable Development Committee are non-executive Directors, two of whom are independent. They possess the necessary expertise in the areas of governance and remuneration policy.

The Governance and Sustainable Development Committee met two times in 2024. As shown in the table above, there was a 100.00% weighted average attendance rate for Directors for all the meetings in 2024.
The Governance and Sustainable Development Committee shall, among other things, exercise the responsibilities of the remuneration committee referred to in Section 7:100 of the Code on companies and associations and the responsibilities of the nomination committee as defined in the 2020 Code, Section 4.19 et seq.
At these meetings, the Committee mainly focused on the following issues:
In 2024, it also reviewed the principles governing the functioning of the Board and Committees. It believes that the governance of the Company complies with the regulations in force, the 2020 Code and best practices, taking into account the shareholding structure.
As at December 31, 2024, the Audit Committee is made up of four members, two of whom are independent within the meaning of Article 7:87 of the Code on companies and associations and the 2020 Code. These members are Agnès Touraine, Chairwoman of the Committee, and Mary Meaney. The other members, namely Claude Généreux and Alexandra Soto, are representatives of the controlling shareholder.
The mandate of the Committee's members corresponds to their term of office as Director.
| Member of the Audit Committee |
Current mandate | Attendance rate |
|---|---|---|
| Claude Généreux | 2021-2025 | 83.33% |
| Mary Meaney | 2023-2027 | 83.33% |
| Alexandra Soto | 2021-2025 | 100.00% |
| Agnès Touraine | 2021-2025 | 100.00% |
| TOTAL | 91.67% (1) |
(1) Attendance rate calculated on the basis of the weighted attendance of all members during their term of office as Committee members
All Committee members are non-executive Directors and have accounting and auditing expertise as a result of their education or professional experience. Furthermore, the members have collective expertise in the Company's areas of activity.
The Audit Committee met six times in 2024, with an attendance rate by its members of 91.67% for all meetings, as shown in the table above.

The Chief Financial Officer and the Company's Statutory Auditor attended all meetings.
At these meetings, the Audit Committee examined the accuracy and fair presentation of GBL's accounts and consolidated financial statements and performed its monitoring responsibilities in respect of control in the broadest sense, in particular with regard to the quality of internal controls and information provided to shareholders and the markets.
In 2024, the Committee examined the following items:
According to developments in and the effectiveness of their work, the various Committees may, at any time, propose changes to their internal rules of procedure. The Charter therefore does not establish a regular procedure for reviewing the internal rules of procedure of the Committees.
The functioning and performance of each Committee are measured and analyzed as part of the triennial performance assessment of the Board of Directors. Part of this individual assessment questionnaire is reserved for this purpose for members of the respective Committees.
The interaction between the CEO and non-executive Directors is also assessed within the Audit Committee and the Governance and Sustainable Development Committee.
This remuneration policy was approved by the General Meeting of May 2, 2024 with effect from January 1, 2024.
The CEO's remuneration is revised every three years to bring it in line with market practices based on an in-depth benchmark exercise to ensure greater alignment with shareholders, in consultation with the CEO.
As part of the governance changes referred to under point 2.2.1.3, the Ordinary General Meeting of May 2, 2025 is invited to give its opinion on the modification of the remuneration policy which is described in more detail under section 2.3.1.1 below.
The main changes are intended to increase the exposure of the CEO to the share price of GBL share and thereby increase his alignment with the one of the shareholders by (i) cancelling all variable remuneration in cash and by (ii) providing an increasing stock options plan covering a threeyear period. It is also proposed to fix the severance benefits of the CEO at twelve months' gross annual fixed remuneration.
Following the governance changes which will be made subject to the approval of the Ordinary General Meeting of May 2, 2025, it is also proposed to review the remuneration of the non-executive Directors.
The Board of Directors sets the remuneration of the CEO following counsel from the Governance and Sustainable Development Committee, which is composed of a majority of independent Directors (including the Chairman of the Committee) which contributes to preventing conflicts of interest relating to the remuneration policy.
The CEO remuneration principles are intended to:
(1) The companies selected for the benchmark exercise are: 3i Group, Ackermans & van Haaren, Eurazeo, Exor, Peugeot Invest, Industrivärden AB, Investor AB, Kinnevik AB, Sofina and Wendel
The remuneration of the CEO is subject to a thorough benchmark (1) exercise performed with the assistance of a specialized external consultant. This analysis follows a rigorous process that included an examination of best practices and recommendations in terms of remuneration, which led to the implementation of an attractive and balanced remuneration policy.
The fixed annual gross remuneration of the CEO is EUR 1,200,000.
The CEO benefits from a defined-contribution pension plan, into which 21% of his fixed annual gross remuneration is paid by GBL on a yearly basis, a disability and life insurance plan, Directors' and Officers' (D&O) liability insurance and a company car.
The first pillar of variable remuneration is intended to remunerate the annual contribution of the CEO. It is in no way guaranteed, and its amount is determined according to the effective achievement of precise and quantifiable objectives.
These precise and quantifiable objectives are as follows:
| Strategic Condition | 35% | 20% of deployed capital allocated to private assets (excluding share buybacks) |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Financial Condition | 35% | Loan To Value ratio below 10% through the cycle (as referred to on page 132 of this annual report) |
|
| ESG Condition | 20% | GBL employee satisfaction survey over 67%, with 55% participation minimum |
|
| 10% | Team retention |
The Board sets a percentage of variable annual remuneration which can only be awarded in the event of achievements beating the above-mentioned objectives. This percentage may not exceed 50% of the gross fixed annual reference remuneration (i.e., EUR 600,000).
To determine the amount of annual variable remuneration to be granted, if applicable, the Board of Directors – on recommendation of the Governance and Sustainable Development Committee – assesses the performance of the CEO at the end of each financial year with regard to fixed objectives. The annual variable remuneration shall, where applicable, be paid by GBL to the CEO in the first half of the following year.
The second pillar of variable remuneration is intended to further align the interests of the CEO with those of the shareholders and encourages the CEO to adopt a long-term view.
The multi-year variable remuneration covers a three-year period and is based on precise and quantifiable objectives linked to the execution of the strategic plan (including the evolution of the portfolio) and the implementation of other value-creating initiatives.
| Strategic Condition | 35% | GBL discount for the period July 1 - December 31, year 3 lower than the GBL discount for the period July 1 - December 31, year 1 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Financial Condition | 35% | GBL credit rating no lower than Baa2 | |
| 10% | 40% of the portfolio with 1.5°C climate targets validated by the Science Based Targets initiative | ||
| ESG Condition | 10% | Governance roadshows | |
| 10% | Implementing an ambitious diversity policy |
The Board sets a percentage of multi-year cash variable remuneration that can only be awarded when performance exceeds the objectives set out above. This percentage is a maximum of 50% per year of the gross fixed annual reference remuneration (i.e., EUR 600,000).
To determine the amount of multi-year cash variable remuneration to be granted, if applicable, the Board of Directors – on recommendation from the Governance and Sustainable Development Committee – assesses the performance of the CEO every three years with regard to the objectives set over the three-year period.
The multi-year cash variable remuneration shall, if applicable, be paid by GBL to the CEO in the first half of the year following the period in question.
The CEO is awarded an annual stock option plan connected to a GBL subsidiary, invested primarily in GBL shares and incidentally in a mix of listed portfolio shares (the "Subsidiary"). These shares would be acquired through equity and financing (banking or intra-group). The debt of this Subsidiary would be guaranteed by GBL. Interest would be financed by dividends received.
At the time of grant, the value of the options granted to the CEO would represent between EUR 2.5 million and EUR 3.5 million maximum (i.e., between 105% and 145% of his annual gross fixed and target annualized gross variable remuneration).
The CEO would receive options on a class of shares of the Subsidiary which are vested and exercisable up to 50% as from the 3rd anniversary of the grant and up to the balance as from the 4th anniversary (subject to the leaver provisions).
Those options have a maximum term of 10 years after their issue.
The CEO receives directly the remuneration for the directorships he holds in the portfolio companies. The CEO receives no remuneration for his position as Director of GBL as such.
The Board of Directors may decide to cancel, in full or in part, and/or modify the conditions of options granted to the CEO that are not yet exercisable if the CEO, in connection with his duties within the Company, has caused a loss that is extremely harmful to the Company.
Under an open-ended service contract, the CEO is entitled, in the event of unjustified withdrawal from office on serious grounds, to an indemnity representing eighteen months' gross annual fixed remuneration.
The CEO must own GBL shares for an amount equivalent to one year's gross annual fixed remuneration, it being specified that he must retain these shares for at least six months after the end of his contract with the Company if he decides to leave the group voluntarily.
The equivalence between the value of the position in shares and the value of the remuneration in question is verified each year in May.
In exceptional circumstances, to be assessed on a case-by-case basis, and only if it is in the long-term interests and sustainability of the Company, the Board of Directors may, following a reasoned opinion of the Governance and Sustainable Development Committee, grant certain exemptions to this remuneration policy. In this case, the procedure laid down in section 2.3.1.1 must be followed. Any authorized derogation shall be explained in the remuneration report for the relevant financial year.
The Board of Directors sets the remuneration of the Managing Director following the advice from the Governance and Sustainable Development Committee, which is composed of a majority of independent Directors (including the Chairman of the Committee) thus helping to prevent conflicts of interest relating to the remuneration policy.
The Managing Director remuneration principles are intended to:
The remuneration of the Managing Director is subject to thorough benchmark (1) exercise performed with the assistance of a specialized external consultant. This analysis followed a rigorous process that included an examination of best practices and recommendations in terms of remuneration, which led to the implementation of an attractive and balanced remuneration policy.
The fixed annual gross remuneration of the Managing Director is EUR 1,200,000.
The Managing Director benefits from a defined-contribution pension plan, into which 21% of his fixed annual gross remuneration is paid by GBL on a yearly basis, a disability and life insurance plan, a Directors' and Officers' (D&O) liability insurance and the reimbursement of certain costs.
The Managing Director is awarded a stock option plan connected to a GBL subsidiary, invested primarily in GBL shares and additionally in a mix of listed portfolio shares (the "Subsidiary"). These shares would be acquired through equity and financing (banking or intra-group). The debt of this Subsidiary would be guaranteed by GBL. Interest would be financed by dividends received.
The Managing Director would receive options in May 2025 in a single award which would cover a three-year period. No additional option would be granted to him in 2026 and 2027.
At the time of grant, the annual value of the options granted to the Managing Director would represent EUR 3.0 million.
The Managing Director would receive options relating to a class of shares of the Subsidiary which are vested on a linear basis over a three-year period (subject to the leaver provisions).
Those options have a maximum term of 10 years after their issue.
The Managing Director receives directly the remuneration for the directorships he may hold in the future in the portfolio companies. The Managing Director receives no remuneration for his position as Director of GBL as such.
The Board of Directors may decide to cancel, in full or in part, and/or modify the conditions of options granted to the Managing Director that are not yet exercisable if the Managing Director, in connection with his duties within the Company, has caused a loss that is extremely harmful to the Company.
Under an open-ended service contract, the Managing Director is entitled, in the event of unjustified withdrawal from office on serious grounds, to an indemnity representing twelve months' gross annual fixed remuneration.
The Managing Director must own GBL shares for an amount equivalent to one year's gross annual fixed remuneration, it being specified that (i) he has a period of one year from taking up his post (May 2, 2025) to fill this position and (ii) he must retain these shares for at least six months after the end of his contract with the Company if he decides to leave the group voluntarily.
The equivalence between the value of the position in shares and the value of the remuneration in question is verified each year in May.
In exceptional circumstances, to be assessed on a case-by-case basis, and only if it is in the long-term interests and sustainability of the Company, the Board of Directors may, following a reasoned opinion of the Governance and Sustainable Development Committee, grant certain exemptions to this remuneration policy. In this case, the procedure laid down in section 2.3.1.1 must be followed. Any authorized derogation shall be explained in the remuneration report for the relevant financial year.
(1) The companies selected for the benchmark exercise are: 3i Group, Ackermans & van Haaren, Eurazeo, Exor, Peugeot Invest, Industrivärden AB, Investor AB, Kinnevik AB, Sofina and Wendel
The remuneration of non-executive Directors is set by the General Meeting on the basis of a proposal by the Board of Directors after a recommendation from the Governance and Sustainable Development Committee.
It is revised every three years to bring it into line with market practices.
The non-executive Directors receive a fixed remuneration in cash, directors' fees and a fixed remuneration in shares of the Company (following the entry into force of the 2020 Code).
They do not receive any variable remuneration. As mentioned above, the CEO does not receive any remuneration for his mandate as a Director.
The remuneration of the non-executive Directors is set in such a way as to attract and retain high quality members who are able to contribute to the development of the Company.
The annual fixed remuneration in cash of the non-executive Directors is as follows:
After the 2020 Code entered into force, the non-executive Directors also receive a fixed annual remuneration in shares of the Company (350 shares). Non-executive Directors must retain these shares for at least three years after each grant. The shareholding structure and composition of the Board of Directors explain the term of retention of the shares granted in this way to non-executive Directors, which deviates from the 2020 Code. In addition, as stipulated in the Corporate Governance Charter (Chapter III. A.2.), all non-executive Directors must own at least 100 Company shares at all times.
Non-executive Directors benefit from Directors' and Officers' (D&O) liability insurance and a contractual coverage from the Company for the mandates they exercise on the governance bodies of companies in the GBL portfolio.
| IN EUR | Per meeting | Member | Chairman |
|---|---|---|---|
| Board of Directors | 3,000 | 27,500 | 150,000 |
| Specialized Committees | 3,000 | 12,500 | 12,500 |
The remuneration of non-executive Directors is set by the General Meeting on the basis of a proposal by the Board of Directors after a recommendation from the Governance and Sustainable Development Committee.
It is revised every three years to bring it into line with market practices.
The non-executive Directors receive a fixed remuneration in cash, directors' fees and a fixed remuneration in shares of the Company (following the entry into force of the 2020 Code).
They do not receive any variable remuneration. As mentioned above, the Managing Director does not receive any remuneration for his mandate as a Director.
The remuneration of the non-executive Directors is set in such a way as to attract and retain high quality members who are able to contribute to the development of the Company.
The annual fixed remuneration in cash of the non-executive Directors is as follows:
After the 2020 Code entered into force, the non-executive Directors also receive a fixed annual remuneration in shares of the Company (350 shares). Non-executive Directors must retain these shares for at least three years after each grant. The shareholding structure and composition of the Board of Directors explain the term of retention of the shares granted in this way to non-executive Directors, which deviates from the 2020 Code. In addition, as stipulated in the Corporate Governance Charter (Chapter III. A.2.), all non-executive Directors must own at least 100 Company shares at all times.
Non-executive Directors benefit from Directors' and Officers' (D&O) liability insurance and a contractual coverage from the Company for the mandates they exercise on the governance bodies of companies in the GBL portfolio.
| IN EUR | Per meeting | Member | Vice Chairman | Chairman |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Board of Directors | 3,000 | 27,500 | 200,000 | 400,000 |
| Specialized Committees | 3,000 | 12,500 | - | 12,500 |
This remuneration report shall be submitted for approval at the Ordinary General Meeting on May 2, 2025. It concerns the 2024 financial year. The remuneration for the 2024 financial year is in line with the remuneration policy that applied to this financial year. Where necessary, the remuneration policy, which is set out in section 2.3.1 above, is an integral part of this remuneration report.
The remuneration paid to the CEO in 2024 is set out below.
| Amounts paid in 2024 | |
|---|---|
| Status | Self-employed(1) |
| Fixed remuneration (gross) | EUR 1,200,000 (2) |
| Yearly short-term variable remuneration (gross) | EUR 600,000 |
| Pension (defined contribution type) and life insurance | EUR 276,705 |
| Other benefits | |
| Benefits in kind relating to the use of a company car, driver, mobile phone, computer | EUR 17,444 |
| Insurance (hospitalization, health and disability) | EUR 55,223 |
(1) A self-employed person carries out a gainful professional activity without being tied to an employer through an employment contract (2) Excluding fees received by the CEO for his directorship at adidas, Imerys, Pernod Ricard and SGS for a total gross amount of EUR 702,007
The Board of Directors on March 13, 2025, on the recommendation of the Governance and Sustainable Development Committee, noted that the conditions set for the annual cash variable remuneration for financial year 2024 had fully been met as follows:
| Realization in 2024 | Justification | |
|---|---|---|
| Strategic condition | 100% | GBL invested EUR 123.3 million in 2024 (excluding share buybacks), of which EUR 110.8 million in private assets, or 89.9% |
| Financial condition | 100% | The average quarterly Loan To Value ratio through the cycle (2022 - 2024) amounts to 9.8% |
| ESG Condition Employee satisfaction |
100% | The average independent survey participation rate was 55% in 2024, with a satisfaction level of 72% |
| ESG Condition Team retention |
100% | In 2024, staff turnover stood at 3.4% |
An amount of EUR 600,000 (gross) will therefore be paid to the CEO as part of his 2024 annual variable remuneration in the second quarter of 2025 in accordance with the remuneration policy. This corresponds to 50% of gross fixed annual remuneration.
The Board of Directors on March 13, 2025, on the recommendation of the Governance and Sustainable Development Committee, noted that the conditions set for the multi-year cash variable remuneration for financial years 2022 - 2024 are 65% met:
| Realization in 2024 | Justification | |
|---|---|---|
| Strategic condition | 0% | GBL's discount is set at 40% for the period July 1, 2024 - December 31, 2024, whereas it was 33% for the period July 1, 2022 - December 31, 2022 |
| Financial condition | 100% | GBL has an A1 credit rating at December 31, 2024 |
| ESG Condition SBTI |
100% | 80% of the portfolio with climate objectives of 1.5°C validated by Science Based Targets initiative at December 31, 2024 |
| ESG Condition Governance roadshow |
100% | GBL made three governance roadshows over the period 2022 - 2024 |
| ESG Condition Diversity policy |
100% | GBL team includes 41% women, in line with the target set by the Board of Directors. |
An amount of EUR 390,000 (gross) will therefore be paid to the CEO as part of his 2024 multi-year variable remuneration 2022 - 2024 in the second quarter of 2025 in accordance with the remuneration policy.
As of December 31, 2024, Ian Gallienne held 50,000 GBL shares, which represents 275% of one year's gross fixed remuneration (EUR 1,200,000).
The CEO did not exercise any stock options in 2024. Furthermore, no option held by the CEO expired during the 2024 financial year.
In accordance with the remuneration policy referred to in section 2.3.1.1 above, the CEO has received the following stock options:
| May 2024 | |
|---|---|
| Number of options granted | 102,000 |
| Total value of options at grant | EUR 2.5 million |
| Decision | Board of Directors meeting of March 14, 2024 |
| Stock options characteristics | Stock options in a GBL subsidiary |
| Exercise price | EUR 10 |
| Vesting date | 50% on May 31, 2027 – 50% on May 31, 2028 |
| Expiry date | May 30, 2034 (duration of the plan: 10 years) |
| Number of options held by the CEO | Exercise or sale period | |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 77,400 | from 05/08/2020 to 05/07/2027 (inclusive) (1) |
| 2018 | 77,400 | from 05/07/2021 to 05/06/2028 (inclusive) (1) |
| 2019 | 86,400 | from 05/10/2022 to 05/09/2029 (inclusive) (1) |
| 2020 | 86,400 | from 06/12/2023 to 06/11/2030 (inclusive) (1) |
| 2020 | 86,400 | from 12/15/2023 to 12/14/2030 (inclusive) |
| 2021 | 337,500 | 50% from 11/22/2024 to 11/21/2031 (inclusive) 50% from 11/22/2025 to 11/21/2031 (inclusive) |
| 2022 | 337,500 | 50% from 05/09/2025 to 05/08/2032 (inclusive) 50% from 05/09/2026 to 05/08/2032 (inclusive) |
| 2023 | 337,500 | 50% from 05/11/2026 to 05/10/2033 (inclusive) 50% from 05/11/2027 to 05/10/2033 (inclusive) |
| 2024 | 102,000 | 50% from 05/31/2027 to 05/30/2034 (inclusive) 50% from 05/31/2028 to 05/30/2034 (inclusive) |
(1) The performance condition is tested monthly since 2023
In 2024, an aggregate amount of EUR 903,500 was divided between the non-executive Directors as follows:
| IN EUR | Board Member | Member of the Audit Committee |
Member of the Governance and Sustainable Development Committee |
Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paul Desmarais, Jr. | 210,500(1) | - | - | 210,500 |
| Paul Desmarais III | 48,500 | - | - | 48,500 |
| Cedric Frère | 60,500 | - | - | 60,500 |
| Ségolène Gallienne - Frère | 51,500 | - | - | 51,500 |
| Claude Généreux | 57,500 | 27,500 | 15,500 | 100,500 |
| Mary Meaney | 57,500 | 27,500 | - | 85,000 |
| Alexandra Soto | 60,500 | 30,500 | - | 91,000 |
| Agnès Touraine | 60,500 | 43,000(2) | - | 103,500 |
| Christian Van Thillo | 57,500 | - | 15,500 | 73,000 |
| Jacques Veyrat | 51,500 | - | 28,000 (2) | 79,500 |
| TOTAL | 716,000 | 128,500 | 59,000 | 903,500 |
(1) Chairman of the Board (EUR 150,000)
(2) Chairman of a Committee (two times the fixed fees of a Member)
On May 15, 2024, each non-executive Director was allocated 350 GBL shares (EUR 71.15 per share - closing price on May 14, 2024), in accordance with the remuneration policy referred to in section 2.3.1.2 before.
No loan agreement with the Company or one of its subsidiaries has been entered into by a non-executive Director.
Furthermore, no non-executive Director is entitled to an indemnity in the event of termination of his duties. In addition, no non-executive Director benefits from a pension plan funded by GBL.
The following table details annual changes, over the last five financial years, in the Company's performance, the remuneration of non-executive Directors and the CEO, and the median remuneration on a full-time equivalent basis of the Company's employees. The reference to the median rather than the average was chosen in order to provide a relevant basis for comparison over time.
The scope includes Groupe Bruxelles Lambert, a listed company, and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, with the exception of other subsidiaries of the Company that are not integrated into the group's remuneration policy.
For non-executive Directors, the criterion used is the average total remuneration by Director.
The remuneration of the CEO and employees corresponds to the total of the fixed and variable gross remuneration allocated for the financial year, excluding options granted during the financial year.
Finally, the performance criterion is the comparison between (i) GBL's TSR and (ii) the STOXX Europe 50 TSR. In both cases, this is over a five-year period, with dividends reinvested, annualized and calculated on December 31 each year.
| 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GBL 5 year TSR | 4.67% | 7.89% | - 0.35% | 2.18% | - 3.45% |
| STOXX Europe 50 5 year TSR | 4.04% | 8.78% | 6.53% | 11.95% | 8.32% |
| Performance ratio | 0.63% | - 0.89% | - 6.87% | - 9.78% | - 11.77% |
| 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | |
| Non-executive Directors | 6.72% | - 6.78% | -15.65% | 2.19% | 18.41% |
| CEO | 4.58% | 0.01% | 12.12% | 38.78% | - 0.09% |
| Employees | - 3.00% | 7.00% | 12.00% | 10.00% | - 2.00% |
| Performance ratio | 0.63% | - 0.89% | - 6.87% | - 9.78% | - 11.77% |
In 2024, the ratio of the lowest remuneration (expressed on a full-time equivalent basis of employees) to that of the CEO was 1/43. The scope is the same as that for the ratio above.
In order to involve certain members of its team (the "Managers") (1) in the creation of value, GBL has set up, as from 2024, an investment program enabling them to invest on a personal basis in a portfolio of selected investments, in order to benefit from a share of any overall capital gain realized on the investments concerned (the "Investment Program").
GBL also offers Managers the possibility of co-investing alongside GBL, on a pari-passu basis, in the investment portfolio (the "Co-Investment Program"). Through these two programs, Managers are thus subject to the risks and associated with the benefits of these various investments on their own assets.
The first Investment Program covers GBL's participation in Affidea, Canyon and Sanoptis (the "First Investment Program"). It is structured through a vehicle grouping these investments and in which GBL (or a related company) and the Managers concerned are shareholders. Any subsequent Investment Programs will have to meet the following minimum criteria: a duration of three years, three investments and an overall value of EUR 1.5 billion.
The Investment Program is governed by the following principles:
GBL will disclose annually, in its annual report, (i) the value of subscriptions/acquisitions made by Managers during the previous year and (ii) the sums received by Managers under the Investment Programs referred to in this point.
In this respect, in 2024, Managers acquired rights under the First Investment Program for an amount of EUR 8.2 million, of which EUR 1.5 million were acquired by Ian Gallienne.
In addition to the Investment Program, GBL offers Managers the possibility of co-investing alongside GBL. The first Co-Investment Program (the "First Co-Investment Program") covers GBL's participation in Affidea, Canyon and Sanoptis.
Any subsequent Co-Investment Programs will have to meet the following minimum criteria: a duration of three years, three investments and an overall value of EUR 1.5 billion.
The Co-Investment Program is governed by the following principles:
Chapter III, point A. 4.2.2. of the Charter describes the Company's policy on transactions or other potential contractual relations between the Company, including affiliated companies, and Directors, in cases where these transactions or other contractual relations are not covered by legal provisions on conflicts of interest. It also provides for the application of the specific procedures laid down in Articles 7:96 and 7:97 of the Code on companies and associations.
One conflicts of interest situation, as defined by Article 7:96 of the Code on companies and associations, was brought to the attention of the Board of Directors at meetings in 2024 and was addressed in accordance with the procedure provided for in this article. As can be seen from the extract below, some Directors, to whom the legal conflict of interest rules were nevertheless not applicable, abstained in accordance with the policy set out in the Charter.
The Statutory Auditor was informed of this situation and the extract from the minutes relating to those resolutions is included in its entirety below:
" This decision requires the application of the procedure set out in article 7:96 of the Code on companies and associations. Ian Gallienne leaves the meeting as he has a conflict of interest. The Management team also leaves the meeting.
Cedric Frère and Alexandra Soto declare that they do not wish to take part in the vote for reasons of professional ethics due to their links with Ian Gallienne. They also leave the meeting.
Claude Généreux reports to the Board on the meeting held on March 13 and the recommendations made in this context.
The Committee has reviewed the criteria set for the CEO's annual bonus, which, for the record, amounts to EUR 600,000 gross.
It considers that the three criteria set by the Board - strategic, financial and ESG - are 100% met and therefore recommends that the gross amount of EUR 600,000 be paid to the CEO.
The Board approves the aforementioned recommendation of the Governance and Sustainable Development Committee.
As approved at the Board meeting of November 2, 2023, it is proposed to grant the CEO, in 2024, a long-term incentive plan on stock options relating to a subsidiary of GBL, invested mainly in GBL shares and incidentally in shares of the main listed companies in the portfolio.
The options would vest and be exercisable at a rate of 50% as of the 3rd anniversary of the grant and the balance as of the 4th anniversary.
At the time of their grant, the value of the options granted to the CEO represents a maximum of 105-145% of his annual gross fixed remuneration and annualized gross variable remuneration (i.e. approximately EUR 2.5 - 3.5 million).
The Board of Directors approves the CEO's 2024 long-term incentive plan and emphasizes that the consequences thereof (particularly in terms of wealth) are in the interest of the company and its shareholders.
It also approves the terms of the 2024 option plan for staff (with potential "exposure" of up to EUR 67 million (including the CEO) if it is fully accepted). As with the CEO, the plan for the staff would take the form of an existing share option plan of a GBL subsidiary which would hold mainly GBL shares to be financed by equity and intra-group financing, guaranteed by GBL at the market rate. The real value of the shares to which the options relate is set at EUR 10.
In the context of the guarantee to be granted by GBL, the Board approves the report to be drawn up in accordance with Article 7:227 of the Code on companies and associations and authorizes the CEO and the General Secretary, with the right of substitution, to implement the incentive plan and in particular to:
The guarantee to be granted by GBL for a credit of a maximum amount of EUR 60.3 million will be submitted for approval to the Ordinary General Meeting of May 2, 2024."
The rules relating to transactions in GBL securities are contained in the "Dealing Code", which can be found in Appendix 2 to the Charter. The Dealing Code lays down the Company's internal policy on the prevention of market abuse. More specifically, it establishes the rules designed to prevent the illegal use of inside information by Directors and employees of the Company and the GBL group. Under these rules, it defines the windows during which these people are prohibited from buying or selling, or attempting to buy or sell, GBL securities on their own behalf or that of a third party, either directly or indirectly ("closed periods").
A calendar of the closed periods, as defined in the Charter, is also provided to the CEO, other Directors and members of staff.
In addition, the Directors and other potential insiders, whose names are included on a list kept by the Company, must inform the General Secretary before carrying out any transaction in GBL securities.
Finally, GBL Directors and persons closely connected to them are also legally obliged to notify the Belgian Financial Services and Markets Authority (FSMA) of any transactions in GBL securities performed on their own behalf.
The General Secretary ensures the application of all legal measures relating to market abuse and measures laid down by the Charter. She is available to provide members of the Board of Directors and staff with any information on this subject.
– Member of the Board of Directors of McKinsey (USA) (until June 30, 2021).
– Member of the Management Committee of Lazard Ltd (UK) and Lazard Group (USA).
– Member of the Supervisory Board of METRO AG (D) (until February 11, 2022).
List of activities and other mandates exercised in Belgian and foreign companies:
List of activities and other mandates exercised in Belgian and foreign companies:
– Executive Chairman of DPG Media Group (B).
List of activities and other mandates exercised in Belgian and foreign companies expired during the last five years:
– Nihil
List of activities and other mandates exercised in Belgian and foreign companies:
GBL's Board of Directors is responsible for assessing the risks inherent to the GBL group and the effectiveness of the internal control system.
With regards to risk management and internal control, the Belgian legislative framework consists of the law of December 17, 2008 (application of European Directive 2006/43/EC on statutory audits of annual accounts and consolidated accounts) and the law of April 6, 2010 (the so-called "Corporate Governance" Law). The 2020 Belgian Corporate Governance Code and Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (EU) 2022/2664 ("CSRD") as implemented into Belgian law pursuant to the law of December 2, 2024 also include provisions on that topic. The IFRS 7 standard defines additional requirements for the management of risks related to financial instruments. Since 2006, GBL has formalized its internal control and risk management system based on the COSO model (1).
The COSO methodology is based on five areas: the control environment, risk assessment, control activities, supervision and monitoring, and information and communication.
GBL's primary objective is to create, over the long term, value for its shareholders. GBL strives to develop a quality portfolio focused on a targeted number of companies that are leaders in their sector and in which it can play an active role as an engaged and responsible shareholder creating value over the long term. The portfolio will evolve over time while remaining balanced in terms of sectorial and geographic diversification.
GBL invests and divests depending on companies' development and market opportunities in order to achieve its objective of value creation, while maintaining a solid financial structure.
GBL aims at investing in companies that offer potential for value creation in the long term. New opportunities and portfolio management are monitored continuously at the highest level (see "Portfolio risk" on page 64). The divestment policy (as detailed on pages 70 to 73 of the "Portfolio management strategy" section) aims at disposing of investments that no longer meet the group's investment criteria.
Internal control at GBL contributes to the safeguarding of assets and the control and optimization of transactions. It aims at providing
reasonable assurance about achievement of the objectives of compliance with laws and regulations in force and the reliability of accounting information and financial reporting. Like any control system, it can only provide a reasonable assurance that the risks of errors or fraud are totally controlled or eliminated.
GBL has a Board of Directors, a Governance and Sustainable Development Committee and an Audit Committee. Their respective modes of operation are described on page 28 and from page 38 to page 39.
The Audit Committee is in charge in particular of checking the effectiveness of the company's internal control and risk management systems. In this context, the Audit Committee also monitors the proper application of a whistle blowing procedure. The majority of its members, all of whom are designated by the Board, are independent Directors. The Chairman of the Audit Committee is appointed by the members of the Committee and cannot be the Chairman of the Board of Directors.
GBL has adopted a Corporate Governance Charter and a Code of Conduct that are regularly updated and aim to ensure conduct that is honest, ethical and complies with the laws, regulations and principles of good governance, by the group's Directors and staff in the exercise of their duties.
The Governance and Sustainable Development Committee reviews candidacies and seeks to ensure that a satisfactory balance is maintained within the Board of Directors in terms of its members' competencies, knowledge and experience, particularly in the fields of finance, accounting and investment. The Board of Directors conducts on a regular basis, at intervals of no more than three years, assessments of itself and its Committees in terms of size, composition and performance. In this context, it also examines regularly the interaction between non-executive Directors and the Managing Director. Furthermore, a recruitment process suited to the profiles sought, appropriate training and a remuneration and evaluation policy based on the achievement of targets enable to ensure the competency of GBL's staff.
(1) The COSO (Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission) is a recognized private, international, non-governmental organization active in the areas of governance, internal control, risk management and financial reporting
An in-depth exercise for the identification of the risks faced by GBL and their ranking is carried every three years. The risks as identified during the last assessment carried out in 2024 are listed from page 62 to page 67.
A prioritization of risks specific to GBL has been carried out, taking into account control activities in place, based on the criteria of (i) impact (financial, reputational, legal or operational) and (ii) occurrence.
Furthermore, the risks and their level of control are reviewed annually, notably based on changes in the portfolio, economic parameters or the control environment.
The Audit Committee reviews the analysis and assessment of the risks performed by the Management and validates the operational effectiveness of the internal control systems. When necessary, it ensures that a corrective action plan is implemented.
The current level of control of these risks (see below "Control activities") appears sufficient and no additional measures are required to be implemented.
Each of the portfolio companies carries out its own analysis of its risk environment. The specific risks associated are identified and addressed by the companies themselves within the framework of their own internal control and risk management. The work done by these companies on risk identification and internal control is described in their reference documents, prepared in accordance with the applicable legislation, which can be found on their website (the links to which are provided in the table on page 63).
Control activities encompass all measures taken by GBL to ensure that the identified key risks are appropriately controlled.
GBL is exposed simultaneously to:
Supervision is exercised by the Board of Directors through the Audit Committee.
Given the structure and nature of GBL's activities, there is no internal auditor function. This situation is assessed on a yearly basis and has so far been deemed appropriate.
The Statutory Auditor (PwC Reviseurs d'Entreprises) also reviews on a yearly basis the internal control on the risks related to GBL's financial statements. This review of internal control forms part of its assignment of certifying GBL's statutory and consolidated financial statements in compliance with audit standards applicable in Belgium. More specifically, the Statutory Auditor tests, on the basis of a triennial rotation, the operational effectiveness of internal control with regard to risks that are deemed critical in relation to the financial statements. Its work consists of discussions with members of the organization while testing a given number of transactions.
The conclusions of this work are presented in a report submitted to GBL and do not reveal any major deficiencies in the internal control. The report is submitted to the members of the Audit Committee.
An in-depth exercise for the identification of the risks faced by GBL and their ranking is carried every three years.
Furthermore, the risks and their level of control are reviewed annually, notably based on changes in the portfolio, economic parameters or the control environment.
The Audit Committee reviews the analysis and assessment of the risks performed by the Management and validates the operational effectiveness of the internal control systems. When necessary, it ensures that a corrective action plan is implemented.
GBL includes in its half-yearly and annual results publications a specific section on risk management.
The Investor Relations department ensures that significant transactions and important changes within the group are communicated in an accurate and timely manner.
GBL's Board of Directors oversees the group's philanthropic activities through the sponsorship program GBL ACT. Representatives from the Board of Directors, along with GBL's employees and philanthropy experts, form GBL's Philanthropy Committee which is directly responsible for the program's supervision.
Giving meaning to growth and paying it forward are key parts of our DNA. These values also underpin our commitment to civil society and guide our sponsorship decisions.
By actively accompanying and supporting multiple projects, GBL wants to make an impact and help build a better world for future generations.
This Philanthropy Policy is organized around four main themes, which determine both our choice of projects and how we support them.
GBL is proud to support CHU Saint-Pierre in its ambitious renovation of the hospital's entrance hall. This project focuses on centralizing 30 dispersed front desks into a single, modernized welcome area, offering a more streamlined and patient-friendly experience. By reorganizing patient flow and adopting advanced technologies for scheduling and billing, CHU Saint-Pierre aims to improve service efficiency and consult + 10% more patients per year. Beyond optimizing resource management, the initiative reflects a commitment to enhancing the hospital environment, creating a clearer welcome process for everyone who visits.


In 2024, GBL proudly became the first Sustainability Partner of the 20 km of Brussels, committing to a three-year partnership. GBL's collaboration with the event's organizing body, the SIBP ("Syndicat d'Initiative-Bruxelles Promotion"), and other partners emphasizes limiting the event's environmental impact. The redesign of the eco-cup collection points was one of several initiatives that led to a reduction of 7 tons of waste for the 2024 edition. The 20 km of Brussels contributes not only to a more sustainable Brussels, but also to a stronger, more committed community, with hundreds of teams raising funds for charitable and humanitarian projects.
GBL has been a loyal supporter of DUO for a JOB since 2019. This organization provides free, effective and personalized support in numerous Belgian cities to young jobseekers from migrant backgrounds. It pairs them with experienced volunteers eager to share their professional knowledge, forming a duo for six months. Since its launch in 2013, this intergenerational and intercultural mentoring program has created more than 8,400 duos. Seven out of 10 young people find a positive work experience or education within 12 months, and eight out of 10 mentors become part of a new duo.

20kmdebruxelles.be/en

duoforajob.be/en




3.1 Risk management and internal control 60 3.2 Description and ranking of the risks 62
GBL's Board of Directors is responsible for assessing the risks inherent to the GBL group and the effectiveness of the internal control system. With regards to risk management and internal control, the Belgian legislative framework consists of the law of December 17,2008 (application of European Directive 2006/43/EC on statutory audits of annual accounts and consolidated accounts) and the law of April 6,2010 (the so-called "Corporate Governance" Law). The 2020 Belgian Corporate Governance Code and Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (EU) 2022/2664 ("CSRD") as implemented into Belgian law
pursuant to the law of December 2, 2024 also include provisions on that topic.
The IFRS 7 standard defines additional requirements for the management of risks related to financial instruments. Since 2006, GBL has formalized its internal control and risk management system based on the COSO model(1). The COSO methodology is based on five areas: the control environment, risk assessment, control activities, supervision and monitoring, and information and communication.

GBL's primary objective is to create, over the long term, value for its shareholders. GBL strives to develop a quality portfolio focused on a targeted number of companies that are leaders in their sector and in which it can play an active role as an engaged and responsible shareholder creating value over the long term. The portfolio will evolve over time while remaining balanced in terms of sectorial and geographic diversification.
GBL invests and divests depending on companies' development and market opportunities in order to achieve its objective of value creation, while maintaining a solid financial structure.
GBL aims at investing in companies that offer potential for value creation in the long term. New opportunities and portfolio management are monitored continuously at the highest level (see "Portfolio risk" on page 64). The divestment policy (as detailed on pages 70 to 73 of the "Portfolio management strategy" section) aims at disposing of investments that no longer meet the group's investment criteria.
Internal control at GBL contributes to the safeguarding of assets and the control and optimization of transactions. It aims at providing reasonable assurance about achievement of the objectives of compliance with laws and regulations in force and the reliability of accounting information and financial reporting. Like any control system, it can only provide a reasonable assurance that the risks of errors or fraud are totally controlled or eliminated.
(1) The COSO (Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission) is a recognized private, international, non-governmental organization active in the areas of governance, internal control, risk management and financial reporting
GBL has a Board of Directors, a Governance and Sustainable Development Committee and an Audit Committee . Their respective modes of operation are described on page 28 and from page 38 to 39.
The Audit Committee is in charge in particular of checking the effectiveness of the company's internal control and risk management systems. In this context, the Audit Committee also monitors the proper application of a whistle blowing procedure. The majority of its members, all of whom are designated by the Board, are independent Directors. The Chairman of the Audit Committee is appointed by the members of the Committee and cannot be the Chairman of the Board of Directors.
GBL has adopted a Corporate Governance Charter and a Code of Conduct that are regularly updated and aim to ensure conduct that is honest, ethical and complies with the laws, regulations and principles of good governance, by the group's Directors and staff in the exercise of their duties.
The Governance and Sustainable Development Committee reviews candidacies and seeks to ensure that a satisfactory balance is maintained within the Board of Directors in terms of its members' competencies, knowledge and experience, particularly in the fields of finance, accounting and investment. The Board of Directors conducts on a regular basis, at intervals of no more than three years, assessments of itself and its Committees in terms of size, composition and performance. In this context, it also examines regularly the interaction between non-executive Directors and the Managing Director. Furthermore, a recruitment process suited to the profiles sought, appropriate training and a remuneration and evaluation policy based on the achievement of targets enable to ensure the competency of GBL's staff.
An in-depth exercise for the identification of the risks faced by GBL and their ranking is carried every three years. The risks as identified during the last assessment carried out in 2024 are listed on pages 62 to 67.
A prioritization of risks specific to GBL has been carried out, taking into account control activities in place (see below "Control activities"), based on the criteria of (i) impact (financial, reputational, legal or operational) and (ii) occurrence.
Furthermore, the risks and their level of control are reviewed annually, notably based on changes in the portfolio, economic parameters or the control environment.
The Audit Committee reviews the analysis and assessment of the risks performed by the Management and validates the operational effectiveness of the internal control systems. When necessary, it ensures that a corrective action plan is implemented.
The current level of control of these risks (see below "Control activities") appears sufficient and no additional measures are required to be implemented.
Control activities encompass all measures taken by GBL to ensure that the identified key risks are appropriately controlled.
GBL is exposed simultaneously to:
Supervision is exercised by the Board of Directors through the Audit Committee.
Given the structure and nature of GBL's activities, there is no internal auditor function. This situation is assessed on a yearly basis and has so far been deemed appropriate.
The Statutory Auditor (PwC Reviseurs d'Entreprises) also reviews on a yearly basis the internal control on the risks related to GBL's financial statements. This review of internal control forms part of its assignment of certifying GBL's statutory and consolidated financial statements in compliance with audit standards applicable in Belgium. More specifically, the Statutory Auditor tests, on the basis of a triennial rotation, the operational effectiveness of internal control with regard to risks that are deemed critical in relation to the financial statements. Its work consists of discussions with members of the organization while testing a given number of transactions.
The conclusions of this work are presented in a report submitted to GBL and do not reveal any major deficiencies in the internal control. The report is submitted to the members of the Audit Committee.
An in-depth exercise for the identification of the risks faced by GBL and their ranking is carried out every three years.
Furthermore, the risks and their level of control are reviewed annually, notably based on changes in the portfolio, economic parameters or the control environment.
The Audit Committee reviews the analysis and assessment of the risks performed by the Management and validates the operational effectiveness of the internal control systems. When necessary, it ensures that a corrective action plan is implemented.
GBL includes in its half-yearly and annual results publications a specific section on risk management.
The Investor Relations department ensures that significant transactions and important changes within the group are communicated in an accurate and timely manner.
The summary table below categorizes the main risks related to GBL's activities and the various factors and measures mitigating their potential negative impact.
| Main risks | Risk factors | Mitigants |
|---|---|---|
| Exogenous Risks associated with shifts in external factors such as economic, political or legislative change |
- Changes in financial markets, notably with regard to the volatility of share prices and interest and foreign exchange rates - Changes in macroeconomic variables (growth rates, monetary policy, inflation, commodity prices, etc.) - Regulatory or budgetary policy changes involving, for example, tax reform or new legal obligations - Specific developments affecting certain geographic areas (eurozone, emerging countries, etc.) |
- Geographic and sector diversification of the portfolio with differentiated cyclical exposure - Ongoing legislative monitoring - Systematic monitoring and analysis of macro-economic scenarios, markets and investment theses |
| Strategy Risks resulting from the definition, implementation and continuation of the group's guidelines and strategic developments |
- Differing visions or understandings of the assessment of strategic priorities and inherent risks - Validity of the parameters underlying investment theses - Geographic or sector concentration of investments |
- Formal decision-making process involving all governance bodies and the management - Ongoing monitoring of key performance indicators and regular updates of assumptions and forecasts - Periodic portfolio review at different hierarchical levels - Portfolio diversification |
| Cash and cash equivalents, financial instruments and financing Risks associated with the management of cash and cash equivalents, financial instruments and financing |
- Access to liquidity - Debt leverage and maturity profile - Quality of counterparties - Relevance of forecasts or expectations - Interest rate exposure - Developments in financial markets - Volatility of derivative instruments |
- Rigorous and systematic analysis of considered transactions - Definition of trading limits - Diversification of investment types and counterparties - Strict counterparty selection process - Monitoring of the liquidity profile and limitation of net indebtedness - Formal delegations of authority with the aim to achieve appropriate segregation of duties - Systematic reconciliation of cash data and the accounting |
| Operations Risks resulting from inadequacies or failures in internal procedures, staff management or systems in place. Risk of non compliance with quality standards, contractual and legal provisions and ethical norms |
- Complexity of the regulatory environment - Adequacy of systems and procedures - Exposure to fraud and litigation - Retention and development of employees' skills |
- Internal procedures and control activities regularly reviewed - Implementation of delegations of authority to ensure an appropriate segregation of duties - Maintenance of and investments in IT systems - Hiring, retention and training of qualified staff - Internal Code of Conduct and Corporate Governance Charter |

The bulk (81%) of GBL's portfolio at year-end 2024 is composed of 12 participations which are exposed to specific risks related to their activities, risks to which GBL is indirectly exposed. The possible materialization of these risks can indeed lead to a change in the overall value of GBL's portfolio, its distribution capacity or its results profile. GBL is also exposed to risks related to its investments carried out through GBL Capital and Sienna Investment Managers which account for 19% of the portfolio value as of December 31, 2024.
Each of the portfolio companies carries out its own analysis of its risk environment. The specific risks related to them are identified and addressed by the companies themselves within the framework of its own internal control and risk management. The works carried out by these companies on risk identification and internal control are described in reference documents on their websites.
Below are the links to the websites of each of these portfolio companies, where their respective management reports or reference documents in accordance with the legislation in force can be consulted:
| adidas | www.adidas-group.com |
|---|---|
| Affidea | www.affidea.com |
| Canyon | www.canyon.com |
| Concentrix | www.concentrix.com |
| GBL Capital and Sienna Investment Managers | www.sienna-im.com |
| Imerys | www.imerys.com |
| Ontex | www.ontexglobal.com |
| Parques Reunidos | www.parquesreunidos.com |
| Pernod Ricard | www.pernod-ricard.com |
| Sanoptis | www.sanoptis.com |
| SGS | www.sgs.com |
| Umicore | www.umicore.com |
| Voodoo | www.voodoo.io |
The strategy must reflect a clear vision. It must address shareholders' expectations and comply with the long-term value creation objectives. It must be shared by the members of the Management, carried out through concrete operational action plans, based on appropriate assumptions, with a structured, efficient decision-making process that complies with applicable governance rules, in order to be agile in response to market opportunities or major changes in the environment.
Investment and divestment decisions must be based on sufficient and adequate analyses in order to ensure that GBL's portfolio remains balanced and in line with the group's strategic orientations. The composition of the portfolio may avoid a high concentration on a limited number of assets, a particular overexposure to certain sectors, certain geographic areas or certain regulations.
On the basis of an in-depth internal analysis, GBL has decided not to position a sustainable IRO in the risk mapping as it is a combination of areas of focus which cannot be assessed based on a single, common evaluation grid. Indeed, and similarly to its ESG approach, GBL's exposure to sustainable IROs is dual. GBL is, on the one hand, directly exposed to sustainable IROs, as an employer and a contributor to the communities in which it operates. On the other hand, GBL is indirectly exposed to sustainable IROs in its quality of responsible investor. Additionally, and although environmental, social and governance IROs are considered with the same underlying goal of carrying out sustainable activities in the long term, they remain largely diverse in nature, rely on a variety of fundamentals and require different evaluation criteria.
Consequently, GBL's sustainable IRO exposure will remain assessed indirectly, as described in the sustainability statement section.
GBL is exposed, given the nature of its activities, to stock market fluctuations within its portfolio. Moreover, stock market volatility may impact GBL's share price.
GBL is exposed to foreign currency exchange risk that may have an impact on its portfolio value through investments listed in foreign currencies, as well as on the dividends it receives.
Counterparty default risk occurs primarily within the framework of deposit, drawdown under the credit lines, hedge transactions, purchase/ sale of shares, derivative financial instruments or other transactions carried out mainly with banks or financial intermediaries, including collateral transactions.
A lack of control over cash inflows, outflows and investments in money market instruments may have significant financial consequences.
GBL must have sufficient financial resources to implement its investment strategy and to meet its obligations.
GBL is exposed, given its financial position, to changes in interest rates that could have an impact on both its debt and its cash.
The value of derivative financial instruments evolves depending on market conditions. Use of such instruments must comply with the prerequisites in terms of technical analysis as well as legal documentation to ensure that these instruments are effective and meet GBL's strategy.
The geopolitical environment, general state of the economy, social context, health conditions, as well as economic climate, influence financial markets, with potentially negative effects on the operations of GBL or its portfolio companies.
As a company listed on a regulated market and as an investor in companies active in industrial, consumer goods and business services, GBL is subject to many statutory and regulatory provisions and must comply with these rules. GBL must also manage and foresee the tax implications of all its strategic decisions as well as comply with its tax and legal reporting obligations.
GBL must monitor potential changes in the Belgian and international legal framework so that changes therein are appropriately taken into account in the management of its activities and governance in order to avoid any risk of non-compliance that could have negative effects. In addition, unfavorable tax developments could impact the attractiveness of some investments. Given the complexity of the current and constantly changing environment, it is all the more important that GBL controls and effectively monitors this tax and legal risk.
Complete, reliable and relevant information is a key element of management and governance and is also central to GBL's communication. Competent teams in charge of producing that information and appropriate information systems must enable control of the risk that financial and non-financial information are not prepared in a timely manner, are incomplete or are not understandable to the reader. Furthermore, budgets and projections are supports to decision-making and management control. Their reliability and relevance can influence the group's performance.
An inappropriate definition or the failure to comply with signing authority and delegation of authority could commit GBL to unauthorized transactions. A control environment that fails to ensure the segregation of duties and to preserve the group from fraud could result in financial losses and harm its image.
GBL is exposed to the risk that behavior and decisions of its managers or employees, whether individually or collectively, may not comply with professional practices and ethics standards it endorses. GBL's historic performance, its investment policy, its behavior as a shareholder and its approach to ethics and governance contribute to the group's renown. Preserving this is essential, as a failure to do so could trigger financial losses and harm the group's image.
This risk relates to the general IT environment (including hardware, network, back-up system, software, etc.). The infrastructure and developed tools must address GBL's operational needs in an appropriate manner. Any failure must be anticipated or resolved without any impact on the group's activities.
The security of the systems and information access management must ensure that no transaction violates the existing control procedures and that no information is used by unauthorized persons. In an environment where cyber risks are constantly increasing, GBL must in particular guarantee the availability, integrity and confidentiality of the data it manages.
In order to ensure good operational continuity, the group has to recruit, retain and develop the human resources required to ensure that it operates effectively and achieves its objectives.
Exogenous risks related to external factors, such as market developments and economic, political and regulatory changes, may have a major impact on GBL's operating environment and performance. Exogenous risk factors are, by definition, generated outside the company's scope of control and therefore their occurrence cannot be controlled.
However, these risks can be assessed in order to find solutions that mitigate their impacts.
Stock market fluctuations are inherent to the company's activity and may be mitigated only by adequate diversification, thoughtful investment or divestment decisions and ongoing anticipation of market expectations. This risk and the related mitigants are closely tied to the portfolio risk referred to below.
Changes to the economic and political context in the group's areas of activities are monitored particularly closely in terms of exposure and assessment of potential impacts and the group's needs to adapt its investment strategy or implement specific action plans in relation to it.
GBL strives to anticipate the regulatory changes (administrative or legal) to which it is subject in order to avoid any risk of non-compliance or adverse impact on the attractiveness of an investment. The group therefore takes such changes into account in its objectives in terms of performance and respect of shareholders and third parties.
GBL's gross indebtedness is mainly fixed rate. Regarding its cash position, GBL has chosen to continue to favor liquidity while limiting counterparty risk. The cash is placed at very short term and is subject to precise monitoring depending on changes in market conditions and constraints specific to GBL. In this regard, the group remains attentive to the evolution of rates and their relevance in the general economic context.
GBL can hedge this risk for declared dividends while it remains exposed to foreign currency exchange fluctuations directly impacting its portfolio value. Nevertheless, geographic and sector diversification makes it possible to reduce the risk of exposure to a particular foreign currency.
The composition of the portfolio resulting from the implemented strategy and the evolution of the net asset value are key elements of performance measures for GBL. The related decisions are taken as a committed, long-term investor and are in line with the objective of creating value for GBL's shareholders. Investment and divestment files are analyzed and approved in accordance with the process described below (see "Portfolio risk") by various governance bodies which ensure that they are in line with the group's strategic direction. Furthermore, the assumptions on which the analyses are based and the underlying forecasts are regularly assessed.
GBL seeks to diversify its portfolio, in particular by continuing to develop its direct or indirect private investments, while giving priority to high-quality assets, leaders in their sectors. Any investment or divestment is the subject of in-depth analyses, performed according to clear pre-established criteria. GBL is assisted with due diligence by experienced advisers where necessary. Theses behind investments or divestments are reviewed by the Management, and then approved by the Board of Directors. Existing investments are monitored through a systematic and regular portfolio review carried out by the various relevant reporting levels at GBL and at every meeting of the Board of Directors. The management of the Investments department is regularly invited to the Board meeting to present the development strategy.
GBL's managers regularly meet the management of the portfolio companies and usually sit on their Committees and Boards of Directors. A continuous dialogue is also maintained with industry experts.
The control activities related to the Sustainable IRO risks are described in the chapter 7 (Annual report 2024, Volume 2).
GBL mitigates this risk through the diversification of its counterparties, a continuous evaluation of their quality by analyzing their financial situation, and, with regards to gross cash management specifically, through a choice of different types of investments.
As an indication, as of December 31, 2024, and on the basis of the ratings assigned by S&P, 45% of the committed credit lines were with banks with a credit rating of A+, 14% with banks with a credit rating of A and 41% with banks with a credit rating of A-(1). On the basis of the ratings assigned by Moody's, as of December 31, 2024, 59% of the committed credit lines were with banks with a credit rating of A1, 20% with banks with a credit rating of A3 and 20% with banks with a credit rating of Baa1(1). Credit ratings may, however, not reflect the potential impact of all risks related to GBL's counterparties and may be subject to revision, suspension, reduction or withdrawal at any time by the relevant credit rating agency.
Moreover, as of December 31, 2024, most of the gross cash was placed in money market funds (SICAVs) selected on the basis of their size, volatility and liquidity, and in current account deposits with a limited number of tier 1 banks. All financial contracts (including ISDAs) are internally reviewed by the legal department.
Treasury transactions are subject to documented limits and rules, formal delegations of authority, segregation of duties and reconciliation of treasury data with the accounting. Appropriate IT tools are used, notably enabling to monitor cash positions, carry out cashflow projections, assess return on cash placements.
GBL has a solid liquidity profile ensuring it has readily available resources to quickly seize investment opportunities, support its portfolio companies in the event of a capital increase, honor the group's commitments, notably in respect of GBL Capital and Sienna Investment Managers, guarantee the payment of its dividend, meet its requirements in terms of debt service, as well as ensure the payment of its current expenses.
GBL also maintains a limited net indebtedness in comparison to its portfolio value.
GBL's financial flexibility is in particular ensured by the group's cash management policy which is conservative in terms of investment horizon, by its committed credit lines, none of which has financial covenants, whose undrawn amount and maturity profile are maintained at appropriate levels and by GBL's access to capital markets, eased by the assignment by Moody's of solid long-term issuer credit rating.
Transactions in this field require the approval of the Board of Directors, which may delegate proper execution to the Managing Director. The transactions are carried out within the framework of well-established documentation and predefined budgets and limits. They are subject to specific and appropriate prior analysis and systematic monitoring. GBL has also put in place strict rules in terms of appropriate segregation of duties and internal approval processes. Every financial transaction requires two signatures and is systematically reviewed by the finance and legal departments.
GBL ensures compliance with regulatory obligations (legal and tax) to which it is subject in each of the countries in which it operates, with the support of skilled teams, both internally and externally. The tax and legal teams also support the investment team in the context of the cases under review.
Moreover, GBL promotes contractual discipline which is a general matter and is notably applied to the agreements in relation to transactions of financing and cash management, share acquisition or disposal as well as derivative instrument contracts.
GBL must also manage, in an appropriate manner, litigation in the context of its own activities.
(1) The indicated ratings assigned by S&P and Moody's refer to either (i) the issuer rating of the ultimate parent company of the relevant bank where this entity is listed or (ii) the senior unsecured debt rating of the direct parent company of the relevant bank where this entity is unlisted (source: Bloomberg)
GBL publishes consolidated financial statements as well as key financial data four times a year. Since 2024, in compliance with the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (EU) 2022/2664 ("CSRD") as implemented into Belgian law pursuant to the law of December 2,2024, GBL publishes a sustainability statement once a year.
GBL ensures that it receives quality and timely information from associated or consolidated operating companies.
Investments in unlisted companies are valued on a quarterly basis at their fair value in line with the recommendations of the International Private Equity and Venture Capital Valuation Guidelines ("IPEV Valuation Guidelines").
Complex accounting subjects, notably in relation to the appropriate application of IFRS and to the standards' changes, main estimates and judgments as well as specific transactions of the period are discussed with the Statutory Auditor and in the Audit Committee.
Consolidated financial statements are reviewed by internal committees and then by the Audit Committee before being approved by the Board of Directors. Additionally, key financial data, such as the valuation of assets, the budget and the revised projections, the financing means, the cash management and the access to liquidities, are presented and are discussed in depth during those meetings. Lastly, the Statutory Auditor carries out its audit procedures, comments on the way its assignment is proceeding and presents its conclusions to the Audit Committee.
The consolidation process is based on a centralized accounting IT system in place in the group's subsidiaries which ensures consistency and comparability of the chart of accounts and accounting treatments. Transaction's accounting recording is based on an appropriate segregation of duties, a review of non-recurring operations by the financial department, an appropriate documentation of operations carried out in relation to treasury and investments, and a documentation of the reconciliation process between the different systems.
In accordance with the CSRD requirements as implemented into Belgian law, the tasks of the Audit Committee have been extended in 2024 to monitor sustainability reporting including: (i) informing the Board of Directors about the outcome of the audit of sustainability reporting, and how the audit contributed to the integrity of sustainability reporting, including what the role was of the Audit Committee in the process; (ii) monitoring the sustainability reporting process; (iii) monitoring the internal control and risk management systems with regards to sustainability reporting; (iv) monitoring the assurance of sustainability reporting and; (v) monitoring the independence of the Statutory Auditor.
The Audit Committee has been carrying out these tasks on an ongoing basis through 2024. Conclusions from each Audit Committee meeting are reported to the Board of Directors.
The company relies on a system of internal authorities adapted to its operations and appropriate separation of duties procedures. The Articles of Association provide that the company can be validly represented by two Directors. Additionally, the Managing Director has a large degree of autonomy in the context of day-to-day management, which is not limited to the execution of the decisions of the Board of Directors but encompasses all acts necessary to ensure GBL's normal course of business. Finally the Board of Directors can assign special mandates which require the prior approval of at least two individuals to represent validly GBL vis-à-vis third parties.
GBL seeks to play a leading role in promoting and implementing good professional practices and ethics standards. The group intends to achieve its objective of value creation through a long-term strategy in strict compliance with the ethical principles set out in the Code of Conduct and the Corporate Governance Charter which apply to the group's Directors and staff. The control system that has been put in place takes into account the control activities carried out to prevent the risk of inappropriate behavior within the company's various operating cycles (including segregation of duties, formal delegation of authority, effective IT and information management systems, etc.). In addition, GBL's values are shared with employees through, among other things, regular information sessions and an environment that encourages ethics and good business conduct.
An appropriate IT architecture has been put in place that meets GBL's requirements in terms of functionalities, security and flexibility. A back-up plan has been implemented to ensure recoverability of data and continuity of operations in the event of a system failure.
Furthermore, a thorough analysis of the adequacy of the architecture to GBL's needs is carried out at regular intervals to ensure its effective operation and its consistency with technological developments and, when necessary, to put in place corrective action plans.
Adequate information access procedures and data protection tools are in place and tested regularly. Intrusion or cyber attack risks are continually analyzed and assessed to provide, if necessary, corrective actions. Since 2021, insurance covering data security has also been taken out. It should be noted that GBL has not suffered any major incident over the last years that would have required it to stop its activities.
GBL strives to have skilled and sufficiently resourced teams in relation to the company's needs and conducts, if required, the necessary reinforcements or the implementation of succession planning. An annual evaluation process based on the achievement of objectives enables an appropriate assessment of the performance of GBL's employees. Trainings are also proposed to employees based on their field of expertise in order to update and develop their knowledge and skills. Finally, GBL grants to its employees a fulfilling working environment, an attractive remuneration policy, recently revised, and ensures the alignment of the employees' interests with the achievement of the group's strategic objectives.


| 4.1 | Portfolio management strategy | 70 |
|---|---|---|
| 4.2 | Listed assets | 82 |
| 4.3 | Direct private assets | 98 |
| 4.4 | Indirect private assets (GBL Capital) | 110 |
| 4.5 | Asset management (Sienna Investment Managers) |
122 |
| 4.6 | Portfolio reconciliation with IFRS consolidated financial statements |
128 |
GBL is a responsible and engaged investor, which looks for the long-term return potential of its investments
GBL performs extensive analysis on the way in, focusing as much on potential upside as on downside protection. Opportunities are evaluated on the basis of qualitative and quantitative investment criteria
(1) For listed assets (EUR 250 million - EUR 2 billion) and direct private assets (EUR 300 million - EUR 1 billion)
GBL, as an engaged investor faithful to its values, defines its investments by giving priority to:
EUR 250
million
-
As an investor able to deploy permanent capital, GBL's investment horizon is not constrained by holding periods. Investments can be held for as long as required to optimize their value.
The ongoing evaluation of the assets in the portfolio aims to preserve capital and limit downside risk by analyzing several drivers:
Single assets not to account for more than 20-25% of:

Attractive end markets with long-term tailwinds

Market leader, supported by a clear and sustainable business model

ESG
Core shareholder position, with effective governance


– Compliance with ESG exclusion policy – ESG strategy, risk management, commitments and transparency
| Investment category |
% of portfolio |
Investment | Strategy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Listed assets 2012 Start of the portfolio rebalancing |
60% | – Leading companies in their sector, with a clear and sustainable business model – Majority or minority shareholdings with influence, enabling a position as a reference shareholder and an engaged role in the governance – Equity investments between EUR 250 million and EUR 2 billion |
– NAV growth – Diversification within this investment category – Cash flow generation to ensure the GBL dividend |
| Direct private assets 2019 Start of activity |
22% | – Leading companies in their sector, with a clear and sustainable business model – Mainly majority shareholdings – Equity investments from EUR 300 million to EUR 1 billion |
– NAV growth – Consolidation opportunities – Attractive returns thanks to agile structures – Less replicable portfolio |
| Indirect private assets 2013 Start of activity (formerly Sienna Capital) |
18% | – Fund commitments and co-investments alongside funds in which GBL is invested – Private equity funds typically, but also other strategies (e.g., private credit, structured equity, secondaries) – Limited exposure to venture capital, growth equity and hedge funds – Commitments/investments of up to EUR 50 million, with flexibility to invest higher amounts in exceptional circumstances |
– NAV growth – Portfolio diversification – Downside protection – Meaningful contributor to GBL's cash earnings |
| Asset management 2021 Start of activity |
< 1% | – Platform for third-party asset management – Over EUR 40 billion under management at the end of December 2024 |
– Generation of recurring revenues – Single platform combining synergistic areas of expertise (Listed assets, Private credit, Real estate, Hybrid assets) – Regular fundraising across strategies – Benefits of GBL's network |
Note: percentages are rounded



| Weight in the portfolio (1) 23% |
18% | 12% | 10% | 10% | 9% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| % capital % voting rights |
|||||
| 19.13% 19.13% |
99.99% 99.99% |
6.83% 11.37% |
3.51% 3.51% |
99.12% 99.12% |
54.72% 68.13% |
100.00% 100.00% OTHER
Listed assets
Direct private assets
Indirect private assets (GBL Capital)
Asset management (Sienna Investment Managers – NAV of the management companies)
GBL is the largest shareholder
(1) Percentages are rounded
Weight in the portfolio (1)
% capital % voting rights
19.13% 19.13%
99.99% 99.99% 6.83% 11.37% 3.51% 3.51% 99.12% 99.12% 54.72% 68.13%

GBL is an engaged investor with a long-term investment horizon that is able to deploy permanent capital. The objective is to unlock value through its involvement in the key decision-making governance bodies of its portfolio companies.
GBL's principal contribution to value creation is through sharing its experience, expertise and network across its portfolio. However, GBL avoids involvement in the daily management of its portfolio companies.
GBL focuses on:
| Initial investment |
GBL's ranking in the shareholding |
Board of Directors | Audit Committee | Nomination and/or Remuneration Committee |
Strategic Committee |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | #1 | 2/8 | 0/3 | 1/4 - 1/3 | n/a | |
| 2006 | #2 | 1/14(1) | 0/3 | 0/3 - 1/4 | 1/6 | |
| 2015 | #4 | 1/16(2) | 0/4(1) | 1/3 - 1/4(1) | n/a | |
| LISTED ASSETS | 1987 | #1 | 3/12(1) | 1/4 | 1/3 - 1/4(3) | 2/6 |
| 2013 | #1 | 2/10 | 1/5 | 1/5 | n/a | |
| 2019(4) | #1 | 2/10 | 0/3 | 0/4 - 0/3 | n/a | |
| 2015 | #1 | 2/8 | 1/4 | 1/5 | n/a | |
| DIRECT PRIVATE ASSETS | 2022 | #1 | 4/6 | 2/3 | 2/3 | n/a |
| 2022 | #1 | 3/5 | 1/2 | 2/3 | n/a | |
| 2021 | #1 | 3/5 | 3/5 | n/a | n/a | |
| 2021 | #4 | 1/6 | n/a | n/a | n/a | |
| 2017(5) | #3 | 1/9 | 1/4 | n/a | n/a |
Note: Information as of December 31, 2024
(1) Of which 2 employee representatives (2) Of which 8 employee representatives
(3) Of which 1 employee representative
(4) Initial investment in Webhelp in 2019. The combination of Concentrix and Webhelp closed in September 2023
(5) Taken private in 2019
GBL initiated the rebalancing of its portfolio in 2012 with the objective of diversifying and strengthening its growth and resilience, and optimizing potential to create value over the long term.
This transformation has been achieved through a significant portfolio rotation. This has led to a substantial shift from high-yielding cyclical assets in the energy and utilities sectors into growth assets in the consumer goods, industry, business services and healthcare sectors.
GBL seeks to invest in high-quality companies with a leading position in their sector, primarily investment grade (listed companies) and with robust business models.
More recently, GBL has been pursuing a portfolio shift that entails a greater weighting of non-listed assets, with an objective for listed assets and non-listed assets to be at parity by the end of 2027.
| Sector ranking (1) | Issuer's credit rating (S&P/Moody's)(2)(3) |
|
|---|---|---|
| #1 | Unrated/A3 | |
| #2 | BBB+/Baa1 | |
| #2 | A-/A3 | |
| LISTED ASSETS | #1 | BBB-/Baa3 |
| A global leader | Unrated | |
| #2 | BBB/Baa3 | |
| Top 5 | B+/B1 (4) | |
| DIRECT PRIVATE ASSETS | #1 in Europe | Unrated |
| #2 in Europe | Unrated | |
| #1(5) | Unrated | |
| Top 10(6) | Unrated | |
| #2 in Europe | Unrated |
Note: Information as of December 31, 2024, unless otherwise specified (1) Source: portfolio companies and GBL
(2) Credit ratings may be subject to suspension, revision or withdrawal at any time by credit rating agencies
(3) Source: Bloomberg
(4) As of March 24, 2025
(5) In Direct-to-Consumer distribution ("DTC")
(6) In terms of downloads
| LISTED ASSETS | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GBL focus area |
Actions in last 4 years(1) |
|||||||
| Strategy | Medium-term plan communicated |
√ | √ | √ | √ | √ | - | √ |
| Bolt-on M&A | √ | √ | - | √ | √ | √(2) | - | |
| Sizeable M&A(3) | √ | √ | - | - | - | √(2) | - | |
| Capital | Assets disposals | √ | √ | √ | √ | √ | - | √ |
| allocation | Share buybacks | √ | √ | √ | - | - | √ | √ |
| Dividend at all-time high |
√ | √ | - | √ | √ | √ | - | |
| Governance | New Chairman | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| New CEO | √ | - | √ | - | √ | - | √ |
(1) Information from January 1, 2021 through December 31, 2024
(2) Actions taken place by Webhelp before the combination of Webhelp
and Concentrix on September 25, 2023
(3) > EUR 200 million of Enterprise Value
| DIRECT PRIVATE ASSETS | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GBL focus area |
Actions since acquisition(1) |
||||||
| Year of acquisition | 2022 | 2022 | 2021 | 2021 | 2017(2) | ||
| Strategy | Bolt-on M&A | √ | √ | - | √ | √ | |
| Sizeable M&A(3) | √ | - | - | √ | √ | ||
| Governance | New Chairman | √ | √ | - | - | - | |
| New CEO | √ | - | √ | - | √ |
(1) Information from acquisition date through December 31, 2024
(2) Taken private in 2019 (3) > EUR 200 million of Enterprise Value

See biography on page 31.
Born on June 24, 1968, of Belgian nationality.
Xavier Likin is a commercial engineer and has certificates in taxation from the Solvay Brussels School of Economics and Management (ULB).
He began his career in Central Africa in the car distribution sector, where he held a number of administrative and financial positions at MIC. He joined PwC in 1997, where he became a senior manager and was appointed as a Statutory Auditor (CPA) by the Institut des Réviseurs d'Entreprises.
In 2007, he joined Ergon Capital Partners as Chief Financial Officer. Then, in June 2012, he was appointed Group Controller at GBL. He has been Chief Financial Officer since August 1, 2017.
Born on April 26, 1978, of Belgian nationality.
Priscilla Maters has law degrees from the Université Libre de Bruxelles and the London School of Economics (LLM).
She began her career in 2001 with law firms in Brussels and London (including Linklaters), where she specialized in M&A, capital markets, financing and business law.
She joined GBL in 2012 and currently holds the positions of General Counsel and General Secretary. She has also been Compliance Officer since January 1, 2021.


of GBL's portfolio

| SGS | 84 |
|---|---|
| Pernod Ricard | 86 |
| adidas | 88 |
| Imerys | 90 |
| Umicore | 92 |
| Concentrix | 94 |
| Ontex | 96 |

#1 Worldwide
GBL's representation in the statutory bodies
2 out of 8
Close to CHF 750m of free cash flow
99,500 employees
offices and laboratories
2,500
Over
Capital held by GBL 19.1%
SGS provides tailored testing, inspection and certification solutions to its customers, making their commercial activities safer, greener and more efficient. Its worldwide network consists of 99,500 employees at over 2,500 offices and laboratories.
| Stock market data | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Number of shares issued (in thousands) | 189,503 | 187,376 | 187,376(1) |
| Market capitalization (in CHF million) | 17,222 | 13,592 | 16,114 |
| Closing share price (in CHF/share) | 90.88 | 72.54 | 86.00(1) |
| GBL's investment | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
| Share capital (in %) | 19.1 | 19.3 | 19.1 |
| Voting rights (in %) | 19.1 | 19.3 | 19.1 |
| Market value of the investment (in EUR million) | 3,501 | 2,835 | 3,127 |
| Dividends collected by GBL (in EUR million) |
126 | 118 | 110 |
| Representation in statutory bodies | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Annualized TSR (%)(2) | 1 year | 3 years | 5 years |
| SGS | 28.2 | (3.0) | 3.2 |
| STOXX Europe 600 Industrial Goods & Services | 15.8 | 5.7 | 10.2 |
(1) Reflects a 25:1 stock split as of April 12, 2023
(2) TSR calculated in euros
FINANCIAL COMMUNICATION Ariel Bauer Head of Communications, Investor Relations & Sustainability Tel: +41 79 863 49 23 [email protected] www.sgs.com

Distribution in more than

#2 in spirits worldwide
GBL's representation in the statutory bodies
1 out of 14 (1)
94 production sites
Over

Capital held by GBL 6.8%
(1) of which two employee representatives
Since its inception in 1975, Pernod Ricard has built up the most premium portfolio in the industry and has become the world's number two spirits player through organic growth as well as transformational and tuck-in acquisitions. The portfolio includes strategic international and local brands along with specialty brands that the group produces and distributes through its own worldwide distribution network.
After several years of focus on deleveraging, Pernod Ricard has enhanced its shareholder returns through an increased payout ratio and a share buyback program.
| Stock market data | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Number of shares issued (in thousands) | 252,269 | 255,632 | 257,947 |
| Market capitalization (in EUR million) | 27,497 | 40,837 | 47,398 |
| Closing share price (in EUR/share) | 109.00 | 159.75 | 183.75 |
| GBL's investment | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
| Share capital (in %) | 6.8 | 6.7 | 6.9 |
| Voting rights (in %) | 11.4 | 11.2 | 11.5 |
| Market value of the investment (in EUR million) | 1,879 | 2,749 | 3,266 |
| Dividends collected by GBL (in EUR million) |
81 | 81 | 82 |
| Representation in statutory bodies | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Annualized TSR (%) | 1 year | 3 years | 5 years |
| Pernod Ricard | (28.8) | (17.4) | (5.0) |
| STOXX Europe 600 Food & Beverage | (9.8) | (7.8) | (1.7) |
FINANCIAL COMMUNICATION Florence Tresarrieu Global Senior Vice President Investor Relations & Treasury Tel.: +33 1 70 93 17 03 [email protected] www.pernod-ricard.com
Nearly
20% of sales through e-commerce
More than
EUR 23.6BN in net sales
More than

Capital held by GBL 3.5%
#2
in sporting goods
GBL's representation in the statutory bodies
1 out of 16(1)
globally
(1) of which eight employee representatives
adidas is a global leader specialized in the design, development and distribution of sporting goods (footwear, apparel and equipment). Distribution occurs through its own retail stores network, e-commerce and independent distributors.
The sporting goods industry is expected to grow + 5-7% annually over the next few years, driven by secular trends:
distribution of sporting goods, #2 worldwide with (i) growing brand heat, (ii) strong innovation capabilities and (iii) multiple sponsorship agreements and partnerships.
The company's current focus lies on top-line growth while improving margins. Key drivers for potential EBIT margin improvement are (i) more favorable product and geographic mix and (ii) cost efficiency/overhead optimization, mainly through economies of scale.
adidas has a solid balance sheet and strong cash conversion.
| Stock market data | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Number of shares issued (in thousands) | 180,000 | 180,000 | 180,000 |
| Market capitalization (in EUR million) | 42,624 | 33,149 | 22,943 |
| Closing share price (in EUR/share) | 236.80 | 184.16 | 127.46 |
| GBL's investment | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
| Share capital (in %) | 3.5 | 7.6 | 7.6 |
| Voting rights (in %) | 3.5 | 7.6 | 7.6 |
| Market value of the investment (in EUR million) | 1,496 | 2,526 | 1,748 |
| Dividends collected by GBL (in EUR million) |
6 | 8 | 38 |
| Representation in statutory bodies (1) | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Annualized TSR (%) | 1 year | 3 years | 5 years |
| adidas | 28.8 | (1.4) | (3.3) |
| STOXX Europe 600 Consumer Products and Services | (2.1) | (2.3) | 5.8 |
(1) Deputy Chairman of which is a GBL representative
FINANCIAL COMMUNICATION Sebastian Steffen Senior Vice President Investor Relations & Corporate Communications Tel.: +49 9132 84 2920 [email protected] www.adidas-group.com

#1 global leader in mineral-based solutions for industry
GBL's representation in the statutory bodies
3 out of 12(1)
(1) of which two employee representatives
25,000 clients
12,400 employees
Capital held by GBL 54.7%
46 countries where Imerys is based
Imerys extracts, transforms, develops and combines a unique range of industrial minerals to provide functionalities that are key to its customers' products and production processes. Additionally, Imerys is in the process of studying and developing mineral deposits to extract lithium in the medium term (e.g., for electric vehicle batteries) in France and the UK.
| Stock market data | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Number of shares issued (in thousands) | 84,941 | 84,941 | 84,941 |
| Market capitalization (in EUR million) | 2,395 | 2,419 | 3,087 |
| Closing share price (in EUR/share) | 28.20 | 28.48 | 36.34 |
| GBL's investment | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
| Share capital (in %) | 54.7 | 54.6 | 54.6 |
| Voting rights (in %) | 68.1 | 68.1 | 68.1 |
| Market value of the investment (in EUR million) | 1,311 | 1,322 | 1,686 |
| Dividends collected by GBL (in EUR million) |
63 | 179 | 72 |
| Representation in statutory bodies | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Annualized TSR (%) | 1 year | 3 years | 5 years |
| Imerys | 2.9 | (2.2) | (0.2) |
| STOXX Europe 600 Construction & Materials | 7.6 | 5.7 | 9.3 |
FINANCIAL COMMUNICATION Cyrille Arhanchiague Vice President Financial Communications and Investor Relations Tel.: +33 1 49 55 64 84 [email protected] www.imerys.com

16 R&D - technical centers
GBL's representation in the statutory bodies
2 out of 10
More than EUR250m of R&D expenditure
More than
Capital held by GBL 15.9%
47 production sites
11,500 employees
Umicore is focused on application fields where its expertise in materials science, chemistry and metallurgy is widely recognized.
| Number of shares issued (in thousands) 246,400 246,400 246,400 Market capitalization (in EUR million) 2,453 6,135 8,456 Closing share price (in EUR/share) 9.96 24.90 34.32 GBL's investment 2024 2023 2022 Share capital (in %) 15.9 15.9 15.9 Voting rights (in %) 15.9 15.9 15.9 Market value of the investment (in EUR million) 391 977 1,347 Dividends collected by GBL 31 31 31 (in EUR million) Representation in statutory bodies 2 2 2 Annualized TSR (%) 1 year 3 years 5 years Umicore (57.8) (32.5) (23.6) STOXX Europe 600 Chemicals (5.0) (1.4) 6.0 |
Stock market data | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
FINANCIAL COMMUNICATION Caroline Kerremans Head of Investor Relations Tel.: +32 2 227 72 21 [email protected] www.umicore.com
Global coverage in more than
70 countries GBL's representation in the statutory bodies
#2
sector player
2 out of 10
Knowledge in over
150 spoken languages More than 2,000 clients
Capital held by GBL 13.5%
Concentrix is a global player in Customer Relationship Management and Business Process Outsourcing ("CRM–BPO"), specialized in designing, building and running next-generation customer experience solutions.
The company offers a wide array of services and digital capabilities, spanning strategy, design, digital engineering, artificial intelligence, automation and advanced data analytics. Concentrix has an extensive footprint, operating in over 70 countries with a team of approximately 450,000 employees and staff.
The transformative combination of Concentrix and Webhelp closed in September 2023. The newly-formed group has a well-balanced geographical footprint, a high-quality, diversified client base and a strong portfolio of client solutions.
Concentrix is a global leader with a comprehensive product offering and affirmed strategy:
| Stock market data | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|
| Number of shares issued (in thousands) | 64,819 | 66,601 |
| Market capitalization (in USD million) | 2,805 | 6,541 |
| Closing share price (in USD/share) | 43.27 | 98.21 |
| GBL's investment | 2024 | 2023 |
| Share capital (in %) | 13.5 | 13.2 |
| Voting rights (in %) | 13.5 | 13.2 |
| Market value of the investment (in EUR million)(2) | 371 | 807 |
| Dividends collected by GBL (in EUR million) |
10 | 2 |
| Representation in statutory bodies | 2 | 2 |
| Annualized TSR (%)(3) | 1 year | 3 years |
| Concentrix | (51.6) | (34.8) |
|---|---|---|
| S&P Midcap 400 | 21.6 | 8.2 |
(1) The combination of Webhelp and US-listed company Concentrix closed on September 25, 2023, making GBL the largest shareholder of the combined entity
(2) Including the market value of earn-out shares as of December 31, 2024, i.e., EUR 5 million, and as of December 31, 2023, i.e., EUR 27 million
(3) TSR calculated in euros
FINANCIAL COMMUNICATION Sara Buda Vice President Investor Relations Tel.: +1 617 331-0955 [email protected] www.concentrix.com

6 R&D centers
13 production facilities
About 7,000 employees
GBL's representation in the statutory bodies

Capital held by GBL 19.98%
Ontex is a leading producer of personal hygiene products for baby, adult and feminine care. The company's products are distributed across Europe and North America as private label brands. The main sales channels are retail, medical institutions and pharmacies.
| Stock market data | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Number of shares issued (in thousands) | 82,347 | 82,347 | 82,347 |
| Market capitalization (in EUR million) | 691 | 626 | 514 |
| Closing share price (in EUR/share) | 8.39 | 7.61 | 6.24 |
| GBL's investment | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
| Share capital (in %) | 19.98 | 19.98 | 19.98 |
| Voting rights (in %) | 19.98 | 19.98 | 19.98 |
| Market value of the investment (in EUR million) | 138 | 125 | 103 |
| Dividends collected by GBL (in EUR million) |
- | - | - |
| Representation in statutory bodies | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Annualized TSR (%) | 1 year | 3 years | 5 years |
| Ontex | 10.2 | 6.3 | (14.8) |
| STOXX Europe 600 Personal & Household Goods | 4.9 | 0.8 | 5.7 |
FINANCIAL COMMUNICATION Geoffroy Raskin Vice President Investor Relations Tel.: +32 53 33 37 30 [email protected] www.ontex.com
4.3 DIRECT PRIVATE ASSETS

of GBL's portfolio
98 GBL – Annual report 2024
Direct private assets include controlling stakes in Affidea, Sanoptis and Canyon (fully consolidated assets) as well as minority stakes in Voodoo and Parques Reunidos (non-consolidated assets or assets accounted for using the equity method)
GBL's direct private assets are valued quarterly at their fair value, using a multi-criteria approach, with the exception of recent acquisitions, which are held at cost for 12 months, provided this is the best estimate of their fair value. Valuations are reviewed by a third party every six months
| 100 |
|---|
| 102 |
| 104 |
| 106 |
| 108 |
in diagnostic imaging in Europe
GBL's representation in the statutory bodies

4 out of 6
Capital held by GBL 99.1%
32.8m
examinations
<-- PDF CHUNK SEPARATOR -->
Affidea is a leading provider of integrated healthcare in Europe, with a broad portfolio of symbiotic services: diagnostic imaging (#1 in EU), outpatient care (e.g., centers of excellence in orthopedics), cancer care and lab services.
In addition, the fragmented European market offers M&A opportunities, both in countries where Affidea is present and beyond.
Since GBL's entry, the Board and management have been strengthened with new high-caliber appointments.
Sales grew + 22% (+ 12% organically (1)), driven by continued solid commercial momentum and clinic acquisitions. All countries and channels (outpatient services, diagnostic imaging, lab testing and cancer care) contributed to growth. In Q4 2024, the group surpassed the EUR 1 billion revenue mark for the first time – a key step in the long-term journey toward becoming the #1 provider of integrated care.
EBITDA grew + 47%, thanks to operating leverage, margin initiatives and margin accretive M&A. Further upside is likely from greenfield-brownfield ramp-ups and acquisition integration.
Affidea completed 32.8 million examinations vs. 30.5 million in FY 2023. The number of locations increased by + 41 to 389, driven by acquisitions and greenfields. Affidea completed 16 acquisitions, including renowned cancer care providers MedEuropa (Romania) and Nu-Med (Poland), and two leading clinics in Switzerland.
AI solutions were further rolled out to (i) facilitate scan interpretation and (ii) manage the patient pathway (e.g., assistance with bookings or follow-up scans) to result in better patient outcomes, while improving productivity.
The group successfully raised incremental Term Loan B facilities (EUR 200 million; EUR 125 million) and repriced the existing facility.
Affidea had a strong start to FY 2025 with in February (i) another successful debt repricing, combined with the raising of an additional EUR 125 million Term Loan B and (ii) the acquisition of Swiss-based Instituts für histologische und zytologische Diagnostik, a premier pathology operator.
| Key metrics | Evolution since GBL's entry |
2024 |
|---|---|---|
| Sales(2) (in EUR million) | + 349 | 1,047 |
| Growth (in %) | 50 | 22 |
| Organic growth(1) (in %) | 32 | 12 |
| EBITDA growth(3) (in %) | 90 | 47 |
| Number of locations(4) | + 74 | 389 |
| Number of examinations (in millions) | + 22% | 32.8 |
Source: non-audited internal reporting
(1) Like-for-like growth, excluding impact of acquisitions done in the latest period and Covid-19 testing
(2) Reported sales (3) Pro forma for the full latest period of acquisitions done in that period, excluding Covid-19 testing and equipment lease
(4) Pro forma for acquisitions
| GBL's investment | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|
| Share capital (in %) | 99.1 | 99.2 |
| Voting rights (in %) | 99.1 | 99.2 |
| Value of the investment (in EUR million) | 1,477 | 1,195 |
| Representatives in statutory bodies | 4 | 4 |
#1 in key geographies
GBL's representation in the statutory bodies
3 out of 5
3.3m treatments
Approximately 860
More than
locations
doctors
450
Capital held by GBL 83.3%
Sanoptis is the second largest ophthalmology services provider in Europe with more than 450 locations across Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Spain, Austria and Greece. Through its network of around 4,700 employees, the company performs 3.3 million treatments per year in conservative ophthalmology consultations (e.g., intravitreal operative medicine injections ("IVOM")) as well as in surgeries (e.g., cataract, corrective laser, retina), while adhering to the highest standards of quality in healthcare.
Sanoptis is the #2 player in Europe (#1 in Germany, Switzerland, Austria and Greece, and increasingly leading positions in Spain and Italy) through its unique business model built on (i) partnerships with its doctors and (ii) a persistent focus on medical quality:
Sales grew + 16% (+ 11% organically) and EBITDA + 9%. Organic sales growth is supported by further investments in state-of-the-art equipment and people, leading to material productivity increases.
Sanoptis acquired 13 surgical centers in 2024 and is now present in 452 locations (+ 173 since GBL's entry) with 863 doctors (+ 348 since GBL's entry). Sanoptis has onboarded new shareholding doctors across multiple surgical centers, further strengthening its network and reinforcing its long-term partnerships with medical professionals.
The company performed 3.3 million core surgical and conservative treatments over 2024, + 1.5 million (+ 78%) compared to LTM volumes at GBL's entry, driven by higher volume at existing locations and M&A.
Sanoptis successfully continues its internationalization strategy (i.e., beyond Germany and Switzerland), having entered the Spanish market in 2024. The group's international footprint consists of the following clinical centers:
As Sanoptis continues to scale, the company is enhancing its operational backbone by investing in core functions such as Operations, Business Development, Finance, and People.
In March 2025, Sanoptis received a EUR 250 million capital raise in preferred equity from Carlyle. Underpinning the platform value of the group, this partnership will further accelerate identified growth initiatives and the buy-and-build strategy.
Sanoptis has initiated implementing Ikerian's AI-powered RetinAI Discovery platform across its network, thereby enhancing its diagnostic capabilities. By providing higher precision and better detection rates for IVOM patients, the technology enables the earliest possible start of therapy, ultimately improving patient outcomes.
| Key metrics | Evolution since GBL's entry |
2024(1) |
|---|---|---|
| Sales (in EUR million) | + 352 | 702 |
| Growth (in %) | 100 | 16 |
| Organic growth(2) (in %) | 24 | 11 |
| EBITDA growth (in %) | 99 | 9 |
| Number of locations | + 173 | 452 |
| Number of doctors | + 348 | 863 |
| Number of treatments(3) (000s) | + 1,464 | 3,340 |
Source: non-audited internal reporting
(1) The period includes annualization of closed clinic M&A and clinic M&A projects with signed SPAs at the end of the period except for organic growth
(2) Organic growth uses the perimeter of the earliest period annualized for closed clinic M&A
| (3) Core surgical and conservative (e.g., diagnostic) treatments | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| GBL's investment | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|
| Share capital (in %) | 83.3 | 83.4 |
| Voting rights (in %) | 60.9 | 62.0 |
| Value of the investment (in EUR million) | 969 | 829 |
| Representatives in statutory bodies | 3 | 3 |
Greater than
Active in
3 segments Close to
20%
sales CAGR 2019-2024

3 out of 5
GBL's representation in the statutory bodies
DTC manufacturer of premium bikes
#1
Capital held by GBL 49.8%(1)
(1) GBL's ownership in Canyon, excluding shares held by GBL Capital (additional indirect ownership of
1.37% as of December 31, 2024)
Canyon is the world's largest Direct-to-Consumer ("DTC") manufacturer of premium bikes thanks to its early adoption of this distribution model and its industry-leading German design and engineering capabilities. The company is active in three segments (conventional bikes, e-bikes, parts and accessories). Its core markets are the DACH region, the US, Benelux, France and the UK.
Sales were stable, in a challenging market environment marked by oversupply in certain categories and aggressive discounting, especially in electric and non-electric mountain and urban bikes.
Group revenues and profitability were affected by higher industry-wide discounts and quality issues in select electric mountain bike models, prompting Canyon to temporarily suspend sales of said models. Canyon is addressing the situation with the utmost urgency and is expecting to resolve the matter as from Q2 2025.
Canyon maintained focus on innovation and product excellence, as evidenced by multiple awards in Q4 2024, including "Best Road Bike Overall" for the Aeroad CF SLX 8 Di 2 from Men's Journal and "Best Full-Suspension Bike under \$2,000" for the Neuron 5 from Outdoor GearLab.
Canyon's athletes continued to deliver landmark victories, including among others:
| Key metrics(1) | Evolution since GBL's entry |
2024 |
|---|---|---|
| Sales (in EUR million) | + 384 | 792 |
| Growth (in %) | 94 | 0 |
| Organic growth (in %) | 94 | 0 |
| EBITDA growth(2) (in %) | (10) | (8) (3) |
| Number of employees | + 670 | 1,660 |
Source: non-audited company reporting
(1) At yearly average FX rates; local GAAP, pre IFRS
(2) Adjusted EBITDA (3) EBITDA decline on a like-for-like basis, excluding one-off adjustments to FY 2023 EBITDA (add-backs for one-off supply chain issues incurred in Q3 2023). Including these adjustments to FY 2023 EBITDA,
decline would be (29)% for FY 2024
| GBL's investment | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|
| Share capital (in %) (1) | 49.8 | 48.6 |
| Voting rights (in %) (1) | 49.8 | 48.6 |
| Value of the investment (in EUR million) | 261 | 460 |
| Representatives in statutory bodies | 3 | 3 |
(1) GBL's ownership in Canyon, excluding shares held by GBL Capital (additional indirect ownership of 1.37% as of December 31, 2024 and 1.34% as of December 31, 2023)

mobile game publisher globally by downloads
GBL's representation in the statutory bodies

1 out of 6
7bn downloads since 2013
More than 800 employees
Capital held by GBL 15.0%
Voodoo develops and publishes mobile games and is also present in the consumer app space. The company boasts a leading position in hypercasual and (hybrid-)casual games thanks, in part, to the availability of its games for free on App Store and Google Play. Voodoo has launched internationally-renowned games such as Helix Jump, Aquapark.io and Mob Control. Since Voodoo's founding in 2013, the company's games have been collectively downloaded over 7 billion times.
Sales grew by + 20%, primarily driven by the hybrid casual gaming segment, with strong performances across existing titles and new launches. Voodoo's app portfolio, including the recently acquired BeReal, further contributed to top-line growth.
Throughout FY 2024, Voodoo continued its diversification strategy, pivoting toward higher-value gaming segments and apps. Aligned with this strategy, Voodoo announced in June 2024 the acquisition of BeReal, a leading social media platform which significantly expands Voodoo's footprint in social media, adding a loyal global user base of over 40 million monthly active users, and provides opportunities for synergies in product development, monetization and costs.
Profitability improved due to operating leverage and strict cost discipline, particularly in user acquisition expenses.
| Key metrics | 2024 | 2023 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sales (in EUR million) | 623 | 521 | |
| Growth (in %) | 20 | 13 (1) | |
| (1) Adjusted for one-off effect in FY 2022, when Voodoo enjoyed a revenue inflow related to a deal with a leading ad mediation platform |
|||
| GBL's investment | 2024 | 2023 | |
| Share capital (in %) | 15.0 | 15.9 | |
| Voting rights (in %) 15.0 |
|||
| Value of the investment (in EUR million) 302 |
|||
| Representatives in statutory bodies | 1 | 1 |
More than
10
countries where Parques Reunidos is active
Close to 60years of experience
Over
50 parks worldwide 1 out of9
GBL's representation in the statutory bodies
European operator
of theme parks
#2
Capital held by GBL 23.0%
Since its inception in 1967 as a small-sized Spanish operator, Parques Reunidos has become one of the leading operators of leisure parks in Europe and the US, through organic growth and acquisitions, including Bobbejaanland (Belgium, 2004), Mirabilandia (Italy, 2006), Warner (Spain, 2007), Palace Entertainment (US, 2007), Tropical Islands (Germany, 2018) and Adventureland (US, 2021). The company operates amusement, animal and water parks through a portfolio of regional and local parks with strong brands.
Organic sales growth of + 3% was driven by a combination of a greater number of visitors and higher spend per capita.
Growth came from most key countries and park types (theme, animal and water), with solid H2 2024 growth driven by Halloween performance and an easier comparable (e.g., adverse weather in H2 2023).
Parques Reunidos continues to work on its strategic priorities into 2025, including improved customer experience and commercial initiatives (e.g., digital services, food & beverage offering).
| Key metrics | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|
| Sales (in EUR million) | 858 | 830 |
| Growth (in %) | 3 | 1 |
| GBL's investment | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|
| Share capital (in %) | 23.0 | 23.0 |
| Voting rights (in %) | 23.0 | 23.0 |
| Value of the investment (in EUR million) | 296 | 296 |
| Representatives in statutory bodies | 1 | 1 |
4.4 INDIRECT PRIVATE ASSETS (GBL CAPITAL)

of GBL's portfolio
GBL Capital, the group's indirect private asset activity, provides additional sources of diversification to GBL's portfolio
| 4.4.1 | Description and highlights | 112 |
|---|---|---|
| 4.4.2 | GBL Capital – net asset value | 113 |
| 4.4.3 | Key figures | 113 |
| 4.4.4 | Funds | 114 |
| 4.4.5 | Co-investments | 116 |
| 4.4.6 | Sienna branded funds and co-investments | 118 |
| 4.4.7 | Other (funds and co-investments) | |
| – valuation | 120 | |
| 4.4.8 | GBL Capital – detailed net asset value | 121 |
GBL Capital, supported by GBL's balance sheet, focuses on funds and co-investments headquartered in Europe and North America.
GBL Capital seeks to partner with best-in-class managers to generate attractive risk-adjusted returns. GBL Capital is designed to provide multiple benefits to GBL shareholders, including dividends from consistent cash generation, portfolio diversification and downside protection. Moreover, this activity enables exposure to deals, strategies and sectors that GBL does not directly cover.
GBL Capital's portfolio as of December 31, 2024 was composed primarily of 23 fund investments and 19 co-investments, representing EUR 1.5 billion and EUR 1.0 billion, respectively, of NAV. Capital is allocated to buyout, venture capital/growth, private credit and hedge funds. GBL Capital intends to allocate 100% of new capital commitments to private equity strategies, including buyout, structured equity and secondaries.
GBL Capital has also made anchor LP investments in several Sienna-branded private market strategies, including Sienna Private Equity (lower middle market buyouts), Sienna Private Credit and Sienna Venture Capital, among others. These LP investments have provided seed funding to enable the underlying teams to begin executing on their investment strategies and facilitate raising third-party capital.
FY 2024 was a successful year on the whole for GBL Capital. The portfolio experienced value creation of EUR 212 million (+ 7.7%) and generated distributions of EUR 487 million. The most significant investments were capital calls for ICONIQ (EUR 46 million) and Stripes (EUR 23 million). Due to the disposal of a portion of certain fund interests, GBL Capital's net investment in FY 2024 totaled EUR 65 million. The portfolio continues to mature well and is currently marked at a Net MoIC of 1.4x, after deduction of paid fees.
In July 2024, GBL Capital concluded a secondary transaction with a leading institutional investor involving the disposal of a portion of certain fund interests managed by Sagard, for total proceeds of EUR 102 million and a capital gain of EUR 13 million. This institutional investor has committed to invest EUR 40 million in Sienna Private Equity Fund I.


Geography
67% Europe
| IN EUR MILLION | NAV December 31, 2024 |
Value creation | Distributions | Investments | Other | NAV December 31, 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Funds | 1,477 | 195 | (482) | 119 | - | 1,644 |
| Co-investments | 1,008 | 9 | (1) | (9) | - | 1,009 |
| Sienna branded funds and co-investments | 234 | 8 | (4) | (67) | - | 297 |
| Other (GBL Capital cash and working capital) | 23 | - | - | 22 | 1 | - |
| TOTAL | 2,743 | 212 | (487) | 65 | 1 | 2,951 |

| Funds – other | Total funds | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year of initial investment | 2005 | 2002 | 2013 | 2021 | 2015 | n/a | n/a |
| % of GBL Capital's portfolio | 5% | 10% | 3% | 8% | 5% | 23% | 54% |
| In 2024 In EUR million |
|||||||
| NAV as of December 31, 2023 | 402 | 327 | 133 | 175 | 134 | 474 | 1,644 |
| Capital called in 2024 | 5 | (34) | - | 9 | 1 | 139 | 119 |
| Capital distributed in 2024 | (325) | (68) | (62) | - | (16) | (11) | (482) |
| Value creation in 2024 | 54 | 60 | 10 | 30 | 6 | 35 | 195 |
| NAV as of December 31, 2024 | 136 | 285 | 82 | 213 | 125 | 637 | 1,477 |
| As of December 31, 2024 In EUR million |
|||||||
| Commitments - total | 867 | 428 | 293 | 192 | 108 | 1,250 | 3,138 |
| Invested capital - total | 843 | 426 | 277 | 174 | 108 | 817 | 2,645 |
| Unfunded commitments - total | 84 | 24 | 16 | 18 | 0 | 433 | 575 |
| Distributions - total | 1,404 | 599 | 414 | - | 66 | 324 | 2,806 |
| NAV as of December 31, 2024 | 136 | 285 | 82 | 213 | 125 | 637 | 1,477 |
| Total value as of December 31, 2024 |
1,539 | 883 | 496 | 213 | 190 | 961 | 4,283 |
– Established in 2005, this fund manager operates in the mid-market segment, making equity investments from EUR 25 million to EUR 75 million in leading companies with a sustainable competitive position in attractive niche markets located in Benelux, Italy, Iberia, France, Germany and Switzerland.
– Valuation is based on the International Private Equity and Venture Capital Valuation Guidelines ("IPEV Valuation Guidelines").
– Valuation is based on IPEV Valuation Guidelines.
– Assets are valued by an external expert and then reviewed and approved by an internal valuation committee.
– GBL Capital committed a total of USD 108 million to BDT Capital Partners Fund II in 2015.
– Investments are valued in a manner consistent with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"), considering the Fair Value and Disclosure Topic of ASC 820, Fair Value Measurement.
Financial details and valuations are on pages 120 and 121.

– GBL Capital has committed an aggregate of USD 209 million to Human Capital IV and Human Capital V.
– Listed securities are valued at their closing price. For securities which are actively traded over the counter but not on a national securities exchange or comparable foreign national market, the value shall be deemed to be the mean between the last bid and ask prices. If there is no active public market, the valuation will be based on the valuation at the time of the prior financing round, adjusted for any company- or market-specific factors.
| Co-investments – other |
Total co-investments |
||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year of initial investment | 2018 | 2019 | 2019 | 2022 | 2021 | n/a | n/a |
| % of GBL Capital's portfolio | 15% | 4% | 3% | 3% | 2% | 11% | 37% |
| In 2024 In EUR million |
|||||||
| NAV as of December 31, 2023 | 425 | 95 | 66 | 60 | 52 | 312 | 1,009 |
| Capital called in 2024 | - | 0 | 0 | - | - | (10) | (9) |
| Capital distributed in 2024 | - | - | - | - | - | (1) | (1) |
| Value creation in 2024 | (25) | 15 | 5 | 10 | 5 | (1) | 9 |
| NAV as of December 31, 2024 | 400 | 111 | 72 | 69 | 58 | 299 | 1,008 |
| As of December 31, 2024 In EUR million |
|||||||
| Commitments - total | 250 | 104 | 45 | 43 | 47 | 589 | 1,078 |
| Invested capital - total | 250 | 95 | 40 | 43 | 40 | 595 | 1,062 |
| Unfunded commitments - total | - | 10 | 5 | - | 6 | 1 | 22 |
| Distributions - total | - | 27 | - | - | - | 25 | 52 |
| NAV as of December 31, 2024 | 400 | 111 | 72 | 69 | 58 | 299 | 1,008 |
| Total value as of December 31, 2024 |
400 | 138 | 72 | 69 | 58 | 324 | 1,060 |

– Flora Food Group (Upfield prior to rebranding in September 2024), founded in 1871, is a global leader in plant-based nutrition, with global brands such as Becel, Flora, Rama and ProActiv. The company operates in 95 countries and is the number one global producer of plant-based spreads.
– In July 2018, GBL Capital, alongside KKR and other co-investors, invested EUR 250 million into Flora Food Group, its first co-investment. GBL Capital is represented on the Board of Flora Food Group by a member of GBL's investment team.
– The valuation is prepared using industry-accepted valuation methodologies, primarily based on projected results and market multiples.
– GBL Capital co-invested USD 110 million alongside The Carlyle Group in the acquisition of Moeve.
– In accordance with Luxembourg law, the valuation of the assets is performed at fair value according to international market standards and validated by the AIFM, with the support of external agents as required.
– opseo was initially acquired by Apheon Mid-Cap III in 2016 and subsequently sold in 2019 to a continuation fund managed by Apheon to which GBL Capital committed EUR 45 million.
– Valuation is based on IPEV Valuation Guidelines. It is audited on a yearly basis by an internationally-recognized audit firm.
– Proalpha is a German provider of enterprise resource planning ("ERP") and adjacent software to SMEs with a focus on the manufacturing and wholesale sectors in the DACH region.
– GBL Capital invested EUR 43 million alongside ICG and Bregal Unternehmerkapital in 2022.
– Valuation is based on IPEV Valuation Guidelines.

– svt is a leading player in the European Passive Fire Protection ("PFP") products market.
– Valuation is based on IPEV Valuation Guidelines. It is audited on a yearly basis by an internationally-recognized audit firm.
Financial details and valuations are on pages 120 and 121.
| Sienna Private Equity |
Sienna Private Credit |
Sienna Venture Capital |
Sienna Private Assets Allocation |
Sienna Opportunities Fund |
Total Sienna branded funds and co-investments |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year of inital investment | 2022 | 2022 | 2022 | 2024 | 2022 | n/a |
| % of GBL Capital's portfolio | 3% | 3% | 2% | 0% | 0% | 9% |
| In 2024 In EUR million |
||||||
| NAV as of December 31, 2023 | 150 | 74 | 32 | - | 40 | 297 |
| Capital called in 2024 | (61) | 12 | 12 | 10 | (40) | (67) |
| Capital distributed in 2024 | (2) | (2) | - | - | - | (4) |
| Value creation in 2024 | 2 | 4 | 1 | 1 | (0) | 8 |
| NAV as of December 31, 2024 | 89 | 89 | 45 | 11 | - | 234 |
| As of December 31, 2024 In EUR million |
||||||
| Commitments - total | 186 | 201 | 100 | 40 | - | 527 |
| Invested capital - total | 89 | 85 | 47 | 10 | - | 232 |
| Unfunded commitments - total | 97 | 116 | 54 | 30 | - | 296 |
| Distributions - total | 2 | 2 | - | - | - | 4 |
| NAV as of December 31, 2024 | 89 | 89 | 45 | 11 | - | 234 |
| Total value as of December 31, 2024 |
92 | 91 | 45 | 11 | - | 238 |
Sienna Private Equity invests in mid-market European companies operating in business services, healthcare, niche industrials, leisure and entertainment.
With offices in France and Italy, Sienna Private Equity pursues a distinctive all-weather investment strategy focusing on the development, transformation and optimization of established companies through value-oriented private equity opportunities, as well as building sector leaders via buy-and-build platforms.
Sienna Private Equity has invested in two companies: Eight Advisory and ECT.
– Sienna Private Equity invested in Eight Advisory in July 2022 and has three representatives on the Board.
– Valuation is based on IPEV Valuation Guidelines.

– Sienna Private Equity, together with CNP ("Compagnie Nationale à Portefeuille"), acquired a majority stake in ECT in February 2023.
– Valuation is based on IPEV Valuation Guidelines.
– Sienna Private Credit designs and structures debt investment products, with a primary focus on real asset financing (infrastructure, real estate), corporate debt, and liquid assets (high-yield and leveraged loans), for institutional investors.
– GBL Capital has committed a total of EUR 201 million to Sienna Private Credit funds of which EUR 85 million has been called.
– Valuation is based on IPEV Valuation Guidelines.
– GBL Capital has committed a total of EUR 100 million to Sienna Venture Capital funds, of which EUR 47 million has been called.
– Valuation is based on IPEV Valuation Guidelines.
– GBL Capital has committed EUR 40 million to the fund, of which EUR 10 million has been called.
– Valuation is based on IPEV Valuation Guidelines.
The valuation of funds and co-investments not detailed in sections 4.4.4 and 4.4.5 is as follows:
Valuation is based on IPEV Valuation Guidelines.
Listed securities are valued at their last traded prices.
Private investments are valued based on various methodologies including public company comparables, precedent transaction multiples and discounted cashflow analysis.
Investments which are quoted, listed or traded on or under the rules of a recognized market are valued at the closing price. The fair market value of any non-marketable investments shall be calculated not less frequently than annually and shall initially be determined by the AIFM in good faith and in accordance with GAAP.
Investments which are quoted, listed or traded on or under the rules of a recognized market are valued at the closing price.
Listed securities are valued at their closing price. For securities which are actively traded over-the-counter but not on a national securities exchange or comparable foreign national market, the value shall be deemed to be the average of the closing bid and ask prices. If there is no active public market, the valuation will be performed based on alternative valuation methods taking into consideration any factors relating to the company and the markets deemed appropriate.
Digital assets that are tradeable on exchanges shall be valued at the last sale price on such exchanges and/or industry data sources. Other digital assets shall be valued at their last sales prices at their respective exchange or industry data sources. Digital assets for which market quotations are not readily available shall be valued at fair value as determined in good faith by or under the General Partner's direction.
Valuation is based on IPEV Valuation Guidelines.
Listed securities are valued at their closing price. For securities which are actively traded over the counter but not on a national securities exchange or comparable foreign national market, the value shall be deemed to be the mean between the last bid and ask prices. If there is no active public market, the valuation will be based on the valuation at the time of the prior financing round, adjusted for any company- or market-specific factors.
The valuation is prepared using industry-accepted valuation methodologies, primarily based on projected results and market multiples.
Depending on the circumstances, the valuation is based on the latest cost of investment, the latest fundraising round if it is a more recent valuation, or the expected realized value based on a combination of market data and the company's operational and financial projections.
Valuation is based on IPEV Valuation Guidelines. It is audited on a yearly basis by an internationally-recognized audit firm.
Undisclosed assets are valued according to methods above.
| IN EUR MILLION | December 31, 2023 | Investments | Distributions | Value Creation | Other | December 31, 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sagard | 326.6 | (34.2) | (67.6) | 59.7 | - | 284.6 |
| Human Capital | 174.6 | 8.6 | - | 30.2 | - | 213.4 |
| Backed | 154.5 | 8.6 | (3.7) | (2.3) | - | 157.1 |
| Apheon | 401.9 | 5.0 | (325.2) | 53.9 | - | 135.7 |
| BDT & MSD | 133.6 | 1.1 | (16.3) | 6.2 | - | 124.7 |
| Marcho Partners | 96.5 | - | (0.2) | 22.0 | - | 118.4 |
| Kartesia | 133.0 | - | (61.8) | 10.4 | - | 81.6 |
| C2 Capital | 75.0 | 1.7 | - | 1.1 | - | 77.8 |
| ICONIQ | 15.8 | 45.6 | - | 4.4 | - | 65.8 |
| Stripes | 29.8 | 23.4 | - | (1.4) | - | 51.9 |
| 468 Capital | 18.0 | 8.0 | - | (0.8) | - | 25.2 |
| CIEP II | 19.0 | 0.6 | - | 3.2 | - | 22.8 |
| Griffin | 16.5 | 1.6 | (0.3) | (0.3) | - | 17.5 |
| Epiris | - | 9.3 | (1.6) | 8.9 | - | 16.6 |
| PrimeStone | 15.9 | - | (0.3) | 0.0 | - | 15.6 |
| Mérieux | 18.1 | 0.5 | (1.3) | (2.1) | - | 15.1 |
| Alto Capital V | 1.2 | 11.8 | - | (0.2) | - | 12.8 |
| Innovius | 6.6 | 4.3 | - | 0.7 | - | 11.6 |
| SPC | 7.6 | 1.1 | - | 0.9 | - | 9.5 |
| Portage Capital Solutions | - | 9.0 | - | (0.6) | - | 8.4 |
| Dover | - | 4.8 | (0.4) | 1.5 | - | 6.0 |
| Warburg | - | 5.4 | (3.0) | 1.4 | - | 3.9 |
| Bregal | - | 2.8 | - | (1.6) | - | 1.2 |
| Funds | 1,644.3 | 119.2 | (481.5) | 195.0 | - | 1,477.0 |
| Flora Food Group | 424.6 | - | - | (25.1) | - | 399.6 |
| Moeve | 95.4 | 0.3 | - | 15.4 | - | 111.1 |
| opseo | 65.9 | 0.4 | - | 5.4 | - | 71.6 |
| Proalpha | 59.5 | - | - | 9.6 | - | 69.1 |
| svt | 52.5 | - | - | 5.0 | - | 57.5 |
| CEVA | 40.4 | - | - | 8.4 | - | 48.8 |
| Commure | 39.8 | - | - | 2.6 | - | 42.3 |
| Wella | 32.2 | - | - | 4.9 | - | 37.0 |
| ADIT | 28.1 | (4.9) | (0.4) | 10.6 | - | 33.4 |
| Elsan | 37.5 | - | - | (5.0) | - | 32.4 |
| Ginger | 30.8 | (4.8) | (1.0) | 2.3 | - | 27.2 |
| Illumio | 24.3 | - | - | 1.5 | - | 25.9 |
| Transcarent | 17.7 | - | - | 1.1 | - | 18.7 |
| Globality | 10.0 | - | - | - | - | 10.0 |
| Telenco | 9.4 | - | - | (0.6) | - | 8.8 |
| Canyon | 13.0 | - | - | (5.8) | - | 7.2 |
| Sagard NewGen Pharma | 5.0 | - | - | (0.0) | - | 5.0 |
| Klarna | 2.6 | - | - | - | - | 2.6 |
| Cosmetics company | 20.8 | - | - | (20.8) | - | - |
| Co-investments | 1,009.4 | (9.0) | (1.4) | 9.4 | - | 1,008.4 |
| Sienna Private Equity | 150.4 | (61.0) | (2.4) | 2.3 | - | 89.4 |
| Sienna Private Credit | 74.3 | 12.2 | (1.5) | 3.9 | - | 88.9 |
| Sienna Venture Capital | 32.1 | 11.9 | - | 1.3 | - | 45.4 |
| Sienna Private Assets Allocation |
- | 10.0 | - | 0.7 | - | 10.7 |
| Sienna Opportunities funds | 40.2 | (40.1) | - | (0.1) | - | - |
| Sienna branded funds and co-investments |
297.1 | (66.9) | (3.9) | 8.1 | - | 234.4 |
| Other (GBL Capital cash and working capital) |
- | 22.0 | - | - | 0.8 | 22.8 |
| TOTAL GBL CAPITAL | 2,950.8 | 65.3 | (486.8) | 212.5 | 0.8 | 2,742.6 |
4.5 ASSET MANAGEMENT (SIENNA INVESTMENT MANAGERS)

of GBL's portfolio
Note: represents the fair market value of the acquired management companies
Sienna Investment Managers is a multi-expertise asset manager with a long-term perspective, offering investment strategies spanning listed & private assets with a strong ESG focus
At the end of 2024, assets under management amounted to over EUR 40 billion
| 4.5.1 | Introduction | 124 |
|---|---|---|
| 4.5.2 | Areas of expertise | 125 |
| 4.5.3 | Key figures | 126 |
| 4.5.4 | Net economic result | 127 |
| 4.5.5 | Highlights 2024 | 127 |
Sienna Investment Managers ("Sienna IM") is a multi-expertise pan-European asset manager. With a team of approximately 300 professionals, Sienna IM operates in Paris, Milan, Hamburg, Frankfurt, Luxembourg, Amsterdam, London, Madrid and Seoul.
As of year-end 2024, the group managed assets totaling over EUR 40 billion, of which approximately 80% (those eligible under SFDR perimeter) are classified under Articles 8 or 9.
Sienna IM covers a broad range of asset classes and offers its investors relevant solutions whatever the market context. Spanning listed and private assets, Sienna IM builds for its clients bespoke and innovative solutions, with purpose.
Sienna IM has a leading position in the institutional and retail retirement market in France, offering meaningful solutions to 500,000 retail clients through employee savings and retirement schemes.
Sienna IM is committed to the development of a sustainable world at both the corporate and stakeholder levels and has formulated an ambitious ESG strategy. As such, Sienna IM systematically focuses on climate, biodiversity and DE&I opportunities and aligns its own operations with investments managed on behalf of its clients.
Sienna Investment Managers is structured around four areas of expertise: Listed Assets, Private Credit, Real Estate and Hybrid Assets.
The Listed Assets expertise (1) oversees EUR 28.7 billion in AuM. A pioneer of responsible finance, this business covers equity, bonds, money market, allocation & multi-asset and hybrid strategies, and guides leading institutional and private investors in the field of employee savings, retirement savings and life insurance, mainly in Europe.
A specialist in private asset management in Europe since 2012, the Private Credit expertise (2) (3) offers institutional investors innovative products that finance the real economy. Its funds represent EUR 2.8 billion in AuM. The funds raised finance European mid-market players and help them to develop sustainably. The Private Credit expertise is present through a range of strategies (e.g., financing real assets, direct loans to companies or liquid credit).
The Real Estate expertise, with EUR 5.5 billion in AuM, manages assets combining a wide range of expertise across the sector, from private to listed investments and from equity to debt. Its teams serve local and international investors through mandates and club deals and are able to seize the most appropriate investment opportunities across geographies and asset class covered. They manage an extensive portfolio consisting of 97 properties, ranging from office to logistics to life sciences.
The Hybrid Assets activity combines several asset classes and follows an innovative approach at the heart of Sienna IM's multi-expertise business model. This business reconciles the need to finance the economy and the need to deliver yield over the medium to long term, with the added bonus of lower volatility. For retail investors, these products remove the barrier to entry to private assets. Sienna IM has three hybrid funds with AuM totaling EUR 250 million.
(1) Under Sienna Gestion, an asset management company n° GP97020 authorized by the AMF since 1997, member of Sienna IM
(2) Sienna AM France is an AMF-approved asset management company n°GP97118, member of Sienna IM

| IN EUR MILLION | December 31, 2024 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Revenues | 121(1) | ||
| Operating expenses | (130) | ||
| EBITDA | (9) | ||
| Financial results | 2 | ||
| Other | (34) | ||
| NET ECONOMIC RESULT | (41) |
(1) Including EUR 11 million of fees from GBL Capital
Sienna Investment Managers inflows approaching EUR 6 billion
– The Real Estate expertise finalizes throughout the year 16 exclusive property management deals in new countries (Poland, Ireland, Great Britain)
– As the next step on its net zero journey, Sienna IM commits to the Science-Based Targets initiative in February 2024. The group set in 2024 its near-term climate targets aligned with the 1.5°C global warming limit and in line with the latest scientific climate research to be approved by SBTi in 2025. This commitment will lay out a trajectory of mid-term transformation actions for all areas of expertise
As of December 31, 2024, GBL's portfolio included in the net asset value amounted to EUR 15,290 million (EUR 17,488 million as of December 31,2023). The table below details its components in relation to GBL's consolidated financial statements:
| IN EUR MILLION | December 31, 2024 | December 31, 2023 |
|---|---|---|
| Portfolio value as presented in: | ||
| Net asset value | 15,289.7 | 17,487.6 |
| Segment information (Holding) - pages 166 to 171 | 8,130.3 | 10,368.2 |
| Investments in associates and joint ventures | 37.9 | 68.0 |
| Other equity investments | 8,092.5 | 10,300.3 |
| Reconciliation items | 7,159.4 | 7,119.3 |
| Fair value of GBL Capital and Sienna Investment Managers, consolidated in the GBL Capital and SIM segment | 2,880.0 | 3,060.6 |
| Fair value of Imerys, consolidated using the full consolidation method in IFRS | 1,310.7 | 1,321.7 |
| Fair value of Affidea, consolidated using the full consolidation method in IFRS | 1,476.5 | 1,194.6 |
| Fair value of Sanoptis, consolidated using the full consolidation method in IFRS | 969.1 | 828.8 |
| Fair value of Canyon, consolidated using the full consolidation method in IFRS | 261.2 | 460.5 |
| Valuation difference of Parques Reunidos between net asset value (fair value) and IFRS (equity method) | 258.1 | 227.6 |
| Valuation difference of Concentrix earn-out shares included in the portfolio in net asset value and "Other non-current assets" under IFRS |
5.3 | 27.0 |
| Reclassification of ENGIE shares, included in gross cash in 2016 and shown under other equity investments | (1.4) | (1.4) |
| Other | (0.2) | - |


| 5.1 | Analysis of the group's results and | 132 |
|---|---|---|
| operational excellence | ||
| 5.2 | Financial position | 140 |
GBL – Annual report 2024 131
GBL's paid dividend is derived from (i) cash earnings (1) and (ii) capital gains on asset disposals (2).
Cash earnings are primarily composed of (i) the net dividend paid by GBL's portfolio companies and (ii) dividends from GBL Capital and Sienna Investment Managers ("SIM").
GBL decides, at its discretion, the amount of capital gains on asset disposals that contribute to the group's paid dividend.
As part of the Strategic Update (3) in November 2024, the group announced that the EUR 5.00 dividend per share payable in FY 2025 for FY 2024 (4) would serve as a new base for steady growth. Going forward, GBL will communicate the proposed amount of the dividend per share in the full-year results publication.
On this basis, GBL will continue to provide an attractive dividend to its shareholders while, thanks to its solid liquidity profile, releasing financial resources to support (i) net asset value per share growth throughout the cycle, (ii) its portfolio companies if needed and (iii) the execution of the group's share buyback program.
GBL's objective is to maintain a sound financial structure, with:
The financial strength derived from the liquidity profile ensures resources are readily available to quickly seize investment opportunities throughout the economic cycle.
The Loan To Value ratio fluctuates primarily depending on the deployment of capital for investments and more generally on the implementation of the portfolio rotation strategy. As part of financial discipline, the Loan To Value target is to maintain it below 10% through the cycle. While the effective Loan To Value ratio may exceed that threshold, it should (i) not exceed it for a prolonged period and (ii) remain below 25%.
This conservative approach is consistent with GBL's philosophy of capital preservation and allows GBL to continue investing and generating returns throughout the cycle.
At year-end 2024, GBL had:

GBL aims at operational excellence through strict cost discipline.
As a result, operating expenses(1) as a proportion of net asset value are very limited.
The yield enhancement activities developed by GBL are intended to provide a source of additional income. They consist primarily of conservative management of derivatives and are executed by a dedicated team, focusing exclusively on simple ("vanilla") products, with very short maturities and low levels of exercise probability ("delta"), based on in-depth knowledge of the underlying assets in the portfolio.
The income generated(2) by this activity fluctuates according to market conditions. Over the past 5 years, this income has covered, on average, 30% of GBL's operating expenses (1).

Yield enhancement income (1) Operating expenses (1) coverage

(1) As presented in the cash earnings
(2) The yield enhancement income taken into account amounts to EUR 6 million, as presented in the section "Economic presentation of the consolidated result" under cash earnings, in other financial income and expenses (see page 136)




| IN EUR MILLION | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Consolidated result | ||||||||||
| Cash earnings | 336.2 | 414.1 | 416.1 | 474.4 | 439.6 | 595.3 | 456.1 | 426.5 | 440.4 | 461.6 |
| Mark to market and other non-cash items |
(41.5) | 100.3 | 97.1 | (167.6) | 39.8 | (13.2) | 3.3 | (5.2) | 14.4 | 90.9 |
| Operating companies (associated or consolidated) |
(186.2) | 1,211.1 | (296.5) | (336.8) | (315.3) | (39.6) | 301.8 | 199.8 | 159.6 | (63.5) |
| GBL Capital | 222.5 | 233.3 | (669.8) | 381.3 | 331.7 | 270.5 | 17.2 | 213.6 | 63.5 | 18.3 |
| Sienna Investment Managers | (39.2) | (34.4) | (40.2) | (3.6) | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Eliminations, gains (losses) on disposals, impairments and reversals |
(159.4) | (201.1) | (91.4) | (68.9) | (104.9) | (108.3) | (119.5) | (129.3) | (1,135.6) | 519.1 |
| Consolidated result (group's share) |
132.3 | 1,723.2 | (584.7) | 278.8 | 391.0 | 704.7 | 658.9 | 705.4 | (457.7) | 1,026.4 |
| Consolidated result of the period |
63.2 | 1,743.1 | (432.5) | 434.8 | 429.3 | 768.9 | 904.1 | 891.1 | (310.9) | 1,055.9 |
| Total distribution | 665.7 | 380.5 | 402.4 | 420.2 | 395.9 | 508.3 | 495.4 | 484.1 | 472.8 | 461.5 |
| Number of shares at the closing date (1) |
||||||||||
| Basic | 133,547,609 | 140,307,789 | 146,717,159 | 152,157,142 | 154,360,882 | 157,135,598 | 157,679,088 | 155,607,490 | 155,374,131 | 155,243,926 |
| Diluted | 137,846,332 | 144,563,369 | 150,972,739 | 156,465,148 | 154,416,073 | 157,309,308 | 157,783,601 | 160,785,245 | 160,815,820 | 160,841,125 |
| Payout | ||||||||||
| Dividend/cash earnings (in %) | 198.0 | 91.9 | 96.7 | 88.6 | 90.1 | 85.4 | 108.6 | 113.5 | 107.4 | 100.0 |
| Distribution of capital gains realized on sales |
329.5 | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Consolidated result per share (2) (group's share) |
0.99 | 12.28 | (3.99) | 1.83 | 2.53 | 4.48 | 4.18 | 4.53 | (2.95) | 6.61 |
| Consolidated cash earnings per share (3) (group's share) |
2.43 | 2.82 | 2.72 | 3.03 | 2.72 | 3.69 | 2.83 | 2.64 | 2.73 | 2.86 |
(1) The calculation of the number of basic and diluted shares is detailed in Note 28
(2) Basic earnings per share
(3) The calculation of the cash earnings per share takes into account the number of shares issued
| IN EUR MILLION | December 31, 2024 |
December 31, 2023 |
||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GROUP'S SHARE | Cash earnings | Mark to market and other non-cash items |
Operating companies (associates or consolidated) |
GBL Capital | Sienna Investment Managers |
Eliminations, capital gains, impairment and reversals |
Consolidated | Consolidated |
| Profit (loss) of associates and consolidated operating companies |
- | - | (186.2) | 38.5 | (19.6) | - | (167.3) | (27.0) |
| Net dividends from investments | 388.9 | 0.0 | - | - | - | (134.1) | 254.8 | 286.1 |
| Interest income (expenses) | (9.9) | (5.3) | - | (7.6) | 1.5 | - | (21.4) | (30.2) |
| Other financial income (expenses) | 10.8 | 1.6 | - | 210.8 | - | (25.5) | 197.7 | 419.2 |
| Other operating income (expenses) | (55.0) | (37.8) | - | (59.8) | (18.7) | - | (171.4) | (232.5) |
| Gains (losses) on disposals, impairments and reversal of non-current assets |
1.6 | - | - | 41.3 | (2.4) | 0.1 | 40.7 | 1,308.1 |
| Taxes | (0.1) | - | - | (0.6) | - | - | (0.7) | (0.5) |
| IFRS CONSOLIDATED NET RESULT (2024) (GROUP'S SHARE) |
336.2 | (41.5) | (186.2) | 222.5 | (39.2) | (159.4) | 132.3 | |
| IFRS consolidated net result (2023) (group's share) |
414.1 | 100.3 | 1,211.1 | 233.3 | (34.4) | (201.1) | 1,723.2 |
(EUR 336 million compared to EUR 414 million)
| EUR MILLION | December 31, 2024 | December 31, 2023 |
|---|---|---|
| Net dividends from investments | 388.9 | 464.7 |
| Interest income (expenses) | (9.9) | (25.4) |
| GBL Capital interests | 13.4 | 3.2 |
| Other interest income (expenses) | (23.4) | (28.6) |
| Other financial income (expenses) | 10.8 | 27.4 |
| Other operating income (expenses) | (55.0) | (52.5) |
| Gains (losses) from disposals, impairments and reversal of non-current assets |
1.6 | - |
| Taxes | (0.1) | (0.2) |
| TOTAL | 336.2 | 414.1 |
Net dividends from investments received as of December 31, 2024 (EUR 389 million) decreased in comparison with December 31, 2023, mainly following the exceptional dividend paid by Imerys in 2023 in addition to its ordinary dividend and linked to the disposal of the HTS business line (impact of EUR - 109 million) and the absence of contribution from Holcim as a consequence of the exit from the residual position during 2023 (impact of EUR - 34 million), partially compensated by a contribution from GBL Capital in 2024 (impact of EUR 71 million).
| EUR MILLION | December 31, 2024 | December 31, 2023 |
|---|---|---|
| SGS | 125.6 | 117,7 |
| Pernod Ricard | 81.0 | 80.9 |
| GBL Capital | 71.5 | - |
| Imerys | 62.6 | 178.6 |
| Umicore | 31.4 | 31.4 |
| Concentrix | 9.5 | 2.4 |
| adidas | 6.3 | 8.2 |
| TotalEnergies | 0.7 | 0.6 |
| GEA | 0.1 | 9.9 |
| Holcim | - | 33.6 |
| Mowi | - | 1.4 |
| Other | 0.1 | 0.1 |
| TOTAL | 388.9 | 464.7 |

Interest income (expenses) (EUR - 10 million) mainly comprise (i) interest expenses related to the institutional bonds and the Pernod Ricard exchangeable bond (EUR - 61 million compared to EUR - 58 million as of December 31,2023) partially balanced by (ii) income from gross cash (EUR 25 million compared to EUR 24 million as of December 31, 2023), (iii) interest from the Concentrix note (EUR 16 million compared to EUR 7 million as of December 31, 2023) and (iv) interest income from GBL Capital (EUR 13 million compared to EUR 3 million as of December 31, 2023).
Other financial income (expenses) (EUR 11 million) mainly comprise (i) the dividend received on treasury shares for EUR 25 million (EUR 22 million as of December 31, 2023) and (ii) yield enhancement income of EUR 6 million (EUR 6 million as of December 31, 2023), partially balanced by (iii) fees on financial transactions (EUR - 13 million).
Gains (losses) from disposals, impairments and reversal of non-current assets (EUR 2 million) is composed of the accounting result (1) on the partial disposal of the Concentrix note.
(EUR - 41 million compared to EUR 100 million)
| EUR MILLION | December 31, 2024 | December 31, 2023 |
|---|---|---|
| Net dividends from investments | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Interest income (expenses) | (5.3) | (6.5) |
| Other financial income (expenses) | 1.6 | 104.0 |
| Other operating income (expenses) | (37.8) | 2.9 |
| TOTAL | (41.5) | 100.3 |
Other operating income (expenses) notably include the impact of the new group's carried interest scheme implemented in January 2024 (EUR - 39 million).
In accordance with accounting principles, GBL includes in its accounts its share of the net results of the participations in which it holds the majority of the capital or on which it has a significant influence.
| EUR MILLION | December 31, 2024 | December 31, 2023 |
|---|---|---|
| Profit (loss) of associates and consolidated operating companies |
(186.2) | (75.0) |
| Other financial income (expenses) | - | 106.5 |
| Other operating income (expenses) | - | (112.3) |
| Gains (losses) on disposals, impairments and reversals of non-current assets |
- | 1,291.8 |
| TOTAL | (186.2) | 1,211.1 |
Profit (loss) of associates and consolidated operating companies amounts to EUR - 186 million compared to EUR - 75 million as of December 31, 2023.
| EUR MILLION | December 31, 2024 | December 31, 2023 |
|---|---|---|
| Sanoptis | (74.9) | (47.1) |
| Imerys | (52.2) | 28.2 |
| Parques Reunidos/Piolin II | (24.9) | (21.8) |
| Canyon | (19.2) | (6.0) |
| Affidea | (15.0) | (42.6) |
| Webhelp | - | 14.4 |
| TOTAL | (186.2) | (75.0) |
As of December 31, 2024, Sanoptis' contribution to GBL's result amounts to EUR - 75 million (EUR - 47 million as of December 31, 2023), based on a net result of EUR - 90 million (EUR - 59 million as of December 31, 2023) and taking into account an integration rate of 83.20% (83.17% as of December 31, 2023).
Net current income from continued activities, group's share, increases 8.2% to EUR 262 million as of December 31, 2024 (EUR 242 million as of December 31, 2023). The adjusted EBITDA amounts to EUR 676 million (EUR 668 million as of December 31, 2023). The net result, group's share, amounts to EUR - 95 million as of December 31, 2024 (EUR 51 million as of December 31, 2023).
The net result, group's share as of December 31, 2024 is impacted by the recycling in the income statement of translation adjustments relating to assets serving the paper market (mainly arising from the devaluation of the Brazilian real) following their disposal. Imerys shareholders' equity and cash position are not affected by this EUR 302 million loss.
Imerys contributes EUR - 52 million to GBL's result as of December 31, 2024 (EUR 28 million as of December 31, 2023), reflecting the variation in net income, group's share, and the 54.98% consolidation rate for Imerys (54.90% as of December 31, 2023).
The press release relating to Imerys' results as of December 31, 2024 is available at www.imerys.com.
As of December 31, 2024, the contribution amounts to EUR - 25 million (EUR - 22 million as of December 31, 2023), considering a net result of Piolin II of EUR - 108 million (EUR - 95 million as of December 31, 2023) and taking into account an integration rate of 23.10% (23.10% as of December 31, 2023).
As of December 31, 2024, Canyon's contribution to GBL's result amounts to EUR - 19 million (EUR - 6 million as of December 31, 2023), based on a net result of EUR - 38 million (EUR - 14 million as of December 31, 2023) and taking into account an integration rate of 49.76% (48.65% as of December 31, 2023).
As of December 31, 2024, Affidea's contribution to GBL's result amounts to EUR - 15 million (EUR - 43 million as of December 31, 2023), based on a net result of EUR - 13 million (EUR - 50 million as of December 31, 2023) and taking into account an integration rate of 98.98% (99.00% as of December 31, 2023).
As of December 31, 2023, Webhelp's contribution to GBL's result amounted to EUR 14 million.
In addition, the other financial income (expenses) and other operating income (expenses) reflected the change in debts to Webhelp's minority shareholders.
At the closing of the sale of Webhelp as of September 25, 2023, the debt on minority shareholders was extinguished, without any impact on GBL's cash.
(EUR 223 million compared to EUR 233 million)
| EUR MILLION | December 31, 2024 | December 31, 2023 |
|---|---|---|
| Profit (loss) of associates and consolidated operating companies |
38.5 | 62.2 |
| Interest income (expenses) | (7.6) | 1.7 |
| Other financial income (expenses) | 210.8 | 203.8 |
| IFRS 9 | 196.6 | 187.6 |
| Other | 14.2 | 16.2 |
| Other operating income (expenses) | (59.8) | (50.3) |
| Gains (losses) on disposals, impairments and reversals of non-current assets |
41.3 | 16.3 |
| Taxes | (0.6) | (0.3) |
| TOTAL | 222.5 | 233.3 |
The contribution to GBL's results as of December 31, 2024 of GBL Capital's investments consolidated or accounted for by the equity method amounts to EUR 38 million, compared to EUR 62 million a year earlier:
| EUR MILLION | December 31, 2024 | December 31, 2023 |
|---|---|---|
| AMB IV | 40.3 | 72.9 |
| Sienna Euclide | 4.0 | - |
| Operating subsidiaries of AMB III | 0.6 | (3.5) |
| Sienna Global Private Investment | 0.3 | - |
| AMB I & II | (0.1) | (0.0) |
| Canyon | (0.5) | (0.2) |
| Mérieux Participations 2 | (1.5) | (15.5) |
| Landlife Holding | (2.2) | (2.2) |
| Backed 1, Backed 2 and Backed Encore 1 |
(2.3) | 10.6 |
| TOTAL | 38.5 | 62.2 |
Interest income (expenses) (EUR - 8 million) include notably interest charges to GBL (EUR - 13 million compared to EUR - 3 million as of December 31, 2023).
Other financial income (expenses) mainly reflect the change in fair value of the investments not consolidated or not accounted for by the equity method, in application of IFRS 9, for a total amount of EUR 197 million (EUR 188 million as of December 31, 2023), out of which mainly Sagard funds (EUR 63 million), Human Capital (EUR 36 million), Marcho Partners (EUR 23 million), Moeve (EUR 16 million), Kartesia funds (EUR 12 million), a cosmetics company (EUR - 21 million) and Flora Food Group (EUR - 25 million). As of December 31, 2023, this section included mainly Sagard funds (EUR 48 million), Marcho Partners (EUR 28 million), Flora Food Group (EUR 25 million), Kartesia funds (EUR 18 million), Proalpha (EUR 17 million), Human Capital (EUR 14 million), BDT & MSD (EUR 12 million) and Moeve (EUR - 16 million).
The gains (losses) on disposals, impairments and reversals of non-current assets mainly include, as of December 31, 2024, the net capital gain following the sale of Beltaste-Vanreusel and Visionnaire by AMB III (EUR 41 million).
(EUR - 39 million compared to EUR - 34 million)
| EUR MILLION | December 31, 2024 | December 31, 2023 |
|---|---|---|
| Profit (loss) of associates and consolidated operating companies |
(19.6) | (14.2) |
| Interest income (expenses) | 1.5 | - |
| Other operating income (expenses) | (18.7) | (20.2) |
| Gains (losses) on disposals, impairments and reversals of non-current assets |
(2.4) | (0.0) |
| TOTAL | (39.2) | (34.4) |
The contribution to GBL's results as of December 31, 2024 of Sienna Investment Managers' investments consolidated or accounted for by the equity method amounts to EUR - 20 million, compared to EUR - 14 million a year earlier:
| TOTAL | (19.6) | (14.2) |
|---|---|---|
| Sienna Private Credit | 0.2 | (1.3) |
| Sienna Real Estate | (5.0) | (11.5) |
| Sienna Gestion | (14.8) | (1.4) |
| EUR MILLION | December 31, 2024 | December 31, 2023 |
(EUR - 159 million compared to EUR - 201 million)
| EUR MILLION | December 31, 2024 | December 31, 2023 |
|---|---|---|
| Net dividends from investments | (134.1) | (178.6) |
| Other financial income (expenses) | (25.5) | (22.5) |
| Gains (losses) from disposals, impairments and reversal of non-current assets |
0.1 | - |
| TOTAL | (159.4) | (201.1) |
Net dividends from investments (associates or consolidated companies) are eliminated and are related in 2024 to GBL Capital (EUR - 71 million) and Imerys (EUR - 63 million compared to EUR - 179 million as of December 31, 2023).
The other financial income (expenses) include mainly the elimination of the dividend on treasury shares amounting to EUR - 25 million (EUR - 22 million as of December 31, 2023).
| EUR MILLION | December 31, 2024 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GROUP'S SHARE | Cash earnings | Mark to market and other non-cash items |
Operating companies (associated or consolidated) |
GBL Capital |
Sienna Investment Managers |
Eliminations, capital gains, impairments and reversals |
Consolidated |
| Profit (loss) of associates and consolidated operating companies |
- | - | (186.2) | 38.5 | (19.6) | - | (167.3) |
| Net dividends from investments |
388.9 | 0.0 | - | - | - | (134.1) | 254.8 |
| Interest income (expenses) | (9.9) | (5.3) | - | (7.6) | 1.5 | - | (21.4) |
| Other financial income (expenses) |
10.8 | 1.6 | - | 210.8 | - | (25.5) | 197.7 |
| Other operating income (expenses) |
(55.0) | (37.8) | - | (59.8) | (18.7) | - | (171.4) |
| Gains (losses) from disposals, impairments and reversal of non-current assets |
1.6 | - | - | 41.3 | (2.4) | 0.1 | 40.7 |
| Taxes | (0.1) | - | - | (0.6) | - | - | (0.7) |
| IFRS CONSOLIDATED NET RESULT 2024 (GROUP'S SHARE) |
336.2 | (41.5) | (186.2) | 222.5 | (39.2) | (159.4) | 132.3 |
| of which "Holding" segment | 336.2 | (41.5) | (24.9) | - | - | (159.4) | 110.4(1) |
| of which "Imerys" segment | - | - | (52.2) | - | - | - | (52.2) |
| of which "Canyon" segment | - | - | (19.2) | (0.5) | - | - | (19.7) |
| of which "Affidea" segment | - | - | (15.0) | - | - | - | (15.0) |
| of which "Sanoptis" segment | - | - | (74.9) | - | - | - | (74.9) |
| of which "GBL Capital and SIM" segment |
- | - | - | 223.0 | (39.2) | - | 183.8 |
| IFRS CONSOLIDATED NET RESULT 2024 (GROUP'S SHARE) |
336.2 | (41.5) | (186.2) | 222.5 | (39.2) | (159.4) | 132.3 |
(1) Including the share in the result of Parques Reunidos/Piolin II associated operating company
In accordance with IAS 1 Presentation of financial statements, GBL publishes its consolidated comprehensive income as an integral part of the consolidated financial statements. This income, group's share, amounts to EUR - 254 million in 2024 compared with EUR 1,506 million in 2023. This change is mainly explained by the deconsolidation impact of Webhelp following the disposal on September 25, 2023 and the variation of valuations of the assets in the portfolio. This result of EUR - 254 million gives an indication of the value variation done by the group in 2024. It is based on the consolidated result, group's share, for the period (EUR 132 million), plus the impact of the variations of value on the other equity investments, i.e., EUR - 1,619 million, and the changes in the equity of associates and consolidated companies, group's share, amounting to EUR 1,232 million. The consolidated comprehensive income, group's share, shown in the table below, is broken down according to each investment's contribution.
| IN EUR MILLION | 2024 | 2023 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Result of the period | Elements entered directly in shareholders' equity | Comprehensive income | Comprehensive income | ||
| GROUP'S SHARE | Mark to market | Other | |||
| Investments' contribution | 251.9 | (1,618.5) | 1,231.7 | (134.9) | 1,479.0 |
| SGS | 125.6 | 660.2 | - | 785.8 | (207.3) |
| adidas | 6.3 | (430.6) | 1,052.4 | 628.1 | 785.8 |
| GBL Capital and SIM | 183.8 | - | (5.3) | 178.5 | 201.6 |
| Imerys | (52.2) | - | 201.9 | 149.7 | 66.4 |
| Voodoo | - | 14.7 | - | 14.7 | 14.2 |
| Ontex | - | 12.9 | - | 12.9 | 22.5 |
| GEA | 0.1 | 1.1 | - | 1.2 | (54.7) |
| TotalEnergies | 0.7 | (2.2) | - | (1.5) | 1.4 |
| Canyon | (19.7) | - | 5.6 | (14.1) | (10.8) |
| Affidea | (15.0) | - | (9.9) | (24.8) | (54.8) |
| Parques Reunidos/Piolin II | (24.9) | - | (7.4) | (32.3) | (22.0) |
| Sanoptis | (74.9) | - | (5.6) | (80.5) | (47.2) |
| Concentrix | 9.5 | (414.4) | - | (404.8) | 172.2 |
| Umicore | 31.4 | (586.4) | - | (555.0) | (338.2) |
| Pernod Ricard | 81.0 | (874.0) | - | (793.0) | (326.3) |
| Webhelp | - | - | - | - | 1,271.2 |
| Mowi | - | - | - | - | 2.7 |
| Holcim | - | - | - | - | (72.5) |
| Other | 0.1 | (0.1) | - | 0.1 | 74.8 |
| Other income (expenses) | (119.5) | - | 0.3 | (119.2) | 27.2 |
| DECEMBER 31, 2024 | 132.3 | (1,618.5) | 1,232.0 | (254.1) | |
| December 31, 2023 | 1,723.2 | (377.5) | 160.5 | 1,506.3 |
Net debt decreased from EUR 2,022 million as of December 31, 2023 to EUR 460 million as of December 31, 2024. This decrease reflects in particular divestments and distributions (EUR 2,139 million) and cash earnings for the period (EUR 336 million), partially offset by investments of EUR - 415 million (including share buybacks) and the dividend paid by GBL for the year 2023 (EUR - 380 million).
As of December 31, 2024, net debt consisted of:
The weighted average maturity of gross debt is 3.6 years at the end of December 2024 (4.0 years at end of December 2023).
This situation does not include GBL Capital's external investment commitments of EUR 893 million at the end of December 2024 (EUR 752 million as of December 31, 2023).
As of December 31, 2024, the committed credit lines amounted to EUR 2,450 million (fully undrawn) and mature in 2029.
The liquidity profile (gross cash and undrawn amount on committed credit lines) amounts to EUR 5,056 million at the end of December 2024, compared to EUR 3,530 million at the end of December 2023.
Finally, as of December 31, 2024, treasury shares amounted to 12,890,643 representing 9.31% of the issued capital at that date and valued at EUR 851 million, compared with 11.54% and EUR 1,206 million respectively as of December 31,2023.

| EUR MILLION | Gross cash | Gross debt | Net debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Position as of December 31, 2023 | 1,556.0(1) | (3,577.9) | (2,021.9) |
| Cash earnings | 336.2 | - | 336.2 |
| Dividend for the year 2023 | (380.5) | - | (380.5) |
| Investments: | (415.2) | - | (415.2) |
| GBL (share buybacks) | (291.9) | - | (291.9) |
| GBL Capital | (65.3) | - | (65.3) |
| Sienna Investment Managers | (32.8) | - | (32.8) |
| Other | (25.2) | - | (25.2) |
| Divestments/Distributions: | 2,138.7 | - | 2,138.7 |
| adidas | 1,651.9 | - | 1,651.9 |
| GBL Capital | 486.8 | - | 486.8 |
| Institutional bonds | (500.0) | 500.0 | - |
| Other | (125.5)(2) | 8.0 | (117.6) |
| POSITION AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2024 | 2,609.7(1) | (3,070.0) | (460.2) |
(1) Includes the Concentrix note, which was monetized in Q3 2024; GBL has a residual receivable of EUR 4 million as of December 31, 2024
(2) Includes mainly (i) dividends and returns received from GBL Capital presented both in cash earnings and distributions (EUR - 85 million)
and (ii) the net impact to set up the new group's carried interest scheme (EUR - 39 million)
As of December 31, 2024, gross cash excluding treasury shares amounted to EUR 2,606 million (EUR 1,080 million as of December 31, 2023). The table below details its components in relation to GBL's consolidated financial statements:
| IN EUR MILLION | Notes | December 31, 2024 | December 31, 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gross cash as presented in: | |||
| Net asset value | 2,605.5 | 1,079.5 | |
| Segment information (Holding) - pages 166 to 171 | 2,638.9 | 1,032.6 | |
| - Trading financial assets | 16 | 2,077.5 | 705.5 |
| - Cash and cash equivalents | 17 | 613.9 | 378.5 |
| - Other current assets | 18 | 27.8 | 39.4 |
| - Trade payables | (6.4) | (6.5) | |
| - Tax liabilities | (4.5) | (8.2) | |
| - Other current liabilities | 23 | (69.4) | (76.0) |
| Reconciliation items | (33.4) | 46.9 | |
| Difference arising from the Concentrix receivable (not included in gross cash as presented in net asset value) between its nominal value and its net present value, the difference between which is included under IFRS in The difference is included under IFRS in "Other current liabilities" |
- | 32.7 | |
| Debt related to carried | (39.0) | - | |
| Recognition of the treasury of the dedicated investment vehicles of Sanoptis and Canyon | 5.6 | 15.4 | |
| Other | (0.0) | (1.2) |
As of December 31, 2024, the residual Concentrix note, after monetization of its largest part in August 2024 amounts to EUR 4 million (EUR 476 million as of December 31, 2023). The table below details its components in relation to GBL's consolidated financial statements:
| IN EUR MILLION | Notes | December 31, 2024 | December 31, 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concentrix note as presented in: | |||
| Net asset value | 4.2 | 476.5 | |
| Segment information (Holding) - pages 166 to 171 | 9.7 | 520.7 | |
| - Other non-current assets | 12 | 9.7 | 520.7 |
| Reconciliation items | (5.5) | (44.3) | |
| Earn-out shares Concentrix presented in the net asset value in the portfolio and included in "Other non-current assets" under IFRS |
(5.3) | (27.0) | |
| Difference between the fair value of the Concentrix note as presented in the net asset value and its nominal value as included in "Other non-current assets" under IFRS |
- | (16.7) | |
| Other | (0.1) | (0.6) |
As of December 31, 2024, gross debt of EUR 3,070 million (EUR 3,578 million as of December 31, 2023) breaks down as follows:
| IN EUR MILLION | December 31, 2024 | December 31, 2023 |
|---|---|---|
| Institutional bonds | 2,000.0 | 2,500.0 |
| Exchangeable bonds into Pernod Ricard shares | 500.0 | 500.0 |
| Convertible bonds into GBL shares | 500.0 | 500.0 |
| Other | 70.0 | 77.9 |
| GROSS DEBT | 3,070.0 | 3,577.9 |
| IN EUR MILLION | Note | December 31, 2024 | December 31, 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gross debt as presented in: | |||
| Net asset value | (3,070.0) | (3,577.9) | |
| Segment information (Holding) - pages 166 to 171: | (3,060.2) | (3,559.1) | |
| - Non-current financial liabilities | 17 | (2,066.1) | (3,051.4) |
| - Current financial liabilities | 17 | (994.2) | (507.7) |
| Reconciliation items | (9.8) | (18.8) | |
| Impact of the recognition of financial liabilities at amortized cost in IFRS | (19.5) | (29.6) | |
| Financial liabilities recognized in accordance with the IFRS 16 standard | 9.7 | 10.8 |

As of December 31, 2024, GBL had net debt of EUR 460 million. The net debt shows the following Loan To Value ratio:
| IN EUR MILLION | December 31, 2024 | December 31, 2023 |
|---|---|---|
| Net debt (excluding treasury shares) | 460.2 | 2,021.9 |
| Market value of the portfolio | 15,289.7 | 17,487.6 |
| Market value of the treasury shares underlying the bonds convertible into GBL shares | 283.9 | 303.1 |
| Loan To Value | 3.0% | 11.4% |
Treasury shares, valued at their historical value, are deducted from equity under IFRS. The treasury shares included in the net asset value (EUR 851 million as of December 31, 2024 and EUR 1,206 million as of December 31, 2023) are valued according to the method described in the glossary on page 252.


| 6.1 | Consolidated financial statements | 146 |
|---|---|---|
| 6.2 | Statutory Auditor's report | 219 |
| 6.3 | Consolidated IFRS figures over 10 years | 227 |
| 6.4 | Condensed statutory financial statements | 228 |
| 6.5 | Dividend policy | 230 |
| IN EUR MILLION | Notes | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Non-current assets | 21,674.2 | 23,592.2 | |
| Intangible assets | 9 | 2,234.9 | 2,073.5 |
| Goodwill | 10 | 4,716.7 | 4,360.7 |
| Property, plant and equipment | 11 | 3,302.4 | 2,976.9 |
| Investments | 11,082.1 | 13,376.5 | |
| Investments in associates and joint ventures | 2 | 631.2 | 771.8 |
| Other equity investments | 3 | 10,450.9 | 12,604.8 |
| Other non-current assets | 12 | 192.0 | 642.8 |
| Deferred tax assets | 13 | 146.2 | 161.8 |
| Current assets | 5,795.5 | 4,967.5 | |
| Inventories | 14 | 1,105.7 | 1,172.8 |
| Trade receivables | 15 | 637.1 | 600.6 |
| Trading financial assets | 16 | 2,080.3 | 1,385.6 |
| Cash and cash equivalents | 17 | 1,466.5 | 1,198.0 |
| Other current assets | 18 | 484.2 | 437.4 |
| Assets held for sale | 24 | 21.7 | 173.1 |
| TOTAL ASSETS | 27,469.8 | 28,559.6 | |
| Shareholders' equity Share capital |
19 | 16,124.6 653.1 |
17,009.7 653.1 |
| Share premium | 3,815.8 | 3,815.8 | |
| Reserves | 9,654.9 | 10,562.8 | |
| Non-controlling interests | 30 | 2,000.8 | 1,978.0 |
| Non-current liabilities | 8,370.4 | 8,805.9 | |
| Financial liabilities | 17 | 6,736.3 | 7,177.2 |
| Provisions | 20 | 413.9 | 456.0 |
| Pensions and post-employment benefits | 21 | 126.7 | 183.8 |
| Other non-current liabilities | 22 | 523.0 | 472.4 |
| Deferred tax liabilities | 13 | 570.6 | 516.5 |
| Current liabilities | 2,974.7 | 2,744.1 | |
| Financial liabilities | 17 | 1,330.6 | 1,173.7 |
| Trade payables | 630.0 | 571.5 | |
| Provisions | 20 | 59.0 | 52.2 |
| Tax liabilities | 105.8 | 125.3 | |
| Other current liabilities | 23 | 840.4 | 729.4 |
| Liabilities associated with assets held for sale | 24 | 8.9 | 91.9 |
| IN EUR MILLION | Notes | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Share of profit (loss) of associates and joint ventures from investing activities | 2 | 15.8 | 44.0 |
| Net dividends from investments | 3 | 254.8 | 286.1 |
| Other operating income (expenses) from investing activities | 5 | (186.2) | (126.0) |
| Gains (losses) on disposals, impairments and reversals of non-current assets from investing activities | 4 | 45.5 | 18.5 |
| Investments in equity-accounted entities | 33.0 | 13.3 | |
| Other | 12.4 | 5.2 | |
| Financial income (expenses) from investing activities | 7 | 175.4 | 280.9 |
| Profit (loss) before tax from investing activities - continuing operations | 305.3 | 503.5 | |
| Turnover | 8 | 6,198.0 | 6,137.3 |
| Raw materials and consumables | (1,961.4) | (2,110.7) | |
| Employee expenses | 5 | (1,841.8) | (1,690.2) |
| Depreciation/amortization of property, plant, equipment and intangible assets (excluding impairments and reversals) | (545.8) | (519.6) | |
| Other operating income (expenses) from operating activities (1) | 5 | (1,338.1) | (1,366.7) |
| Gains (losses) on disposals, impairments and reversals of non-current assets from operating activities | 6 | (349.7) | (225.3) |
| Financial income (expenses) from operating activities | 7 | (311.6) | (228.4) |
| Profit (loss) before tax from consolidated operating activities - continuing operations | (150.3) | (3.7) | |
| Income taxes | 13 | (91.8) | (112.2) |
| PROFIT (LOSS) FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS | 63.2 | 387.5 | |
| PROFIT (LOSS) FROM CONSOLIDATED OPERATING ACTIVITIES - DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS | Scope of consolidation |
- | 1,355.6 |
| CONSOLIDATED PROFIT (LOSS) FOR THE YEAR | 63.2 | 1,743.1 | |
| Attributable to the group | 132.3 | 1,723.2 | |
| Attributable to non-controlling interests | 30 | (69.1) | 19.9 |
| Consolidated earnings per share for the period | |||
| Basic - continuing operations | 0.99 | 2.83 | |
| Basic - discontinued operations | - | 9.45 | |
| Basic | 28 | 0.99 | 12.28 |
| Diluted - continuing operations | 0.96 | 2.70 | |
| Diluted - discontinued operations | - | 9.17 | |
| Diluted | 28 | 0.96 | 11.87 |
| IN EUR MILLION | Notes | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| CONSOLIDATED PROFIT (LOSS) FOR THE PERIOD | 63.2 | 1,743.1 | |
| Other comprehensive income (1) | |||
| Items that will not be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss | |||
| Actuarial gains (losses) | 21 | 16.3 | (28.5) |
| Gains and (losses) on financial liabilities measured at fair value attributable to the acquisition of a controlling or non-controlling interest |
(0.8) | 5.5 | |
| Change resulting from the change in fair value of the other equity investments | 3 | (566.2) | (285.9) |
| Total items that will not be reclassified to profit or loss, after tax | (550.7) | (308.9) | |
| Items that may be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss | |||
| Foreign currency translation adjustments for consolidated companies | 315.6 | 57.1 | |
| Cash flow hedges | 26.4 | 57.5 | |
| Share in the other items of the comprehensive income of associates and joint ventures | (7.4) | 2.5 | |
| Total items that may be reclassified to profit or loss, after tax | 334.6 | 117.1 | |
| Other comprehensive income (loss) after tax | (216.1) | (191.8) | |
| COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) | (152.9) | 1,551.4 | |
| Attributable to the group | (254.1) | 1,506.3 | |
| Attributable to non-controlling interests | 30 | 101.2 | 45.1 |
(1) These elements are presented net of taxes. Income taxes are presented in Note 13
| IN EUR MILLION | Capital | Share premium |
Revaluation reserves |
Treasury shares |
Foreign currency translation adjustments |
Retained earnings |
Share holders' equity – Group's share |
Non controlling interests |
Shareholders' equity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2022 | 653.1 | 3,815.8 | 4,126.1 | (998.0) | (203.4) | 7,325.9 | 14,719.6 | 2,100.0 | 16,819.6 |
| Consolidated profit (loss) for the year |
- | - | - | - | - | 1,723.2 | 1,723.2 | 19.9 | 1,743.1 |
| Reclassification following disposals |
- | - | (91.6) | - | - | 91.6 | - | - | - |
| Other comprehensive income (loss) |
- | - | (285.9) | - | 15.2 | 53.7 | (217.0) | 25.2 | (191.8) |
| Total comprehensive income (loss) |
- | - | (377.5) | - | 15.2 | 1,868.5 | 1,506.3 | 45.1 | 1,551.4 |
| Dividends | - | - | - | - | - | (380.1) | (380.1) | (152.1) | (532.1) |
| Treasury share transactions | - | - | - | (306.4) | - | (509.8) | (816.3) | - | (816.3) |
| Changes in group structure | - | - | - | - | - | 1.0 | 1.0 | (18.1) | (17.1) |
| Other movements | - | - | - | - | - | 1.2 | 1.2 | 3.1 | 4.2 |
| AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2023 | 653.1 | 3,815.8 | 3,748.7 | (1,304.4) | (188.2) | 8,306.7 | 15,031.6 | 1,978.0 | 17,009.7 |
| Consolidated profit (loss) for the year |
- | - | - | - | - | 132.3 | 132.3 | (69.1) | 63.2 |
| Reclassification following disposals |
- | - | (1,052.4) | - | - | 1,052.4 | - | - | - |
| Other comprehensive income (loss) |
- | - | (566.2) | - | 162.0 | 17.6 | (386.5) | 170.4 | (216.1) |
| Total comprehensive income (loss) |
- | - | (1,618.5) | - | 162.0 | 1,202.4 | (254.1) | 101.2 | (152.9) |
| Dividends | - | - | - | - | - | (355.0) | (355.0) | (61.3) | (416.3) |
| Treasury share transactions | - | - | - | 346.9 | - | (637.2) | (290.3) | - | (290.3) |
| Changes in group structure | - | - | - | - | - | (4.6) | (4.6) | (14.9) | (19.5) |
| Other movements | - | - | - | - | - | (3.7) | (3.7) | (2.2) | (5.9) |
| AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2024 | 653.1 | 3,815.8 | 2,130.1 | (957.5) | (26.2) | 8,508.5 | 14,123.8 | 2,000.8 | 16,124.6 |
During 2024, shareholders' equity was mainly impacted by:
– the consolidated result for the year of EUR 63.2 million;
– comprehensive income items including:
EUR - 566.2 million (see Note 3), as well as the reclassification to retained earnings in the event of disposals for EUR - 1,052.4 million (see Note 3); - the change in foreign currency translation adjustments
– the distribution by GBL on May 13, 2024 of a gross dividend of EUR 2.75 per share (EUR 2.75 in 2023), net of dividends received on treasury shares, i.e., EUR - 355.0 million (see Note 19); and
– the share buybacks and cancellation of treasury shares (see Note 19).
| IN EUR MILLION | Notes | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Net cash from (used in) operating activities | 1,329.1 | 1,122.1 | |
| Consolidated profit (loss) for the year | 63.2 | 1,743.1 | |
| Adjustments for: | |||
| Income taxes (continuing and discontinued operations) | 91.8 | 121.1 | |
| Interest income (expenses) | 284.3 | 329.3 | |
| Share of profit (loss) of associates and joint ventures | (126.4) | (139.4) | |
| Dividends from investments in non-consolidated companies | 3 | (254.8) | (286.1) |
| Net depreciation and amortization expenses | 9,11 | 557.6 | 693.1 |
| Gains (losses) on disposals, impairment and reversals of non-current assets | 234.3 | (1,130.2) | |
| Other non-cash income items (1) | (229.1) | (283.0) | |
| Interest received | 92.3 | 64.3 | |
| Interest paid | (363.4) | (327.3) | |
| Dividends received from investments in non-consolidated companies | 254.6 | 286.0 | |
| Dividends received from investments in associates and joint ventures | 2 | 238.0 | 59.6 |
| Income taxes paid | (106.8) | (166.0) | |
| Changes in working capital | (3.3) | 86.2 | |
| Changes in other receivables and payables | 596.9 | 71.5 | |
| Net cash from (used in) investing activities Acquisitions of: |
141.6 | (1,006.2) | |
| Investments in associates and joint ventures | (19.0) | (64.5) | |
| Other equity investments | (259.5) | (339.9) | |
| Subsidiaries, net of cash acquired | Scope of consolidation | (485.9) | (481.0) |
| Property, plant and equipment and intangible assets | (582.2) | (656.5) | |
| Other financial assets (2) | (1,747.0) | (1,835.4) | |
| Disposals/divestments of: | |||
| Investments in associates and joint ventures | 52.7 | 9.4 | |
| Other equity investments | 1,900.8 | 856.8 | |
| Subsidiaries, net of cash paid | Scope of consolidation | 181.6 | 150.6 |
| Property, plant and equipment and intangible assets | 2.3 | 15.6 | |
| Other financial assets (3) | 1,097.8 | 1,338.8 | |
| Net cash from (used in) financing activities | (1,202.4) | (820.0) | |
| Capital increase/(decrease) from non-controlling interests | 36.2 | 9.1 | |
| Dividends paid by the parent company to its shareholders | (355.0) | (380.1) | |
| Dividends paid by the subsidiaries to non-controlling interests | (61.3) | (152.1) | |
| Proceeds from financial liabilities | 17 | 587.0 | 3,291.1 |
| Repayments of financial liabilities | 17 | (1,117.4) | (2,771.8) |
| Net change in treasury shares | (291.9) | (816.2) | |
| Other | - | - | |
| Effect of exchange rate fluctuations on funds held | (9.2) | (11.3) | |
| NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS | 259.2 | (715.3) | |
| Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year | 17 | 1,212.6 | 1,927.9 |
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year (4) 17 1,471.8 1,212.6
(1) This heading notably includes the adjustment of the changes in fair value of other equity investments whose change in fair value is recognized through profit or loss for EUR - 197 million
Groupe Bruxelles Lambert SA ("GBL") is a Belgian holding company listed on Euronext Brussels. Its consolidated financial statements cover a period of 12 months ended December 31, 2024. They were approved by its Board of Directors on March 13, 2025 on a going concern basis, in millions of euros, to one decimal place and rounded to the nearest hundred thousand euros.
The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) as adopted by the European Union.
The following amended standards have been applied since the 2024 financial year. They did not have any material impact on GBL's consolidated financial statements.
GBL did not opt for the early adoption of the new and amended standards which entered into force after December 31, 2024, namely:
The future application of these new and amended standards should not have a significant impact on the group's consolidated financial statements.
The consolidated financial statements, prepared before appropriation of result, include those of GBL and its subsidiaries (the "group") and the interests of the group in joint ventures and associates accounted for using the equity method. The important subsidiaries, joint ventures and associates close their accounts on December 31.
Controlled companies are entities for which GBL is exposed to variable returns because of ties to these entities and has the ability to influence these returns because of the control that GBL has over these entities. Controlled companies are consolidated.
Intragroup balances and transactions as well as unrealized gains (losses) are eliminated. Newly acquired companies are consolidated as from the date of acquisition.
A joint venture is a company over which GBL has joint control with one or more other parties and for which the parties have a claim to the company's net assets. Joint control is the contractually agreed sharing of the control exercised over a company, which only exists in cases where decisions regarding the relevant operations require the unanimous consent of the parties sharing control. These joint ventures are accounted for in the consolidated financial statements using the equity method.
If the group has a significant influence in a company, the investment it holds in that company is considered as an associate company. Significant influence is the power to participate in decisions about financial and operational policies, but without exercising control or joint control over these policies.
Associates are accounted for in the consolidated financial statements using the equity method.
An investment is accounted for using the equity method as from the date it becomes an investment in an associate or joint venture. Under the equity method, the investment in an associate or joint venture is recorded at cost on initial recognition.
In the absence of definition in the standards of the notion of cost, the group considers, in the event of a change from an "other equity investment–financial assets recognized at fair value through equity" to an associate, the fair value at the date of the first equity method as the cost. The revaluation reserve accounted for until that date is transferred to consolidated reserves.
Intangible assets are recorded at cost less any accumulated amortization and potential impairment losses.
Intangible assets with finite useful life are amortized on a straight- line basis over the following estimated useful lives and include among others:
Intangible assets with an indefinite useful life are not amortized but are tested for impairment annually at the close of the financial year (or at an earlier date should there be an indication of impairment). When the recoverable amount of an asset is less than its carrying amount, this carrying amount is reduced to reflect the loss of value.
Intangible assets include brands and customer relations, which may have a defined or indefinite useful life, determined according to the results of an analysis of the following criteria: (i) impact on customers, (ii) stability (versus an expected change in the short or medium term) and (iii) competitive environment.
In the absence of any applicable standard or interpretation, Imerys treats greenhouse gas emission credits as intangible assets. Imerys holds these credits solely to prove the volume of its emissions and does not trade them, for example through forward purchases or sales. The recognized value of credits received free of charge is zero and credits purchased on the market are recognized at their purchase price. If the credits held are less than the actual emissions at the reporting date, a provision is recognized in profit or loss that is equal to the value of the credits to be purchased, measured at their market value (net liability method). Disposals are only related to surplus credits and are recognized in profit or loss as asset disposals. The group's greenhouse gas emission rights cannot be amortized.
When the group acquires a business, the identifiable assets and liabilities of the acquired entity are recorded at fair value on the acquisition date.
The counterparty transferred to a business combination corresponds to the fair value of the transferred assets (including cash), the assumed liabilities and the shareholders' equity instruments issued by the group in exchange for the control of the acquired entity. The costs directly related to the acquisition are generally recognized in profit or loss.
Goodwill is calculated as the positive difference between the following two elements:
If, after confirmation of the values, this difference proves to be negative, this amount is immediately recorded in the income statement as a gain from a bargain purchase.
Goodwill is accounted for as an asset in the balance sheet under the heading "Goodwill" and is subject to an annual impairment test, which consists in comparing the recoverable amount of the cash generating units ("CGU") to which the goodwill has been allocated with their carrying amount (including the goodwill). If the latter is higher, an impairment loss must be recorded in the income statement.
In addition, in valuing goodwill as outlined above, the amount of the non-controlling interests can be valued on a case by case basis and at GBL's choice, either at fair value (the so-called "full goodwill" option) or at the share of the identifiable net asset in the acquired entity.
When an activity is put up for sale, a share of the goodwill of the CGU to which the activity belongs is allocated to it and included in the measurement of its carrying amount. This allocation is made on the basis of the relative fair values of the business for sale and the retained portion of the CGU.
Finally, where there are options to purchase non-controlling interests, the group has opted to eliminate any non-controlling interests at the time of acquisition. The financial liability resulting from this contract is reevaluated at each closing, with any subsequent change recognized in the income statement.
Items of property, plant and equipment are recorded under assets if they are controlled as a result of a deed of ownership. Items of property, plant and equipment are initially valued at acquisition or production cost.
The cost of property, plant and equipment includes the cost of loans contracted to finance their construction or production when they necessitate a substantial period of time. The cost of the assets is reduced, where appropriate, by the amount of public subsidies used to finance their acquisition or construction.
Maintenance and repair costs are immediately expensed under "Other operating income (expenses) from operating activities". The cost of property, plant and equipment includes, in particular for satellite industrial installations built on clients' land, the present value of the rehabilitation or dismantling obligation, where such an obligation exists. Property, plant and equipment are subsequently valued at cost less accumulated depreciation and any accumulated impairment losses.
All contracts that convey the right to use an item of non-substitutable property, plant and equipment for a period of time in exchange for consideration are recognized as right-of-use assets against a lease liability. This treatment applies to all leases except mine land leases, which are recognized in the manner described in the following paragraph, as well as immaterial leases (leases with terms of 12≈months or less and leases of low-value assets), for which payments are recognized as an expense.
At Imerys level, easements, especially for pipelines used to connect mineral deposits, processing facilities and shipping facilities are analyzed as non-mine land leases. Right-of-use assets are initially measured at the value of the lease liability, plus any initial direct costs and equipment dismantling costs where necessary. Lease liabilities are measured at the discounted value of future lease payments due in accordance with a contractual payment schedule, adjusted for rent-free periods. Payments are therefore scheduled through to the reasonably certain end date of the lease, reflecting the date beyond which the lease ceases to be legally enforceable. This date represents the end of the lease, adjusted for any options the lessee is able to exercise regarding early termination or extension and any restrictions the lessor is able to exercise. The lease payments taken into account in the calculation of the lease liabilities include the unconditional payments due in exchange for the right to use the asset, as well as the cost related to the early termination, extension or purchase clauses when it is reasonably certain they will be exercised.
The liability calculation excludes any variable payment related to the use of the asset (at the level of Imerys, for example, a payment dependent on the actual number of hours a piece of mining equipment is used), as well as any payment for services rendered by the lessor (for example, at Imerys, rail car maintenance). In the absence of implicit interest rates, future payments determined in this way are discounted using the lessees' incremental borrowing rate.
The first time deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized, they are calculated separately for lease liabilities and right-of-use assets, respectively. In subsequent years, right-of-use assets are amortized under the headings "Other operating income (expenses) from investing activities" or "Depreciation/amortization of property, plant, equipment and intangible assets" of the consolidated income statement and lease liabilities are measured at amortized cost, which generates an interest expense that is recognized in financial income (loss).
When an option is exercised, the lease must be reassessed to symmetrically adjust the carrying amounts of the lease liability and the right of use.
Any modification to leases gives rise to such a symmetrical adjustment, except when the scope of the lease is restricted to reduce the capacity of the asset leased or the duration of the lease. In this situation, the carrying amount of the lease liability and the right-of-use are reduced in proportion to the reduction of the scope, impacting the income statement.
In the absence of any specific applicable standard or interpretation, Imerys has defined the following methods to recognize and measure mining assets. Prospection expenditure, i.e., searching for new sites with mineral producing potential and studying the technical feasibility and commercial viability of a geographical area, is immediately recognized as an expense under the heading "Other operating income (expenses) from operating activities". Mineral reserves are included in property, plant and equipment. Freehold mineral deposits are initially measured at acquisition cost minus subsoil. Leasehold mineral deposits are measured at a value of nil if the lease is entered into in the ordinary course of business. If the lease is acquired through a business combination, the acquisition cost of the deposit is measured at the fair value of the ore.
Costs incurred to determine the tonnage of ore present in the deposit are added to the acquisition cost. Overburden work, i.e., the process of removing the topsoil to gain access to the deposit, is considered a component of mineral reserve assets. The initial measurement of overburden work includes production cost and the discounted value of restoration obligations as a result of the deterioration caused by such work. Mineral reserves and overburden assets are included under the heading "Property, plant and equipment". Mining assets are subsequently measured at cost, minus accumulated depreciation and any impairment loss.
Depreciation expense is spread over the expected useful life of the different categories of property, plant and equipment using the straight- line method. The estimated useful lives of the most significant items of property, plant and equipment fall into the following ranges:
Land is not depreciated.
Right-of-use assets held through leases are depreciated over the reasonably certain end date of the lease, unless the lessee is considering exercising their right to purchase the asset. In that case, the useful life of the asset leased is applied. Rights-of-use are depreciated or amortized on a straight-line basis. Freehold and leasehold equipment is depreciated over its useful life, up to the end of the reasonably certain end date of the lease. Furthermore, Imerys does not consider the straight-line depreciation method appropriate to reflect the consumption of property, plant and equipment related to mining activities such as mineral reserves and overburden assets as well as certain industrial assets of discontinuous use.
Depreciation of mining assets is therefore estimated in units of production on the basis of actual extraction, while operational monitoring units such as production or operating hours are used to estimate depreciation of industrial assets.
A mineral reserve is depreciated to the quantity of the geological inventory of the deposit minus discounts for the geological uncertainty inherent to the resources. Overburden assets, a component of mineral reserve assets, are depreciated over the quantity of reserve to which they specifically give access. Subsoil, i.e.,the area of land not part of the mineral deposit, is not depreciated since it is not consumed by mining operations.
Other equity investments include investments in companies in which the group does not control nor exercise a significant influence, as defined above.
Other equity investments are either quoted or private assets or unquoted funds.
These investments are recorded at fair value based on their stock market price at each closing date for quoted investments and on the valuation methods used for private investments.
GBL has opted to account for changes in the fair value of quoted and private investments via equity ("Financial assets recognized at fair value through equity"). These amounts will never be recycled in earnings, even in the event of the sale of securities or significant or prolonged loss of value. In the event of a sale, the accumulated revaluation reserves at the time of sale are reclassified to consolidated reserves.
Investments in funds are revalued at each closing at their fair value, determined by the managers of these funds, according to their investment portfolio.
Based on the analysis of the characteristics of these unlisted funds, GBL determined that they were not eligible for the "Fair value through other comprehensive income" option. Therefore, the changes in fair value are accounted for in profit or loss ("Financial assets recognized at fair value through profit or loss").
When, at the reporting date, it is highly likely that non-current assets or groups of directly related assets and liabilities will be disposed of, they are designated as non-current assets or groups of assets held for sale. Their sale is considered highly likely if, on the reporting date, a plan to put them up for sale at a reasonable price in relation to their fair value has been organized in order to find a buyer and finalize their transfer within one year at most. Non-current assets or groups of assets held for sale are presented as separate assets and liabilities in the consolidated balance sheet, separately from the rest of the continuing operations, at the balance sheet date and without comparative information provided for prior periods. They are no longer depreciated at the date of designation as non-current assets or disposal groups and are valued at the lower of carrying amount or fair value less costs to sell.
Non-current assets or groups of assets that will be shut down and not sold constitute non-current assets that are to be abandoned. When non-current assets or groups of assets held for sale or to be disposed of are allocated to a separate line item for the main operation and are to be abandoned as part of a single coordinated plan, they are categorized as discontinued operations and their related flows are disclosed separately in the income statement and statement of cash flows, as of the balance sheet date and in the comparative information provided for prior periods. As non-current assets or groups of assets held for sale are controlled until their disposal date, intra-group transactions between them and the rest of the continuing operations are eliminated in the balance sheet and in the income statement, with the exception of transactions within the income statement that the discontinued operations will continue after the date of loss of control with the continuing operations. This presentation, which has no impact on the amount of consolidated net income, enables users of the financial statements to assess the impact of discontinued operations on the remaining continuing operations.
Inventories are recorded as assets at the date on which the risks, rewards and control are transferred to the group. At the time of sale, their disposal is accounted for through an expense at the same date as the corresponding gain. Inventories are valued at the lower of production cost or net realizable value. When production is less than normal capacity, fixed costs specifically exclude the share corresponding to the sub- activity. Inventories presenting similar characteristics are valued under the same method. The methods used in the group are FIFO – First-In, First-Out – and the weighted average unit cost. Where production costs are not recoverable, they are written down to net realizable value, depending on the physical condition of the inventories concerned and their sales prospects at the balance sheet date.
Trade receivables are initially recognized at their transaction price, when those do not contain an important financing component (determined in accordance with IFRS 15 Revenue from Contracts with Customers). The transaction price is the amount of consideration that the group expects to receive in exchange for the goods or services transferred.
Subsequent to their initial recognition, trade receivables are valued at amortized cost, i.e., at fair value plus, where applicable, directly attributable transaction costs, increased or decreased, of accumulated amortization of any difference between this initial amount and the amount at maturity, and less any write-down for impairment or non- recoverability. At the end of the reporting period, a write-down is recognized for the value of expected credit losses. Such losses correspond to the estimated weighted probability of credit losses, i.e.,the expected loss of cash over the life of the trade receivable, minus cash to be received from credit insurance where applicable.
A receivable sold to a banking institution for financing purposes is only derecognized if the factoring agreement also transfers to the factor all the risks and rewards incidental to the receivable.
The other financial assets are classified in one of the following two categories:
Finally, the group derecognizes a financial asset only if the contractual rights to the cash flows of the asset expire, or if the financial asset and the associated risks and benefits are transferred to third parties. If the group does not transfer or retain substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership and continues to control the transferred asset, the group then recognizes retained interests in that asset and an associated liability for amounts that it may have to pay. If the group retains substantially all the risks and rewards of owning a transferred financial asset, the group continues to recognize the financial asset and also recognizes a debt backed by the proceeds received.
Other equity investments are not subject to impairment tests since any decrease in fair value, even significant or prolonged, is still recognized in equity for financial assets recognized at fair value through equity or, directly in profit or loss for financial assets recognized at fair value through profit or loss.
When there is an objective indication of impairment of an investment accounted for using the equity method, an impairment test must be carried out, in accordance with IAS 36 Impairment of assets and IAS 28 Investments in Associates and Joint Ventures. The recoverable amount of the asset is estimated in order to compare it to its carrying amount and, where applicable, to recognize an impairment loss for the surplus. The recoverable amount is the highest of either the fair value less costs to sell or the value in use. The value in use corresponds to the future estimated discounted cash flows. When an impairment accounted for in an earlier period ceases to exist, the carrying amount is partially or totally restored. The reversal of an impairment loss is recorded immediately in profit.
At every reporting date, the group reviews the carrying amount of intangible assets and property, plant and equipment with finite useful life in order to assess whether there is any evidence of impairment of these assets.
If there is any evidence of impairment, the asset's recoverable amount is estimated to compare it with its carrying amount. The recoverable amount is the higher of the asset's net sale price or its value in use. The value in use is the present value of estimated future cash flows from the continuous use of an asset. Where it is not possible to estimate the recoverable amount of an asset individually, the group estimates the recoverable amount of the CGU to which the asset belongs. If the recoverable amount of the asset or of the CGU is estimated to be less than the carrying amount, the carrying value of the asset or of the CGU is lowered to its recoverable amount. An impairment loss is immediately recognized in expenses.
When an impairment recorded during past financial years is no longer justified, the impairment loss on this asset or CGU is reversed in order to bring the asset or CGU back to a value corresponding to the new valuation of its recoverable amount.
However, the carrying value of an asset or CGU may not exceed, following reversal of an impairment loss, the carrying value it would have had if no impairment had been recognized for the asset or CGU in previous years. The reversal of an impairment loss is recognized immediately as income.
IFRS 9 Financial Instruments requires the application of a model based on anticipated losses on trade receivables and other financial assets. In particular, IFRS 9 requires, among other things, that the group recognizes an impairment loss on trade receivables and other financial assets as of the initial recognition date thereof.
The assessment of expected credit losses is made on an individual or collective basis taking into account historical data on late payments, information on current circumstances, as well as forward-looking information.
Income taxes of the financial year include both current and deferred taxes. They are recorded in the income statement unless they relate to items directly recorded in shareholders' equity, in which case they are also recorded in shareholders' equity.
Current taxes are the taxes to be paid on the taxable profit for the financial year and are calculated in accordance with the tax rates in effect or that will be in effect on the last day of the financial year, plus any adjustments relating to prior years.
Deferred taxes are calculated in accordance with the liability method, which is applied to the temporary differences between the carrying amount and tax basis of the assets and liabilities recorded in the balance sheet.
The following tax differences are disregarded: non tax-deductible goodwill and initial valuations of assets and liabilities not affecting the accounting and taxable profit.
Deferred taxes are calculated according to the manner in which the related assets and liabilities are expected to be realized or settled, based on the tax rates in effect or that will be in effect on the last day of the financial year.
Additionally, deferred tax liabilities related to investments in subsidiaries are not recorded when the group is able to control the date on which the temporary difference will reverse and when the group does not expect the temporary difference to reverse in the foreseeable future.
Deferred tax assets are recorded if the taxable profits are likely to materialize in such a manner as to allow them to be offset against tax losses and tax credits.
Finally, deferred tax assets and liabilities are offset by tax entity when the latter has the right to offset its current tax assets and liabilities and that the deferred tax assets and liabilities in question are levied by the same tax authority.
When treasury shares are bought (or sold), the amount paid (or received) is recorded as a decrease (or increase) in shareholders' equity. Movements in these shares are shown in the consolidated statement of changes in shareholders' equity. No profits or losses on these movements are recorded in the income statement.
Dividends paid by GBL to its shareholders are included as a reduction of shareholders' equity for their gross amount, i.e., before withholding tax. The financial statements are prepared before appropriation of profit.
GBL and Imerys stock options granted prior to November 7, 2002 have not been recorded in the consolidated financial statements in accordance with the transitional provisions of IFRS 2 Share-based Payment.
Incentive plans granted as from November 7, 2002 are accounted for in accordance with IFRS 2. In accordance with this standard, the fair value of the options on the date of allocation is recorded in the income statement for the period of acquisition of the rights ("vesting period"). The options are valued by means of a valuation model generally accepted based on the market conditions prevailing at the time of their grant.
If the arrangement is settled in cash, the group incurs a liability measured at fair value. Until the settlement of the liability, the fair value should be measured at each reporting date and at settlement date. The changes in fair value are recognized in the income statement of the period.
The Investment Program set up by GBL in January 2024 is accounted for as employee benefits under IAS 19, following a graded vesting scheme for the shares, combined with a financial liability under IFRS 9, for the mandatory reimbursement of the initial capital contributed by managers.
Commitments for defined benefit pension plans and similar obligations are valued using the projected credit unit method, in accordance with IAS 19 Employee Benefits. This valuation uses financial and demographic actuarial assumptions. These are used to value services rendered during the year on the basis of an estimate of the end-of-career salary.
The provisions or assets recognized correspond to the present value of the obligation less the fair value of the plan's assets, which may be capped. The discount rates used to discount the obligations and calculate the resulting normative return on the assets are determined by referring to the yields of bonds issued by AA (high quality) rated companies within the main iBoxx GBP and USD Corporate AA indexes. Where negative interest rates arise, they are applied as published, without a floor at zero.
Contributions to funds and direct payments to beneficiaries as well as contributions and payments related to restructuring are recorded under "Employee expenses" or "Other operating income (expenses) from investing activities". Contributions to closed deficit plans with compulsory funding are recorded under "Financial income (expenses) from operating activities". The effect of these contributions in income statement is neutralized by reversals of provisions recognized in each of the mentioned above. Other elements of the change in postemployment benefit plans are recorded in "Employee expenses" or "Other operating income (expenses) from investing activities", with the exception of the accretion of obligations and normative return on assets that are recognized under "Financial income (expenses) from investing activities" or "Financial income (expenses) from operating activities".
Administrative costs are recorded in "Employee expenses" or "Other operating income (expenses) from investing activities", except for the administrative expenses of the closed deficit plans with compulsory funding that are recorded under "Other financial income (expenses) from operational activities".
Plan amendments, reductions and liquidations are immediately recognized in profit or loss. Actuarial differences and caps relating to post-employment benefit plan assets are fully recognized in other comprehensive income, net of asset management fees, without reclassification to profit or loss in a subsequent period.
The group participates, in accordance with the regulations and corporate practices of each country, in the creation of retirement reserves for its staff, paying contributions on a mandatory or voluntary basis to external bodies such as pension funds, insurance companies or financial institutions.
These plans are defined contribution plans, in other words they do not guarantee the level of benefits paid. These contributions are recorded under "Employee expenses" or "Other operating income (expenses) from investing activities".
Provisions are recorded at the reporting date when a group entity has an actual (legal or implicit) obligation resulting from a past event, when it is probable that an amount will have to be paid out to settle this obligation, and if the amount of the obligation can be determined reliably.
The amount recorded as a provision should be the most accurate estimation of the expenditure required to meet the obligation existing at the reporting date.
Provisions are recognized in profit or loss, apart from provisions for decommissioning and some provisions for rehabilitation, whose counterpart is included in the cost of assets whose construction has created the obligation. This treatment applies in particular to some of Imerys' industrial installations and overburden mineral assets.
Provisions whose settlement is expected within twelve months after the reporting date or whose settlement may occur at any time are not discounted. Provisions whose settlement is expected more than twelve months after the reporting date are discounted.
Changes in discounted provisions resulting from a revision of the amount of the obligation, its calendar or its discount rate are recognized in profit or loss, or for provisions recognized against assets, as an adjustment of the cost of the assets. The discounting is recognized as a debit in financial income (expenses).
Provisions for restructuring costs are not recorded unless the group has approved a detailed and formal restructuring plan and if the restructuring has either begun or been publicly announced. Costs relating to the group's continuing operations are not taken into account.
Non-current liabilities (bank loans and bonds) and current liabilities (bank deposits) are initially recognized in the accounting records at their fair value less, in the case of a financial liability that has not been recorded at fair value through the income statement, the transaction costs that are directly imputed to the issuance of the financial liability.
After initial recording, they are valued at their amortized cost (initial amount less repayments of principal plus or minus the accumulated amortization of any difference between the initial amount and the value at maturity).
The exchangeable or convertible bonds issued by the group are considered as hybrid instruments, i.e., containing both a bond component and an embedded derivative. At the date of issue, the fair value of the bond component is estimated based on the prevailing market interest rate for similar non-exchangeable or non-convertible bonds. The difference between the proceeds of issuance of the exchangeable or convertible bond and the fair value assigned to the bond component, representing the value of embedded option to exchange the bonds for shares, is included separately, depending on the option's maturity, in the heading "Other current liabilities" or "Other non-current liabilities". The interest cost of the bond component is calculated by applying the prevailing interest market rate at the issuance date.
Transaction costs related to the issue of convertible or exchangeable bonds are allocated to the "liability" and "derivative" components in proportion to the allocation of gross proceeds.
Transaction costs related to the "derivative" component are recognized directly in profit or loss. Transaction costs related to the "liability" component are included in the carrying amount of the "liability" component and are amortized over the life of the convertible or exchangeable bonds using the effective interest rate method.
Trade payables and other financial non-derivative liabilities are measured at amortized cost.
The group derecognizes a financial liability if, and only if, its obligations are discharged, canceled or expired. The difference between the carrying amount of the derecognized financial liability and the consideration paid and payable is recognized in profit or loss. When the group exchanges a debt instrument with an existing lender for another instrument with substantially different terms, the exchange is recognized as an extinguishment of the original financial liability and the recognition of a new financial liability. Similarly, if the contractual terms of an existing liability are substantially changed, the group also recognizes an extinguishment of the original financial liability and the recognition of a new liability. It is assumed that the contractual terms of the financial liability are substantially different if the present value of the cash flows under the new conditions, including any fees paid, net of fees collected and discounted at the original effective rate, is at least 10% different from the present value of the remaining cash flows of the original financial liability.
The group's consolidated operating companies use derivatives to reduce their exposure to various risks, in particular foreign exchange, interest rate and energy price risks. The sole purpose of these instruments is to hedge the economic risks to which they are exposed. Financial instruments are recognized at the transaction date, i.e., the date the hedge accounting contract is entered into. However, only those that fulfil the hedge accounting criteria laid down in IFRS 9 are given the accounting treatments described hereafter.
Changes in the fair value of derivative financial instruments that do not qualify for hedge accounting are immediately recognized in profit or loss.
Any transaction qualified as hedge accounting is documented by reference to the hedging strategy by identifying the hedged risk, the hedged item, the hedging instrument, the hedging relationship and the measurement method of the hedge relationship effectiveness.The measurement of the hedge relationship effectiveness is updated at every reporting date.
Derivatives are measured at fair value on initial recognition. Fair value is subsequently remeasured at every reporting date by reference to market conditions and to IFRS 13 Fair Value Measurement.
Derivatives recorded as assets or liabilities are classified in the headings "Other non-current assets/liabilities" and "Other current assets/ liabilities" depending on their maturity date. The recognition of hedging derivatives varies depending on whether they are designated as fair value hedges, cash flow hedges or hedges of net investments in foreign operations.
GBL also uses derivative instruments. It can carry out transactions using call or put options. These transactions are implemented with reference to thorough documentation and are subject to specific and appropriate prior analysis and systematic monitoring.
Consolidated operating companies use different types of derivative financial instruments in various hedging strategies, as described below.
When changes in fair value of a recognized asset or liability or an unrecognized firm commitment may affect income, these changes may be covered by a fair value hedge. The hedged item and the hedging instrument are remeasured symmetrically in profit or loss at every reporting date. The impact in profit or loss is limited to the ineffective portion of the hedge.
A cash flow hedge is used to cover unfavorable cash flow changes related to a recognized asset or liability or a highly likely future transaction when such changes are likely to affect profit or loss. At every reporting date, the effective share of the hedge and, if applicable, the changes in the time value of the options and futures points of the futures contracts, are recognized in shareholders' equity. The ineffective portion is recognized in profit or loss. When the transaction is recognized, items previously recognized in shareholders' equity are reclassified to profit or loss simultaneously with the recognition of the hedged item. In the event of a disqualification of a derivative, i.e., the interruption of hedge accounting, the effective portion of the hedge previously recognized in shareholders' equity is amortized to operating or financial result, depending on the nature of the hedged item.
Foreign currency translation adjustments generated by net assets held by the group's consolidated operating companies in foreign currencies can be hedged. At every reporting date, the effective share of the hedge is recognized in shareholders' equity and the ineffective portion in profit or loss.
The effective portion in shareholders' equity is only reclassified as profit or loss in the case of loss of control over a consolidated activity or reduction of an interest in an activity under significant influence.
Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies in the accounting records of group companies are translated into euros using the exchange rates of the last day of the financial year. Unrealized differences on translation resulting from the application of this methodology are recorded as gains or losses of the financial year. Non- monetary assets and liabilities are recorded using the exchange rates applicable on the date of the transaction.
In the consolidated financial statements, the group's assets and liabilities related to activities held abroad are converted at the closing rate.
Items of income and expenses denominated in foreign currencies are converted into euros at the average exchange rate for the year. Foreign currency translation adjustments reflecting the difference between the average rate and the rate on the last day of the year, are recognized in shareholders' equity under "Foreign currency translation adjustments". These foreign currency translation adjustments are recorded in profit or loss when the group disposes of the entity concerned.
For Imerys, revenue is made up of two elements: on the one hand, the sale of goods and on the other hand, the services rendered mainly made out of the reinvoicing to customers of the cost of shipping goods and industrial services provided. The contractual commitments made by the group to transfer these goods and services to its customers are categorized as performance obligations. When control of goods or services is transferred to customers, the performance obligation is deemed to have been satisfied and the revenue is recognized. Goods are therefore transferred to customers at a given point in time, which coincides with the transfer of all the risks and rewards defined in the contractual incoterms. The contract includes multiple incoterms due to the specificities as defined in contracts. However, while certain services, such as molding work, are rendered at a given point in time, most of the other services are transferred to customers over time, notably in the case of shipping services, for which the revenue is recognized after the delivery has been made, and certain specialized services in the
construction of industrial facilities or services aimed at intervening in the management of the customer process and whose degree of completion is measured based on the actual level of production costs committed or based on the time spent.
Collateral requirements on the sale of goods and rendering of services offer customers guarantees about the specifications agreed in the contracts, rather than an additional service on top of these guarantees. Consequently, guarantees are not recognized as performance obligations but as provisions.
Sale of goods and rendering of services are measured at the amount of the transaction, minus trade and volume rebates, as well as discounts for early payment.
For Canyon, sales are generated by the following revenue streams: B2C e-commerce, B2B e-commerce, workshops and services. Canyon grants its customers a 30-day right of return. A return rate is determined on the basis of historical data. This rate is used to establish a provision in the balance sheet for expected returns and is deducted from revenues.
For Sanoptis, revenues are generated by two main surgical treatments. One is cataract surgery, in which the opacified lens is replaced by an artificial lens, and the other is age-related macular degeneration surgery, in which multiple injections are made into the patient's eyeball. In the case of these medical treatments, billing takes place via statutory or private health insurance funds. The two billing processes are considered separately for recording and evaluating sales revenue.
Sales generated are recorded daily, based on completed treatments in the patient software, and revenues are recorded at least monthly in the income statement. The starting point is the number of treatments performed during the month and the number of treatments. An operation is billed when all the operation forms and documents are available.
Statutory health insurance funds are invoiced on a quarterly basis. Payment is made up to five months later, and may include deductibles on the amount invoiced. These deductions are estimated in advance as part of the revenue recognition process. The final payment is compared with the estimated amounts, and any difference is recorded as an adjustment. For private health insurance patients, classical services are billed as soon as possible, and are therefore recorded on the basis of the amounts actually billed.
For Affidea, income comes mainly from the reimbursement value of healthcare services, examinations and treatments carried out. The main sources of revenue are diagnostic imaging, cancer treatment and laboratory analyses. Revenues are recognized in the year in which the examinations and treatments take place, to the extent that it is highly probable that a significant reversal of the amount of accumulated revenues recognized will not occur.
Sale of goods and rendering of services are measured at the fair value of the transaction, minus trade and volume rebates, as well as discounts for early payment.
Interest income (expenses) include interest to be paid on loans and interest to be received on investments. Interest income received or interest charges paid are recorded prorata temporis in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income, taking into account the effective interest rate on the investment.
Dividends relating to other equity investments or trading securities are booked in profit or loss on the date on which their distribution is decided upon, unless these dividends clearly represent the recovery of a portion of the cost of the investment. The amount of withholding tax is recorded as a deduction of gross dividends.
A change in the accounting policies is only applied to meet the requirements of a standard or an interpretation, or if it gives more reliable and more relevant information. Changes in accounting policies are recognized retrospectively, except when specific transitional provisions are stated in a standard or an interpretation. When an error is detected, it is also retrospectively adjusted. No errors were corrected in 2024 or 2023.
The main climate issues concern Imerys. They are not addressed in a dedicated note but in each of the sections concerned.
During the preparation of the financial statements, the group makes a number of estimates and judgments relating to the recognition and measurement of its assets and liabilities. These assessments are intended to address the uncertain nature of the risks and opportunities to which the group's activities are exposed to. Among these, the risks and opportunities related to climate change, which may mainly impact Imerys' activities, are given particular attention. The group has decided to further integrate climate change and sustainable development issues into its strategy in order to reduce risks and create new opportunities for sustainable value creation. We refer to the ESG section. In this context, risks and opportunities are assessed in terms of market developments, physical risks and changes in the energy mix.
Uncertainties inherent to the business require estimates to be made when preparing the financial statements. These estimates result from judgements aiming at providing a true and fair view based upon available and reliable information. An estimate is revised to reflect changes in circumstances, new information available and effects linked to experience. Changes in estimates are accounted for on a prospective basis.
When such estimates are established, they are explained in the notes on the items to which they relate.
The main estimates are the following:
GBL analyzed the accounting treatment to be applied to the investments in Ontex, SGS, Umicore and Voodoo and particularly the classification in (i) investments in associates (IAS 28), with the recognition of GBL's share in the profit or loss and shareholders' equity of Ontex, SGS, Umicore and Voodoo respectively or in (ii) other equity investments (IFRS 9), with the recognition of these investments at their fair value and the recognition of the dividend through profit or loss.
In accordance with IAS 28, it is assumed that a group does not exercise significant influence if the percentage holding is less than 20.00%, unless it can be clearly demonstrated. According to this standard, significant influence is usually demonstrated in the case of (i) representation on the Board of Directors, (ii) participation in policy-making processes, (iii) material transactions between the investor and the company owned, (iv) the interchange of managerial personnel or (v) the supply of critical technical information.
As of December 31, 2024, those four investments are held respectively at 19.98%, 19.13%, 15.92% and 15.04%. The representation on the Board of Directors of those companies is not sufficient to demonstrate the existence of significant influence. Moreover, representation on the Board of Directors is limited to the mandates of the Directors and requires a resolution at General Shareholders' Meeting. In particular for listed companies, this representation does not come from a contractual or legal right. Taking these different factors into account, GBL has entered into the accounting treatment of its investments in Ontex, SGS, Umicore and Voodoo as other equity investments as of December 31, 2024.
| 2024 | 2023 | |
|---|---|---|
| Closing rate | ||
| US Dollar | 1.04 | 1.11 |
| Swiss franc | 0.94 | 0.93 |
| Average rate | ||
| US Dollar | 1.08 | 1.08 |
Components of income resulting from investing activities, which include the operations of GBL and of its subsidiaries whose main purpose is investment management. This includes GBL Capital and Sienna Investment Managers as well as the profit (loss) of operating associates (Parques Reunidos/Piolin II) and non-consolidated operating companies (SGS, Pernod Ricard, adidas, Umicore, etc.); and
Components of income from consolidated operating activities, i.e.,from consolidated operating companies (Imerys, Canyon, Sanoptis, Affidea as well as the sub-groups, Beltaste-Vanreusel, etc).
| Interest and voting rights (in %) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NAME | Registered office | 2024 | 2023 | Main activity |
| Brussels Securities SA | Brussels | 100.0 | 100.0 | Holding |
| GBL O SA | Brussels | 100.0 | 100.0 | Holding |
| Sagerpar SA | Brussels | 100.0 | 100.0 | Holding |
| URDAC SA | Brussels | 100.0 | 100.0 | Holding |
| FINPAR II SA | Brussels | 100.0 | 100.0 | Holding |
| FINPAR III SA | Brussels | 100.0 | 100.0 | Holding |
| FINPAR IV SA | Brussels | 100.0 | 100.0 | Holding |
| FINPAR V SRL | Brussels | 100.0 | 100.0 | Holding |
| FINPAR VI SRL | Brussels | 100.0 | 100.0 | Holding |
| FINPAR VII SRL | Brussels | 100.0 | 100.0 | Holding |
| Finpar VIII SRL | Brussels | 100.0 | 100.0 | Holding |
| Finpar IX SRL | Brussels | 100.0 | 100.0 | Holding |
| Finpar X SRL | Brussels | 100.0 | - | Holding |
| LTI Two SA | Brussels | - | 100.0 | Holding |
| GBL Verwaltung SA | Luxembourg | 100.0 | 100.0 | Holding |
| Belgian Securities Sàrl | Luxembourg | 100.0 | 100.0 | Holding |
| Sapiens Sàrl | Luxembourg | 100.0 | 100.0 | Holding |
| G.f.G. Topco Sàrl | Luxembourg | 100.0 | 100.0 | Holding |
| G.f.G. Capital Sàrl | Luxembourg | 90.5 | 90.5 | Holding |
| Go-for-Gold Holding GmbH (group Canyon and subsidiaries) | Koblenz | 56.5 | 55.2 | Operational |
| Celeste Capital Sàrl | Luxembourg | 100.0 | 100.0 | Holding |
| Celeste InvestCo SA | Luxembourg | 100.0 | 100.0 | Holding |
| Celeste TopCo SA | Luxembourg | 99.0 | 99.5 | Holding |
| Celeste Midco 1 BV (group Affidea and subsidiaries) | Netherlands | 100.0 | 100.0 | Operational |
| Celeste GP Sàrl | Luxembourg | 100.0 | 100.0 | Holding |
| Sofia Capital Sàrl | Luxembourg | 100.0 | 100.0 | Holding |
| Sofia InvestCo SA | Luxembourg | 99.7 | 99.7 | Holding |
| Sofia MasterCo SA | Luxembourg | 83.5 | 83.6 | Holding |
| Sofia TopCo Sàrl | Luxembourg | 100.0 | 100.0 | Holding |
| Sofia Holdco Sàrl | Luxembourg | 100.0 | 100.0 | Holding |
| Sofia MidCo Sàrl | Luxembourg | 100.0 | 100.0 | Holding |
| Sanoptis Sàrl (group Sanoptis and subsidiaries) | Luxembourg | 100.0 | 100.0 | Operational |
| One24 Capital SCA | Luxembourg | 100.0 | 100.0 | Holding |
| One25 Capital SCA | Luxembourg | 100.0 | - | Holding |
| Arthur Capital Sàrl | Luxembourg | 100.0 | 100.0 | Holding |
| GBL Energy Sàrl | Luxembourg | 100.0 | 100.0 | Holding |
| Serena Sàrl | Luxembourg | 100.0 | 100.0 | Holding |
| GBL Finance Sàrl | Luxembourg | 100.0 | 100.0 | Holding |
| Miles Capital Sàrl | Luxembourg | 100.0 | 100.0 | Holding |
| Owen Capital Sàrl | Luxembourg | 100.0 | 100.0 | Holding |
| Theo Capital Sàrl | Luxembourg | 100.0 | 100.0 | Holding |
| Oliver Capital Sàrl | Luxembourg | 100.0 | 100.0 | Holding |
| Jade Capital Sàrl | Luxembourg | 100.0 | 100.0 | Holding |
| Vancouver Capital Sàrl | Luxembourg | 100.0 | 100.0 | Holding |
| Black Mountain Sàrl | Luxembourg | 100.0 | - | Holding |
| White Mountain SA | Luxembourg | 100.0 | - | Holding |
| GBL Investments Ltd | Dublin | 100.0 | 100.0 | Holding |
| GBL Development Ltd | London | - | 100.0 | Operational |
| GBL Advisors Ltd | London | 100.0 | 100.0 | Operational |
| RCPE Consulting SAS | Paris | 100.0 | 100.0 | Operational |
| GBL Advisors DE GmbH | Munich | 100.0 | 100.0 | Operational |
| Imerys SA (and subsidiaries) | Paris | 54.7 | 54.6 | Operational |
| Interest and voting rights (in %) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NAME | Registered office | 2024 | 2023 | Main activity |
| GBL Capital Participations Sàrl | Luxembourg | 100.0 | 100.0 | GBL Capital and SIM |
| Sienna Investment Managers Luxembourg SA | Luxembourg | 100.0 | 100.0 | GBL Capital and SIM |
| Sienna Investment Managers SAS | Luxembourg | 100.0 | - | GBL Capital and SIM |
| Sienna Euclide GP Sàrl | Luxembourg | 70.0 | 70.0 | GBL Capital and SIM |
| Sienna Euclide SCA SICAV-RAIF | Luxembourg | - | 84.7 | GBL Capital and SIM |
| Sienna Landlife SA | Luxembourg | 100.0 | 100.0 | GBL Capital and SIM |
| Sienna Landlife GP Sàrl | Luxembourg | 70.0 | 70.0 | GBL Capital and SIM |
| Sienna Landlife SCA SICAV-RAIF | Luxembourg | 82.0 | 84.4 | GBL Capital and SIM |
| Sienna Levier ENR | Luxembourg | 100.0 | - | GBL Capital and SIM |
| InfraENR2 SAS | Paris | 100.0 | - | GBL Capital and SIM |
| Sienna AM Luxembourg SA | Luxembourg | - | 100.0 | GBL Capital and SIM |
| Sienna Capital US LLC | Wilmington | 100.0 | 100.0 | GBL Capital and SIM |
| GBL Capital Invest GP Sàrl | Luxembourg | 100.0 | 100.0 | GBL Capital and SIM |
| GBL Capital Invest SCSp | Luxembourg | 100.0 | 100.0 | GBL Capital and SIM |
| GBL Capital UK Ltd | London | 100.0 | 100.0 | GBL Capital and SIM |
| Sienna Multistrategy Opportunities GP Sàrl | Luxembourg | - | 100.0 | GBL Capital and SIM |
| Sienna Multistrategy Opportunities Fund SCSp | Luxembourg | - | 100.0 | GBL Capital and SIM |
| GBL Capital Coinvest Master Sàrl | Luxembourg | 100.0 | 100.0 | GBL Capital and SIM |
| Sienna Venture Capital GP Sàrl | Luxembourg | 70.0 | 70.0 | GBL Capital and SIM |
| Sienna Venture Capital SAS | Paris | 100.0 | 100.0 | GBL Capital and SIM |
| Sienna Venture Capital SCA SICAV-RAIF | Luxembourg | 94.2 | 100.0 | GBL Capital and SIM |
| Sienna Real Estate Solutions Sàrl | Luxembourg | 100.0 | 100.0 | GBL Capital and SIM |
| Sienna Real Estate Partner JV Netherlands BV (group Sienna Real Estate and subsidiaries) |
Amsterdam | 85.4 | 89.4 | GBL Capital and SIM |
| Sienna Gestion | Paris | 66.3 | 66.6 | GBL Capital and SIM |
| Sienna 2A SAS (group Sienna Private Credit and subsidiaries) | Paris | 82.7 | 87.5 | GBL Capital and SIM |
| Sienna Private Equity SAS | Paris | 75.0 | 75.0 | GBL Capital and SIM |
| Sienna Private Equity GP Sàrl | Luxembourg | 70.0 | 70.0 | GBL Capital and SIM |
| Sienna Private Equity Italy SRL | Milan | 100.0 | - | GBL Capital and SIM |
| Sienna Private Equity Fund I SCA SICAV-RAIF | Luxembourg | 53.1 | 100.0 | GBL Capital and SIM |
| Sienna Global Private Investments GP Sàrl (previously Sienna SID III GP Sàrl) |
Luxembourg | 100.0 | 100.0 | GBL Capital and SIM |
| Apheon MidCap Buyout III SA (group AMB III and subsidiaries) | Brussels | 89.9 | 89.9 | GBL Capital and SIM |
The percentage of voting rights is identical to the percentage interest, with the exception of Imerys, for which the voting rights are 68.13% and of the Sanoptis group, for which the voting rights are 60.89%. An incentive plan has also been granted to the management of Apheon MidCap Buyout III, covering 16.67% of the shares.
| RATE (IN %) |
Apheon MidCap Buyout SA |
Apheon MidCap Buyout II SA |
Apheon MidCap Buyout IV SCSP |
Backed 1 LP |
Backed 2 LP |
Backed Encore 1 LP |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Office | Brussels | Brussels | Luxembourg | Jersey | Jersey | Jersey | |
| Activity | GBL Capital and SIM |
GBL Capital and SIM |
GBL Capital and SIM |
GBL Capital and SIM |
GBL Capital and SIM |
GBL Capital and SIM |
|
| 2024 | DETENTION RATE |
- | 50.0 | 34.4 | 48.6 | 40.0 | 58.3 |
| 2023 | Detention rate | 50.0 | 50.0 | 34.4 | 48.6 | 40.0 | 58.3 |
| RATE (IN %) |
I.P.E. SRL, subsidiary of AMB III |
Landlife Holding Sàrl |
Mérieux Participations 2 SAS |
Piolin II Sàrl / Parques Reunidos |
Sienna Euclide SA(1) |
Sienna Global Private Investments SCA SI CAF-RAIF |
StreetTeam Software Ltd |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Office | Bologna | Luxembourg | Lyon | Luxembourg | Luxembourg | Luxembourg | London | |
| Activity | Home furnishing | GBL Capital and SIM |
GBL Capital and SIM |
Leisure parks | GBL Capital and SIM |
GBL Capital and SIM |
GBL Capital and SIM |
|
| 2024 | DETENTION RATE |
- | 34.2 | 34.3 | 23.1 | 47.6 | 29.8 | 32.7 |
| 2023 | Detention rate | 65.6 | 30.7 | 34.3 | 23.1 | 100.0 | - | 32.7 |
The percentage of voting rights is identical to the percentage interest.
The group has analyzed the accounting treatment to be applied to the recognition of its investment in Backed Encore 1 LP and has concluded that it only has a significant influence despite its 58.33% interest, based on the existence of a shareholders' agreement.
As of December 31, 2024, GBL holds a stake in the funds Kartesia Credit Opportunities III SCA (31.16%), Sagard II B (74.65%), Sagard 3 FPCI (21.36%), Sagard Santé Animale FPCI (32.41%), Sagard Testing FPCI (50.98%), Sagard Business Intelligence FPCI (74.07%), Sagard NewGen Pharma FPCI (32.31%), Marcho Partners Feeder Fund ICAV (51.47%), C2 Capital Global Export-to-China Fund LP (26.96%), KKR Sigma Co-Invest II LP (34.87%), Sienna Rendement Avenir IV (25.00%), HCM IV LP/HCM V LP/HCM S11A LP/HCM S3C LP (20.27%, 28.55%, 56.26% and 49.26% respectively), VER Capital Credit Partners S.A. SICAV SIF - VER Capital Special Situations (38.80%), VER Capital Credit Partners S.A. SICAV SIF - SMEs - Private Debt (20.00%), Sienna Private Asset Allocation (66.96%) and has determined that it has no significant influence over those investments. These funds are therefore presented as other equity investments and are measured at fair value at each reporting date.
In the rest of the notes, Apheon MidCap Buyout, Apheon MidCap Buyout II and Apheon MidCap Buyout IV have been referred to together under the name "AMB I, II & IV", while the name "AMB" refers to these companies referred to above and Apheon MidCap Buyout III ("AMB III"). Similarly, Backed 1 LP, Backed Encore 1 LP and Backed 2 LP entities will be referred to as "Backed", the entity Piolin II Sàrl as "Piolin II" and the entity StreetTeam Software Ltd. as "StreetTeam".
In the fourth quarter of 2024, Affidea acquired 100% of Nu-Med Grupa, a leading private radiotherapy provider in Poland with a strong presence in this market. Nu-Med operates in four hospitals in Tomaszów, Elbląg, Katowice and Zamość. The total purchase price is EUR 147 million. Provisional goodwill generated by this acquisition amounts to EUR 115 million. The fair value measurement of identifiable assets and liabilities at the date of takeover was carried out by an independent expert. Intangible assets (such as the brand and customer relationships) were revalued at EUR 47 million. Deferred tax liabilities were also revalued. This acquisition contributed EUR 3 million to Group net income for the period.
During the second quarter of 2024, Affidea also acquired 100% of MedEuropa SRL, which is the largest private provider of radiotherapy in Romania and operates in 4 medical facilities: (i) Constanta, (ii) Bucharest, (iii) Brasov and (iv) Oradea and with a new facility opening in late 2024 in Lasi and early 2025 in Bacau. The total purchase price is EUR 105 million. The provisional goodwill generated by these acquisitions amounts to EUR 36 million. The fair value of identifiable assets and liabilities at the acquisition date was determined by an independent expert. The revaluation mainly concerned intangible assets (such as the brand and customer relationships), valued at a total of EUR 43 million, as well as the corresponding deferred tax liabilities. This acquisition contributed EUR 1 million to Group net income for the period.
The fair values of the assets, liabilities and contingent liabilities of these acquisitions are presented in the following table:
| IN EUR MILLION | NuMed | MedEuropa |
|---|---|---|
| Non-current assets | 81.9 | 91.8 |
| Current assets | 22.4 | 12.9 |
| Non-current liabilities | 51.7 | 27.9 |
| Current liabilities | 20.8 | 8.3 |
| Acquired net assets | 31.9 | 68.5 |
| Purchase price - paid in cash | 66.1 | 80.4 |
| Purchase price - debt transfer | 81.2 | 24.4 |
| TOTAL | 147.3 | 104.8 |
| Goodwill | 115.5 | 36.3 |
| Acquired cash and cash equivalents | 10.3 | 5.1 |
| Net cash flow | 137.0 | 99.7 |
On December 31, 2024, Imerys finalized the acquisition of 100% of two companies from the Chemviron group, operating in France and Italy. This completes Imerys' portfolio of assets, including perlite and diatomite mining reserves. The acquisition price has been estimated at EUR 49 million to date, and the opening balance sheets of the two entities have been integrated into the Group's financial statements as at December 31, 2024 (with no impact on the income statement). The purchase price allocation is currently underway and will be finalized in 2025. If the Group had acquired both companies on January 1, 2024, their sales would have amounted to around EUR 50 million.
The table below presents a provisional version:
| IN EUR MILLION | Chemviron |
|---|---|
| Non-current assets | 34.4 |
| Current assets | 31.8 |
| Non-current liabilities | 4.0 |
| Current liabilities | 14.8 |
| Acquired net assets | 47.4 |
| Purchase price | 49.3 |
| Goodwill | 1.9 |
| Expected price adjustment | 3.6 |
| Acquired cash and cash equivalents | 6.9 |
| Net cash flow | 45.9 |
Finally, the group also made other acquisitions in 2024 that were not individually significant. Those acquisitions generated a net cash outflow of EUR 203 million.
In 2023, the Group, through Sanoptis, acquired various companies via the ROM and MILANO projects for a total amount of EUR 112 million, generating goodwill of EUR 116 million after accounting for acquisitions.
In March 2024, Imerys received an offer from Flacks Group, an American investment fund, to purchase a set of mining and industrial assets serving the paper market in America, Europe and Asia. The assets and liabilities associated with this transaction were classified as held for sale in accordance with IFRS 5, and depreciation ceased to be recognized from that date; an impairment loss of EUR 11 million and transaction costs of EUR 19 million associated with the disposal of this activity were recognized during the period.
The sale of the business to the Flacks Group was finalized on July 5, 2024. The transaction was carried out for a sale price of EUR 147 million, the payment of which is staggered over time, depending on the future performance of the assets sold. The present value of the price also takes into account Imerys' best estimate of the risk related to the proceedings with Flacks Group concerning the application of certain clauses of the sale agreement. The book value of the assets sold amounts to EUR 63 million.
Translation adjustments recycled to the income statement in connection with this transaction amounted to EUR - 301 million. The result on disposal amounts to EUR - 316 million.
In January 2024, AMB III finalized the transaction with Paul-Emmanuel and Roel Vanreusel, who, after a period of transformational growth for Beltaste-Vanreusel during its partnership with Apheon, acquired 100% of the company's shares. The company is a major producer of frozen snacks in Belgium and the Netherlands. The net consolidated capital gain on disposal was EUR 30 million (Group share). The net cash inflow from the sale amounted to EUR 53 million.
In July 2024, AMB III sold its majority stake in I.P.E. SRL, a leading Italian company in high-end home furnishings, operating under the Visionnaire brand. The consolidated net capital gain on disposal was EUR 11 million (Group share). Net cash acquired on this sale amounted to EUR 62 million.
Finally, in 2024, the group made a number of individually insignificant disposals which generated a net cash inflow of EUR 63 million.
In 2023, the group sold its majority stake in Webhelp, generating a capital gain of EUR 1,292 million and a net cash inflow of EUR - 422 million.
Finally, Imerys also sold its High Temperature Solutions business, generating a capital gain of EUR 53 million and a net cash inflow of EUR 554 million.
| Segment information | 166 |
|---|---|
| Associates and joint ventures | 171 |
| SGS, Pernod Ricard, Umicore, and other equity investments | 174 |
| Gains (losses) on disposals, impairments and reversals of non-current assets from investing activities | 176 |
| Other operating income (expenses) and employee expenses | 176 |
| Gains (losses) on disposals, impairments and reversals of non-current assets related to operating activities | 177 |
| Financial income (expenses) | 177 |
| Turnover | 178 |
| Intangible assets | 180 |
| Goodwill | 181 |
| Property, plant and equipment | 184 |
| Other non-current assets | 186 |
| Income taxes | 186 |
| Inventories | 188 |
| Trade receivables | 189 |
| Trading financial assets | 189 |
| Cash and debt | 190 |
| Other current assets | 194 |
| Share capital and dividends | 194 |
| Provisions | 195 |
| Retirement benefits and other post-employment benefits | 198 |
| Other non-current liabilities | 202 |
| Other current liabilities | 202 |
| Assets and liabilities associated with assets held for sale and discontinued operations | 203 |
| Financial risks management and sensitivity analysis | 204 |
| Derivative financial instruments | 206 |
| Incentive plan | 208 |
| Earnings per share | 210 |
| Financial instruments | 211 |
| Subsidiaries in which GBL holds significant non-controlling interests | 215 |
| Contingent assets and liabilities, rights and commitments | 217 |
| Transactions with related parties | 217 |
| Events after the reporting period | 218 |
| Statutory Auditor's fees | 218 |
For consistency purposes, the notes to the consolidated financial statements are grouped based on the nature of the items and not in the order they are presented in the consolidated balance sheet and consolidated statement of comprehensive income. This arrangement is meant to facilitate the analysis of all the factors of the same kind affecting the assets and liabilities in the financial statements.
IFRS 8 Operating Segments requires the identification of segments based on internal reports which are regularly presented to the main operating decision-maker for the purpose of managing the allocation of resources to the segments and assessing their performance.
In conformity with IFRS 8, the group has identified six segments:
Up until September 25, 2023, date of the disposal, the group had an additional segment:
– Webhelp: consisting of the Webhelp group, a non-listed French group, specialized in customer experience and business process outsourcing, as well as the dedicated investment vehicle, Sapiens Sàrl.
The results of a segment, its assets and its liabilities include all the items directly attributable to it. The accounting standards applied to these segments are identical as those described in the section entitled "Accounting Policies".
(1) For the following companies of the Sanoptis Group, which are included in the consolidated financial statements, the disclosure exemptions according to § 264 para. 3 HGB (German Commercial Code) are aplied for: Sanoptis GmbH, MASG - Medizinische Abrechnungs- und Servicegesellschaft mbH, nordBLICK Augenklinik Bellevue GmbH, Wilhelminenhaus Kiel MVZ GmbH, nordBLICK MVZ GmbH, BEP Augenärzte MVZ GmbH, Augenklinik Dr. Hoffmann GmbH, Augenkompetenz Zentrum Bremerhaven MVZ GmbH, Augenärzte Braunschweig-Göttingen MVZ GmbH, MVZ RHR Augenärzte GmbH, MVZ Auregio GmbH, MVZ i-care4u GmbH, Augenzentrum Unna MVZ GmbH, Augentagesklinik Zehlendorf MVZ GmbH, Augerlin MVZ GmbH, Berolina Augenzentren MVZ GmbH, Südblick GmbH, Augenzentrum Mühldorf MVZ GmbH, Augenklinik Mühldorf GmbH, Augenzentrum Oberstenfeld MVZ GmbH, Augenblick Mannheim-Zentrum MVZ GmbH, Augenblick Mannheim Süd MVZ GmbH, Augenheilkunde Medizinische Versorgungszentren Heidenheim GmbH, Augenheilkunde Medizinische Versorgungszentren Dillingen GmbH, Mainblick Augenzentrum GmbH, Augenblick Augenzentrum Reutlingen MVZ GmbH, Augenzentrum an der Leine MVZ GmbH (former: MVZ Schöne Augenblicke GmbH), Augencentrum Köln MVZ GmbH, AOC AUGEN OP CENTRUM PORZ GMBH, Hanseblick MVZ GmbH (former: MVZ Augen Praxisklinik Lübeck GmbH), Augenkompetenz Zentrum Cuxhaven MVZ GmbH (former: MVZ Augencentrum Cuxhaven GmbH), MVZ Weitblick GmbH, Augenheilkunde und Augenchirurgie Bottrop MVZ GmbH, Augentagesklinik am Rothenbaum RBC MVZ GmbH, Avila Augenpraxisklinik MVZ GmbH, Augenzentrum Brilon MVZ GmbH, OCU PRO ® Augenärzte MVZ GmbH, Rheinblick Augenzentrum GmbH, Argus Augen MVZ GmbH, Oculent Contactlinsen GmbH, üBAG Augenzentrum Pforzheim MVZ GmbH, Augenzentrum am Neumarkt MVZ GmbH, Augenzentrum Lüneburg MVZ GmbH, Augenzentren Rhein-Ruhr MVZ GmbH (former: Viselle Augenzentren Rhein-Ruhr GmbH), AUGEN LOHR MVZ GmbH, Sanoptis I Unternehmensverwaltungs GmbH, Belenus Augenzentrum MVZ GmbH, Augenklinik Rendsburg GmbH, Taxi und Transport Neuwerk GmbH, and Augenklinik Rendsburg MVZ GmbH
| IN EUR MILLION | Holding | Imerys | Canyon | Affidea | Sanoptis | GBL Capital and SIM |
Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Share of profit (loss) of associates and joint ventures from investing activities |
(24.9) | - | - | - | - | 40.8 | 15.8 |
| Net dividends from investments | 254.8 | - | - | - | - | - | 254.8 |
| Other operating income (expenses) from investing activities | (92.8) | - | (0.4) | (0.4) | (0.2) | (92.3) | (186.2) |
| Gains (losses) on disposals, impairments and reversals of non-current assets from investing activities |
1.8 | - | - | - | - | 43.7 | 45.5 |
| Financial income (expenses) from investing activities | (28.3) | - | - | (0.0) | (0.0) | 203.7 | 175.4 |
| Profit (loss) before tax from investing activities - continuing operations |
110.5 | - | (0.4) | (0.4) | (0.2) | 195.9 | 305.3 |
| Turnover | - | 3,604.9 | 784.1 | 1,037.6 | 665.7 | 105.8 | 6,198.0 |
| Raw materials and consumables | - | (1,195.7) | (520.3) | (117.2) | (128.1) | (0.0) | (1,961.4) |
| Employee expenses | - | (888.6) | (104.1) | (525.0) | (277.5) | (46.5) | (1,841.8) |
| Depreciation/amortization of property, plant, equipment and intangible assets (excluding impairments and reversals) |
- | (292.5) | (47.9) | (136.9) | (60.3) | (8.2) | (545.8) |
| Other operating income (expenses) from operating activities (1) | - | (856.7) | (149.6) | (172.8) | (109.6) | (49.4) | (1,338.1) |
| Gains (losses) on disposals, impairments and reversals of non-current assets from operating activities |
- | (349.1) | - | 0.6 | - | (1.2) | (349.7) |
| Financial income (expenses) from operating activities | - | (53.4) | (16.1) | (84.2) | (149.5) | (8.5) | (311.6) |
| Profit (loss) before tax from consolidated operating activities - continuing operations |
- | (31.1) | (53.9) | 2.1 | (59.3) | (8.0) | (150.3) |
| Income taxes | (0.1) | (61.5) | 16.2 | (15.1) | (30.6) | (0.6) | (91.8) |
| PROFIT (LOSS) FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS | 110.4 | (92.6) | (38.2) | (13.5) | (90.2) | 187.3 | 63.2 |
| PROFIT (LOSS) FROM CONSOLIDATED OPERATING ACTIVITIES - DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS |
- | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| CONSOLIDATED PROFIT (LOSS) FOR THE YEAR | 110.4 | (92.6) | (38.2) | (13.5) | (90.2) | 187.3 | 63.2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Attributable to the group | 110.4 | (52.2) | (19.7) | (15.0) | (74.9) | 183.8 | 132.3 |
Information by segment on other items of profit or loss is mentioned below:
| IN EUR MILLION | Holding | Imerys | Canyon | Affidea | Sanoptis | GBL Capital and SIM |
Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Share of profit (loss) of associates and joint ventures | (24.9) | 109.5 | - | - | 0.1 | 41.8 | 126.4 |
| Depreciation/amortization of property, plant, equipment and intangible assets |
(1.2) | (292.5) | (47.9) | (136.9) | (60.3) | (18.8) | (557.6) |
| Impairment of non-current assets | - | (20.0) | - | - | - | (10.2) | (30.2) |
| IN EUR MILLION | Holding | Imerys | Webhelp | Canyon | Affidea | Sanoptis | GBL Capital and SIM |
Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Share of profit (loss) of associates and joint ventures from investing activities |
(21.8) | - | - | - | - | - | 65.8 | 44.0 |
| Net dividends from investments | 286.1 | - | - | - | - | - | - | 286.1 |
| Other operating income (expenses) from investing activities | (49.7) | - | (0.2) | (0.1) | (1.2) | (0.4) | (74.5) | (126.0) |
| Gains (losses) on disposals, impairments and reversals of non-current assets from investing activities |
- | - | (0.0) | - | - | - | 18.5 | 18.5 |
| Financial income (expenses) from investing activities | 77.0 | - | (0.4) | - | (0.0) | - | 204.3 | 280.9 |
| Profit (loss) before tax from investing activities - continuing operations |
291.6 | - | (0.5) | (0.1) | (1.3) | (0.4) | 214.1 | 503.5 |
| Turnover | - | 3,794.4 | - | 790.6 | 851.8 | 494.1 | 206.4 | 6,137.3 |
| Raw materials and consumables | - | (1,365.3) | - | (517.3) | (87.9) | (98.6) | (41.5) | (2,110.7) |
| Employee expenses | - | (869.1) | - | (105.8) | (438.1) | (205.5) | (71.6) | (1,690.2) |
| Depreciation/amortization of property, plant, equipment and intangible assets (excluding impairments and reversals) |
- | (299.7) | - | (44.4) | (112.7) | (39.7) | (23.1) | (519.6) |
| Other operating income (expenses) from operating activities (1) | - | (930.2) | (0.1) | (129.2) | (160.8) | (75.8) | (70.5) | (1,366.7) |
| Gains (losses) on disposals, impairments and reversals of non-current assets from operating activities |
- | (222.0) | (0.0) | - | 0.2 | 0.0 | (3.5) | (225.3) |
| Financial income (expenses) from operating activities | - | (38.6) | (0.0) | (13.0) | (83.2) | (84.9) | (8.7) | (228.4) |
| Profit (loss) before tax from consolidated operating activities - continuing operations |
- | 69.4 | (0.1) | (19.1) | (30.9) | (10.5) | (12.5) | (3.7) |
| Income taxes | (0.2) | (60.4) | (0.0) | 5.9 | (10.4) | (45.8) | (1.3) | (112.2) |
| PROFIT (LOSS) FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS | 291.4 | 8.9 | (0.6) | (13.3) | (42.5) | (56.7) | 200.3 | 387.5 |
| PROFIT (LOSS) FROM CONSOLIDATED OPERATING ACTIVITIES - DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS |
- | 44.9 | 1,310.7 | - | - | - | - | 1,355.6 |
| CONSOLIDATED PROFIT (LOSS) FOR THE PERIODE | 291.4 | 53.8 | 1,310.1 | (13.3) | (42.5) | (56.7) | 200.3 | 1,743.1 |
| Attributable to the group | 291.4 | 28.2 | 1,300.5 | (6.2) | (42.6) | (47.1) | 199.1 | 1,723.2 |
Information by segment on other items of profit or loss is mentioned below:
| IN EUR MILLION | Holding | Imerys | Webhelp | Canyon | Affidea | Sanoptis | GBL Capital and SIM |
Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Share of profit (loss) of associates and joint ventures | (21.8) | 90.5 | - | - | - | 0.2 | 70.7 | 139.4 |
| Depreciation/amortization of property, plant, equipment and intangible assets |
(1.1) | (299.8) | (167.2) | (44.4) | (112.7) | (39.7) | (28.2) | (693.1) |
| Impairment of non-current assets | - | (214.6) | (0.8) | - | - | - | 1.2 | (214.1) |
The geographical split of the turnover is presented in Note 8.
(1) Includes the share of profit (loss) of associates and joint ventures from operating activities
| IN EUR MILLION | Holding | Imerys | Canyon | Affidea | Sanoptis | GBL Capital and SIM |
Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Non-current assets | 8,153.6 | 4,717.3 | 746.8 | 2,573.7 | 2,548.6 | 2,934.1 | 21,674.2 |
| Intangible assets | 0.9 | 382.2 | 329.1 | 690.5 | 794.6 | 37.6 | 2,234.9 |
| Goodwill | - | 1,859.9 | 309.1 | 1,127.5 | 1,374.0 | 46.2 | 4,716.7 |
| Property, plant and equipment | 12.7 | 2,130.5 | 71.8 | 715.3 | 346.6 | 25.4 | 3,302.4 |
| Investments | 8,130.3 | 166.7 | 13.4 | 3.0 | 6.4 | 2,762.4 | 11,082.1 |
| Investments in associates and joint ventures | 37.9 | 162.8 | 0.0 | - | 5.6 | 425.0 | 631.2 |
| Other equity investments | 8,092.5 | 3.9 | 13.4 | 3.0 | 0.8 | 2,337.4 | 10,450.9 |
| Other non-current assets | 9.7 | 87.8 | 2.5 | 11.4 | 20.7 | 60.0 | 192.0 |
| Deferred tax assets | - | 90.3 | 21.0 | 26.0 | 6.4 | 2.5 | 146.2 |
| Current assets | 2,719.4 | 1,965.7 | 413.0 | 316.8 | 267.5 | 113.2 | 5,795.5 |
| Inventories | - | 724.5 | 351.6 | 19.6 | 10.0 | - | 1,105.7 |
| Trade receivables | 0.2 | 364.3 | 5.4 | 161.7 | 91.3 | 14.2 | 637.1 |
| Trading financial assets | 2,077.5 | 2.0 | 0.0 | - | 0.7 | 0.0 | 2,080.3 |
| Cash and cash equivalents | 613.9 | 635.0 | 14.3 | 55.2 | 65.2 | 83.0 | 1,466.5 |
| Other current assets | 27.8 | 218.0 | 41.8 | 80.3 | 100.4 | 16.0 | 484.2 |
| Assets held for sale | - | 21.7 | - | - | - | - | 21.7 |
| TOTAL ASSETS | 10,873.1 | 6,683.0 | 1,159.9 | 2,890.5 | 2,816.1 | 3,047.3 | 27,469.8 |
| Non-current liabilities | 2,118.9 | 2,398.3 | 251.1 | 1,627.6 | 1,875.1 | 99.3 | 8,370.4 |
| Financial liabilities | 2,066.1 | 1,803.4 | 140.9 | 1,381.6 | 1,305.7 | 38.6 | 6,736.3 |
| Provisions | 0.5 | 384.1 | 10.5 | 13.9 | 3.6 | 1.2 | 413.9 |
| Pensions and post-employment benefits | 1.9 | 97.4 | - | 15.5 | 11.6 | 0.3 | 126.7 |
| Other non-current liabilities | 50.4 | 20.6 | - | 65.9 | 335.8 | 50.2 | 523.0 |
| Deferred tax liabilities | - | 92.8 | 99.8 | 150.7 | 218.5 | 8.9 | 570.6 |
| Current liabilities | 1,074.4 | 984.0 | 226.4 | 363.4 | 261.6 | 64.9 | 2,974.7 |
| Financial liabilities | 994.2 | 107.6 | 81.3 | 87.6 | 55.1 | 4.9 | 1,330.6 |
| Trade payables | 6.4 | 403.0 | 103.3 | 63.8 | 33.8 | 19.7 | 630.0 |
Capital expenditure (property, plant and equipment and intangible assets) by segment is shown in the following table:
| IN EUR MILLION | Holding | Imerys | Canyon | Affidea | Sanoptis | GBL Capital and SIM |
Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Capital expenditure | 1.2 | 364.1 | 16.3 | 129.0 | 67.0 | 4.6 | 582.2 |
Provisions - 33.8 24.9 0.2 0.1 - 59.0 Tax liabilities 4.5 67.5 0.3 23.8 8.5 1.1 105.8 Other current liabilities 69.4 363.3 16.5 188.0 164.1 39.2 840.4 Liabilities associated with assets held for sale - 8.9 - - - - 8.9
| IN EUR MILLION | Holding | Imerys | Canyon | Affidea | Sanoptis | GBL Capital and SIM |
Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Non-current assets | 10,903.5 | 4,469.7 | 749.6 | 2,150.2 | 2,294.2 | 3,024.9 | 23,592.2 |
| Intangible assets | 1.0 | 333.3 | 351.9 | 603.5 | 741.9 | 41.8 | 2,073.5 |
| Goodwill | - | 1,839.1 | 309.1 | 936.3 | 1,236.6 | 39.7 | 4,360.7 |
| Property, plant and equipment | 13.6 | 2,018.4 | 66.2 | 576.5 | 280.2 | 22.0 | 2,976.9 |
| Investments | 10,368.2 | 122.9 | 8.6 | 3.0 | 11.8 | 2,861.9 | 13,376.5 |
| Investments in associates and joint ventures | 68.0 | 122.7 | 0.0 | - | 10.1 | 571.0 | 771.8 |
| Other equity investments | 10,300.3 | 0.2 | 8.6 | 3.0 | 1.7 | 2,291.0 | 12,604.8 |
| Other non-current assets | 520.7 | 41.5 | 2.1 | 10.7 | 9.9 | 57.9 | 642.8 |
| Deferred tax assets | - | 114.5 | 11.7 | 20.2 | 13.9 | 1.5 | 161.8 |
| Current assets | 1,124.9 | 2,682.2 | 475.6 | 253.9 | 182.4 | 248.5 | 4,967.5 |
| Inventories | - | 734.6 | 417.9 | 11.4 | 8.9 | - | 1,172.8 |
| Trade receivables | 1.5 | 398.5 | 2.9 | 113.7 | 71.7 | 12.3 | 600.6 |
| Trading financial assets | 705.5 | 671.9 | 8.1 | - | - | 0.0 | 1,385.6 |
| Cash and cash equivalents | 378.5 | 585.0 | 16.7 | 78.0 | 52.6 | 87.2 | 1,198.0 |
| Other current assets | 39.4 | 253.7 | 29.9 | 50.9 | 49.2 | 14.4 | 437.4 |
| Assets held for sale | - | 38.5 | - | - | - | 134.7 | 173.1 |
| TOTAL ASSETS | 12,028.4 | 7,151.9 | 1,225.2 | 2,404.1 | 2,476.7 | 3,273.4 | 28,559.6 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Non-current liabilities | 3,061.0 | 2,497.6 | 373.3 | 1,221.2 | 1,590.5 | 62.3 | 8,805.9 |
| Financial liabilities | 3,051.4 | 1,810.5 | 261.7 | 1,002.2 | 1,035.6 | 15.8 | 7,177.2 |
| Provisions | 0.5 | 426.6 | 8.4 | 13.4 | 4.8 | 2.1 | 456.0 |
| Pensions and post-employment benefits | 1.9 | 160.6 | 0.2 | 13.1 | 7.6 | 0.3 | 183.8 |
| Other non-current liabilities | 7.2 | 18.7 | - | 56.2 | 355.5 | 34.8 | 472.4 |
| Deferred tax liabilities | - | 81.2 | 103.0 | 136.1 | 186.9 | 9.4 | 516.5 |
| Current liabilities | 598.4 | 1,497.0 | 136.9 | 261.8 | 113.6 | 136.4 | 2,744.1 |
| Financial liabilities | 507.7 | 566.7 | 6.6 | 49.0 | 36.3 | 7.3 | 1,173.7 |
| Trade payables | 6.5 | 377.9 | 84.4 | 47.5 | 27.2 | 28.0 | 571.5 |
| Provisions | - | 43.6 | 8.2 | 0.2 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 52.2 |
| Tax liabilities | 8.2 | 86.0 | 10.6 | 12.2 | 5.2 | 3.2 | 125.3 |
| Other current liabilities | 76.0 | 396.8 | 27.0 | 152.9 | 44.8 | 31.9 | 729.4 |
| Liabilities associated with assets held for sale | - | 26.0 | - | - | - | 65.8 | 91.9 |
| TOTAL LIABILITIES | 3,659.4 | 3,994.6 | 510.2 | 1,482.9 | 1,704.1 | 198.7 | 11,550.0 |
All the assets and liabilities are allocated to the various segments.
Capital expenditure (property, plant and equipment and intangible assets) by segment is shown in the following table:
| IN EUR MILLION | Holding | Imerys | Webhelp | Canyon | Affidea | Sanoptis | GBL Capital and SIM |
Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Capital expenditure | 1.0 | 390.3 | 72.5 | 20.6 | 80.7 | 82.6 | 8.9 | 656.5 |
The breakdown of the group's non-current assets(1) by geographic region is as follows:
| IN EUR MILLION | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|
| Belgium | 259.8 | 140.5 |
| Other European countries | 8,308.8 | 7,650.9 |
| North America | 1,093.6 | 1,036.5 |
| Other | 591.7 | 586.3 |
| TOTAL | 10,253.9 | 9,414.1 |
Dividends received from equity-accounted entities have been eliminated and replaced by GBL's share of their profit or loss.
| IN EUR MILLION | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|
| AMB IV | 162.7 | - |
| The Quartz Corporation (Imerys) | 69.3 | 48.5 |
| Mérieux Participations 2 | - | 5.0 |
| Other associates and joint ventures | 6.0 | 6.2 |
| TOTAL | 238.0 | 59.6 |
| IN EUR MILLION | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|
| Share of profit or loss of associates and joint ventures – investing activities | 15.8 | 44.0 |
| AMB I, II & IV | 40.2 | 72.9 |
| Sienna Euclide | 7.5 | - |
| Sienna Global Private Investments | 0.3 | - |
| Mérieux Participations 2 | (1.5) | (15.5) |
| Backed | (2.3) | 10.6 |
| Landlife Holding | (3.4) | (2.2) |
| Parques Reunidos/Piolin II | (24.9) | (21.8) |
| Associates and joint ventures related to consolidated operating activities (shown under "Other operating income (expenses)") |
110.6 | 94.6 |
| The Quartz Corporation (Imerys) | 97.8 | 80.1 |
| I.P.E. | 0.7 | 4.7 |
| Other | 12.1 | 9.8 |
| TOTAL | 126.4 | 138.5 |
The contribution of AMB I, II & IV to the net result of GBL amounts to EUR 40 million in 2024 (EUR 73 million in 2023). This result mainly includes gains on the revaluation to fair value of AMB IV's share portfolio.
Sienna Euclide contributes EUR 7 million for the first time in 2024. This result comes from the revaluation of its portfolio.
The net result (GBL's share) of Parques Reunidos/Piolin II amounts to EUR - 25 million in 2024 (EUR - 22 million in 2023).
| Investing activities | Operating activities | Total | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IN EUR MILLION | Parques Reunidos/ Piolin II |
Backed | AMB I, II & IV |
Sienna Euclide |
Landlife Holding |
Mérieux Participations 2 |
Sienna Global Private Investments |
I.P.E. | Other | |
| As of December 31, 2022 | 90.2 | 139.4 | 219.1 | - | 0.0 | 40.0 | - | 36.2 | 92.5 | 617.4 |
| Investment/(Divestment) | - | 4.5 | 4.8 | - | 55.3 | (2.2) | - | - | 1.8 | 64.1 |
| Profit (loss) for the year | (21.8) | 10.6 | 72.9 | - | (2.2) | (15.5) | - | 4.7 | 89.8 | 138.5 |
| Distribution | - | - | - | - | - | (5.0) | - | - | (54.7) | (59.7) |
| Impairment | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 7.4 | 7.4 | 14.8 |
| Other | (0.4) | 0.0 | - | - | (0.3) | 0.0 | - | 0.0 | (2.6) | (3.3) |
| As of December 31, 2023 | 68.0 | 154.5 | 296.8 | - | 52.8 | 17.4 | - | 48.3 | 134.2 | 771.8 |
| Investment/(Divestment) | - | 4.9 | (47.7) | 50.1 | - | (1.3) | 12.0 | (49.0) | (5.6) | (36.7) |
| Profit (loss) for the year | (24.9) | (2.3) | 40.2 | 7.5 | (3.4) | (1.5) | 0.3 | 0.7 | 109.9 | 126.4 |
| Distribution | - | - | (162.7) | - | - | - | - | - | (75.3) | (238.0) |
| Impairment | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Other | (5.2) | 0.0 | - | (0.1) | 6.1 | (0.0) | - | - | 6.9 | 7.7 |
| AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2024 | 37.9 | 157.1 | 126.5 | 57.5 | 55.4 | 14.5 | 12.3 | - | 170.0 | 631.2 |
| Of which: Holding | 37.9 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 37.9 |
| Imerys | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 162.8 | 162.8 |
| Canyon | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Affidea | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Sanoptis | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 5.6 | 5.6 |
| GBL Capital and SIM | - | 157.1 | 126.5 | 57.5 | 55.4 | 14.5 | 12.3 | - | 1.6 | 425.0 |
Associates and joint ventures are not listed.
The tables below present a summary of the financial information regarding Backed, AMB I, II & IV, Parques Reunidos/Piolin II and The Quartz Corporation, significant associates in 2024 and the other smaller associates and joint ventures. This summary represents the amounts included in the companies' financial statements prepared in accordance with IFRS.
| IN EUR MILLION | Backed | AMB I, II & IV | Parques Reunidos/Piolin II |
The Quartz Corporation |
Other associates and joint ventures |
Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2024 | ||||||
| Non-current assets | 360.2 | 419.3 | 2,285.7 | 226.6 | 653.3 | 3,945.0 |
| Current assets | 2.7 | 7.6 | 110.3 | 196.7 | 76.1 | 393.3 |
| Non-current liabilities | 35.0 | 60.0 | 1,821.4 | 118.5 | 21.7 | 2,056.6 |
| Current liabilities | 1.3 | 0.0 | 410.0 | 66.3 | 336.2 | 813.8 |
| Non-controlling interests | - | - | 0.7 | 0.7 | 0.0 | 1.4 |
| Shareholder's equity (group's share) | 326.6 | 366.8 | 163.9 | 237.8 | 371.5 | 1,466.5 |
| Ownership interest in capital | n.r. | n.r. | 23.1% | 50.0% | n.r. | n.r. |
| Share in equity | 157.1 | 126.5 | 37.9 | 119.0 | 186.1 | 626.6 |
| Goodwill | - | - | - | 2.3 | 2.6 | 4.9 |
| Carrying amount as of December 31, 2024 | 157.1 | 126.5 | 37.9 | 121.2 | 188.7 | 631.5 |
| Turnover | - | - | 858.0 | 333.7 | 196.4 | 1,388.0 |
| Profit (loss) from continuing operations | (4.9) | 116.8 | (108.2) | 195.7 | 31.0 | 230.5 |
| Net result of the year (including non controlling interests) |
(4.9) | 116.8 | (108.2) | 195.7 | 31.0 | 230.5 |
| Net result of the year (group's share) | (4.9) | 116.8 | (107.9) | 195.7 | 31.0 | 230.7 |
| Other comprehensive income (loss) | - | - | (32.1) | - | - | (32.1) |
| Total comprehensive income (loss) for the year |
(4.9) | 116.8 | (140.2) | 195.7 | 31.0 | 198.4 |
| Dividends received during the period | - | 162.7 | - | 69.3 | 6.0 | 238.0 |
| Share of the group in the profit (loss) for the year |
(2.3) | 40.2 | (24.9) | 97.8 | 15.7 | 126.4 |
| IN EUR MILLION | Backed | AMB I, II & IV | Parques Reunidos/Piolin II |
The Quartz Corporation |
Other associates and joint ventures |
Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2023 | ||||||
| Non-current assets | 361.5 | 919.4 | 2,354.9 | 124.3 | 640.1 | 4,400.2 |
| Current assets | 2.4 | 18.8 | 126.6 | 214.5 | 196.5 | 558.8 |
| Non-current liabilities | 38.4 | 76.4 | 1,789.6 | 122.7 | 22.3 | 2,049.3 |
| Current liabilities | 1.2 | 0.2 | 396.4 | 48.1 | 444.9 | 890.7 |
| Non-controlling interests | - | - | 1.4 | - | 120.9 | 122.3 |
| Shareholder's equity (group's share) | 324.4 | 861.7 | 294.2 | 168.0 | 248.6 | 1,896.8 |
| Ownership interest in capital | n.r. | n.r. | 23.1% | 50.0% | n.r. | n.r. |
| Share in equity | 154.5 | 296.8 | 68.0 | 83.7 | 164.2 | 767.2 |
| Goodwill | - | - | - | 2.1 | 2.5 | 4.6 |
| Carrying amount as of December 31, 2023 | 154.5 | 296.8 | 68.0 | 85.8 | 166.7 | 771.8 |
| Turnover | - | - | 830.1 | 330.8 | 218.1 | 1,379.0 |
| Profit (loss) from continuing operations | 22.3 | 211.8 | (94.6) | 160.1 | (33.1) | 266.7 |
| Net result of the year (including non-controlling interests) |
22.3 | 211.8 | (94.8) | 160.1 | (33.1) | 266.4 |
| Net result of the year (group's share) | 22.3 | 211.8 | (94.6) | 160.1 | (118.9) | 180.9 |
| Other comprehensive income (loss) | - | - | (0.7) | - | - | (0.7) |
| Total comprehensive income (loss) for the year |
22.3 | 211.8 | (95.2) | 160.1 | (118.9) | 180.2 |
| Dividends received during the period | - | - | - | 48.5 | 11.1 | 59.6 |
| Share of the group in the profit (loss) for the year |
10.6 | 72.9 | (21.8) | 80.1 | (3.2) | 138.5 |
| IN EUR MILLION | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|
| SGS | 125.6 | 117.7 |
| Pernod Ricard | 81.0 | 80.9 |
| Umicore | 31.4 | 31.4 |
| Concentrix | 9.5 | 2.4 |
| adidas | 6.3 | 8.2 |
| TotalEnergies | 0.7 | 0.7 |
| GEA | 0.1 | 9.9 |
| Holcim | - | 33.6 |
| Mowi | - | 1.4 |
| Other | 0.1 | 0.1 |
| TOTAL | 254.8 | 286.1 |
In 2024, GBL recorded EUR 255 million in dividends (EUR 286 million in 2023). This decrease mainly reflects (i) the absence of contribution from Holcim as a consequence of the exit from the position during 2023, and (ii) the decrease in the GEA dividend following the sale of the shares underlying the exchangeable bond which matured at the end of 2023, partially offset by (iii) an increase in the SGS dividend due mainly to the choice of receiving the dividend in shares, based on a reference price and a 6% discount, and (iv) the contribution of Concentrix, acquired in September 2023.
The investments in listed companies are valued on the basis of the share price at the reporting date. The investments in unlisted companies are valued on a quarterly basis at their fair value in line with the recommendations of the International Private Equity and Venture Capital Valuation Guidelines ("IPEV Valuation Guidelines"). Recent investments are valued at their acquisition cost, provided that these valuations are considered as the best estimates of their fair values. Changes in the fair value are recognized in the revaluation reserves (see Note 3.3.).
Shares in "Funds" held by GBL Capital (1) are revalued at their fair value, as notably determined by the managers of these funds, based on their investment portfolio. Changes in the fair value of these investments are recognized in financial income (loss) (see Note 7).
| Of | which: | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IN EUR MILLION | December 31, 2023 |
Acquisitions | Disposals/ Reimburse ments |
Change in fair value |
Other | December 31, 2024 |
Holding | Imerys | Canyon | Affidea | Sanoptis | GBL Capital and SIM |
| Investments with changes in fair value through equity |
10,300.3 | 10.2 | (599.6) | (1,618.5) | 0.0 | 8,092.5 | 8,092.5 | - | - | - | - | - |
| SGS | 2,835.0 | 5.7 | - | 660.2 | - | 3,500.9 | 3,500.9 | - | - | - | - | - |
| Pernod Ricard | 2,748.5 | 4.3 | - | (874.0) | - | 1,878.8 | 1,878.8 | - | - | - | - | - |
| adidas | 2,525.7 | - | (599.5) | (430.6) | - | 1,495.6 | 1,495.6 | - | - | - | - | - |
| Umicore | 976.9 | - | - | (586.4) | - | 390.6 | 390.6 | - | - | - | - | - |
| Concentrix | 779.8 | - | - | (414.4) | - | 365.4 | 365.4 | - | - | - | - | - |
| Voodoo | 287.2 | - | - | 14.7 | - | 302.0 | 302.0 | - | - | - | - | - |
| Ontex | 125.1 | - | - | 12.9 | - | 138.1 | 138.1 | - | - | - | - | - |
| TotalEnergies | 16.5 | - | - | (2.2) | 0.0 | 14.3 | 14.3 | - | - | - | - | - |
| GEA | 4.2 | - | - | 1.1 | - | 5.3 | 5.3 | - | - | - | - | - |
| Other | 1.4 | 0.2 | (0.0) | (0.1) | - | 1.6 | 1.6 | - | - | - | - | - |
| Investments with changes in fair value through profit or loss |
2,304.6 | 292.4 | (259.8) | 196.7 | (175.2) | 2,358.4 | - | 3.9 | 13.4 | 3.0 | 0.8 | 2,337.4 |
| Co-investments/ Funds |
2,268.6 | 269.3 | (243.3) | 196.7 | (178.6) | 2,312.6 | - | - | - | - | - | 2,312.6 |
| Other | 35.9 | 23.1 | (16.6) | - | 3.4 | 45.8 | - | 3.9 | 13.4 | 3.0 | 0.8 | 24.8 |
| FAIR VALUE | 12,604.8 | 302.7 | (859.4) | (1,421.8) | (175.2) | 10,450.9 | 8,092.5 | 3.9 | 13.4 | 3.0 | 0.8 | 2,337.4 |
(1) Comprising 468 Capital II, Alto Capital V, Apheon opseo Long Term Value Fund, Apheon SVT Long Term Value Fund, BDT Capital Partners Fund II, Bregal Unternehmerkapital IV-B, Carlyle International Energy Partners II, C2 Capital Global Export-to-China Fund, Dover Street XI AIF, E.C.B. (Bastille)-Telenco, EC IV Invest, Epiris Fund III, Fonds F2E, Globality, Griffin, HCM IV, HCM V, HCM S11A (Transcarent), HCM S3C (Commure), Iceberg Data Lab, Iconiq VII, Illumio, Innovius Capital Fund, Kartesia Credit Opportunities III, IV and V, KKR Azur Co-invest, KKR Rainbow Co-Invest (Asset), KKR Sigma Co-Invest II, Klarna Holding, Marcho Partners, Marcho Partners Long, Moeve, Mérieux Participations I, Portage Capital Solutions International Fund I, Predirec ABL-3 (Part B), PrimeStone, Sagard, Sagard II, Sagard 3, Sagard 4, Sagard NewGen,Sagard NewGen Pharma, Sagard Santé Animale, Sagard Testing, Sagard Business Intelligence, Sapphire (proALPHA), Sienna Euclide, funds of Sienna Levier, Sienna Private Allocation, Sienna Rendement Avenir IV, Sienna Social Impact, Sienna Trésorerie Plus, Sienna Venture Capital Startup Nation, South Park Commons Seed Fund II, South Park Commons Opportunities Fund II, Stripes VI (A), VER Capital Credit Partners S.A. - VER Capital Special Situations, VER Capital Credit Partners S.A. - SMEs - Private Debt, Warburg Pincus Capital Solutions Founders Fund and others
| IN EUR MILLION | December 31, 2022 |
Acquisitions | Disposals/ Reimbursements |
Change in fair value |
Other | December 31, 2023 |
Of which: Holding |
Imerys | Canyon | Affidea Sanoptis | GBL Capital and SIM |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Investments with changes in fair value through equity |
11,110.2 | 643.3 | (1,075.8) | (377.5) | 0.0 | 10,300.3 | 10,300.3 | - | - | - | - | - |
| SGS | 3,126.6 | 33.3 | - | (324.9) | - | 2,835.0 | 2,835.0 | - | - | - | - | - |
| Pernod Ricard | 3,266.2 | - | (23.6) | (494.1) | - | 2,748.5 | 2,748.5 | - | - | - | - | - |
| adidas | 1,748.1 | - | - | 777.6 | - | 2,525.7 | 2,525.7 | - | - | - | - | - |
| Umicore | 1,346.5 | - | - | (369.6) | - | 976.9 | 976.9 | - | - | - | - | - |
| Concentrix | - | 609.9 | - | 169.8 | - | 779.8 | 779.8 | - | - | - | - | - |
| Voodoo | 273.0 | - | - | 14.2 | - | 287.2 | 287.2 | - | - | - | - | - |
| Ontex | 102.7 | - | - | 22.5 | - | 125.1 | 125.1 | - | - | - | - | - |
| TotalEnergies | 15.7 | - | - | 0.8 | 0.0 | 16.5 | 16.5 | - | - | - | - | - |
| GEA | 434.0 | - | (400.9) | (28.9) | - | 4.2 | 4.2 | - | - | - | - | - |
| Holcim | 639.7 | - | (488.1) | (151.6) | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Mowi | 156.7 | - | (163.2) | 6.5 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Other | 1.2 | 0.0 | - | 0.2 | - | 1.4 | 1.4 | - | - | - | - | - |
| Investments with changes in fair value through profit or loss |
2,054.2 | 347.9 | (270.5) | 187.6 | (14.6) | 2,304.6 | - | 0.2 | 8.6 | 3.0 | 1.7 | 2,291.0 |
| Co-investments/ Funds |
2,030.9 | 343.5 | (266.3) | 187.6 | (27.0) | 2,268.6 | - | - | - | - | - | 2,268.6 |
| Other | 23.3 | 4.4 | (4.2) | - | 12.4 | 35.9 | - | 0.2 | 8.6 | 3.0 | 1.7 | 22.3 |
| FAIR VALUE | 13,164.4 | 991.2 | (1,346.3) | (189.9) | (14.6) | 12,604.8 | 10,300.3 | 0.2 | 8.6 | 3.0 | 1.7 | 2,291.0 |
These reserves include the changes in the fair value of other equity investments whose changes in fair value are recorded through equity.
In 2024, the partial disposal of adidas resulted in a reclassification to retained earnings of EUR 1,052 million. In 2023, following the residual disposals of Holcim and Mowi, the partial disposal of Pernod Ricard and the disposal of the securities underlying the exchangeable bonds in GEA shares, the cumulated revaluation reserves of EUR - 45 million, EUR 5 million, EUR - 87 million and EUR 36 million respectively were reclassified to retained earnings.
| IN EUR MILLION | Pernod Ricard |
adidas | SGS | Voodoo | Total Energies |
GEA | Mowi | Holcim Concentrix | Ontex | Umicore | Other | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| As of December 31, 2022 |
2,530.8 | 636.7 | 573.1 | 4.5 | 9.3 | 29.2 | (6.5) | 151.6 | - | (351.7) | 551.8 | (2.7) | 4,126.1 |
| Change resulting from the change in fair value |
(407.2) | 777.6 | (324.9) | 14.2 | 0.8 | (64.6) | 1.3 | (106.2) | 169.8 | 22.5 | (369.6) | 0.2 | (285.9) |
| Transfers to consolidated reserves in case of disposal |
(86.9) | - | - | - | - | 35.6 | 5.2 | (45.4) | - | - | - | - | (91.6) |
| As of December 31, 2023 |
2,036.8 | 1,414.4 | 248.2 | 18.8 | 10.1 | 0.2 | - | - | 169.8 | (329.3) | 182.2 | (2.5) | 3,748.7 |
| Change resulting from the change in fair value |
(874.0) | 621.8 | 660.2 | 14.7 | (2.2) | 1.1 | - | - | (414.4) | 12.9 | (586.4) | (0.1) | (566.2) |
| Transfers to consolidated reserves in case of disposal |
- | (1,052.4) | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | (1,052.4) |
| AS OF |
DECEMBER 31, 2024 1,162.8 983.8 908.4 33.5 7.8 1.3 - - (244.5) (316.4) (404.1) (2.6) 2,130.1
| IN EUR MILLION | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|
| Beltaste - Vanreusel | 33.8 | - |
| Visionnaire | 11.8 | - |
| Sausalitos | - | 13.4 |
| Other | 5.2 | 0.3 |
| GAINS ON DISPOSALS OF SUBSIDIARIES - INVESTING ACTIVITIES | 50.9 | 13.6 |
| Sienna Real Estate | (2.0) | - |
| Other | (3.4) | 4.9 |
| IMPAIRMENTS AND REVERSALS OF NON-CURRENT ASSETS - INVESTING ACTIVITIES | (5.4) | 4.9 |
This section, relating to results from transactions with subsidiaries or associates, mainly includes, in 2024, the net capital gains on the disposals by AMB III of Beltaste-Vanreusel (EUR 34 million) and of Visionnaire (EUR 12 million). In 2023, it mainly included the net capital gain on the sale by AMB III of Sausalitos (EUR 13 million).
| IN EUR MILLION | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|
| Miscellaneous goods and services | (77.8) | (84.3) |
| Employee expenses | (98.7) | (57.2) |
| Depreciation and amortization | (11.8) | (6.3) |
| Other operating expenses | (0.3) | 1.1 |
| Other operating income | 2.4 | 20.7 |
| OTHER OPERATING INCOME (EXPENSES) - INVESTING ACTIVITIES | (186.2) | (126.0) |
| Transport costs | (478.5) | (521.0) |
| Subcontracting costs | (140.8) | (140.4) |
| Operating leases | (87.0) | (81.1) |
| Fees | (166.8) | (125.9) |
| Various taxes | (46.9) | (33.8) |
| Other operating expenses | (620.1) | (664.8) |
| Other operating income | 91.5 | 105.9 |
| Share of profit (loss) of associates and joint ventures belonging to consolidated operating activities | 110.6 | 94.5 |
| OTHER OPERATING INCOME (EXPENSES) - OPERATING ACTIVITIES | (1,338.1) | (1,366.7) |
Other operating expenses related to operating activities mainly consist of Imerys' maintenance and repair expenses (EUR 85 million and EUR 96 million in 2024 and 2023 respectively), restructuring expenses (EUR 31 million in 2024 and EUR 34 million in 2023) and research and development costs (EUR 41 million and EUR 44 million in 2024 and 2023 respectively).
| IN EUR MILLION | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|
| Remuneration | (57.4) | (48.4) |
| Social security contributions | (8.3) | (7.9) |
| Costs related to stock options | 1.6 | 3.1 |
| Carried interest | (32.1) | - |
| Contributions to pension plans | (1.7) | (1.7) |
| Other | (0.8) | (2.3) |
| EMPLOYEE EXPENSES - INVESTING ACTIVITIES | (98.7) | (57.2) |
| Remuneration | (1,318.6) | (1,233.0) |
| Social security contributions | (262.3) | (230.7) |
| Costs related to stock options | (14.1) | (14.0) |
| Contributions to pension plans | (30.8) | (27.9) |
| Other | (215.9) | (184.5) |
| EMPLOYEE EXPENSES - CONSOLIDATED OPERATING ACTIVITIES | (1,841.8) | (1,690.2) |
The details of the remuneration of GBL's directors are shown in Note 32. The stock option plans are detailed in Note 27.
| IN EUR MILLION | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|
| Impairment on intangible assets and goodwill | (1.0) | (5.4) |
| Impairment on property, plant and equipment, net of reversals | (19.2) | (209.4) |
| Impairment on other non-current assets | (4.7) | (3.4) |
| Capital loss realized on disposals of investments and activities | (324.9) | (7.1) |
| TOTAL | (349.7) | (225.3) |
The impairments on intangible assets, goodwill and property, plant and equipment are detailed in the Notes 9, 10, 11 and 24.
| IN EUR MILLION | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|
| Interest income on cash and cash equivalents, non-current assets or other | 49.6 | 36.5 |
| Interest expenses on financial liabilities | (71.4) | (67.0) |
| Gains (losses) on trading securities and derivatives | (17.8) | 122.1 |
| Changes in the fair value of other equity investments recognized at fair value through profit or loss | 196.7 | 187.6 |
| Other financial income | 41.2 | 17.2 |
| Other financial expenses | (22.8) | (15.4) |
| FINANCIAL INCOME (EXPENSES) - INVESTING ACTIVITIES | 175.4 | 280.9 |
| Interest income on cash and cash equivalents and non-current assets | 30.8 | 10.6 |
| Interest expenses on financial liabilities | (293.4) | (215.9) |
| Gains (losses) on trading securities and derivatives | 6.7 | 4.8 |
| Other financial income | 103.6 | 72.9 |
| Other financial expenses | (159.3) | (100.8) |
| FINANCIAL INCOME (EXPENSES) - OPERATING ACTIVITIES | (311.6) | (228.4) |
Financial income (expenses) from investing activities total EUR 175 million (compared to EUR 281 million in 2023). They mainly consist of (i) the changes in fair value of other equity investments recognized at fair value in profit or loss for EUR 197 million (EUR 188 million in 2023), (ii) a total net income of EUR 2 million related to the mark to market of the derivative component associated to the exchangeable bonds into Pernod Ricard shares and the convertible bonds into GBL shares (a net income of EUR 70 million 2023), (iii) the result of yield enhancement for EUR - 9 million in 2024, including EUR 6 million in revenues generated in 2024 and EUR - 15 million in mark-to-market (against EUR 19 million in 2023) and (iv) the interest charges on GBL's indebtedness for EUR - 66 million (EUR - 64 million in 2023).
Financial income (expenses) from consolidated operating activities essentially result from interest expenses on Sanoptis', Affidea' and Imerys' indebtedness for EUR 113 million, EUR 97 million and EUR 67 million respectively (EUR 76 million, EUR 76 million and EUR 41 million in 2023 respectively).
The table below presents the split of the revenue into sales of goods, services provided and other:
| IN EUR MILLION | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|
| Sales of goods | 4,070.2 | 4,361.3 |
| Services provided | 2,125.2 | 1,773.2 |
| Other | 2.7 | 2.7 |
| TOTAL | 6,198.0 | 6,137.3 |
The table below presents the split by cash generating unit:
| IN EUR MILLION | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|
| Performance Materials | 2,198.9 | 2,341.0 |
| Refractory, Abrasives & Construction | 1,188.2 | 1,232.7 |
| Solutions for the Energy Transition | 215.3 | 223.6 |
| Other | 2.5 | (2.9) |
| Imerys | 3,604.9 | 3,794.4 |
| Canyon | 784.1 | 790.6 |
| Affidea | 1,037.6 | 851.8 |
| Sanoptis | 665.7 | 494.1 |
| Vanreusel | - | 82.5 |
| Sienna Gestion | 69.2 | 58.7 |
| Sausalitos | - | 33.2 |
| Sienna Real Estate | 19.6 | 19.3 |
| Sienna Private Credit | 16.9 | 12.6 |
| GBL Capital and SIM | 105.8 | 206.4 |
TOTAL 6,198.0 6,137.3
The breakdown of the group's turnover by geographic region is as follows:
| IN EUR MILLION | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|
| Belgium | 112.0 | 161.8 |
| Other European countries | 3,564.9 | 3,616.1 |
| Americas | 1,340.6 | 1,383.6 |
| Asia | 755.4 | 791.6 |
| Other | 425.1 | 184.1 |
| TOTAL | 6,198.0 | 6,137.3 |
The following table presents a different breakdown of revenue by the time at which goods and services are transferred to customers, distinguishing between goods and services transferred to customers at a given point in time and services transferred to customers over time:
| IN EUR MILLION | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|
| Goods and services transferred to customers at a specific time | 4,070.7 | 4,366.6 |
| Services progressively transferred to customers | 2,127.4 | 1,770.7 |
| TOTAL | 6,198.0 | 6,137.3 |
At Imerys' level, main contributor to the turnover, the breakdown of revenue by geographical location of its operations and geographical location of its customers is as follows:
| IN EUR MILLION | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|
| Turnover breakdown by geographic areas | ||
| Europe | 1,910.1 | 1,975.3 |
| Asia-Oceania | 473.7 | 521.7 |
| North America | 1,056.2 | 1,063.4 |
| Other | 165.0 | 234.0 |
| TOTAL | 3,604.9 | 3,794.4 |
| IN EUR MILLION | 2024 | 2023 |
| Turnover breakdown by geographic areas of the clients | ||
| Europe | 1,658.3 | 1,690.4 |
| Asia-Oceania | 721.1 | 760.3 |
| North America | 1,010.3 | 1,014.9 |
| Other | 215.3 | 328.8 |
| TOTAL | 3,604.9 | 3,794.4 |
| IN EUR MILLION | Software | Mining rights | Patents, licenses and concessions |
Trade marks |
Customer relations |
Other | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gross carrying amount | |||||||
| As of December 31, 2022 | 297.4 | 2.6 | 199.8 | 554.8 | 1,519.1 | 833.5 | 3,407.2 |
| Investments | 14.8 | 3.7 | 2.0 | 0.0 | - | 69.7 | 90.2 |
| Changes in group structure/Business combinations |
0.1 | - | 0.5 | 1.2 | 59.4 | 66.7 | 127.9 |
| Transfers between categories | 39.4 | 1.0 | (23.8) | 12.4 | 91.7 | (118.4) | 2.3 |
| Disposals and retirements | (25.3) | - | (0.2) | (0.2) | (22.6) | (29.9) | (78.2) |
| Foreign currency translation adjustments | (0.8) | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.1 | 0.6 | (0.2) | (0.2) |
| Other | (122.9) | - | (10.2) | (182.7) | (764.9) | (27.2) | (1,108.0) |
| As of December 31, 2023 | 202.7 | 7.3 | 168.1 | 385.6 | 883.2 | 794.1 | 2,441.1 |
| Investments | 16.0 | - | 1.1 | - | - | 77.3 | 94.3 |
| Changes in group structure/Business combinations |
2.4 | 1.6 | 0.3 | 31.4 | 91.0 | 58.5 | 185.2 |
| Transfers between categories | 19.0 | - | (0.3) | - | - | (14.6) | 4.1 |
| Disposals and retirements | (14.4) | (0.0) | (0.3) | - | - | (11.5) | (26.2) |
| Foreign currency translation adjustments | 3.5 | (0.0) | (0.7) | 0.2 | 2.9 | 1.5 | 7.4 |
| Other | (1.0) | (0.2) | (0.1) | - | 0.0 | (0.6) | (1.9) |
| AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2024 | 228.2 | 8.7 | 168.0 | 417.2 | 977.2 | 904.7 | 2,704.0 |
| Cumulated amortization | |||||||
| As of December 31, 2022 | (195.1) | (0.7) | (25.2) | (23.4) | (186.4) | (140.7) | (571.6) |
| Amortization | (25.8) | (0.3) | (2.7) | (18.4) | (66.7) | (14.6) | (128.5) |
| Impairment (losses)/reversals | (0.2) | - | - | - | - | (0.0) | (0.2) |
| Transfers between categories | (2.3) | (0.3) | 2.6 | - | (42.5) | 44.3 | 1.8 |
| Disposals and retirements | 25.3 | - | 0.2 | - | 11.1 | 25.3 | 61.9 |
| Foreign currency translation adjustments | 1.0 | (0.0) | (0.1) | (0.0) | 1.6 | 0.1 | 2.6 |
| Changes in group structure/Other | 83.2 | 0.0 | 5.1 | 11.3 | 159.2 | 7.6 | 266.3 |
| As of December 31, 2023 | (113.9) | (1.3) | (20.1) | (30.6) | (123.8) | (78.0) | (367.7) |
| Amortization | (24.9) | (0.6) | (1.0) | (19.8) | (58.9) | (12.8) | (118.0) |
| Impairment (losses)/reversals | (0.7) | - | - | - | - | (0.3) | (1.0) |
| Transfers between categories | 0.3 | - | 0.1 | - | - | 0.0 | 0.4 |
| Disposals and retirements | 14.4 | 0.0 | 0.3 | - | - | 5.2 | 19.8 |
| Foreign currency translation adjustments | (1.3) | 0.0 | 0.2 | - | 1.3 | (0.4) | (0.0) |
| Changes in group structure/Other | 1.6 | (0.4) | (0.1) | 0.2 | (0.0) | (4.0) | (2.8) |
| AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2024 | (124.5) | (2.2) | (20.6) | (50.2) | (181.3) | (90.4) | (469.2) |
| Net carrying amount | |||||||
| As of December 31, 2022 | 102.3 | 1.9 | 174.5 | 531.4 | 1,332.7 | 692.8 | 2,835.6 |
| As of December 31, 2023 | 88.9 | 6.0 | 148.0 | 355.0 | 759.4 | 716.0 | 2,073.5 |
| AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2024 | 103.7 | 6.4 | 147.5 | 367.0 | 795.9 | 814.4 | 2,234.9 |
| Of which: Holding | 0.9 | - | - | - | - | - | 0.9 |
| Imerys | 69.2 | 6.4 | 137.9 | - | 27.8 | 140.8 | 382.2 |
| Canyon | 6.3 | - | 3.4 | 266.2 | 18.4 | 34.8 | 329.1 |
| Affidea | 22.6 | - | - | 95.7 | 572.2 | - | 690.5 |
| Sanoptis | 1.2 | - | 0.6 | 5.1 | 155.0 | 632.6 | 794.6 |
| GBL Capital and SIM | 3.5 | - | 5.6 | 0.0 | 22.4 | 6.1 | 37.6 |
The intangible assets with an indefinite useful life amount to EUR 606 million as of December 31, 2024 – presented under the heading "Other" (EUR 557 million as of December 31, 2023 – presented under the heading "Other"). These include the valuation at Sanoptis of the rights to receive insured patients for EUR 606 million (EUR 557 million as of December 31, 2023).
Intangible assets with finite useful lives mainly relate to customer relationships (EUR 572 million at Affidea and EUR 155 million at Sanoptis) and trademarks (EUR 266 million at Canyon).
The depreciation charges for the various periods are shown under "Other operating income (expenses) from investing activities" and "Depreciation/ amortization of property, plant, equipment and intangible assets – consolidated operating activities" in the consolidated income statement.
Research and development costs in 2024 amounted to EUR 41 million (EUR 44 million in 2023).
Regarding the emission rights, Imerys is subject to greenhouse gas regulation schemes at eleven of its facilities in Europe and one facility in the US. As the estimated volume of greenhouse gas emissions exceeded the emission rights in 2024, the group made a provision of EUR 9 million at December 31, 2024 to cover the deficit (EUR 8 million at December 31, 2023). In addition, the carrying amount of emission rights acquired on the market was EUR 16 million as of December 31, 2024 (EUR 15 million as of December 31, 2023).
| IN EUR MILLION | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|
| Gross carrying amount | ||
| As of January 1 | 4,564.3 | 6,359.1 |
| Changes in group structure/Business combinations | 342.4 | 285.3 |
| Foreign currency translation adjustments | 15.3 | 6.7 |
| Subsequent value adjustments | 4.3 | 3.3 |
| Disposals | - | (74.2) |
| Other | (110.2) | (2,015.9) |
| As of December 31 | 4,816.1 | 4,564.3 |
| Cumulated impairment losses | ||
| As of January 1 | (203.6) | (100.6) |
| Impairment losses | (2.0) | (5.4) |
|---|---|---|
| Foreign currency translation adjustments | (2.0) | 3.9 |
| Other | 108.2 | (101.5) |
| As of December 31 | (99.4) | (203.6) |
| NET CARRYING AMOUNT AS OF DECEMBER, 31 | 4,360.7 | |
|---|---|---|
| Of which: Holding | - | - |
| Imerys | 1,859.9 | 1,839.1 |
| Canyon | 309.1 | 309.1 |
| Affidea | 1,127.5 | 936.3 |
| Sanoptis | 1,374.0 | 1,236.6 |
| GBL Capital and SIM | 46.2 | 39.7 |
As of December 31, 2024, this caption is made up of EUR 1,860 million of goodwill generated by Imerys' various business lines, EUR 1,374 million of goodwill from the Sanoptis group, EUR 1,127 million of goodwill from the Affidea group, EUR 309 million of goodwill from the Canyon group and EUR 46 million of goodwill on acquisitions by GBL Capital and Sienna Investment Managers (EUR 1,839 million, EUR 1,237 million, EUR 936 million, EUR 309 million and EUR 40 million respectively as of December 31, 2023).
GBL's management has retained the judgements made by Imerys, Canyon, Affidea, Sanoptis and GBL Capital and Sienna Investment Managers in the definition of CGUs.
For Imerys, as goodwill feeds into the business management indicators per operational segment monitored by the management, it is tested for impairment at the same levels as those monitored by the management, which are as follows: (i) Performance Minerals Europe, Middle East, Africa and Asia-Pacific (PM EMEA & APAC) and Performance Minerals Americas (PM Americas) within the Performance Minerals (PM) segment, (ii) Refractory, Abrasives & Construction (RAC) and (iii) Graphite & Carbon (IG&C). Other than goodwill, all assets within Imerys including right-of-use assets net of lease liabilities and mining assets are covered within the scope of these tests.
For Canyon, the operational reporting and thus the goodwill management is carried out at the highest level, i.e., GoForGold Holding, which represents the only identified CGU.
For Affidea, the activity of the group is reported through a single CGU, the Affidea CGU.
For Sanoptis, the activity of the group is reported through a single CGU, the Sanoptis CGU.
For GBL Capital and Sienna Investment Managers, the goodwill is allocated to each investment.
In the table below, the carrying amount and the impairment loss of the goodwill are presented by CGU:
| 2024 | 2023 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IN EUR MILLION | Net carrying amount |
Cumulated impairment losses |
Net carrying amount |
Cumulated impairment losses |
| Sanoptis | 1,374.0 | - | 1,236.6 | - |
| Affidea | 1,127.5 | - | 936.3 | - |
| Performance Materials (Imerys) | 1,078.3 | (2.3) | 1,068.9 | (112.3) |
| Refractory, Abrasives & Construction (Imerys) | 751.5 | (79.7) | 742.1 | (75.9) |
| Canyon | 309.1 | - | 309.1 | - |
| Graphite & Carbon (IG&C) (Imerys) | 27.2 | - | 27.3 | - |
| Others (Imerys) | 2.9 | (0.0) | 0.8 | - |
| Sienna Gestion (SIM) | 18.3 | - | 18.3 | - |
| Sienna Private Credit (SIM) | 22.9 | - | 14.4 | - |
| Sienna Real Estate (SIM) | 5.0 | (17.4) | 7.0 | (15.4) |
| TOTAL | 4,716.7 | (99.4) | 4,360.7 | (203.6) |
In accordance with IAS 36, group companies conduct a yearly impairment test on all their CGUs to the extent that they report goodwill. The recoverable amount of a CGU or an individual asset is the highest of the fair value less the costs of sale and the value in use. In practice, fair value can only be reliably estimated for individual assets and therefore corresponds to recent transaction prices for sales of similar assets. The value in use is the most commonly used measurement basis for CGUs and individual assets.
For Imerys, the projected cash flows used in their impairment test as of December 31, 2024 are based on the 2025 budget and the plan 2025-2029 submitted to senior management. This central case was developed using external analyses of underlying markets. To calculate the terminal growth rate, Imerys uses the Gordon and Shapiro perpetual growth model. The discount rate used to calculate the value in use is determined using the weighted average cost of capital of groups comparable to Imerys in the industrial minerals sector. This rate, set at 8.30% for 2024 (8.00% for 2023), is adjusted for a country-market risk premium, which depending on the CGU or individual assets tested ranged from + 80 to + 121 bps in 2024 (+ 94 to + 125 bps in 2023). In 2024, the average discount rate after income tax amounted to 9.25% (9.10% in 2023). The calculations net of income tax are the same as those that would be performed with cash flows and rates before income tax, as required by applicable standards. The impairment tests carried out on the various Imerys CGUs did not result in the recognition of any impairment loss as of December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023.
For Canyon, the projected cash flows used are based on the 2025-2029 plan. For the terminal value, Canyon uses the Gordon and Shapiro perpetual growth model. The definition of the discount rate is based on a study of the cost of capital of groups comparable to Canyon. It stands at 9.70% as of December 31, 2024 (10.20% as of December 31, 2023). The impairment test carried out on the Canyon CGU does not reveal any loss in value on the group's tested assets as of December 31, 2024.
For Affidea, the cash flow projections used are taken from the 2025-2029 plan. For the terminal value, Affidea uses the Gordon and Shapiro perpetual growth model. The discount rate is based on a study of the cost of capital of groups comparable to Affidea Group. The discount rate is 8.54% at December 31, 2024 (9.43% as of December 31, 2023). The impairment test performed on the Affidea CGU did not reveal any impairment of the group's assets tested at December 31, 2024.
For Sanoptis, the cash flow projections used are taken from the 2025-2029 plan. For terminal value, Sanoptis uses the Gordon and Shapiro perpetual growth model. The discount rate is based on a study of the cost of capital of groups comparable to Sanoptis Group. The discount rate is 7.42% at December 31, 2024 (6.82% at December 31, 2023). The impairment test performed on the Sanoptis CGU did not reveal any impairment of the group's assets tested at December 31, 2024.
For GBL Capital and SIM, the projected cash flows are derived from the financial budgets made by managements of each respective investment, covering a period of three to five years. The prepared projections are extrapolated and cover a period of ten years. For the terminal value, GBL Capital and SIM use an average of the Gordon and Shapiro perpetual growth model and multiple valuation method. The discount rate used to calculate the value in use is determined based on the weighted average cost of capital of groups comparable to each investment in their respective sector. This rate is adjusted by a country/market risk premium and a specific premium. The average discount rate after taxes is 12.07% in 2024 (11.07% in 2023). At GBL Capital and SIM, these annual tests did not reveal any impairment at December 31, 2024.
For GBL Capital and SIM, these annual tests did not result in the recognition of any impairment losses at December 31, 2024.
| 2024 | 2023 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Discount rate | Perpetual growth rate | Discount rate | Perpetual growth rate | ||
| Performance Materials (Imerys) (1) | 9.32% | 2.37% | 9.21% | 2.00% | |
| Refractory, Abrasives & Construction (Imerys) | 9.18% | 2.28% | 8.98% | 2.08% | |
| Solutions for the Energy Transition (Imerys) | 9.16% | 2.26% | 8.94% | 2.53% | |
| AVERAGE RATE IMERYS | 9.25% | 2.33% | 9.10% | 2.10% | |
| AVERAGE RATE CANYON | 9.70% | 1.00% | 10.20% | 1.00% | |
| AVERAGE RATE AFFIDEA | 8.54% | 2.50% | 9.43% | 2.50% | |
| AVERAGE RATE SANOPTIS | 7.42% | 1.00% | 6.82% | 1.00% | |
| AVERAGE RATE GBL CAPITAL AND SIM | 12.07% | 2.03% | 11.07% | 2.10% |
In the table below, the weighted average discount and perpetual growth rates used to calculate the value in use are presented by CGU:
Of the assumptions used, those whose variation has the most significant impact on the financial statements are the forecasted cash flows, the discount rate and the perpetual growth rate. The group has carried out simulations to measure the impairment losses that would be recognized in the event of unfavorable changes in the assumptions used in the central scenario at December 31, 2024. The changes used for these sensitivity tests are those that the group considers reasonably possible in the context of the test: a 5.00% decrease in forecasted cash flows; a 1.00% increase in discount rates; and a 1.00% decrease in perpetual growth rates (unchanged at December 31, 2023). As summarized in the table below, the sensitivities performed on the central scenario show a total impairment of EUR - 1 million in case of a 5.00% decrease of the forecasted cash flows, EUR - 274 million in case of a 1.00% increase of the discount rates and a total impairment of EUR - 2 million in case of a 1.00% decrease of the perpetual growth rates.
| IN EUR MILLION | Adverse changes |
|---|---|
| FORECASTED CASH FLOWS | (5%) |
| Impairment loss | (1.0) |
| DISCOUNT RATES | + 100 bps |
| Impairment loss | (273.9) |
| PERPETUAL GROWTH RATES | (100 bps) |
Furthermore, Imerys used a two-pronged approach to calculate its sensitivity to risks arising from climate change. On the one hand, in line with the methodology applied according to the Sustainability Report, the Group used a tool based on data from the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project ("CMIP") prepared by the World Climate Research Programme to assess the impact of the physical risks arising from climate change. On the other hand, Imerys also examined the risks envisaged with respect to the global warming scenario of +2°C by 2030, as projected by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change ("IPCC") published in the Sixth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change in 2021. Imerys has estimated the frequency of planned closure for each site, as well as the corresponding cash flow losses. The sensitivity calculated in terms of risks and opportunities related to climate issues did not indicate any impairment.
| IN EUR MILLION | Land and buildings |
Mineral reserves |
Fittings, machinery, equipment and rolling stock |
Right-of-use assets |
Assets under construction |
Other property, plant and equipment |
Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gross carrying amount | |||||||
| As of December 31, 2022 | 729.2 | 976.4 | 4,017.3 | 1,250.3 | 271.3 | 720.1 | 7,964.6 |
| Investments | 18.4 | 61.7 | 96.6 | 165.2 | 279.6 | 54.9 | 676.5 |
| Changes in group structure/ Business combinations |
16.4 | 0.4 | 16.0 | 78.2 | 0.1 | 5.8 | 117.0 |
| Disposals and retirements | (6.0) | (12.0) | (154.7) | (88.1) | (1.6) | (25.8) | (288.2) |
| Foreign currency translation adjustments |
(1.4) | (15.4) | (30.9) | (0.1) | (1.7) | (1.8) | (51.3) |
| Other | 23.0 | (49.2) | 365.5 | (437.9) | (213.8) | (328.0) | (640.4) |
| As of December 31, 2023 | 779.6 | 961.9 | 4,309.8 | 967.8 | 333.9 | 425.2 | 7,778.2 |
| Investments | 35.6 | 58.1 | 112.2 | 70.6 | 241.9 | 29.4 | 547.9 |
| Changes in group structure/ Business combinations |
48.9 | 9.5 | 55.2 | 34.8 | 18.1 | 18.0 | 184.5 |
| Disposals and retirements | (8.6) | (0.5) | (115.1) | (58.3) | (3.6) | (15.8) | (201.9) |
| Foreign currency translation adjustments |
4.9 | 27.3 | 48.9 | 7.5 | 1.5 | 3.3 | 93.3 |
| Other | 1.6 | (99.8) | (220.4) | (9.9) | (358.9) | 42.8 | (644.7) |
| AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2024 | 861.9 | 956.5 | 4,190.6 | 1,012.4 | 233.1 | 502.9 | 7,757.3 |
| Cumulated depreciation | |||||||
| As of December 31, 2022 | (373.3) | (560.9) | (2,878.5) | (382.8) | (4.6) | (475.7) | (4,675.9) |
| Depreciation | (27.1) | (50.0) | (191.0) | (138.4) | 0.7 | (44.5) | (450.2) |
| Impairment (losses)/reversals | (16.0) | (33.5) | (141.6) | (5.0) | (10.8) | (2.3) | (209.2) |
| Disposals and retirements | 4.1 | 11.7 | 133.8 | 41.1 | - | 25.2 | 215.9 |
| Foreign currency translation adjustments |
(0.1) | 8.3 | 22.0 | 1.8 | 0.1 | 1.9 | 34.1 |
| Changes in group structure/Other | 0.5 | 53.6 | (159.1) | 185.9 | 1.0 | 202.5 | 284.3 |
| As of December 31, 2023 | (411.9) | (570.9) | (3,214.4) | (297.2) | (13.8) | (293.0) | (4,801.2) |
| Depreciation | (28.8) | (42.8) | (201.5) | (131.8) | 0.2 | (34.9) | (439.6) |
| Impairment (losses)/reversals | (0.6) | (3.6) | (2.3) | (11.3) | (0.4) | (1.0) | (19.2) |
| Disposals and retirements | 6.9 | 0.4 | 108.3 | 53.9 | 1.7 | 15.1 | 186.3 |
| Foreign currency translation adjustments |
(2.3) | (14.4) | (25.8) | (3.3) | 0.1 | (3.1) | (48.9) |
| Changes in group structure/Other | 43.8 | 97.0 | 449.4 | 81.7 | 12.0 | (16.4) | 667.5 |
| AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2024 | (392.9) | (534.2) | (2,886.3) | (308.1) | (0.3) | (333.2) | (4,455.0) |
| Net carrying amount | |||||||
| As of December 31, 2022 | 355.8 | 415.5 | 1,138.7 | 867.5 | 266.7 | 244.4 | 3,288.6 |
| As of December 31, 2023 | 367.6 | 391.1 | 1,095.4 | 670.5 | 320.1 | 132.2 | 2,976.9 |
| AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2024 | 469.0 | 422.2 | 1,304.3 | 704.3 | 232.8 | 169.7 | 3,302.4 |
| Of which: Holding | - | - | 0.7 | 9.7 | 0.9 | 1.5 | 12.7 |
| Imerys | 269.5 | 422.2 | 1,069.6 | 154.9 | 175.0 | 39.2 | 2,130.5 |
| Canyon | 3.4 | - | 28.2 | 39.7 | 0.5 | - | 71.8 |
| Affidea | 187.7 | - | 129.0 | 319.6 | 50.3 | 28.8 | 715.3 |
| Sanoptis | 8.5 | - | 76.5 | 158.6 | 6.2 | 96.9 | 346.6 |
| GBL Capital and SIM | - | - | 0.5 | 21.6 | - | 3.3 | 25.4 |
The depreciation charges for the various periods are shown under "Other operating income (expenses) from investing activities" and "Depreciation/amortization of property, plant, equipment and intangible assets–consolidated operating activities" in the consolidated income statement.
In 2024, impairment losses net of reversals were recognized by Imerys on its property, plant and equipment in the amount of EUR 19 million (EUR 209 million in 2023). The impairment losses recognized in 2023 mainly concerned the business serving the paper market and the restructuring of industrial assets serving the Refractories market in China and Europe.
The group uses leases to obtain from the lessor the right to use certain mining, industrial and logistics equipment, as well as real estate administrative, industrial and logistical property. As of December 31, 2024, the value of these rights, recognized in "Right-of-use assets", amounted to EUR 704 million (EUR 670 million as of December 31, 2023). "Right-of-use assets" represent the following assets:
| IN EUR MILLION | Land and buildings | Mineral reserves | Fittings, machinery, equipment and rolling stock |
Assets under construction |
Other property, plant and equipment |
Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gross carrying amount | ||||||
| As of December 31, 2022 | 885.6 | - | 211.9 | - | 152.8 | 1,250.3 |
| Investments | 94.7 | - | 48.6 | - | 22.0 | 165.2 |
| Changes in group structure/ Business combinations |
77.1 | - | 0.1 | - | 1.0 | 78.2 |
| Disposals and retirements | (17.6) | - | (1.0) | - | (69.6) | (88.1) |
| Foreign currency translation adjustments |
(0.2) | - | 0.7 | - | (0.6) | (0.1) |
| Other | (396.7) | - | (33.2) | - | (8.1) | (437.9) |
| As of December 31, 2023 | 643.0 | - | 227.2 | - | 97.5 | 967.8 |
| Investments | 59.2 | - | 10.0 | - | 1.5 | 70.6 |
| Changes in group structure/ Business combinations |
30.9 | - | 3.8 | - | 0.1 | 34.8 |
| Disposals and retirements | (51.7) | - | (3.4) | - | (3.2) | (58.3) |
| Foreign currency translation adjustments |
4.5 | - | 2.4 | - | 0.6 | 7.5 |
| Other | 3.3 | - | 13.2 | - | (26.5) | (9.9) |
| AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2024 | 689.2 | - | 253.1 | - | 70.0 | 1,012.4 |
| Cumulated depreciation | ||||||
| As of December 31, 2022 | (234.9) | - | (76.9) | - | (71.0) | (382.8) |
| Depreciation | (91.8) | - | (29.0) | - | (17.6) | (138.4) |
| Impairment (losses)/reversals | - | - | - | - | (5.0) | (5.0) |
| Disposals and retirements | 13.9 | - | 0.9 | - | 26.2 | 41.1 |
| Foreign currency translation adjustments |
0.9 | - | 0.2 | - | 0.8 | 1.8 |
| Changes in group structure/Other | 158.0 | - | 22.0 | - | 5.9 | 185.9 |
| As of December 31, 2023 | (153.8) | - | (82.8) | - | (60.7) | (297.2) |
| Depreciation | (80.7) | - | (36.3) | - | (14.8) | (131.8) |
| Impairment (losses)/reversals | (11.0) | - | (0.1) | - | (0.2) | (11.3) |
| Disposals and retirements | 47.6 | - | 1.6 | - | 4.8 | 53.9 |
| Foreign currency translation adjustments |
(1.7) | - | (1.1) | - | (0.5) | (3.3) |
| As of December 31, 2022 | 650.7 | - | 135.1 | - | 81.8 | 867.5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| As of December 31, 2023 | 489.2 | - | 144.4 | - | 36.8 | 670.5 |
| AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2024 | 503.0 | - | 157.3 | - | 43.9 | 704.3 |
| Of which: Holding | 9.7 | - | - | - | - | 9.7 |
| Imerys | 71.3 | - | 49.4 | - | 34.2 | 154.9 |
| Canyon | 37.8 | - | 1.9 | - | - | 39.7 |
| Affidea | 214.7 | - | 104.8 | - | - | 319.6 |
| Sanoptis | 156.0 | - | 0.4 | - | 2.1 | 158.6 |
| GBL Capital and SIM | 13.4 | - | 0.7 | - | 7.5 | 21.6 |
Changes in group structure/Other 13.4 - 22.9 - 45.4 81.7 AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2024 (186.3) - (95.8) - (26.0) (308.1)
The right-of-use and lease liability model is applied to all leases, except leases with a term of 12 months or less, leases of low-value assets and variable lease payments and services, which are recognized in expenses (EUR 87 million in 2024 and EUR 81 million in 2023). As of December 31, 2024, "lease liabilities" recognized against "right-of-use assets" amounted to EUR 731 million (EUR 683 million as of December 31, 2023) and generated an interest expense of EUR 30 million recognized in financial income (expenses). Cash payments made in 2024 totaled EUR 160 million, broken down as EUR 130 million for the principal and EUR 30 million in interest, respectively in financing and operating activities in the consolidated statement of cash flows (respectively EUR 173 million, EUR 145 million and EUR 28 million in 2023). The group does not generate any significant revenue from leasing the freehold assets it owns, nor from the sub-lease of assets leased.
| IN EUR MILLION | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|
| Non-current financial assets | 113.6 | 600.9 |
| Derivative financial instruments - Hedging | 3.5 | 0.2 |
| Derivative financial instruments - Held for trading | 6.1 | 27.0 |
| Long-term advance payments, loans and deposits | 84.8 | 563.7 |
| Other | 19.2 | 10.0 |
| Non-current non-financial assets | 78.3 | 41.9 |
| Assets related to pension plans | 20.7 | 1.0 |
| Other | 57.6 | 40.8 |
| TOTAL | 192.0 | 642.8 |
| Of which: Holding | 9.7 | 520.7 |
| Imerys | 87.8 | 41.5 |
| Canyon | 2.5 | 2.1 |
| Affidea | 11.4 | 10.7 |
| Sanoptis | 20.7 | 9.9 |
| GBL Capital and SIM | 60.0 | 57.9 |
The heading "Long-term advance payments, loans and deposits" mainly included, as at December 31, 2023, the Concentrix note which was monetized in August 2024.
| IN EUR MILLION | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|
| Current taxes | (99.7) | (88.5) |
| For the year in progress | (100.6) | (106.6) |
| For previous years | 0.9 | 18.1 |
| Deferred taxes | 7.9 | (23.7) |
| Related to the creation and reversal of temporary differences | 0.9 | (30.1) |
| Related to changes in tax rates or new tax liabilities | 5.3 | 0.8 |
| Related to the recognition / (use) of deferred tax assets resulting from losses from previous periods | 15.9 | 2.9 |
| Other | (14.2) | 2.7 |
| TOTAL | (91.8) | (112.2) |
| IN EUR MILLION | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|
| Profit (loss) before income taxes from continuing operations | 155.0 | 499.7 |
| Share of profit (loss) of equity-accounted entities | (126.4) | (138.5) |
| Profit (loss) before income taxes and before share of profit (loss) of equity-accounted entities | 28.6 | 361.2 |
| TAXES AT BELGIAN RATE (25.00% IN 2024 AND IN 2023) | (7.2) | (90.3) |
| Impact of different tax rates in foreign countries | (10.8) | (18.2) |
| Tax impact of non-taxable income | 159.0 | 190.9 |
| Tax impact of non-deductible expenses | (140.9) | (89.2) |
| Tax impact of changes in tax rates for subsidiaries | (1.2) | 0.8 |
| Tax impact of adjustments relating to previous years or previously unrecognized deferred tax assets | 13.9 | (1.3) |
| Other | (104.6) | (104.9) |
| INCOME TAX (EXPENSE) FOR THE YEAR | (91.8) | (112.2) |
The corporate tax rate in Belgium was 25.00% in 2024, as in 2023.
The effective tax rate in 2024 stands at 320.98%, compared with 31.06% in 2023.
As a holding company, GBL is not supposed to pay tax as most of its income – dividends and capital gains – come from profits already taxed at the level of the participation. If GBL were to be taxed in turn on the dividends/capital gains, there would be double taxation. This regime is therefore not a tax advantage granted to holding companies, but quite simply a means to avoid double taxation (application of the European Parent-Subsidiary Directive).
| Deferred tax assets | Deferred tax liabilities | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IN EUR MILLION | 2024 | 2023 | 2024 | 2023 |
| Property, plant, equipment and intangible assets | 82.2 | 112.8 | (736.9) | (693.8) |
| Inventories, trade receivables, trade payables and provisions | 68.7 | 68.5 | (21.2) | (15.3) |
| Employee benefit obligations | 32.2 | 45.3 | (0.2) | (0.1) |
| Unused tax losses and credits | 81.6 | 51.1 | - | - |
| Other | 177.7 | 133.1 | (108.4) | (56.3) |
| Offsetting of assets/liabilities | (296.2) | (249.0) | 296.2 | 249.0 |
| TOTAL | 146.2 | 161.8 | (570.6) | (516.5) |
| Of which: Holding | - | - | - | - |
| Imerys | 90.3 | 114.5 | (92.8) | (81.2) |
| Canyon | 21.0 | 11.7 | (99.8) | (103.0) |
| Affidea | 26.0 | 20.2 | (150.7) | (136.1) |
| Sanoptis | 6.4 | 13.9 | (218.5) | (186.9) |
| GBL Capital and SIM | 2.5 | 1.5 | (8.9) | (9.4) |
Deferred tax assets are recognized for tax losses carried forward when their recovery is deemed probable and over an expected recovery horizon not exceeding five years. The valuation of deferred tax assets recognized in this regard is based on an analysis of the loss' constitution, the probability of recurrence of losses in the future, future business prospects and national laws limiting the use of carryforward losses. As of December 31, 2024, these deferred tax assets thus recognized amount to a total of EUR 82 million (EUR 51 million in 2023).
Beside those recognized deferred tax assets, the group has also accumulated other tax losses carried forward, with limited or unlimited lifetime, and/or tax credits that did not give rise to the recognition of a deferred tax asset because their recovery is considered uncertain.
The following table shows the evolution of those unrecognized tax losses carried forward and tax credits in 2024 and 2023:
| IN EUR MILLION | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|
| Unrecognized tax losses and credits | 10,409.7(1) | 10,767.5(2) |
| TOTAL | 10,409.7 | 10,767.5 |
| Of which: Holding | 8,916.5 | 9,767.2 |
| Imerys | 573.3 | 635.2 |
| Canyon | 0.6 | - |
| Affidea | 411.2 | 262.1 |
| Sanoptis | 128.8 | - |
| GBL Capital and SIM | 379.4 | 103.0 |
No deferred tax liabilities are recognized in relation to the temporary tax differences between the carrying amount and the tax value of investment securities if the group is able to verify the date of the temporary difference's reversal and if it is likely that this difference will not be reversed in the foreseeable future. The group estimates that the deferred tax liabilities not recognized in this regard as of December 31, 2024 amount to EUR 7 million (EUR 7 million as of December 31, 2023).
The GloBE / Pillar 2 rules of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development ("OECD"), transposed into the European Directive 2022/2523, came into effect in Belgium on January 1, 2024. They aim to ensure an effective taxation of 15% per jurisdiction for groups with an annual turnover of at least EUR 750 million.
The group operates in various jurisdictions across its various sub-groups. Based on a global assessment, the group has not identified any significant impact for the fiscal year 2024. Consequently, no tax expense related to a potential supplementary tax has been recorded as of December 31, 2024.
| IN EUR MILLION | As of January 1, 2024 | Result | Statement of comprehensive income |
Other | As of December 31, 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deferred tax assets | 161.8 | 3.1 | (7.8) | (10.9) | 146.2 |
| Deferred tax liabilities | (516.5) | 4.8 | (2.3) | (56.6) | (570.6) |
| Net | (354.7) | 7.9 | (10.1) | (67.5) | (424.4) |
| IN EUR MILLION | As of January 1, 2023 | Result | Statement of comprehensive income |
Other | As of December 31, 2023 |
| Deferred tax assets | 179.6 | (59.2) | 43.6 | (2.2) | 161.8 |
| Deferred tax liabilities | (659.4) | 35.5 | (31.5) | 138.8 | (516.5) |
| Net | (479.8) | (23.7) | 12.1 | 136.6 | (354.7) |
In 2023, the amounts included under "Other" are due to the consolidation of the new subsidiaries acquired and the deconsolidation of Webhelp.
Finally, the different taxes directly recorded under shareholders equity are shown in the following table:
| IN EUR MILLION | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|
| Actuarial gains (losses) | 16.3 | (28.5) |
| Of which amounts before taxes | 22.2 | (34.0) |
| Of which deferred taxes | (5.9) | 5.5 |
| Gains and (losses) on financial liabilities measured at fair value attributable to the acquisition of a controlling or non-controlling interest | (0.8) | 5.5 |
| Of which amounts before taxes | (1.0) | 5.8 |
| Of which deferred taxes | 0.2 | (0.3) |
| Foreign currency translation adjustments | 315.6 | 57.1 |
| Of which amounts before taxes | 316.2 | 52.9 |
| Of which deferred taxes | (0.6) | 4.2 |
| Cash flow hedge | 26.4 | 57.5 |
| Of which amounts before taxes | 30.2 | 54.8 |
| Of which deferred taxes | (3.8) | 2.7 |
| Revaluation reserves | (566.2) | (285.9) |
| Of which amounts before taxes | (566.2) | (285.9) |
| Of which deferred taxes | - | - |
| IN EUR MILLION | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|
| Raw materials, consumables and parts | 492.0 | 543.0 |
| Work in progress | 141.0 | 134.0 |
| Finished goods and goods for resale | 524.6 | 541.1 |
| GROSS TOTAL (BEFORE WRITEDOWNS) | 1,157.5 | 1,218.0 |
| Writedowns of inventory | ||
| As of January 1 | (45.2) | (52.9) |
| Writedowns over the year | (26.1) | (6.6) |
| Reversals of writedowns | 18.5 | 14.9 |
| Foreign currency translation adjustments | (0.6) | 0.8 |
| Other | 1.5 | (1.4) |
| As of December 31 | (51.9) | (45.2) |
| NET TOTAL | 1,105.7 | 1,172.8 |
| Of which: Holding | - | - |
| Imerys | 724.5 | 734.6 |
| Canyon | 351.6 | 417.9 |
| Affidea | 19.6 | 11.4 |
| Sanoptis | 10.0 | 8.9 |
| GBL Capital and SIM | - | - |
The variation of inventories recognized as an expense is EUR - 37 million in 2024 (EUR 42 million in 2023).
| IN EUR MILLION | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|
| Trade receivables | 655.2 | 619.1 |
| Writedowns of doubtful receivables | (18.1) | (18.5) |
| NET TOTAL | 637.1 | 600.6 |
| Of which: Holding | 0.2 | 1.5 |
| Imerys | 364.3 | 398.5 |
| Canyon | 5.4 | 2.9 |
| Affidea | 161.7 | 113.7 |
| Sanoptis | 91.3 | 71.7 |
| GBL Capital and SIM | 14.2 | 12.3 |
Trade receivables are mainly related to Imerys. Imerys has set up a one-off factoring program for the first time in 2023. Within this framework, Imerys retains an ongoing involvement in the assigned receivables through the risk of dilution, as well as through the obligation to return cash flows received from customers to the factor. The risks and rewards of the assigned receivables have been substantially transferred to the factor, and these receivables have been derecognized. The carrying amount of these derecognized receivables is EUR 112 million at December 31, 2024 (EUR 62 million at December 31, 2023). Maximum authorized outstandings is EUR 175 million (EUR 175 million at December 31, 2023). Trade receivables do not bear interest and generally have a 30 to 90-day maturity. At the reporting date, some of the trade receivables detailed below may be due without being impaired, for example when covered by a credit insurance contract or a guarantee.
| IN EUR MILLION | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|
| Delay of no more than 1 month | 135.7 | 124.7 |
| Delay of 1 to 3 months | 34.6 | 39.8 |
| Delay of more than 3 months | 46.2 | 38.0 |
| TOTAL TRADE RECEIVABLES DUE AND NOT WRITTEN DOWN | 216.4 | 202.5 |
| Trade receivables not due and trade receivables due and written down | 420.7 | 398.1 |
| TOTAL TRADE RECEIVABLES, NET | 637.1 | 600.6 |
The following table shows the change in write-downs over several years:
| IN EUR MILLION | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|
| WRITEDOWNS OF RECEIVABLES AT JANUARY 1 | (18.5) | (23.8) |
| Writedowns over the year | (5.6) | (9.5) |
| Utilizations | 1.1 | 1.6 |
| Reversals of writedowns | 5.1 | 11.2 |
| Foreign currency translation adjustments/other | (0.2) | 2.0 |
| WRITEDOWNS OF RECEIVABLES AT DECEMBER 31 | (18.1) | (18.5) |
| IN EUR MILLION | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|
| Money market funds | 2,077.0 | 712.4 |
| Other trading assets | 3.2 | 673.1 |
| TOTAL | 2,080.3 | 1,385.6 |
| Of which: Holding | 2,077.5 | 705.5 |
| Imerys | 2.0 | 671.9 |
| Canyon | 0.0 | 8.1 |
| Affidea | - | - |
| Sanoptis | 0.7 | - |
| GBL Capital and SIM | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| IN EUR MILLION | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|
| Current accounts | 625.8 | 506.7 |
| Term deposits | 774.8 | 638.3 |
| Treasury bonds and treasury notes | 65.9 | 53.0 |
| TOTAL | 1,466.5 | 1,198.0 |
| Of which: Holding | 613.9 | 378.5 |
| Imerys | 635.0 | 585.0 |
| Canyon | 14.3 | 16.7 |
| Affidea | 55.2 | 78.0 |
| Sanoptis | 65.2 | 52.6 |
As of December 31, 2024 and 2023, cash was completely held in current accounts, fixed-term deposits and treasury notes with various financial institutions.
| IN EUR MILLION | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|
| NON-CURRENT FINANCIAL LIABILITIES | 6,736.3 | 7,177.2 |
| Bonds (GBL) | 1,487.7 | 1,984.5 |
| Convertible bonds (GBL) | 499.9 | 499.8 |
| Exchangeable bonds (GBL) | - | 486.3 |
| Bonds (Imerys) | 1,691.5 | 1,710.7 |
| Bank borrowings (Canyon) | 107.1 | 225.3 |
| Bank borrowings (Affidea) | 1,113.6 | 741.9 |
| Bank borrowings (Sanoptis) | 1,146.0 | 899.0 |
| Bank borrowings (GBL Capital) | 17.1 | - |
| Lease liabilities | 598.9 | 574.6 |
| Other non-current financial liabilities | 74.6 | 55.0 |
| CURRENT FINANCIAL LIABILITIES | 1,330.6 | 1,173.7 |
| Bonds (GBL) | 499.6 | 499.8 |
| Exchangeable bonds (GBL) | 493.3 | - |
| Bank borrowings (Imerys) | 55.5 | 23.5 |
| Bonds (Imerys) | - | 500.0 |
| Lease liabilities | 132.2 | 108.8 |
| Other current financial liabilities | 150.0 | 41.7 |
On May 9, 2023, GBL placed a EUR 500 million institutional bond, with a 10-year maturity and a coupon of 4.000%. The carrying amount of this debt is EUR 496 million as of December 31, 2024.
On August 30, 2022, GBL placed a EUR 500 million institutional bond, with a 7-year maturity and a coupon of 3.125%. The carrying amount of this debt is EUR 496 million as of December 31, 2024.
On January 21, 2021, GBL placed a EUR 500 million institutional bond, with a 10-year maturity and a coupon of 0.125%. The carrying amount of this debt is EUR 495 million as of December 31, 2024.
On June 19, 2018, GBL placed a EUR 500 million institutional bond, with a 7-year maturity and a coupon of 1.875%. The carrying amount of this debt is EUR 500 million as of December 31, 2024.
During the first semester of 2017, GBL issued an institutional bond of EUR 500 million, with a coupon of 1.375% and that matured on May 23, 2024.
These issuances are intended to cover the group's general corporate purposes and lengthen the weighted average maturity of the gross debt.
On March 23, 2021, GBL announced the placement by its fully-owned subsidiary Sagerpar SA (the "Issuer") of EUR 500 million of bonds convertible into existing ordinary shares of GBL (the "Shares"). The bonds are fully guaranteed by GBL (the "Guarantor"). This issue initially relates to approximately 4.3 million treasury shares.
The bonds do not bear interests and had at placement a maturity of 5 years (April 1, 2026), subject to early redemption. The bonds have been issued at an issue price of 101.25% of their principal amount and, unless previously redeemed, converted or purchased and cancelled, the bonds will be redeemed in cash at their principal amount at maturity (subject to the Issuer's share redemption option), which corresponds to an annual yield to maturity of - 0.25%. The initial conversion price of the bonds has been set at EUR 117.4928. The effective interest rate (including transaction costs allocated to the debt) stands at 0.02%.
The Issuer will have the option to redeem all, but not some only, of the bonds for the time being outstanding at their principal amount, at any time since April 16, 2024 provided that the volume-weighted average price of one Share on Euronext Brussels shall have exceeded 130% of the conversion price on each of not less than 20 trading days in any period of 30 consecutive trading days. The Issuer will have a share redemption option to deliver Shares and, as the case may be, an additional amount in cash upon redemption of the Bonds on the maturity date.
Bondholders may request the conversion of their bonds at any time since April 1, 2021 until (and including) the 45th Brussels business day (included) prior to the maturity date, subject to the Issuer's option to satisfy the conversion rights in cash, shares or a combination thereof. If the Issuer elects to satisfy conversion rights in Shares, it intends to deliver existing Shares which the Issuer holds on behalf of the Guarantor as treasury shares.
The bonds are admitted to trading on the open market (Freiverkher) of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange. The carrying amount of these bonds (excluding the option) is EUR 500 million as of December 31, 2024. The option is assessed at fair value on the reporting date (EUR 0 million as of December 31, 2024, shown under "Other current financial liabilities").
On November 29, 2022, GBL (the "Issuer") issued bonds exchangeable into existing shares of Pernod Ricard SA ("Pernod Ricard") for an amount of EUR 500 million. The bonds initially related to 2.0 million Pernod Ricard shares representing approximately 1% of its share capital. The bonds have, at their issuance, a maturity of 3 years (November 29, 2025), except in case of early redemption, exchange or purchase and cancellation. The bonds carry a coupon of 2.125% per annum. The bonds were issued at an issue price of 100% of their principal amount and, unless previously redeemed, exchanged, or purchased and cancelled, will be redeemed at their principal amount at maturity on November 29, 2025.
The Issuer will have the option to redeem all, but not only some, of the bonds, at their principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest until the relevant date fixed for redemption (i) at any time on or after the date falling 2 years and 21 days after the Issue Date, provided that the value of the exchange property (being initially only Pernod Ricard shares) per bond attributable to EUR 100,000 in principal amount of bonds shall have exceeded EUR 130,000 on each of not less than 20 trading days in any period of 30 consecutive trading days; (ii) at any time, if 20% or less of the principal amount of the bonds originally issued remain outstanding; or (iii) in the event of an offer or scheme relating to the predominant equity share capital comprised in the exchange property, where the consideration as a result of such offer or scheme consists wholly of cash, all as described in the terms and conditions of the bonds.
Bondholders may request the exchange of their bonds for exchange property at any time since January 9, 2023 until 40 Brussels business days before the maturity date, subject to the option of GBL to satisfy exchange rights in cash, exchange property or a combination thereof.
The bonds are admitted to trading on the open market (Freiverkher) of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange. The carrying amount of these bonds (excluding the option) is EUR 493 million as of December 31, 2024. The option is assessed at fair value on the reporting date (EUR 0 million as of December 31, 2024, shown under "Other current financial liabilities").
Imerys further underscored its commitment in its sustainable development policy by tying its financing strategy to its environmental ambition.
Therefore, on November 29, 2023, Imerys completed an issue of bonds indexed to its sustainable development objectives (Sustainability-Linked Bonds) for a principal amount of EUR 500 million. These bonds, due to mature on November 29, 2029, bear an annual coupon of 4.75% and are admitted to trading on the regulated market of the Luxembourg Stock Exchange. Issued in accordance with the Sustainability-Linked Bond Principles as published by the International Capital Markets Association (ICMA), these instruments, through their framework, are indexed to a target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 32.7% by 2028 (tCO2 e) from a 2021 base year, as validated by the Science Based Targets initiative ("SBTi").
This includes Scope 1 emissions (direct emissions from sources owned or controlled by Imerys) and Scope 2 emissions (indirect emissions from the production of electricity, heat or steam imported or purchased by Imerys). Failure to comply with these targets at December 31, 2028 could lead to the payment of penalties corresponding to 75 basis points of the principal amount for the 2028 target. At December 31, 2024, the cumulative reduction in tons of CO2 equivalent emitted was 28.8% since 2021 (23.6% since 2021 at December 31, 2023).
On May 14, 2021, the group also completed an issue of bonds indexed to its sustainable development objectives (Sustainability-Linked Bonds) for a principal amount of EUR 300 million. These bonds, due to mature on July 15, 2031, bear an annual coupon of 1.00% and are admitted to trading on the regulated market of the Luxembourg Stock Exchange. Issued in accordance with the Sustainability-Linked Bond Principles as published by the International Capital Markets Association (ICMA), these instruments are indexed to a target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 22.9% in 2025 and 36.0% in 2030 in relation to the revenue (tCO2 e/million euros) considering 2018 as the base year, as approved by the Science Based Target initiative ("SBTi"). Failure to achieve these targets at December 31, 2025 and/or at December 31, 2030 could lead to the payment of penalties corresponding to 25 basis points of the principal amount for the 2025 target and/or 50 basis points of the principal amount for the 2030 target. At December 31, 2024, the cumulative reduction in tons of CO2 equivalent emitted per million euros of sales was 31.6% since 2018 (30.6% since 2018 at December 31, 2023).
The details of the bond issued by Imerys as of December 31, 2024 are mentioned below:
| Nominal value in currency |
Nominal interest rate |
Effective interest rate |
Listed/Unlisted | Maturity | Fair value | Carrying amount | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IN MILLION | IN EUR MILLION | IN EUR MILLION | |||||
| EUR | 600.0 | 1.50% | 1.63% | Listed | 01/15/2027 | 591.9 | 607.2 |
| EUR | 300.0 | 1.88% | 1.92% | Listed | 03/31/2028 | 294.6 | 303.9 |
| EUR | 500.0 | 4.75% | 4.82% | Listed | 11/29/2029 | 527.6 | 500.7 |
| EUR | 300.0 | 1.00% | 1.07% | Listed | 07/15/2031 | 257.0 | 300.2 |
| TOTAL | 1,671.0 | 1,712.0 |
The details of the bond issued by Imerys as of December 31, 2023 are mentioned below:
| Nominal value in currency IN MILLION |
Nominal interest rate |
Effective interest rate |
Listed/Unlisted | Maturity | Fair value IN EUR MILLION |
Carrying amount IN EUR MILLION |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EUR | 500.0 | 2.00% | 2.13% | Listed | 12/10/2024 | 492.6 | 500.1 |
| EUR | 600.0 | 1.50% | 1.63% | Listed | 01/15/2027 | 577.6 | 606.5 |
| EUR | 300.0 | 1.88% | 1.92% | Listed | 03/31/2028 | 284.2 | 303.8 |
| EUR | 500.0 | 4.75% | 4.82% | Listed | 11/29/2029 | 516.0 | 500.4 |
| EUR | 300.0 | 1.00% | 1.07% | Listed | 07/15/2031 | 242.3 | 300.0 |
| TOTAL | 2,112.7 | 2,210.8 |
Those debts coming from Imerys include as of December 31, 2024, EUR 17 million of short-term borrowings and EUR 38 million of bank overdrafts (EUR 18 million and EUR 5 million respectively as of December 31, 2023).
This item includes long-term bank loans of Canyon.
This item includes Affidea's long-term bank debt. It is composed of four bank loans of EUR 600 million, EUR 200 million, EUR 125 million and EUR 100 million, bearing a nominal interest rate of EURIBOR 3M + 4.50% and maturing on July 22, 2029. Their total carrying amount is EUR 1,114 million at December 31, 2024.
This item includes the long-term bank debt of Sanoptis.
These liabilities mature in 2025 for a total of EUR 132 million, between 2026 and 2029 for EUR 320 million and EUR 279 million thereafter.
As of December 31, 2024, the group had undrawn credit lines with various financial institutions totaling EUR 3,740 million (EUR 3,909 million as of December 31, 2023). These credit facilities are available mainly to GBL and Imerys in the amounts of EUR 2,450 million and EUR 1,010 million respectively (EUR 2,450 million and EUR 1,010 million as of December 31, 2023).
With regards to GBL, all credit lines mature in 2029. Committed credit lines do not have financial covenants, meaning that, under its credit contracts, GBL has no obligations in terms of compliance with financial ratios.
The table below mentions the reconciliation in 2024 and 2023 between the financial debts included in the consolidated balance sheet and the amounts from the consolidated statement of cash flows:
| IN EUR MILLION | As of January 1, 2024 |
Cash flow variation |
Acquisitions/ sales of subsidiaries |
Impact of exchange rates change |
Other movements |
As of December 31, 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Financial liabilities - Non-current liabilities | 7,177.2 | 505.5 | 62.0 | 32.1 | (1,040.5) | 6,736.3 |
| Financial liabilities - Current liabilities | 1,173.7 | (1,035.9) | 46.7 | (22.5) | 1,168.6 | 1,330.6 |
| TOTAL | 8,350.9 | (530.4) | 108.7 | 9.6 | 128.1 | 8,066.9 |
| IN EUR MILLION | As of January 1, 2023 |
Cash flow variation |
Acquisitions/ sales of |
Impact of exchange rates |
Other movements |
As of December 31, 2023 |
| subsidiaries | change | |||||
| Financial liabilities - Non-current liabilities | 8,714.7 | 940.6 | (14.1) | (2.3) | (2,461.7) | 7,177.2 |
| Financial liabilities - Current liabilities | 1,654.6 | (421.3) | (1.6) | 1.8 | (59.9) | 1,173.7 |
"Other movements" in 2024 were mainly due to reclassifications between non-current and current liabilities. In 2023, this item resulted mainly from the reclassification of Webhelp's debt to "Assets and liabilities associated with assets held for sale" on March 29, 2023, and the repayment of GBL's bank debt by Holcim shares.
The change in cash and cash equivalents shown in the above table is reconciled with the consolidated statement of cash flows as follows:
| IN EUR MILLION | As of December 31, 2024 |
As of December 31, 2023 |
|---|---|---|
| Cash flow variation | (530.4) | 519.3 |
| Of which: proceeds from financial liabilities | 587.0 | 3,291.1 |
| repayments of financial liabilities | (1,117.4) | (2,771.8) |
| IN EUR MILLION | 2025 | 2026-2029 | 2030 and beyond | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| As of December 31, 2024 | Principal | Interests | Principal | Interests | Principal | Interests |
| Non-current financial liabilities | - | 123.5 | 5,119.8 | 679.3 | 1,629.3 | 155.2 |
| Other non-current financial liabilities | - | - | 680.8 | - | 396.7 | - |
| Non-current derivative financial instruments | - | - | 35.5 | - | - | - |
| Current financial liabilities | 1,389.4 | 85.5 | - | - | - | - |
| Trade payables | 630.0 | - | - | - | - | - |
| Current derivative financial instruments | 46.5 | - | - | - | - | - |
| Other current financial liabilities | 227.4 | 0.2 | - | - | - | - |
| TOTAL | 2,293.3 | 209.2 | 5,836.1 | 679.3 | 2,025.9 | 155.2 |
| IN EUR MILLION | 2024 | 2025-2028 | 2029 and beyond | |||
| As of December 31, 2023 | ||||||
| Principal | Interests | Principal | Interests | Principal | Interests | |
| Non-current financial liabilities | - | 157.7 | 3,456.8 | 773.8 | 3,723.7 | 212.1 |
| Other non-current financial liabilities | - | - | 796.1 | 6.6 | 285.6 | - |
| Non-current derivative financial instruments | - | - | 8.6 | - | - | - |
| Current financial liabilities | 1,155.2 | 70.9 | - | - | - | - |
| Trade payables | 571.5 | - | - | - | - | - |
| Current derivative financial instruments | 46.2 | - | - | - | - | - |
| Other current financial liabilities | 545.3 | 0.2 | - | - | - | - |
| IN EUR MILLION | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|
| Current financial assets | 100.9 | 60.3 |
| Derivative financial instruments held for trading | 56.4 | 25.5 |
| Derivative financial instruments - Hedging | 20.8 | 13.7 |
| Other | 23.6 | 21.1 |
| 383.4 | 377.1 | |
| Current non financial assets Tax assets other than those related to income taxes |
104.1 | 101.1 |
| Other taxes and VAT to be recovered | 122.3 | 124.1 |
| Deferred expenses | 64.1 | 57.7 |
| Other | 92.8 | 94.2 |
| TOTAL | 484.2 | 437.4 |
| Of which: Holding | 27.8 | 39.4 |
|---|---|---|
| Imerys | 218.0 | 253.7 |
| Canyon | 41.8 | 29.9 |
| Affidea | 80.3 | 50.9 |
| Sanoptis | 100.4 | 49.2 |
| GBL Capital and SIM | 16.0 | 14.4 |
| Number of issued shares | Of which treasury shares | |
|---|---|---|
| As of December 31, 2022 | 153,000,000 | 12,222,870 |
| Change | (6,300,000) | 4,708,383 |
| As of December 31, 2023 | 146,700,000 | 16,931,253 |
| Change | (8,300,000) | (4,040,610) |
| AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2024 | 138,400,000 | 12,890,643 |
As of December 31, 2024, the group held 12,890,643 treasury shares, or 9.31% of the issued capital, the acquisition cost of which is deducted from shareholders' equity; 4,298,723 of which are used to hedge the convertible bond.
The Extraordinary General Meeting of May 2, 2024 approved the cancellation of 8,300,000 own shares acquired by GBL. The capital is therefore represented by 138,400.000 shares.
In 2024, GBL acquired and sold/cancelled respectively 4,692,526 and 8,733,136 shares (to compare with respectively 12,013,110 and 7,304,727 in 2023) for an overall net amount of EUR - 290 million.
Information on acquisitions of treasury shares by GBL or its subsidiaries has been published on a weekly basis on the GBL website.
On May 13, 2024, a gross dividend of EUR 2.75 per share (EUR 2.75 in 2023) was paid to the shareholders.
The proposition will be made to the General Shareholders Meeting of May 2, 2025 to approve the profit distribution relating to the 2024 financial year, amounting to a total of EUR 666 million, and which will be paid as from May 13, 2025. Based on the number of shares entitled to dividends (133,143,519), the distribution relating to 2024 will correspond to a gross dividend of EUR 5.00 per GBL share.
| IN EUR MILLION | Product guarantees | Environment | Legal, social and regulatory risks |
Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| As of December 31, 2022 | 5.6 | 260.7 | 215.3 | 481.6 |
| Additions | 4.0 | 17.8 | 59.0 | 80.9 |
| Uses | (2.9) | (13.1) | (21.1) | (37.1) |
| Reversals | (0.4) | (1.6) | (16.5) | (18.5) |
| Impact of discounting | - | 3.0 | - | 3.0 |
| Changes in group structure/Business combinations | - | 5.7 | 0.7 | 6.4 |
| Foreign currency translation adjustments | (0.1) | (0.7) | (2.8) | (3.6) |
| Other | 0.0 | 15.7 | (20.2) | (4.4) |
| As of December 31, 2023 | 6.3 | 287.5 | 214.4 | 508.2 |
| Additions | 20.5 | 10.6 | 46.2 | 77.4 |
| Uses | (3.3) | (11.9) | (27.5) | (42.7) |
| Reversals | (0.1) | (1.6) | (22.5) | (24.2) |
| Impact of discounting | - | 3.0 | - | 3.0 |
| Changes in group structure/Business combinations | - | 1.2 | 0.4 | 1.6 |
| Foreign currency translation adjustments | 0.0 | 3.6 | 2.2 | 5.9 |
| Other | 0.0 | (31.3) | (25.1) | (56.3) |
| AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2024 | 23.5 | 261.2 | 188.1 | 472.9 |
| Of which current provisions | 19.0 | 23.9 | 16.1 | 59.0 |
| Of which non-current provisions | 4.5 | 237.3 | 172.0 | 413.9 |
The group's provisions totaled EUR 473 million as of December 31, 2024 (EUR 508 million in 2023). They mainly relate to Imerys (EUR 418 million in 2024 and EUR 470 million in 2023).
The probability of settlement and the amount of the obligations are estimated by the group, that generally calls upon in-house company experts to approve the key assumptions, taking into account the anticipated effects, regulatory changes where applicable, and independent counsel regarding material disputes and claims. The resulting estimates are subject to change depending on the uncertainties specific to each dispute. Independent counsel handles allegations of personal or financial damage implicating the civil liability of the group and potential breaches of contractual obligations or regulations on social, real estate and environmental issues. The provisions set aside for these risks are included in the EUR 188 million of provisions for legal, social and regulatory risks in the table of changes mentioned above. This includes in particular the balance of the provision set aside to resolve the litigation involving Imerys' talc operations in the US, the materiality of which justifies a specific development.
On February 13, 2019, the group's three North American talc subsidiaries decided to file for the protection, with immediate effect, of the special legal process of Chapter 11 under US bankruptcy law in order to permanently resolve the potential liabilities related to their historic commercial talc operations in the United States.Under Chapter 11, the group remains the legal owner of the share capital of the North American talc subsidiaries, but their businesses are under the judicial control of the relevant Federal Court for the District of Delaware (the "Bankruptcy Court"). This Court oversees the continuing operations of the entities concerned as well as the conclusion and execution of a business reorganization plan that the North American talc subsidiaries have sought to negotiate with representatives of existing and future potential talc claimants. The Chapter 11 process suspended all ongoing litigation proceedings and enjoined any further claims being brought against these entities relating to their talc operations.
Given effective control of the North American talc subsidiaries was transferred on February 13, 2019 to the court to repay creditors, the assets and liabilities held by the North American talc subsidiaries were removed from the scope of consolidation of the group's financial statements from this date forward, which led to an additional expense of EUR - 6 million.
Negotiations between the North American talc subsidiaries, which were joined by Imerys Talc Italy, the group and the representatives of claimants led to the agreement on May 15, 2020 of a joint reorganization plan, which was filed on the same day with the Bankruptcy Court.The plan provides that once the necessary approvals have been obtained, the talc subsidiaries involved will come out of the Chapter 11 process and the group will be released from all existing and future talc related liabilities arising out of past operations of the talc subsidiaries involved, as such liabilities will be channeled into a dedicated trust to be established.
Following the approval in January 2021 by the Bankruptcy Court of the disclosure statement filed in conjunction with the plan and in accordance with its terms, the North American talc subsidiaries sold their assets to Magris Resources, a Canadian investment fund, for USD 223 million on February 17, 2021.
In April 2021, the plan was approved at a qualified majority exceeding the 75% voting threshold of the creditors and claimants against the talc subsidiaries involved which is required under the applicable lows. However, in October 2021, the Bankruptcy Court issued a ruling that certain ballots cast in favor of the plan will not be counted and, as a consequence, the approval of the plan fell just short of the required 75% majority vote.
As a result, the North American talc subsidiaries, the representatives of the claimants, and other stakeholders in the Chapter 11 process have engaged in a mediation approved by the Bankruptcy Court, with a successively extended timeline, to reach a revised plan that will achieve the required 75% majority approval vote.
The progress in the mediation and negotiation process to agree on a revised plan has been delayed by the distraction of certain mediation parties caused by successive Chapter 11 petitions commenced by newly formed subsidiaries of the Johnson & Johnson ("J&J") group specifically created for this purpose. These separate and specific Chapter 11 cases have been highly contested judicially and involved many of the same stakeholders, including claimants, as the Chapter 11 of the North American talc subsidiaries.
After the dismissals by the relevant district courts of New Jersey of two successive petitions in January and then August 2023, a new Johnson & Johnson affiliate commenced in September 2024 a Chapter 11 case in the bankruptcy court for the Southern District of Texas.
The mediation and negotiations between the mediation parties have finally succeeded in an agreement on a revised plan, together with all supporting documents required for its implementation, which were first filed in January 2024 before the Bankruptcy Court and thereafter supplemented by several successive amendments.
In May 2024, J&J and its new J&J affiliate announced that they had reached an in-principle agreement with all parties involved in the Chapter 11 cases of the North American talc subsidiaries and Cyprus Mines, one of the previous owners of certain talc assets of North American talc subsidiaries which had initiated in April 2021 a concurring Chapter 11 process before the same Bankruptcy Court. This agreement provides for the settlement of all claims between the relevant signing parties, including those relating to indemnity claims of the North American talc subsidiaries and Cyprus Mines against J&J, in consideration of the payment by J&J of at least USD 505 million to the North American talc subsidiaries and Cyprus Mines, or the Trust (the "J&J Settlement"). The J&J Settlement was approved by the Bankruptcy Court on October 31, 2024 and, in accordance with its obligations, a significant share of the settlement amount was paid by J&J in February 2025 to an escrow account of the North American talc subsidiaries.
Following the filing of the last amended version of the revised plan and associated documents, incorporating the J&J settlement terms, the Bankruptcy Court entered on November 5, 2024 an order approving its disclosure statement and authorizing, among other things, the North American talc subsidiaries to solicit votes on the revised plan from the creditors and claimants against them.
The revised plan includes without any change the terms and conditions of the settlement with the group as embedded in the plan announced in May 2020. The key amendments to the plan as now reflected in the revised plan, relate to (i) the structure and governance of the trust applicable to the receipt and management of the financial proceeds from the various financial contributors to the revised plan, (ii) the allocation rules of the trust assets among talc claimants alleging different injuries; (iii) the J&J settlement agreement; and (iv) the detailed procedures applicable to the approval of the revised plan, reflecting in particular their alignment and joint approval with the concurring Chapter 11 case of Cyprus Mines.
On January 5, 2025, the revised plan was approved by more than 90% of the voting creditors and claimants against the talc subsidiaries involved and therefore exceeded the 75% legally required approval threshold.
Imerys Talc Italy has been named in the past in a small number of talc related lawsuits in the United States. Therefore, following the approval of the revised plan and as provided under its terms since May 2020, Imerys Talc Italy also intends to file for Chapter 11 protection and join the revised plan in March 2025 subject to requisite corporate approvals. This will allow Imerys Talc Italy to benefit from the same comprehensive and permanent resolution of historic talc-related liabilities as the North American talc subsidiaries. Imerys Talc Italy's business will remain part of the group throughout and after the closing of the Chapter 11 proceedings.
In the absence of objection to this voting result, the Chapter 11 cases are now proceeding towards a confirmation hearing with the Bankruptcy Court, which is currently scheduled in the second quarter of 2025. Subject to the confirmation of the revised plan by the Bankruptcy Court, this ruling must then be reviewed and affirmed by another relevant U.S. Federal District Court of Delaware. These judicial decisions may also be subject to potential appeals from third parties.
Under the terms and conditions of the settlement with the group as embedded in the plan and restated in the revised plan, the group's contribution consists of (i) a minimum cash payment of USD 75.0 million, (ii) the proceeds from the sale of the assets of the North American talc subsidiaries at a price of USD 223.0 million, and (iii) certain other components further outlined in the revised plan. These commitments primarily include certain insurance assets, financing of minor unsecured trade claims (USD 5.0 million), and certain excess administrative costs of the Chapter 11 process incurred by the talc subsidiaries involved up to a maximum of USD 15.0 million. In a separate agreement related to the revised plan, the group has agreed in February 2025 to reimburse certain specific outside legal fees (USD 1.4 million) of a single law firm representing plaintiffs against the talc subsidiaries involved.
On the basis of the revised plan and the current state of the Chapter 11 process, at the date the group's 2024 financial results were approved, executive management reviewed with the help of independent third-party experts and reiterated its prior estimate of the risk related to the resolution of the Chapter 11 procedure and the forecast financial impact for the group. A provision of EUR 250.0 million was initially accrued in Imerys' 2018 consolidated financial accounts, bearing in mind that the North American talc subsidiaries have been deconsolidated since February 13,2019. On December 31, 2024, the provision recognized in the Imerys financial statements, which amounted respectively to USD 78.7 million and EUR 32.7 million, was considered appropriate to cover the expected financial impact of the revised plan for the group.
Imerys' and Canyon's provisions to hedge product guarantees amount to EUR 24 million and have a probable maturity ranging from 2025 to 2029.
Finally, the group (overwhelmingly Imerys) establishes provisions to hedge the environmental risks resulting from its industrial activity and provisions for the rehabilitation of mining sites at the end of their operating lifetimes. These provisions totaled EUR 261 million as of December 31, 2024 (EUR 287 million in 2023). The corresponding obligations are expected to mature between 2025 and 2029 for EUR 85 million, between 2030 and 2039 for EUR 103 million and as from 2040 for EUR 73 million.
In this type of retirement plan, whose future level is not guaranteed to the beneficiaries, the employer commits to pay regular contributions to the third parties (retirement funds, insurance companies or financial institutions) on a mandatory basis (statutory or regulatory provisions) or an optional basis (supplementary retirement plan voluntarily provided by the company).
The amounts are paid during the year in which they are due. The total amount of contributions paid for defined contribution plans is EUR 20 million in 2024 (EUR 25 million in 2023). These plans are mostly granted to Imerys employees.
In this type of plan, the group guarantees to the beneficiaries the level of the benefit that will be paid in the future. The beneficiaries of these plans are employees who are acquiring entitlements in exchange for services rendered to the group (active beneficiaries), employees who are no longer acquiring entitlements in exchange for services rendered to the group and former employees outside the group (deferred beneficiaries), as well as former retired employees (retired beneficiaries).
The valuation of retirement benefit obligations and other employee benefits is carried out by independent actuaries. These plans may be financed by insurance companies (group insurance), retirement funds or independent entities. Two plans accounted for 65.2% of the group's total commitment as of December 31, 2024. These are the UK plan–the Imerys UK Pension Scheme (Imerys UK) and the US plan–the Imerys USA Retirement Growth Account Plan (Imerys USA).
The table below sets out their main characteristics:
| Imerys UK | Imerys USA | |
|---|---|---|
| Eligibility | ||
| Hiring limit date | 12/31/2004 | 03/31/2010 |
| Retirement age | 65 | 65 |
| Description of the benefits | ||
| Terms of payment | Annuity (1) | Capital (2) |
| Revaluation based on the consumer price index | Yes | No |
| End date of cumulated rights | 03/31/2015 | 12/31/2014 |
| Regulatory framework | ||
| Minimum employer funding obligation | Yes (3) | Yes (3) |
| Minimum beneficiary contribution obligation | Yes | No |
| Governance | ||
| Trustees representing the employer | Yes | Yes |
| Trustees representing beneficiaries | Yes | No |
| Independent trustees | Yes | No |
| Responsibility of trustees | ||
| Definition of the investment strategy | Yes | Yes |
| Negotiation of deficit refinancing with the employer | Yes | - |
| Administrative management of benefit payments | Yes | Yes |
The duration of these two plans is 10 years for Imerys UK and 9 years for Imerys USA (respectively 11 years and 8 years as of December 31, 2023).
The main issue related to the financial management of employee benefits is the control of the funding ratio of obligations, i.e., the ratio between the value of plan assets and the value of the obligations. The funding ratio of obligations may be deteriorated by a decorrelation between a change in value (generally negative) of plan assets and a change in value (generally positive) of obligations. The value of plan assets may be reduced by deteriorating the fair value of investments. The value of obligations may rise for all plans after a drop in discount rates or benefits paid as life annuities, either due to an increase in the inflation rates used to remeasure the obligations of certain plans, or due to an increase in the life expectancy of beneficiaries.
(1) Annuity calculated based on number of years of service provided, annual salary on retirement and average of three last annual salaries
(2) Principal at a guaranteed interest rate (Cash Balance Plan) (3) The employer is obliged to fund each unit of service provided at 100% on the basis of a funding evaluation
The strategy to control the obligation funding level consists firstly of optimizing the value of the plan assets. Investment strategies are therefore devised to deliver a steady return while also taking advantage of opportunities with limited or moderate risks levels. The choice of investments is specific to each plan and factors in the duration of the plan as well as minimum funding regulatory constraints.
Since 2011, Imerys has pursued a specific strategy to control the funding ratio of obligations in the UK in particular, which defines plan asset investments to match the obligation. The strategy, known as Liability Driven Investment (LDI), controls the funding ratio of the obligation by pegging cash inflows to cash outflows over the duration of the obligation. In practice, it involves structuring the portfolio of plan assets so that the cash inflows generated by the return on investments match the cash outflows generated by the payment of benefits. It hedges the risk of an increase in the obligation due to a drop in discount rates or an increase in inflation rates by covering a portion of the value of the regularly revised obligation.
The group funds the majority of employee benefits with investments unavailable to third parties in trusts or insurance contracts legally separate from the group. These investments, classified as plan assets, stood at EUR 1,050 million as of December 31, 2024 (EUR 1,004 million as of December 31, 2023). Imerys also has reimbursement rights, in other words investments held directly by the group, which came to EUR 0 million as of December 31, 2024 (EUR 0 million as of December 31, 2023). The obligation funding ratio therefore stood at 92.2% as of December 31, 2024 (85.5% as of December 31, 2023).
A provision of EUR 106 million was recognized as of December 31, 2024 for the funded and unfunded plan deficit (EUR 183 million as of December 31, 2023), as the following table shows:
| IN EUR MILLION | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|
| Obligations funded by plan assets | (980.6) | (1,019.5) |
| Obligations funded by reimbursement rights | (0.3) | (0.3) |
| Fair value of plan assets | 1,050.2 | 1,004.3 |
| Restrictions on recognized assets | (17.5) | (13.3) |
| Fair value of reimbursement rights | 0.2 | 0.2 |
| FUNDING SURPLUS (DEFICIT) | 52.0 | (28.6) |
| Unfunded obligations | (158.1) | (154.3) |
| ASSETS/(PROVISION) | (106.0) | (182.9) |
| Of which: Non-current liabilities | (126.7) | (183.8) |
| Non-current assets | 20.7 | 1.0 |
The assets held by the group to fund employee benefits generated real interest of EUR - 9 million in 2024 (EUR 41 million in 2023), as presented in the table below. In accordance with current regulations, only a normative share of this return was credited to profit or loss in 2024, amounting to EUR 38 million (EUR 36 million in 2023), calculated based on the discount rate used on the obligations. The surplus real return above the normative return was registered to shareholders' equity in the amount of EUR -46 million in 2024 (EUR 4 million in 2023).
| IN EUR MILLION | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|
| Balance as of January 1 | 1,004.3 | 939.5 |
| Employer's contributions | 66.9 | 34.0 |
| Participants' contributions | 6.7 | 6.5 |
| Benefits paid | (70.2) | (66.4) |
| Foreign currency translation adjustments | 35.8 | 14.0 |
| Real return on assets | (8.7) | 40.5 |
| Normative return (profit or loss) | 37.7 | 36.1 |
| Adjustment to the real return (shareholders' equity) | (46.5) | 4.4 |
| Changes in group structure/Business combinations | 12.3 | 17.5 |
| Other movements | 3.1 | 18.7 |
| BALANCE AS OF DECEMBER 31 | 1,050.2 | 1,004.3 |
| IN % | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|
| Shares | 11% | 17% |
| Listed | 11% | 17% |
| Unlisted | - | - |
| Bonds | 65% | 57% |
| Listed | 65% | 57% |
| Unlisted | - | - |
| Real estate | 3% | 2% |
| Other | 21% | 24% |
| TOTAL | 100% | 100% |
| IN EUR MILLION | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|
| Balance as of January 1 | 1,174.1 | 1,100.8 |
| Current service costs for the period | 24.3 | 19.1 |
| Interest expense | 43.8 | 45.4 |
| Actuarial losses (gains) from: | (70.8) | 36.1 |
| changes to demographic assumptions | (3.6) | (11.1) |
| changes to financial assumptions | (57.3) | 30.7 |
| experience adjustments | (10.0) | 16.5 |
| Benefits paid | (76.5) | (72.4) |
| Changes in group structure/Business combinations | 10.9 | 6.5 |
| Foreign currency translation adjustments | 30.7 | 12.0 |
| Other movements | 2.3 | 26.6 |
| BALANCE AS OF DECEMBER 31 | 1,138.9 | 1,174.1 |
| IN EUR MILLION | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|
| Current service costs for the period | 24.3 | 19.1 |
| Interest expense | 43.8 | 45.4 |
| Normative return on the assets of defined benefit plans | (37.7) | (36.1) |
| Amounts recognized in profit or loss | 30.4 | 28.4 |
| Surplus real return on assets above their normative return | 46.5 | (4.4) |
| Actuarial losses (gains) from post-employment benefits due to: | (70.8) | 36.1 |
| changes to demographic assumptions | (3.6) | (11.1) |
| changes to financial assumptions | (57.3) | 30.7 |
| experience adjustments | (10.0) | 16.5 |
| Restrictions on recognized assets | 2.1 | 2.3 |
| Amounts recognized in shareholders' equity - (credit)/debit | (22.2) | 34.0 |
| TOTAL | 8.2 | 62.4 |
<-- PDF CHUNK SEPARATOR -->
The change in the amounts recognized in the statement of financial position is explained in the following table:
| IN EUR MILLION | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|
| Amounts recognized as of January 1 | 182.9 | 172.0 |
| Net expense recognized in profit or loss | 30.4 | 28.4 |
| Contributions paid | (79.9) | (46.5) |
| Actuarial (gains)/losses and ceiling on assets recognized in shareholders' equity | (22.2) | 34.0 |
| Changes in group structure/Business combinations/Foreign currency translation adjustments and other | (5.2) | (5.0) |
| AMOUNTS RECOGNIZED AS OF DECEMBER 31 | 106.0 | 182.9 |
| Of which: Holding | 1.9 | 1.9 |
| Imerys | 76.7 | 159.6 |
| Canyon | - | 0.2 |
| Affidea | 15.5 | 13.1 |
| Sanoptis | 11.6 | 7.6 |
During the financial year 2024, a net debit amount of EUR 16 million related to actuarial gains and losses and the ceiling on recognized assets was charged directly to comprehensive income, i.e., EUR 22 million gross less EUR 6 million in related taxes (a net credit amount of EUR 28 million as of December 31, 2023, i.e., EUR 34 million gross less EUR 6 million in related taxes).
The actuarial assumptions used to value the defined benefit plans are presented below:
| IN % | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|
| Discount rate | 1.0% - 29.0% | 1.5% - 27.0% |
| Average salary increase rate | 1.0% - 25.3% | 0.8% - 24.0% |
| Inflation rate | 1.5% - 6.0% | 1.5% - 6.0% |
More specifically for the two monetary zones where the largest commitments are located (the United Kingdom and the United States), the actuarial assumptions were as follows in 2024:
| IN % | United Kingdom |
United States |
|---|---|---|
| Discount rate | 5.4% | 5.3% |
| Average salary increase rate | 2.9% | 2.9% |
| Inflation rate | 3.0% | 3.0% |
Among these estimates, it is the discount rate that has the most significant impact on the group's financial statements.
The following table presents the impact of a reasonably estimated change in discount rates following a possible decrease (lower case) or increase (higher case) in the assumption applied to the financial statements as of December 31, 2024 (actual 2024). The impact of these changes is measured on three aggregates (obligation, net interest and current service cost) in the two monetary zones in which the most significant obligations have been undertaken (the United Kingdom and the United States). The reasonably estimated change in discount rates has been set at 50 basis points, based on the weighted average change in discount rates in the United Kingdom and the United States over the last five years.
| IN EUR MILLION | Low Simulation | Central/Base scenario | High Simulation |
|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | |||
| Discount rate | 4.9% | 5.4% | 5.9% |
| Obligation at the reporting date | 583.4 | 554.7 | 528.5 |
| Net interest in 2025 profit or loss (1) | (0.5) | 1.0 | 2.6 |
| Current service costs in 2025 profit or loss (2) | - | - | - |
| United States | |||
| Discount rate | 4.8% | 5.3% | 5.8% |
| Obligation at the reporting date | 196.7 | 187.9 | 179.9 |
| Net interest in 2025 profit or loss (1) | (0.5) | (0.1) | 0.4 |
| Current service costs in 2025 profit or loss (2) | (0.4) | (0.4) | (0.4) |
At constant scope of consolidation and all other things being equal, the amount of the contributions to the various defined retirement benefit plans is estimated at EUR 23 million for 2025.
| IN EUR MILLION | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|
| Non-current financial liabilities | 417.4 | 423.1 |
| Debt on minority shareholders | 370.9 | 367.8 |
| Derivative financial instruments held for trading | 5.7 | 9.7 |
| Derivative financial instruments - Hedging | 11.0 | 6.3 |
| Other | 29.7 | 39.3 |
| Non-current non-financial liabilities | 105.6 | 49.3 |
| Debt on minority shareholders | 50.7 | 2.0 |
| Liabilities related to cash-settled share-based payments | 1.6 | 4.9 |
| Other | 53.2 | 42.4 |
| TOTAL | 523.0 | 472.4 |
|---|---|---|
| Of which: Holding | 50.4 | 7.2 |
| Imerys | 20.6 | 18.7 |
| Canyon | - | - |
| Affidea | 65.9 | 56.2 |
| Sanoptis | 335.8 | 355.5 |
| GBL Capital and SIM | 50.2 | 34.8 |
As of December 31, 2024, the debt on minority shareholders is mainly related to Sanoptis (EUR 324 million as of December 31, 2024 and EUR 312 million as of December 31, 2023). This represents the discounted value as at the reporting date based on the expected individual exercise dates of the put options of the minority shareholders.
The Sanoptis business model specifies, among other things, that the lead doctors in their clinics do not leave the company as shareholders or doctors in the event of a sale of clinics to Sanoptis. The remaining shares held by the doctors are subject to specific minimum holding periods. Call and put options on such shares are negotiated between Sanoptis and the sellers at the time of acquisitions, so that after expiry of the holding periods and upon fulfilment of certain contractually agreed conditions, the remaining shares of the minority shareholders can be sold to Sanoptis by executing the put options at purchase prices determined at the time of the original transactions. The sales price is generally determined based on the average EBITDA of a specific period under review for the target company and an individually agreed multiple on this.
| IN EUR MILLION | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|
| Current financial liabilities | 227.4 | 122.6 |
| Derivative financial instruments held for trading | 30.1 | 5.1 |
| Derivative financial instruments - Hedging | 16.5 | 41.1 |
| Debt on minority shareholders | 60.3 | - |
| Other | 120.5 | 76.3 |
| Current non-financial liabilities | 613.0 | 606.9 |
| Social security liabilities | 242.9 | 203.0 |
| Tax liabilities other than those related to income tax | 56.2 | 63.1 |
| Other | 313.9 | 340.8 |
| TOTAL | 840.4 | 729.4 |
| Of which: Holding | 69.4 | 76.0 |
|---|---|---|
| Imerys | 363.3 | 396.8 |
| Canyon | 16.5 | 27.0 |
| Affidea | 188.0 | 152.9 |
| Sanoptis | 164.1 | 44.8 |
| GBL Capital and SIM | 39.2 | 31.9 |
The other current non-financial liabilities mainly include a debt related to fixed assets at Imerys' level for EUR 86 million.
At December 31, 2024, Imerys still held three entities serving the paper market in Asia. These entities are to be sold to Flacks Group under the terms of the sale agreement, but the corresponding transactions had not yet been completed as at December 31, 2024 (see section on Scope of consolidation). Details of contributions to the consolidated statement of financial position are given below. Equity attributable to equity holders of the parent includes EUR - 3 million in currency translation adjustments, which can be recycled to the income statement.
The table below shows the balance sheet contributions of this company:
| IN EUR MILLION | 2024 |
|---|---|
| Assets held for sale | 21.7 |
| Non-current assets | 10.7 |
| Current assets | 11.1 |
| Liabilities associated with assets held for sale | 8.9 |
| Non-current liabilities | 4.0 |
| Current liabilities | 4.9 |
At December 31, 2023, the assets and liabilities associated with assets held for sale and discontinued operations included Imerys' Greek bauxite production business and AMB III's Beltaste-Vanreusel business.
| IN EUR MILLION | 2024 |
|---|---|
| Assets held for sale | 173.1 |
| Non-current assets | 132.9 |
| Current assets | 40.2 |
| Liabilities associated with assets held for sale | 91.9 |
| Non-current liabilities | 64.5 |
| Current liabilities | 27.4 |
Considering the specific nature of each of the entities consolidated in the group's financial statements and their widely differing activities (financial for GBL and operational for Imerys, Canyon, Affidea and Sanoptis), each entity manages risks independently.
The main risks identified at group level are the foreign exchange risk, the stock exchange risk, the interest rate risk, the energy price risk, the market liquidity risk, the conversion of financial statements risk and the credit risk (mainly for Imerys).
Foreign exchange risk is defined as the risk whereby a cash flow labeled in foreign currency may be subject to a deterioration caused by an unfavorable change in its counterpart in functional currency. The group is exposed to foreign exchange risk through:
The transactions performed by the group are accounted for, wherever possible, in the functional currency of the entity that carries out the transaction. When it is not possible to record a transaction in the functional currency of the entity, the transactional currency risk may be hedged on an individual basis using forwards, swaps or options. The corresponding instruments qualify as cash flow hedges.
Stock exchange risk is defined as the risk whereby the portfolio of the group (other equity investments and trading assets) may be influenced by an unfavorable change of market prices. The group is exposed, due to the very nature of its activities, to market fluctuations of its portfolio. The volatility of the financial markets, moreover, can have an impact on the share price of GBL. As of December 31, 2024, a 10% appreciation/ depreciation in the market price of all portfolio investments in listed companies as well as on the derivative instruments (options, exchangeable and convertible bonds) would have an impact of EUR 785 million and EUR - 785 million on shareholders' equity and of EUR 6 million and EUR - 6 million on the annual income statement.
Interest rate risk is defined as the risk whereby the interest flow related to financial liabilities, on the one hand, and gross cash, on the other hand, may be deteriorated by an unfavorable change of interest rates. Regarding financial liabilities, a modification of interest rates has a limited impact on GBL's profit (loss) because the vast majority of its financial liabilities is issued at fixed interest rates. As regards cash, GBL has chosen to continue to give priority to liquidity while limiting counterparty risk. Cash is therefore invested on a very short-term basis so that it can be mobilized at any time to contribute to the group's flexibility and security in the event of investment or the materialization of external risks. Imerys' strategy focuses on obtaining finances mainly in euros, which is the most accessible fixed-rate financial resource. Medium-term fixed-rate bond issues can be converted to floating rates using interest rate swaps.
At Canyon, Affidea and Sanoptis, bank debt is also at variable rates, and in order to protect itself against rising interest rates, those companies entered into interest rate hedging instruments since 2023.
In terms of sensitivity, a decrease or increase of interest rates (Euribor, SONIA and SOFR) of 0.5% would respectively have an impact on the net financial debt of the group of EUR - 3 million and EUR 3 million.
Energy price risk is the risk whereby the cash outflow due in relation to energy purchases may be subject to a deterioration by a rise in its market price. Imerys is exposed to the price risk of energy used in the production cycle of its activities, mainly natural gas, electricity and, to a lesser extent, coal. To manage energy price risk, Imerys sources its energy from a variety of geographical locations and sources. The group aims at impacting the increase in energy onto the selling price of its products. Energy price risk is hedged using forward and option contracts, instruments that qualify as cash flow hedges. In terms of sensitivity, a 10% decrease or increase of natural gas and Brent prices on the portfolio of derivative instruments held at December 31, 2024 with respect to highly probable future purchases of natural gas and Brent would have an impact on equity (effective portion of cash flow hedges) of EUR - 4 million and EUR 4 million respectively, and on the income statement (ineffective portion of cash flow hedges and non-hedge derivative instruments) of EUR 0 million and EUR 0 million.
Market liquidity risk is the risk whereby the group would not be in a position to meet the repayment obligations of its financial liabilities due to the non-renewal of a non-confirmed financial resource (short-term negotiable securities, bank facility and accrued interests, or other debt and facilities). Group cash flow forecasts between the drawdown date and the repayment date of these debts must allow the group to honor its repayments at maturity. The debt schedule of debts is presented in Note 17.
Conversion risk of financial statements is a form of foreign exchange risk whereby the value in euros of the financial statements of a foreign operation may be subject to a deterioration due to an unfavorable change in the foreign exchange rate of the functional currency of that business. The group, mainly through Imerys, hedges part of its net investments in foreign operations by granting loans specifically allocated to financing the operations in the long term and by controlling the proportion of its financial debt stated in foreign currencies. The exchange rate differences generated by the loans and borrowings qualified as hedges of net investments in foreign operations are recognized in equity so as to neutralize, to a certain extent, the translation gains or losses on hedged net investments. In terms of sensitivity, a 10% decrease or increase in foreign exchange rates on the portfolio of foreign exchange swaps held at December 31, 2024 with respect to hedges of net investments in foreign operations would have an impact on equity (effective portion of hedges of net investments in foreign operations) of EUR - 77 million and EUR 63 million respectively, and on the income statement (ineffective portion of hedges of net investments in foreign operations and non-hedge derivative instruments) of EUR 0 million and EUR 0 million.
Credit risk is the risk that a group debtor (mainly Imerys) does not reimburse their debt at the agreed due date. This risk mainly affects trade receivables. Credit risk is monitored at entity level by analyzing the breakdown of receivables by maturity. Generally due between 30 and 90 days, the group's receivables are not covered by any material financing component. Group entities may hedge credit risk through credit insurance contracts or warranties (see Note 15).
The fair values of the derivative financial instruments held as of December 31, 2024 and 2023 are shown in the following table:
| IN EUR MILLION | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|
| ASSETS | 86.9 | 66.4 |
| Of which non-current assets | 9.6 | 27.2 |
| Of which current assets | 77.2 | 39.2 |
| Composed of: | ||
| Forwards, futures and currency swaps - Derivative instruments held for trading | 5.0 | 1.1 |
| Forwards, futures and currency swaps - Hedging | 6.0 | 12.4 |
| Interest rate hedging instruments - Derivative instruments held for trading | 52.1 | 24.4 |
| Interest rate hedging instruments - Hedging | 7.9 | - |
| Futures and commodities options - Derivative instruments held for trading | 0.1 | - |
| Futures and commodities options - Hedging | 10.4 | 1.5 |
| Call and put options on shares - Derivative instruments held for trading | 5.3 | 27.0 |
| LIABILITIES | (63.3) | (62.2) |
|---|---|---|
| Of which non-current liabilities | (16.8) | (16.0) |
| Of which current liabilities | (46.5) | (46.2) |
| Composed of: | ||
| Forwards, futures and currency swaps - Derivative instruments held for trading | (4.1) | (2.5) |
| Forwards, futures and currency swaps - Hedging | (10.9) | (2.1) |
| Interest rate hedging instruments - Derivative instruments held for trading | (5.0) | (7.4) |
| Interest rate hedging instruments - Hedging | (11.6) | (17.5) |
| Futures and commodities options - Derivative instruments held for trading | (0.8) | - |
| Futures and commodities options - Hedging | (5.0) | (27.8) |
| Call and put options on shares - Derivative instruments held for trading | (25.9) | (4.9) |
| NET POSITION | 23.6 | 4.2 |
| Forwards, futures and currency swaps | (4.0) | 8.9 |
| Interest rate hedging instruments | 43.4 | (0.5) |
| Futures and commodities options | 4.7 | (26.3) |
| Call and put options on shares | (20.5) | 22.1 |
The following table shows the maturity of the cash flow hedge derivatives for the reporting periods ended December 31, 2024 and 2023:
| IN EUR MILLION | Total | Within the year | 2 to 5 years | Over 5 years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forwards, futures and currency swaps | (4.9) | (8.3) | 3.4 | - |
| Interest rate hedging instruments | (3.7) | 5.9 | - | (9.6) |
| Futures and commodities options | 5.4 | 6.7 | (1.3) | - |
| TOTAL AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2024 | (3.2) | 4.3 | 2.1 | (9.6) |
| Forwards, futures and currency swaps | 10.3 | 10.1 | 0.2 | - |
| Futures and commodities options | (17.5) | (11.5) | (6.0) | - |
| Forwards on shares | (26.3) | (26.0) | (0.3) | - |
| TOTAL AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2023 | (33.5) | (27.4) | (6.1) | - |
The following table shows the changes in the fair value of hedging derivative instruments between two closing dates:
| IN EUR MILLION | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|
| Derivative instruments - hedging | ||
| As of January 1 – net derivatives position | (33.5) | (72.4) |
| Increase (decrease) recognized in profit or loss | (1.8) | (20.9) |
| Increase (decrease) recognized in shareholders' equity | 30.2 | 54.8 |
| Changes in group structure/Business combinations/Other | 1.9 | 5.0 |
| AS OF DECEMBER 31 – NET DERIVATIVES POSITION | (3.2) | (33.5) |
The following table shows the changes in the fair value of derivative instruments held for trading between two closing dates:
| IN EUR MILLION | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|
| Derivative financial instruments held for trading | ||
| As of January 1 – net derivatives position | 37.7 | (141.2) |
| Increase (decrease) recognized in profit or loss | (53.1) | 105.0 |
| Increase (decrease) recognized in shareholders' equity | - | - |
| Changes in group structure/Business combinations/Other | 42.2 | 73.9 |
| AS OF DECEMBER 31 – NET DERIVATIVES POSITION | 26.8 | 37.7 |
| IN EUR MILLION | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|
| ASSETS | 1,594.0 | 1,701.9 |
| Composed of: | ||
| Forwards, futures and currency swaps | 441.9 | 616.1 |
| Interest rate hedging instruments | 1,109.8 | 978.4 |
| Futures and commodities options | 42.3 | 80.4 |
| Call and put options on shares | - | 27.0 |
| LIABILITIES | 3,582.6 | 3,548.2 |
| Composed of: | ||
| Forwards, futures and currency swaps | 1,030.2 | 1,292.9 |
| Interest rate hedging instruments | 1,227.3 | 1,070.6 |
| Futures and commodities options | 74.7 | 24.8 |
| Call and put options on shares | 1,250.4 | 1,159.9 |
| IN EUR MILLION | Total | Within the year | 2 to 5 years | Over 5 years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forwards, futures and currency swaps | 1,472.1 | 1,457.0 | 15.1 | - |
| Interest rate hedging instruments | 2,337.1 | 1,109.8 | 692.3 | 535.0 |
| Futures and commodities options | 117.0 | 81.2 | 35.9 | - |
| Call and put options on shares | 1,250.4 | 750.4 | 500.0 | - |
| TOTAL AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2024 | 5,176.7 | 3,398.4 | 1,243.3 | 535.0 |
| Forwards, futures and currency swaps | 1,909.0 | 1,898.4 | 10.6 | - |
| Forwards on shares | 2,048.9 | 1,428.9 | 620.0 | - |
| Futures and commodities options | 105.2 | 101.2 | 4.0 | - |
| Call and put options on shares | 1,186.9 | 159.9 | 1,000.0 | 27.0 |
GBL issued since 2013 several incentive plans concerning the shares of a (sub-)subsidiaries of the group. These options were granted to the staff and the Executive Management of GBL. These options give the right to the beneficiary to acquire a share for an exercise price, corresponding with the value of the underlying share at the moment of the granting of the options. These options can be exercised during a period of time. The options will be settled in cash or in shares. These plans are treated as cash-settled plans. The characteristics of the plans not yet fully exercised or expired are included in the table below:
| FINPAR X S.R.L. (1) |
FINPAR IX S.R.L. (1) |
FINPAR VIII S.R.L. (1) |
FINPAR VII S.R.L. (2) |
FINPAR VI S.R.L. |
FINPAR V S.R.L. |
FINPAR IV S.A. |
FINPAR III S.A. |
FINPAR II S.A. |
URDAC S.A. |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Issue date | May 31, 2024 |
May 11, 2023 |
May 9, 2022 |
November 22, 2021 |
December 15, 2020 |
June 12, 2020 |
May 10, 2019 |
May 7, 2018 |
May 8, 2017 |
May 5, 2015 |
| Number of accepted options |
562,204 | 1,697,860 | 1,819,341 | 1,273,215 | 346,359 | 335,729 | 303,380 | 337,146 | 348,424 | 257,206 |
| Exercise price (in EUR) | 10.00 | 10.00 | 10.00 | 10.00 | 10.00 | 10.00 | 10.00 | 10.00 | 10.00 | 10.00 |
| Vesting date | May 31, 2027 |
May 11, 2026 |
May 9, 2025 |
November 22, 2024 |
December 15, 2023 |
June 12, 2023 |
May 10, 2022 |
May 7, 2021 |
May 8, 2020 |
May 5, 2018 |
| Expiry date | May 30, 2034 |
May 10, 2033 |
May 8, 2032 |
November 21, 2031 |
December 14, 2030 |
June 11, 2030 |
May 9, 2029 |
May 6, 2028 |
May 7, 2027 |
May 4, 2025 |
| Valuation assumptions |
||||||||||
| Valuation method | Intrinsic value Intrinsic value Intrinsic value Intrinsic value Intrinsic value Intrinsic value Intrinsic value Intrinsic value Intrinsic value | Monte Carlo | ||||||||
| Implicit volatility of the underlyings |
n.r. | n.r. | n.r. | n.r. | n.r. | n.r. | n.r. | n.r. | n.r. | 14.56% |
| Fair value per unit (in EUR) |
n.r. | n.r. | n.r. | n.r. | - | - | - | - | - | 7.62 |
| Debt accounted for (in EUR million) |
- | 1.4 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 0.0 |
| 2024 | 2023 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number | Exercise price | Number | Exercise price | |
| (IN EUR) | (EN EUR) | |||
| As of January 1 | 6,456,785 | 10.00 | 4,770,946 | 10.00 |
| Exercised by: | ||||
| CEO | - | 10.00 | - | 10.00 |
| Employees | (3,353) | 10.00 | (12,021) | 10.00 |
| Granted to: | ||||
| CEO | 102,000 | 10.00 | 337,500 | 10.00 |
| Employees | 460,204 | 10.00 | 1,360,360 | 10.00 |
| As of December 31 | 7,015,636 | 10.00 | 6,456,785 | 10.00 |
| Plan LTI Two | - | - | 3,249 | 10.00 |
| Plan URDAC | 6,328 | 10.00 | 6,328 | 10.00 |
| Plan FINPAR II | 348,424 | 10.00 | 348,424 | 10.00 |
| Plan FINPAR III | 337,146 | 10.00 | 337,146 | 10.00 |
| Plan FINPAR IV | 303,180 | 10.00 | 303,180 | 10.00 |
| Plan FINPAR V | 322,524 | 10.00 | 322,628 | 10.00 |
| Plan FINPAR VI | 345,414 | 10.00 | 345,414 | 10.00 |
| Plan FINPAR VII | 1,273,215 | 10.00 | 1,273,215 | 10.00 |
| Plan FINPAR VIII | 1,819,341 | 10.00 | 1,819,341 | 10.00 |
| Plan FINPAR IX | 1,697,860 | 10.00 | 1,697,860 | 10.00 |
| Plan FINPAR X | 562,204 | 10.00 | - | - |
In 2024, the total cost for the group with respect to the stock option plans was recorded in operating expenses and amounted to EUR - 2 million (EUR - 3 million in 2023), of which EUR - 1 million for the Executive Management (EUR - 1 million in 2023). At the end of 2024, 55.25% of the options were vested, but only 4.69% were exercisable.
GBL had issued six incentive plans from 2007 to 2012 based on GBL shares for its Executive Management and staff. These plans were treated as equity-settled plans. At December 31, 2023, all these plans had been exercised (of which 11,332 options exercised in 2023) or had expired (of which 19,280 options expired in 2023).
In order to involve certain members of its team in the creation of value, GBL has set up, as from 2024, an investment program enabling them to invest on a personal basis in a portfolio of selected investments, in order to benefit from a share of any overall capital gain realized on the investments concerned (the "Investment Program").
The first Investment Program covers GBL's participation in Affidea, Canyon and Sanoptis. It is structured through a vehicle (the "Dedicated Vehicle") grouping these investments and in which GBL (or a related company) and the managers concerned are shareholders.
The Investment Program is governed by the following principles:
(i) Managers benefit from the same rights and obligations as GBL (or a related company) on the overall net capital gain or loss generated, and provided GBL has achieved a predefined level of preferential return over the entire program (8% per annum for the first five years and 6% per annum thereafter), managers are entitled to a share of any capital gain of up to 10% of the overall net capital gain realized (carried interest);
(ii) as from the fifth anniversary of the subscription/acquisition of their shares in the vehicle, managers are offered liquidity by GBL in several tranches, depending on the date of investment; the valuation of the portfolio companies is then determined for each tranche on the basis of the last valuation published by GBL (adjusted, where applicable, by the net proceeds received by the vehicle in the event of prior divestment). In this case, the managers have an obligation to reinvest part of the net proceeds in GBL shares to be held for a predefined period which depends on the seniority of the manager (unless GBL has received its preferential return on its investment in the vehicle and has been reimbursed for its contributions);
(iii) Managers' carried interest rights vest progressively over a period of five years, in five 20% tranches, it being specified that this period is calculated from the date of subscription/acquisition of their shares in the vehicle;
(iv) in the event of a manager's departure, GBL (or a related company) has the option or obligation to buy back carried interest rights not yet definitively vested and/or definitively vested on predefined financial terms, which vary according to the circumstances of the departure;
(v) the Investment Program has a lifetime of 10 years.
The Investment Program (or carried interest scheme) is accounted for as followed :
(i) as employee benefits under IAS 19, presented in "Other non-current non-financial liabilities", following a graded vesting scheme.
For this part, future distributions to managers are calculated based on the evolution of the net asset value of the Dedicated Vehicle, estimated using Monte Carlo simulations that vary the value of the 3 private assets underlying the plan. These future distributions are then discounted, taking into account the projected payment schedule, based on the forecasted achievement of exercise conditions and liquidity windows.
The main assumptions used in this context are as follows:
The debt is recognized gradually, according to the vesting schedule.
(ii) a financial liability under IFRS 9, presented in "Other non-current financial liabilities", for the mandatory reimbursement of the initial capital contributed by managers, bearing an interest in line with the market.
As of December 31, 2024,
Imerys grants stock option plans, which, if exercised, result in the subscription of shares newly issued for this as well as free shares acquired in the market. In 2024, Imerys granted 451,600 free shares (446,300 in 2023). As of December 31, 2024, the total employee expenses recognized in the Imerys group's financial statements with respect to stock option and free share plans for the year amounted to EUR 12 million (EUR 10 million in 2023).
| Number of free shares |
Maturity | Turnover rate | Average dividend rate |
Probability of meeting performance conditions |
Fair value | Total cost per plan |
2024 cost of plans |
2023 cost of plans |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IN EUR | IN EUR MILLION | IN EUR MILLION | IN EUR MILLION | ||||||
| 2020 | 154,150 | 3 years | 18.70% | 3.10% | 92.40% | 36.71 | (5.4) | - | 0.2 |
| 2020 | 457,700 | 3 years | 9.00% | 3.10% | 92.40% | 26.75 | (10.3) | - | (0.5) |
| 2021 | 482,200 | 3 years | 15.20% | 3.20% | 98.20% | 38.85 | (15.6) | (1.8) | (4.5) |
| 2022 | 432,950 | 3 years | 16.50% | 3.30% | 94.50% | 27.36 | (9.4) | (3.2) | (2.9) |
| 2023 | 446,300 | 3 years | 8.20% | 4.00% | 100.00% | 30.73 | (12.6) | (4.3) | (2.6) |
| 2024 | 451,600 | 3 years | 10.00% | 3.30% | 98.70% | 32.52 | (13.0) | (2.5) | - |
| (11.9) COST OF PLANS RECOGNIZED IN EMPLOYEE EXPENSES |
(10.3) | ||||||||
| Settlement in equity instruments (11.9) |
(10.3) |
| IN EUR MILLION | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|
| Basic | ||
| Consolidated income for the period (including discontinued operations) | 132.3 | 1,723.2 |
| Consolidated income for the period (excluding discontinued operations) | 132.3 | 397.5 |
| Diluted | ||
| Consolidated income for the period (including discontinued operations) | 132.4 | 1,716.0 |
| Consolidated income for the period (excluding discontinued operations) | 132.4 | 390.3 |
| 2024 | 2023 | |
|---|---|---|
| Issued shares at beginning of year | 146,700,000 | 153,000,000 |
| Treasury shares at beginning of year | (16,931,253) | (12,222,870) |
| Weighted changes during the period | 3,778,862 | (469,341) |
| Weighted average number of shares used to determine basic earnings per share | 133,547,609 | 140,307,789 |
| Impact of financial instruments with a diluting effect: | ||
| Convertible bonds | 4,298,723 | 4,255,580 |
| Weighted average number of shares used to determine diluted earnings per share | 137,846,332 | 144,563,369 |
| IN EUR PER SHARE | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|
| Basic | 0.99 | 12.28 |
| Continuing operations | 0.99 | 2.83 |
| Discontinued operations | - | 9.45 |
| Diluted | 0.96 | 11.87 |
| Continuing operations | 0.96 | 2.70 |
| Discontinued operations | - | 9.17 |
The fair value of a financial instrument is the amount that would be received on selling the asset or paid on transferring a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date.
Underlying the definition of fair value is a presumption that an entity is a going concern without any intention or need to liquidate, to curtail materially the scale of its operations or to undertake a transaction on adverse terms. Fair value is not, therefore, the amount that an entity would receive or pay in a forced transaction, involuntary liquidation or distressed sale.
To reflect the importance of inputs used when measuring at fair value, the group classifies these valuations according to a hierarchy composed of the following levels:
The group's financial instruments very largely belong to classification levels 1 and 2. The financial assets measured at level 3 fair value are not significant compared to the other asset classes (17.01% as of December 31, 2024 and 15.07% as of December 31, 2023).
The objective of using a valuation method is to establish what the transaction price would have been on the measurement date in an arm's-length exchange and motivated by normal business considerations.
The exchangeable or convertible bonds issued by the group are considered to be hybrid instruments, i.e., instruments including a bond component and an embedded derivative. At the date of issue, the fair value of the bond component is estimated based on the prevailing market interest rate for similar non-exchangeable or non-convertible bonds, taking into account the risk associated with GBL (credit spread). At each reporting date, the value of the bond component is recalculated, taking into account the change in the risk-free rate and GBL's credit spread, and the difference in relation to the price of the exchangeable or convertible bond observed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange's Euro MTF market is taken as the new value of the derivative component. The change in this value in relation to the previous reporting date is recognized in profit or loss.
The fair value of derivative instruments not associated with exchangeable or convertible bonds is taken from a model that uses observable data, in other words the quotes on the reporting date provided by third-parties operating on the financial markets. These valuations are adjusted for the counterparties' credit risk and the credit risk specific to Imerys or GBL. Accordingly, if the market value of the derivative is positive (derivative asset), its fair value incorporates the likelihood of the counterparty defaulting (Credit Value Adjustment or CVA). If the derivative's market value is negative (derivative liability), its fair value factors in the likelihood of Imerys or GBL defaulting (Debit Value Adjustment or DVA). These adjustments are measured based on the spreads of the bonds in circulation on the secondary market, as issued by Imerys, GBL and their counterparts.
The investments in unlisted companies are valued internally at their fair value on a quarterly basis, based on a specific valuation method or a combination of valuation methods, the specific valuations the method of combination of methods being consistent from an closing to another. Methodologies are aligned across the portfolio, though with different weights for respective methods depending on the company. Valuation are approved by the Valuation Committee of GBL and reviewed by an external advisor.
Changes in the fair value of these investments are recognized in the revaluation reserves.
Investments in funds or co-investments owned by GBL Capital are revalued at their fair value, as notably determined by the managers of the funds, based on their investment portfolio.
Changes in the fair value of these investments are recognized in financial income (loss).
In accordance with the recommendations of the International Private Equity and Venture Valuation Guidelines ("IPEV Valuation Guidelines"), recent investment, funds or co-investments are valued at their acquisition cost, provided that these valuations are considered as the best estimates of fair value.
The category, according to IFRS 9, uses the following abbreviations:
The tables below show a comparison of the book value and the fair value of the financial instruments as of December 31, 2024 and as of December 31, 2023, as well as the fair value hierarchy. There were no significant transfers between the different levels between 2024 and 2023.
| IN EUR MILLION | Category according to IFRS 9 |
Carrying amount | Fair value | Hierarchy of fair values |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FINANCIAL ASSETS | ||||
| Non-current assets | ||||
| Other equity investments | ||||
| Equity investments measured at fair value and with changes recognized in equity |
FATOCI | 7,790.3 | 7,790.3 | Level 1 |
| Equity investments measured at fair value and with changes recognized in equity |
FATOCI | 302.2 | 302.2 | Level 3 |
| Equity investments measured at fair value and with changes recognized in profit or loss |
FATPL | 134.0 | 134.0 | Level 1 |
| Equity investments measured at fair value and with changes recognized in profit or loss |
FATPL | 2,224.4 | 2,224.4 | Level 3 |
| Other non-current assets | ||||
| Derivative instruments - Hedging | HeAc | 3.5 | 3.5 | Level 2 |
| Derivative instruments - Other | FATPL | 6.1 | 6.1 | Level 2 |
| Other financial assets | FAAC | 104.0 | 104.0 | Level 2 |
| Current assets | ||||
| Trade receivables | FAAC | 637.1 | 637.1 | Level 2 |
| Trading financial assets | FATPL | 2,080.3 | 2,080.3 | Level 1 |
| Cash and cash equivalents | FAAC | 1,466.5 | 1,466.5 | Level 2 |
| Other current assets | ||||
| Derivative instruments - Hedging | HeAc | 20.8 | 20.8 | Level 2 |
| Derivative instruments - Other | FATPL | 56.4 | 56.4 | Level 2 |
| Other financial assets | FAAC | 23.6 | 23.6 | Level 2 |
| FINANCIAL LIABILITIES | ||||
| Non-current liabilities | ||||
| Financial liabilities | FLAC | 6,736.3 | 6,658.0 | Level 2 |
| Other non current liabilities | ||||
| Derivative instruments - Hedging | HeAc | 11.0 | 11.0 | Level 2 |
| Derivative instruments - Other | FLTPL | 5.7 | 5.7 | Level 2 |
| Other non current liabilities | FLAC | 400.7 | 400.7 | Level 2 |
| Current liabilities | ||||
| Financial liabilities | ||||
| Other financial liabilities | FLAC | 1,330.6 | 1,323.6 | Level 2 |
| Trade payables | FLAC | 630.0 | 630.0 | Level 2 |
| Other current liabilities | ||||
| Derivative instruments - Hedging | HeAc | 16.5 | 16.5 | Level 2 |
| Derivative instruments - Other | FLTPL | 30.1 | 30.1 | Level 2 |
| Other current liabilities | FLAC | 180.9 | 180.9 | Level 2 |
| IN EUR MILLION | Category according to IFRS 9 |
Carrying amount | Fair value | Hierarchy of fair values |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FINANCIAL ASSETS | ||||
| Non-current assets | ||||
| Other equity investments | ||||
| Equity investments measured at fair value and with changes recognized in equity |
FATOCI | 10,013.1 | 10,013.1 | Level 1 |
| Equity investments measured at fair value and with changes recognized in equity |
FATOCI | 287.2 | 287.2 | Level 3 |
| Equity investments measured at fair value and with changes recognized in profit or loss |
FATPL | 112.4 | 112.4 | Level 1 |
| Equity investments measured at fair value and with changes recognized in profit or loss |
FATPL | 2,192.0 | 2,192.0 | Level 3 |
| Other non-current assets | ||||
| Derivative instruments - Hedging | HeAc | 0.2 | 0.2 | Level 2 |
| Derivative instruments - Other | FATPL | 27.0 | 27.0 | Level 2 |
| Other financial assets | FAAC | 573.7 | 573.7 | Level 2 |
| Current assets | ||||
| Trade receivables | FAAC | 600.6 | 600.6 | Level 2 |
| Trading financial assets | FATPL | 1,385.6 | 1,385.6 | Level 1 |
| Cash and cash equivalents | FAAC | 1,198.0 | 1,198.0 | Level 2 |
| Other current assets | ||||
| Derivative instruments - Hedging | HeAc | 13.7 | 13.7 | Level 2 |
| Derivative instruments - Other | FATPL | 25.5 | 25.5 | Level 2 |
| Other financial assets | FAAC | 21.1 | 21.1 | Level 2 |
| FINANCIAL LIABILITIES | ||||
| Non-current liabilities | ||||
| Financial liabilities | FLAC | 7,177.2 | 6,979.8 | Level 2 |
| Other non current liabilities | ||||
| Derivative instruments - Hedging | HeAc | 6.3 | 6.3 | Level 2 |
| Derivative instruments - Other | FLTPL | 9.7 | 9.7 | Level 2 |
| Other non current liabilities | FLAC | 407.1 | 407.1 | Level 2 |
| Current liabilities | ||||
| Financial liabilities | ||||
| Other financial liabilities | FLAC | 1,173.7 | 1,173.7 | Level 2 |
| Trade payables | FLAC | 571.5 | 571.5 | Level 2 |
| Other current liabilities | ||||
| Derivative instruments - Hedging | HeAc | 41.1 | 41.1 | Level 2 |
| Derivative instruments - Other | FLTPL | 5.1 | 5.1 | Level 2 |
| Other current liabilities | FLAC | 76.3 | 76.3 | Level 2 |
The tables hereafter present the income and expenses before income taxes recognized in the income statement by categories of financial instruments. These tables analyze the income and expense lines containing financial instruments according to categories presented in columns. These distinguish, on the one hand, the categories applied by default to any item excluding hedge accounting and, on the other hand, the categories applied to any item falling within the scope of hedge accounting.
The IFRS 9 categories of amortized cost and fair value through profit or loss apply to the majority of non-hedge accounting items. Hedge accounting items are classified according to their fair value or cash flow hedging qualifications, distinguishing the values of hedged items and hedging instruments in columns and the types of risks hedged in rows. In addition, in order to ensure reconciliation between IFRS 9 classes and financial statements, this table includes a column containing the following non-IFRS 9 items: share-based payments (IFRS 2), mining assets (IFRS 6), inventories (IAS 2), income tax assets and liabilities (IAS 12), property, plant and equipment (IAS 16), finance lease liabilities (IFRS 16), defined benefit and short-term employee benefits assets and liabilities (IAS 19), grants (IAS 20), provisions (IAS 37), intangible assets and prepaid expenses (IAS 38), stripping assets (IFRIC 20) and duties and taxes (IFRIC 21). The logic of classification of financial instruments in assets and liabilities is applied in transversally to their changes in income statement. For example, revenue is included in the amortized cost category, as its counterparties in trade receivables or cash and cash equivalents fall under this category on the asset side.
| Non-hedge accounting | Hedge accounting | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IFRS 9 Categories | Fair value | Cash flows | |||||||
| IN EUR MILLION | Amortized cost |
Fair value through profit or loss |
Fair value through equity |
Out of IFRS 9 scope |
Hedged item |
Hedging instrument |
Hedged item |
Hedging instrument |
Total |
| Net dividends from investments | - | - | 254.8 | - | - | - | - | - | 254.8 |
| Other operating income (expenses) from investing activities |
(75.7) | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | (75.7) |
| Financial income (expenses) from investing activities |
206.2 | (30.8) | - | - | - | - | - | - | 175.4 |
| Of which: Financial income | 355.7 | 6.7 | - | - | - | - | - | - | 362.4 |
| Financial expenses | (149.5) | (37.4) | - | - | - | - | - | - | (187.0) |
| PROFIT (LOSS) FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES - CONTINUING OPERATIONS |
130.5 | (30.8) | 254.8 | - | - | - | - | - | 354.5 |
| Turnover | 5,756.7 | - | - | - | - | - | 441.6 | (0.3) | 6,198.0 |
| Raw materials and consumables | (1,673.6) | - | - | 77.6 | - | - | (336.2) | (29.2) | (1,961.4) |
| Other operating income (expenses) from operating activities |
(1,463.4) | - | - | 14.7 | - | - | - | - | (1,448.7) |
| Financial income (expenses) from operating activities |
(324.1) | 33.0 | - | (20.5) | - | - | - | - | (311.6) |
| Of which: Financial income |
106.2 | 35.0 | - | - | - | - | - | - | 141.2 |
| Financial expenses | (430.2) | (2.0) | - | (20.5) | - | - | - | - | (452.7) |
| PROFIT (LOSS) FROM CONSOLIDATED OPERATING ACTIVITIES - CONTINUING OPERATIONS |
2,295.7 | 33.0 | - | 71.8 | - | - | 105.4 | (29.5) | 2,476.4 |
| Non-hedge accounting | Hedge accounting | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IFRS 9 Categories | Fair value | Cash flows | |||||||
| IN EUR MILLION | Amortized cost |
Fair value through profit or loss |
Fair value through equity |
Out of IFRS 9 scope |
Hedged item |
Hedging instrument |
Hedged item |
Hedging instrument |
Total |
| Net dividends from investments | - | - | 286.1 | - | - | - | - | - | 286.1 |
| Other operating income (expenses) from investing activities |
(62.5) | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | (62.5) |
| Financial income (expenses) from investing activities |
189.7 | 91.3 | - | - | - | - | - | - | 280.9 |
| Of which: Financial income | 303.7 | 93.9 | - | - | - | - | - | - | 397.6 |
| Financial expenses | (114.0) | (2.6) | - | - | - | - | - | - | (116.7) |
| PROFIT (LOSS) FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES - CONTINUING OPERATIONS |
127.1 | 91.3 | 286.1 | - | - | - | - | - | 504.5 |
| Turnover | 6,137.1 | - | - | - | - | - | - | 0.2 | 6,137.3 |
| Raw materials and consumables | (1,950.6) | - | - | (107.5) | - | - | - | (52.6) | (2,110.7) |
| Other operating income (expenses) from operating activities |
(1,471.4) | - | - | 10.2 | - | - | - | - | (1,461.2) |
| Financial income (expenses) from operating activities |
(211.7) | 0.4 | - | (17.1) | - | - | - | - | (228.4) |
| Of which: Financial income |
83.1 | 0.4 | - | - | - | - | - | - | 83.5 |
| Financial expenses | (294.8) | - | - | (17.1) | - | - | - | - | (311.9) |
| PROFIT (LOSS) FROM CONSOLIDATED OPERATING ACTIVITIES - CONTINUING OPERATIONS |
2,503.3 | 0.4 | - | (114.4) | - | - | - | (52.4) | 2,336.9 |
The tables below present concise financial information about each of the subsidiaries in which GBL holds significant non-controlling interests, without taking intragroup eliminations into account.
| IN EUR MILLION | Imerys | Canyon | Sanoptis | Subsidiaries that are not individually material |
2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ownership percentage held by non-controlling interests |
45.1% | 50.0% | 16.8% | ||
| Voting rights held by non-controlling interests | 31.9% | 50.0% | 39.1% | ||
| Non-current assets | 4,717.3 | 746.8 | 2,548.6 | ||
| Current assets | 1,965.7 | 413.0 | 267.5 | ||
| Non-current liabilities | 2,398.3 | 251.1 | 1,875.1 | ||
| Current liabilities | 984.0 | 226.4 | 261.6 | ||
| Non-controlling interests | 19.9 | - | - | ||
| Equity (group's share) | 3,280.7 | 682.3 | 679.3 | ||
| Non-controlling interests (including those of the subsidiary) |
1,496.8 | 325.1 | 112.7 | 66.2 | 2,000.8 |
| Turnover | 3,604.9 | 784.1 | 665.7 | ||
| Net result of the period attributable to the shareholders of GBL (group's share) |
(52.2) | (19.7) | (74.9) | ||
| Net result of the period attributable to the non-controlling interests |
(40.4) | (18.5) | (15.2) | 5.0 | (69.1) |
| Net result of the period (including non-controlling interests) |
(92.6) | (38.2) | (90.2) | ||
| Other comprehensive income attributable to the shareholders of GBL (group's share) |
201.8 | 5.6 | (5.1) | ||
| Other comprehensive income attributable to the non-controlling interests |
166.3 | 5.3 | (1.0) | (0.2) | 170.4 |
| Total of other comprehensive income (including non-controlling interests) |
368.1 | 10.9 | (6.1) | ||
| Total comprehensive income attributable to the shareholders of GBL (group's share) |
149.6 | (14.1) | (80.1) | ||
| Total comprehensive income attributable to the non-controlling interests |
125.9 | (13.2) | (16.3) | 4.8 | 101.2 |
| Total comprehensive income (including non-controlling interests) |
275.5 | (27.3) | (96.3) | ||
| Dividends paid to the non-controlling interests | 52.3 | - | - | ||
| Net cash flows from operating activities | 1,122.3 | 73.8 | 57.2 | ||
| Net cash flows from investing activities | (406.9) | (28.1) | (298.3) | ||
| Net cash flows from financing activities | (655.4) | (48.0) | 255.7 | ||
| Impact of exchange differences on funds held and impact of changes in scope of consolidation |
(6.8) | - | (2.0) | ||
| Increase/decrease of cash and cash equivalents | 53.3 | (2.3) | 12.5 |
| Imerys | Canyon | Sanoptis | Subsidiaries that are not individually |
2023 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IN EUR MILLION | material | ||||
| Ownership percentage held by non-controlling interests |
45.1% | 50.0% | 16.8% | ||
| Voting rights held by non-controlling interests | 31.9% | 50.0% | 38.0% | ||
| Non-current assets | 4,469.7 | 749.6 | 2,294.2 | ||
| Current assets | 2,682.2 | 475.6 | 182.4 | ||
| Non-current liabilities | 2,497.6 | 373.3 | 1,590.5 | ||
| Current liabilities | 1,497.0 | 136.9 | 113.6 | ||
| Non-controlling interests | 33.3 | - | - | ||
| Equity (group's share) | 3,124.0 | 714.9 | 772.6 | ||
| Non-controlling interests (including those of the subsidiary) |
1,442.1 | 346.9 | 128.9 | 60.1 | 1,978.0 |
| Turnover | 3,794.4 | 790.6 | 494.1 | ||
| Net result of the period attributable to the shareholders of GBL (group's share) |
28.2 | (6.2) | (47.1) | ||
| Net result of the period attributable to the non-controlling interests |
25.6 | (7.1) | (9.6) | 10.9 | 19.9 |
| Net result of the period (including non-controlling interests) |
53.8 | (13.3) | (56.7) | ||
| Other comprehensive income attributable to the shareholders of GBL (group's share) |
38.2 | (4.6) | (0.1) | ||
| Other comprehensive income attributable to the non-controlling interests |
29.3 | (4.6) | (0.0) | 0.6 | 25.2 |
| Total of other comprehensive income (including non-controlling interests) |
67.5 | (9.3) | (0.2) | ||
| Total comprehensive income attributable to the | |||||
| shareholders of GBL (group's share) | 66.4 | (10.8) | (47.3) | ||
| Total comprehensive income attributable to the non-controlling interests |
54.9 | (11.7) | (9.6) | 11.5 | 45.1 |
| Total comprehensive income (including non-controlling interests) |
121.3 | (22.6) | (56.9) | ||
| Dividends paid to the non-controlling interests | 152.1 | - | - | ||
| Net cash flows from operating activities | (86.5) | 11.6 | (19.3) | ||
| Net cash flows from investing activities | 167.5 | (24.6) | (428.4) | ||
| Net cash flows from financing activities | (259.0) | 4.7 | 411.6 | ||
| Impact of exchange differences on funds held and | |||||
| impact of changes in scope of consolidation | (14.9) | - | 0.7 | ||
| Increase/decrease of cash and cash equivalents | (193.0) | (8.3) | (35.4) |
Following GBL's commitment to GBL Capital, the uncalled subscribed capital totaled EUR 893 million as of December 31, 2024 (EUR 752 million at the end of 2023).
The group has taken certain measures in order to preserve its interests in matters of double taxation on its foreign dividends.
The remaining off-balance sheet items are limited to contracts outside the scope of IFRS 16 on leases, notably mining leases and commitments to purchase services associated with leases (EUR 4 million as of December 31, 2024).
These commitments given and received solely concern Imerys.
Other commitments given primarily relate to:
Commitments received totaled EUR 167 million as of December 31, 2024 (EUR 364 million as of December 31, 2023).
GBL's related parties are the Canadian group Power Corporation of Canada and the Belgian group Frère. These groups are for GBL the ultimate group heads. Through their joint venture Parjointco SA, they exercise joint control over the Swiss group Pargesa SA which controls GBL. Pargesa SA is as such a related party of GBL. There is no contract between GBL and Pargesa SA.
As of December 31, 2024 and 2023, there were no transactions with these related parties, except for the provision of services to the Frère and Power Corporation of Canada groups for an amount of EUR 1 million as of December 31, 2024 (EUR 1 million as of December 31, 2023).
The remunerations paid to the Directors are shown in the table below:
| IN EUR MILLION | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|
| Remunerations, charges and short-term benefits | 3.8 | 3.9 |
| Post-employment benefits | 0.3 | 0.4 |
| Costs related to cash-settled share-based payments | (0.6) | (0.7) |
| Carried interest | 7.0 | - |
| Other | 0.1 | 0.1 |
| TOTAL | 10.5 | 3.5 |
In March 2025, Sanoptis received a EUR 250 million capital raise in preferred equity from Carlyle.
On March 5, 2025, GBL reduced its stake in SGS from 19.1% to 14.6% of the capital for total proceeds of approximately EUR 0.8 billion. The disposals generated a capital gain (1) of approximately EUR 0.2 billion.
GBL, through its subsidiary GBL Capital, agreed in March 2025 to take a 5% GP stake in Sagard and to make capital commitments totaling EUR 250 million over the next five years.
Between January 2 and March 11, 2025 GBL acquired 1.5 million GBL shares, accounting for 1.1% of the shares representing the capital and valued at EUR 102 million on March 11, 2025. The seventh envelope of share buybacks was 78.7% executed at that date.
GBL's consolidated and statutory financial statements for this year have been audited and approved without qualifications by the Statutory Auditor PwC Reviseurs d'Entreprises.
In accordance with article 3:65 of the Code on companies and associations, the fees for the services provided by the Statutory Auditor PwC Reviseur d'Entreprises and its network were as follows:
| IN EUR | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|
| Audit assignment | 6,828,007 | 6,720,989 |
| of which GBL | 252,050 | 91,000 |
| Other attest assignments | 1,141,048 | 1,116,072 |
| Tax consultancy assignments | 520,454 | 1,235,847 |
| Other assignments not related to the audit assignment | 2,160,300 | 1,637,156 |
| TOTAL | 10,649,809 | 10,710,064 |
| Of which: Holding | 951,933 | 881,351 |
| Imerys | 3,272,869 | 3,731,548 |
| Canyon | 373,450 | 18,000 |
| Affidea | 3,435,179 | 3,125,525 |
| Sanoptis | 1,245,920 | 762,775 |
| GBL Capital and SIM | 1,370,458 | 1,005,353 |
(1) In accordance with IFRS 9, capital gains (losses) do not impact GBL's consolidated net result


Key audit matters are those matters that, in our professional judgment, were of most significance in our audit of the consolidated accounts of the current period. These matters were addressed in the context of our audit of the consolidated accounts as a whole, and in forming our opinion thereon, and we do not provide a separate opinion on these matters.
Valuation of goodwill, intangible and tangible assets
Description of the key audit matter
The Group's consolidated financial statements as of 31 December 2024 show goodwill in the assets amounting to EUR 4.716,7 million, as well as intangible and tangible fixed assets for amounts of EUR 2.234,9 million and EUR 3.302,4 million respectively (see Notes 9 to 11 of the consolidated accounts).
As described in Note 10 and in the accounting policies for the consolidated financial statements, the companies of the Group carry out an impairment test each year on all of their cash-generating units (« CGUs ») insofar as goodwill is present in these. Group management has retained the judgments made by its subsidiaries in the definition of the CGUs, namely different branches at Imerys, a single CGU at, Affidea, Sanoptis and Canyon respectively, and each investment at Sienna Investment Managers. In addition, when facts are identified indicating that a CGU, a group of CGUs or an individual non-current asset may have been impaired, management performs an impairment test at an intermediate date.
Most of these assets relate to Imerys, Affidea and Sanoptis (see segment information in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements).
We considered that the valuation of goodwill and intangible and tangible fixed assets of Imerys, Affidea and Sanoptis is a key audit matter due to their significant nature in the group's accounts, because the definition of the level of test of the goodwill (« CGU ») and the determination of impairment indicators constitute important management judgments, and because the determination of their recoverable amount, most often based on forecasts of discounted future cash flows taking into account, among other things, the uncertainties related to the macroeconomic situation and climate change, requires the use of significant management judgments and estimates.
We have reviewed the annual impairment tests of the main goodwill items carried out by the Group, and we have also met with management to identify any signs of impairment.
We have analysed the compliance with IAS 36 « Impairment of Assets » of the method used by management to determine the recoverable amount of the main CGUs or main groups of CGUs and, where applicable, significant individual non-current assets falling within the scope of the standard, presenting an indication of loss of value.
We have also, where necessary with the help of our valuation specialists, studied the procedures for implementing this methodology for the main CGUs or the main groups of CGUs and analysed in particular:
• The cash flow projections relating to each group of CGUs compared to the economic and financial context in which they operate.
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| The consistency of these cash flow projections with the most recent Management estimates that • were presented to the board of directors of the respective affiliates as part of the budget process and with external studies related to the markets served by the Group. The reasonableness of assumptions applied to the projected cash flows, and mainly long-term • growth rate and discount rate, with regards to market analyses, the consensus of the main players and the economic environment of countries in which the Group operates. |
|---|
| We have assessed the relevance of information disclosed in Note 10 of the notes to the consolidated accounts and verified arithmetical calculations of sensitivity analyses presented by management. |
| Based on the procedures implemented, we found that the results of the valuation of goodwill and intangible and tangible fixed assets carried out by management were consistent with the results of our procedures. |
| The classification and accounting treatment of the different investment lines |
| Description of the key audit matter |
| As at 31 December 2024, Groupe Bruxelles Lambert holds a stake of respectively 19,98%, 19,13%, 15,92% and 15,04% in Ontex, SGS, Umicore and Voodoo. In accordance with IFRS 9, Management considers these investments as other equity investments. |
| As indicated in the notes to the consolidated accounts (« accounting policies », section « changes in accounting estimates/judgments ») summarising the accounting principles of the company, GBL analysed the accounting treatment to be applied for these four investments and in particular the classification as (i) investments in associated companies (IAS 28), or as (ii) other equity investments (IFRS 9). Taking into account an ownership of less than 20% of each of the investments and the fact that: |
| The representation of GBL on the board of directors is not sufficient to demonstrate the existence • of a notable influence; moreover, representation in the board of directors is limited to the duration of directors' terms and requires a resolution at General Shareholders' Meeting; in particular for listed companies, this representation does not come from a contractual or legal right. The other criteria are generally considered to prove that there is no significant influence. • |
| GBL has concluded that there is no significant influence demonstrated and, accordingly, these four investments are recorded as other equity investments. |
| As part of our audit, we have identified the classification of the investments in Ontex, SGS, Umicore and Voodoo as a key audit matter and this mainly for the following reasons: |
| The proximity of the ownership rate to the threshold of 20%. • The significant importance of these investments. • The important level of judgement in the analysis of significant influence indicators, as defined by • IAS 28. |
| How our Audit addressed the key audit matter |
| We reviewed the management's arguments and the facts supporting the classification of the investments in Ontex, SGS, Umicore and Voodoo as other equity investments. |
| Based on this information, we have obtained sufficient evidence to address the key audit matter related to the accounting treatment of the investments in Ontex, SGS, Umicore and Voodoo. |
|---|
| Assessment of the financial consequences linked to the dispute over Imerys' talc activity |
| Description of the key audit matter |
| Certain subsidiaries of the Imerys group, consolidated using the global integration method, are involved in litigations related to the Talc business in the United States (see Note 20 to the consolidated accounts). In February 2019, the North American entities exposed to these disputes filed for the protection of the special legal process of Chapter 11 under US bankruptcy law. Under this procedure, even though the group remains legal owner of the relevant entities, Imerys lost its control over these entities. Therefore, they were removed from the Group's consolidation scope on 13 February 2019. |
| In May 2020, the Imerys group and claimants' representatives filed a jointly proposed reorganization plan (the « Plan ») which was later approved by the Judge in January 2021. During this process, in October 2020, an agreement was concluded with Magris Resources for the sale of North American talc assets for a purchase price of USD 223 million and the sale was closed in February 2021. |
| The voting process of the Plan failed to obtain the required 75% of favorable votes at the end of 2021. A new revised plan (« the Revised Plan ») has been filed in 2024 and approved on 5 January 2025, by more than 90% of the claimants and creditors of the subsidiaries concerned. Your group has therefore achieved the legally required approval threshold. As of 31 December 2024, the balance of provisions accounted for in respect of these disputes by the Imerys group amount to USD 78,7 million on one hand, and EUR 32,7 million on the other hand, fully included in the GBL consolidated accounts. |
| The assessment of a provision depends on management's judgment of making a reliable estimate of the resulting obligation and all the related costs, where necessary. |
| Considering the material financial impacts for the Imerys group and the decisive nature of the judgments and estimates made by management to assess the potential liability, we considered the assessment of this provision to be a key audit matter. |
| Our audit procedures relating to the key audit matter |
| We assessed the reasonableness of the provision recorded in the balance sheet, based on: |
| The Revised Plan and the declaration of the official results of the votes on this Revised Plan • registered with the court on 5 January 2025. Extracts from the minutes of the Group's various Board of Directors' meetings, featuring the • exchanges relating to this talc dispute in the US and the Chapter 11 proceedings. Inquiries with Management, especially with the Imerys group General Counsel. • |
| We obtained confirmation from the external legal advisors representing the Imerys group in connection with the Chapter 11 proceedings of its North American subsidiaries that the provision reflected a reasonable estimate of the net financial impact for the Group arising from the potential resolution of these proceedings. |
| We assessed the appropriateness of information disclosed in the appendix to GBL's consolidated accounts with 'IAS 37 'Provisions, contingent liabilities and contingent assets. |
| 4 of 8 |


• Conclude on the appropriateness of the board of directors' use of the going concern basis of accounting and, based on the audit evidence obtained, whether a material uncertainty exists related to events or conditions that may cast significant doubt on the Group's ability to continue as a going concern. If we conclude that a material uncertainty exists, we are required to draw attention in our statutory auditor's report to the related disclosures in the consolidated accounts or, if such disclosures are inadequate, to modify our opinion. Our conclusions are based on the audit evidence obtained up to the date of our statutory auditor's report. However, future events or conditions may cause the Group to cease to continue as a going concern.
• Evaluate the overall presentation, structure and content of the consolidated accounts, including the disclosures, and whether the consolidated accounts represent the underlying transactions and events in a manner that achieves fair presentation.
• Obtain sufficient and appropriate audit evidence regarding the financial information of the entities or business activities within the Group to express an opinion on the consolidated financial statements. We are responsible for the direction, supervision and performance of the Group audit. We remain solely responsible for our audit opinion.
We communicate with the audit committee regarding, among other matters, the planned scope and timing of the audit and significant audit findings, including any significant deficiencies in internal control that we identify during our audit.
We also provide with the audit committee with a statement that we have complied with relevant ethical requirements regarding independence, and to communicate with them all relationships and other matters that may reasonably be thought to bear on our independence, and where applicable, related safeguards.
From the matters communicated with the audit committee, we determine those matters that were of most significance in the audit of the consolidated accounts of the current period and are therefore the key audit matters. We describe these matters in our auditor's report unless law or regulation precludes public disclosure about the matter.
The board of directors is responsible for the preparation and the content of the directors' report on the consolidated accounts, including the sustainability information and the other information included in the annual report on the consolidated accounts.
In the context of our engagement and in accordance with the Belgian standard which is complementary to the International Standards on Auditing (ISAs) as applicable in Belgium, our responsibility is to verify, in all material respects, the directors' report on the consolidated accounts and the other information included in the annual report on the consolidated accounts and to report on these matters.
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| Other statement |
|---|
| This report is consistent with the additional report to the audit committee referred to in article 11 of the Regulation (EU) N° 537/2014. |
| Diegem, 1 April 2025 |
| The statutory auditor PwC Bedrijfsrevisoren BV/PwC Reviseurs d'Entreprises SRL Represented by |
| Alexis Van Bavel Bedrijfsrevisor/Réviseur d'Entreprises Acting on behalf of Alexis Van Bavel SRL |
| 8 of 8 |
| IN EUR MILLION | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Balance sheet | ||||||||||
| Non-current assets | 21,674.2 | 23,592.2 | 26,477.0 | 28,172.1 | 26,086.9 | 26,402.4 | 20,529.3 | 21,098.5 | 17,945.3 | 17,124.1 |
| Current assets | 5,795.5 | 4,967.5 | 6,923.4 | 6,125.5 | 4,270.2 | 4,883.9 | 3,360.9 | 2,960.1 | 3,927.5 | 3,281.5 |
| Total assets | 27,469.8 | 28,559.6 | 33,400.4 | 34,297.6 | 30,357.0 | 31,286.3 | 23,890.2 | 24,058.6 | 21,872.8 | 20,405.6 |
| Shareholders' equity – Group's share |
14,123.8 | 15,031.7 | 14,719.6 | 19,931.5 | 18,978.2 | 19,758.2 | 15,918.7 | 16,505.0 | 14,867.0 | 13,245.6 |
| Non-controlling interests | 2,000.8 | 1,978.0 | 2,100.0 | 1,856.8 | 1,494.7 | 1,581.2 | 1,710.9 | 1,431.4 | 1,507.2 | 1,297.9 |
| Non-current liabilities | 8,370.4 | 8,805.9 | 12,101.1 | 9,389.3 | 7,514.8 | 7,129.5 | 4,832.6 | 3,773.9 | 3,226.5 | 4,379.6 |
| Current liabilities | 2,974.7 | 2,744.1 | 4,479.7 | 3,120.1 | 2,369.4 | 2,817.4 | 1,428.0 | 2,348.3 | 2,272.1 | 1,482.5 |
| Total liabilities and shareholders' equity |
27,469.8 | 28,559.6 | 33,400.4 | 34,297.6 | 30,357.0 | 31,286.3 | 23,890.2 | 24,058.6 | 21,872.8 | 20,405.6 |
| Income statement | ||||||||||
| Share of profit (loss) of associates | 15.8 | 44.0 | 3.2 | 136.0 | (30.9) | (49.3) | 25.6 | 23.9 | 24.2 | (82.8) |
| Net dividends from investments | 254.8 | 286.1 | 322.3 | 363.1 | 312.9 | 508.3 | 350.4 | 340.7 | 338.4 | 323.5 |
| Other operating income (expenses) from investing activities |
(186.2) | (126.0) | (117.3) | (99.3) | (69.6) | (62.5) | (39.1) | (59.4) | (48.2) | (52.4) |
| Gains (losses) on disposals, impairments and reversals of non-current assets from investing activities |
45.5 | 18.5 | (83.3) | 139.4 | 1.2 | 128.6 | 4.2 | 245.7 | (968.0) | 749.8 |
| Financial income (expenses) from investing activities |
175.4 | 280.9 | (395.5) | 109.6 | 424.0 | 143.2 | 11.8 | (17.4) | 37.5 | 52.4 |
| Profit (loss) before tax from investing activities - continuing operations |
305.3 | 503.5 | (270.6) | 648.7 | 637.6 | 668.3 | 352.9 | 533.5 | (616.1) | 990.5 |
| Turnover | 6,198.0 | 6,137.3 | 5,623.3 | 6,243.0 | 5,915.9 | 5,037.9 | 5,201.3 | 4,626.3 | 4,531.7 | 4,392.4 |
| Raw materials and consumables | (1,961.4) | (2,110.7) | (1,964.2) | (1,483.1) | (1,551.9) | (1,729.5) | (1,715.7) | (1,434.0) | (1,434.2) | (1,416.1) |
| Employee expenses | (1,841.8) | (1,690.2) | (1,258.0) | (2,496.9) | (2,157.0) | (1,163.1) | (1,201.5) | (1,064.7) | (982.2) | (948.9) |
| Depreciation/amortization of property, plant, equipment and intangible assets (excluding impairments and reversals) |
(545.8) | (519.6) | (442.6) | (543.5) | (538.2) | (432.6) | (313.3) | (280.6) | (261.8) | (256.0) |
| Other operating income (expenses) from operating activities |
(1,338.1) | (1,366.7) | (1,498.0) | (1,464.2) | (1,362.4) | (1,413.3) | (1,802.0) | (1,331.6) | (1,299.5) | (1,302.5) |
| Gains (losses) on disposals, impairments and reversals of non-current assets from operating activities |
(349.7) | (225.3) | (112.5) | (30.9) | (81.5) | (51.1) | (215.2) | (6.6) | (25.2) | (268.9) |
| Financial income (expenses) from operating activities |
(311.6) | (228.4) | (112.7) | (443.7) | (352.4) | (82.6) | (95.7) | (97.1) | (73.9) | (69.2) |
| Profit (loss) before tax from consolidated operating activities - continuing operations |
(150.3) | (3.7) | 235.3 | (219.3) | (127.5) | 165.7 | (142.1) | 411.7 | 454.9 | 130.8 |
| Income taxes | (91.8) | (112.2) | (105.0) | (62.2) | (80.8) | (65.1) | (94.7) | (121.4) | (149.7) | (65.4) |
| Profit (loss) from continuing operations |
63.2 | 387.5 | (140.3) | 367.3 | 429.3 | 768.9 | 116.1 | 823.8 | (310.9) | 1,055.9 |
| Profit (loss) from consolidated operating activities - discontinued operations |
- | 1,355.6 | (292.2) | 67.5 | 0.0 | - | 788.0 | 67.3 | - | - |
| Non-controlling interests | (69.1) | 19.9 | 152.2 | 156.0 | 38.3 | 64.2 | (245.2) | (185.7) | (146.8) | (29.5) |
| Consolidated profit (loss) for the year – Group's share |
132.3 | 1,723.2 | (584.7) | 278.8 | 391.0 | 704.7 | 658.9 | 705.4 | (457.7) | 1,026.4 |
| Gross dividend (in EUR) | 5.00 | 2.75 | 2.75 | 2.75 | 2.50 | 3.15 | 3.07 | 3.00 | 2.93 | 2.86 |
| Coupon number for dividend | 27 | 26 | 25 | 24 | 23 | 22 | 21 | 20 | 19 | 18 |
| Adjusted net assets per share (in EUR) |
113.30 | 113.64 | 116.18 | 143.91 | 127.03 | 126.11 | 100.35 | 117.06 | 105.31 | 94.13 |
| Share price (in EUR) | 66.05 | 71.22 | 74.58 | 98.16 | 82.52 | 93.96 | 76.08 | 89.99 | 79.72 | 78.83 |
| Number of shares in issue | 138,400,000 | 146,700,000 | 153,000,000 | 156,355,000 | 161,358,287 | 161,358,287 | 161,358,287 | 161,358,287 | 161,358,287 | 161,358,287 |
| Number of treasury shares | 12,890,643 | 16,931,253 | 12,222,870 | 7,944,102 | 8,749,816 | 5,238,989 | 2,642,982 | 5,660,482 | 5,924,416 | 6,079,926 |
In accordance with article 3:17 of the Code on companies and associations, the non-consolidated accounts are presented hereafter in a summary version of the annual accounts, which does not include all the attachments required by law, nor the Statutory Auditor's report. The complete version of the annual accounts, to be deposited with the National Bank of Belgium, will be available on request from the company's registered office; they are also available on the website (www.gbl.com). The capital structure (as mentioned in the appendix of these accounts) is detailed on page 237.
The income statement of the Company shows a loss for the fiscal year for two consecutive years. In accordance with Article 3:6, §1, 6° of the Companies and Associations Code, the Board of Directors justifies the application of accounting continuity principles. This assumption is justified by the fact that (i) these losses are mainly due to non-recurring losses that do not impact the Company's cash flow, and (ii) the Company's balance sheet shows a significant retained earnings as of December 31, 2024 (EUR 7,091 million).
The Statutory Auditor's report on the annual accounts was unqualified.
| IN EUR MILLION | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|
| Start-up costs | 6.3 | 8.7 |
| Fixed assets | 14,927.2 | 16,047.4 |
| Intangible assets | 0.9 | 1.0 |
| Tangible assets | 1.6 | 0.8 |
| Financial assets | 14,924.8 | 16,045.6 |
| Current assets | 284.0 | 587.7 |
| Amounts receivable within one year | 2.7 | 4.2 |
| Short-term investments | 267.9 | 573.4 |
| Cash at the bank and in hand | 11.4 | 8.7 |
| Deferred charges and accrued income | 1.9 | 1.3 |
| IN EUR MILLION | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|
| Capital and reserves | 11,954.3 | 13,212.0 |
| Capital | 653.1 | 653.1 |
| Share premium account | 3,519.6 | 3,519.6 |
| Reserves | 691.1 | 946.7 |
| Profit carried forward | 7,090.5 | 8,092.5 |
| Provisions and deferred taxation | 36.2 | 6.7 |
| Provisions for liabilities and charges | 36.2 | 6.7 |
| Debts | 3,227.0 | 3,425.0 |
| Amounts payable after more than one year | 1,493.2 | 2,491.2 |
| Amounts payable within one year | 1,691.8 | 896.8 |
| Accrued charges and deferred income | 42.1 | 37.0 |
| IN EUR MILLION | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|
| Sales and services | 11.5 | 6.1 |
| Turnover | 10.2 | 4.9 |
| Other operating income | 1.2 | 1.2 |
| Non recurrent operating income | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Operating charges | 46.8 | 46.9 |
| Miscellaneous goods and services | 27.6 | 24.9 |
| Remuneration, social security and pensions | 17.7 | 20.5 |
| Depreciation on and amounts written off start-up costs, intangible and tangible assets | 2.8 | 3.2 |
| Amounts written off inventories, contracts in progress and trade debtors | - | - |
| Provisions for liabilities and charges | (1.5) | (1.9) |
| Other operating expenses | 0.2 | 0.2 |
| Non recurrent operating expenses | - | - |
| OPERATING INCOME (LOSS) | (35.4) | (40.7) |
| Financial income | 188.5 | 847.6 |
| Recurring financial income | 174.1 | 357.4 |
| Income from financial assets | 83.1 | 260.9 |
| Income from current assets | 86.0 | 84.2 |
| Other financial income | 5.0 | 12.3 |
| Non-recurring financial income | 14.3 | 490.2 |
| Financial expenses | 154.9 | 856.6 |
| Recurring financial expenses | 113.6 | 66.3 |
| Debt expenses | 85.4 | 55.9 |
| Amounts written off current assets | 6.7 | 3.3 |
| Other financial expenses | 21.4 | 7.1 |
| Non-recurring financial expenses | 41.3 | 790.3 |
| Profit (loss) for the year before income taxes | (1.7) | (49.7) |
| Income taxes on result | 0.1 | 0.0 |
| Taxes | 0.1 | 0.0 |
| Adjustment of taxes and release of tax provisions | - | - |
| PROFIT (LOSS) FOR THE YEAR | (1.9) | (49.8) |
The profit appropriation policy proposed by the Board of Directors aims at maintaining a balance between an attractive dividend for shareholders and growth in GBL's NAV per share.
Taking into account the profit carried forward from previous year of EUR 8,092,487,308.44, the profit for the year of EUR - 1,883,508.72 and the deduction from and transfer to reserves of EUR - 334,364,285.47 the amount available for appropriation is EUR 7,756,239,514.25. The Board of Directors will propose the following appropriation to the General Meeting on May 2, 2025:
| IN EUR | |
|---|---|
| Dividend on 133,143,519 shares | 665,717,595.00 |
| To be carried forward | 7,090,521,919.25 |
| IN EUR MILLION | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|
| Profit (loss) available for appropriation | 8,090.6 | 9,206.1 |
| Profit (loss) for the year available for appropriation | (1.9) | (49.8) |
| Profit (loss) carried forward from the previous year | 8,092.5 | 9,255.9 |
| Deduction from capital and reserves | 0.2 | 0.2 |
| from reserves | 0.2 | 0.2 |
| Transfer to capital and reserves | (334.6) | (733.3) |
| to other reserves | (334.6) | (733.3) |
| Result to be carried forward | 7,090.5 | 8,092.5 |
| Profit (loss) to be carried forward | 7,090.5 | 8,092.5 |
| Profit to be distributed | 665.7 | 380.5 |
| Dividends | 665.7 | 380.5 |
| IN EUR | 2024 | 2023 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gross | Net(1) | Gross | Net(1) | |
| Share | 5.00(2) | 3.50 | 2.75(2) | 1.925 |
(1) Dividend excluding a 30.00% withholding tax
(2) Excluding treasury shares held by Groupe Bruxelles Lambert SA


| 8.1 | Information relating to the Company | 234 |
|---|---|---|
| 8.2 | Share capital and shareholding structure | 237 |
| 8.3 | Shareholders | 238 |
| 8.4 | Other information for shareholders | 242 |
| 8.5 | Auditing of the financial statements | 247 |
The Company was founded as the result of the merger in April 2001 between GBL SA and Electrafina, in which GBL SA held a stake of more than 80%.
Over the years, Electrafina became the "energy arm" of the group, holding its interests in the oil and electricity industries. Later, it also invested in media. GBL SA, on the other hand, held direct interests in fields such as financial services, real estate and trade. Over time, the differences between the assets of the parent company and its subsidiary became less pronounced and all assets were brought together into a single entity.
This merger also conformed to the group's strategy of keeping assets internationally positioned in a portfolio in a context of concentration and increasing competition, which resulted in its divestment of the financial services and the sale of interests that had become marginal.
Groupe Bruxelles Lambert Groep Brussel Lambert in abbreviated form "GBL"
The French and Dutch registered names may be used together or separately.
24, avenue Marnix - 1000 Brussels
The registered office may be transferred to any other address in Belgium by decision of the Board of Directors.
The Company was incorporated on January 4, 1902 as a limited liability company under Belgian law, by deed executed by Edouard Van Halteren, Notary in Brussels, published in the Appendices to the Belgian Official Gazette of January 10, 1902, reference number 176. The Articles of Association have been amended on a number of occasions, most recently by a deed dated May 2, 2024 published in the Appendices to the Belgian Official Gazette of May 7, 2024, reference number 24395274 and of August 5, 2024, reference number 24117261.
The Company is governed by existing and future laws and regulations applicable to public limited companies and by the Articles of Association.
Except for capital increases decided by the Board of Directors within the limits of the authorized capital, only an Extraordinary General Meeting is empowered to amend GBL's Articles of Association. A General Meeting can only deliberate on amendments to the Articles of Association (including increases or reductions in capital, as well as mergers, splits and liquidation) if at least 50% of the subscribed capital is represented. If this quorum is not reached, a new Extraordinary General Meeting must be convened. The latter will deliberate regardless of the share of capital represented. As a general rule, amendments to the Company's Articles of Association are only adopted if they receive 75% of the votes cast. The Code on companies and associations requires a higher majority in specific cases, such as changes in the corporate's purpose or legal form of the Company.
The Company is registered in the Register of Legal Entities (RPM) under the business number 0407.040.209.
The Company's Legal Entity Identifier is 549300KV0ZEHT2KVU152.
The Company is incorporated for an unlimited period.
The Company's object is:
The Company may be interested by contribution or merger in any existing or future companies or bodies whose object is similar, analogous or related to its own or which would be of such a nature as to confer on it any advantage in terms of achieving its object.
As at December 31, 2024, the fully paid-up share capital amounts to EUR 653,136,356.46. It is represented by 138,400,000 shares without par value.
Subject to the provisions of section 8.1.11, all shares, representing the share capital, have the same rights.
GBL has not issued any other class of shares, such as non-voting or preferential shares.
In accordance with the law of December 14, 2005 on the elimination of bearer shares, holders of bearer shares had to convert their securities into registered or dematerialized shares by December 31, 2013 at the latest. Bearer shares that had not been converted into registered or dematerialized shares as at January 1, 2014 were automatically converted into dematerialized shares registered in a securities account in GBL's name.
Since January 1, 2014, the exercising of bearer share rights has been suspended in accordance with the law.
The law also provides that, as from January 1, 2015, issuers must put any unclaimed bearer shares up for sale on the stock market and announce this mandatory sale in good time.
Once the unclaimed bearer shares have been sold, the proceeds of this sale (i.e., the proceeds less any custodian costs) must be transferred to the Caisse des Dépôts et Consignations within fifteen days.
In accordance with this obligation, two notices stating the maximum number of securities liable to be put up for sale and the depositing deadline and location for bearer shares were published by GBL and Euronext on their websites. An initial notice was published on December 5, 2014 and concerned 69,082 unclaimed bearer shares, while a second notice was published on October 2, 2015 relating to 32,656 bearer shares from share exchange reserves. These notices were also published in the Belgian Official Gazette of December 11, 2014 and October 6, 2015, respectively. Following the publication of these notices, the shares in question were sold on the stock exchange on January 21, 2015 (69,082 shares) and November 16, 2015 (32,656 shares). The proceeds from these sales were transferred on January 23, 2015 and November 18, 2015 to the Caisse des Dépôts et Consignations.
Since December 31, 2015, the owners of these old bearer shares have been entitled to demand payment of the corresponding proceeds from the Caisse des Dépôts et Consignations, subject to these owners being able to provide proof of ownership. However, the law of December 14, 2005 provides that, as from January 1, 2016, such reimbursement shall be subject to a fine of 10% of the proceeds from the sale of the underlying bearer shares, calculated per year of delay that has commenced. GBL is therefore no longer involved in this process.
GBL's Articles of Association do not impose any restrictions on the transfer of shares or other securities. In addition, the Company is not aware of any restrictions imposed by law, except in the context of the legislation on market abuse and the lock-up obligations imposed by the Code on companies and associations with regard to certain share allocations.
Finally, GBL shares that are allocated to Directors as part of their remuneration may not be transferred for a period of three years from the date of allocation.
The Extraordinary General Meeting of April 28, 2020 renewed, for a period of five years, the authorization given to the Board of Directors to:
In both cases, the Board of Directors may, in the interest of the Company, limit or cancel the preferential subscription rights of the existing shareholders according to the conditions provided for by law.
This authorization, which was granted for the first time in 1987, was last renewed on April 28, 2020. It is valid for a five-year period from May 25, 2020, i.e., until May 2025.
The General Meeting of May 2, 2025, is called upon to vote on the renewal of this authorization for a further period of five years. However, a proposal will be made during this Meeting to reduce the size of the authorized capital by 10% of the Company's capital, i.e. EUR 65 million, plus the issue premium.
The Extraordinary General Meeting of April 28, 2020 renewed the authorization given to the Company's Board of Directors, for a period of five years, to buy a maximum of 32,271,657 of its treasury shares, in accordance with the legal provisions. These acquisitions can only be made at an equivalent value that may not be more than ten per cent (10%) below the lowest closing price of the twelve (12) months preceding the transaction and no more than ten per cent (10%) above the highest closing price of the last twenty (20) days preceding the transaction.
This authorization also covers purchases by GBL's direct and indirect subsidiaries.
The General Meeting of May 2, 2025 is called upon to vote on the renewal of this authorization for a further period of five years. The proposed authorization will cover 10% of the Company's shares (based on the number of existing shares at the end of this Meeting). It will no longer allow the Company to acquire its treasury shares to prevent the Company from suffering "serious and imminent damage".
Furthermore, the Board of Directors may also sell treasury shares on or off the stock market without the prior intervention of the General Meeting and without any time limits, under certain conditions.
The Company has entered into a liquidity agreement to improve the liquidity of GBL shares. This agreement is performed on a discretionary basis by a third-party on behalf of GBL within the limits of the authorization granted by the General Meeting of April 28, 2020, as well as in compliance with the applicable laws.
Purchases and sales of treasury shares in 2023 and 2024 are presented in detail on page 195 of this annual report.
Finally, the General Meeting of May 2, 2024 decided to cancel 8,300,000 treasury shares. A proposal will be made during the General Meeting of May 2, 2025 to cancel 5,200,000 additional treasury shares.
There are no statutory restrictions on the exercise of voting rights, without prejudice to general rules on admission to the General Meeting.
Pursuant to Article 11 of the Articles of Association, double voting rights were granted to Company shares that have been registered for at least two years, without interruption, in the name of the same shareholder in the register of registered shares.
As at December 31, 2024, the total number of voting securities and the total number of voting rights were split as follows:
| Total capital | EUR 653,136,356.46 |
|---|---|
| Total number of securities conferring voting rights |
138,400,000 |
| Number of securities conferring double voting rights |
55,486,635 |
| Total number of voting rights (= denominator) | 193,886,635 |
This situation (the denominator) serves as the basis for the reporting of the exceeding of thresholds by shareholders.
GBL has set up a website to provide information to its shareholders (www.gbl.com).
This site, which is updated regularly, contains the information required under the Royal Decree of November 14, 2007 on the obligations of issuers of financial instruments admitted to trading on a regulated market.
This information includes accounts, annual reports, all press releases issued by the Company, as well as any useful and necessary information about General Meetings and shareholders' attendance at such meetings, including the conditions provided for by the Articles of Association for the calling of (Ordinary and Extraordinary) General Meetings.
The results of votes, as well as the minutes of General Meetings, are also published on the website.
The Company's email address, within the meaning of Article 2:31 of the Code on companies and associations, is [email protected].
The Company's consolidated Articles of Association may be viewed at the clerk's office of the Brussels Company Court, at the Company's registered office and on its website (www.gbl.com).
Annual accounts are filed with the National Bank of Belgium and may be viewed on GBL's website. Resolutions relating to the appointment and removal of members of the Company's executive bodies are published in the Appendices to the Belgian Official Gazette.
Financial notices relating to the Company are published in the financial press. Other documents available for public inspection may be viewed at the Company's registered office.
The Company's annual report is sent each year, on demand, to registered shareholders and to any person requesting a copy. It is available free of charge at the registered office.
The annual reports and all the documents referred to in this section may be viewed on the Company's website.
The 2020 Code is available on the following website: https://www.corporategovernancecommittee.be/en
GBL has set up a long-term incentive scheme, tied mainly to the Company's performance.
For more information, please see pages 208 to 209.
For information on the shares and options held by members of GBL's Board of Directors and the CEO, please see pages 30 to 35 and 40 to 45.
(1) Excluding treasury shares held by Groupe Bruxelles Lambert SA
(2) Double voting rights are granted to GBL shares that have been registered for at least two years, continuously in the name of the same shareholder in GBL's register of registered shares
At year-end 2024, GBL's share capital totaled EUR 653.1 million, represented by 138,400,000 shares. GBL's shareholding is characterized by a controlling shareholder, Pargesa SA, which holds 32.9% of the outstanding shares and 47.0% of the voting rights. Pargesa SA itself is held jointly by the Power Corporation of Canada (Canada) and Frère (Belgium) groups, providing GBL with a stable and solid shareholder base. Since 1990, the two groups have been bound by a shareholders' agreement. This agreement, which was extended in December 2012 until 2029, includes an extension possibility going forward. The chain of control is presented in detail and illustrated on page 240.
At year-end 2024, GBL held, directly and through its subsidiaries, 12,890,643 GBL shares representing 9.31% of the issued capital.
(AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2024)
The Company concluded an agreement with a third party to improve the market liquidity of GBL shares. This liquidity agreement is executed on a discretionary basis on behalf of GBL within the limits of the authorization granted by the General Shareholders' Meeting of April 28, 2020 and in accordance with the applicable rules.
For further information about this authorization, please see page 235 of this report.

The Company complies with all of the provisions of the 2020 Code concerning shareholders.
Accordingly, one or more shareholders who collectively own at least 3% of the Company's share capital may request the addition of an item to the agenda of the General Meeting, and may also submit proposals for decisions concerning the items to be discussed or to be placed on the agenda. The threshold of the share capital from which one or more shareholders may request the calling of a General Meeting is set at 10%.
Furthermore, the Company publishes the voting results and the minutes of the General Meeting on its website as soon as possible after the Meeting.
The shareholding of the Company is described on page 241.
Following the simplification of the shareholding structure by the Company's controlling shareholder, the Frère and Power Corporation of Canada groups, through their vehicle of control Parjointco SA and its subsidiary Pargesa SA:
Furthermore, by letter dated March 1, 2021, Parjointco SA confirmed to the Board of Directors its strategic objectives as controlling shareholder, in accordance with the 2020 Code. These objectives are:
During its meeting on March 11, 2021, the Board of Directors assessed the need to enter into a relationship agreement between the Company and Parjointco SA. It has determined that such an agreement is not necessary, as the controlling shareholder has demonstrated, for many years, that it has used its position judiciously by avoiding conflicts of interest and respecting the rights and interests of minority shareholders.
On February 21, 2008, the Company received a notification from its controlling shareholders concerning their holding in GBL as at September 1, 2007.
This notification was sent in accordance with Article 74 § 7 of the law of April 1, 2007 on takeover bids. Under this law, shareholders who hold more than 30% of the capital of a listed company are exempted from the obligation to launch a takeover bid on this company provided that they have notified the FSMA of their holding by the time of the law's entry into force (i.e., September 1, 2007) and the company concerned by February 21, 2008 at the latest.
Pursuant to this law, these shareholders are also obliged to report any change in their controlling interest to the FSMA and to the company concerned each year. They therefore sent GBL on September 2, 2024 an update of the controlling shareholding structure as at August 31, 2024, which is set out below:
– Number and percentage of shares with voting rights held by the declaring parties:
| Shareholders | Number of shares | % |
|---|---|---|
| The Desmarais Family Residuary Trust | 500 | 0.00 |
| Paul Desmarais, Jr. | 12,250 | 0.01 |
| Counsel Portfolio Services Inc. | 1,950 | 0.00 |
| Ségolène Gallienne - Frère | 6,750 | 0.00 |
| Gérald Frère | 452,215 | 0.33 |
| Frère-Bourgeois Holding SA | 19,250 | 0.01 |
| FG Bros SA | 19,250 | 0.01 |
| Pargesa SA | 45,546,336 | 32.91 |
| Groupe Bruxelles Lambert SA (*) | 1,678,263 | 1.21 |
| Sagerpar SA (*) | 4,727,098 | 3.42 |
| FINPAR II SA (*) | 171,678 | 0.12 |
| FINPAR III SA (*) | 161,956 | 0.12 |
| FINPAR IV SA (*) | 154,568 | 0.11 |
| FINPAR V SRL (*) | 192,884 | 0.14 |
| FINPAR VI SRL (*) | 181,000 | 0.13 |
| FINPAR VII SRL (*) | 674,382 | 0.49 |
| FINPAR VIII SRL (*) | 1,200,421 | 0.87 |
| FINPAR IX SRL (*) | 940,880 | 0.68 |
| FINPAR X SRL (*) | 712,401 | 0.51 |
| URDAC SA (*) | 141,108 | 0.10 |
| TOTAL | 56,995,140 | 41.18 |
(*) Shares whose voting rights are suspended
– Natural and/or legal person(s) ultimately controlling the declaring legal persons:
The Desmarais Family Residuary Trust and Ségolène Gallienne - Frère, the groups Power and Frère being bound by an action in concert.

In accordance with Belgian legal requirements on transparency, all GBL shareholders must make a disclosure whenever their voting rights either exceed or fall below the thresholds of 5%, 10%, 15% and all other multiples of 5% of the total voting rights.
GBL's Articles of Association do not lay down a declaration threshold lower than 5% or 10%.
The Extraordinary General Meeting of April 28, 2020 amended the Articles of Association to grant double voting rights for Company shares that have been registered for at least two years, without interruption, in the name of the same shareholder in the register of registered shares (see Article 11 of the Articles of Association).
Between January 1, 2024 and March 13, 2025, GBL received the following transparency notifications:

( ) Voting rights
(1) Trustees of a trust set up on the death of Paul G. Desmarais, for the benefit of certain members of the Desmarais family
(2) Joint control and concerted action on GBL between the groups Power and Frère
(3) The balance of FINPAR III's capital is held by a wholly-owned subsidiary of GBL
Blackout period
Extraordinary and Ordinary General Meetings 2025
Results as of March 31, 2025
Report on payments to governments available on GBL's website
Blackout period
Half year 2025 results
OCTOBER 22 – NOVEMBER 6, 2025
Blackout period
Results as of September 30, 2025
Annual results 2025
Ordinary General Meeting 2026
Note: these dates may be subject to change
Shareholders are invited to participate in the Extraordinary and Ordinary General Meetings to be held on Friday May 2, 2025, respectively at 2.30 pm and 3 pm.
Proposal to cancel 5,200,000 treasury shares acquired by the company.
The unavailable reserve created for the acquisition of the treasury shares would be cancelled as required by Article 7:219, §4 of the Code on companies and associations.
Accordingly, Article 4 of the Articles of Association would be worded as follows:
"The capital is set at six hundred and fifty-three million one hundred and thirty-six thousand three hundred and fifty-six euros and forty-six cents (653,136,356.46 EUR).
It is represented by one hundred and thirty-three million two hundred thousand shares (133,200,000), without mention of nominal value, each representing one / one hundred thirty-three million two hundred thousandth (1/133,200,000th) of the capital.
Each of these shares is fully paid up."
2.1. Proposal to renew the authorisation to the company, for a period of five (5) years beginning on the date of the publication of the minutes of this General Shareholders' Meeting, to acquire up to twenty per cent (20%) of the number of treasury shares existing at the end of this General Shareholders' Meeting for a unit price that may not be more than ten per cent (10%) below the lowest closing price of the twelve (12) months preceding the transaction and no more than ten per cent (10%) above the highest closing price of the last twenty (20) days preceding the transaction, and to authorise the company's direct subsidiaries, within the meaning and limits of Article 7:221, paragraph 1 of the Code on companies and associations, to acquire shares in the company under the same conditions.
Until this proposal for decision is approved and published in the Annexes to the Belgian Official Gazette, the existing authorisation will continue to apply.
2.2. Accordingly, subject to approval of the proposal for decision 2.1., Article 7 of the Articles of Association would be worded as follows:
"The company may, without the prior authorisation of the Shareholders' Meeting, in accordance with Articles 7:215 and following of the Code on companies and associations and Articles 8.2 and following of the Royal Decree implementing the Code on companies and associations, and within the limits they provide for, acquire a maximum of twenty per cent (20%) of the number of its treasury shares existing at the end of the Extraordinary General Shareholders' Meeting of May 2, 2025 at a unit price which may not be more than ten percent (10%) lower than the lowest price of the last twelve (12) months preceding the transaction and which may not be more than ten percent (10%) higher than the highest price of the last twenty (20) quotations preceding the transaction. This option extends to the acquisition of shares of the company by one of its direct subsidiaries, within the meaning and limits of Article 7:221, paragraph 1 of the Code on companies and associations.
The above authorisation is valid for five years from the date of the publication in the Annexes to the Belgian Official Gazette ("Moniteur belge" / "Belgisch Staatsblad") of the minutes of the Extraordinary General Shareholders' Meeting of May 2, 2025.
In accordance with Article 7:218, §1, 4° of the Code on companies and associations, the company is authorised to dispose of the shares acquired under this Article, subject to the equivalence of the offered price, to one or more specified persons other than employees; in this case, the directors who de facto represent this or these person(s) or persons related to it or to them may not participate in the vote on the Board of Directors."
Until this proposal for decision is approved and published in the Annexes to the Belgian Official Gazette, the existing authorisation will continue to apply.
3.3. Accordingly, subject to the approval of the proposed decision 3.2, Article 12 of the Articles of Association would be worded as follows:
" 1. The capital may be increased or decreased by a decision of the Shareholders' Meeting, taken in the forms and under the conditions provided for amendments to the Articles of Association.
2. In addition, the Board of Directors is authorised to increase the capital on one or more occasions, up to sixty-five million euros (EUR 65,000,000.00); the authorisation is valid for a period of five years from the publication of the minutes of the Extraordinary General Shareholders' Meeting of May 2, 2025.
This authorisation may be renewed once or several times, for a period not exceeding five years, by the Shareholders' Meeting deliberating under the conditions set by law.
The capital increases decided pursuant to this authorisation may be carried out by contribution in cash, contribution in kind within the legal limits, capitalisation of available or unavailable reserves, or issue premiums, with or without the creation of new shares, preferential or not, with or without voting rights, with or without subscription rights.
When, as part of this authorisation, the Board of Directors decides to increase the capital by issuing new shares, to be subscribed in cash, it may, in the interest of the company and in compliance with the conditions prescribed by the legal provisions in force, limit or cancel the preferential subscription rights of the shareholders. The Board of Directors may also limit or cancel the preferential subscription rights of shareholders in favour of one or more specified persons other than the employees of the company or its subsidiaries. In this case, the director(s) who de facto represent the beneficiary(ies) of the exclusion of the preferential subscription right or a person related to the beneficiary within the meaning of Article 7:193, §1, paragraph 6 of the Code on companies and associations, may not participate in the vote.
The Board of Directors shall in any case have the right to amend any agreement intended to ensure the subscription of all or part of the new securities to be issued, to the terms and conditions it shall notify.
When making use of the authorisation to increase the capital, the Board, which may substitute, is empowered to adapt the Articles of Association in order to modify the amount of the capital and, in the event of the issuance of new securities, the number of shares, to complete the history of the capital as well as by a statutory transitional provision to indicate to what extent it has made use of its power to increase the capital.
3. When the capital increase decided by the Board of Directors includes an issue premium, the amount of the issue premium, after any costs have been charged, must be allocated to an unavailable account which, equal to the capital, will constitute the guarantee of third parties and may only be decreased or cancelled by a decision of the Shareholders' Meeting deliberating under the quorum and majority conditions required for the capital decrease, subject to its incorporation by the Board of Directors as provided for in point 2."
3.4. Proposal to renew the authorisation granted to the Board of Directors, for a period of five (5) years as from the date of publication in the Annexes to the Belgian Official Gazette of the minutes of this Extraordinary General Shareholders' Meeting, to issue convertible bonds or bonds reimbursable in shares, subordinated or not, subscription rights or other financial instruments, whether or not attaching to bonds or other securities and that can in time give rise to capital increases in a maximum amount such that the amount of capital increases that may result from exercise of these conversion or subscription rights, whether or not attaching to such securities, shall not exceed the limit of the remaining capital authorised by Article 12 of the Articles of Association.
Until this proposal for decision is approved and published in the Annexes to the Belgian Official Gazette, the existing authorisation will continue to apply.
3.5. Accordingly, subject to the approval of the proposed decision 3.4., Article 13 of the Articles of Association would be worded as follows:
" 1. The company may issue bonds; they will be in either registered or dematerialised form. Any owner of dematerialised bonds may at any time request the conversion of his shares into registered form.
2. In the case of bonds other than those referred to under point 3 below, the decision may be taken by the Board of Directors, which shall determine the type and rate of interest, the method and time of amortisation or repayment, special guarantees and any other conditions of the issue.
3. In the case of bonds convertible or redeemable in shares, whether or not subordinated, subscription rights or other financial instruments, whether or not attached to bonds or other securities that may eventually give rise to capital increases, the decision is taken either by the Shareholders' Meeting deliberating under the conditions set by law or by the Board of Directors within the limit of the authorised capital.
To this end, the Board of Directors is authorised to decide to issue these securities, on one or more occasions, up to a maximum amount such that the amount of capital increases that may result from the exercise of conversion or subscription rights attached or not to such securities does not exceed the limit of the remaining capital authorised by Article 12 of the Articles of Association.
This authorisation is valid for a period of five years from the date of publication in the Annexes to the Belgian Official Gazette ("Moniteur belge" / "Belgisch Staatsblad") of the minutes of the Extraordinary General Shareholders' Meeting of May 2, 2025.
This authorisation is renewable once or several times for a period not exceeding five years by the Shareholders' Meeting, deliberating under the conditions set by law.
When the Board of Directors issues the above securities, it is authorised to limit or cancel, in the interest of the company and in compliance with the conditions prescribed by the legal provisions in force, the preferential subscription rights of the shareholders. The Board of Directors may also limit or cancel the preferential subscription rights of shareholders in favour of one or more specified persons other than the company's personnel in the case of the issue of convertible bonds or bonds redeemable in shares. In this case, the director(s) who de facto represent the beneficiary(ies) of the exclusion of the preferential subscription right or a person related to the beneficiary within the meaning of Article 7:193, §1, paragraph 6 of the Code on companies and associations, may not participate in the vote.
When making use of the option to issue convertible bonds or bonds redeemable in shares or subscription rights or other financial instruments, the Board is authorised, with the power to substitute, to indicate in a statutory transitional provision, to what extent such issues may be of such a nature as to increase the capital and increase the number of securities issued and may, as these bonds are converted or repaid or as subscription rights or rights to other securities are exercised, adjust in the Articles of Association the amount of subscribed capital, the number of existing securities and complete the history of the capital.
The issue premiums, if any, will be allocated to the "Issue Premiums" account which, like the capital, will constitute the guarantee of third parties and may only be disposed of in accordance with the legal provisions in force for the capital decrease, except in the case of the incorporation of these premiums in the "Capital" account."
Proposal to delegate all powers to any employee of Groupe Bruxelles Lambert, with a substitution option and, where appropriate, without prejudice to other delegations of power, in order (i) to coordinate the Articles of Association to take the above amendments into account, to sign the coordinated versions of the Articles of Association and deposit them with the clerk office of the Brussels Company Court, and (ii) to carry out any other formalities for the deposit or publication of the above decision.
In order to be adopted, the proposals listed under items 1. to 3. of the agenda of this Meeting require a quorum of half of the capital and a majority of three fourths of the votes cast at the Meeting. The proposal under item 4. does not require a quorum and requires a simple majority of the votes cast at the Meeting.
Proposal for the discharge to be granted to the Directors for duties performed during the year ended December 31, 2024.
Proposal for the discharge to be granted to the Statutory Auditor for duties performed during the year ended December 31, 2024.
6.1. In accordance with the recommendation of the Audit Committee and on the proposal of the Board of Directors, confirmation of the appointment of PwC Bedrijfsrevisoren-Reviseurs d'Entreprises, with its registered office at 1831 Diegem, Culliganlaan 5, Statutory Auditor of GBL, for the limited assurance of sustainability reporting mission under the law of December 2, 2024 transposing the CSRD Directive and under the Code on companies and associations. This appointment refers to a period of one year covering the 2024 financial year. The remuneration for this mission amounts to EUR 126,150 (plus VAT, various disbursements and IBR-IRE contribution). In accordance with Article 3:60, §2 of the Code on companies and associations, it is specified that PwC Bedrijfsrevisoren-Reviseurs d'Entreprises has appointed Alexis Van Bavel SRL (B00810), auditor, as its representative, responsible for carrying out the mission, with as permanent representative Alexis Van Bavel, also auditor.
6.2. In accordance with the recommendation of the Audit Committee and on the proposal of the Board of Directors, proposal to appoint PwC Bedrijfsrevisoren-Reviseurs d'Entreprises, with its registered office at 1831 Diegem, Culliganlaan 5, Statutory Auditor of GBL, for the limited assurance of sustainability reporting mission under the law of December 2, 2024 transposing the CSRD Directive and under the Code on companies and associations. This proposal covers a period of two years, including the financial years 2025 and 2026. The remuneration for this mission will amount to EUR 92,000 a year (plus VAT, various disbursements, IBR-IRE contribution and indexation). In accordance with Article 3:60, §2 of the Code on companies and associations, it is specified that PwC Bedrijfsrevisoren-Reviseurs d'Entreprises will appoint Alexis Van Bavel SRL (B00810), auditor, as its representative, responsible for carrying out the mission, with as permanent representative Alexis Van Bavel, also auditor.
Proposal to approve the Board of Directors' remuneration report for the 2024 financial year.
Proposal to approve the remuneration policy applicable as from the 2025 financial year.
In order to be adopted, the proposals on the agenda of this Meeting do not require a quorum and require a simple majority of the votes cast at the Meeting, with the exception of the proposal listed under item 9.2. which requires a quorum of half of the capital and a majority of three fourths of the votes cast at the Meeting.
The profit allocation related to the 2024 financial year will be submitted for approval to the Ordinary General Meeting on May 2, 2025, for a total of EUR 665.7 million, compared to EUR 380.5 million granted for the previous year.
Taking into account the number of GBL shares entitled to dividends, this proposal for the distribution of profits corresponds to a gross dividend of EUR 5.00 per share, equivalent to EUR 3.50 net per share.

| Gross dividend per share (1)(2) | EUR 5.00 |
|---|---|
| May 9, 2025 | Ex-dividend date |
| Total amount (2) | EUR 665.7 million |
| May 12, 2025 | Record date |
| Net dividend (1)(2)(3) | EUR 3.50 |
| May 13, 2025 | Payment date |
The dividend will be payable as from May 13, 2025, either by bank transfer to registered shareholders or by transfer to the bank account of the owner of the dematerialized shares. The financial service is provided by ING Belgium bank (System Paying Agent).
(3) The withholding tax rate has been uniformly set at 30% for the GBL dividend
(1) Amount calculated on the basis of the number of shares entitled to the dividend (133,143,519
Additional information can be found on the website (www.gbl.com), among which:
Online registration to receive investor information (notifications of publications, press releases, etc.) is possible on our website.
Investor relations: Alison Donohoe [email protected] - tel.: +32 2 289 17 64
AlphaValue, BNP Paribas, CIC, Citi, Degroof Petercam, ING, KBC Securities and Kepler Cheuvreux
| 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stock price (in EUR) | |||||
| At the end of the year | 66.05 | 71.22 | 74.58 | 98.16 | 82.52 |
| Maximum | 71.90 | 81.34 | 99.90 | 104.05 | 96.22 |
| Minimum | 63.90 | 68.08 | 70.60 | 81.78 | 58.66 |
| Yearly average | 68.55 | 74.58 | 83.64 | 93.02 | 76.46 |
| Dividend (in EUR) | |||||
| Gross dividend | 5.00 | 2.75 | 2.75 | 2.75 | 2.50 |
| Net dividend | 3.500 | 1.925 | 1.925 | 1.925 | 1.75 |
| Variation (in %) | + 81.8 | 0.0 | 0.0 | + 10.0 | - 20.6 |
| Ratios (in %) | |||||
| Dividend yield | 7.6 | 3.9 | 3.7 | 2.8 | 3.0 |
| Total Shareholder Return | - 3.6 | - 1.1 | - 21.7 | + 22.3 | - 8.2 |
| Number of shares at December 31 | |||||
| Issued | 138,400,000 | 146,700,000 | 153,000,000 | 156,355,000 | 161,358,287 |
| Treasury shares | 12,890,643 | 16,931,253 | 12,222,870 | 7,944,102 | 8,749,816 |
| Net asset value (in EUR million) | 15,680.9 | 16,671.5 | 17,775.5 | 22,501.0 | 20,497.9 |
Market capitalization (in EUR million) 9,141.3 10,448.0 11,410.7 15,347.8 13,315.3 Variation (in %) - 12.5 - 8.4 - 25.7 + 15.3 - 12.2
GBL is listed on the Euronext Brussels stock exchange and is part of the BEL 20 and the STOXX Europe 600 Financial Services indexes.
| 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Traded volume (in EUR billion) | 4.2 | 6.1 | 6.6 | 6.4 | 6.3 |
| Number of traded shares (in thousands) | 61,393 | 81,385 | 79,476 | 69,022 | 82,617 |
| Average number of traded shares on a daily basis | 239,817 | 319,155 | 309,243 | 267,525 | 321,544 |
| Capital traded on the stock exchange (in %) | 44.4 | 55.5 | 51.9 | 44.1 | 51.2 |
| Velocity on free float (in %) | 77 | 97 | 83 | 67 | 71 |
| Weight in the BEL 20 (in %) | 5.2 | 6.5 | 7.0 | 7.7 | 6.9 |
| Ranking in the BEL 20 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 6 |
| Weight in the STOXX Europe 600 Financial Services (in %) | 1.1 | 1.6 | 2.3 | 2.5 | 2.8 |
| Ranking in the STOXX Europe 600 Financial Services | 16 | 13 | 10 | 11 | 11 |
The Ordinary General Meeting of May 2, 2024 renewed the mandate of PwC Bedrijfsrevisoren-Reviseurs d'Entreprises ("PwC"), represented by Alexis Van Bavel, as Statutory Auditor of GBL for a period of three years, for a fee of EUR 252,050 per year, exclusive of VAT.
In the performance of its duties, the Statutory Auditor is in relation with the CEO and has free access to the Board of Directors via the Audit Committee. Furthermore, it may address the Chairwoman of the Audit Committee and the Chairman of the Board of Directors directly and with no restrictions.
At group level (GBL and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, identified under the heading "Holding" in note 1, page 166), the total fees paid to PwC for its audit of the 2024 financial statements amount to EUR 646,725.
In addition, PwC, represented by Alexis Van Bavel, has been appointed for the sustainability information assurance engagement under the law of December 2, 2024 transposing the CSRD Directive and the Code on companies and associations. This appointment covers a period of one year covering the 2024 financial year. The remuneration for this engagement amounts to EUR 126,150 (plus VAT, various disbursements and IBR-IRE contribution).
Details regarding the fees paid to PwC can be found in note 34, page 218.


| 9.1 | Responsible persons | 250 |
|---|---|---|
| 9.2 | Statutory Auditor | 250 |
| 9.3 | Financial glossary | 251 |
Ian Gallienne CEO
Ian Gallienne, CEO, and Xavier Likin, Chief Financial Officer, certify in the name and on behalf of GBL, that to their knowledge:
PwC Reviseurs d'Entreprises SRL/PwC Bedrijfsrevisoren BV
Represented by Alexis Van Bavel(3) Réviseur d'Entreprises/Bedrijfsrevisor Culliganlaan 5 1831 Diegem Belgium
(1) "Consolidated companies" are GBL's subsidiaries within the meaning of Article 1:15 of the Code on Companies and Associations. See list of
The specific terminology used in the section on "Accounts as of December 31, 2024" refers to the IFRS (International Financial Reporting Standards) rules as adopted by the European Union.
Alternative Performance Indicators are intended to complement the standard IFRS information included in the consolidated financial statements. They are calculated and presented in a consistent manner for the different financial years. These Alternative Performance Indicators are not audited. They are specific to GBL and therefore may not be comparable to Alternative Performance Indicators as defined by other groups.
With regards to the terms related to financial data on the investments, please refer to the definitions provided by each company in its financial communication.
Finally, the terms used in the "Corporate Governance Statement" refer directly to the 2020 Belgian Code on corporate governance and other specific legislation.
The asset rotation is the total cumulative nominal amount, for the period specified, of investments and divestments by the GBL group – Holding segment, excluding repurchases of treasury shares.
Assets under management is an operational business indicator corresponding to assets in portfolio marketed by Sienna Investment Managers, whether Sienna Investment Managers manages them, advises on them or delegates their management to an external manager. It includes the NAV of the proprietary capital.
The Concentrix note results from the transaction, closed on September 25, 2023, related to the combination of the Webhelp group, a private asset held by GBL between 2019 and 2023, and listed company Concentrix (the "Concentrix + Webhelp Transaction"). This note for a nominal amount of EUR 493 million will expire in September 2025 and bears an annual facial interest rate of 2.00%. It was largely monetized in Q3 2024. GBL has a residual receivable of EUR 4 million as of December 31, 2024.
The discount is defined as the percentage difference (expressed in relation to the net asset value) between the market capitalization and the net asset value.
The dividend yield is defined as the ratio between (i) the gross dividend detached (or the sum of the gross dividends detached) during the period (12 months) and (ii) the stock market price at the beginning of the period.
The dividend yield for year N is therefore the ratio between (i) the gross dividend (or the sum of the gross dividends) having its (their) Ex-Date in year N+1 and (ii) the closing price on the last trading day of year N.
The value of gross dividends not yet declared is estimated using Bloomberg's "BDVD" function. If this function is not available, the last gross dividend declared is used as an estimate.
In order to facilitate and clarify the reading of the consolidated result attributable to the group (included in the consolidated income statement as of December 31, and in Note 1.1 Segment information - Consolidated income statement) and its various components, the group communicates the "Economic Presentation of the Consolidated Result" which breaks out the elements of the consolidated result (attributable to the group) for the period by nature:
Mark to market and other non-cash items: Elements of the consolidated result (attributable to the group) relating to the "Holding" segment which are noncash and which correspond (i) to items resulting from the application of certain IFRS norms for certain types of assets or liabilities held by GBL and (ii) to impacts of provisions/reversals of provisions
Operating companies (associates or consolidated): Portion of the consolidated result (attributable to the group) relating to GBL's share in the results of the consolidated operating companies, i.e., the segments "Imerys," "Webhelp"(1), "Canyon," "Affidea" and "Sanoptis," or associated companies, i.e., the investment in Parques Reunidos (via Piolin II)
GBL Capital and Sienna Investment Managers: Elements of the consolidated result (attributable to the group) relating to GBL's share in the results of investments made by GBL Capital and Sienna Investment Managers (segment "GBL Capital and Sienna Investment Managers")
The contributions of GBL Capital and Sienna Investment Managers are made up of the various elements relating to their activity: (i) the results, group's share, of associated or consolidated operating companies, (ii) interest income (expenses), (iii) other financial income (expenses), (iv) other operating income (expenses), (v) gains (losses) on disposal, impairments and reversals on non-current assets and (vi) taxes.
Eliminations, capital gains, impairments and reversals: Elements of the consolidated result (attributable to the group) relating to the "Holding" segment (i) which are included in "Cash Earnings" but must be cancelled in accordance with IFRS and (ii) which correspond to the results on disposals, impairments and reversals on certain assets and on discontinued operations held by GBL
The eliminations, capital gains, impairments and reversals mainly include the elimination of dividends received from associated or consolidated operating companies and from dividends received from own shares as well as gains (losses) on disposals, impairments and reversals on some assets and on discontinued operations. All these results relate to the Holding activity.
ESES, for Euroclear Settlement for Euronext-zone Securities, is the single platform for the stock market transactions of Euronext Brussels, Paris and Amsterdam and non-stock market transactions involving securities traded on these markets (OTC).
The theoretical distribution calendar for the dividend is as follows:
Given the time needed for settlement-delivery and ownership transfer relative to D + 2 (D being the transaction date), the last day on which the share is traded with entitlement to dividend distribution is the day before the Ex-Date.
In capital: the percentage interest held directly and indirectly, calculated on the basis of the number of shares in issue on the date of calculation.
In voting rights: the percentage held directly or indirectly, calculated on the basis of the number of voting rights existing on the date of calculation, including suspended voting rights.
The liquidity profile corresponds to the sum of gross cash and the undrawn amount of committed credit lines.
The Loan To Value ratio is calculated on the basis of (i) GBL's net debt relative to (ii) the portfolio's value of GBL increased by, if applicable, the value of the treasury shares underlying the bonds convertible into GBL shares. The valuation methods applied to the portfolio and treasury shares are identical to those used for the net asset value.
The detailed calculation is illustrated on page 142 of the Annual Report 2024.
The Multiple on Invested Capital measures the value generated by an investment. MoIC = (realized value + unrealized value (NAV)) / total investment.
The change in GBL's net asset value is, together with the change in its stock price, cash earnings and result, an important criterion for assessing the performance of the group.
The net asset value is a conventional reference obtained by adding gross cash, the present value of the Concentrix note (calculated at the market rate, taking into account Concentrix's credit quality) and treasury shares to the fair value of the investment portfolio and deducting gross debt.
The following valuation principles are applied for the portfolio:
(1) Until the closing, on September 25, 2023, of the transaction related to the combination of the Webhelp group, a private asset held by GBL between 2019 and 2023, and the listed company Concentrix – lastly, the assets of Sienna Investment Managers are valued at the fair market value of the acquired management companies.
GBL's net asset value is reported together with the results' publication on a quarterly basis.
Some minor events may not have been taken into account in the value reported. The combined effect of these factors may not exceed 2% of the net asset value.
The number of GBL shares used to calculate the net asset value per share is the number of company shares outstanding on the valuation date.
Net cash or, where applicable, net debt, consists of gross cash (excluding treasury shares), the Concentrix note and gross debt.
Gross debt includes all the financial liabilities of the Holding segment (mainly convertible and exchangeable bonds, institutional bonds and bank debt), valued at their nominal repayment value.
Gross cash includes the cash and cash equivalents of the Holding segment. It is valued at the book or market value (for certain cash equivalents).
The net cash or net debt indicators are presented for the Holding segment to reflect GBL's own financial structure and the financial resources available to implement its strategy.
An operating company is defined as a company having a commercial or industrial activity, in opposition to an investing company ("Holding").
The payout or distribution of dividends ratio is calculated, for the financial year N, by dividing (i) the dividends paid in N+1 for the financial year N by (ii) the cash earnings for the financial year N.
The portfolio includes:
In ESES, the entity that proceeds with distribution is known as the System Paying Agent. This is the party responsible within Euroclear Belgium for distribution to other participants of the resources related to a specific distribution. The system paying agent may be either an external paying agent (a CSD participant) or the CSD itself.
The Total Shareholder Return or TSR is calculated on the basis of the change in the stock market price(s) over the period under consideration, taking into account the gross dividend(s) received during this period and reinvested in securities at the time of receipt. It is expressed on an annualized basis and corresponds to the calculation made by Bloomberg via its "TRA" function. It should be noted that the comparison of GBL's TSR with its benchmark index is based on identical periods in terms of trading days.
The velocity on float, expressed as a percentage, is an indicator of the stock market activity of a listed company, which corresponds to the ratio between the number of shares traded over a specified period of time on the stock exchange and the float on the last day of that period. The velocity on float is usually calculated per calendar year.
A listed company's float, or floating capital, corresponds to the proportion of the shares actually liable to be traded on the stock exchange. It can be expressed in value, but is more often expressed as a percentage of the market capitalization.
It corresponds to the number of outstanding ordinary shares at the start of the period, less treasury shares, adjusted by the number of ordinary shares reimbursed (capital reduction) or issued (capital increase), or sold or bought back during the period, multiplied by a time-based weighting factor.
It is obtained by adding potential dilutive shares to the weighted average number of ordinary shares (basic calculation). In this case, potential dilutive shares correspond to call options granted by the group.
The yield enhancement activity consists of executing derivatives instruments (primarily sales of options with short term maturities on some assets in GBL's portfolio) and in operations on trading assets, aiming at generating an increased yield for GBL. The yield enhancement results are mainly made out of (i) premium of option sales, (ii) capital gains or losses realized in the context of operations on trading assets and (iii) dividends received in relation to trading assets.
(1) Until the closing, on September 25, 2023, of the transaction related to the combination of the Webhelp group, a private asset held by GBL between 2019 and 2023, and the listed company Concentrix
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© Photography: Cover: Shutterstock Portraits: Nathalie Gabay, David Plas, Owen Egan Inside pages: adidas, Affidea, Canyon, Imerys, Parques Reunidos, Pernod Ricard, Shutterstock, Umicore, Unsplash, Voodoo
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Groupe Bruxelles Lambert Avenue Marnix 24 - 1000 Brussels - Belgium Tel.: +32 2 289 17 17 RLE: Brussels VAT: BE 0407 040 209 www.gbl.com
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