BAT Annual Report and Form 20-F 2019
BAT Annual Report and Form 20-F 2019
BAT Annual Report and Form 20-F 2019
CONTENTS
Business Environment
Principal Group risks 58
CHAIRMAN’S
INTRODUCTION
A STRONG
OPERATIONAL
PERFORMANCE
Welcome to our combined Annual Report and Last year, our newly-revised environmental Dividends
Form 20-F for 2019. I’m pleased to report a targets gained the approval of the Science- The Board has declared a dividend of 210.4p
strong operational performance with growth Based Target initiative, and I’m very pleased per ordinary share, payable in four equal
in revenue, as well as both value and volume to report that we are performing well against instalments of 52.6p per ordinary share,
share. Notwithstanding a number of one-off our goals. The Group’s direct carbon dioxide to shareholders registered on the UK main
charges that led to a decline in reported profit equivalent emissions are already 10% lower register or the South Africa branch register
from operations, performance was strong on than its 2017 baseline, and we have also been and to American Depository Shares (ADS)
an adjusted basis, growing on the back of honoured to have been named on the Carbon holders, each on the applicable record dates.
our combustibles business and our continued Disclosure Project’s prestigious ‘A List’ for The dividends receivable by ADS holders in
progress in New Categories. climate change. This recognises our actions US dollars will be calculated based on the
to cut emissions, mitigate climate risks and exchange rate on the applicable payment
It has also been a busy year as we accelerate
develop the low-carbon economy. dates. Further information on dividends
our ambition to transform our business.
The Board and I are confident in the vision and The Group’s commitment to improving social can be found on page 47 of the Financial
focus of our new CEO, Jack Bowles, and his conditions, from respecting Human Rights Review and page 300 in the Shareholder
drive to satisfy evolving consumer preferences in every country in which we operate to our information section.
with new and innovative products. own workforce diversity, remains central to
the business. Human rights commitments, Board composition and outlook
Jack has already made great progress in his I am very pleased to welcome Jerry Fowden
in particular involving issues such as child
stated aim to simplify the Group and he and to the Board this year. He brings with him
labour, sit at the heart of both our Standards
his management team have spent significant a wealth of executive experience relating to
of Business Conduct and Supplier Code
time looking at how we can accelerate the operations, transformation and marketing,
of Conduct, and we have an array of due
progress already made in our New Categories which will complement the expertise of the
diligence procedures to monitor our entire
business. This has been instrumental in the other two North American members of our
supply chain. Our management comprises
Board’s endorsement of an evolution of our Board, and we look forward to the insights he
141 different nationalities, while women
strategy and I am excited and energised will provide as we grow our business.
made up 51% of senior recruits in 2019.
about the possibilities for the future.
The Group’s governance practices promote Kieran Poynter will retire from the Board
A sustainable and transparent and responsible corporate with effect from the conclusion of the
well‑governed business behaviour. All our staff worldwide must Annual General Meeting on 30 April
Our sustainability agenda is at the heart comply with our Standards of Business 2020. Mr Poynter has served as a Non-
of our strategic plans to build a long-term Conduct, and we have continued to expand Executive Director since July 2010, as Senior
sustainable business. We have made a clear compliance training, which complements Independent Director since October 2016,
commitment to providing consumers with our internal ‘Speak Up’ channels. and is currently a member of the Audit and
a range of potentially less harmful products, Nominations Committees.
Overall, the quality and success of our
which is central to our corporate purpose Sustainability Agenda continues to be As we enter 2020, I feel strongly that the
around which long-term growth is planned. recognised externally, and I am proud to business is in excellent shape. As I write
I am proud to see that the continuing growth report that we are once again the only this opening statement, the Group is
in our New Categories business reflects the company in the industry to have been closely monitoring the development of
significant success we have already made included in the Dow Jones Sustainability Covid 19 (Coronavirus). We believe that
in this vital area. Indices’ prestigious World Index in 2019. our business continuity plans will ensure
However, we are also clear that long-term This is our 18th consecutive year of the business is prepared to manage the
sustainability, as well as our ability to meet inclusion in the Index series, which reflects challenges as and when they may develop.
short-term financial and other targets, BAT’s long-standing commitment to Notwithstanding Covid 19, with our new
will be underpinned by successful delivery delivering against ESG measures. management team and strategy, I am
against other environmental, social and confident that we are well placed to deliver
governance measures. sustainable growth for many years to come.
Richard Burrows
Chairman
CHIEF EXECUTIVE’S
REVIEW
Dear shareholders
and stakeholders,
DELIVERING I write this reflecting
THE FOUNDATIONS OF
OUR EVOLVED STRATEGY
>180
20 years ago
Traditional cigarettes fulfilled a multitude
of consumer moments
>150m At home
while
relaxing
Commuting
to work
>11m
At work
At the pub alone
Outdoor After
points of sale across activities Returning
home
meal/drink
Science and
regulatory expertise
Leveraging
Social acceptability
A wider portfolio of products that offer Our new growth opportunities will
sensorial enjoyment for different moods capitalise on our core business strengths,
and moments will allow us to capture the creating clear boundaries for our
consumer moments previously associated portfolio development:
with tobacco use, as well as satisfy new – reducing the health and environmental
evolving consumer needs, through: impacts of our business;
– traditional tobacco and – leveraging our global marketing reach
nicotine products; and scale;
– new nicotine products; and – building on existing delivery platforms
–u
ltimately, a portfolio of products beyond and technological expertise;
tobacco and nicotine that leverages our – relying on our experience in managing
proven delivery technologies. complex regulatory and scientific
matters; and
– meeting stringent strategic and
financial metrics.
A STRATEGY FOR
ACCELERATED GROWTH
While combustible tobacco will be at the core of our business for some time
to come, we aim to generate an increasingly greater proportion of our revenues
from products other than cigarettes, thereby reducing the health impact
of our business.
This will deliver a better tomorrow for our consumers who will have a range of
enjoyable and potentially less risky choices for every mood and moment; for society
through reducing the overall health and environmental impacts of our business;
for our employees by creating a dynamic and purposeful place to work; and for
our shareholders by delivering sustainable superior returns.
Stimulating High
Growth
Inspirational foresights
Kingsley Wheaton
Chief Marketing Officer
OUR PURPOSE
Powerful brands People and partnerships By stimulating the senses of new adult
For over a century, we have built trusted Our highly-motivated people are being generations, our purpose is to create
and powerful brands that satisfy our empowered through a new ethos that is A Better Tomorrow for all our stakeholders.
consumers and serve as a promise for quality responsive to constant change, embodies We will create A Better Tomorrow for:
and enjoyment. We will focus on fewer, a learning culture and is dedicated to
stronger and global brands across all our continuous improvement. But we cannot Consumers
product categories, delivered through succeed on our own, and our partnerships By responsibly offering enjoyable and
our deep understanding and segmenting with farmers, suppliers and customers are also stimulating choices for every mood and every
of our consumers. key for ensuring sustainable future growth. moment, today and tomorrow;
Connected US focus Society
Few companies can claim over 150 million The United States comprises nearly half of By reducing the health impact of our business
daily consumers, over 11 million retail our global business. It is also the single largest by offering a range of alternative products,
points of sale, as well as a network of economy in the world, the largest single as well as by reducing our environmental
expert and skilled employees around centre for technology and the key driver of and social impacts;
the world. Staying connected to all of global consumer trends, and is where we
Employees
them, especially through digital means have the deep consumer understanding and
(including e-commerce), ensures better financial strength to support the delivery of By creating a dynamic, inspiring and
consumer connections, access to markets our mission to stimulate consumer senses purposeful place to work; and
and innovations that offer sensorial around the rest of the world. Shareholders
enjoyment and satisfy consumer needs.
By delivering sustainable and superior returns.
PUTTING SUSTAINABILITY
FRONT AND CENTRE
As we evolve our Group strategy, we are also evolving our New Sustainability Targets
Sustainability Agenda. We are moving ourselves from a We are committed to making a step-
business where sustainability has always been important, change in our sustainability ambition.
As a result, we have announced a
to one where it is front and centre in all that we do. number of stretching targets that we are
confident will deliver A Better Tomorrow
for all our stakeholders.
Our commitment to reduce the health impacts Consequently, we refreshed our
of our cigarette business – by providing a range Sustainability Agenda (as an integral part These include:
of potentially less risky products – is central to of our evolved Group Strategy) to reflect
– increasing our number of non-
our corporate purpose. This is underpinned the prominence of tobacco harm reduction
combustible product consumers from
by excellence in all other environmental, social and also to place a greater emphasis on
11 million to 50 million by 2030;
and governance (ESG) measures. the importance of addressing climate
change and environmental management. – achieving carbon neutrality by 2030*;
Each year we engage with a wide range of
At the same time, we remain committed and
stakeholders to understand the issues that
to delivering a positive social impact and
are most important to them. 2019 was a – bringing forward our existing 2030
ensuring robust corporate governance
significant year, with many stakeholders re- environmental targets to 2025.
across the Group.
emphasising the importance of addressing * Based on Scope 1 and 2 carbon dioxide equivalent
the health impacts of our cigarette business (CO2e) emissions.
and with governments and cities around the
world declaring a climate emergency.
S
Reducing the HEALTH impact
of our business
Consumer World-class Standards
choice science and regulation
E S G
Excellence in Delivering a positive Robust corporate
ENVIRONMENTAL SOCIAL impact GOVERNANCE
management
Climate change Human rights Business ethics
Water and waste Farmer livelihoods Responsible marketing
Sustainable agriculture Health and safety Regulation and
Circular economy People and culture policy engagement
ETHOS
Hae In Kim
Director, Talent and Culture
We are We are
DIVERSE RESPONSIBLE
Value different Take action to reduce
perspectives the health impact of
Build on each others’ our business
ideas, knowledge Ensure the best quality
and experiences products for our
Challenge ourselves consumers, the best place
to be open-minded to work for our people,
recognising and the best results
unconscious bias for shareholders
Act with integrity, never
compromising our
standards and ethics
OUR
PEOPLE
LAST YEAR WE
RECEIVED OVER 60,000
APPLICATIONS TO OUR
GLOBAL GRADUATE
PROGRAMME
WE WERE AWARDED
‘BEST PLACE TO WORK
FOR LGBTQ EQUALITY’
BY THE HUMAN RIGHTS
CAMPAIGN FOUNDATION
IN THE US, AND HAD
SEVEN FINALISTS IN
THE GLOBAL WOMEN
IN I.T. AWARDS
DIVERSITY
MATTERS TO THE
GROUP BECAUSE
IT MAKES GOOD
COMMERCIAL SENSE
BUILDING WORLD-CLASS
CAPABILITIES FOR INNOVATION
R&D
Science
Digital
Paul Lageweg
Director, New Categories
David O’Reilly
Director, Research and Science
50+
WORKING, AGILE SUPPLY
CHAINS AND ENHANCED
CONSUMER CONNECTIONS
toxicologists
Marina Bellini
1,500+
Director, Digital and Information
London
Upcoming digital hub
R&D specialists
600+
s cientists
and engineers
300+
ew specialist
n
hires in 2019
330
Global Graduate
hires in 2019
Tel Aviv
200+
Upcoming innovation hub external partners
Southampton
Global R&D Centre
Shenzhen
Innovation hub 150+
PhDs
@
IN 2019, BUILDING ON OUR FOUNDATIONS,
WE HAVE DELIVERED STRONG
OPERATIONAL RESULTS, CREATING
A SOLID BASE FOR DELIVERING TODAY
WHILE BUILDING A BETTER TOMORROW
Tadeu Marroco
Finance Director
16
Strategic Report Governance Financial Statements Other Information
FINANCE DIRECTOR’S
OVERVIEW
CASH GENERATION
FUELS DIVIDENDS,
DELEVERAGING
AND INVESTMENT
Our financial ambitions as the US) and Indonesia (as discussed on @Adjusted cash generated from operations
fundamentals improve page 154), the impact of the restructuring (as defined on page 265) was £6,831 million,
programmes (including Quantum), the a decline of 15% on 2018, or 16% on a
As we build A Better Tomorrow, we will be ongoing investment in New Categories constant rate basis. Normalising for the timing
focused on three key priorities: releasing funds and the impact of amortisation of acquired of the MSA liability, adjusted cash generated
to support our growth agenda, maximising brands. 2018 was positively skewed by the from operations would have been 1.2%
our marketing spend effectiveness and inclusion of 12 months of results from RAI. higher than 2018.@
generating cash to continue to deleverage Our operating margin declined in 2019 by
the balance sheet. 320 bps to 34.8% on a reported basis. Based upon net cash generated from operating
activities, the Group’s cash conversion ratio
Our combustible portfolio and operational Adjusted profit from operations grew by reduced from 111% in 2018 to 100% in 2019.
efficiencies will fuel our financial performance 6.6% on a constant currency basis (2018: @Excluding the MSA timing impact (affecting
by providing the fire-power to invest in New up 4.0% on a representative, constant rate 2018), operating cash flow conversion ratio (as
Categories, both inorganically, mainly through basis). On an adjusted basis, operating margin defined on page 264) was 97% (2018: 100%).
our new corporate venturing initiative, increased by 50 bps to 43.1% (2018: 42.6%).
and organically, in products that meet Free cash flow is a measure the Group uses
our consumers’ changing needs. Focus on dividends to assess total cash generated by the Group’s
Dividends per share for 2019 will be 210.4p, operations, prior to the payment of dividends,
We remain committed to consistent and
an increase of 3.6% (2018: 203.0p, up 4.0%), repayment of borrowings or undertaking of
sustainable long-term 3-5% revenue growth
in line with our commitment of a 65% payout investing activities. In 2019, free cash flow was
which will deliver high single figure earnings
ratio on adjusted diluted earnings per share £6,519 million. After paying the dividend in
growth, on a constant currency basis,
(2018: 68.4%). the year, free cash flow was £1,921 million
whilst targeting a minimum of 95% cash
demonstrating the Group’s ability to service
conversion and a dividend pay-out ratio Net finance costs increased 16% to and repay borrowings which reduced in 2019
of 65% of adjusted diluted EPS over the £1,602 million partly due to a foreign to £45,366 million from £47,509 million, whilst
medium to long-term. exchange headwind and interest on leases continuing to pay dividends to shareholders.@
Pricing and New Categories recognised under IFRS16 (Leases). 2018 was
up 26.2% to £1,381 million due to higher Adjusted net debt to adjusted EBITDA, as
drive revenue growth borrowings following the acquisition of RAI. defined on page 267 provides a measure to
Revenue grew by 5.7% in 2019 to Our banking facilities require a gross interest assess the Group’s ability to meet its borrowing
£25,877 million driven by pricing across the cover of at least 4.5 times. In 2019, our gross obligations. The Group continues to focus on
cigarettes portfolio (with price/mix of 9%) interest cover was 7.1 times (2018: 7.2 times). a balanced approach of deleveraging, while
and an increase in revenue from Traditional investing for the future and providing a return
Oral (up 15%, with 2018 up 127%) and New On a reported basis, basic EPS was 5.4% via dividends to shareholders. This measure
Categories (up 37%, 2018 up 138%), which lower than 2018 at 249.7p largely due to the will be a key performance indicator in 2020
more than offset a 4.7% reduction in cigarette the reduction in profit from operations. EPS in @(replacing adjusted cash generated from
volume. In 2018, revenue grew 25.2% at 2018 declined 86% as 2017 was materially operations)@, demonstrating our commitment
£24,492 million largely due to the full year affected by a deemed gain (£23.3 billion) to the deleveraging agenda. In 2019, the
effect of the RAI acquisition. Adjusting for the arising on the acquisition of RAI. Excluding the adjusted net debt to adjusted EBITDA ratio
impact of acquisitions, excise on bought-in adjusting items and the effect of foreign improved from 4.0 times to 3.5 times.
goods and the impact of currency, constant exchange on the Group’s results, adjusted
diluted earnings per share, at constant rates, The Group continues to deliver against the
currency adjusted revenue grew 5.6% in 2019 financial objectives, which allows for growth
(2018: up 3.5% on a representative constant increased by 8.4% to 321.6p, with 2018
ahead of 2017 by 11.8%. in dividends while deleveraging and investing
rate basis). in A Better Tomorrow.
Increased focus on Cash delivery leads to
Tadeu Marroco
operational efficiency deleveraging and investment Finance Director
Profit from operations was down 3.2% In 2019, net cash generated from operating
(2018: up 45.2%), as the improvement activities fell 12.6% to £8,996 million (2018: The term ‘representative’ is used to compare the 2018 results
up 93% to £10,295 million), with 2018 against an equivalent 2017 if that year included results from
in revenue and operational efficiencies RAI for the whole of that period, including certain additional
were more than offset by the charges positively impacted by the timing of payments adjusting items related to the acquired companies.
related to Canada, Russia, other smoking related to the Master Settlement Agreement @ Denotes phrase, paragraph or similar that does not form part of
and health litigation (including Engle in (MSA) in the US. BAT’s Annual Report on Form 20-F as filed with the SEC.
OUR YEAR
IN NUMBERS
IFRS-GAAP KPI Non-GAAP
2018: +17.9% (+5.8% representative4) Definition: Profit for the year before the impact of net finance 2017 +39%
2017: +17.9% (+7.6% organic3) costs/income, share of post-tax results of associates and joint 2017 (org3) +4%
ventures and taxation on ordinary activities.
Definition: Change in profit from operations before the
impact of adjusting items and the impact of fluctuations in
foreign exchange rates.
IFRS-GAAP KPI Non-GAAP
@
Modern Oral Net cash generated from operating Change in adjusted² cash generated
(no. pouches) activities (£m) from operations at constant rates1 (%)
Vapour Diluted earnings per share (EPS) Change in adjusted2 diluted EPS
(units) (p) (%)
2018: +100% (+35% representative4) Definition: Profit attributable to owners of BAT p.l.c. over Definition: Change in diluted earnings per share before the
2017: +120% weighted average number of shares outstanding, including impact of adjusting items.
the effects of all dilutive potential ordinary shares.
Notes: To supplement our results of operations presented in The information presented also includes several non-financial key 1. Where measures are presented ‘at constant rates’, the measures
accordance with IFRS, the information presented also includes performance indicators (“KPIs”) used by management to monitor are calculated based on a re-translation, at the prior year’s
several non‑GAAP measures used by management to monitor the Group’s performance. The Group’s Management Board believes exchange rates, of the current year results of the Group and,
the Group’s performance. See the section non-GAAP measures that these KPIs provide information that enables investors to better where applicable, its segments. See page 51 for the major
beginning on page 258 for information on these non-GAAP understand the Group’s performance across periods. See the foreign exchange rates used for Group reporting.
measures, including their definitions and reconciliations from section “Non-Financial KPIs” on page 257 for more information on 2. Where measures are presented as ‘adjusted’, they are presented
the most directly comparable IFRS measure, where applicable. these non-financial KPIs. before the impact of adjusting items. Adjusting items represent
Certain of our measures are presented based on constant rates certain items of income and expense which the Group considers
of exchange, on an adjusted basis, and on a representative basis distinctive based on their size, nature or incidence.
and on an organic basis.
Change in adjusted² revenue from the Change in adjusted² revenue from Denotes IFRS-GAAP financial measure
Strategic Portfolio at constant rates¹ (%) New Categories at constant rates¹ (%) KPI
+7.3% +32.4%
Denotes key performance indicator (KPI) measure
Non-GAAP
Denotes non-GAAP financial measure, see Non-GAAP
measures on pages 258 to 268
@
2019 +7% 2019 +32%
Changes in 2019
2018 +56% 2018 +143%
2018 (rep4) +8% 2018 (rep4) +97%
In 2019, the Group introduced the measure
‘free cash flow before and after payment
Definition: Change in revenue from the strategic portfolio Definition: Change in revenue from New Categories before
before the impact of adjusting items and the impact of the impact of adjusting items and the impact of fluctuations of dividends to shareholders’. This measure
fluctuations in foreign exchange rates. in foreign exchange rates. supplements the existing measures related
This measure was introduced in 2018, with no
to cash flow. It is used to demonstrate the
comparators provided. level of net cash generated by the Group, in
any one year, after payment of all operating
expenses, interest, tax, capital expenditure
Non-GAAP and payments to non-controlling interests
Operating margin Adjusted2 operating margin and inclusive of dividends received from
(%) (%) associates. This provides users of the
2017 32.8% 2017 41.1% of BAT’s Annual Report on Form 20-F as filed with the SEC.
Definition: Profit from operations as a percentage of revenue. Definition: Adjusted profit from operations as a percentage
of adjusted revenue.
Cash conversion Operating cash flow conversion ratio@ Free cash flow before and after
(%) (%) dividends paid to shareholders (£m)
+8.4% 210.4p
to 31 December 2019 (%)
The FMCG group comparison is based
on three months’ average values
+3.6% Lower quartile Upper quartile
2019 +8% 2019 210.4p +4% BAT Median
40 -9.1% 9.7%
2018 +12% 2018 203.0p +4%
2017 +9% 2017 195.2p +15%
20
Definition: Change in diluted earnings per share before the Definition: Dividends per share in respect of the
impact of adjusting items and the impact of fluctuations in financial year.
foreign exchange rates.
Target: To increase dividend in sterling terms, based upon 0
GLOBAL INDUSTRY
OVERVIEW*
Global combustible market Global combustible regulation Global New Categories market
While combustible cigarettes remain the Tobacco is one of the world’s most The last five years have seen the global
largest global tobacco category, their volumes regulated and most taxed industries, tobacco and nicotine market diversify beyond
have seen a gradual fall over many years contributing in excess of $200 billion traditional combustible tobacco with the
driven by increased regulation and changing to government treasuries each year. growth of vapour and tobacco heating
societal attitudes. Total tobacco consumption, Manufacturers are required to comply products (THPs), and modern oral tobacco.
including illicit, declined 2% from 2018 with a swath of regulations that vary
considerably across markets. The success of these new categories is the
to 2019; this decline rate is forecasted to
result of their ability to offer consumer
remain between 2%-3% over the next three Legislation and subsequent regulation has satisfaction in circumstances where the
years, while the retail value of tobacco sales been focused mainly on the introduction of consumption of combustible tobacco is
is expected to increase by between 2%-4% plain packaging, product-specific regulation, no longer permitted or socially acceptable,
each year, driven principally by pricing. graphic health warnings on packs, tougher as well as to offer potentially reduced risk
The most recent estimates for the legal global restrictions on smoking in enclosed public compared to traditional cigarettes. With new
tobacco market (2018) indicate that sales places and bans on shops displaying tobacco adult generations increasingly focused
are worth approximately US$814 billion. products at the point of sale. on health and lifestyle considerations,
More than US$700 billion of this comes from In more recent years, governments have technological innovation, and personalised
the sale of conventional cigarettes, with over begun considering and adopting regulations consumer experiences, it is expected that the
5,300 billion cigarettes consumed per year by aimed at menthol flavourings, as well as growth of new categories will continue to
over 19% of the world’s population. environmental concerns resulting from the accelerate as they can better meet consumer
litter associated with cigarette consumption. preferences and demands.
A contributing factor to the decline of
legal tobacco volumes is the continued New category nicotine products have grown
rise in the consumption of illicit products. quickly across the world, with an estimated
Cigarettes are a reliable source of tax revenue 54 million vapour consumers and 15 million
for governments worldwide, and price THP consumers.
differentials between markets, regulatory
The latest global figures (2018) suggest that
changes and broader macroeconomic
pressures have driven the establishment of a
THE RETAIL VALUE global vapour sales are worth $15.7 billion,
significant and growing illicit cigarette trade, OF TOBACCO SALES while global THP revenues stand at
$11.9 billion.
now estimated to account for 11.2% of the IS EXPECTED TO
global tobacco market. INCREASE BY While traditional oral products show steady
incremental growth, new modern oral
It is generally accepted that there is a direct BETWEEN 2% products (which comprise tobacco-free
correlation between steep and ad hoc AND 4% EACH YEAR nicotine pouches) are showing accelerated
increases in taxes and an increase in illicit
volume expansion in both Europe and the US.
sales, with the current sanctions in many
countries doing little to deter criminals for There has also been growth in the market
whom profits from the illegal sale of tobacco for wellbeing and ‘new active’ products.
remain an appealing prospect. For example, This growth is expected to continue as
following successive excise increases, the consumer tastes fragment and evolve.
Australasia region has seen legal volumes
Within this space, cannabidiol (CBD) oil
decline substantially. However, in markets
is expected to gain wider use, as already
such as South Africa, where effective action
evidenced by its recent growth in market size.
has reduced the prevalence of illegal tobacco,
legal volumes have been restored.
See pages 58 to 62 to read more about
our Principal Group risks
For further discussion regarding the regulation
of our business, please see pages 287 to 290
IT IS EXPECTED
THAT THE GROWTH
OF NEW CATEGORIES
WILL CONTINUE TO
ACCELERATE AS
THEY CAN BETTER
MEET CONSUMER
PREFERENCES
AND DEMANDS
Our people
Financial capital
INNO
HT VA
SIG T
N
E
I
WHAT WE DO
BR AND
SELL
CONSUMER
M
OV
E KE
MA
Shareholders
Our people
Engaging with
For information about our key
external stakeholders stakeholders, see pages 26 to 27
BRAND MAKE
Our global brands communicate We manufacture high-quality
quality and value, and establish trust cigarettes, THP consumables and DELIVERING
in our products. They are essential oral tobacco products in facilities all DELIVERING
MEASURABLE
to our credibility around the world, over the world, and ensure that these MEASURABLE
LONG-TERMLONG-
and their scale provides far-reaching products and the tobacco leaf we
awareness of our products, while our purchase are in the right place at the TERM SUSTAINABLE
SUSTAINABLE
diverse portfolio allows us to meet right time. Our vapour and tobacco GROWTH
GROWTH
the needs of different consumer heating product devices and liquids
segments. We have a proven track are manufactured in a mix of our own
record of building and managing and third-party factories, and we work
some of the most iconic brands in to ensure that our costs are globally
history, and will continue to leverage competitive and that we use our
this expertise to grow our business resources as effectively as possible.
across all categories. Non-financial information statement
Non-financial information reporting required
under the UK Companies Act is included in the
MOVE SELL Strategic Report as referenced below:
Our business model is Pages 58 to 62 for
We distribute our products around We offer adult consumers a range set out on these pages. Principal Group Risks
the globe effectively and efficiently of products including cigarettes,
Our reporting in the following areas includes
using a variety of different distribution vapour, tobacco heating products,
information about the policies and principles that
models suited to local circumstances and oral products in markets around
govern our approach, due diligence processes,
and conditions. Around half of our the world. Our range of high-quality
outcomes and non-financial performance indicators.
global cigarette volume is sold by products covers all segments, from
retailers, supplied through our direct value-for-money to premium, while Environmental matters Social matters
distribution capability or exclusive also offering choices based on pages 28 to 30 pages 28 to 31
distributors. We continuously levels of potentially reduced risk. Employees Respect for human rights
review our route to market for both We are governed by our International pages 40 to 42 pages 30 to 31
combustibles and New Categories, Marketing Principles, which Anti-bribery and anti- Further details of our
including our relationships with ensure that all of our products are corruption matters Group policies and
wholesalers, distributors and marketed responsibly. pages 31 to 32 principles can be
found at www.bat.com
logistics providers.
OUR GLOBAL
BUSINESS
STRATEGIC PORTFOLIO
Non-Combustible Combustible
Vapour
Tobacco Heating
Modern Oral
* These combustible brands include Vogue, Viceroy, 555, Benson and Hedges, Peter Stuyvesant, Double Happiness, Kool, and Craven A,
while oral brands include Granit, Mocca, and Kodiak.
for more key detail on our Regional performance, Map is representative of general geographic regions and
see pages 52 to 57 does not suggest that the Group operates in each country
of every region.
ENGAGING WITH
OUR STAKEHOLDERS
Jerry Abelman Director, Legal & External Affairs and General Counsel
Shareholders/
Consumers Our people
Bondholders
What matters to –– P
roduct quality and innovation
–– A
ffordability, value and price
–– B
–– C
usiness performance
orporate governance
–– Reward
–– C areer development
our stakeholders –– P
roduct anxiety (addiction, harm,
social considerations)
–– S
–– B
trength of Group leadership
oard succession planning
–– D
–– C
iversity and inclusion
orporate responsibility
–– R
esponsible marketing –– E SG considerations –– H ealth and safety
–– B usiness ethics
Strategic
impact*
Growth Sustainability Productivity Growth Sustainability Sustainability Winning organisation
* These engagement examples took place in 2019 and the strategic impact of engagement is measured against the strategic pillars in place for 2019.
Reporting for FY2020 will measure against our evolved strategy discussed on pages 8 to 9.
UK Companies Act:
Governments and
Suppliers Customers Section 172(1)
wider society Statement
Effective relationships with farmers, Our customers include distributors, We engage transparently with Our Directors have a duty,
and suppliers of leaf, direct materials wholesalers, and retailers. governments and regulators to share individually and collectively as the
and services are essential to an our views on regulation that impact Board, to act as they consider most
Engagement with our customers
efficient, productive and secure our business whilst respecting the likely to promote the success of the
is essential for driving growth
supply chain. WHO’s FCTC Article 5.3 provision. Company for the benefit of our
and embedding responsible
We actively cooperate with law members as a whole. As part of this
marketing practices.
enforcement and customs authorities, duty, our Directors must have regard
governments and regulators to for likely long-term consequences
combat the rise of illicit trade. of decisions and the desirability of
maintaining a reputation for high
We also engage with scientific
standards of business conduct.
and public health communities.
Our Directors must also have
regard for our employees’ interests,
–– Ongoing farmer support, –– Ongoing dialogue, –– Face-to-face meetings and business relationships with our
training and monitoring by our contract discussions and ongoing dialogue wider stakeholders, the impact of
extension services account management –– Presentations and submissions to our operations on the environment
–– Sustainable Tobacco Programme –– Customer Voice programme government committees and communities in which we
assessments, reviews and meetings –– Audits and performance reviews –– Participation in business, industry operate and the need to act fairly
–– Supplier reviews and audits –– Sales calls and visits by and multi-stakeholder groups between shareholders.
–– Supplier Voice survey and dialogue trade representatives –– Presentations and participation
Consideration of these factors and
–– Strategic partnerships –– Business-to-business programmes at conferences
other relevant matters is embedded
–– Eliminating Child Labour –– Performance tracking –– Submissions to peer-
into all Board decision-making,
in Tobacco Growing (ECLT) –– Participating in industry Digital reviewed journals
strategy development and risk
Foundation engagement Code and Tracking Association –– BAT External Scientific Panel
assessment throughout the year.
–– Submissions to sustainability indices
Read more
pages 29 to 31 and 38 to 39 –– Stakeholder Sustainability Panel Our key stakeholders and primary
ways in which we engage with
them are set out in the table to
–– Costs and payment practices –– Route-to-market planning –– Public health impacts
the left. Pages 71 to 73 provide
–– Efficiencies and forecasting –– Contingency planning –– Tax, excise and illicit trade
further explanation of our Board’s
–– Quality and crop yields –– Cost, price and quality –– Corporate behaviour
approach to understanding
–– Sustainable agriculture and –– Availability and stock levels –– Youth access prevention
stakeholder interests to enable
farmer livelihoods –– Consumer buying behaviour –– Human rights, sustainable agriculture
relevant considerations to be
–– Human rights –– Youth access prevention and economic development
drawn on in Board discussion and
decision-making. Where the Board
–– Supplier Code of Conduct –– Customer loyalty programmes –– S tandards of Business Conduct delegates authority for decision-
–– ‘ Thrive’ sustainable agriculture and and incentives (SoBC) making to management, our Group
farmer livelihoods programme –– Youth Access Prevention Guidelines –– International Marketing Principles governance framework discussed
–– Operational standards for child –– Y outh Access Prevention Guidelines on pages 69 to 70 mandates
labour prevention –– S cience-based carbon consideration of these factors and
–– Supplier and farmer training and reduction targets other relevant matters as a critical
capacity building –– C ommunity investment projects part of delegated authorities.
Just some of the ways that these
factors have shaped Group strategy
and initiatives during the year are
illustrated in the table to the left.
Examples of how these factors
have been taken into account in
Board decision-making and strategy
development during the year are
Productivity Growth Sustainability Productivity Growth Sustainability Productivity Growth Sustainability highlighted on pages 74 to 75.
DELIVERING
OUR STRATEGY*
4.51
Read more about our sustainability performance
in each area at www.bat.com/sustainabilityreport
Scope 3*** CO2e emissions ('000 tonnes) n/a 7,547 8,254 Definition: Group water use in million cubic metres.
Total statutory emissions (Scope 1 and 2 in '000 tonnes) 782 841 864 Target: To reduce water use to 3.38 mn metres3 by 2025,
35% lower than our 2017 baseline.
Intensity (tonnes per £ million of revenue) 30.4 32.6 34.7
All data is calculated on the basis of the Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Protocol Corporate Standard. Recycling
** Scope 1 reporting includes: energy consumed at our factories and offices (coal, natural gas, wood, diesel and LPG), (percentage of waste recycled)
90.5%
emissions from our dry ice expanded tobacco plants, and fuel consumed by our fleet vehicles.
Scope 2 reporting includes: electricity purchased and consumed at our factories and offices, purchased steam and hot water.
Scope 3 reporting includes: all 15 categories of the GHG Protocol.
*** Consolidation and verification of our 2019 Scope 3 data is ongoing to fully align with the GHG Protocol.
2019 data will be reported in the 2020 Annual Report and Form 20-F.
2019 90.5
2018 90.2
2017 89.6
* This year’s Annual Report and Accounts measures all backward-looking reporting against the strategy, which includes
the four strategic pillars and KPIs, that was in place until March 2020. Next year’s Annual Report and Accounts will
measure our delivery against our evolved strategy, which is detailed on pages 8 to 9.
Circular economy Human Rights All our other products materials and
Globally, there is growing concern around Our integrated human rights strategy is goods and services suppliers are subject
the use and disposal of plastics and other aligned to the UN Guiding Principles and to annual human rights risk assessments.
materials and increased pressure on includes policies, due diligence, grievance Further independent audits are conducted
businesses to address post-consumption channels and remediation procedures for our on the highest risk by Intertek, our audit
waste. Adopting circular economy principles own business operations and supply chain, partner. In 2019, a total of 94 supplier audits
will deliver better products for our consumers, as well as working to understand and address in 31 countries were conducted, including 65
create efficiencies in our operations and the root causes. Our Human Rights policy audits of tier 1 materials suppliers, 20 audits
reduce our overall impacts. forms part of our Group Standards of Business of tier 2 materials suppliers and nine audits of
Conduct and is reflected in our Supplier Code indirect goods and services suppliers.
This is a new focus area for us and, in 2019,
of Conduct. The vast majority of issues identified in
we established a cross functional project team,
led by our Management Board, to develop a The most significant challenges for human these audits were categorised by Intertek
Group-wide circular economy strategy and rights are in our tobacco leaf supply chain and as ‘moderate’, relating to hours and wages,
oversee its implementation across all product this has been a priority area for us for many poor record keeping, and health and safety
categories. Initially, this is focusing on the years. The industry-wide Sustainable Tobacco procedures. Eleven suppliers had issues
recovery of post-consumption waste, reducing Programme focuses on leaf supplier due identified that were categorised as ‘major’
plastic waste in packaging and exploring diligence and compliance with international by Intertek. These related to preventing
opportunities to improve the recyclability of standards, and our own Thrive programme worker interviews, excessive working hours,
our products. Already, we have established is focused at farm-level and seeks to identify wages below the legal minimum, fire and
new electronic device return and recycling and address the root causes and long-term emergency preparedness, lack of required
schemes in France, Japan, Korea and Mexico. challenges around human rights, including permits or licences, poor record keeping
rural poverty. and, in one case, retention of workers’
Delivering a positive original documents.
societal impact
To further enhance our understanding
and ability to address human right issues By the end of the year, 71% of corrective
in the tobacco supply chain, in 2019 actions had been fully completed and
Reducing the harm associated with smoking
we commissioned human rights impact verified by Intertek, in desktop reviews for
and the opportunity to have a positive impact
assessments in tobacco growing areas in the moderate issues and 11 on-site follow-up
on public health is the most material issue
Indonesia and India, with two more planned audits for the major issues. All outstanding
for our business, but as one of the world’s
for 2020 in Mozambique and Mexico. We will actions are in progress and being
most international businesses, we also have
report on the results in a Human Rights Focus closely monitored.
a larger role to play in delivering a positive
societal impact. Report, to be published later in 2020. Further details of our approach to human rights
and our Modern Slavery Act statement are
available at bat.com/msa
Health and Safety Policy Our commitments to applying the highest standards of health and safety. Our People
Supplier Code of Conduct Standards required of our suppliers worldwide, including business integrity, Our People Suppliers
anti-bribery and anti-corruption, environmental sustainability, anti-illicit trade Customers overnments
G
and respect for human rights (covering equal opportunities and fair and Wider
treatment, health and safety, prevention of harassment and bullying, child Society
labour and modern slavery, conflict minerals and freedom of association).
Strategic Framework Sets out our Group CSI strategy and how we expect our local operating Governments
for Corporate companies to develop, deliver and monitor community investment and Wider
Society
Social Investment (CSI) programmes within two themes: Sustainable Agriculture and Rural
Communities; and Empowerment.
International Marketing The standards that govern marketing across all our product categories Consumers Suppliers
Principles and including the requirement for all our marketing to be targeted at adult Customers Our People
consumers only.
These policies and procedures are endorsed by our Board, apply to all Group companies and support the effective identification,
management and mitigation of risks and issues for our business in these and other areas.
* Further details of our Group policies and principles can be found at www.bat.com/principles
Further details of our Strategic Framework for Corporate Social Investment can be found at bat.com/csi
With the majority of our employees Culture and workplace health Our actions and behaviours impact all areas
working in business areas where we have and safety of our business, which is why corporate
direct oversight and control, human rights The health and safety of our employees and governance is such an important focus for us.
challenges in our own operations are creating a great place to work are also key Our commitment to responsible corporate
substantially avoided. components of our Sustainability Agenda. behaviour is underpinned by our SoBC
The challenges that do exist are mitigated We focus on building an inclusive and which mandate high standards of integrity
by our robust policies and procedures in supportive culture that attracts, engages and require every Group company, joint
place across all Group companies. However, and retains diverse and talented people, venture which the Group controls and all staff
we recognise that we need to continually develops the next generation of leaders, and worldwide, including senior management
work to ensure these are effectively applied creates a fulfilling, rewarding and responsible and the Board, to act with a high degree of
and that we carefully monitor the situation, work environment. business integrity, comply with applicable
particularly in countries assessed as higher We also have a comprehensive workplace laws and regulations and ensure our
risk, such as where regulation or enforcement health and safety approach based on risk standards are not compromised for the
regimes are limited, or there are higher levels management and assessment, employee sake of results. We expect our contractors,
of corruption, criminality or unrest. Our due training and awareness, and tailored initiatives secondees, trainees, agents and consultants
diligence includes conducting an annual for specific issues and higher-risk areas. You can to act in a way consistent with our SoBC
review of compliance with applicable Group read more about our culture on pages 40 to and to apply similar standards within their
policies and additional measures in place for 42 and page 70. More information on our own organisations.
operations in higher risk countries. approach to workplace health and safety is set Our SoBC comprise our global policies
Farmer livelihoods out on page 42. referenced on page 30 and are available
Rural poverty is recognised as a root cause Community investment in 12 languages. SoBC awareness and
for wider issues in agriculture, such as child and social initiatives understanding is promoted through regular
labour, poor safety standards and urban training and communications. Our SoBC are
As an international business, we play an
migration. If we can support tobacco farmers fully aligned with the provisions of applicable
important role in countries around the world
to have prosperous livelihoods, we can help laws including the UK Bribery Act, the US
and have built close ties with local communities.
address these issues while also securing Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and the UK
We encourage our employees to play an
our tobacco leaf supply chain. We support Criminal Finances Act.
active role both in their local and business
our 90,000+ directly-contracted farmers communities. Our charitable contributions Corrupt practices are illegal, cause distortion
through our Extension Services of expert field policy in our SoBC is supported by the Group in markets and harm economic, social
technicians. We develop new tobacco seed Strategic Framework for CSI, which sets out and political development, particularly in
varieties that offer greater yields and higher our Group CSI strategy and how we expect developing countries. Our SoBC make it
quality and so help boost farmers’ profits, as our local operating companies to develop, clear that it is wholly unacceptable for Group
well as introducing them to more efficient deliver and monitor community investment companies, our employees or our business
farming technologies that save farmers time programmes within two themes: Sustainable partners to be involved or implicated in any
and money. Our Extension Services also Agriculture and Rural Communities, way in corrupt practices. We keep our SoBC
provide training and advice and help our and Empowerment. under regular review to maintain best practice
farmers to grow other crops to enhance food and to take employee and stakeholder
security and generate additional sources Our Group Head of Sustainability has oversight
feedback into account. Our Board approved
of income. For instance, in 2019 our leaf of the Group CSI strategy, and Board-level
a revised version of the SoBC in 2019,
operations and strategic third-party suppliers governance is managed through our Audit
which came into effect on 1 January 2020,
reported that 92% of their contracted farmers Committee, which reviews the strategy and an
supported by a global awareness campaign
grew other crops, including fruit, vegetables, analysis of activities (including investment and
across the Group.
wheat, maize, cotton and soy. alignment to the Group’s priorities) annually.
Delivery with integrity
To further increase our understanding of Our performance indicator in this area relates
to the total amount of money contributed to Our Delivery with Integrity programme is
the role tobacco plays in rural livelihoods,
charitable giving and CSI projects. In 2019, the focused on driving a globally consistent
we commissioned IMC Worldwide,
Group contributed over £13 million in cash approach to compliance across the Group.
one of the world’s leading international
for charitable contributions and CSI projects, This programme is led by our Business
development consultancies, to conduct
including £1.1 million given for charitable Conduct & Compliance Department reporting
independent research in Bangladesh, Brazil
purposes in the UK. Much of this contribution directly to the Director, Legal & External
and Kenya to identify if tobacco growing
is delivered through partnerships with Affairs and General Counsel. This programme
reduces resilience and prevents farmers
external stakeholders including communities, provides employees with ways to raise
and rural communities from prospering.
NGOs, governments, development agencies, concerns without fear of retaliation and
Overall, IMC found no evidence of this: IMC
academic institutions, industry associations assurance that investigations will be fair and
concluded that tobacco growing plays an
and peer companies. thorough. It drives a consistent approach to the
important and positive role in the livelihoods
mitigation of key compliance risk areas such
of tobacco farmers and labourers interviewed,
Corporate governance as bribery and corruption, money laundering,
while no evidence supporting a causal link
tax evasion, competition law, sanctions, and
between tobacco cultivation and poverty Robust corporate governance is key data protection through tools and guidance for
was found. to our sustainable long-term growth. Group company employees and business units.
Read more about the IMC Report at We are committed to achieving our business Read more about our Group risk factors related
bat.com/farmers/research
objectives in an honest, transparent and to corporate behaviour and compliance with
Read more about our Group risk factors related to accountable way, and sustaining a culture sanctions regimes and competition laws on
tobacco leaf supply on page 275 pages 279 and 281
of integrity in everything we do.
CDP Climate A List Dow Jones Global Top Employer SEAL Awards
These recognise our actions Sustainability Indices We have been accredited BAT has been awarded with
to cut emissions, mitigate BAT is the only company as a Global Top Employer the SEAL Organizational
climate risks and develop the in our industry listed in the for three consecutive Impact Award, which
low-carbon economy, as well prestigious World Index, years, acknowledging recognises overall
as engaging with our suppliers representing the world’s our commitment to corporate sustainability
to manage climate risk and top 10% ESG performers. providing best-in-class performance and represents
reduce Scope 3 carbon We have achieved working environments the 50 most sustainable
emissions in our supply chain. inclusion in the DJSI for and career opportunities. companies globally.
18 consecutive years.
Top 5 FTSE ranking for Diversity leader in Leader status in the International Women’s
our Modern Slavery the Financial Times Global Child Forum’s Day Best Practice
Statement Diversity Leaders report benchmark study Winner
The Business and Human BAT was ranked in the top In the Global Child Forum’s Our global campaigns for
Rights Resource Centre and 10% of the total of 8,000 2019 benchmarking study International Women’s Day
Development International organisations covered by of children’s rights across the have been recognised for
ranked BAT as being among this inaugural report. It was work place and supply chain, two consecutive years as
the top five highest scoring compiled from extensive we were awarded ‘leader’ examples of best practice and
companies in the FTSE research, with 80,000 status with a score of 9.2 out featured as case studies by
for the detailed disclosure people surveyed across of 10, compared to ‘industry’ the International Women’s
and action reflected in our 10 European countries. and ‘all companies’ averages Day Association.
Modern Slavery Statement. of just 5.6.
GROWTH
Our multi-category portfolio of brands continued
to deliver strong growth in 2019, driven by our
Strategic Portfolio.
Growth remains a key focus of our evolved strategy, and
will be delivered by our inspirational foresights, remarkable
innovation and powerful brands.
Highlights during the year:
– group revenue grew by 6%, driven by price mix and growth in New Categories;
– New Categories revenue grew 37%; and
– Strategic Portfolio revenue grew 9%, driven by robust cigarette pricing and growth
from New Categories and Traditional Oral.
THP
Modern oral
Definition: Change in revenue from New Categories Definition: Change in revenue from Traditional Oral Definition: Change in adjusted revenue from
before the impact of adjusting items and the impact of before the impact of adjusting items and the impact of Combustibles before the impact of adjusting items and
fluctuations in foreign exchange rates. fluctuations in foreign exchange rates. the impact of fluctuations in foreign exchange rates.
Combustibles Cigarette volume share in 2019 was higher – Lucky Strike’s volume share was in line
Group cigarette volume declined 4.7% in in Japan (driven by Lucky Strike and Kool), with 2018 (2018: up 20 bps), as growth
2019 to 668 billion sticks (2018: up 2.6% Pakistan (as Pall Mall outperformed the in Colombia, Japan, Spain, Bulgaria and
to 701 billion, or a 4.1% decrease on a declining market), Bangladesh (as the Group’s Argentina was offset by Chile, Belgium
representative basis). In 2019, growth in portfolio outperformed the declining market), and Indonesia. Volume was 3.5% down
Japan, the Middle East, South Africa, Romania Mexico (driven by Pall Mall), Ukraine (driven (2018: 1.0% down) as growth in Japan was
and Poland was more than offset by Russia by Kent and Rothmans) and Russia (driven more than offset by the impact of industry
(partly due to the one-off stock reduction), by Rothmans which outperformed the contraction in Indonesia;
Egypt (largely due to the change in local taxes declining market).
– Rothmans’ volume share continued to grow,
impacting Pall Mall), Venezuela (due to the Volume of the strategic cigarette brands increasing 50 bps (2018: up 110 bps) with
ongoing macro-economic challenges) and the collectively declined 3.0% (2018: up 16.7%, volume 2.5% higher (2018: up 19.7%),
impact of market decline in the US, Indonesia, or an increase of 4.8% on a representative driven by Pakistan, Colombia, Bulgaria and
Pakistan and Ukraine. basis). Volume share of the strategic cigarette the full year effect of migrations in Brazil
2018 volume was positively impacted by portfolio grew 70 bps in 2019, benefiting and Poland, which more than offset lower
the full year effect of the RAI acquisition. from migrations in Brazil and Colombia. volume in Russia and Ukraine which were
The decline in 2018, on a representative basis, Excluding migrations, the increase in strategic impacted by competitive pricing and higher
was despite growth in a number of markets, cigarette volume share was 30 bps (2018: up illicit trade;
including Pakistan (as the market recovered 40 bps) with growth in all regions:
– Pall Mall volume share was up 10 bps,
following the revision to excise), Turkey, – Dunhill’s overall volume share was stable as higher share in Pakistan, Australia,
Poland, Romania and Egypt. This growth (2018: stable) as growth in Bulgaria, Chile, South Africa and Mexico was offset
was more than offset by lower volume in Netherlands and Romania was offset by by reductions in the US and Turkey.
Saudi Arabia (due to down-trading and down-trading in Malaysia, South Africa, Volume declined 6.7% as growth in Kenya,
market contraction following the 2017 South Korea and Saudi Arabia. Volume was South Africa, Australia and Romania was
excise-led price increase), the US (partly due 5.5% lower (2018: down 6.1%) as growth more than offset by lower volume in Egypt
to the impact of fuel price rises on disposable in Bulgaria and Netherlands was more than (largely due to the change in local taxes),
income, the change in excise in California and offset by the effect of the down-trading Pakistan (following the excise-led price
the growth of vapour), Brazil (primarily due noted above and industry contraction in increases), Venezuela (partly due to market
to down-trading to illicit trade) and Russia Indonesia, Malaysia and South Korea; contraction driven by the macroeconomic
(largely due to both market contraction and climate) and in the US (partly due to
inventory movements in the supply chain). – Kent’s volume share grew 10 bps, (2018:
the competitive pricing in the low-
up 40 bps) with volume down 1.3% (2018:
Group cigarette value share increased 20 price segment).
down 2.2%), as growth in the Middle East,
bps, with volume share up 20 bps in 2019, Turkey, Uzbekistan, Romania and Peru was
maintaining the momentum of 8 successive more than offset by lower volume in Russia,
years of growth, and building on the 40 bps due to the one-off stock reduction;
increase in 2018.
In 2018, Pall Mall volume increased 20.4% After adjusting for the short-term impact Vapour
due to the full year impact of the US of excise on bought-in goods and the By December 2019, the Group’s vapour
acquisition, with volume up 9.9% on a translational foreign exchange tailwind of products were present in a total of 27 markets
representative basis partly due to the strong 0.6%, adjusted revenue from combustibles as the Group continued to expand its
volume and market share growth in the at constant rates of exchange was up 4.6% geographic footprint during 2019, with the
Middle East following a period of down- to £22,892 million. In 2018, this was an Group the leading vapour company in the key
trading arising from the excise-led price increase of 30% or 1.8% on an adjusted, European markets.
increases in 2017. representative constant currency basis.
The Group’s vapour portfolio continues to
The Group’s US strategic combustible 2019 is the last year where the Group will perform strongly despite a slowdown in
portfolio performed well in a market that was adjust for the excise on bought-in goods the category growth rate in the US and in a
estimated to be down 5.3% in volume: as short-term contract manufacturing number of other markets in the second half of
agreements in ENA, to which such 2019, partly impacted by the US regulatory
– Newport volume share increased 40 bps
adjustments relate, have either ended in environment. The Group welcomes the US
(2018: up 10 bps), while volume declined
2019 or will be immaterial in 2020. FDA’s recent actions to clarify regulations in
3.9% (2018: down 4.6% representative);
Tobacco heating products the US vapour market.
– Natural American Spirit performed well
with volume share, including premium The Group’s THP portfolio continued to Total volume of vapour consumables was up
volume share, up 10 bps (2018: up 20 grow, with consumable volume up 32% 19% to 226 million units in 2019, driving
bps). Volume was up 0.5% against 2018, to 9.0 billion sticks (2018: up 217% to vapour revenue up 26.1% to £401 million.
(2018: 3.5% increase on a representative 6.8 billion sticks) while revenue increased In 2018, revenue was £318 million (up 89%)
basis); and 28.9% to £728 million (2018: up 180% to with volume 100% higher to 189 million
£565 million). Excluding the impact of the units partly due to the full year impact of RAI.
– Camel’s volume share declined 10 bps in Excluding the movement of foreign exchange
relative movements in sterling, at constant
the US (2018: flat) with volume lower by and adjusting for the impact of RAI (on 2018’s
rates of exchange, this was an increase of
6.0% (2018: down 4.4% representative), as growth rate), this was an increase, at constant
22.7% in 2019 and 184% in 2018.
the capsule and menthol variants performed rates of exchange, of 23% in 2019 and 26%
well but were more than offset by a decline – In Japan, the Group’s volume share grew in 2018 (on a representative basis).
in the remainder of the Camel portfolio. to 5.0% in December 2019, an increase
of 60 bps on 2018, while the Group’s In the US, total revenue from vapour was
Volume of other tobacco products (OTP) £207 million, an increase of 12% on 2018,
THP category volume share reached
declined 7.1% to 20.6 billion sticks (2018: up 149% at £184 million). On a
19.6%. Consumable volume grew 21%
equivalent (2018: 6.6% decline, or 7.5% on a constant currency basis, this was an increase
against 2018 driven by the launch of new
representative basis), being 3% of the Group of 7% in 2019, with the US up 20% in
device upgrades, ‘glo pro’, ‘glo nano’
portfolio (2018: 3%). 2018 after adjusting for currency and on a
and ‘glo sens’ together with a new range
Revenue from combustibles grew 4.2% to of consumables which achieved national representative basis. Alto increased vapour
£23,001 million driven by higher pricing distribution by the end of 2019. After an value share to 15.4% in December 2019,
across the Group notably in the US (including encouraging launch of ‘glo sens’, the driving total Vuse vapour value share higher
a reduction in discounting), Canada, Kenya, Group will be reviewing the in-market to 21.2% in December 2019 (December
Mexico, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, Japan, execution, broadening device penetration 2018: 12.5%), despite a 6.2% decline in
Pakistan, Australia, New Zealand, Germany, and driving increased consumer uptake consumable volume.
France, Turkey and Ukraine. An improved in 2020. The Group’s integrated, cross On 2 January 2020, the US FDA announced
performance in high value markets such as category approach to marketing has seen that all flavoured cartridges/pods (excluding
Japan, South Africa, Romania and Australia the Group’s volume share of total nicotine menthol and tobacco flavours) must be
which, combined with reduced volumes in increase to 18.9% in December 2019 withdrawn until they have cleared through
lower value markets such as Pakistan and (up 210 bps from December 2018). the Premarket Tobacco Application (PMTA)
Egypt, led to an enhanced geographic mix. process. A Group subsidiary in the US has
– In other markets, the Group continued to
These were offset by an unfavourable portfolio submitted a PMTA for Vuse Solo and the
grow volume and glo is above 1% volume
mix due to the relative growth of lower value Group believes it is well positioned to submit
share in key cities in Eastern Europe,
products such as Rothmans and Pall Mall. applications for the remaining Vuse portfolio
including Moscow. The Group’s THP
In 2018, revenue from combustibles increased products are now available in 17 markets and a range of flavours by 12 May 2020.
by 21.5% to £22,072 million largely due to with further expansion planned for 2020. It is expected that, as required by the PMTA
the full year inclusion of RAI and pricing in a process to remain on the market, all these will
number of markets, which more than offset be shown to be appropriate for the protection
a translational foreign exchange headwind of public health. There is no intention to
of 6%. submit a PMTA for the Vapewild portfolio
and consequently the Group has recognised
an impairment charge in respect of the
trademarks of £37 million.
IFRS-GAAP
Profit from operations
PRODUCTIVITY (£m)
Chain Service Centre. This global integration allows for 2017 £6,412m +38%
Definition: Profit for the year before the impact of net finance
the lowest possible overheads cost, and has resulted costs/income, share of post-tax results of associates and joint
ventures and taxation on ordinary activities.
in a more agile and responsive supply chain.
KPI Non-GAAP
This increased flexibility and agility will play an important Change in adjusted profit from
operations at constant rates (%)
role in delivering our new strategy, which we look forward
to reporting on next year. +6.6%
Highlights during the year
– another year of substantial productivity savings and RAI acquisition savings delivered 2019 +7%
ahead of schedule; 2018 +38%
– consolidation of our Global Supply Chain Service Centre; and 2018 (rep) +4%
2017 +39%
– challenges of Track and Trace and plain packaging regulations successfully overcome. 2017 (org) +4%
The 2018 completion of our Global which has supported NTO growth in
KPI Non-GAAP
Supply Chain Service Centre resulted in New Categories.
Operating cash flow conversion ratio@
the synchronisation of our end-to-end In 2019, supply chain flexibility and agility (%)
supply network, with Leaf supply chain, were also proven in response to both plain
procurement, manufacturing, planning,
logistics, and the introduction of new
packaging regulation in Canada, as well as
Tobacco Products Directive (TPD) regulations 97%
products all consolidated. In 2019, we in the EU. In response to TPD regulations
built on these strong existing capabilities to that mandated the traceability of all products
leverage cross-functional synergies. and packs from manufacture to retail outlet, 2019 97%
2018 113%
Our fast-paced geographic expansion of our our supply chain was successfully adapted
2017 79%
New Categories business has necessitated to ensure full compliance across 14 factories,
a prioritisation of flexibility and agility. As a 6,400 external warehouses, and 900,000 Definition: Operating cash flow, as defined on page 264 as a
retailers. Similar successful flexibility was percentage of adjusted profit from operations.
result, we have developed a more responsive
supply chain, which involved developing demonstrated by significant changes to IFRS-GAAP
different supply chain models to meet the ensure compliance while protecting revenue Net cash generated from operating
different demand models that arise in our following strict new packaging regulations activities (£m)
in Canada.
£8,996m
increasingly multicategory business.
-12.6%
2019 £8,996m -13%
2018 £10,295m +93%
2017 £5,347m +16%
OUR FAST-PACED GEOGRAPHIC before the impact of net cash used in financing activities, net
cash used in investing activities and differences on exchange.
EXPANSION OF OUR NEW
CATEGORIES BUSINESS HAS
NECESSITATED A PRIORITISATION
OF FLEXIBILITY AND AGILITY
Alan Davy
Director, Operations
KPI Non-GAAP
Adjusted operating margin The Group also purchases a small amount of internationally traded tobacco. This approach
(%) tobacco leaf from India where the tobacco balances the lowest possible working capital
is bought over an auction floor. The price investment while reducing our exposure to
43.1% of tobacco in US dollars varies from year-
to-year driven by domestic inflationary
crop failure (from changes in climate) and
guaranteeing the best quality leaf to meet
pressures, supply, demand and quality. consumer demands.
The Group believes there is an adequate In 2019, we continued to improve our
2019 43.1%
supply of tobacco leaf in the world markets productivity in all areas of our supply chain
2018 42.6%
to satisfy its current and anticipated and elsewhere in the Group. As a result, we
2017 41.1%
production requirements. have increased our profitability and continue
Definition: Adjusted profit from operations as a percentage
of adjusted revenue. Increasing productivity savings to deliver returns to our shareholders today
and invest in the future.
By operating globally, exploiting our systems
and striving for results, the Group delivered
substantial productivity savings in 2019,
supported in large part by the acquisition
of Reynolds American Inc. with annualised
savings of over US$400 million delivered by
the end of 2019, a year ahead of schedule.
These savings are returned to the business
for re-investment and to increase shareholder
return. The Group considers all opportunities
for productivity savings in the supply chain,
including procurement, international logistics
and leaf operations:
Group diversity as at
WINNING ORGANISATION 31 December 2019
Total Male Female
– celebrated our first year anniversary of B United, a network for our LGBT+ employees; Female 23.1%
82%
nationalities represented at management level engagement channels worldwide covering
within our Group, and we are pleased with the Group’s global workforce. We define
the continuous progress we are making and the Group’s workforce as comprising all
the sustainable pipeline we are building in FMCG comparator group 75% Group company employees and individuals
terms of nationality diversity. contracted on a fixed term basis to undertake
We are also continuing to work hard to permanent roles.
Definition: Results from our ‘Your Voice’ employee opinion
improve gender diversity within the Group. survey, carried out in 2019, enabled us to calculate our Our workforce engagement channels include
employee engagement index – a measure that reflects
Women represent 27% of our Board and 15% market and site visits by our Directors and
employees’ level of commitment, energy and connection
of our Management Board, and comprised towards the organisation. Management Board members to meet local
24% of our senior recruits and 23% of our employees, town hall sessions, works councils,
Objective: To achieve a more positive score than
internal promotions in 2019. We support the norm for FMCG companies in our comparator European Employee Council meetings,
women’s development into senior roles benchmark group. our ‘Your Voice‘ global employee survey,
through a variety of initiatives, including global, functional and regional webcasts
our Women in Leadership programme and and webcasts with the Chief Executive.
participation in the 30% Club mentoring These engagement channels are implemented
programme. We have female executives on Our other key metrics in this area include: as appropriate for the composition of
all our senior functional and geographical local workforce populations, at market,
– Employee retention: In 2019, total
leadership teams, and 49% of our 2019 business unit, functional or regional levels.
voluntary turnover of management-
graduate intake were women, supporting Our Speak Up channels are also available to
grade employees was 1,085,
the development of a sustainable pipeline of our workforce worldwide and are discussed
representing 8.1% of the total
women for senior management roles. further on page 32.
management population.
Read about our Global Graduate Programme
at www.bat-careers.com/graduates – Diversity: Representation of women in The Board has taken account of the
senior management roles increased from requirements of the UK Corporate
3. Creating enablers 16% in 2016, and 21% in 2017, to 23% Governance Code in its approach to
in 2019. engagement with the Group’s workforce.
To realise our diversity ambitions, we know
Given the spread, scale and diversity of the
we must develop enablers to provide a
Group’s workforce, the Board considers it
supportive environment for people to thrive. Inclusive culture effective to use the established channels
One of the ways we do this is by maintaining We can only truly harness the benefits of referred to above, and has augmented these
networks to share experiences. We currently a diverse workforce if we have an inclusive from January 2019 by introducing Group-
support 13 women’s networks across all levels culture that enables all our employees to wide reporting structures to capture feedback
of our organisation, including Women in flourish regardless of their gender, ethnicity, from engagement channels at market,
BAT UK network. We also partnered with the culture or other differences. business unit, functional and regional levels.
International Women’s Day Association for the
second year on the #BalanceforBetter campaign. We were proud to be recognised as a To ensure the Board understands the
Diversity Leader by the Financial Times in its views of our workforce, the Board now
‘B United’ celebrated its first anniversary in 2019. inaugural Diversity Leaders report. The report, reviews consolidated feedback from
‘B United’ is a Group network that provides our which lists the top 700 companies across 10 these engagement channels annually.
LGBT+ employees with a safe forum to share European countries, recognises organisations Feedback from the Board, with associated
experiences, mentoring opportunities and help that have achieved a diverse and inclusive action planning, is cascaded back across our
with overcoming hurdles, such as those relating workforce across a number of criteria. workforce and the Board is kept updated on
to adoption or travelling abroad with same
progress against identified actions during
sex partners.
the year. This approach supplements the
Directors’ direct engagement, including
through market and site visits, discussed
further at page 72.
Our policies and principles* Summary of areas covered Key stakeholder groups
Employment Principles Employment practices, including commitments to diversity, reasonable Our People
working hours, family-friendly policies, employee wellbeing, talent,
performance and equal opportunities, and fair, clear and competitive
remuneration and benefits.
Health and Safety Policy Health, safety and welfare of all employees, other members of our workforce Our People Customers
and third-party personnel. Suppliers
Standards of Business Respect in the work place, including promoting equality and diversity, Our People
Conduct (SoBC) preventing harassment and bullying, and safeguarding employee wellbeing.
Group Data Privacy Policy The manner in which BAT processes personal data about all individuals, Our People Suppliers
including consumers, employees, contractors and employees of suppliers. Consumers Customers
These policies and procedures are endorsed by our Board, apply to all Group companies and support the effective identification,
management and mitigation of risks and issues for our business in these and other areas.
* Further details of our Group policies and principles can be found at www.bat.com/principles
Our global ‘Your Voice‘ employee survey is Our approach to rewarding Group company Relatedly, the number of fatalities fell
conducted across the Group every two years, employees is set out further on pages 95 to significantly from 12 in 2018 to one across
most recently in 2019. The results from 2019 96. Further information on the Company’s the Group in 2019. This was primarily a result
demonstrate that we continue to outperform Remuneration Policy for Directors can be of our concerted effort to address the rise
our global FMCG comparator group in all areas found on pages 93 to 113. in attacks on our field-force. However, we
surveyed, including our employee engagement recognise that changing local conditions,
Gender pay
index at 7% higher than our FMCG such as increased levels of violence and civil
comparator group and our high performance Since 2018, we have published data relating unrest, continue in certain markets and that
index at 13% above our FMCG comparator to UK gender pay in accordance with this requires continuous assessments to ensure
group. Our Group results are also significantly statutory requirements. the learnings from other markets are rapidly
ahead of our FMCG comparator group in the You can learn more about our published data deployed to mitigate any rising trends in
categories of corporate responsibility, diversity relating to UK gender pay in line with statutory potential threats to our people.
requirements at www.bat.com/genderpayreport
& inclusion and talent development.
We are making every effort to further address
Our Employment Principles Safe place to work these challenges in 2020, notably through
Operating in challenging
sharing best-practice examples across
Our Employment Principles set out a common
environments
our regions.
approach for our Group companies’ policies
and procedures, recognising that each Group Providing a safe working environment for all our You can read about our Principal Group risk
relating to workplace health & safety on page 62
company must take account of local labour employees and contractors is paramount. As a
law and practice, and the local political, global business, operating in diverse markets
economic and cultural context. including some of the world’s most volatile
Health and Safety Policy
regions, this can also be challenging. Our Health and Safety Policy recognises the
In developing our Employment Principles, we importance of the health, safety and welfare
have sought the views of a cross-section of Safety risks vary across our business. For example, of all our employees and third-party personnel
internal and external stakeholders, and have our manufacturing sites carry lower risks, while in the conduct of our business operations.
consulted with employee representatives and the vast majority of all Group accidents are We are committed to the prevention
(where relevant) with our works councils. in Trade Marketing & Distribution (TM&D), of injury and ill-health, and strive for
All Group companies have adopted our which involves the distribution and sale of our continual improvement in health and safety
Employment Principles and, through our products. We have close to 30,000 vehicles and management and performance. This policy is
internal audit processes, are required to motorcycles out on the road every day, often in supported by our Environmental, Health and
demonstrate how these are embedded into environments with difficult social or economic Safety (EHS) management system, outlined
the work place. conditions. Our goods have a high street on page 29.
In addition to our Employment Principles, value, and in a small number of markets this
carries high risk of armed robbery and assault. Overall responsibility for Group health and
our Board Diversity Policy specifically applies safety is held by the Director, Operations.
to our Board and Management Board and is Poor road infrastructure and wide variations
in driving standards and behaviour provide The Director, Group Talent and Culture, has
discussed further at pages 81 to 82. overall responsibility for all employee and
further challenges.
Equal opportunities for all human resources matters.
Although these challenges will always exist, our
We are committed to providing equal goal is zero accidents across the Group. To help
opportunities to all employees. We do not Our key metrics* in this area include:
achieve this, we have a comprehensive approach
discriminate when making decisions on hiring, based on risk management and assessments, – Lost Workday Case Incident Rate
promotion or retirement on the grounds of employee training and awareness, and tailored (LWCIR): There was a decrease in our
race, colour, gender, age, social class, religion, initiatives for specific issues. LWCIR from 0.29 in 2018 to 0.27
smoking habits, sexual orientation, politics in 2019.
or disability. We are committed to providing Since 2017, we have implemented a range
training and development for employees of additional initiatives, such as ensuring – Lost workday cases (LWC): The number
with disabilities. drivers carry less stock, together with extra of work-related accidents (including
security measures for route planning and assaults) resulting in injury to employees
Rewarding people vehicle tracking. We use in-vehicle ‘telematics’ and to contractors under our direct
Reward is a key pillar in ensuring that we have monitoring systems to analyse driver behaviour supervision, causing absence of one shift
the right people to drive the business forward. data, and use the insights to tailor our training or more, decreased from 213 in 2018 to
Reward is necessarily local and we strongly programmes and improve driving skills and 186 in 2019.
support this through global frameworks to hazard perception.
– Serious injuries and fatalities: The total
ensure leading edge policies, processes and In markets where we have introduced number of serious injuries and fatalities
technology are available to all markets. distribution by motorcycle, we provide training to employees and contractors decreased
Base pay rewards core competence relative programmes to reduce risk. These provide from 54 in 2018 to 38 in 2019.
to skills, experience and contribution to practical techniques for different road conditions
the Group, while annual bonuses, long- and types of traffic, safe speeds and distances, * 2018 LWC data has been restated to include Health and Safety
data from our recent acquisitions.
term incentives, recognition schemes and and how to spot a potential problem and take
ad hoc incentives provide the right mix to action to deal with it safely.
ensure that sustained high performance is We are pleased to report that our actions are
recognised and rewarded. We also offer our producing improvements. While vehicle-related
UK employees the chance to share in our incidents remained flat in 2019, we saw an 18%
success via our Sharesave Scheme, Partnership reduction in injuries reported across TM&D,
Share Scheme and Share Reward Scheme, driven by a 40% decrease in the number of
and operate several similar schemes for senior assaults on our people.
management in our Group companies.
FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE
SUMMARY
Highlights
STRONG – Group revenue was up 5.7% with profit from operations 3.2% lower
OPERATIONAL than 2018;
PERFORMANCE – At constant rates of exchange, adjusted revenue grew 5.6% with adjusted
profit from operations up 6.6%;
DRIVES – Diluted earnings per share decreased 5.4%. Adjusted diluted
DELEVERAGING earnings per share was up 9.1%, or 8.4% at constant rates;
Tadeu Marroco – Dividend per share was up 3.6% at 210.4p;
Finance Director – Net cash generated from operating activities declined 12.6%, @with adjusted
cash generated from operations at constant rates down 16.3%@; and
– Cash conversion at 100%, @with operating cash flow conversion ratio at 97%@.
In the reporting of financial information, the In 2019, revenue grew 5.7% to Revenue
Group uses certain measures that are not defined £25,877 million (2018: £24,492 million, (£m)
by IFRS, the Generally Accepted Accounting
Principles (GAAP) under which the Group
up 25.2% on 2017). The higher revenue in
2019 was due to pricing across the cigarettes £25,877m
reports. The Group believes that these additional
measures, which are used internally, are useful to
portfolio (with price mix of 9%) and an
increase in revenue from Traditional Oral (up +5.7%
users of the financial information in helping them 15%, 2018 up 127%) and New Categories 2019 £25,877m +6%
understand the underlying business performance. (up 37%, 2018 up 138%), which more than 2018 £24,492m +25%
offset a 4.7% decline in cigarette volume 2017 £19,564m +39%
The principal non-GAAP measures which
(2018: increase of 2.6%). The growth in 2018 Definition: Revenue recognised, net of duty,
the Group uses are adjusted revenue,
was mainly due to the inclusion of RAI as a excise and other taxes.
adjusted revenue from New Categories,
wholly-owned subsidiary from the acquisition In 2019, revenue includes £18,793 million of revenue from
adjusted revenue from the Strategic Portfolio,
date as 2017 only included approximately five the Strategic Portfolio, an increase of 9% (2018: £17,257
adjusted profit from operations, adjusted
months of revenue from RAI. 2018 revenue million). Within the Strategic Portfolio, revenue from New
diluted earnings per share, @operating cash Categories was £1,255 million (2018: £917 million).
was also driven by price mix of 6% (on the
flow conversion ratio and adjusted cash
combustible brands) and the growth of
generated from operations@. Adjusting items KPI Non-GAAP
the New Categories portfolio. Revenue was
are significant items in revenue, profit from Change in adjusted revenue
also affected by the movements of foreign
operations, net finance costs, taxation and at constant rates (%)
exchange on our reported results which was
+5.6%
the Group’s share of the post-tax results of
a tailwind of 0.6% in 2019, compared to a
associates and joint ventures which individually
headwind in 2018 of approximately 6%.
or, if of a similar type, in aggregate, are
relevant to an understanding of the Group’s After adjusting for the short-term uplift to
underlying financial performance. As an revenue due to the treatment of excise on 2019 +6%
additional measure to indicate the results of bought-in goods and the effect of exchange 2018 +33%
the Group before the impact of exchange on the reported result, on a constant currency 2018 (rep) +4%
rates on the Group’s results, the movement basis, in 2019 adjusted revenue was up 5.6% 2017 +32%
in adjusted revenue, adjusted revenue from as combustibles pricing and the growth of 2017 (org) +3%
the Strategic Portfolio, adjusted profit from New Categories more than offset a decline
Definition: Change in revenue before the impact
operations and adjusted diluted earnings in cigarette volume of 4.7%. Excluding the of adjusting items and the impact of fluctuations in foreign
per share are shown at constant rates of variance created to the Group’s results from exchange rates.
exchange. The Group also includes, where the acquisition of RAI and other businesses in
appropriate, measures termed ‘representative’ 2017, in 2018 adjusted revenue grew 3.5% on
or ‘organic’ to provide the user with the an adjusted, constant currency, representative
Group’s performance without the potentially basis as pricing and the growth in New
distorting effects of acquisitions, particularly Categories more than offset the decline in @ Denotes phrase, paragraph or similar that does not form part of
RAI. These non-GAAP measures are explained combustibles volume on a representative basis. BAT’s Annual Report on Form 20-F as filed with the SEC.
on pages 258 to 268.
INCOME
STATEMENT
IFRS-GAAP KPI Non-GAAP
Profit from operations Profit from operations Change in adjusted profit from
Profit from operations fell by 3.2% to (£m) operations at constant rates (%)
£9,016m +6.6%
£9,016 million, compared to an increase
of 45% to £9,313 million in 2018. This was
driven by the recognition of charges related to
Quebec Class Action in Canada (£436 million), -3.2%
the settlement of an excise dispute in Russia 2019 £9,016m -3% 2019 +7%
(£202 million), amortisation and impairment 2018 £9,313m +45% 2018 +38%
of trademarks and similar intangibles 2017 £6,412m +38% 2018 (rep) +4%
(£481 million), the impairment of Indonesian 2017 +39%
Definition: Profit for the year before the impact of net
goodwill (£172 million), other smoking and finance costs/income, share of post-tax results of associates 2017 (org) +4%
health litigation costs of £236 million (which and joint ventures and taxation on ordinary activities.
Definition: Change in profit from operations before the
included Engle progeny in the US) and costs impact of adjusting items and the impact of fluctuations
related to the restructuring programmes, which in foreign exchange rates.
includes Quantum (£264 million). The growth
in 2018 was driven by the inclusion of RAI mid- Also included in 2019 are goodwill £565 million (2018: £363 million), of which
way through 2017. impairment charges in relation to Bentoel Quantum incurred £264 million (2018: £nil).
in Indonesia (£172 million) recognised in Quantum will simplify the business and create
Raw materials and other consumables
the year following a change in excise rates a more efficient and agile organisation to
costs declined 1.4% to £4,599 million in
impacting forecast future performance. support the growth of New Categories.
2019 mainly due to the end of the contract
The increase in 2018 reflects the full year The charge in 2018 included costs related to
manufacturing agreement which, due to
effect of RAI, with depreciation increasing in the implementation of the operating model,
excise recognition, led to an increase in
2017 due to the higher depreciation charges integration costs associated with the
revenue and in raw materials and other
following the consolidation of RAI in that year. acquisition of RAI and factory rationalisations
consumables costs. In 2018, this was an
(in Germany, Russia and APME).
increase of 3.2% to £4,664 million due to Other operating expenses increased
the higher volume following the acquisition by £1,183 million to £7,851 million in In 2019, the Group also incurred a £436 million
in 2017 of RAI as well as an increase in THP 2019 mainly due to the recognition of the charge in respect of the Quebec Class Action
volume, and a year-on-year movement charges in respect of Quebec Class Action in Canada, amortisation and impairment of
benefiting from a charge of £465 million in Canada (£436 million), Russia excise trademarks and similar intangibles (£481 million),
recognised in 2017 related to the purchase dispute (£202 million) and other litigation a charge of £202 million related to an excise
price allocation adjustment to inventory (including Engle progeny in the US) of dispute in Russia, impairment of goodwill in
which did not repeat in 2018. £236 million. 2018 was up £1,986 million Indonesia (£172 million) and other smoking and
to £6,668 million, largely due to the health litigation costs of £236 million, including
Employee benefit costs increased by
consolidation of RAI, including charges Engle progeny in the US.
7.2% to £3,221 million in 2019, which
in relation to the MSA.
includes charges in relation to Quantum of In 2018, the Group incurred an impairment
£264 million. In 2018, this was an increase Expenditure on research and of assets in Venezuela due to the accounting
of 12.2% to £3,005 million, due to the development was £376 million in revaluation (related to hyperinflationary
acquisition of RAI in 2017. 2019 (2018: £258 million) with a focus accounting) of £110 million and £178 million
on products that could potentially charge due to Engle progeny cases in the US.
Depreciation, amortisation and impairment
reduce the risk associated with smoking
costs increased by £474 million to In 2019, adjusted profit from operations
conventional cigarettes.
£1,512 million in 2019 and by £136 million grew by 7.6% to £11,130 million or 6.6%
to £1,038 million in 2018. This includes Adjusted profit from operations is the to £11,032 million on a constant currency
the amortisation and impairment charges Group’s profit from operations before adjusting basis. This compared to an increase of 38%
of £481 million (2018: £377 million) items. Adjusting items were £2,114 million in 2018 which was largely driven by the full
largely related to the trademarks and in 2019 (2018: £1,034 million), including year effect of the acquisition of RAI in 2017.
similar intangibles capitalised following the charges related to trademark amortisation On a representative basis, adjusted profit
acquisitions (including RAI, TDR, Skandinavisk and impairment (discussed above), and from operations at constant rates increased
Tobakskompagni A/S (ST) and VapeWild). restructuring and integration costs of by 4.0% in 2018.
Analysis of profit from operations, net finance costs and results from associates and joint ventures
2019 2018
Adjusting Impact of Adjusted Adjusting
Reported items Adjusted exchange at CC Reported items Adjusted
£m £m £m £m £m £m £m £m
Profit from operations
US 4,410 626 5,036 (238) 4,798 4,006 505 4,511
APME 1,753 306 2,059 43 2,102 1,858 90 1,948
AmSSA 1,204 638 1,842 70 1,912 1,544 194 1,738
ENA 1,649 544 2,193 27 2,220 1,905 245 2,150
Total regions 9,016 2,114 11,130 (98) 11,032 9,313 1,034 10,347
Net finance (costs)/income (1,602) 80 (1,522) 56 (1,466) (1,381) (4) (1,385)
Associates and joint ventures 498 (25) 473 (7) 466 419 (32) 387
Profit before tax 7,912 2,169 10,081 49 10,032 8,351 998 9,349
Non-GAAP
Operating margin Operating margin Adjusted operating margin
Operating margin in 2019 declined by 320 (%) (%)
34.8% 43.1%
bps to 34.8% as the growth in revenue was
more than offset by continued investment
in the development of New Categories and
the impact of the charges related to Quebec,
Russia, Indonesia, amortisation of trademarks, 2019 34.8% 2019 43.1%
other litigation and Quantum as described in 2018 38.0% 2018 42.6%
note 3 in the Notes on the Accounts. 2017 32.8% 2017 41.1%
In 2018, operating margin was ahead of 2017 Definition: Profit from operations as a percentage Definition: Adjusted profit from operations as a percentage
by over 500 bps to 38.0%, as the Group’s of revenue. of adjusted revenue.
performance and the full year impact of
RAI more than offset the increased spend
related to the New Category portfolio and
restructuring and integration costs incurred. In 2018, the Group recognised a monetary Associates and joint ventures
In 2019, adjusted operating margin grew by gain arising from the revaluation of the Associates in 2019 largely comprised the
50 bps driven by combustibles pricing and Group’s operations in Venezuela in line with Group’s shareholding in its Indian associate,
cost management initiatives, fuelling the hyperinflation (£45 million), which has been ITC. The Group’s share of post-tax results
investment into New Categories. treated as an adjusting item. Before the of associates and joint ventures, included at
impact of adjusting charges related to the the pre-tax level under IFRS, increased 19%
In 2018, adjusted operating margin grew by Franked Investment Income Group Litigation
150 bps largely due to the full year effect of to £498 million largely due to improved
Order (FIIGLO), as discussed on page 147, operational performance of ITC and the
RAI. On a representative basis, this was an (£28 million in 2019 and £25 million in
increase of 40 bps as the impact of pricing benefit from lower corporate tax following
2018), interest in relation to the Russia excise the change in rates in India. In 2018, this
more than offset the investment into New dispute (2019: £50 million), a £12 million
Categories and inflation on the cost base. was a decline of 98% to £419 million, as
charge in 2018 in relation to retrospective 2017 included the results of RAI prior to the
guidance by a tax authority on overseas
Net finance costs acquisition, after which it was consolidated
withholding tax, the monetary gain in as a wholly-owned subsidiary, with 2017
In 2019, net finance costs increased Venezuela in 2018 and the translation
£221 million to £1,602 million, largely also including the recognition of a gain of
impact of foreign exchange, adjusted net £23.3 billion, which arose as the Group was
driven by higher short-term borrowings finance costs were 5.8% higher in 2019 and
required to fund the timing of payments, deemed, under IFRS, to have disposed of RAI
59.2% higher in 2018. The movement in as an associate in that period.
interest on leases recognised under IFRS 16, 2018 reflected the full year’s interest charges
working capital movements in the period following the acquisition of RAI, including Excluding the effect of adjusting items,
and the impact of the translational headwind the increased borrowings to finance the including a gain arising on the deemed
on costs due to the relative weakness of acquisition and the consolidation into the disposal of part of the Group’s shareholding in
sterling against the US dollar. In 2018, net Group’s accounts of RAI’s borrowings. ITC (due to issuances to employee trusts), the
finance costs increased by £287 million Group’s share of associates and joint ventures
to £1,381 million, largely due to the full The Group’s average cost of debt in 2019 on an adjusted, constant currency basis was
year effect of servicing higher level of debt was 3.3%, compared to 3.0% in 2018. 20% higher in 2019, at £466 million. In 2018,
following the acquisition of RAI. this was a decline of 58.5% to £420 million as
the Group ceased to recognise the results of
RAI as an associate.
Analysis of profit from operations, net finance costs and results from associates and joint ventures
2018 2017
Adjusting Impact of Adjusted Adjusting Uplift due Adjusted
Reported items Adjusted exchange at CC Reported items Adjusted to acq repres
£m £m £m £m £m £m £m £m £m £m
Profit from operations
US 4,006 505 4,511 175 4,686 1,165 763 1,928 2,502 4,430
APME 1,858 90 1,948 151 2,099 1,902 147 2,049 25 2,074
AmSSA 1,544 194 1,738 184 1,922 1,648 134 1,782 22 1,804
ENA 1,905 245 2,150 67 2,217 1,697 473 2,170 29 2,199
Total regions 9,313 1,034 10,347 577 10,924 6,412 1,517 7,929 2,578 10,507
Net finance (costs)/income (1,381) (4) (1,385) (30) (1,415) (1,094) 205 (889)
Associates and joint ventures 419 (32) 387 33 420 24,209 (23,197) 1,012
Profit before tax 8,351 998 9,349 580 9,929 29,527 (21,475) 8,052
INCOME STATEMENT
CONTINUED
IFRS-GAAP
Earnings per share The quarterly dividends will be paid to Diluted earnings per share (EPS)
Profit for the year was £5,849 million, a shareholders registered on either the UK main (p)
register or the South Africa branch register
249.0p
5.8% decline compared to £6,210 million
in 2018 (itself a decline of 84% on 2017). and to ADS holders, each on the applicable
The movement in 2019 was driven by the record dates.
recognition of charges in relation to Quebec, Under IFRS, the dividend is recognised in -5.4%
Russia, Indonesia, the impairment of acquired the year that it is approved by shareholders 2019 249.0p -5%
brands, other litigation charges, Quantum or, if declared as an interim dividend by 2018 263.2p -86%
and higher net finance costs, as previously directors, in the period that it is paid. 2017 1827.60p +633%
discussed, which more than offset an increase Following a review of the Group’s 2018 Definition: Profit attributable to owners of BAT p.l.c. over
in revenue across all product categories. Annual Report and Accounts conducted by weighted average number of shares outstanding, including
The movement in 2018 was largely due the Financial Reporting Council (FRC), an the effects of all dilutive potential ordinary shares.
to accounting gains in 2017 related to the error was identified whereby the Group had
acquisition of RAI and the deferred tax credit previously recognised the interim dividend KPI Non-GAAP
arising from the US tax reform, which both that would be paid in the subsequent period Change in adjusted diluted EPS
arose in the prior year. as a liability on the balance sheet. The effect (%)
Consequently, and after accounting for
the movement in non-controlling interests
was to overstate liabilities and reduce equity
by £1.0 billion in 2017 and £1.1 billion in
2018. Assessing the nature of the error, it was
+9.1%
in the year, basic earnings per share were
5.4% lower at 249.7p (2018: 264.0p, considered to be immaterial by the Directors
2017: 1,833.9p). After accounting for the as it did not affect the primary users of the 2019 +9%
dilutive effect of employee share schemes, financial statements (see page 130) as there 2018 +5%
diluted earnings per share were 249.0p, was no impact to the amount or timing of the 2017 +14%
5.4% lower than 2018 (2018: 263.2p, dividends received. Definition: Change in diluted earnings per share before the
impact of adjusting items.
2017: 1,827.6p). In 2019, the Group revised the recognition
Earnings per share are impacted by of the dividend in the accounts to be in KPI Non-GAAP
the adjusting items discussed above. accordance with IFRS. The 2019 Statement Change in adjusted diluted EPS
Adjusted diluted EPS, as calculated in note of Changes in Equity reflects the remaining at constant rates (%)
three quarterly dividends that were paid
+8.4%
7 in the Notes on the Accounts, was up
against the prior year by 9.1% at 323.8p, in the period, which, in total amount to
with 2018 ahead of 2017 by 5.2% at 296.7p. £3,476 million (2018: £4,463 million).
Adjusted diluted EPS at constant rates would The cash flow, prepared in accordance
have been 8.4% ahead of 2018 at 321.6p, with IFRS, reflects the total cash paid in the
2019 +8%
with 2018 up 11.8% against 2017. period. Further details of the total amounts
2018 +12%
of dividends paid in 2019 (with 2018
2017 +9%
Dividends comparatives) are given in note 18 in the
The Group pays its dividends to shareholders Notes on the Accounts. Definition: Change in diluted earnings per share before the
impact of adjusting items and the impact of fluctuations in
over four quarterly interim dividends. Dividends are declared and payable in sterling foreign exchange rates.
Quarterly dividends provide shareholders with except for those shareholders on the branch
a more regular flow of dividend income and register in South Africa, where dividends are
allow the Company to spread its substantial payable in rand. The equivalent dividends
dividend payments more evenly over the receivable by holders of ADSs in US dollars are
year. The dividends align better with the calculated based on the exchange rate on the
cash flow generation of the Group and so applicable payment date.
enable the Company to fund the payments
more efficiently. Further details of the quarterly dividends
and key dates are set out under ‘Shareholder
The Board has declared an interim dividend information’ on pages 300 and 301.
of 210.4p per ordinary share of 25p, payable
in four equal quarterly instalments of 52.6p
per ordinary share in May 2020, August
2020, November 2020 and February 2021.
This represents an increase of 3.6% on 2018,
(2018: 203.0p per share), and a payout ratio,
on 2019 adjusted diluted earnings per share,
of 65.0% (2018: 68.4%).
The discussion of 2017 results that are not necessary to an understanding of the Group’s
financial condition, changes in financial condition and results of operations is excluded from
this Financial Review in accordance with applicable US Securities laws. Discussion of such
2017 metrics is contained in the Group’s Annual Report on Form 20-F 2018, which is
available at bat.com/annualreport and has been filed with the SEC. Information contained
in pages 33 to 47 of the Annual Report on Form 20-F 2018 are accordingly incorporated
by reference into this Annual Report on Form 20-F 2019 only to the extent such information
pertains to the Group’s financial condition and results of operations for the fiscal year ended
31 December 2017.
TREASURY AND
CASH FLOW
Treasury, liquidity and Considering the relevant hedge relationships In July 2019, the Group filed a shelf registration
capital structure impacted by these amendments, as at statement on Form F-3 with the SEC pursuant
31 December 2019, the Group has floating rate to which B.A.T Capital Corporation and B.A.T.
The Treasury Function is responsible for borrowings with nominal value £1,929 million International Finance p.l.c. may issue debt
raising finance for the Group and managing and US$750 million (£566 million) that are due securities guaranteed by certain members of
the Group’s cash resources and the financial to mature in January 2022 and August 2022, the Group from time to time. This forms part of
risks arising from underlying operations. respectively. the Group’s strategy to ensure flexible and agile
Clear parameters have been established, access to capital markets and the registration
including levels of authority, on the type In relation to the Group’s floating rate
statement is initially valid for three years.
and use of financial instruments to manage borrowings and hedge instruments, there is
the financial risks facing the Group. exposure to uncertainty arising from changes Management believes that the Group
Such instruments are only used if they relate in the USD LIBOR, EURIBOR and GBP LIBOR has sufficient working capital for present
to an underlying exposure; speculative benchmarks. The Group believes that its requirements, taking into account the
transactions are expressly forbidden under contracts with interest rates based on these amounts of undrawn borrowing facilities
the Group’s treasury policy. All these activities benchmarks adequately provide for alternate and levels of cash and cash equivalents,
are carried out under defined policies, calculations of interest in the event that they and the ongoing ability to generate cash.
procedures and limits, reviewed and approved are unavailable. The Group believes that any
by the Board, delegating oversight to the resulting ineffectiveness consequent to the Cash flow
Finance Director and Treasury Function. Interest Rate Benchmark Reform is likely to be Net cash generated from
See note 22 in the Notes on the Accounts immaterial. Although these calculations may operating activities
for further detail. cause an administrative burden, the Group In 2019, net cash generated from operating
does not believe that these would materially activities declined by £1,299 million (or
It is the policy of the Group to maximise adversely affect the Group or its ability to
financial flexibility and minimise refinancing 12.6%) largely due to the timing of part
manage its interest rate risk. of the 2018 MSA payment (£1.4 billion)
risk by issuing debt with a range of maturities,
generally matching the projected cash flows The Group continues to maintain which was paid in 2017 and due to working
of the Group and obtaining this financing investment‑grade credit ratings*, with ratings capital movements, particularly in Australia
from a wide range of sources. The Group from Moody’s/S&P at Baa2 (stable outlook)/ where the payment terms related to excise
targets an average centrally managed BBB+ (stable outlook), respectively, with a were changed in the year, removing bonded
debt maturity of at least five years with medium-term rating target of Baa1/BBB+. warehousing and increasing inventory values.
no more than 20% of centrally managed The strength of the ratings has underpinned In 2018, net cash generated from operating
debt maturing in a single rolling year. As at debt issuance and the Group is confident of activities increased by £4,948 million to
31 December 2019, the average centrally its ability to successfully access the debt capital £10,295 million, principally due to the
managed debt maturity was 9.1 years markets. All contractual borrowing covenants full year effect from RAI, compared to
(2018: 8.8 years) and the highest proportion have been met and these covenants are not approximately five months’ contribution to
of centrally managed debt maturing in a expected to inhibit the Group’s operations 2017, the timing of payments related to the
single rolling 12-month period was 18.6% or funding plans. MSA in the US and an increase in debtor
(2018: 18.4%). The Group maintains a two-tranche £6 billion factoring by approximately £300 million.
The only externally imposed capital revolving credit facility. This consists of a These more than offset a reduction in
requirement the Group has is in respect of its £3 billion 364-day revolving credit facility dividends from associates following the
centrally managed banking facilities, which (which, in July 2019, was extended to mature acquisition of RAI. Other movements include:
require a gross interest cover of 4.5 times. in July 2020) and a £3 billion revolving credit – the increase in inventory in 2018 was
The Group targets a gross interest cover, facility maturing in 2021. On 12 March 2020, predominantly related to the timing of
as calculated under its key central banking the Group refinanced the existing two- leaf purchases and inventory movements
facilities, of greater than 5 times. For 2019, tranche £6 billion revolving credit facility with in Romania, Turkey and Russia;
it was 7.1 times (2018: 7.2 times). a new two-tranche £6 billion revolving credit
facility. This consists of a £3 billion 364-day – the increase in trade and other payables
In order to manage its interest rate risk, the tranche (with two one-year extension options was driven by higher excise payables which
Group maintains both floating rate and fixed and a one-year term-out option), and a are impacted by the timing of inventory
rate debt. The Group sets targets (within overall £3 billion five-year tranche (with two one-year movements in the supply chain; and
guidelines) for the desired ratio of floating to extension options).
fixed rate debt on a net basis (at least 50% fixed – the final quarterly payments in relation
on a net basis in the short to medium term). In July 2019, the Group also arranged short- to the Quebec Class Action in 2017.
At 31 December 2019, the relevant ratios of term bilateral facilities with some of its core Net cash used in investing activities
floating to fixed rate borrowings were 18:82 banks for a total amount of £745 million.
In 2019, net cash used in investing activities
(2018: 21:79) on a net basis. The Group also maintains a £25 billion declined by £382 million to £639 million
As part of the management of liquidity, funding EMTN programme, and US (US$4 billion) (2018: £1,021 million), largely due to a
and interest rate risk, the Group regularly and European (£3 billion) commercial paper net inflow of £148 million from short-term
evaluates market conditions and may enter into programmes to accommodate the liquidity investment products, including treasury
transactions, from time to time, to repurchase needs of the Group. bills (2018: £153 million net outflow) and
outstanding debt, pursuant to open market a reduction in purchases of property, plant
At 31 December 2019, the revolving credit
purchases, tender offers or other means. and equipment of £94 million.
facility was undrawn (2018: undrawn)
The Group has early adopted the Amendments with £1,056 million of commercial paper
to IFRS 9 Financial Instruments in respect of the outstanding (2018: £536 million).
Interest Rate Benchmark Reform as a result of the
UK Financial Conduct Authority’s announcement
on 27 July 2017. * A credit rating is not a recommendation to buy, sell or hold securities. A credit rating may be subject to withdrawal
or revision at any time. Each rating should be evaluated separately of any other rating.
Included within investing activities is In March and June 2019, the Group repaid Free cash flow (before and after
gross capital expenditure which includes €820 million and US$750 million of bonds dividends paid to shareholders)@
purchases of property, plant and equipment at maturity, respectively. Free cash flow (before dividends paid to
and certain intangibles. This includes the shareholders), as defined on page 266,
As part of the liquidity management strategy,
investment in the Group’s global operational was £6,519 million, a decrease of 15%
the Group redeemed, prior to their maturity
infrastructure (including, but not limited to, on the prior year (2018: £7,684 million;
in 2020, US$2.25 billion and US$1.25 billion
the manufacturing network, trade marketing 2017: £3,500 million). This movement
of bonds in September 2019 and November
software and IT systems). In 2019, the Group was driven by the timing of the 2018 MSA
2019, respectively. The Group also repaid
invested £807 million, a decrease of 8.6% payment (brought forward to 2017) which
US$650 million of bonds (in September 2019)
on the prior year (2018: £883 million). impacts the comparator periods and more
and £500 million of bonds (in December
The Group expects gross capital expenditure than offsets the enhanced delivery across the
2019) at maturity.
in 2020 of £650 million, mainly related remainder of the Group.
to the ongoing investment in the Group’s The 2018 outflow was also due to the
operational infrastructure including the payment of a €0.4 billion bond (in After payment of dividends to shareholders,
expansion of our New Categories portfolio. March 2018) and three bonds totalling free cash flow was £1,921 million
US$2.5 billion (in June 2018) at maturity, (2018: £3,337 million; 2017: £35 million).
Net cash used in financing activities
the repayment of £0.6 billion, under the 2018 was also impacted by the full year
Net cash used in financing activities was revolving credit facility and £1.2 billion of inclusion of results from RAI, which led to
an outflow of £8,593 million in 2019 commercial paper outstanding in each case higher interest payments and a reduction in
(2018: £9,630 million outflow). at 31 December 2017. dividends from associates (due to the change
The 2019 outflow was mainly due to the Eight series of US$ denominated bonds in accounting recognition of RAI in 2017).
repayment (at maturity) or early redemption totalling US$17.25 billion were issued in Adjusted cash generated from
(as part of the Group’s liquidity management August 2017 pursuant to Rule 144A with operations (Adjusted CGFO)@
strategy) of bonds in the year totalling registration rights, whereby the Group
£5.1 billion, discussed below. This more Adjusted CGFO is defined on page 265.
committed to investors that the bonds
than offset the inflow from the four bonds Adjusted CGFO was £6,831 million, a
would be exchangeable for registered notes.
issued (totalling US$3.5 billion or £2.7 billion) decrease of 15% (2018: £8,071 million,
In October 2018, investors were offered
in September 2019, following the shelf 2017: £3,282 million), or 16% at constant
to exchange their unregistered bonds for
registration in the US referred to on page rates of exchange. The decrease in
registered bonds in line with the registration
48. The 2019 outflow also included the 2019 was driven by the timing of the
rights. The exchange offer was completed
increased dividend payment of £4,598 million 2018 MSA payment, paid in 2017 as it was
in November 2018 with 99.7% of the
(2018: £4,347 million) due to the higher tax deductible at 2017 tax rates.
bonds exchanged.
dividend per share and interest paid in the Excluding the timing impact of this payment,
year of £1,601 million (2018: £1,557 million). adjusted cash generated from operations
would have increased by 1.2% in 2019 and
Summary cash flow 43%, in 2018. See page 265 for further
information on this measure.
2019 2018 2017
£m £m £m Cash flow conversion
Cash generated from operations 10,948 11,972 6,119 The conversion of profit from operations to
Dividends received from associates 252 214 903 net cash generated from operating activities
Tax paid (2,204) (1,891) (1,675) may indicate the Group’s ability to generate
cash from the profits earned. Based upon
Net cash generated from operating activities 8,996 10,295 5,347 net cash generated from operating activities,
Net cash used in investing activities (639) (1,021) (18,544) the Group’s conversion rate decreased from
Net cash (used in)/from financing activities (8,593) (9,630) 14,759 111% to 100% in 2019. This was largely due
Differences on exchange (57) (138) (391) to the timing of the payment for the MSA
(Decrease)/increase in net cash and cash equivalents (293) (494) 1,171 in December 2017 (positively impacting
2018 conversion).
@Operating cash flow conversion ratio
@
Reconciliation of net cash generated from operating activities (based upon adjusted profit from operations)
to free cash flow and adjusted cash generated from operations@ decreased in 2019 to 97% from 113% in
2018, as 2018 was positively impacted
2019 2018 2017
by the timing of the MSA payment which
£m £m £m
was brought forward to December 2017.
Net cash generated from operating activities 8,996 10,295 5,347 Normalising for this timing difference in
Dividends paid to non-controlling interests (157) (142) (167) both 2018 and 2017, the operating cash
Net interest paid (1,550) (1,533) (1,004) flow conversion ratio would have been
Net capital expenditure (774) (845) (767) 97% in 2019 and 100% in 2018, reflecting
the Group’s ability to deliver cash from the
Trading loans to third party 4 (93) 101
operating performance of the business.
Other – 2 (10) See page 264 for further information on
Free cash flow 6,519 7,684 3,500 this measure.
Net cash impact of adjusting items 564 601 685
Dividends and other appropriations from associates (252) (214) (903)
@ Denotes phrase, paragraph or similar that does not form part
Adjusted cash generated from operations 6,831 8,071 3,282 of BAT’s Annual Report on Form 20-F as filed with the SEC.
Borrowings and net debt Adjusted net debt On an adjusted basis, as defined on page
Total borrowings decreased to £45,366 million to adjusted EBITDA 268, including dividends from associates and
in 2019 (2018: £47,509 million) largely due joint ventures (as a proxy to a return in the
The Group uses adjusted net debt to adjusted period, given the inclusion of the investment
to the repayment of borrowings in the year, EBITDA, as defined on page 267, to assess
driven by the cash flow generated by the in associates and joint ventures in the Group’s
its level of adjusted net debt in comparison calculation of capital employed), adjusted
business and a foreign exchange tailwind of to the earnings generated by the Group.
£1,566 million, partly offset by the recognition ROCE grew from 8.3% in 2018 to 9.0%
This is deemed by management to reflect in 2019. This was partly due to the higher
of lease liabilities under IFRS 16 (£607 million), the Group’s ability to service and repay
which are included in ‘borrowings’ and the adjusted profit from operations in the year
borrowings. In 2019, the ratio of adjusted and foreign exchange tailwind reducing
payment of dividends to shareholders in the net debt to adjusted EBITDA was 3.5 times,
period. The 4% decrease in 2018 was largely average capital employed largely due to the
representing an improvement from 4.0 times relative value of US$ to sterling. In 2018,
due to the repayment, on maturity, of a at the end of 2018. The improvement in
€400 million bond in March 2018 and three adjusted ROCE declined from 11.5% in 2017
2018 from 5.3 times in 2017 was due to the to 8.3%, largely due to higher average capital
bonds totalling US$2,500 million in June 2018. additional adjusted net debt arising as part employed in 2018 following the acquisition
Total borrowings includes £848 million of the acquisition of RAI in 2017, with only of RAI in 2017 and translational foreign
(31 December 2018: £944 million) in respect five months of RAI contribution to adjusted currency headwinds.@
of the purchase price adjustments related to EBITDA recognised in that year.
the acquisition of RAI. The Group’s adjusted net debt to adjusted Retirement benefit schemes
As discussed on page 48, the Group remains EBITDA ratio is subject to the fluctuations The Group’s subsidiaries operate over 190
confident about its ability to access the debt in the foreign exchange market by virtue of retirement benefit arrangements worldwide.
capital markets successfully and reviews its the Group’s foreign currency denominated The majority of the scheme members
options on a continuing basis. earnings and the exposure of the debt belong to defined benefit schemes, most
portfolio to, predominantly, the US dollar. of which are funded externally and many
Net debt is a non-GAAP measure and is In 2019, due to the relative movement in the of which are closed to new entrants.
defined as total borrowings, including related US dollar against sterling, the sterling value of The Group also operates a number of defined
derivatives, less cash and cash equivalents and adjusted net debt declined by £873 million. contribution schemes.
current investments held at fair value. Excluding the impact of foreign exchange The present total value of funded scheme
Net debt, at 31 December 2019, was on the Group’s reported results, adjusted liabilities as at 31 December 2019 was
£42,574 million (2018: £44,351 million; net debt to adjusted EBITDA declined 0.4x £11,726 million (2018: £11,317 million),
2017: £45,571 million), with the movement in 2019 (2018: decline 0.4x) on a constant while unfunded scheme liabilities amounted
in net debt largely due to the repayment rate basis. to £1,135 million (2018: £1,106 million).
of the outstanding bonds and a foreign Refer to page 267 for a full reconciliation from The schemes’ assets declined to
exchange benefit of £873 million largely borrowings to adjusted net debt, profit for £11,925 million in 2018 (largely due to
due to the movement of US$ to sterling the year to adjusted EBITDA and the ratio of actuarial losses of £531 million) and declined
(2018: £1,963 million headwind). adjusted net debt to adjusted EBITDA, at both to £11,860 million in 2019, partly due to the
@The movement in net debt also includes current and constant rates of exchange. pension buy-in in the UK (discussed on page
the free cash flow before dividends 159). After excluding unrecognised scheme
earned in the year (2019: £6,519 million;
@
Return on capital employed surpluses of £28 million (2018: £20 million),
2018: £7,684 million) as described on page (ROCE) the overall net liability for all pension and
49. This is partly offset by dividends paid The Group’s ROCE, calculated in accordance healthcare schemes in Group subsidiaries
to owners of the parent of £4,598 million with our reported numbers was 7.1% amounted to £1,029 million at the end of
(2018: £4,347 million).@ (2018: 7.3%) with the reduction partly 2019, compared to £518 million at the end
due to the lower profit from operations, of 2018. Contributions to the defined benefit
discussed earlier. schemes are determined after consultation
with the respective trustees and actuaries of
the individual externally funded schemes,
taking into account regulatory environments.
OTHER
Off-balance sheet arrangements The critical accounting judgements are Foreign exchange rates
and contractual obligations described in note 1 in the Notes on the The principal exchange rates used to convert
Accounts and include: the results of the Group’s foreign operations
Except for certain indemnities, the Group has
no significant off-balance sheet arrangements. – identification and quantification of to sterling, for the purposes of inclusion and
The Group has contractual obligations to adjusting items; consolidation within the Group’s financial
make future payments on debt guarantees. statements, are indicated in the table below.
– determination as to whether to recognise
In the normal course of business, it enters provisions and the exposures to contingent Where the Group has provided results at
into contractual arrangements where liabilities related to pending litigation or constant rates of exchange this refers to the
the Group commits to future purchases other outstanding claims; translation of the results from the foreign
of goods and services from unaffiliated operations at rates of exchange prevailing
and related parties. See page 270 for a – determination that an error, identified in the prior period – thereby eliminating the
summary of the contractual obligations following a review by the FRC (and potentially distorting impact of the movement
as at 31 December 2019. discussed on page 175) was immaterial and in foreign exchange on the reported results.
did not require restatement of the prior
Accounting policies periods as, whilst the effect was to overstate Going concern
The application of the accounting standards liabilities and reduce equity by £1.0 billion A description of the Group’s business
and the accounting policies adopted by the in 2017 and £1.1 billion in 2018, it did activities, its financial position, cash flows,
Group are set out in the Group Manual of not affect the primary users of the financial liquidity position, facilities and borrowings
Accounting Policies and Procedures (GMAPP). statements (see page 175) as there was position, together with the factors likely to
no impact to the amount or timing of the affect its future development, performance
GMAPP includes the Group instructions in dividends received;
respect of the accounting and reporting of and position, are set out in this Annual Report
business activities, such as revenue recognition, – determination as to whether control and Form 20‑F.
asset valuations and impairment testing, (subsidiaries), joint control (joint The key Group risks include analyses of
adjusting items, the accrual of obligations and arrangements), or significant influence financial risk and the Group’s approach
the appraisal of contingent liabilities, which (associates) exist in relation to investments to financial risk management. Notes 19 and
include taxes and litigation. Formal processes held by the Group; and 22 in the Notes on the Accounts provide
are in place whereby central management and – review of applicable exchange rates for further detail on the Group’s borrowings
end-market management confirm adherence transactions with and translation of entities and management of financial risks.
to the principles and the procedures and to the in territories where there are restrictions
completeness of reporting. Central analyses The Group has, at the date of this report,
on the free access to foreign currency sufficient existing financing available for its
and revision of information are also performed or multiple exchange rates.
to ensure and confirm adherence. estimated requirements for at least the next
Accounting developments 12 months. This, together with the ability
In order to prepare the Group’s consolidated to generate cash from trading activities,
financial information in accordance with Other than as stated below, there were no the performance of the Group’s Strategic
IFRS, management has used estimates further material changes to the accounting Portfolio, its leading market positions
and assumptions that affect the reported standards applied in 2019 from those applied in a number of countries and its broad
amounts of revenue, expenses, assets and the in 2018. geographical spread, as well as numerous
disclosure of contingent liabilities at the date IFRS 9 Financial Instruments and IFRS 15 contracts with established customers and
of the financial statements. Revenue from Contracts with Customers became suppliers across different geographical areas
The critical accounting estimates are described effective from 1 January 2018, and the impact and industries, provides the Directors with the
in note 1 in the Notes on the Accounts of these changes is also disclosed in note 1 in confidence that the Group is well placed to
and include: the Notes on the Accounts. manage its business risks successfully in the
context of current financial conditions and
– review of asset values, including goodwill IFRS 16 Leases was published in January 2016 the general outlook in the global economy.
and impairment testing; with a mandatory effective date of 1 January
2019. The effect is that virtually all leasing After reviewing the Group’s annual budget,
– estimation and accounting for retirement arrangements are brought on to the balance plans and financing arrangements for the next
benefit costs; and sheet as financial obligations and ‘right-of-use’ three years, the Directors consider that the
– estimation of provisions, including as related assets. The impact of applying the Standard to Group has adequate resources to continue
to taxation and legal matters. the Group’s reported profit in 2019, 2018 or operating and that it is therefore appropriate
2017 would not have been material. to continue to adopt the going concern
Foreign exchange rates
basis in preparing the Annual Report and
Form 20‑F.
Average Closing
2019 2018 2017 2019 2018 2017
Australian dollar 1.836 1.786 1.681 1.885 1.809 1.730
Brazilian real 5.035 4.868 4.116 5.329 4.936 4.487
Canadian dollar 1.694 1.730 1.672 1.718 1.739 1.695
Euro 1.140 1.130 1.142 1.180 1.114 1.127
Indian rupee 89.898 91.227 83.895 94.558 88.916 86.343
Japanese yen 139.234 147.376 144.521 143.967 139.733 152.387
Russian rouble 82.623 83.677 75.170 82.282 88.353 77.880
South African rand 18.437 17.643 17.150 18.525 18.321 16.747
US dollar 1.277 1.335 1.289 1.325 1.274 1.353
REGIONAL REVIEW
Volume Volume
2019 vs 2018 2018 vs 2017 2017 2019 vs 2018 2018 vs 2017 2017
units % units % units units % units % units
Cigarettes (bn sticks) 73 -6.0% 77 -5.3% 82 Cigarettes (bn sticks) 152 -3.1% 157 -5.4% 166
Other (bn sticks eq)* – – – – – Other (bn sticks eq)* 2 -8.2% 2 -17.4% 3
Combustibles (bn sticks) 73 -6.0% 77 -5.3% 82 Combustibles (bn sticks) 154 -3.1% 159 -5.6% 169
New Categories: New Categories:
Vapour (10ml/pods) 103 -6.2% 109 +36.0% 80 Vapour (10ml/pods) 14 +191% 5 n/m –
THP (bn sticks) – – – – – THP (bn sticks) – n/m – n/m –
Modern Oral (mn pouches) 112 – – – – Modern Oral (mn pouches) 8 n/m – n/m –
Traditional Oral (bn sticks eq) 8 -1.5% 8 -2.3% 8 Traditional Oral (bn sticks eq) – n/m – n/m –
* Other combustibles includes MYO/RYO * Other combustibles includes MYO/RYO
Revenue Revenue
vs 2017 vs 2017
(adj (adj
vs 2018 repres vs 2018 repres
2019 vs 2018 (adj at cc) 2018 vs 2017 at cc) 2019 vs 2018 (adj at cc) 2018 vs 2017 at cc)
£m % % £m % % £m % % £m % %
Combustibles 9,078 +8.6% +3.8% 8,358 +128% +0.8% Combustibles 3,992 +2.7% +8.5% 3,886 -4.9% +5.3%
New Categories: New Categories:
Vapour 207 +12.4% +7.4% 184 +149% +20% Vapour 43 +120% +117% 20 n/m n/m
THP 1 -7.7% -11.7% 1 – – THP – n/m n/m – n/m n/m
Modern Oral 9 n/m n/m – – – Modern Oral 1 n/m n/m – n/m n/m
Total New Categories 217 +17.1% +11.9% 185 +149% +20% Total New Categories 44 +119% +116% 20 n/m n/m
Traditional Oral 1,052 +14.5% +9.5% 919 +129% +7.1% Traditional Oral – n/m n/m – n/m n/m
Other 26 -21.2% -27.1% 34 +88% -28% Other 225 +10.2% +13.1% 205 -14% +1.0%
Revenue 10,373 +9.2% +4.4% 9,495 +128% +1.5% Revenue 4,261 +3.6% +9.2% 4,111 -4.9% +5.6%
Volume Volume
2019 vs 2018 2018 vs 2017 2017 2019 vs 2018 2018 vs 2017 2017
units % units % units units % units % units
Cigarettes (bn sticks) 230 -6.3% 246 -5.3% 260 Cigarettes (bn sticks) 213 -3.7% 221 -1.3% 224
Other (bn sticks eq)* 17 -7.9% 18 -8.2% 19 Other (bn sticks eq)* 2 +1.5% 2 +10.4% 2
Combustibles (bn sticks) 247 -6.4% 264 -5.6% 279 Combustibles (bn sticks) 215 -3.7% 223 -1.2% 226
New Categories: New Categories:
Vapour (10ml/pods) 108 +44% 75 +26.3% 59 Vapour (10ml/pods) 1 n/m – n/m –
THP (bn sticks) 1.1 +334% – n/m – THP (bn sticks) 8 +20.1% 7 +208% 2
Modern Oral (mn pouches) 1,071 +157% 414 +108% 199 Modern Oral (mn pouches) 3 n/m – n/m –
Traditional Oral (bn sticks eq) 1 +8.3% 1 +23.3% 1 Traditional Oral (bn sticks eq) – n/m – n/m –
* Other combustibles includes MYO/RYO * Other combustibles includes MYO/RYO
Revenue Revenue
vs 2017 vs 2017
(adj (adj
vs 2018 repres vs 2018 repres
2019 vs 2018 (adj at cc) 2018 vs 2017 at cc) 2019 vs 2018 (adj at cc) 2018 vs 2017 at cc)
£m % % £m % % £m % % £m % %
Combustibles 5,544 -0.7% +3.0% 5,585 -3.1% +3.3% Combustibles 4,387 +3.4% +4.4% 4,243 -8.9% -1.2%
New Categories: New Categories:
Vapour 147 +29.2% +30.1% 114 +22% +15% Vapour 4 +906% +902% – n/m n/m
THP 56 +200% +200% 19 n/m n/m THP 671 +23.2% +16.8% 545 +170% +175%
Modern Oral 116 +234% +246% 34 +139% +146% Modern Oral – – – – n/m n/m
Total New Categories 319 +91.0% +93.6% 167 +55% +48% Total New Categories 675 +23.9% +17.5% 545 +170% +175%
Traditional Oral 29 +33.4% +38.5% 22 +51% +58% Traditional Oral – – – –
Other 198 -14.2% -14.3% 230 +4.3% -14.1% Other 91 -3.5% -6.9% 94 -20% -14%
Revenue 6,090 +1.4% +5.0% 6,004 -1.7% +3.5% Revenue 5,153 +5.6% +5.6% 4,882 -1.8% +5.7%
REGIONAL REVIEW
CONTINUED
UNITED STATES
COMBUSTIBLES PRICING
DRIVES STRONG
REVENUE GROWTH
Ricardo Oberlander
President and CEO (RAI)
AMERICAS AND
SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA
STRATEGIC CIGARETTE
BRANDS PERFORM
VERY WELL
Luciano Comin
Regional Director
Volume and share In vapour, following a period of value share Profit from Operations
In 2019, cigarette value share was up 20 bps, decline in Canada as the competition reacted
to the legalisation of the category, Vype In 2019, reported profit from operations was
driven by growth in the strategic cigarette down 22% to £1,204 million, mainly due to
brands volume share of 465 bps largely driven returned to growth and was the fastest
growing vapour brand in the second half of the £436 million charge in relation to Quebec
by the migrations in Brazil and Colombia. (as described on page 165), charges related
Excluding migrations, the increase was 50 the year, with value share in December 2019
of 28.2% (34.7% in December 2018). to Quantum and the translational foreign
bps. Total cigarette volume share was down exchange headwinds. Excluding these effects,
10 bps, as growth in Colombia (driven by Twisp, a South African vaping products adjusted profit from operations on a constant
Lucky Strike and Rothmans), Mexico (driven company, was acquired by the Group in currency basis grew 10.0% to £1,912 million,
by Pall Mall) and Canada (driven by Pall 2019. Twisp has close to 70 dedicated stores driven by increases in Brazil, Canada, Chile,
Mall) was more than offset by Brazil and nationally, nationwide retailer distribution and Nigeria and Mexico, despite the investment in
South Africa, where growth in Rothmans a modern e-commerce platform. Modern oral New Categories, specifically related to ePod.
and Pall Mall, respectively, was outweighed was launched in Kenya, in Nairobi and other
by lower volume share in the remainder of key cities, with full national expansion planned In 2018, profit from operations was down
the portfolio. in early 2020. 6.3% to £1,544 million, as the effect of
currency headwinds more than offset growth
In 2018, the cigarette volume share decline Revenue across the region. Excluding adjusting items
was 20 bps despite growth in Kent (migration (mainly related to a £110 million asset
from Free) in Brazil, Dunhill in South Africa, In 2019, revenue grew 3.6% to
£4,261million, led by pricing in combustibles impairment to recoverable value in Venezuela
Rothmans in Colombia, Argentina and Brazil arising from hyperinflationary accounting
(following the migration from Mustang across the region (notably in Canada,
Kenya, Chile, Mexico and Nigeria) and the and costs related to the Group’s ongoing
and Minister, respectively, to strengthen the restructuring programme) and the effect of
consumer proposition), and from Pall Mall growth of revenue from New Categories,
particularly from vapour which was up 120% currency, adjusted profit from operations on
in Mexico, which were more than offset by a representative, constant currency basis grew
declines in the local portfolio in South Africa to £43 million (2018: £20 million) driven by
Canada and Mexico. These more than offset by 6.5% to £1,922 million, driven by Nigeria,
and Brazil (largely due to the growth in illicit Mexico and Chile, partly offset by the effect of
trade during 2018). the lower total cigarette volume and the
translational foreign exchange headwind of the lower duty paid market and down-trading
In 2019, cigarette volume was 3.1% lower 6%. On a constant currency basis, revenue in South Africa.
at 152 billion sticks as higher volume in grew by 9.2% to £4,491 million.
South Africa (due to lower illicit trade) was
more than offset by the continued difficult In 2018, revenue declined 4.9% to
macroeconomic environment in Venezuela, £4,111 million, due to the translational
continued growth in illicit trade (albeit at foreign exchange headwind of approximately
a reduced rate) in Brazil and the impact of 10%. On a constant currency, representative
market contraction in Canada. basis, adjusted revenue grew by 5.6% to
£4,560 million, as pricing across the region
The annual decline rate moderated versus (notably in Mexico, Brazil, Chile and Nigeria)
2018 (5.4% decline on 2017 to 157 billion more than offset the lower total volume
sticks) as 2018 was largely driven by the and the negative impact of mix due to the
growth of illicit trade in Brazil and South growth of lower-priced products following
Africa in that year, the termination of a the significant excise-led price increases in
third-party licence agreement in Mexico and a number of markets.
market contraction in Canada, Colombia and
Venezuela. South African volumes stabilised
in the second half of 2018 after a period
of decline.
@ denotes phrase, paragraph or similar that does not form part of BAT’s Annual Report on Form 20-F as filed with the SEC.
REGIONAL REVIEW
CONTINUED
Volume and share Vapour volume was 44% higher in 2019 than Adjusted revenue, at constant rates,
In 2019, cigarette value share was marginally in 2018. Vapour in both years was driven by increased 5.0% to £6,118 million in
higher with strategic cigarette volume share the success of Vype (particularly ePen3) in the 2019 (2018: up 3.5% on a representative
up 50 bps. Total cigarette volume share was UK (where the Group’s portfolio of products basis). This was driven by pricing across
up 10 bps as growth in Rothmans (which maintained value leadership in 2019 with 38% the combustible portfolio as noted earlier,
outperformed the market in Ukraine and vapour value share in December 2019), France as well as the 94% growth in revenue
Russia), Kent (in Ukraine) and higher total (where ePen3 and ePod combined reached from New Categories to £324 million
cigarette volume share in Italy, Poland, 20% vapour value share in December 2019) (2018: £167 million) driven by:
Romania and Spain was partially offset and in Germany (where Vype reached 17%
– vapour revenue increasing 30% to
by a reduction in Kazakhstan and the UK. share of total vapour consumers).
£148 million (2018: £114 million) due to
This compares to 2018 when volume share The Group’s Modern Oral portfolio increased the performance of Vype in the UK, France
was flat against 2017 as increases in Kent (led volume by 157% to 1.1 billion pouches in 2019 and Germany;
by Ukraine, Turkey, Kazakhstan and regaining (2018: 0.4 billion pouches, an increase of 44% on
premium segment leadership in Russia), and – THP revenue growing 200% driven by
2017), largely due to higher volume in Denmark
Rothmans (Ukraine, Russia, Poland, Spain, Russia, Ukraine and Kazakhstan; and
and Norway, reaching 75% and 14% volume
Bulgaria and Italy) were offset by both the share of the total oral category, respectively. – modern oral revenue increasing 246% to
continued reduction in Pall Mall (Poland, In Russia, Lyft achieved 27% volume share of £120 million (2018: £34 million) following
Germany and Belgium) and a decline in the the total oral category (in tracked channels) in the increase in volume in Norway and
low-price portfolio in Russia. December 2019. Denmark, and the launch in Russia.
In 2019, cigarette volume declined 6.3% In December 2019 following concerns in Profit from operations
to 230 billion sticks as growth in Poland, Russia regarding the irresponsible marketing
Romania, Denmark and Spain was more In 2019, reported profit from operations
by our competitors, all sales of modern
than offset by lower volume in Russia (partly fell 13.4% to £1,649 million, as the Group
oral have been temporarily suspended in
due to a one-off reduction in stock), Ukraine increased investment behind New Categories,
Russia. There is no indication of a concern
(largely due to the growth of illicit trade and recognised a charge of £202 million in respect
regarding the Group’s products or practices
competition in the low-price segment) and of the Russian excise dispute as discussed on
and we expect a regulatory framework will be
Egypt (driven by excise-led price increases in page 143, recognised additional impairment
implemented in 2020.
the low-price segment particularly affecting charges of £29 million related to the Group’s
Pall Mall). In Sweden, the Group’s total oral portfolio brand consolidation programme to simplify
performed well, increasing total volume share the New Categories portfolio and incurred
In 2018, volume declined 4.7% to 246 billion of the oral category to 13.2%. This was driven charges in relation to Quantum. Profit from
sticks, which was a reduction of 5.3% on a by the Traditional Oral brands, up 50 bps operations was up in Germany, Turkey,
representative basis, as volume from assets to 10.9%, principally due to the success of Romania, Denmark and Poland, which more
acquired (from Bulgartabac and FDS) in 2017 Lundgrens, and the Modern Oral products than offset declines in Russia and the UK.
combined with growth in Turkey, Egypt, (Lyft) which increased to 2.3% volume share Excluding adjusting items (referred to above)
Poland and Romania was more than offset by of the total oral category following the launch and the impact of the foreign currency
Russia (partly due to inventory movements in 2018. headwind, adjusted profit from operations at
and the growth of illicit trade), Ukraine (due constant rates was up 3.3% at £2,220 million.
to market contraction following the excise-led Revenue
price increase, leading to an increase in illicit In 2018, profit from operations grew 12.3%
In 2019, reported revenue increased 1.4%
trade), Italy (partly due to impact of higher to £1,905 million. This was due to an
to £6,090 million (2018: decline of 1.7%
prices) and France (following the excise-led improvement in the operating performance in
to £6,004 million) as strong combustibles
price increase). Germany, Romania and Ukraine and a one-off
pricing in 2019 across the region (notably in
charge of £69 million in 2017 in relation to a
In 2019, THP volume was up over 330%, Germany, Turkey and Ukraine) and an increase
third party in Croatia that does not repeat in
with growth in Russia, Ukraine and Kazakhstan in revenue from New Categories by 91% (to
2018. Excluding adjusting items (related to
while also developing in the other launch £319 million) were partly offset by the end of
the factory closure in Germany, amortisation
markets of Romania, Italy, Czech Republic, a contract manufacturing arrangement (which
of acquired brands, other costs related to the
Bulgaria and Poland. led to a short-term increase in revenue due to
Group’s ongoing restructuring programme
the recognition by the Group of excise within
and the 2017 impairment in Croatia) and the
revenue in prior periods), lower regional
impact of the foreign currency headwind,
volume and translational foreign exchange
adjusted profit from operations at constant
headwinds of 1.3% (2018: translational
rates, on a representative basis was up 0.8%,
foreign exchange headwind of 5%).
at £2,217 million.
ASIA-PACIFIC AND
MIDDLE EAST
OMBUSTIBLES AND
C
THP COMBINE TO
ACCELERATE GROWTH
Guy Meldrum
Regional Director
Volume and share THP volume increased 20% to 7.9 billion Profit from operations
In 2019, cigarette and THP value share sticks (2018: 6.5 billion) driven by the In 2019, profit from operations decreased
increased 30 bps, driven by the strategic continued growth of glo neo in Japan 5.7% to £1,753 million. Growth in Japan
cigarette and THP portfolio, which increased following the launch of glo ‘pro’, glo ‘nano’ (driven by an increase in combustibles
volume share by 20 bps. Total cigarette and and glo ‘sens’, with volume share increasing revenue and higher THP volume which more
THP volume share was up 50 bps (2018: up 60 bps to 5.0% in December 2019. ‘glo than offset an increase in marketing related
90 bps), led by Japan (driven by Kool, Lucky pro’ introduced a new induction heating to the launch of the new THP products) and
Strike and glo), Vietnam (driven by Craven A) technology, improving consumer satisfaction Middle East (driven by pricing and volume)
and Pakistan (driven by Pall Mall). This more and their sensorial experience. With regards was more than offset by lower volume in
than offset lower Lucky Strike volume share to ‘glo sens’, after an encouraging launch, Bangladesh and Malaysia, and the impact
in Indonesia and Dunhill volume share in the Group will be reviewing the in-market of the impairment to Indonesian goodwill
Malaysia and South Korea. execution and seeking to broaden device (£172 million) following the substantial
penetration and drive increased consumer change in excise which is applicable from
The movement in 2018 was driven by Japan, uptake in 2020. The Group’s share of nicotine 2020 and is anticipated to affect the total
an increase in Dunhill and Lucky Strike in in Japan increased from 17% (December market. Excluding adjusting items, which
Indonesia, growth of Pall Mall in Pakistan, 2018) to 19% (December 2019). primarily relate to Indonesia goodwill,
Australia and particularly in Saudi Arabia and
Revenue Quantum, the ongoing factory rationalisation
Rothmans in Malaysia. Total market share
programme (principally in South East Asia)
increased in Bangladesh. This combined In 2019, reported revenue grew 5.6% to and the impact of foreign exchange on
growth was partially offset by lower volume £5,153 million. This was partly driven by the regional results, adjusted profit from
share in South Korea, due to a reduction in pricing in a number of markets, including operations grew 7.9% to £2,102 million,
Dunhill and a reduction in Taiwan driven by Saudi Arabia, Japan, Australia, Pakistan and at constant rates of exchange.
Dunhill and Pall Mall. New Zealand. New Categories revenue
grew by 23.9% driven by the higher THP In 2018, profit from operations declined
In 2019, cigarette volume declined 3.7%
volume, notably in Japan, which, combined 2.3% to £1,858 million, as the performance
as growth in Japan (due to the success of
with combustibles pricing, more than offset was negatively affected by foreign exchange
Lucky Strike and Kool), Vietnam (driven by
the impact of lower cigarette volume. On a headwinds and adjusting items related to the
the growth of Craven A) and the Middle East
constant currency basis, revenue grew 5.6%. ongoing costs of the Group’s restructuring
(driven by Kent) was more than offset by the
programme. Adjusted profit from operations
impact of industry contraction (following In 2018, revenue declined 1.8% to on a representative constant currency
excise-led price increases) in Bangladesh £4,882 million, as pricing, higher THP volume basis grew 1.2% to £2,099 million driven
and Pakistan, and macroeconomic pressures (discussed earlier) and the positive mix effect, by an improvement in Japan, where the
impacting consumer disposable income was offset by the impact of lower cigarette performance of both combustibles and
in Indonesia. volume, down-trading in Saudi Arabia and by THP more than offset the higher marketing
In 2018, cigarette volume was down 1.3% the foreign exchange headwinds related to investment, and increases in Australia,
at 221 billion sticks as the recovery in the the relative strength of sterling. Excluding the Pakistan and Bangladesh. These were partly
combustibles volume in Pakistan (following translational foreign exchange headwind and offset by Saudi Arabia which was negatively
the revision to the excise structure that at constant currency rates, adjusted revenue impacted by down-trading, described above,
negatively impacted the equivalent period in on a representative basis grew 5.7%. and South Korea.
2017) was more than offset by lower volume
in the Middle East, largely due to the impact
of a 2017 excise-led price increase in Saudi
Arabia and the difficult trading environment
in a number of countries in the Middle East.
Volume was lower in Bangladesh due to
higher illicit trade following an increase in
excise, with Indonesia lower due to market
contraction. Volume decreases slowed in
Malaysia in 2018 after a period of accelerated
decline following the excise changes in
prior years.
PRINCIPAL
GROUP RISKS
Overview A summary of all the risk factors (including the Time frame
The principal risks that may affect the Group principal risks) which are monitored by the Short term
are set out on the following pages. Board through the Group’s risk register is set
out in the Additional disclosures section on Medium term
Each risk is considered in the context of the pages 272 to 286. Long term
Group’s strategy and business model, as set
out in this Strategic Report on pages 8 to 9, Assessment of Group risk @
Strategic impact
and 22 to 23. Following a description of each During the year, the Directors have carried Growth
risk, its potential impact and management by out a robust assessment of the principal risks, Productivity
the Group is summarised. Clear accountability uncertainties and emerging risks facing the
is attached to each risk through the risk owner. Group, including those that would threaten its Winning organisation
The Group has identified risks and is actively business model, future performance, solvency Sustainability
monitoring and taking action to manage the or liquidity.
Considered in viability statement@
risks. This section focuses on those risks that The principal risks facing the Group have Yes
the Directors believe to be the most important remained broadly unaltered over the past year
after assessment of the likelihood and with regards to marketplace, excise and tax, No
potential impact on the business. Not all of operations, regulation and litigation risks.
these risks are within the control of the Group
and other risks besides those listed may affect The viability statement below provides a
the Group’s performance. Some risks may be broader assessment of long-term solvency
unknown at present. Other risks, currently and liquidity. The Directors have considered
regarded as less material, could become a number of factors that may affect the
material in the future. resilience of the Group. Except for the risk
‘injury, illness or death in the work place’ the
The risks listed in this section and the activities Directors have also assessed the potential
being undertaken to manage them should impact of the principal risks that may impact
be considered in the context of the Group’s the Group’s viability.
internal control framework. This is described
in the section on risk management and
internal control in the corporate governance
statement on pages 87 to 88. This section
should also be read in the context of the @ Denotes phrase, paragraph or similar that does not form part
cautionary statement on page 298. of BAT’s Annual Report on Form 20-F as filed with the SEC.
Viability statement@
The Board has assessed the viability of the Group taking into account the current position and principal risks, in accordance with provision 31
of the 2018 UK Corporate Governance Code. While the Board believes the Group will be viable over a longer period, owing to the inherent
uncertainty arising due to ongoing litigation and regulation, the period over which the Board has formed the reasonable expectation that the
Group will be able to continue in operation and meet its liabilities as they fall due is three years.
In making its assessment of the Group’s prospects, the Board has considered the Group’s continued strong cash generation from operating
activities. This assessment included a robust review of the principal risks that may impact the Group’s viability (as indicated on pages 59
to 62) which are considered, with the mitigating actions, at least once a year. The Board also took account of the Group’s operational and
financial processes, which cover both short-term (1-2 year financial forecasts, 2-3 year capacity plans) and longer-term strategic planning.
The assessment included reverse stress testing core drivers that underpin the specific risks to ensure the business is able to continue in
operation, while not breaching the required gross interest cover of 4.5 times (see page 48). Each impact would, individually, have to be
between 5 times and 10 times worse than a prudent annual forecast, or would all have to arise simultaneously with no mitigating or corrective
actions to affect the Group’s ability to meet the liabilities as they fall due.
Due to the level of borrowings carried on the balance sheet, the Group may be exposed to movements in interest rates. The Board noted
that, as stated in note 22 in the Notes on the Accounts, the Group sets a minimum of 50% of interest rate as fixed on short- to medium-term
borrowings, minimising the risk of interest rate fluctuation impacting viability over the period. At 31 December 2019, the ratio of floating to
fixed rate borrowings was 18:82 (2018: 21:79).
The Board noted that the Group would be able to adjust certain capital requirements, including but not limited to the investment in the
Group’s manufacturing infrastructure in the short term and access the £6 billion credit facility (2019 undrawn), to mitigate the impact of the
effect of the above principal risks, each of which have specific mitigation activities as disclosed on pages 59 to 62.
The Group is subject to inherent uncertainties with regards to regulatory change and litigation, the outcome of which may have a bearing
on the Group’s viability. The Group maintains, as referred to in note 27 in the Notes on the Accounts ‘Contingent Liabilities and Financial
Commitments’, that, while it is impossible to be certain of the outcome of any particular case, the defences of the Group’s companies to all
the various claims are meritorious on both law and the facts. If an adverse judgment is entered against any of the Group’s companies in any
case, an appeal may be made, the duration of which can be reasonably expected to last for a number of years.
Risks
Competition from illicit trade
Increased competition from illicit trade – either local duty evaded, smuggled illicit white cigarettes or counterfeits.
Time frame Strategic impact Considered in viability statement@
Risks continued
Inability to develop, commercialise and deliver the New Categories strategy
Risk of not capitalising on the opportunities in developing and commercialising successful, safe and consumer-appealing innovations.
Time frame Strategic impact Considered in viability statement@
Litigation
Product liability, regulatory or other significant cases may be lost or compromised resulting in a material loss or other consequence.
Time frame Strategic impact Considered in viability statement@
Please refer to note 27 in the Notes on the Accounts for details of contingent
liabilities applicable to the Group
Significant increases or structural changes in tobacco, nicotine and New Categories related taxes
The Group is exposed to unexpected and/or significant increases or structural changes in tobacco, nicotine and New Categories related taxes in
key markets.
Time frame Strategic impact Considered in viability statement@
Risks continued
Solvency and liquidity
Liquidity (access to cash and sources of finance) is essential to maintaining the Group as a going concern in the short term (liquidity)
and medium term (solvency).
Time frame Strategic impact Considered in viability statement@
The Strategic Report was approved by the Board of Directors on 17 March 2020 and signed on its behalf by Paul McCrory, Company Secretary.
CHAIRMAN’S INTRODUCTION
ON GOVERNANCE
Dear Shareholder
The Group has delivered a strong operational performance in The Board welcomed Jerry Fowden as a new Non-Executive Director in
2019, with volume share and value share and revenue growing on September. Jerry’s experience with strategic corporate transformations
the back of our combustibles business and continued progress in and FMCG operations in the US will augment the expertise of the
New Categories. Board in these strategic focus areas.
During 2019, the Board oversaw the successful transition to our Promoting diversity in our senior management pipeline has long been
new executive team, with Jack Bowles taking over from Nicandro the Board’s aim. I was delighted to see the Group noted as a Diversity
Durante as Chief Executive in April, and Tadeu Marroco succeeding Leader in 2019 by the UK Financial Times in its inaugural Diversity
Ben Stevens as Finance Director in August. Jack’s immediate drive to Leaders report, highlighting progress in promoting diversity broadly
embed a stronger, simpler and faster business culture, with revisions across our organisation. The Board will continue its commitment to
to our governance framework facilitating this, has been endorsed by realising our ambitions in this area, in line with our Board Diversity
the Board. Policy and Group Employment Principles.
Our focus on culture and governance this year has also been guided The objectives of our Board Diversity Policy and our progress against
by the revised UK Corporate Governance Code, with its emphasis on these are set out on page 82.
aligning business culture with purpose, strategy and values. The Board Culture and values
has carefully considered the revised Code, in letter and spirit. This year The Board recognises its role in shaping and overseeing the Group’s
we are reporting to you on our application of its principles and our culture and values, and has been proactive in supporting our Chief
compliance with its provisions. Executive to create a stronger, simpler, more agile organisation
In relation to our strategy, Jack and his management team have through a programme of restructuring and simplification. In 2019, the
devoted significant attention in 2019 to developing plans to accelerate Board adopted a revised Group Statement of Delegated Authorities
progress already made in our New Categories business and the Board aimed at empowering people at the right level of our organisation, and
has given its full endorsement to the evolution of our Group strategy enhancing accountability and ownership. This is discussed further on
presented in the Strategic Report. page 70.
Stakeholder engagement, and our broader sustainability agenda, has We are equally focused on ensuring that integrity remains paramount.
been to the fore this year. The Board assessed how it engages with, The revised version of our SoBC, approved by the Board in 2019,
and understands the views of, our shareholders, our people, and wider emphasises that every line manager across our business must act as a
stakeholders to inform our decision-making, strategy development and role model for high standards of behaviour. You can read more about
risk assessment. our Delivery with Integrity programme on pages 31 to 32.
The Board has also reinforced how our people should approach Our Board does not tolerate any failure to comply with our legal
external engagement with stakeholders across our business by obligations or with our SoBC. Through external legal advisers, we are
adopting a new Lobbying and Engagement Policy. It emphasises our rigorously investigating allegations of misconduct and we continue to
values of openness and transparency, and comprises part of our revised cooperate with relevant authorities.
Group Standards of Business Conduct (SoBC). Stakeholder engagement
Board composition and succession Our Directors understand the importance of effective engagement
Effective succession planning by the Board is essential to our long-term with our shareholders, our people and our wider stakeholders. In 2019,
sustainable success. In our Nominations Committee report on page the Board completed a thorough review of how we engage with
79, you can read more about the selection process conducted by all key stakeholders, how the Board is kept informed of stakeholder
the Committee leading to Tadeu’s appointment as Finance Director. perspectives, and the impact of engagement. This review is discussed
The Board is pleased at the speed with which both Jack and Tadeu on page 72.
have taken up the reins in their respective roles. One of the outcomes from the review was to establish Non-Executive
Having overseen a successful transition of the executive team, the Directors’ attendance at our external Sustainability Stakeholder Panel,
Nominations Committee has turned its focus to the process for which I attended in November, to discuss the Group’s sustainability
identifying a successor for my own role as Chairman, mindful of the initiatives directly with key opinion leaders. Our Sustainability
provisions of the revised Code. Details of the process for identifying my Stakeholder Panel is discussed further on page 73.
successor are set out in the Nominations Committee report on page 80.
The Executive Directors and I regularly update the Board on our own Internal controls
dialogue with shareholders to ensure the whole Board understands The Group is subject to US compliance obligations under NYSE rules
their perspectives. In 2019, key topics raised by shareholders and and US securities laws as the Company is a ‘foreign private issuer’.
discussed by the Board included US regulatory developments, our New In 2019, our Audit Committee played a key role in monitoring the
Categories strategy and performance, our leverage and our Quantum Group’s compliance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (SOx) and
transformation project. Our Remuneration Committee Chairman had oversight of the management assessment of the effectiveness of
also engaged extensively with shareholders on our new Directors’ our internal controls over financial reporting.
Remuneration Policy, approved at our 2019 AGM.
We explain our internal controls framework and SOx compliance
My fellow Board members and I look forward to meeting further with programme on pages 87 to 88.
shareholders in the lead up to, and at, our 2020 AGM in April.
Looking ahead
Engagement with our people
Following the Remuneration Committee’s review of our management
As reported in our Annual Report and Form 20-F for 2018, from compensation structures in 2019, and to enhance alignment of
January 2019 we adopted an enhanced approach to engaging with management incentive schemes with our strategy and values, the
our people worldwide to ensure the Board maintains meaningful Board will present scheme rules for a new restricted stock long-term
and regular dialogue with them, in view of the geographical span, incentive plan for consideration at our 2020 AGM.
scale and diversity of our organisation. Our approach builds on the
range of well-established workforce engagement channels already On the external front, increased public awareness of climate
in place across the Group, augmented by new organisational change and its impacts means that our shareholders and wider
reporting structures. stakeholders are understandably keen to know how we as a business
are responding to climate change. The Board has been briefed on
During 2019, the Board reviewed and gave feedback on outcomes the recommendations of the Taskforce on Climate-related Financial
from the Group’s range of workforce engagement channels, including Disclosures (TCFD) and has endorsed the Group’s full alignment with
the 2019 ‘Your Voice’ global employee survey. Our new Executive those recommendations by 2022.
Directors presented several global webcasts in the year, including
discussion of strategy, performance and culture with live Q&A. On behalf of the Board, I confirm that we believe that this
Our Directors also took the opportunity to engage directly with combined Annual Report and Form 20-F presents a fair, balanced
employees on market and site visits, and as part of specific events. and understandable assessment of the Company’s position and
You can read more about the Board’s workforce engagement activities performance, and its business model and strategy.
on page 72.
Board effectiveness
Richard Burrows
Board effectiveness is evaluated in detail annually. This year, the Chairman
evaluation of the Board, its Committees and each individual Director
was externally facilitated by Independent Audit Limited.
Having considered the output of this year’s evaluation discussed on
page 78, the Board considers that it continues to function effectively
and its working relationships with its Committees continue to
be sound.
GOVERNANCE
Throughout the year ended 31 December 2019, we applied the Principles of the July 2018 version of the UK Corporate Governance Code
(the Code). The Company was compliant with all provisions of the Code during the year.
The Board considers that this Annual Report and Form 20-F, and notably this Governance section, provides the information shareholders
need to evaluate how we have complied with our obligations under the Code.
page 76
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
AS AT 17 MARCH 2020
Position: Non-Executive Director since Position: Non-Executive Director Position: Senior Independent Director Committee Chairman
January 2014. since February 2015. Dimitri will since October 2016; Non-Executive
Executive Director
become Senior Independent Director Director since July 2010. Kieran will
Skills, experience and contributions: retire at the conclusion of the AGM on Non-Executive Director
Savio brings significant business at the conclusion of the AGM on
30 April 2020. 30 April 2020.
leadership experience to the Board,
together with a deep knowledge of Skills, experience and contributions: Skills, experience and contributions:
Greater China and Asia, an important Dimitri has extensive general Kieran brings a wealth of financial and
region for the Group. During his management and international sales international experience to the Board.
extensive career he has worked broadly and brand building expertise, which He was Chairman and Senior Partner
in technology for General Electric, BTR enables him to make valuable of PricewaterhouseCoopers from 2000
plc and Alibaba Group, China’s largest contributions to Board discussions on to his retirement in 2008, having
internet business, where he was both these important topics. He was Vice started as a graduate trainee in 1971,
Chief Operating Officer and, later, Chairman and Adviser to the Chairman and is a former Chairman of Nomura
a Non-Executive Director. and CEO of Procter & Gamble (P&G), International PLC. Kieran is a
where he started his career in 1977. Chartered accountant.
Other appointments: Co-Founder and
CEO of A&K Consulting Co Ltd, advising During his time at P&G, Dimitri led on Other appointments: Non-Executive
entrepreneurs and their start-up significant breakthrough innovations Director and Chair of the Audit and
businesses in China; Member of the and continued to focus on this, Compliance Committee of
Governing Body of the London Business speed-to-market and scale across all of International Consolidated Airlines
School; Non-Executive Director of the P&G’s businesses while Vice Chairman Group S.A.; Chairman and Chair of the
Alibaba Hong Kong Entrepreneur Fund of all the Global Business Units. Nominations, Audit and Compliance
and Crossborder Innovative Ventures Other appointments: Senior Adviser and Risk and Remuneration
International Limited; and a Non- at The Boston Consulting Group; Committees of BMO Asset
Executive Director and Advisory Board Advisory Board member of JBS USA; Management plc (previously called
member of Homaer Financial. Board Member of IRI. F&C Asset Management plc).
MANAGEMENT BOARD
AS AT 17 MARCH 2020
LEADERSHIP
Composition, Audit, risk,
Leadership Division of succession, internal Responsibility
and purpose responsibilities evaluation control Remuneration of Directors
AND PURPOSE
OUR CULTURE
AND VALUES
BOARD ENGAGEMENT
Composition, Audit, risk,
Leadership Division of succession, internal Responsibility
and purpose responsibilities evaluation control Remuneration of Directors
WITH STAKEHOLDERS
Our Directors value all engagement with our shareholders and An Investor Day was held in London in March 2019, with the
wider stakeholders to understand their views and inform the Board’s Management Board in attendance. Jack Bowles led the event, setting
decision-making, strategy development and risk assessment. Our key out a comprehensive overview and outlook for the business. The event
stakeholders are set out on pages 26 to 27, with an overview of why featured presentations by a number of Management Board members
they are important to our long-term, sustainable success, what matters and senior leaders. Around 200 delegates attended, representing our
to them, and how we engage and respond to their views. key investors and market analysts. The content covered objectives to
accelerate delivery of our ‘transforming tobacco’ agenda, with clear
Shareholder and investor engagement targets attached to New Category growth and performance of the
Dialogue with our shareholders business over the next two to three years.
The Board is committed to open and transparent dialogue with For debt investors, there is a microsite on bat.com with comprehensive
shareholders to ensure their views are understood and considered. bondholder information on credit ratings, debt facilities, outstanding
The Chairman and Executive Directors’ annual engagement bonds and maturity profiles.
programme is discussed below. The Senior Independent Director
and other Non-Executive Directors are also available to meet with How the Board considers shareholder views
major shareholders on request. Our AGM is an opportunity for The Chairman and the Executive Directors regularly update the Board
further shareholder engagement and for the Chairman to explain the on their dialogue with shareholders. The Board also receives regular
Company’s progress and, with other members of the Board, answer updates from the Head of Investor Relations and our brokers on key
questions. All Directors attend our AGM, unless illness or pressing issues raised by shareholders, and on the Company’s share price
commitments prevent them. All Directors attended our AGM in 2019, performance. Shareholder perspectives considered by the Board during
except Dr Marion Helmes due to a prior commitment. Details of our 2019 included, amongst others, regulatory developments in the US
2020 AGM are set out on page 323. market, the Group’s New Categories strategy and performance, Group
debt and business transformation. The Board discusses key issues
Annual investor relations programme
raised and takes shareholder feedback into account in developing
A global engagement programme is conducted annually with Group strategy.
shareholders, potential investors and analysts. This is led by
For disclosures required by paragraph 7.2.6 of the Disclosure Guidance
the Chairman and the Executive Directors, with our Head of and Transparency Rules and the Companies Act 2006 see the Other
Investor Relations. The Chairman and the Executive Directors met Information section
with shareholders throughout the year. Prior to his appointment as
Finance Director, Tadeu Marroco also attended shareholder meetings
Financial calendar 2019
as Deputy Finance Director.
As part of the investor relations programme in 2019, meetings were
February Preliminary Results for FY 2018
held with institutional shareholders representing the majority of the
Company’s issued share capital, primarily in the UK, US and South March Capital Markets Day
Africa. A wide range of topics were discussed, including Group
strategy, performance, corporate governance and sustainability. In the April Annual General Meeting
past year, over 465 investor engagement activities took place, primarily
through face-to-face meetings and calls. The Executive Directors also
presented regular investor updates, which are published on bat.com
with all results presentations. Results presentations are also available to
465+ investor
June Pre-close trading update
Update on 2019 AGM voting results This level of authority continues to be supported by the majority of
All resolutions were passed at the Company’s AGM held on 25 April our shareholders and the level of authority maintained is in line with
2019 with the requisite majority of votes. However, we acknowledge prevailing UK market practice. Although there is no present intention
that a significant minority of our shareholders did not support the to exercise this authority, the Board considers that this level of
resolution to renew the Directors’ authority to allot shares. authority is appropriate to maintain flexibility for the Company.
We appreciate that some shareholders are unable to support an We will maintain dialogue with shareholders for which this authority
allotment authority at the level sought, and the reasons why. continues to present concerns and keep best practice under review.
During 2019, we engaged with a range of shareholders that voted
against this resolution and the Board considered their views.
The Board fully understands the difference in approach between
prevailing UK market practice (to retain an authority to allot in line
with the UK Investment Association’s share capital management
guidelines) and governance policies maintained by those
shareholders voting against. This includes shareholders in South
Africa, who either do not support a general allotment authority or
only support a general authority at lower levels.
Where the Board does not engage directly with our stakeholders, The Board now reviews these engagement channels and consolidated
it is kept updated so Directors maintain an effective understanding of feedback from them annually. In 2019, this also included review of insights
what matters to our stakeholders and can draw on these perspectives from our 2019 Your Voice global employee survey. Focus and action areas
in Board decision-making and strategy development. Examples of how reviewed by the Board are then cascaded to our workforce. Key areas of
the Board engaged with wider key stakeholders and maintained its feedback from engagement channels reviewed by the Board during 2019
understanding of their interests during the year include: focused on business transformation, product innovation and ways of working,
and the BAT ethos has been developed with significant workforce input.
BOARD ACTIVITIES
IN 2019
Sustainability Growth
The Board emphasises the need for our business, strategy and Growth remains our key strategic focus. Continued investment
product portfolio to be sustainable for the long term and meet in, and development of, our strategic focus areas is central to the
stakeholder expectations. Board’s annual agenda.
– reviewing the Group Risk – reviewing the status of – reviewing Group strategy and – reviewing the Group’s
Register, Group risk appetite litigation proceedings involving its implementation across the information and digital
in the context of its strategic Group companies, including Group’s regions; technology (IDT) strategy,
objectives, emerging risks updates on the class-actions – review of the evolution of the including progress of the
to the Group, and Group in Quebec Province against Group’s strategy to accelerate Group’s digital transformation
insurance coverage; Group subsidiary Imperial New Category growth; agenda, risk management and
– determining Group viability for Tobacco Canada and associated cyber security;
– approval of Group budget and
reporting purposes taking into CCAA filing, the Fox River and – oversight of establishment of
oversight of resource allocation
account current position and Kalamazoo River proceedings, the Group’s corporate venture
activities, including for
principal risks; and claims brought by RAI capital unit, ‘Better Tomorrow
combustible product portfolios,
dissenting shareholders Ventures’, and approval of
– reviewing Group stakeholders, to support strategy execution;
following acquisition of the specific delegated authorities
methods of engagement, – reviewing Group financial
remaining shares in RAI; to support the unit in creating
issues that matter to those performance against the key
stakeholders and how the – reviewing updates on innovative and agile strategic
performance metrics, current
Group responds; compliance matters, including relationships with venture
outlook throughout the year,
allegations of misconduct, capital partners;
– reviewing the Group’s approach key challenges faced and
reports from Speak Up – reviewing the Company’s share
to product stewardship and opportunities for growth in
channels, and progress of the price performance, investor and
the science underpinning each region;
Group’s ‘Delivery with Integrity’ broker perspectives, and analysis
development of New – reviewing Group half-year
compliance programme; of factors impacting share
Category products; results, year-end results and the
– reviewing health and safety price performance;
– reviewing Group regulatory Annual Report and Form 20-F;
performance for the preceding – reviewing the impact of
engagement activities – reviewing New Category
year, targets for the coming foreign exchange rates on
and evolving global product portfolios, innovation
year and action plans; Group financial performance,
product regulation; pipeline, roll-out plans and
– reviewing performance against including measures taken
– reviewing New Category Group strategy for developing
environmental targets set for by management to mitigate
products environment, with intellectual property;
the preceding year, approving foreign exchange risks; and
particular focus on the US – reviewing Group product
revised long-term targets and – reviewing financial performance
vapour environment and portfolio performance in the
endorsing plans for enhanced of the associates of the
the status of FDA proposals context of strategic focus areas
climate change reporting; and Group periodically.
to regulate flavours in and the competitor landscape;
vapour products; – reviewing the Group’s annual
Modern Slavery Act statement
– approving revised versions of and approving it for adoption
the International Marketing by the Company.
Principles and Group Standards
of Business Conduct (including
the Speak Up and Lobbying and
Engagement policies);
Examples of how the Board considered stakeholders, the environment, corporate reputation, and the long-term impact of decisions
Environmental targets and Key stakeholders Budget and resource allocation Key stakeholders
climate change reporting The Board approved the 2020 budget, weighing
Shareholders/ Shareholders/
The Board approved new environmental targets Bondholders
the balance between the long-term corporate and Bondholders
aimed at significantly reducing the greenhouse consumer benefits of New Categories investment and
gas emissions of the Group and its supply chain. Consumers continued portfolio and geographic expansion with our Consumers
The targets were based on the most up-to-date commitment to significant deleveraging. The budget
climate science and were formally endorsed by Our people reflects our considerable work to better understand Our people
the Science-Based Targets initiative, reflecting the and anticipate evolving consumer preferences at a
Board’s commitment to reducing the impact of our Suppliers transformational time for our sector, and factors in our Suppliers
operations in the long term and working with external commitment to strong product stewardship, research
stakeholders to achieve this. Building on this initiative, Customers and collaborative innovation to meet those needs. Customers
the Board has also endorsed the Group’s alignment
with the TCFD reporting recommendations on the Governments Governments
and wider society and wider society
financial impacts of climate change by 2022.
The Board pays close attention to the Group’s operational Setting the ‘tone from the top’ is an important part of the
efficiency and our programmes are aimed at delivering a globally Board’s role, helping to foster a culture centred on our ethos.
integrated enterprise with cost and capital effectiveness.
– reviewing operating – reviewing Group compliance – approving the appointment – considering feedback from the
performance on a Group, with its financing principles, of Tadeu Marroco and Jerry range of workforce engagement
regional and key market level including in relation to Group Fowden to the Board and mechanisms in place across
across the product portfolio, liquidity, capital allocation, revising the composition of the Group, including
including combustibles and adjusted net debt/EBITDA, Board Committees on the outcomes from the ‘Your
New Categories; the Group’s revolving credit recommendation of the Voice’ global 2019 employee
– reviewing Group cash flow facilities, planned refinancing Nominations Committee; survey, discussing plans for
performance, including and other treasury activities; – determining the independence implementing feedback and
monitoring the progress to – reviewing US business of Non-Executive Directors attending market and site visits;
realise opportunities and performance following the prior to proposing them – reviewing Speak Up
optimise the balance sheet, acquisition of RAI, progress in for re‑appointment (or mechanisms and the reports
to ensure the Group can invest achieving anticipated synergies appointment for the first time) arising from them;
for the future while reducing discussed further at page 39, at the Company’s AGM; – approving changes to the
the carrying value of debt; implementation of operational – reviewing feedback from the Group’s existing short-term
– reviewing the SEC-registered integration, and outlook for the Remuneration Committee and long-term management
shelf programme for US debt US business; on development of the new incentive schemes (below
issuance, summarised on – reviewing Group supply chain Directors’ Remuneration Policy Executive Director level) to
page 48, and approving the strategy and optimisation and shareholder perspectives, enhance alignment with
transaction documentation to programmes; and and adopting the new policy for Group strategy and values,
establish the programme; – reviewing other business proposal to shareholders at the and adopting rules for a new
– reviewing the Quantum transformation programmes Company’s 2019 AGM; employee restricted share
transformation project relating to finance, human – monitoring corporate culture long-term incentive plan for
and its objectives, and resources and global business and its alignment with the proposal to shareholders at the
approving changes to services to implement Group’s purpose, strategy Company’s 2020 AGM;
the Group’s delegated operational efficiencies. and values; – reviewing the funding positions
authorities to implement – reviewing the Group’s talent, relating to the Group’s
organisational change; diversity and inclusion strategies retirement benefit schemes; and
and the progress of initiatives – review and discussion of the
supporting their objectives; outcomes from the evaluation
– reviewing the BAT ethos, of the effectiveness of the Board
an evolution of the Group’s and its Committees in 2019.
Guiding Principles, developed
with significant input from
Group company employees;
DIVISION OF
RESPONSIBILITIES
Introduction
This section sets out the roles, and effective division of responsibilities, between the Chairman, Chief Executive and Non-Executive Directors,
and outlines the support the Directors receive to assist them in meeting their responsibilities under the UK Corporate Governance Code and
discharging their directors’ duties, both individually and collectively.
Leadership
Chairman Chief Executive
– Leadership of the Board – Overall responsibility for Group performance
– Ensures Board effectiveness – Leadership of the Group
– Facilitates the productive contribution of the Directors – Enables planning and execution of Group objectives and strategies
– Sets the Board agenda – Stewardship of Group assets
– Interfaces with shareholders – Drives the cultural tone of the organisation
– Ensures effective shareholder engagement The responsibilities of the Chairman, Chief Executive,
Senior Independent Director are available at www.bat.com
– Representational duties on behalf of the Company
Oversight
Non-Executive Directors Senior Independent Director (SID)
– Oversee Group strategy – Leads review of the Chairman’s performance
– Scrutinise and hold to account performance against objectives – Presides at Board meetings in the Chairman’s absence
– Monitor Group performance – Chairs the Nominations Committee when Chairman
– Review management proposals and provide strategic guidance succession considered
– Bring external perspective and effective challenge to management – Sounding board for the Chairman
– Intermediary for other Directors
– Available for meet with shareholders
Board induction
On joining the Board, all Directors receive a full induction tailored to their individual requirements
Finance Director induction 2019 Non-Executive Director induction 2019
Tadeu Marroco completed his Executive Director induction Jerry Fowden completed his Non-Executive Director induction
programme in preparation for his appointment to the Board on programme in 2019 following his appointment to the Board on
5 August 2019. 1 September 2019.
Mr Marroco’s induction included in-depth briefings from senior Mr Fowden’s induction included a series of briefings from senior
management, the external auditors and external advisers. management, the external auditors and external advisers on the
Group’s strategy, business regions, product portfolios, corporate
These briefings covered a range of topics, including the Company’s
governance, directors’ duties, the Group’s shareholder and wider
corporate governance structures, responsibilities as Finance Director
stakeholder engagement programmes and stakeholder perspectives,
and directors’ duties more generally, Board and Committee processes,
evolving regulation impacting the Group’s business, and treasury,
UK and US regulatory frameworks applicable to listed issuers,
risk and legal matters.
shareholder and wider stakeholder engagement programmes and
stakeholder perspectives, external audit procedures and legal matters. Mr Fowden also visited our Global R&D Centre in Southampton to
gain insight into the Group’s product innovation pipeline and science
supporting it directly from our scientists and product developers.
BOARD
EVALUATION
Review process
The performance and effectiveness of the Board, its Committees, In addition, several members of the Management Board and other
the Executive and Non-Executive Directors and the Chairman were senior management participated in elements of the evaluation.
evaluated externally in 2019, facilitated by Independent Audit Limited Anonymised reports specifying the findings of the evaluations were
(‘Independent Audit’). Independent Audit has no connections with prepared by Independent Audit for the Board and each Committee.
the Company or its Directors other than in respect of facilitation of The Board and Committees then reviewed and discussed their
Board evaluation. respective reports and identified action areas for 2020 taking into
Independent Audit undertook the evaluations through a series of account the evaluation findings. Discussions of evaluation findings
detailed questionnaires, observation of meetings of the Board and were facilitated by Independent Audit.
Audit and Remuneration Committees, and review of Board and The Chairman received reports from Independent Audit on the
Committee papers for the previous 12 months. The Chairman is performance and effectiveness of all Executive and Non-Executive
responsible for the overall evaluation process and each Committee Directors (other than himself) in 2019 and he provided individual
Chair is responsible for the evaluation of the performance and feedback to each Director.
effectiveness of their Committee.
The Senior Independent Director received a report from Independent
All Directors (except for Jerry Fowden, who had just joined the Audit on the Chairman’s performance and effectiveness, and led
Board) participated in the evaluation process, assessing the Board, a discussion reviewing the Chairman’s effectiveness with the other
the Committees of which they were a member or regularly attended Directors (without the Chairman present). The Senior Independent
in 2019, and each of the Directors individually. Director then provided feedback to the Chairman.
Independent Audit has reviewed this section and has confirmed it presents
a fair summary of the review process.
NOMINATIONS
Composition,
Leadership Division of succession, Audit, risk, Responsibility
and purpose responsibilities evaluation internal control Remuneration of Directors
COMMITTEE
Role
As set out in the Terms of Reference, the Nominations
Committee is responsible for:
– reviewing the structure, size and composition of the Board and
Management Board on a regular basis to ensure both have
an appropriate balance of skills, expertise, knowledge and
Board independence;
– reviewing the succession plans for appointments to the
Richard Burrows
Board, the Management Board and Company Secretary to
Chairman of
maintain an appropriate balance of skills and experience and
the Nominations
to ensure progressive refreshing of both the Board and the
Committee
Management Board;
– making recommendations to the Board on suitable candidates
Nominations Committee current members
for appointments to the Board, the Management Board and
Richard Burrows (Chairman) Holly Keller Koeppel Company Secretary, and ensuring that the procedure for those
Sue Farr Savio Kwan appointments is rigorous, transparent, objective and merit-based
Jerry Fowden Dimitri Panayotopoulos and has regard for diversity;
Dr Marion Helmes Kieran Poynter – assessing the time needed to fulfil the roles of Chairman, Senior
Luc Jobin Independent Director and Non-Executive Director, and ensuring
Non-Executive Directors have sufficient time to fulfil their duties;
Attendance at meetings in 20191(a) – overseeing the development of a pipeline of diverse, high-
performing potential Executive Directors, Management Board
Attended/Eligible to attend
members and other senior managers; and
Name Member since Scheduled Ad hoc
– implementing the Board Diversity Policy and monitoring progress
Richard Burrows1(b) 2009 2/2 3/3 towards the achievement of its objectives, summarised on page 82.
Sue Farr1(c) 2015 2/2 3/4
Jerry Fowden2(b) 2019 0/0 2/2 Key activities in 2019
Dr Marion Helmes 2016 2/2 4/4 – Identifying a successor to the Finance Director and recommending
Luc Jobin1(d) 2017 2/2 3/4 to the Board the appointment of Tadeu Marroco as Deputy Finance
Holly Keller Koeppel 2017 2/2 4/4 Director from 1 March 2019 and then as Finance Director from
Savio Kwan1(e) 2014 2/2 3/4 5 August 2019, discussed further on page 80.
Dimitri Panayotopoulos 2015 2/2 4/4 – Making recommendations to the Board in respect of Board and
Kieran Poynter 2010 2/2 4/4 Committee appointments, including to appoint Jerry Fowden
as a Non-Executive Director and to the Audit and Nominations
Notes:
1. Number of meetings in 2019: (a) the Committee held six meetings, four of which were ad hoc
Committees from 1 September 2019.
and convened at short notice; (b) Richard Burrows was recused from the ad hoc meeting in
– Succession planning for the role of Chairman, discussed further on
November which discussed succession planning for the role of Chairman; (c) Sue Farr did
not attend the ad hoc meeting in January due to prior commitments; (d) Luc Jobin did not page 80.
attend the ad hoc meeting in January due to prior commitments; and (e) Savio Kwan did not
attend the ad hoc meeting in November due to prior commitments.
– Making recommendations to the Board in relation to Directors’
annual appointment and re-election at the AGM, discussed further
2. Membership: (a) all members of the Committee are independent Non-Executive Directors in
accordance with UK Corporate Governance Code 2018 Provisions 10 and 17, applicable US on page 80.
federal securities laws and NYSE listing standards; and (b) Jerry Fowden became a member
of the Committee on 1 September 2019 on his appointment as a Non-Executive Director.
– Reviewing the Executive Directors’ and Management Board
members’ annual performance assessments.
3. Other attendees: the Chief Executive, the Director, Talent and Culture, and Group Head
of Talent & Organisation Effectiveness regularly attend meetings by invitation but are – Succession planning for the Board and for the Management Board,
not members.
having regard to the Board Diversity Policy.
– Reviewing the Group talent strategy, talent development priorities
Nominations Committee terms of reference
and the programmes underpinning the Group’s commitment to
Revised Nominations Committee terms of reference have been investment in engaging, developing and retaining talent.
adopted by the Board to align with the requirements of the UK
Corporate Governance Code 2018. – Reviewing the Group’s Diversity & Inclusion strategy, specific
diversity initiatives to further develop a diverse and gender-balanced
For the Committee’s terms of reference
see bat.com/governance work place, and progress made in the development of a diverse
senior management succession pipeline.
– Assessing the progress of development plans for candidates for
Management Board roles.
– Assessing the Committee’s effectiveness in 2019, following the
externally facilitated evaluation of the Committee, discussed further
on page 78.
NOMINATIONS COMMITTEE
CONTINUED
Board appointments
The Committee is responsible for identifying candidates for Board While recognising that the Code generally limits the tenure of the
positions, taking into account the Board Diversity Policy discussed on Chairman to nine years from first appointment, the Code permits
page 82. This includes a full evaluation of candidates’ attributes to extension of the Chairman’s tenure for a limited time to facilitate
ensure the Board maintains an appropriate balance of skills, expertise effective succession planning. In the context of the recent transitions
and knowledge, and generally involves interviews with several for both the Chief Executive and the Finance Director, and to enable
candidates, supported by independent, specialist external search effective succession planning for the Chairman, the Board considers
firms where applicable, to shortlist appropriate candidates. the interests of the Company’s shareholders to be best served by Mr
Burrows continuing as Chairman for a limited time.
The Committee identified the successor to Ben Stevens as Finance
Director, taking into account potential candidates’ skills, experience It is intended that Mr Burrows will retire from the Board at or prior to
and diversity of attributes. The Board approved the Committee’s the AGM in 2021 and that he will continue to lead the Board in the
recommendation to appoint Tadeu Marroco as Deputy Finance interim. Accordingly, the Board will be proposing Mr Burrows for
Director with effect from 1 March 2019 and as Finance Director with re-election as Chairman at the forthcoming 2020 AGM.
effect from 5 August 2019. In relation to the role of Senior Independent Director, the Board
The Committee also led the selection process leading to the accepted the recommendation of the Nominations Committee
appointment of Jerry Fowden as a Non-Executive Director on to appoint Dimitri Panayotopoulos to succeed Mr Poynter as the
1 September 2019. This selection process was supported by Heidrick & Company’s Senior Independent Director on Mr Poynter’s retirement
Struggles (UK) Limited1, an independent executive search consultancy from the Board with effect from the conclusion of the Company’s
compliant with the Standard and Enhanced Code of Conduct for forthcoming AGM. To ensure an effective transition in the leadership of
Executive Search Firms. The selection process for this role included succession planning for the role of Chairman, Mr Panayotopoulos has
careful consideration of candidates’ skills, expertise, knowledge and taken over responsibility from Mr Poynter for leading this process.
diversity of attributes, and a specific requirement for candidates to have
Spencer Stuart & Associates Limited2 and Korn Ferry (UK) Limited3
strong US market experience to enhance the Board’s US expertise.
have been engaged to support the succession planning process for the
Terms of appointment to the Board role of Chairman. Both Spencer Stuart and Korn Ferry are independent
Details of the Directors’ terms of appointment to the Board and executive search consultancies compliant with the Standard and
the Company’s policy on payments for loss of office are contained Enhanced Code of Conduct for Executive Search Firms. The Senior
in the Directors’ Remuneration Policy, which is set out in full in the Independent Director chairs the Nominations Committee when
Remuneration Report 2018, contained in the Company’s Annual dealing with discussions relating to the appointment of a successor
Report and Form 20-F for 2018 available at bat.com to the Chairman.
The Executive Directors have rolling one-year contracts. The Non- The Committee’s approach to succession planning for the Executive
Executive Directors do not have service contracts with the Company Directors and other members of senior management is set out further
but instead have letters of appointment for one year, with an expected on page 81.
time commitment of 25–30 days per year. Annual General Meeting 2020
Board retirements With the exception of Mr Poynter, the Company will be submitting
Nicandro Durante retired from the Board with effect from 1 April all eligible Directors for re‑election and, in the case of Jerry Fowden,
2019, on his retirement as Chief Executive. Ben Stevens retired from election for the first time.
the Board with effect from 5 August 2019, on his retirement as Prior to making recommendations to the Board in respect of
Finance Director. Directors’ submissions for election or re-election (as applicable),
Kieran Poynter will retire from the Board with effect from the the Committee carried out an assessment of each Director, including
conclusion of the Company’s AGM on 30 April 2020. their performance, contribution to the long-term sustainable success
of the Company and, in respect of each of the Non-Executive
Board succession planning Directors, their continued independence.
The Board considers the length of service of the members of the Board
The Chairman’s letter accompanying the AGM Notice confirms that
as a whole and the need for it to refresh its membership progressively
all Non-Executive Directors being proposed for election or re-election
over time. Non-Executive succession planning remains a priority for the
(as applicable) are effective and that they continue to demonstrate
Committee in 2020.
commitment to their roles as Non-Executive Directors.
The Chairman will have served as a Director for just over 10
years at the time of the 2020 AGM. The Committee has given
careful consideration to Director transitions to ensure orderly
Board succession.
During 2018 and 2019, the Nominations Committee prioritised
effective succession planning for the Chief Executive and the Finance
Director. Having overseen the orderly transition for both those roles,
the Nominations Committee has focused on succession planning for
the role of Chairman, mindful of the provisions of the UK Corporate
Governance Code (the Code) and that Richard Burrows has served as a
Director for just over 10 years.
Notes:
1. Heidrick & Struggles has no connections with the Company or its Directors other than in
respect of provision of executive search services.
2. Spencer Stuart has no connections with the Company or its Directors other than in respect
of provision of executive search services.
3. Korn Ferry has no connections with the Company or its Directors, other than in respect of the
provision of executive search and other human resources advisory and consulting services.
Composition,
Leadership Division of succession, Audit, risk, Responsibility
and purpose responsibilities evaluation internal control Remuneration of Directors
The Parker Review Committee published its final report on ethnic Our Strategic Report discusses our Diversity & Inclusion strategy
diversity in UK boards in 2017, recommending there be at least one and Group diversity initiatives further, and provides details of the
director from a Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) background representation of women in our total workforce and in our senior
on every FTSE 100 company board by 2021. manager population on pages 40 and 41.
Directors: Ethnicity balance Directors: Gender balance Senior Management† and their
direct reports: Gender balance
NOMINATIONS COMMITTEE
CONTINUED
Board Diversity Policy Our Board Diversity Policy sets out the Board’s commitment to the
Our commitment to promoting diversity is reflected in our Group following objectives:
Employment Principles discussed further on pages 41 to 42, and diversity is – considering all aspects of diversity when reviewing the composition
taken into consideration in determining the composition of our Board and of, and succession planning for, the Board and Management Board;
Management Board.
– considering a wide pool of candidates of both genders for
We believe that talent is our competitive advantage and diversity is a critical appointment to the Board;
component of our success. ‘We are diverse‘ is one of the five core values of
the BAT ethos, set out on page 11. – maintaining at least 30% representation of women on our Board,
with the ambition of progressing towards further gender balance;
Our Board Diversity Policy is aligned with our Group ethos. Our Board
Diversity Policy expresses how we think of diversity in its widest sense, – giving preference, where appropriate, to engaging executive search
as those attributes that make each of us unique. These include our race, firms that are accredited under the Standard and Enhanced Codes of
ethnicity, cultural and social backgrounds, geographical origin, gender, age, Conduct for Executive Search Firms, which include gender diversity;
any disability, sexual orientation, religion, skills, experience, education and and
professional background, perspectives and thinking styles. – oversight of the development of a pipeline of diverse, high-
performing potential Executive Directors, Management Board
members and other senior managers, through the activities of the
Nominations Committee.
Progress against these objectives in 2019 is set out below.
Considering all aspects of diversity when reviewing the – The Nominations Committee has regard to diversity in its broadest sense,
composition of, and succession planning for, the Board including gender, social and ethnic background, and cognitive and personal
and Management Board. strengths, when undertaking these activities.
Considering a wider pool of candidates of both genders – Executive search firms are engaged to support Board and Management Board
for appointment to the Board. succession planning where applicable and are required to provide gender-
balanced shortlists of candidates. Succession planning for Executive Directors and
Management Board members takes into account potential internal candidates
from across the Group and potential external candidates.
Maintaining at least 30% female Board representation, – The representation of women on the Board was 27.3% as at 31 December 2019
with the ambition of progressing towards further and remains so currently. Non-Executive Director succession planning has close
gender balance. regard to the Board’s ambition to progress towards further gender diversity.
Giving preference, where appropriate, to engagement – Only executive search firms accredited under the Standard and Enhanced Code
of executive search firms accredited under the Standard of Conduct for Executive Search Firms were engaged to provided executive
and Enhanced Code of Conduct for Executive Search search services to support Board and Management Board succession planning
Firms, including on gender diversity. in 2019.
Oversight of the development of a pipeline of diverse, – The representation of women on the Management Board was 15.4% as at
high-performing potential Executive Directors, 31 December 2019 and remains so currently.
Management Board members and other senior managers.
– Emphasis is placed on building diverse talent pools at all levels of the organisation
through recruiting, developing and retaining high-performing female talent.
– In 2019, 45% of the Group’s external recruits were women, including 24% into
senior leadership roles, helping to bring new skills and capabilities to drive business
transformation. The Women in Leadership programme has been supporting
the development of female employees across the Group for the last six years.
The Group also participates in various external initiatives to support high-potential
female employees.
– Please refer to pages 40 to 41 for further information about the Group’s Diversity &
Inclusion strategy.
AUDIT
Composition,
Leadership Division of succession, Audit, risk, Responsibility
and purpose responsibilities evaluation internal control Remuneration of Directors
COMMITTEE
Introduction
I am pleased to present the 2019 Audit Committee report, setting out
our role and work this year. I took over as Chair in January 2019, and in
September 2019 we welcomed Jerry Fowden to the Committee.
We looked at a number of important topics this year, most significantly
the impact of implementing IFRS 16 (Leases) from January 2019, the
carrying value of goodwill and intangibles particularly in the context of
potential US regulatory changes relating to flavours, the appeal court
Holly Keller judgment in the Quebec Class Action lawsuits against Group subsidiary
Koeppel Imperial Tobacco Canada and accounting treatment impacts, and
Chairman of the assessment of risks associated with the Group’s New Category product
Audit Committee portfolio and digital strategies.
We robustly reviewed the effectiveness of both our external auditors
Audit Committee current members and Internal Audit function, the latter being supported by an External
Holly Keller Koeppel (Chairman from 14 January 2019) Quality Assurance review.
Luc Jobin (from 14 January 2019) The Committee has approved the internal audit plan for 2020 and fully
Jerry Fowden (from 1 September 2019) endorses its sharper focus on transformation projects, digital risks and
Kieran Poynter (Chairman to 14 January 2019) New Categories. These are areas that will continue to be scrutinised by
the Committee in 2020, and beyond.
AUDIT COMMITTEE
CONTINUED
– the Group’s Risk Register, including prioritisation and categorisation Significant accounting judgements considered by the
of, and mitigating factors in respect of, Group risks; Committee in relation to the 2019 financial statements:
– specific risks, and their mitigations, arising from major change – the Group’s significant tax exposures: updates on corporate tax
initiatives including those related to IT systems and the Quantum matters and reports from the Group Head of Tax on the status of the
transformation project; Franked Income Investment Group Litigation Order (FII GLO) and
issues in various markets. These included tax disputes in Brazil, South
– the internal processes followed for the preparation of the Africa, Russia and the Netherlands. The Committee agreed with
Annual Report and Form 20-F and confirming that the processes management’s assessments and disclosures in respect of these (see
appropriately facilitated the preparation of an Annual Report and note 27 in the Notes on the Accounts);
Form 20-F that is “fair, balanced and understandable“;
– contingent liabilities, provisions and deposits in connection with
– regular reports from the Group Head of Internal Audit on internal ongoing litigation:
audits of markets, processes and operations, management responses
to internal audit findings and action plans put in place to address Quebec: the Committee concurred with management’s judgement
any issues raised; that no provision is currently required in respect of all other ongoing
tobacco-related litigation to which Group subsidiary Imperial Tobacco
– the 2020 internal audit plan and progress against the 2019 plan; Canada (ITCAN) is a defendant, as it is not possible to reasonably
– the Group’s sustainability performance on an annual basis, including estimate the amount of any potential settlement (see note 27 in
the Group’s Youth Access Prevention activities and the Group’s the Notes on the Accounts) and that, whilst ITCAN is subject to the
corporate social contributions in the focus areas of empowerment, Canadian Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act (‘CCAA’) proceedings,
civic life, and sustainable agriculture and environment, in countries it remains appropriate to consolidate ITCAN’s financial results in the
and communities in which the Group operates; Group financial statements;
– periodic reports from the Group’s Corporate Audit Committee and Fox and Kalamazoo rivers: the Committee reassessed the provision
Regional Audit and Corporate Social Responsibility Committees; in respect of the Fox River clean-up costs and related legal expenses
and confirmed that the provision would be retained at the prior year
– annual and interim reports on the Group Business Conduct & level (see note 3 in the Notes on the Accounts), although inherent
Compliance programme, Speak Up channels and compliance with uncertainties remain (see note 27 in the Notes on the Accounts).
the Group Standards of Business Conduct (SoBC); The Committee reviewed the position in respect of the Kalamazoo
– the annual report from the Group Head of Security on security risks, River claim and agreed with management’s assessment that no
losses and fraud arising during the preceding year; provision should be recognised on the basis set out at note 27 in the
Notes on the Accounts;
– half-year and year-end reports on political contributions; and
Impact of Russian tax assessment: the Committee considered
– the Committee’s effectiveness, following the annual evaluation the impact of an excise and VAT assessment in relation to Group
of the Committee discussed further at page 78. operations in Russia during 2015 to 2017 for additional production
FRC Review of 2018 Report & Accounts volumes that took place prior to local excise tax increases.
The Committee assessed and concurred with management’s
During the year, as an outcome of the Financial Reporting Council’s
treatment of the assessment as a charge in the 2019 Accounts, to
(FRC’s) review of the Group’s 2018 Annual Report and Accounts,
be treated as an adjusting item (see note 3 in the Notes on the
the Group received correspondence related to a number of areas,
Accounts); and
including the accounting treatment for interim dividends, the Group’s
assessment of goodwill and intangible values and certain other RAI group companies: the Committee considered and supported
observations with regards to disclosures. As discussed in note 18 in the management’s approach to accounting for the Master Settlement
Notes on the Accounts, Capital and reserves, it was agreed that the Agreement, the Engle class-action and progeny cases and claims
recognition of an accrual at the year-end in respect of the dividend brought by RAI dissenting shareholders seeking determination of
paid in February 2018 and February 2019 was incorrect. Accordingly, ‘fair value’ for their shares following acquisition of the remaining
the Group has changed the accounting treatment. The Group has shares in RAI (see note 27 in the Notes on the Accounts);
also enhanced a number of other disclosures, including those related
– foreign exchange: as the Group has operations in certain
to goodwill to provide the users greater insight as to the sensitivities
jurisdictions with severe currency restrictions where foreign currency
required prior to impairment of certain investments.
is not readily available, including in Venezuela and Zimbabwe,
The review conducted by the FRC was based solely on the Group’s the Committee assessed management’s approach to applicable
published report and accounts and does not provide any assurance accounting treatment and confirmed that methodologies used
that the report and accounts are correct in all material respects. to determine relevant exchange rates for accounting purposes
were appropriate;
Further specific matters considered by the Committee
in relation to the financial statements: – goodwill and intangibles impairment review: the Committee
– impact of implementing IFRS 16 (Leases) to Group accounting with reviewed management’s assessment of the carrying value of
effect from 1 January 2019: review of the methodology for the Group’s intangibles, including goodwill. The Committee specifically
implementation of IFRS 16 (Leases), the revisions to the Group’s considered potential regulatory changes in the US in relation to
accounting policies (as shown in note 1 in the Notes on the Accounts), flavours (including flavourings in vapour products and menthol in
and the impact on the Group’s financial statements; and cigarettes) and age restrictions, and agreed that the performance
of the US business was sufficient at this time to more than offset
– revenue reporting: disaggregation of revenue by product type the risks associated with such changes, concluding no impairment
(combustibles; New Categories; Traditional Oral; other) at Group to goodwill or the value of the Newport brand was required.
and regional levels for 2019. The Committee also agreed that, despite the ongoing proceedings
(including the CCAA process) in respect of Group subsidiary ITCAN
in Canada, there was no indication of impairment to goodwill at
this time. Finally, the Committee concurred with management’s
assessment regarding the impairment of Indonesia (£172 million)
Composition,
Leadership Division of succession, Audit, risk, Responsibility
and purpose responsibilities evaluation internal control Remuneration of Directors
AUDIT COMMITTEE
CONTINUED
The provision of permitted non-audit services must be put to tender if External auditor effectiveness
expected spend exceeds limits specified in the AIP, unless a waiver of The Committee, on behalf of the Board, is responsible for the relationship
this requirement, in accordance with the terms of the AIP, is agreed by with the external auditors. The Committee carries out an annual
the Finance Director and notified to the Committee. assessment of the Group’s external auditors, covering qualification,
The AIP: expertise and resources, and objectivity and independence, as well as the
effectiveness of the audit process. This assessment takes into account the
– requires Committee pre-approval for all audit, audit-related and Committee’s interactions with, and observations of, the external auditors
other non-audit services, except in respect of non-audit services and gives regard to factors including:
falling within the exceptions described above;
– experience and expertise of the external auditors in their direct
– prohibits the provision of certain types of services by the external communication with, and support to, the Committee;
auditors, including those with contingent fee arrangements,
expert services unrelated to audit and other services prohibited – their mindset and professional scepticism;
by US securities laws and the Public Company Accounting – their effectiveness in completing the agreed external audit plan;
Oversight Board;
– their approach to handling significant audit and accounting judgements;
– prohibits the Chief Executive, Finance Director, Group Financial
Controller and Group Chief Accountant from having been employed – content, quality and robustness of the external auditors’ reports; and
by the external auditors in any capacity in connection with the – their provision of non-audit services, as noted above, and other matters that
Group audit for two years before initiation of an audit; may impact independence.
– specifies requirements in respect of audit partner rotation, including The Committee’s assessment is also informed by an external audit
for both the lead and the concurring external audit partners to satisfaction survey completed by members of the Group’s senior
rotate off the Group audit engagement at least every five years, and management. No material issues were identified during the external
not to recommence provision of audit or audit-related services to the auditor assessment in 2019. The Committee is satisfied with the
Group for a further five years; and qualification, expertise and resources of its external auditors, and that
– provides authority for the Committee to oversee any allegations of the objectivity and independence of its external auditors, are not
improper influence, coercion, manipulation or purposeful misleading in any way impaired by the non-audit services which they provide.
in connection with any external audit, and to review any issues The Committee has recommended to the Board the proposed
arising in the course of engagement with the external auditors. re‑appointment of KPMG at the 2020 AGM.
External audit fees The Committee Chairman, Finance Director, Director, Legal & External
Affairs and General Counsel, Group Head of Internal Audit and the
The Committee reviews a schedule identifying the total fees for
Company Secretary all meet with the external auditors regularly
all audit and audit-related services, tax services and other non-
throughout the year to discuss relevant issues as well as the progress
audit services expected to be undertaken by the external auditors
of the external audit. Any significant issues are included on the
in the following year. Tax services and other non-audit services in
Committee’s agenda.
excess of the tender thresholds referred to above must be itemised.
Updated schedules are also submitted to the Committee at mid-year
and year-end, so that it has full visibility of the Group spend on services
provided by the Group’s external auditors.
A breakdown of audit, audit-related, tax and other non-audit fees paid
to KPMG firms and associates in 2019 is provided in note 3(c) in the
Notes on the Accounts and is summarised as follows:
Notes: In 2019, non-audit fees paid to KPMG amounted to 2.0% of the audit and audit‑related
assurance fees paid to them (2018: 1.2%). All audit and non-audit services provided by the external
auditors in 2019 were pre-approved by the Committee.
Composition,
Leadership Division of succession, Audit, risk, Responsibility
and purpose responsibilities evaluation internal control Remuneration of Directors
Board oversight At the Group level, specific responsibility for managing each identified
risk is allocated to a member of the Management Board. The Group Risk
During the year, the Board considered the nature and extent of Register is reviewed regularly by a committee of senior managers, chaired
the principal risks that the Group is willing to take to achieve its by the Finance Director. In addition, it is reviewed annually by the Board
strategic objectives (its ‘risk appetite’) and for maintaining sound risk and twice yearly by the Committee. The Board and the Committee
management and internal control systems. Risk appetite is reviewed review changes in the status of identified risks, assessing the changes in
annually by the Board to ensure that it is appropriate. Alongside the impact and likelihood. The Committee also conducts ‘deep dives’ into
principal risks, the Board also considers the emerging risks which selected risks, meeting senior managers responsible for managing and
may challenge the Group’s ability to achieve its strategic objectives mitigating them, so that it can consider those risks in detail.
in the future. Each emerging risk is assessed by the Board on its
potential impact and relevance and, where applicable, incorporated The Board noted that the Group’s principal risks remained broadly
into the Group’s Risk Register with appropriate mitigating activities. unaltered during 2019.
Emerging risks are otherwise kept under regular review by the The Board also considered the Group Viability Statement
Committee, prior to Board consideration. see page 58 of the Strategic Report@
With the support of the Committee, the Board also conducts a review For more information on risks see the Principal Group risks
on pages 58 to 62 and the Group risk factors on pages 272 to 286
of the effectiveness of the Group’s risk management and internal
control systems annually. This review covers all material controls
including financial, operational and compliance controls and risk Internal control
management systems. Group companies and other business units are annually required to
complete a controls self-assessment, called Control Navigator, of the
Audit and CSR Committee framework
key controls that they are expected to have in place. Its purpose is to
The Group’s Regional Audit and CSR Committee framework underpins enable them to self-assess their internal control environment, assist
the Board’s Audit Committee. It provides a flexible channel for the them in identifying any controls that may need strengthening and
structured flow of information through the Group, with committees support them in implementing and monitoring action plans to address
for each of the three Group regions, for the US business, and for control weaknesses. The Control Navigator assessment is reviewed
locally-listed Group entities and specific markets where considered annually to ensure that it remains relevant to the business and covers
appropriate. The Regional Audit and CSR Committees are supported all applicable key controls. In addition, at each year-end, Group
by Risk and Control Committees established at business unit level, companies and other business units are required to:
and within certain Group functions where considered appropriate.
This framework ensures that significant financial, social, environmental – review their system of internal control, confirm whether it remains
and reputational risks faced by the Group are appropriately managed effective and report on any material weaknesses and the action
and that any failings or weaknesses are identified so that remedial being taken to address them; and
action may be taken. – review and confirm policies, and procedures to promote compliance
The Group’s Regional Audit and CSR Committees are all chaired by with the SoBC are fully embedded within the Group company or
a member of the Management Board and regularly attended by one business unit and identify any material instances of non-compliance.
or more Non-Executive Directors. The Corporate Audit Committee The results of these reviews are reported to the relevant Regional Audit
focuses on the Group’s risks and control environment that fall outside and CSR Committees or to the Corporate Audit Committee, and to the
the regional committees’ remit, for example head office central Committee, to ensure that appropriate remedial action has been, or will
functions, global programmes and projects. It comprises members of be, taken where necessary. They are also considered by the SOx Steering
the Management Board and is chaired by a Regional Director. One or Committee and the Disclosure Committee in determining management’s
more of the Non‑Executive Directors also regularly attend meetings of opinion on the internal controls over financial reporting (ICFR).
the Corporate Audit Committee.
External and internal auditors attend meetings of these committees
and regularly have private audiences with members of the committees
after meetings. Additionally, central, regional and individual market
management, along with Internal Audit, support the Board in its role
of ensuring a sound control environment.
AUDIT COMMITTEE
CONTINUED
Internal Audit function The Group Manual of Accounting Policies and Procedures sets out the
The Group’s Internal Audit function is responsible for carrying out Group accounting policies, its treatment of transactions and its internal
risk‑based audits of Group companies, other business units, and in reporting requirements.
relation to global processes. There is a separate Business Controls Team The internal reporting of financial information to prepare the Group’s
which provides advice and guidance to the Group’s businesses on best half-yearly and year-end financial statements is signed off by the heads
practices in controls systems. of finance responsible for the Group’s markets and business units.
The Group’s Internal Audit function maintains a rolling 18-month The heads of finance responsible for the Group’s markets and all senior
audit plan, which is reviewed by the Committee on an annual basis. managers must also confirm annually that all information relevant
The Internal Audit plan is aligned to the Group’s Risk Register and to the Group audit has been provided to the Directors and that
prioritises principal risk areas in relation to the Group’s business. reasonable steps have been taken to ensure full disclosure in response
to requests for information from the external auditors.
In 2019, internal audits covered various markets, Group manufacturing
facilities, functional transformation programmes (including the The Committee Chairman participated in the 2019 Annual Report
Quantum transformation project), IT infrastructure and cyber security and Form 20-F drafting and review processes, and engaged with
and supply network and retail operations. The Committee considered the Finance Director and the Group Head of Internal Audit during
internal audit findings and action plans established to address any the drafting process.
issues identified. The Committee has approved the Internal Audit plan SOx compliance oversight
for 2020, which emphasises audits relating to New Categories and
Following the registration of Company securities in 2017 under the US
the ways in which Internal Audit will respond, evolve and innovate
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Securities Act), the Company
to remain effective. It retains thorough coverage of core business
is subject to certain rules and regulations of US securities laws,
activities, lines of defence and IT controls. The Committee has assessed
including the US Securities Exchange Act 1934 and SOx. SOx places
the alignment of the Internal Audit plan with the Group’s Risk Register.
specific responsibility on the Chief Executive and the Finance Director
The scope of each internal audit is assessed for SOx impact and audit
to certify or disclose information applicable to the financial statements,
of applicable SOx controls is included where relevant. Reviews of SOx
disclosure controls and procedures (DCP) and ICFR. This includes our
controls and their effectiveness are primarily conducted by the Group’s
Chief Executive and Finance Director giving attestation in respect of
Business Controls Team and assurance is also undertaken by the
ICFR effectiveness under §404 of SOx.
Group’s external auditors, as referred to below.
The Committee has oversight of processes established to ensure full
The Committee reviews the effectiveness of the Group’s internal
and ongoing compliance with applicable US securities laws, including
audit function annually. In 2019, the Committee did so through an
SOx. Two committees provided assurance during 2019 with regard to
external quality assessment conducted by PwC LLP. This assessment
applicable SOx certifications. The Disclosure Committee reviews the
was carried out against the Institute of Internal Audit (IIA) standards,
Company’s financial statements for appropriate disclosure and designs
using interviews, analysis and peer benchmarking. It concluded
and maintains DCPs and reports to, and is subject to the oversight
that the Internal Audit function performs well, is highly regarded by
of, the Chief Executive and the Finance Director. A sub-committee
key stakeholders, and generally meets their expectations to provide
of the Disclosure Committee, the SOx Steering Committee, provides
an independent view of the Group’s control environment. It noted
assurance that ICFR have been designed, and are being implemented,
recommendations to ensure that Internal Audit remains relevant and
evaluated and disclosed appropriately, in accordance with applicable
valuable to BAT, a number of which are already being addressed by
requirements and subject to the oversight of the Chief Executive and
Internal Audit with a plan to address the remaining recommendations.
Finance Director. The activities of this sub-committee are directly
Financial reporting controls reported to the Disclosure Committee.
The Group has in place a series of policies, practices and controls in relation The outputs from the Disclosure Committee and SOx Steering
to the financial reporting and consolidation process, which are designed Committee were presented to and reviewed by the Committee.
to address key financial reporting risks, including risks arising from changes No material weaknesses were identified and the Committee was
in the business or accounting standards and to provide assurance of the satisfied that, where areas for improvement were identified, processes
completeness and accuracy of the Annual Report and Form 20-F. are in place to ensure that remedial action is taken and progress
A key area of focus is to assess whether the Annual Report and Form is monitored.
20-F and financial statements are ‘fair, balanced and understandable’ In 2019, the Committee also reviewed the scope of the external
in accordance with regulatory requirements, with particular regard to: auditors’ SOx procedures, and received reports on their progress with
Fair: Consistency of reporting between the financial statements and their independent assessment of ICFR across the Group.
narrative reporting of Group performance and coverage of an overall Code of Ethics for the Chief Executive and Senior
picture of the Group’s performance; Financial Officers
Balanced: Consistency of narrative reporting of significant accounting The Company has adopted a Code of Ethics applicable to the Chief
judgements and key matters considered by the Committee with Executive, the Finance Director, and other senior financial officers, as
disclosures of material judgements and uncertainties noted in the required by US securities laws and NYSE listing standards. No waivers
financial statements; appropriate prominence and explanation of or exceptions to the Code of Ethics were granted in 2019.
primary and adjusted measures; and
Understandable: Clarity and structure of the Annual Report and Form
20-F and financial statements, appropriate emphasis of key messages,
and use of succinct and focused narrative with strong linkage
throughout the report, to provide shareholders with the information
needed to assess the Group’s business, performance, strategy and
financial position.
Composition,
Leadership Division of succession, Audit, risk, Responsibility
and purpose responsibilities evaluation internal control Remuneration of Directors
ANNUAL STATEMENT
ON REMUNERATION
– incorporate best practice policy features into the remuneration
strategy while maintaining policy elements which remain
appropriate for the Company.
The Remuneration Committee considers these objectives carefully
when deciding on executive and Group-wide remuneration matters,
to ensure there is an appropriate balance between competitiveness,
fairness, sustainability and pay for performance.
The Remuneration Committee looks to ensure that the performance
Dimitri metrics within the short and long-term incentive schemes continue to
Panayotopoulos be aligned to objectives integral to the Company’s long-term strategy.
Chairman of the Performance measures are reviewed every year to ensure the Company
Remuneration is providing focus, incentivising the right behaviours and creating
Committee value. To that end, the Remuneration Committee has decided to make
some important changes to the performance metrics for the 2020
Index to our Remuneration Report short-term incentive scheme:
Policy Report
– The introduction of a new metric ‘Deleveraging excluding foreign
1. Summary of our Directors’ Remuneration Policy 93 exchange’, with a 30% weighting attached to it. This metric will
2. Overview of what our Executive Directors provide a more holistic approach to cash management and capital
earned in 2019 and why 97 allocation, which underpins the Group’s commitment to drive
3. Executive Directors’ remuneration for the year ended
performance in this area following the acquisition of RAI in 2017.
31 December 2019 98
Further details are provided on page 50.
4. Executive Directors’ remuneration for the upcoming year 104 – The new metric will replace the ‘adjusted cash generated from
operations’ metric.
5. Chairman and Non-Executive Directors’ remuneration
for the year ended 31 December 2019 105 – The Group share of key markets metric is retained with the current
6. Directors’ share interests 106 weighting of 10%. The ‘adjusted revenue growth from the strategic
portfolio’ metric and the ‘adjusted profit from operations’ metric are
7. Other disclosures 110
both retained with their current weightings of 30%.
8. The Remuneration Committee
and shareholder engagement 111 These changes to the performance metrics will apply to the short-term
incentive scheme in operation for the Executive Directors and the
The following Annual Report on Remuneration has been prepared in accordance Group’s wider senior management population, covering approximately
with the relevant provisions of the Companies Act 2006 and as prescribed in 1,200 employees. This will ensure the Group has a consistent, aligned
The Large and Medium-sized Companies and Group (Accounts and Reports)
short-term incentive footprint globally to provide focus, alignment
(Amendment) Regulations 2013 (the UK Directors’ Remuneration Report
with Group strategy and to promote effective engagement and
Regulations). @Where required and for the purpose of the audit conducted in
accordance with International Standards on Auditing (ISA) data has been audited collaboration across its global management population. These changes
by KPMG and this is indicated appropriately.@ are set out in full on page 104.
Stakeholder engagement
The Board takes its corporate responsibilities very seriously.
Introduction Our programme of shareholder and wider stakeholder engagement
I am pleased to present to you the Directors’ Remuneration Report for in 2019 helped re-shape our Directors’ Remuneration Policy.
the year ended 31 December 2019. The report contains: Our Directors’ Remuneration Policy is strongly aligned with shareholder
interests and is reflective of best practice in the marketplace across
– a summary of the current Directors’ Remuneration Policy, approved
key policy areas such as pension alignment with the wider workforce,
at the 2019 AGM; and
shareholding requirements both during employment and post
– the Annual Remuneration Report, explaining how the policy has cessation, malus and clawback provisions in our incentive plans and
been implemented during 2019, and how it will be implemented the transparency of remuneration disclosures. We have continued our
in 2020. programme of engagement into 2020 regarding the remuneration of
the Finance Director and I would like to thank our shareholders and
Remuneration and strategy
wider stakeholders for their feedback.
The Directors’ Remuneration Policy was approved in April 2019
with significant support from our shareholders. The Remuneration We value dialogue and diversity of opinion. This year, the Directors
Committee has primarily focused this year on ensuring that the new have engaged our global workforce through a variety of channels
policy is fully implemented together with reviewing the links to the including our global Your Voice survey, which has again provided a
Company’s long-term strategy delivery through our incentive schemes. rich body of feedback capturing employees’ opinions on a broad range
of topics including the Company’s performance, strategy, culture and
Our focus is to ensure that the Directors’ Remuneration Policy enables remuneration. Our approach to workforce engagement is explained in
the Company to: the Strategic Report, on pages 26 and 41.
– attract and retain top quality talent in the global marketplace; We have taken the opportunity to review our Directors’ Remuneration
– reward high levels of sustainable long-term performance in both an Report and have restructured and shortened it where possible to
appropriate and competitive manner to the benefit of shareholders simplify content, which we hope readers will find helpful.
and wider stakeholders;
– create close long-term links between the Company’s senior
management and its shareholders; and
Composition,
Leadership Division of succession, Audit, risk, Responsibility
and purpose responsibilities evaluation internal control Remuneration of Directors
Consequently, the shareholding requirements for the Finance Director Other initiatives in 2019
will be increased as follows: The Remuneration Committee has devoted a considerable amount
– During service as a Director, the shareholding requirement will be of time in 2019 to reviewing the Group’s remuneration strategy
increased to 400% of salary (from 350% of salary); and and related policies for its wider workforce. The Remuneration
Committee has focused on ensuring there is an appropriate degree of
– This requirement will also apply in full after ceasing service as a alignment between Group workforce remuneration and the Directors’
Director until the second anniversary of cessation of employment. Remuneration Policy, to make sure the Group’s remuneration agenda,
In this context, the Remuneration Committee decided that the salary practices and policies are both relevant across our markets and
increase for Tadeu Marroco should be 3%. Consequently, with effect supportive of Group strategy and ethos.
from 1 April 2020, Tadeu Marroco’s salary will be £772,500. An important area of focus has been our competitive position across
In its annual appraisal of the remuneration of Executive Directors, the key markets. The Company sources talent globally and remuneration
Remuneration Committee intends to keep their salaries under review, is a critical part of attracting and retaining the best people to lead our
to ensure they progress in line with development and performance business in an increasingly competitive global marketplace. In this
such that remuneration may be brought more closely into line with context, the significant pay differential between the US and the UK
the market over time. The Remuneration Committee may award continues to be challenging considering the international mobility of
increases above the average for UK employees over the next two years, the senior talent pool. Geographic differences in pay levels present
while remaining within the range of increases available for the wider challenges for the Group as a substantial part of our business is based
UK population, subject to the performance and development of the in the United States, which we will keep under close review.
Executive Directors in their roles and with consideration of pay matters The Remuneration Committee has reviewed both the short and Long-
among our wider workforce. This approach is consistent with how Term Incentive Plan arrangements below the Executive Director level
the Company reviews the remuneration of all its employees as they during 2019. As part of this review, the Remuneration Committee
develop and progress in their roles. considered it appropriate to establish a new Restricted Share Plan
Incentive plan awards from 2020 which will better align the remuneration strategy with our Group
strategy and ethos and recognises employee feedback in this area.
Following the downward adjustment to the 2019 LTIP award, the basis
The Group will put forward a resolution for shareholder approval at
for awards made under the LTIP in 2020 will return to the Company’s
its forthcoming AGM to establish the new Restricted Share Plan for its
usual practice where the share price for new awards is an average
senior management population, excluding the Executive Directors.
of the mid-market price across the three trading days prior to the
award being made. The Remuneration Committee is satisfied that During 2019, the Remuneration Committee conducted a detailed
this return to the Group’s established practice will result in awards review of the Group’s legacy defined benefit pension arrangements in
which are in proportion with previous awards made to the Directors. the UK and the Company is now consulting with employees in the UK
The Remuneration Committee retains discretion to review the concerning proposals to close defined benefit arrangements to future
formulaic LTIP outcome at vesting. accrual during 2020.
Pay and transparency In 2019, the Company initiated a competitive tender exercise for
The Remuneration Committee is very aware of the continued debate the provision of remuneration advisory services to the Remuneration
on executive remuneration and corporate governance, the emphasis Committee. Following the tender process, the Remuneration
on long-term alignment with shareholder interests and the importance Committee has appointed PwC LLP as the adviser to the Remuneration
of considering executive compensation in the broader context of the Committee from 15 January 2020. In addition, Meridian
Group’s employees. Compensation Partners LLC will be appointed to provide specific
advice and expertise in relation to the US market.
In March 2020, we will be publishing data relating to UK Gender Pay
in line with the statutory requirements. Upon reviewing the data prior Our focus in 2020
to publication, the Remuneration Committee noted that while men On behalf of the Remuneration Committee, I acknowledge the scope
and women are rewarded equally for similar roles, the Group does of the tasks for the year ahead as we continue to embed our new
have a ‘gender pay gap’ as defined by the UK legislation. The pay gap Remuneration Policy and we continue our work to ensure the policy
is largely a reflection of having more men than women in senior roles remains strongly aligned with the Company’s long-term strategy and
and the Group has a comprehensive set of diversity initiatives in place shareholder interests. We were very pleased to receive a strong vote in
to drive progress on this issue. These are explained further on pages favour of our Directors’ Remuneration Policy last year and this year’s
41 and 81 and in our Gender Pay Report. As a result of our continued Annual Remuneration Report will be put forward for your consideration
focus we have seen an increase in the proportion of women in our and approval by an advisory vote at the AGM on 30 April 2020.
upper pay quartile in 2019, from 24% to 27%, contributing towards The Board places great value on the direct engagement and feedback
reducing our median pay gap from 35% to 33%, and we will continue from our shareholders and advisory bodies on our remuneration policy
our efforts in this area. and practices and I look forward to continuing this dialogue in 2020.
This year we are publishing for the first time our CEO to employee Dimitri Panayotopoulos
pay ratio for the 2019 financial year. We have adopted calculation Chairman, Remuneration Committee
method A which we believe to be the most robust and comprehensive 17 March 2020
means of assessment and is also reflective of shareholder preferences.
For the 2019 period, the CEO single figure used in the calculation is
a combination of remuneration data for both Nicandro Durante and
Jack Bowles, recognising the transition in the Group’s leadership which
took place in 2019. Consequently, the Group’s CEO to employee pay
ratio for 2019 was 86:1 at the median level, reflecting the diversity
of our business footprint and employee population across the UK.
Further details can be found on page 103.
ANNUAL REPORT
Composition,
Leadership Division of succession, Audit, risk, Responsibility
and purpose responsibilities evaluation internal control Remuneration of Directors
ON REMUNERATION
Salary
To attract and retain high-calibre individuals – Normally paid in 12 equal monthly instalments during the year;
to deliver the Group’s long-term strategy
– Reviewed annually in February (changes effective from April) or subject to ad-hoc review
and to offer market-competitive levels of
on significant change of responsibilities;
guaranteed cash to reflect an individual’s
skills, experience and role within the Group. – Reviewed taking into account the factors including individual performance and appropriate
market data based on a Pay Comparator Group;
– Annual increases will generally be in the range of the increases in the base pay of other
UK-based employees in the Group and will not exceed 10% per annum; and
– Recently appointed Executive Directors’ base salaries may exceed the top of the range of the
salary increases for UK-based employees where the Remuneration Committee considers it
appropriate to reflect the accrual of experience.
Benefits
To provide market-competitive benefits The Company offers the following contractual benefits to Executive Directors:
consistent with the role which:
– A car or car allowance (maximum annual value £20,000);
– attract and retain high calibre individuals
– Use of a car and driver for personal and business use;
to deliver the Group’s long-term strategic
plans; and – Employment tax advice (as required but not exceeding £30,000 per annum);
– recognise that such talent is global in source – Tax equalisation payments (where appropriate);
and that the availability of certain benefits
– Private medical insurance, including general practitioner ‘walk in’ medical services;
(e.g. relocation, repatriation, taxation
compliance advice) will from time to time – Personal life and accident insurance (designed to pay out at a multiple of four and five times
be necessary to avoid such factors being an base salary, respectively);
inhibitor to accepting the role.
– Housing, education allowances or similar arrangements as appropriate to family circumstances;
and
– Other benefits may include Executive Directors and their partners’ attendance at hospitality or
similar functions, and the provision of benefits which may be treated as benefits for tax
purposes, such as the provision of home security and reimbursement of expenses incurred in
connection with their duties.
Pension
To provide competitive post-retirement – Only base salary is pensionable; and
benefit arrangements which recognise
– Defined contribution benefits – Executive Directors are eligible to receive a pension benefit
the external environment in the context
equivalent to 15% of base salary as a contribution into the defined contribution section of the
of attracting and retaining senior high
British American Tobacco UK Pension Fund or as a gross cash sum paid in lieu thereof.
calibre individuals to deliver the Group’s
The contribution rates are aligned with those available to our wider UK population.
long-term strategy.
Composition,
Leadership Division of succession, Audit, risk, Responsibility
and purpose responsibilities evaluation internal control Remuneration of Directors
How the policy addresses the factors set out in the UK Corporate Governance Code 2018:
The summary of our remuneration principles and the key elements of the Directors’ Remuneration Policy align with the UK Corporate
Governance Code 2018 factors as follows:
Clarity and simplicity
Our policy provides an overall remuneration package that is transparent for our Executive Directors and shareholders alike; its simple structure has
a clear and straightforward link to the delivery of the Group’s long-term strategy. Principles driving fixed remuneration (salary, benefits, pension) are
closely aligned with the wider workforce and variable remuneration (STI and LTI) rewards delivery of financial and strategic objectives both in the
short and long-term.
Risk
The combination of performance target setting for the STI and LTI, the inclusion of provisions for discretionary adjustments and malus and
clawback provisions ensure that we reward our Executive Directors in accordance with high standards of governance while mitigating, as far
as possible, reputational and other risks arising from reward packages that are not proportionate to outcomes.
Predictability and proportionality
There is a clear link between the operation of our short and long-term incentive plan awards and the delivery of our strategy and long-term
performance. Variable remuneration at the Company accounts for between 80%-90% of an Executive Director’s total remuneration package,
ensuring that poor performance is not rewarded. Further detail on short and long-term incentive plan awards are detailed on pages 99 and 100.
Alignment to culture
The Remuneration Committee has worked extensively to develop a policy that aligns the Executive Directors closely to the wider workforce and
rewards long-term sustainable performance. The Remuneration Committee continually reviews the Policy, taking into account any feedback
received from engagement with the wider workforce and shareholders, to ensure it is aligned to the Company’s purpose and values, and
promotes the long-term success of the Company.
Fixed remuneration
Salary
– Salary is a key element of the total remuneration for all employees.
– Salary ranges for each grade are set by reference to external market data, and individual positioning within the set salary ranges will depend
on level of experience, responsibility and individual performance.
– Annual salary reviews typically take place in April each year.
In several markets Collective Labour Agreements (CLAs) exist covering some employees, therefore, some of the above principles may not apply.
Benefits and recognition
– Benefits provided to employees reflect local market practice and legislative requirements.
– The benefits architecture for the Group includes core benefits (such as medical insurance and life insurance) and local statutory benefits and
may be delivered as a combination of benefits in kind, cash allowance and flexible benefits.
– Additional financial and non-financial rewards can be made for outstanding contributions to the business in exceptional circumstances.
Pension
– Retirement benefits, typically in the form of a pension, are provided to employees based on local market practice.
– Under the UK Defined Contribution arrangements, the Company contributions for all employees is 10% of base salary rising to a maximum
of 15% on a matching basis. The total contribution to the defined contribution section of the British American Tobacco UK Pension Fund is
restricted to £10,000 per annum in line with the Tapered Annual Allowance with the balance of any contributions due above this paid as a
cash allowance or, alternatively, paid into the Defined Contribution Unapproved Unfunded Retirement Benefits Scheme.
Variable remuneration
Short-term incentives
Short-term incentive schemes are designed to reward employees across the business for the delivery of financial, strategic and operational targets.
The Group operates various short-term incentive arrangements, as set out below, with participation dependent on role.
International Executive Incentive Scheme (IEIS) – globally aligned scheme for all managers in senior management roles (c. 1,200 employees),
including Executive Directors.
– Incentive opportunities for IEIS participants are defined globally for each eligible grade.
– A portion of any award receivable is deferred in BAT shares for three years, with the remaining portion paid in cash following year-end.
– Dividend-equivalent payments on all unvested deferred shares are paid quarterly in cash via payroll.
Corporate annual bonus plans – in operation for employees in corporate functions who are not eligible to participate in the IEIS.
– Designed to mirror the basic construct of the IEIS with opportunity levels set locally.
– Performance metrics aligned to those of the IEIS, however, not all are measured on a Group-wide basis but instead linked to the relevant
business unit.
Functional incentive schemes – in operation for non-corporate employees, examples include trade marketing or factory incentive schemes.
– Opportunity levels are set locally and vary by grade.
– Functional performance measures are incorporated into each scheme to ensure line of sight for participants.
Long-term incentives
– Senior managers are eligible to participate in the long-term incentive programme (LTIP), which rewards their contribution to the long-term
global performance of the Company aligned with Executive Directors.
– Opportunity levels are defined globally for each eligible grade.
– Awards are typically granted in March of each year, and vest following the end of a three-year performance period.
– Dividend-equivalent payments are paid on any shares vesting.
All-employee share schemes
– In the UK, all employees are eligible to participate in the Company’s all-employee share schemes – the Sharesave Scheme and the Share
Incentive Plan – both of which are HMRC-approved plans, which are designed to incentivise employees by giving them an opportunity
to build shareholdings in the Company.
Composition,
Leadership Division of succession, Audit, risk, Responsibility
and purpose responsibilities evaluation internal control Remuneration of Directors
2019 2018 2019 2018 2019 2018 20191 20182 2019 2018 2019 2018 2019 2018
Nicandro Durante 3
328 1,295 160 295 408 3,275 2,059 3,324 197 430 12 32 3,164 8,651
Jack Bowles4 1,175 – 262 – 2,824 – 642 – 216 – 19 – 5,138 –
Ben Stevens5 551 916 107 132 999 1,756 1,206 1,694 227 491 17 18 3,107 5,007
Tadeu Marroco6 301 – 79 – 560 – 512 – 46 – 1 – 1,499 –
Total 2,355 2,211 608 427 4,791 5,031 4,419 5,018 686 921 49 50 12,908 13,658
Notes:
1. The 2017 LTIP award is due to vest on 27 March 2022 for Nicandro Durante and Ben Stevens and on 27 March 2020 for Jack Bowles and Tadeu Marroco based on completion of the three-year
performance period on 31 December 2019 and completion of the extended vesting period, as applicable. The value shown is based on the average share price for the three-month period ended
31 December 2019 of 2,920p. Given the share price performance since the date of grant of awards, none of the value shown in the table above is attributable to share price appreciation.
2. Long-term incentives shown for 2018: in accordance with the UK Directors’ Remuneration Report Regulations, estimates for the values of the vesting 2016 LTIP awards were given in the Annual Report
on Remuneration 2018; these amounts have been re-presented to show the actual market value on the date of vesting in 2019.
3. Nicandro Durante retired as an Executive Director on 1 April 2019. The amounts shown in the table above reflect remuneration received while an Executive Director of the Company.
4. Jack Bowles was appointed Chief Executive Designate on 1 November 2018 and was appointed as an Executive Director on 1 January 2019, before being appointed as Chief Executive effective
1 April 2019. The values shown for his LTIP are based on a share award granted prior to his appointment as an Executive Director with no apportionment having been applied to the LTIP value.
5. Ben Stevens ceased to be an Executive Director on 5 August 2019. The amounts shown in the table above reflect remuneration received while an Executive Director of the Company.
6. Tadeu Marroco was appointed Finance Director on 5 August 2019 and was appointed as an Executive Director on the same date. The amounts shown in the table above reflect remuneration received while
an Executive Director of the Company. The values shown for his LTIP are based on a share award granted prior to his appointment as an Executive Director with no apportionment having been applied to
the LTIP value.
Further information in respect of this remuneration can be found in Section 3 on page 98.
How this aligns to performance
Short-term incentives for the performance period ended in 2019
Vesting at:
Chief Executive: corporate performance – 240.3% of salary
Finance Director: corporate performance – 182.6% of salary
Adjusted profit from operations (APFO) Adjusted revenue growth from the Strategic Portfolio at constant
at constant rates of exchange +6.6% growth rates of exchange
+7.3% growth
Group share of Key Markets Adjusted cash generated from operations (Adjusted CGFO)
+20 bps growth over 2018 at constant rates of exchange
Exceeded the maximum performance level set by the Remuneration
Committee (equivalent to 96.2% operating cash flow conversion)
Non-GAAP measures
Adjusted profit from operations (APFO), adjusted cash generated from operations (Adjusted CGFO), adjusted diluted EPS, adjusted revenue
and operating cash flow conversion ratio are non-GAAP measures used by the Remuneration Committee to assess performance. Please refer
to pages 259 to 268 for definitions of these measures @and a reconciliation of these measures to the most directly comparable IFRS measure
where applicable.@
Taxable benefits 5
– car allowance 4 16 20 8 14 8
– health insurance 2 7 13 9 10 5
– tax advice 38 62 30 – – 34
– use of Company driver 25 83 61 78 100 30
– home and personal security – 121 6 4 6 –
– relocation 58 – – – – –
– tax & social security6 – – 122 – – –
– other expenses related to individual and/or accompanied 33 6 10 8 2 2
attendance at Company functions/events
Total taxable benefits 160 295 262 107 132 79
Short-term incentives
STI vesting percentage (% of maximum) 50% 100% 96% 96% 100% 96%
STI: cash – Group performance cash element 408 1,637.5 1,412 999 877.8 280
STI: DSBS – Group performance deferred element – 1,637.5 1,412 - 877.8 280
Total short-term incentives (page 99) 408 3,275 2,824 999 1,756 560
Long-term incentives7,8
LTIP vesting percentage (% of maximum) 69.3% 70.5% 69.9% 69.3% 70.5% 69.9%
LTIP value to vest 1,733 2,813 540 1,015 1,434 431
Dividend equivalent9 326 511 102 191 260 81
Total long-term incentives (page 100) 2,059 3,324 642 1,206 1,694 512
Total pension-related benefits (page 101) 197 430 216 227 491 46
Other emoluments
Life insurance 8 29 15 13 15 1
Share Reward Scheme (value of ordinary shares awarded) 4 3 4 4 3 –
Sharesave Scheme (face value of discount on options granted) – – – – – –
Total other emoluments 12 32 19 17 18 1
Total remuneration 3,164 8,651 5,138 3,107 5,007 1,499
Notes:
1. Nicandro Durante retired as an Executive Director on 1 April 2019. The amounts shown in the table above reflect remuneration received while an Executive Director of the Company.
2. Jack Bowles was appointed Chief Executive Designate on 1 November 2018 and was appointed as an Executive Director on 1 January 2019, before being appointed as Chief Executive effective
1 April 2019.
3. Ben Stevens retired as an Executive Director on 5 August 2019. The amounts shown in the table above reflect remuneration received while an Executive Director of the Company.
4. Tadeu Marroco was appointed Finance Director on 5 August 2019 and was appointed as an Executive Director on the same date. The amounts shown in the table above reflect remuneration received while
an Executive Director of the Company.
5. Taxable benefits: the figures shown are gross amounts as, in line with the UK market, it is the normal practice for the Company to pay the tax which may be due on any benefits, with the exception of the car
or car allowance. The numbers presented above for tax advice are inclusive of applicable VAT and income tax.
6. Amount for Jack Bowles relates to tax equalisation and social security payments made during the year ended 31 December 2019.
7. The 2017 LTIP award is due to vest on 27 March 2022 for Nicandro Durante and Ben Stevens and on 27 March 2020 for Jack Bowles and Tadeu Marroco based on completion of the three-year
performance period on 31 December 2019 and completion of the extended vesting period, as applicable. The value shown is based on the average share price for the three-month period ended
31 December 2019 of 2,920p.
8. LTIP award shown for 2018: the values disclosed in the Annual Report on Remuneration for the year ended 31 December 2018 were estimated values as the award had not vested by the date of that report;
these amounts have been re-presented based on the actual market value on the date of vesting of 12 May 2019 of 2,839p.
9. LTIP dividend equivalent payments: the dividend equivalent payment that will attach to the LTIP award that is included in the Single Figure Table is reported. The values for the year ended 31 December
2018 have been restated on this basis.
Composition,
Leadership Division of succession, Audit, risk, Responsibility
and purpose responsibilities evaluation internal control Remuneration of Directors
Adjusted profit from operations APFO is the adjusted profit from APFO growth over the prior year of 6.6%.
(APFO) (growth over prior year) operations at constant rates of exchange
Strategic Report: Delivering our strategy
Weighting: 30% for the year ended 31 December 2019.
– Productivity
Please refer to page 262 for the detailed
Threshold: 3.3% growth over 2018
description of APFO.
Maximum: 7.1% growth over 2018
Group’s share of Key Markets The Group’s retail volume share in its Global volume share in key markets grew by 20 bps.
(growth over prior year) Key Markets accounts for around 80% of
Strategic Report: Delivering our strategy – Growth
Weighting: 10% the volumes of the Group’s subsidiaries.
The Group’s share is calculated from
Threshold: 5 bps growth over 2018
data supplied by retail audit service
Maximum: 15 bps growth over 2018 providers and is re-based as and when
the Group’s Key Markets change. When
re-basing does occur, the Company will
also restate historical data and provide
fresh comparative data on the markets.
Adjusted revenue growth from the The Strategic Portfolio reflects the focus Adjusted revenue from the Strategic Portfolio grew by
Strategic Portfolio of the Group’s investment activity, and 7.3%.
(growth over prior year) is defined as Strategic Combustibles and
Strategic Report: Delivering our strategy – Growth
Weighting: 30% Strategic Traditional Oral products, and
New Category products. This measure is
Threshold: 2% growth over 2018
assessed at constant rates of exchange.
Maximum: 6% growth over 2018 Please refer to page 261 for the detailed
description of the Strategic Portfolio.
Adjusted cash generated from Adjusted CGFO is defined as the net Adjusted CGFO exceeded the maximum performance
operations (Adjusted CGFO) cash generated from operating activities, level set by the Remuneration Committee (equivalent
(as against adjusted budget) before the impact of adjusting items, to 96.2% operating cash flow conversion).
Weighting: 30% dividends paid to non-controlling
Strategic Report: Delivering our strategy
interests and received from associates,
Threshold: Equivalent to 91% operating – Productivity
net interest paid and net capital
cash flow conversion
expenditure.
Maximum: Equivalent to 96% operating
Adjusted CGFO is measured at constant
cash flow conversion
rates of exchange.
Notes:
1. The STI awards for Nicandro Durante, Ben Stevens and Tadeu Marroco have been calculated on a pro rata basis for their time spent as Executive Directors during 2019.
2. Nicandro Durante retired as an Executive Director on 1 April 2019. In line with our Directors’ Remuneration Policy in operation at the time, his Group result was based on an ‘on-target’ level of performance,
apportioned for the period he was an Executive Director and payment was made fully in cash in April 2019.
3. For Jack Bowles and Tadeu Marroco, 50% of the STI award will be paid in cash and 50% as an award under the DSBS. Awards made under the DSBS are in the form of free ordinary shares in the
Company that normally vest after three years and no further performance conditions apply in that period. In certain circumstances, such as resigning before the end of the three-year period, participants
may forfeit all of the shares.
4. Malus and clawback provisions apply.
5. In line with the current Directors’ Remuneration Policy, the STI payment to Ben Stevens will be made based on actual results, pro-rated and paid fully in cash in March 2020.
Notes:
1. Relative TSR: the constituents of the FMCG peer group are listed on page 104.
2. The underpin for adjusted revenue growth measure: the adjusted revenue growth measure can only vest provided the corresponding three-year CAGR of APFO exceeds the CAGR of the threshold
performance level for APFO as approved annually in the STI and approved by the Board. The underpin was exceeded with reference to the APFO STI outcomes for 2017, 2018 and 2019.
3. The above figures account for the adjustment made in respect of the impact of the acquisition of RAI on the 2017 performance year within the 2017 LTIP awards. Further detail on the adjustment for the
2017 performance year was provided on page 94 of the 2018 Annual Report for the 2016 LTIP awards and the same will apply in respect of the 2017 LTIP awards.
@ Denotes phrase, paragraph or similar that does not form part of BAT’s Annual Report on Form 20-F as filed with the SEC.
The 2017 LTIP awards granted to Nicandro Durante and Ben Stevens are subject to the LTIP extended vesting period and are therefore due to
vest on 27 March 2022, and will become exercisable on that same date. For Jack Bowles and Tadeu Marroco, the 2017 LTIP awards were made
prior to their appointments as Executive Directors, therefore the vesting date is 27 March 2020 and the shares will become exercisable on that
same date.
Notes:
1. The value of ordinary shares to vest shown above is based on the average share price for the three-month period ended 31 December 2019 of 2,920p.
2. The dividend equivalent amount shown above that will become payable on vesting is the value of the dividend equivalents accrued on the proportion of the award that is due to vest.
3. The number of shares to vest for Nicandro Durante and Ben Stevens is calculated on a pro rata basis to reflect their total time as Executive Directors during the performance period of the awards.
4. The number of shares subject to awards made to Jack Bowles and Tadeu Marroco reflect the award opportunities available to them at the time of the award, prior to being appointed
as Executive Directors.
Composition,
Leadership Division of succession, Audit, risk, Responsibility
and purpose responsibilities evaluation internal control Remuneration of Directors
Executive Directors’ pension entitlements and accruals for the year ended 31 December 2019 – audited@
Accrued pension Total Defined Contribution (DC) fund value as
at year-end 31 December 2019 £’000 at year-end 31 December 2019 £’000
Defined Benefits (DB) Defined Contribution (DC)
Unapproved Unfunded Unapproved Unfunded
Retirement Benefit Scheme British American Tobacco UK Retirement Benefit Scheme British American Tobacco UK
Pension values (UURBS) Pension Fund (UURBS)1 Pension Fund
Nicandro Durante (up to 1 April 2019) 182 – n/a n/a
Jack Bowles n/a n/a 669 318
Ben Stevens (up to 5 August 2019) 366 102 n/a n/a
Tadeu Marroco (from 5 August 2019) n/a n/a 502 165
Total 548 102 1,171 683
Note
1. The DC UURBS credit accrued over the year is increased in line with the Company’s Weighted Average Cost of Debt (WACD) over the year. For the year ended 31 December 2019, a provisional WACD of
3.3% has been used but this may be subject to change.
Nicandro Durante
Nicandro Durante’s UURBS pension entitlements are derived as follows:
– effective from 1 March 2006 (being the date of his appointment as a member of the Management Board), an accrual of 0.65% for each year
of service on a basic £ sterling salary comparable to that of a General Manager of Souza Cruz S.A. At retirement the pension will be based on
a 12 month average and will be provided through the UURBS; and
– with effect from 1 January 2011 (being the date of his appointment as Chief Executive Designate), Nicandro Durante commenced an accrual
of 2.5% for each year of service on a basic salary in excess of that stated above. At retirement the pension is based on a 12 month average and
will be provided through the UURBS.
The normal retirement date for Mr Durante was 13 September 2016.
The pension-related benefits disclosed in the single figures for Executive Directors’ remuneration represent Nicandro Durante’s net accrual for
the period, being the differential between his total pension entitlements as at 31 December 2018 (adjusted for inflation) and as at 1 April 2019,
multiplied by 20 in accordance with the UK Directors’ Remuneration Report Regulations.
Nicandro Durante receives a pension in payment from the Fundação Albino Souza Cruz (FASC) from Souza Cruz S.A., a Brazilian registered
wholly-owned subsidiary of the Group. This pension benefit has been in payment since April 2012 and for the period from 1 January 2019
to 31 March 2019 has amounted to approximately £90,169 (after adjusting for currency exchange).
Ben Stevens
Ben Stevens joined the UK Pension Fund after 1989, before the closure of its non-contributory defined benefit section to new members in April
2005. As a result, prior to 6 April 2006, he was subject to the HMRC cap on pensionable earnings (notionally £160,800 for the tax year 2018/19).
In addition, he has an unfunded pension promise from the Company in respect of earnings above the cap on an equivalent basis to the benefits
provided by the UK Pension Fund. This is provided through the UURBS. Further to the changes to the applicable tax regulations, Ben Stevens has
reached his lifetime allowance of £1.8 million and therefore has ceased accrual in the UK Pension Fund with all future benefits being provided
through the UURBS. During the year, there has been no change to the overall pension entitlement of Ben Stevens.
The normal retirement date for Mr Stevens was 27 July 2019.
Total accrued pension is the amount of pension that would be paid annually on retirement based on service to the end of the year.
The pension-related benefits disclosed in the single figures for Executive Directors’ remuneration represent Ben Stevens’ net accrual for the period,
being the differential between his total pension entitlements as at 31 December 2018 (adjusted for inflation) and as at 5 August 2019, multiplied
by 20 in accordance with the UK Directors’ Remuneration Report Regulations.
These commitments are included in note 12 in the Notes on the Accounts. UK Defined Benefit Pension Fund members are entitled to receive
increases in their pensions once in payment, in line with price inflation (as measured by the Retail Prices Index) and up to 6% per annum.
Jack Bowles
Jack Bowles became an Executive Director with effect from 1 January 2019 and is a member of the Company’s Defined Contribution (DC)
arrangements. The total Company contribution to the DC arrangements over the period 1 January to 31 December 2019 was £215,750. Of this,
£7,583 was paid to the funded British American Tobacco UK DC schemes and £208,167 was credited to the DC UURBS. These total amounts are
based on a Company contribution rate of 25% per annum of salary over the period 1 January 2019 to 30 April 2019 reducing to a rate of 15%
per annum of salary over the period 1 May 2019 to 31 December 2019.
Tadeu Marroco
Tadeu Marroco became an Executive Director with effect from 5 August 2019 and is a member of the Company’s Defined Contribution (DC)
arrangements. The total Company contribution paid to the DC arrangements over the period 5 August to 31 December 2019 was £45,882.
Of this, £3,160 was paid to the funded British American Tobacco UK DC schemes and £42,722 was credited to the DC UURBS. These total
amounts are based on a Company contribution rate of 15% per annum of salary over the period 5 August 2019 to 31 December 2019.
Notes:
1. UK Pension Fund: this is non-contributory. Voluntary contributions paid by an Executive Director and resulting benefits are not shown. No excess retirement benefits have been paid to or are receivable by
an Executive Director or past Executive Director.
2. Revised pension arrangements apply from May 2019 for new Executive Directors as detailed in the revised Directors’ Remuneration Policy on page 78 of the 2018 Annual Report.
Other information relating to Chief Executives’ remuneration for the year ended 31 December 2019
Chief Executives’ pay – comparative figures 2010 to 2019
Year 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019
Chief Executives’
‘single figure’ of total
remuneration (£’000)
Paul Adams1
(to 28 February 2011) 8,858 5,961 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a
Nicandro Durante2
(to 1 April 2019) n/a 5,589 6,340 6,674 3,617 4,543 8,313 10,244 8,651 3,164
Jack Bowles3
(from 1 April 2019) n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 3,512
Annual bonus (STI)
paid against maximum
opportunity (%)
Paul Adams1
(to 28 February 2011) 87.0 100 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a
Nicandro Durante2
(to 1 April 2019) n/a 100 85.0 81.3 73.2 100 100 97.2 100 50
Jack Bowles3
(from 1 April 2019) n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 96
Long-term incentive
(LTIP) paid
against maximum
opportunity (%)
Paul Adams1
(to 28 February 2011) 100 100 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a
Nicandro Durante2
(to 1 April 2019) n/a 100 87.1 49.2 0.0 8.7 46.0 96.1 70.5 69.3
Jack Bowles3
(from 1 April 2019) n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 69.9
Notes:
1. Paul Adams retired as Chief Executive on 28 February 2011. Historical data are taken from the Directors’ Remuneration Reports for the relevant years and is recast (as appropriate) on the basis of the
‘single figure’ calculation as prescribed in the UK Directors’ Remuneration Report Regulations.
2. Nicandro Durante retired as Chief Executive on 1 April 2019. Historical data are taken from the Directors’ Remuneration Reports for the relevant years and is recast (as appropriate) on the basis of the
‘single figure’ calculation as prescribed in the UK Directors’ Remuneration Report Regulations. His ‘single figure’ remuneration for the years ended 31 December 2011 and 31 December 2019 have been
time-apportioned to reflect the period he was Chief Executive.
3. Jack Bowles was appointed Chief Executive with effect from 1 April 2019. His ‘single figure’ remuneration for the year ended 31 December 2019 has been time-apportioned to reflect the period
he was Chief Executive.
450
British American Tobacco
400
FTSE 100
350
Value of hypothetical £100 holding
300
250
200
150
100
50
0
Dec 09 Dec 10 Dec 11 Dec 12 Dec 13 Dec 14 Dec 15 Dec 16 Dec 17 Dec 18 Dec 19
Note:
1. Performance and pay chart: this shows the performance of a hypothetical investment of £100 in ordinary shares (as measured by the TSR for the Company) against a broad
equity market index (the FTSE 100 Index) over a period of 10 financial years starting from 1 January 2010 through to 31 December 2019 based on 30-trading-day average values.
A local currency basis is used for the purposes of the TSR calculation making it consistent with the approach to TSR measurement for the LTIP.
@ Denotes phrase, paragraph or similar that does not form part of BAT’s Annual Report on Form 20-F as filed with the SEC.
Composition,
Leadership Division of succession, Audit, risk, Responsibility
and purpose responsibilities evaluation internal control Remuneration of Directors
Year Method 25th percentile pay ratio Median pay ratio 75th percentile pay ratio
2019 Option A 144:1 86:1 36:1
Notes:
1. Option A has been used to calculate the ratio as this has been viewed to be the most robust and comprehensive means of assessment and is also reflective of shareholder preferences.
2. Total pay and benefits are based on the workforce as at 1 December 2019 and include the annualised income for the earnings period 1 January 2019 to 31 December 2019.
3. Total pay and benefits for the CEO are based on the single figure calculation on page 97. The CEO single figure used in the calculation is a combination of remuneration data for both Nicandro Durante and
Jack Bowles, recognising the transition in the Group’s leadership which took place in 2019.
4. Total pay and benefits for the workforce is calculated as far as possible on the same basis as the CEO single figure calculation. This includes salary, taxable benefits, short-term incentive, long-term
incentive, dividends, pension benefits and any other remuneration receivable. For the purposes of this analysis, the following has been assumed:
– For all employees that are eligible for a car benefit, the applicable car allowance amounts have been used,
– For all employees that participate in the global International Executive Incentive Scheme or equivalent corporate incentive scheme, incentive pay-outs are calculated based on the same metrics; and
– For all employees that participate in the UK DC scheme, Company contributions of 15% of salary have been used.
5. For the calculation of the total pay and benefits for employees, employees on international assignment into and out of the UK have been included; however, assignment benefits, such as housing support,
education support, home leave allowance or relocation costs, have not been included as these are not consistent with the benefits included in the CEO single figure calculation.
6. For hourly paid employees who are not full time, total pay and benefits have been pro-rated based on full-time employee hours.
7. For employees who have joined part way through the year, pro rata income has been used to provide a full year figure.
The table below includes details of the total pay and benefits, as well as the salary component of remuneration for the employees identified
as being P25, P50 and P75.
The Company believes the median pay ratio for 2019 reflects the diversity of our business footprint and employee population across the UK.
The Group’s remuneration policies and practices are founded on a high degree of alignment and consistency, with total remuneration at all levels
providing a competitive package that enables the attraction and retention of talent while also providing equitable differentiated remuneration
based on grade, performance and experience. Further details on all-employee rewards at BAT can be found on pages 95 and 96.
Notes:
1. 2019 Base salary for Tadeu Marroco reflects terms of his appointment as Finance Director effective from 5 August 2019.
Notes:
1. The Strategic Portfolio is comprised of Strategic Combustibles, Strategic Traditional Oral products and New Category products. Please refer to page 261 for further details.
2. Description of the metric can be found on page 267.
Further detail is included in the description of the STI measures for the year ended 31 December 2019 on page 99.
Long-term incentives for 2020 onwards
The Chief Executive and Finance Director will be granted an LTIP award equal to 500% of salary and 400% of salary, respectively.
The performance measures and weightings for the LTIP award to be granted in 2020 will remain unchanged from those for 2019 awards.
The measures and targets for 2020 LTIP awards are set out below.
% of award % of award
vesting at vesting at
LTIP measures and performance ranges maximum threshold
Relative TSR 20 3
Median performance vs. FMCG peer group to upper quartile.
The current constituents of the FMCG peer group as at the date of this report are:
Altria Group Colgate-Palmolive Japan Tobacco Mondelez Procter & Gamble
International
Anheuser-Busch InBev Danone Johnson & Johnson Nestlé Reckitt Benckiser
Campbell Soup Diageo Kellogg PepsiCo Unilever
Carlsberg Heineken Kimberly-Clark Pernod Ricard
Composition,
Leadership Division of succession, Audit, risk, Responsibility
and purpose responsibilities evaluation internal control Remuneration of Directors
5 Chairman and Non-Executive Directors’ remuneration for the year ended 31 December 2019 – audited@
The following table shows a single figure of remuneration for the Chairman and Non-Executive Directors in respect of qualifying services
for the year ended 31 December 2019 together with comparative figures for 2018.
Chair/Committee
Base fee5 membership fees5 Taxable benefits1 Total remuneration
£’000 £’000 £’000 £’000
2019 2018 2019 2018 2019 2018 2019 2018
Chairman
Richard Burrows 695 680 – – 137 116 832 796
Non-Executive Directors
Sue Farr 94 93 26 24 4 2 124 119
Dr Marion Helmes 94 93 26 24 13 12 133 129
Jerry Fowden (from 1 September 2019) 32 – 9 – 5 – 46 –
Luc Jobin2 94 93 26 24 77 41 197 158
Holly Keller Koeppel3 94 93 51 24 125 94 270 211
Savio Kwan 94 93 26 24 61 42 181 159
Dimitri Panayotopoulos 94 93 52 50 24 17 170 160
Kieran Poynter 94 93 64 86 1 – 159 179
Retired Non-Executive Directors
Ann Godbehere (to 25 April 2018) – 30 – 7 – 1 – 38
Pedro Malan (to 25 April 2018) – 30 – 7 – 15 – 52
Lionel Nowell, III (to 12 December 2018) – 88 – 23 – 79 – 190
Total 1,385 1,479 280 293 447 419 2,112 2,191
Notes:
1. Benefits: the Chairman’s benefits in 2019 comprised: health insurance and ‘walk-in’ medical services £15,000 (2018: £15,000); the use of a Company driver £81,000 (2018: £81,000); home and personal
security in the UK and Ireland £14,000 (2018: £4,000); hotel accommodation and related expenses incurred in connection with individual and/or accompanied attendance at certain business functions
and/or corporate events £4,000 (2018: £3,000); and commuting flights to London £23,000 (2018: £13,000). The benefits for the other Non-Executive Directors principally comprised travel-related expenses
incurred in connection with individual and/or accompanied attendance at certain business functions and/or events and ‘walk-in’ medical services. The figures shown are grossed-up amounts (as
appropriate) as, in line with the UK market, it is the normal practice for the Company to pay the tax that may be due on any benefits.
2. Pension: Luc Jobin receives a pension in respect of prior service to Imasco Limited (acquired in 2000 by the Group) and Imperial Tobacco Canada Limited, a subsidiary of BAT. In 2019 this amount was
CAD$150,228.96 (£87,450.72) (2018: CAD$150,228.96 (£86,849.10)).
3. Deferred Compensation Plan for Directors of RAI (DCP): as a former outside director of RAI, Holly Keller Koeppel participated in the DCP under which she elected to defer payment of a portion of her RAI
retainers and meeting attendance fees to an RAI stock account. Following the acquisition of RAI by BAT, amounts deferred to a stock account (Deferred Stock Units or DSUs) mirror the performance of, and
receive dividend equivalents based on, BAT American Depository Shares (ADSs). The DSUs of Holly Keller Koeppel are disclosed as a note to ‘Summary of Directors’ share interests’ below. DSUs deferred
under the DCP will be paid in accordance with the terms of the DCP, section 409A of the US Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and the Director’s existing deferral elections.
4. Committee memberships: are shown, together with changes during the year, in the reports of the respective committees in the Governance sections of the Directors’ Report.
5. Non-Executive Directors’ fees structure 2019: is set out in the table below.
Chairman and Non-Executive Directors’ fees and remuneration for the upcoming year
As described in the Annual Report on Remuneration for the year ended 31 December 2018, the Chairman’s fee was increased from £685,000
to £698,000 from 1 April 2019. In keeping with the level of pay awards granted to UK employees based on a 2.5% increase in budget, the
Remuneration Committee determined the Chairman’s fee will be £718,940 with effect from 1 April 2020 (+3%).
The fees for Non-Executive Directors are scheduled to be reviewed in April 2020 with any changes being effective from 1 May 2020.
Notes:
1. Jack Bowles: ordinary shares held include 566 held by the trustees of the BAT Share Incentive Plan (SIP).
2. Tadeu Marroco: ordinary shares held include 828 held by the trustees of the SIP.
3. Changes from 31 December 2019: (a) Jack Bowles: acquisition of seven ordinary shares on 6 February 2020 as a result of reinvestment of dividend income under the SIP; acquisition of 1,172 ordinary
shares on 6 February 2020 as a result of reinvestment of dividend income under the Vested Share Account (VSA); and acquisition of 130 ordinary shares on 13 February 2020 as a result of reinvestment
of dividend income under the Deferred Shares Bonus Scheme (DSBS). (b) Tadeu Marroco: purchases of five ordinary shares on 2 January 2020, four ordinary shares on 5 February 2020 and five
ordinary shares on 4 March 2020 under the SIP; acquisition of 12 ordinary shares on 6 February 2020 as a result of reinvestment of dividend income under the SIP; acquisition of 432 ordinary shares
on 6 February 2020 as a result of reinvestment of dividend income under the VSA; and acquisition of 54 ordinary shares on 13 February 2020 as a result of reinvestment of dividend income under the
DSBS. (c) Savio Kwan: acquisition of 103 ordinary shares on 13 February 2020 as a result of reinvestment of dividend income. There were no changes in the interests of the Chairman and the other Non-
Executive Directors.
4. American Depositary Shares (ADSs): each of the interests in ordinary shares held by Jerry Fowden, Luc Jobin and Holly Keller Koeppel consists of an equivalent number of BAT ADSs each of which
represents one ordinary share in the Company.
5. Deferred Stock Units (DSUs): at the date of this report Holly Keller Koeppel, being a former director of RAI and a participant in the Deferred Compensation Plan for Directors of RAI (DCP), holds DSUs
which were granted prior to becoming a Director of BAT. Each DSU entitles the holder to receive a cash payment upon ceasing to be a Director equal to the value of one BAT ADS. The number of DSUs
increases on each dividend date by reference to the value of dividends declared on the ADSs underlying the DSUs. Ms Koeppel currently holds 23,333.51 DSUs (31 December 2019: 22,996.63 DSUs).
6. Former Directors: Nicandro Durante and Ben Stevens retired on 1 April 2019 and 5 August 2019, respectively. Ordinary shares held and outstanding share interests, included in the table above, are as at
their respective date of retirement.
Composition,
Leadership Division of succession, Audit, risk, Responsibility
and purpose responsibilities evaluation internal control Remuneration of Directors
As part of last year’s Directors’ Remuneration Policy review, in accordance with the UK Corporate Governance Code 2018, the Remuneration
Committee introduced a new post-employment shareholding policy; Executive Directors are required to hold shares equivalent to 100%
of current shareholding requirements for two full years following the date of their departure. The Directors’ Remuneration Policy came into
effect on 26 April 2019, following approval by shareholders at our AGM, and therefore this new requirement applies to Ben Stevens who
retired after this date.
Value of eligible
No. of eligible ordinary shares Actual Shareholding
ordinary shares held at percentage (%) requirements Compliant with
held at 31 Dec 20191 of base salary at (% of base salary shareholding
31 Dec 2019 £m 31 Dec 2019 31 Dec 2019) requirement
Jack Bowles 206,252 6.7 567.2 500% Yes
Tadeu Marroco 53,147 1.7 229.0 350%5 See note 5
Value of eligible Post-employment
No. of eligible ordinary shares Actual shareholding
ordinary shares held at percentage (%) requirements Compliant with
held at retirement date4 of base salary at (% of base salary at shareholding
retirement date £m retirement date retirement date) requirement
Nicandro Durante (retirement date 1 April 425,120 13.3 1,017.4 N/A6 N/A
2019)
Ben Stevens (retirement date 5 August 2019) 195,968 5.8 632.0 350% Yes
Eligibility of shares: (a) unvested ordinary shares under the DSBS, which represent deferral of earned bonus, are eligible and count towards the
requirement on a net-of-tax basis; (b) unvested ordinary shares under the LTIP are not eligible and do not count towards the requirement during
the performance period, but the estimated notional net number of ordinary shares held during the LTIP Extended Vesting Period are eligible and
will count towards the requirement; and (c) ordinary shares held in trust under the all-employee share ownership plan (SIP) are not eligible and
do not count towards the shareholding requirement.
Non-Executive Directors are not subject to any formal shareholding requirements although they are encouraged to build a small interest
in ordinary shares during the term of their appointment.
Notes:
1. Value of ordinary shares shown above: this is based on the closing mid-market share price on 31 December 2019 of 3,231.5p.
2. Meeting the guidelines: if an Executive Director does not, at any time, meet the requirements of the shareholding guidelines, the individual may, generally, only sell a maximum of up to 50% of any ordinary
shares vesting (after tax) under the Company share plans until the threshold required under the shareholding guidelines has been met.
3. Waiver of compliance with guidelines: this is permitted with the approval of the Remuneration Committee in circumstances where a restriction on a requested share sale could cause undue hardship.
No such applications were received from the Executive Directors during 2019.
4. Value of ordinary shares shown above: this is based on the closing mid-market share price on 1 April 2019 of 3,135p for Nicandro Durante and the closing mid-market share price on 5 August 2019 of
2,980p for Ben Stevens.
5. Tadeu Marroco was appointed as an Executive Director on 5 August 2019, prior to which the shareholding requirement for Mr Marroco was set at a lower percentage of salary with Mr Marroco being
compliant with required percentage. Under the Directors’ Remuneration Policy, Executive Directors may generally sell a maximum of up to 50% of any shares vesting (after tax) under the Company’s share
plans until the threshold for shareholding requirements has been met and Mr Marroco is compliant with this policy requirement. In line with the Directors’ Remuneration Policy, the shareholding requirement
is equal to the value of the same multiple of salary at which LTIP awards are made to that Director, as such the shareholding requirement for Mr Marroco will increase to 400% in 2020.
6. Nicandro Durante is not subject to post-employment shareholding requirements due to his retirement and subsequent departure from the Company taking place prior to the approval of the Directors’
Remuneration Policy, effective 26 April 2019, which introduced the post-employment shareholding requirement.
@ Denotes phrase, paragraph or similar that does not form part of BAT’s Annual Report on Form 20-F as filed with the SEC.
Notes:
1. Details of the performance condition for the LTIP awards granted in 2016 (which vested during 2019), and of achievement against that condition in the period to 31 December 2018,
were set out in the Annual Report on Remuneration for the year ended 31 December 2018.
2. Details of the performance condition attached to 2017 LTIP awards, and of achievement against that condition in the period to 31 December 2019, are set out on page 100.
3. Details of the performance condition attached to 2018 and 2019 LTIP awards are set out on page 109.
@ Denotes phrase, paragraph or similar that does not form part of BAT’s Annual Report on Form 20-F as filed with the SEC.
Composition,
Leadership Division of succession, Audit, risk, Responsibility
and purpose responsibilities evaluation internal control Remuneration of Directors
Further details in relation to scheme interests granted during the year ended 31 December 2019
Proportion of
Price per Face value award vesting for Date from which
Ordinary shares ordinary share of award threshold Performance exercisable or
Plan awarded at award1 £’000 Exercise price performance (%) period shares released
Nicandro Durante DSBS 53,113 n/a n/a n/a 2 April 2019
Jack Bowles LTIP2 176,532 3,328p 5,875 n/a 15 2019–2021 28 Mar 24
DSBS 26,192 n/a n/a n/a 28 Mar 22
Ben Stevens3 LTIP2 97,175 3,328p 3,234 n/a 15 2019–2021 28 Mar 24
DSBS 28,472 n/a n/a n/a 1 Oct 19
Tadeu Marroco LTIP2 36,057 3,328p 1,200 n/a 20 2019-2021 28 Mar 22
DSBS 13,233 n/a n/a n/a 28 Mar 22
Notes:
1. The 2019 LTIP award was made on the basis of the Group’s closing share price on 25 February 2019, increased by 15%, with a resulting share price of £33.28.
2. Details of the performance condition attached to these LTIP awards are set out below.
3. Any LTIP award vesting for Ben Stevens will be pro rata based on the period he was employed during the three-year performance period.
For LTIP awards granted to Executive Directors from 2016 onwards, an additional vesting period of two years applies from the third anniversary of
the date of grant.
7 Other disclosures
Retirement of Nicandro Durante and Ben Stevens – audited@
Both Nicandro Durante and Ben Stevens retired as Executive Directors during 2019. The terms and conditions of their retirement were
determined by the Remuneration Committee in accordance with the Company’s shareholder-approved Directors’ Remuneration Policy in place
at the time of their respective retirements. They did not receive any additional payments during their time as Executive Directors outside of the
normal approach to executives who are departing by reason of retirement.
Details of remuneration paid to Nicandro Durante and Ben Stevens in respect of their services as Executive Directors in 2019 are set out in the
single figure table on page 97 and accompanying notes. Further details on their remuneration arrangements on retirement are provided below.
@ Denotes phrase, paragraph or similar that does not form part of BAT’s Annual Report on Form 20-F as filed with the SEC.
Composition,
Leadership Division of succession, Audit, risk, Responsibility
and purpose responsibilities evaluation internal control Remuneration of Directors
Payments to former Directors and payments for loss of office: All payments made to Nicandro Durante and Ben Stevens were in accordance
with the Directors’ Remuneration Policy and have been reported in the appropriate section of this report.
Relative importance of spend on pay
To illustrate the relative importance of the remuneration of the Directors in the context of the Group’s finances overall, the Remuneration
Committee makes the following disclosure:
2019 2018
Item £m £m % change
Remuneration of Group employees1 3,221 3,005 7.2
Remuneration of Executive Directors 13 14 -5.5
Remuneration of Chairman and Non-Executive Directors 2 2 -3.7
Total dividends2 4,598 4,347 5.8
Notes:
1. Total remuneration of Group employees: this represents the total employee benefit costs for the Group, set out on page 140 within note 3(a) in the Notes on the Accounts.
2. Total dividends: this represents the total dividends paid in 2019. The figure for 2018 has been restated from that reported in the 2018 Directors’ Remuneration Report so that it reflects dividends paid in the
year rather than dividends declared in the year as was reported in the 2018 Directors’ Remuneration Report. For further details please refer to page 47.
Role
As set out in the Terms of Reference, the Remuneration Committee is responsible for:
– determining and proposing the Directors’ Remuneration Policy (covering salary, benefits, performance-based variable rewards and retirement
benefits) for shareholder approval;
– determining, within the terms of the approved Directors’ Remuneration Policy, the specific remuneration packages for the Chairman and the
Executive Directors, on appointment, on review and, if appropriate, any compensation payment due on termination of appointment;
– the setting of targets applicable for the Company’s performance-based variable reward scheme and determining achievement against those
targets, exercising discretion where appropriate and as provided by the applicable scheme rules and the Directors’ Remuneration Policy;
– reviewing Group workforce remuneration and related policies, and the alignment of incentives and rewards with Group culture, taking these
into account when setting the policy for Executive Director remuneration. Providing feedback to the Board on workforce reward, incentives
and conditions applicable across the Group and supporting the Board’s monitoring of the Group’s culture and its alignment with the Group’s
purpose, values and strategy;
– setting remuneration for members of the Management Board and the Company Secretary; and
– monitoring and advising the Board on any major changes to the policy on employee benefit structures for the Group.
Remuneration Committee terms of reference
Revised Remuneration Committee terms of reference have been adopted by the Board to reflect revisions to internal governance processes to
align with the requirements of the UK Corporate Governance Code 2018. Further detail on the revisions can be found in the Annual Report on
Remuneration for the year ended 31 December 2018.
For the Remuneration Committee’s terms of reference see:
www.bat.com/governance
Notes:
1. Number of meetings in 2019: the Committee held six meetings in 2019, two of which were ad hoc.
2. Membership: (a) all members of the Committee are independent Non-Executive Directors in accordance with the UK Corporate Governance Code 2018 Provisions 10 and 32 and applicable NYSE
listing standards; (b) Marion Helmes was appointed as a member of the Committee with effect from 14 January 2019; and (c) Luc Jobin ceased to be a member of the Committee with effect from
14 January 2019.
3. Other attendees: the Chairman, the Chief Executive, the Director, Talent and Culture, the Group Head of Reward and other senior management, including the Company Secretary, may be consulted and
provide advice, guidance and assistance to the Remuneration Committee. They may also attend Committee meetings (or parts thereof) by invitation. Neither the Chairman, any Executive Director nor
member of senior management plays any part in determining their own respective remuneration.
4. Deloitte LLP: as the Remuneration Committee’s remuneration consultants during 2019, they attended meetings of the Remuneration Committee in 2019. As a member of the Remuneration Consultants
Group (RCG), Deloitte agrees to the RCG Code of Conduct which seeks to clarify the scope and conduct of the role of executive remuneration consultants when advising UK-listed companies.
Composition,
Leadership Division of succession, Audit, risk, Responsibility
and purpose responsibilities evaluation internal control Remuneration of Directors
Voting on the Remuneration Report at the 2019 AGM and engagement with shareholders
At the AGM on 25 April 2019, the shareholders considered and voted on the 2018 Directors’ Remuneration Report as set out on the table below.
The Directors’ Remuneration Policy was approved by shareholders at the AGM on 25 April 2019. A summary of this Policy is on pages 93 to
94. No other resolutions in respect of Directors’ remuneration or incentives were considered at the 2019 AGM. Further information regarding
shareholder engagement in relation to remuneration matters is set out in the Annual Statement on Remuneration on page 90.
Notes:
1. Directors’ Remuneration Policy: was approved by shareholders at the AGM on 25 April 2019 and is set out in full in the 2018 Annual Report on Remuneration. A summary of this Policy is on pages 93 to 94
of this Remuneration Report 2019.
2. Directors’ Remuneration Report: does not include the part of the Remuneration Report containing the Remuneration Policy (see note 1 above).
3. Votes withheld: these are not included in the final proxy figures as they are not recognised as a vote in law.
The Directors’ Remuneration Report has been approved by the Board on 17 March 2020 and signed on its behalf by:
Dimitri Panayotopoulos
Chairman, Remuneration Committee
17 March 2020
RESPONSIBILITY
Composition,
Leadership Division of succession, Audit, risk, Responsibility
and purpose responsibilities evaluation internal control Remuneration of Directors
OF DIRECTORS
@ denotes phrase, paragraph or similar that does not form part of BAT’s Annual Report on Form 20-F
as filed with the SEC.
@ denotes phrase, paragraph or similar that does not form part of BAT’s Annual Report on Form 20-F as filed with the SEC.
Our results:
We found the conclusion that there is no impairment of trademarks with indefinite lives and goodwill arising from the RAI acquisition to be
acceptable (2018: acceptable).
Recoverability of parent Company’s investment in subsidiaries.
Refer to page 249 (accounting policy) and pages 250 (financial disclosures). Risk vs 2018:
Low risk, high value: The carrying amount of the Parent Company’s investments in subsidiaries is £27,908 million (2018: £27,901 million)
which represents 80% (2018: 77%) of the Company’s total assets. Their recoverability is not a high risk of significant misstatement or subject to
significant judgement.
However, due to the materiality of investments in subsidiaries in the context of the Parent Company financial statements, this is considered to be
the area that had the greatest effect on our overall parent Company audit.
Our procedures included:
Tests of detail: Comparing the carrying amount of a sample of the highest value investments, representing 100% (2018: 100%) of the total
investment balance with the relevant subsidiaries’ draft balance sheet to identify whether their net assets, being an approximation of their
minimum recoverable amount, were in excess of their carrying amount and assessing whether those subsidiaries have historically been profit-
making.
Our results:
We found the conclusion that there is no impairment of the investment in subsidiaries to be acceptable (2018: acceptable).
The percentages of the Group’s revenue, the total profits and losses that make up the Group’s revenue, Group’s profit before taxation and the
Group’s total assets represented by the components within the scope of our work and procedures performed at corporate level are as follows:
3% 1%
3%
7%
6%
76% 76% 62% 55% 94% 92%
16%
5%
13%
Full scope for Group audit purposes 2019 Full scope for Group audit purposes 2018 Residual components
Audit of one or more account balances 2019 Audit of one or more account balances 2018
Specified risk-focused audit procedures 2019 Specified risk-focused audit procedures 2018
The remaining 17% (2018: 18%) of total group revenue, 27% (2018: 22%) of group profit before tax and 4% (2018: 3%) of total group assets is
represented by 300 (2018: 347) reporting components, none of which individually represented more than 5% (2018: 2%) of any of total group
revenue, group profit before tax or total group assets. For the residual components, we performed analysis at an aggregated group level to re-
examine our assessment that there were no significant risks of material misstatement within these.
The Group team instructed component auditors, and the auditors of the shared service centres, as to the significant areas to be covered,
including the relevant risks detailed above and the information to be reported back.
The Group team visited two (2018: two) component locations in Canada and the United States (2018: Canada and the United States) for the
purpose of performing detailed file reviews. In addition, the Group team visited the shared service centres in Costa Rica, Malaysia and Romania
(2018: Costa Rica, Malaysia and Romania) as well as visiting a further two (2018: three) component locations in Brazil and Mexico (2018:
Bangladesh, South Africa and Italy) for business understanding and risk assessment purposes. In addition, the Group audit team held audit
risk planning and strategy conferences in the United Kingdom and Malaysia which component auditors attended. Further to these visits and
conferences, the Group team also held telephone and/or online meetings as part of the audit planning phase to explain our audit instructions
and discuss the component auditors’ plans as well as performing detailed remote file reviews upon completion of the component auditors’
engagements. The findings reported to the Group audit team were discussed in more detail, and any further work required by the Group team
was then performed by the component auditor.
6 We have nothing to report on the other matters on which we are required to report by exception
Under the Companies Act 2006, we are required to report to you if, in our opinion:
– adequate accounting records have not been kept by the parent Company, or returns adequate for our audit have not been received from
branches not visited by us; or
– the parent Company financial statements and the part of the Directors’ Remuneration Report to be audited are not in agreement with the
accounting records and returns; or
– certain disclosures of directors’ remuneration specified by law are not made; or
– we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit.
We have nothing to report in these respects.
7 Respective responsibilities
Directors’ responsibilities
As explained more fully in their statement set out on page 114, the directors are responsible for: the preparation of the financial statements
including being satisfied that they give a true and fair view; such internal control as they determine is necessary to enable the preparation of
financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error; assessing the Group and Parent Company’s ability to
continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern; and using the going concern basis of accounting unless
they either intend to liquidate the Group or the Parent Company or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.
Auditor’s responsibilities
Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement,
whether due to fraud or other irregularities (see below), or error, and to issue our opinion in an auditor’s report. Reasonable assurance is a high
level of assurance, but does not guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when
it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud, other irregularities or error and are considered material if, individually or in aggregate, they could
reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of the financial statements.
A fuller description of our responsibilities is provided on the FRC’s website at www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities.
Irregularities – ability to detect
We identified areas of laws and regulations that could reasonably be expected to have a material effect on the financial statements from our
general commercial and sector experience and through discussion with the Directors and other management (as required by auditing standards),
and from inspection of the Group’s regulatory and legal correspondence and discussed with the Directors and other management the policies
and procedures regarding compliance with laws and regulations. We communicated identified laws and regulations throughout our team
and remained alert to any indications of non-compliance throughout the audit. This included communication from the Group audit team to
component audit teams of relevant laws and regulations identified at group level.
The potential effect of these laws and regulations on the financial statements varies considerably.
Firstly, the Group is subject to laws and regulations that directly affect the financial statements including financial reporting legislation (including
related companies legislation), distributable profits legislation and taxation legislation and we assessed the extent of compliance with these laws
and regulations as part of our procedures on the related financial statement items.
Secondly, the Group is subject to many other laws and regulations where the consequences of non-compliance could have a material effect on
amounts or disclosures in the financial statements, for instance through the imposition of fines or litigation or the loss of the Group’s licence to
operate. We identified the following areas as those most likely to have such an effect: impact of laws and regulations related to anti-bribery and
corruption (reflecting the legislative environment of operating with a diverse geographic footprint) and tobacco control and product liability
(reflecting the nature of the operating businesses). Auditing standards limit the required audit procedures to identify non-compliance with
these laws and regulations to enquiry of the directors and other management and inspection of regulatory and legal correspondence, if any.
Through these procedures, we became aware of actual or suspected non-compliance and considered the effect as part of our procedures on the
related financial statements items. Further details in respect of tobacco control and product liability is set out in the key audit matter disclosures in
section 2 of this report.
Owing to the inherent limitations of an audit, there is an unavoidable risk that we may not have detected some material misstatements in the
financial statements, even though we have properly planned and performed our audit in accordance with auditing standards. For example, the
further removed non-compliance with laws and regulations (irregularities) is from the events and transactions reflected in the financial statements,
the less likely the inherently limited procedures required by auditing standards would identify it. In addition, as with any audit, there remained
a higher risk of non-detection of irregularities, as these may involve collusion, forgery, intentional omissions, misrepresentations, or the override
of internal controls. We are not responsible for preventing non-compliance and cannot be expected to detect non-compliance with all laws
and regulations.
8 The purpose of our audit work and to whom we owe our responsibilities
This report is made solely to the Company’s members, as a body, in accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006 and terms
of our engagement by the Company. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the Company’s members those matters we
are required to state to them in an auditor’s report and further matters we are required to state to them in accordance with terms agreed with the
Company, and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the
Company and the Company’s members, as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.
GROUP INCOME
STATEMENT
Attributable to:
Owners of the parent 5,704 6,032 37,485
Non-controlling interests 145 178 171
5,849 6,210 37,656
1. Revenue is net of duty, excise and other taxes of £39,826 million, £38,553 million and £37,780 million for the years ended 31 December 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively.
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
GROUP STATEMENT OF
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
Attributable to:
Owners of the parent 2,000 9,239 34,361
Non-controlling interests 126 185 167
2,126 9,424 34,528
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
GROUP STATEMENT OF
CHANGES IN EQUITY
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
GROUP
BALANCE SHEET
31 December
2019 2018
Notes £m £m
Assets
Intangible assets 8 118,787 124,013
Property, plant and equipment 9 5,518 5,166
Investments in associates and joint ventures 10 1,860 1,737
Retirement benefit assets 11 430 1,147
Deferred tax assets 12 424 344
Trade and other receivables 13 248 685
Investments held at fair value 14 12 39
Derivative financial instruments 15 452 556
Total non-current assets 127,731 133,687
Inventories 16 6,094 6,029
Income tax receivable 122 74
Trade and other receivables 13 4,093 3,588
Investments held at fair value 14 123 178
Derivative financial instruments 15 313 179
Cash and cash equivalents 17 2,526 2,602
13,271 12,650
Assets classified as held-for-sale 3 5
Total current assets 13,274 12,655
Total assets 141,005 146,342
Equity – capital and reserves
Share capital 18(a) 614 614
Share premium, capital redemption and merger reserves 18(b) 26,609 26,606
Other reserves 18(c) (3,555) (333)
Retained earnings 18(c) 40,234 38,557
Owners of the parent 63,902 65,444
Non-controlling interests 18(d) 258 244
Total equity 64,160 65,688
Liabilities
Borrowings 19 37,804 43,284
Retirement benefit liabilities 11 1,459 1,665
Deferred tax liabilities 12 17,050 17,776
Other provisions for liabilities 20 388 331
Trade and other payables 21 1,034 1,055
Derivative financial instruments 15 287 214
Total non-current liabilities 58,022 64,325
Borrowings 19 7,562 4,225
Income tax payable 683 853
Other provisions for liabilities 20 670 318
Trade and other payables 21 9,727 10,631
Derivative financial instruments 15 181 302
Total current liabilities 18,823 16,329
Total equity and liabilities 141,005 146,342
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
On behalf of the Board
Richard Burrows
Chairman
17 March 2020
GROUP CASH
FLOW STATEMENT
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
NOTES ON
THE ACCOUNTS
1 Accounting policies – the review of applicable exchange rates for transactions with and
Basis of preparation translation of entities in territories where there are restrictions on the
free access to foreign currency, or multiple exchange rates.
The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in
accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards The critical accounting estimates include:
(“IFRS”) as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board – the review of asset values, especially indefinite life assets such as
(“IASB”) and IFRS as adopted by the European Union (“EU”)@, and goodwill and certain trademarks and similar intangibles. The key
in accordance with the provisions of the UK Companies Act 2006 assumptions used in respect of the impairment testing are the
applicable to companies reporting under IFRS@. IFRS as adopted by determination of cash-generating units, the budgeted and forecast
the EU differs in certain respects from IFRS as issued by the IASB. cash flows of these units, the long-term growth rate for cash flow
The differences have no impact on the Group’s consolidated financial projections and the rate used to discount the cash flow projections.
statements for the periods presented. These are described in note 8;
The consolidated financial statements have been prepared on a going – the estimation of and accounting for retirement benefit costs.
concern basis under the historical cost convention except as described The determination of the carrying value of assets and liabilities, as
in the accounting policy below on financial instruments. well as the charge for the year, and amounts recognised in other
With effect from 1 January 2019, the Group has applied IFRS 16 Leases comprehensive income, involves judgements made in conjunction
to contractual arrangements which are, or contain, leases of assets, and with independent actuaries. These involve estimates about uncertain
consequently recognises right-of-use assets and lease liabilities at the future events based on the environment in different countries,
commencement of the leasing arrangement, with the assets included including life expectancy of scheme members, salary and pension
as part of property, plant and equipment in note 9 and the liabilities increases, inflation, as well as discount rates and asset values at the
included as part of borrowings in note 19. In adopting IFRS 16, the year-end. The assumptions used by the Group and sensitivity analysis
Group has applied the modified retrospective approach with no are described in note 11; and
restatement of prior periods, as permitted by the Standard. The impact – the estimation of amounts to be recognised in respect of taxation
on the Group is shown in note 30. Total assets and total equity and and legal matters, and the estimation of other provisions for liabilities
liabilities on 1 January 2019 have both increased by £607 million. and charges are subject to uncertain future events, may extend
The preparation of the consolidated financial statements requires over several years and so the amount and/or timing may differ from
management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the current assumptions. The accounting policy for taxation is explained
reported amounts of revenues, expenses, assets and liabilities, and below. The recognised deferred tax assets and liabilities, together
the disclosure of contingent liabilities at the date of the financial with a note of unrecognised amounts, are shown in note 12, and
statements. The key estimates and assumptions are set out in a contingent tax asset is explained in note 6(b). Other provisions
the accounting policies below, together with the related notes to for liabilities and charges are as set out in note 20. Litigation related
the accounts. deposits are shown in note 13. The application of these accounting
policies to the payments made and credits recognised under
The critical accounting judgements include: the Master Settlement Agreement by Reynolds American Inc.
– the identification and quantification of adjusting items, which are (“Reynolds” or “RAI”) is described in note 3(d).
separately disclosed as memorandum information, is explained Such estimates and assumptions are based on historical experience
below and the impact of these on the calculation of adjusted and various other factors that are believed to be reasonable in the
earnings per share is described in note 7; circumstances and constitute management’s best judgement at the
– the determination that an error, identified following a review by the date of the financial statements. In the future, actual experience
Financial Reporting Council (“FRC”) and discussed in note 18(e), may deviate from these estimates and assumptions, which could
was immaterial for restatement of the prior periods as, whilst the affect the financial statements as the original estimates and
effect was to overstate liabilities and reduce equity by £1.0 billion in assumptions are modified, as appropriate, in the year in which
2017 and £1.1 billion in 2018, it did not affect the primary users of the circumstances change.
the financial statements as there was no impact to the amount or These consolidated financial statements were authorised for issue
timing of the dividends received; by the Board of Directors on 17 March 2020.
– the determination as to whether to recognise provisions and the Basis of consolidation
exposures to contingent liabilities related to pending litigation or
other outstanding claims, as well as other contingent liabilities. The consolidated financial information includes the financial
The accounting policy on contingent liabilities, which are not statements of British American Tobacco p.l.c. and its subsidiary
provided for, is set out below and the contingent liabilities of the undertakings, collectively “the Group”, together with the Group’s
Group are explained in note 27. Judgement is necessary to assess the share of the results of its associates and joint arrangements.
likelihood that a pending claim is probable (more likely than not to A subsidiary is an entity controlled by the Group. The Group controls
succeed), possible or remote; an entity when the Group is exposed to, or has rights to, variable
– the determination as to whether control (subsidiaries), joint control returns from its involvement with the entity and has the ability to affect
(joint arrangements), or significant influence (associates) exists those returns through its power over the entity.
in relation to the investments held by the Group. This is assessed Associates comprise investments in undertakings, which are not
after taking into account the Group’s ability to appoint Directors to subsidiary undertakings or joint arrangements, where the Group’s
the entity’s Board, its relative shareholding compared with other interest in the equity capital is long term and over whose operating
shareholders, any significant contracts or arrangements with the entity and financial policies the Group exercises a significant influence.
or its other shareholders and other relevant facts and circumstances. They are accounted for using the equity method.
The application of these policies to Group subsidiaries in territories
including Canada and Malaysia is explained in note 28; and
Goodwill in respect of subsidiaries is included in intangible assets. The Group has taken advantage of certain practical expedients
In respect of associates and joint ventures, goodwill is included in the available under the Standard, including “grandfathering” previously
carrying value of the investment in the associated company or joint recognised lease arrangements such that contracts were not reassessed
venture. On disposal of a subsidiary, associate or joint venture, the at the implementation date as to whether they were, or contained,
attributable amount of goodwill is included in the determination of the a lease, and leases previously classified as finance leases under IAS 17
profit or loss on disposal. Leases remained capitalised on the adoption of IFRS 16. In addition, as
part of the implementation, the Group has applied a single discount
Intangible assets other than goodwill rate to portfolios of leases with reasonably similar characteristics,
The intangible assets shown on the Group balance sheet consist mainly has assessed whether individual leases are onerous prior to applying
of trademarks and similar intangibles, including certain intellectual the Standard, has applied hindsight in determining the lease term if
property, acquired by the Group’s subsidiary undertakings and the contract contains options to extend or terminate the lease, and
computer software. has not applied the capitalisation requirements of the Standard to
leases for which the lease term ends within 12 months of the date of
Acquired trademarks and similar assets are carried at cost less initial application.
accumulated amortisation and impairment. Trademarks with indefinite
lives are not amortised but are reviewed annually for impairment. For leasing arrangements entered into after 1 January 2019, the
Other trademarks and similar assets are amortised on a straight-line Group has also adopted several practical expedients available under
basis over their remaining useful lives, consistent with the pattern of the Standard including not applying the requirements of IFRS 16 to
economic benefits expected to be received, which do not exceed 20 leases of intangible assets, applying the portfolio approach where
years. Any impairments of trademarks are recognised in the income appropriate to do so, not applying the recognition and measurement
statement but increases in trademark values are not recognised. requirements of IFRS 16 to short-term leases (leases of less than
12 months maximum duration) and to leases of low-value assets.
Computer software is carried at cost less accumulated amortisation and Except for property-related leases, non-lease components have not
impairment, and, with the exception of global software solutions, is been separated from lease components.
amortised on a straight-line basis over periods ranging from three years
to five years. Global software solutions are software assets designed The Group will continue to report recognised assets and liabilities
to be implemented on a global basis and used as a standard solution under leases within property, plant and equipment and borrowings
by all of the operating companies in the Group. These assets are respectively rather than show these as separate line items on the face
amortised on a straight-line basis over periods not exceeding 10 years. of the balance sheet.
1 Accounting policies continued – for derivatives that are designated as fair value hedges, the carrying
Non-derivative financial assets are classified on initial recognition in value of the hedged item is adjusted for the fair value changes
accordance with the Group’s business model as investments, loans and attributable to the risk being hedged, with the corresponding entry
receivables, or cash and cash equivalents and accounted for as follows: being made in the income statement. The changes in fair value of
these derivatives are also recognised in the income statement;
– Investments: These are non-derivative financial assets that cannot be
classified as loans and other receivables or cash and cash equivalents. – for derivatives that are designated as hedges of net investments in
Dividend and interest income on these investments are included foreign operations, the changes in their fair values are recognised
within finance income when the Group’s right to receive payments directly in other comprehensive income, to the extent that they
is established. This category includes financial assets at fair value are effective, with the ineffective portion being recognised in the
through profit and loss, financial assets at fair value through other income statement. Where non-derivatives such as foreign currency
comprehensive income and, prior to 1 January 2018, available-for- borrowings are designated as net investment hedges, the relevant
sale investments as previously defined by IAS 39. exchange differences are similarly recognised. The accumulated
gains and losses are reclassified to the income statement when the
– Loans and other receivables: These are non-derivative financial assets foreign operation is disposed of; and
with fixed or determinable payments that are solely payments
of principal and interest on the principal amount outstanding, – for derivatives that do not qualify for hedge accounting or are not
that are primarily held in order to collect contractual cash flows. designated as hedges, the changes in their fair values are recognised
These balances include trade and other receivables and are in the income statement in the period in which they arise. These are
measured at amortised cost, using the effective interest rate referred to as ‘held-for-trading’.
method, and stated net of allowances for credit losses. In addition, In order to qualify for hedge accounting, the Group is required to
as explained in note 13, certain litigation related deposits are document prospectively the economic relationship between the item
recognised as assets within loans and other receivables where being hedged and the hedging instrument. The Group is also required
management has determined that these payments represent to demonstrate an assessment of the economic relationship between
a resource controlled by the entity as a result of past events. the hedged item and the hedging instrument, which shows that the
These deposits are held at the fair value of consideration transferred hedge will be highly effective on an ongoing basis. This effectiveness
less impairment, if applicable, and have not been discounted. testing is re-performed periodically to ensure that the hedge has
– Cash and cash equivalents: Cash and cash equivalents include cash remained, and is expected to remain, highly effective.
in hand and deposits held on call, together with other short-term Hedge accounting is discontinued when a hedging instrument is
highly liquid investments including investments in certain money derecognised (e.g. through expiry or disposal), or no longer qualifies
market funds. Cash equivalents normally comprise instruments with for hedge accounting. Where the hedged item is a highly probable
maturities of three months or less at their date of acquisition. In the forecast transaction, the related gains and losses remain in equity
cash flow statement, cash and cash equivalents are shown net of until the transaction takes place, when they are reclassified to the
bank overdrafts, which are included as current borrowings in the income statement in the same manner as for cash flow hedges as
liabilities section on the balance sheet. described above. When a hedged future transaction is no longer
Fair values for quoted investments are based on observable market expected to occur, any related gains and losses, previously recognised
prices. If there is no active market for a financial asset, the fair value in other comprehensive income, are immediately reclassified to the
is established by using valuation techniques principally involving income statement.
discounted cash flow analysis. Derivative fair value changes recognised in the income statement are
Non-derivative financial liabilities, including borrowings and trade either reflected in arriving at profit from operations (if the hedged item
payables, are stated at amortised cost using the effective interest is similarly reflected) or in finance costs.
method. For borrowings, their carrying value includes accrued interest The Group’s accounting policies for financial instruments prior to
payable, as well as unamortised issue costs. As shown in note 19, the adoption of IFRS 9 on 1 January 2018, were as set out above,
certain borrowings are subject to fair value hedges, as defined below. except for the following: non-derivative financial assets were classified
Derivative financial assets and liabilities are initially recognised, and on initial recognition as available-for-sale investments, loans and
subsequently measured, at fair value, which includes accrued interest receivables or cash and cash equivalents. Available-for-sale investments
receivable and payable where relevant. Changes in their fair values are were non-derivative financial assets that could not be classified
recognised as follows: as loans and receivables or cash and cash equivalents. Apart from
available-for-sale investments, non-derivative financial assets were
– for derivatives that are designated as cash flow hedges, the changes stated at amortised cost using the effective interest method, subject
in their fair values are recognised directly in other comprehensive to reduction for allowances for estimated irrecoverable amounts.
income, to the extent that they are effective, with the ineffective These estimates for irrecoverable amounts were recognised when there
portion being recognised in the income statement. Where the was objective evidence that the full amount receivable would not be
hedged item results in a non-financial asset, the accumulated collected according to the original terms of the asset. Available-for-
gains and losses, previously recognised in other comprehensive sale investments were stated at fair value, with changes in fair value
income, are included in the initial carrying value of the asset (basis being recognised directly in other comprehensive income. When such
adjustment) and recognised in the income statement in the same investments were derecognised (e.g. through disposal) or became
periods as the hedged item. Where the underlying transaction impaired, the accumulated gains and losses, previously recognised
does not result in such an asset, the accumulated gains and losses in other comprehensive income, were reclassified to the income
are reclassified to the income statement in the same periods as the statement within ‘finance income’. Dividend and interest income on
hedged item; available-for-sale investments were included within ‘finance income’
when the Group’s right to receive payments was established.
@ Denotes phrase, paragraph or similar that does not form part of BAT’s Annual Report on Form 20-F
as filed with the SEC.
2 Segmental analyses
As the chief operating decision maker, the Management Board reviews external adjusted revenues and adjusted profit from operations to evaluate
segment performance and allocate resources to the overall business. The results of New Categories (comprising Tobacco Heating Products,
Vapour products and Modern Oral products) are reported to the Management Board as part of the results of each geographic region. However,
additional information has been provided based on product category. Interest income, interest expense and taxation are centrally managed and
accordingly such items are not presented by segment as they are excluded from the measure of segment profitability.
The four geographic regions are the reportable segments for the Group as they form the focus of the Group’s internal reporting systems and
are the basis used by the Management Board for assessing performance and allocating resources. The Management Board reviews current and
prior year adjusted segmental revenue, adjusted profit from operations of subsidiaries and joint operations, and adjusted post-tax results of
associates and joint ventures at constant rates of exchange. The constant rate comparison provided for reporting segment information is based
on a retranslation, at prior year exchange rates, of the current year results of the Group, including intercompany royalties payable in foreign
currency to UK entities. However, the Group does not adjust for the normal transactional gains and losses in operations which are generated by
movements in exchange rates.
In respect of the United States region, all financial statements and financial information provided by or with respect to the US business or
RAI (and/or RAI and its subsidiaries (collectively, the “RAI Group”)) are prepared on the basis of US GAAP and constitute the primary financial
statements or financial information of the US business or RAI (and/or the RAI Group). Solely for the purpose of consolidation within the results
of BAT p.l.c. and the BAT Group, this financial information is then converted to IFRS as issued by the IASB and adopted by the EU. To the extent
any such financial information provided in these financial statements relates to the US business or RAI (and/or the RAI Group), it is provided as an
explanation of the US business’s or RAI’s (and/or the RAI Group’s) primary US GAAP based financial statements and information.
The following table shows 2019 revenue and adjusted revenue at current rates, and 2019 adjusted revenue translated using 2018 rates of
exchange. The 2018 figures are stated at the 2018 rates of exchange.
2019 2018
Adjusted Adjusted Adjusting
Revenue Revenue items Revenue
Constant Translation Current Current Current Adjusted Adjusting
rates exchange rates rates rates Revenue items Revenue
£m £m £m £m £m £m £m £m
United States 9,917 456 10,373 – 10,373 9,495 – 9,495
APME 5,157 (4) 5,153 – 5,153 4,882 – 4,882
AMSSA 4,491 (230) 4,261 – 4,261 4,111 – 4,111
ENA 6,118 (78) 6,040 50 6,090 5,824 180 6,004
Revenue 25,683 144 25,827 50 25,877 24,312 180 24,492
Note: adjusting items in revenue are in respect of excise included in goods acquired from a third party under short-term arrangements and then passed on to customers. This is deemed as adjusting due to
the distorting nature to revenue and operating margin.
The following table shows 2018 revenue and adjusted revenue at current rates, and 2018 adjusted revenue translated using 2017 rates of
exchange. The 2017 figures are stated at the 2017 rates of exchange.
2018 2017
Adjusted Adjusted Adjusting
Revenue Revenue items Revenue
Constant Translation Current Current Current Adjusted Adjusting
rates exchange rates rates rates Revenue items Revenue
£m £m £m £m £m £m £m £m
United States 9,838 (343) 9,495 – 9,495 4,160 – 4,160
APME 5,250 (368) 4,882 – 4,882 4,973 – 4,973
AMSSA 4,560 (449) 4,111 – 4,111 4,323 – 4,323
ENA 6,112 (288) 5,824 180 6,004 5,850 258 6,108
Revenue 25,760 (1,448) 24,312 180 24,492 19,306 258 19,564
Note: adjusting items in revenue are in respect of excise included in goods acquired from a third party under short-term arrangements and then passed on to customers. This is deemed as adjusting due to
the distorting nature to revenue and operating margin.
2019 2018
Adjusted* Adjusted*
segment segment Segment
result result result Adjusted*
Constant Translation Current Adjusting* Current segment Adjusting* Segment
rates exchange rates items rates result items result
£m £m £m £m £m £m £m £m
United States 4,798 238 5,036 (626) 4,410 4,511 (505) 4,006
APME 2,102 (43) 2,059 (306) 1,753 1,948 (90) 1,858
AMSSA 1,912 (70) 1,842 (638) 1,204 1,738 (194) 1,544
ENA 2,220 (27) 2,193 (544) 1,649 2,150 (245) 1,905
Profit from operations 11,032 98 11,130 (2,114) 9,016 10,347 (1,034) 9,313
Net finance costs (1,466) (56) (1,522) (80) (1,602) (1,385) 4 (1,381)
APME 463 7 470 25 495 384 32 416
ENA 3 – 3 – 3 3 – 3
Share of post-tax results of associates
and joint ventures 466 7 473 25 498 387 32 419
Profit/(loss) before taxation 10,032 49 10,081 (2,169) 7,912 9,349 (998) 8,351
Taxation (charge)/credit
on ordinary activities (2,498) (3) (2,501) 438 (2,063) (2,364) 223 (2,141)
Profit for the year 5,849 6,210
* The adjustments to profit from operations, net finance costs, the Group’s share of the post-tax results of associates and joint ventures and taxation are explained in notes 3(e) to 3(h), note 4(b), note 5(a),
and note 6(b), 6(d) and 6(e), respectively.
The following table shows 2018 profit from operations and adjusted profit from operations at current rates, and 2018 adjusted profit from
operations translated using 2017 rates of exchange. The 2017 figures are stated at the 2017 rates.
2018 2017
Adjusted* Adjusted*
segment segment Segment
result result result Adjusted*
Constant Translation Current Adjusting* Current segment Adjusting* Segment
rates exchange rates items rates result items result
£m £m £m £m £m £m £m £m
United States 4,686 (175) 4,511 (505) 4,006 1,928 (763) 1,165
APME 2,099 (151) 1,948 (90) 1,858 2,049 (147) 1,902
AMSSA 1,922 (184) 1,738 (194) 1,544 1,782 (134) 1,648
ENA 2,217 (67) 2,150 (245) 1,905 2,170 (473) 1,697
Profit from operations 10,924 (577) 10,347 (1,034) 9,313 7,929 (1,517) 6,412
Net finance costs (1,415) 30 (1,385) 4 (1,381) (889) (205) (1,094)
United States – – – – – 624 23,195 23,819
APME 417 (33) 384 32 416 384 29 413
ENA 3 – 3 – 3 4 (27) (23)
Share of post-tax results of associates
and joint ventures 420 (33) 387 32 419 1,012 23,197 24,209
Profit/(loss) before taxation 9,929 (580) 9,349 (998) 8,351 8,052 21,475 29,527
Taxation (charge)/credit
on ordinary activities (2,508) 144 (2,364) 223 (2,141) (2,091) 10,220 8,129
Profit for the year 6,210 37,656
* The adjustments to profit from operations, net finance costs, the Group’s share of the post-tax results of associates and joint ventures and taxation are explained in notes 3(e) to 3(h), note 4(b), note 5(a),
and note 6(b), 6(d) and 6(e), respectively.
2019 2018
Adjusted
depreciation, Adjusted
amortisation depreciation, Depreciation, Adjusted
and amortisation amortisation depreciation, Depreciation,
impairment and and amortisation amortisation
Constant Translation impairment Adjusting impairment and Adjusting and
rates exchange Current rates items Current rates impairment items impairment
£m £m £m £m £m £m £m £m
United States 249 9 258 391 649 154 289 443
APME 162 1 163 182 345 105 22 127
AMSSA 140 (3) 137 35 172 101 115 216
ENA 218 (2) 216 130 346 143 109 252
769 5 774 738 1,512 503 535 1,038
2018 2017
Adjusted Adjusted
depreciation, depreciation, Depreciation, Adjusted
amortisation amortisation amortisation depreciation, Depreciation,
and and and amortisation amortisation
impairment Translation impairment Adjusting impairment and Adjusting and
Constant rates exchange Current rates items Current rates impairment items impairment
£m £m £m £m £m £m £m £m
United States 158 (4) 154 289 443 59 116 175
APME 111 (6) 105 22 127 111 24 135
AMSSA 100 1 101 115 216 102 32 134
ENA 148 (5) 143 109 252 162 296 458
517 (14) 503 535 1,038 434 468 902
2019 2018
Adjusted Adjusted Adjusting
Revenue Revenue items Revenue
Constant Translation Current Current Current Adjusted Adjusting
rates exchange rates rates rates Revenue items Revenue
£m £m £m £m £m £m £m £m
Combustibles 22,892 59 22,951 50 23,001 21,892 180 22,072
New Categories 1,214 41 1,255 – 1,255 917 – 917
Vapour 392 9 401 – 401 318 – 318
THP 693 35 728 – 728 565 – 565
Modern Oral 129 (3) 126 – 126 34 – 34
Traditional Oral 1,036 45 1,081 – 1,081 941 – 941
Other 541 (1) 540 – 540 562 – 562
Revenue 25,683 144 25,827 50 25,877 24,312 180 24,492
2018 2017
Adjusted Adjusted Adjusting
Revenue Revenue items Revenue
Constant Translation Current Current Current Adjusted Adjusting
rates exchange rates rates rates Revenue items Revenue
£m £m £m £m £m £m £m £m
Combustibles 23,251 (1,359) 21,892 180 22,072 17,913 258 18,171
New Categories 937 (20) 917 – 917 385 – 385
Vapour 325 (7) 318 – 318 168 – 168
THP 576 (11) 565 – 565 202 – 202
Modern Oral 36 (2) 34 – 34 15 – 15
Traditional Oral 975 (34) 941 – 941 415 – 415
Other 597 (35) 562 – 562 593 – 593
Revenue 25,760 (1,448) 24,312 180 24,492 19,306 258 19,564
External revenue and non-current assets other than financial instruments, deferred tax assets and retirement benefit assets are analysed between
the UK and all foreign countries at current rates of exchange as follows:
United Kingdom All foreign countries Group
Revenue is based 2019 2018 2017 2019 2018 2017 2019 2018 2017
on location of sale £m £m £m £m £m £m £m £m £m
External revenue 178 184 203 25,699 24,308 19,361 25,877 24,492 19,564
The consolidated results of RAI companies operating in the United States met the criteria for separate disclosure under the requirements of
IFRS 8 Operating Segments. Revenue arising from the operations of RAI, inclusive of the sales made to fellow Group companies, in 2019, 2018 and
in 2017 since the date of acquisition was £10,417 million, £9,506 million and £4,160 million, respectively. Non-current assets attributable to the
operations of RAI were £109,186 million (2018: £113,935 million).
The main acquisitions comprising the goodwill balance of £44,316 million (2018: £46,163 million), included in intangible assets, are provided
in note 8. Included in investments in associates and joint ventures are amounts of £1,794 million (2018: £1,682 million) attributable to the
investment in ITC Ltd. Further information is provided in notes 5 and 10.
The total auditor’s remuneration to KPMG firms and associates included above are £25.2 million (2018: £25.2 million; 2017: £29.9 million).
During 2019, the Group incurred expenditure of £4.4 million (2018: £8.7 million; 2017: £nil million) within audit-related assurance services
associated with the controls attestation of the Group’s compliance with Sarbanes-Oxley Section 404.
During 2017, the Group incurred additional expenditure with the Group’s auditor, as part of the acquisition of the remaining shares in RAI not
previously owned. This was due to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) registration requirements to re-audit 2015 and 2016 under
Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (“PCAOB”) standards, to audit the purchase price allocation, to provide assurance services on the
registration documents and to provide, amongst other things, assurance services with regards to the planned 2018 implementation of Sarbanes-
Oxley Section 404. Accordingly, the following costs, related to the acquisition of RAI and treated as an adjusting item, were incurred within the
respective categories: audit-related assurance service of £7.7 million and other assurance services of £3.5 million.
Under SEC regulations, the remuneration to KPMG firms and associates of £25.1 million in 2019 (2018: £25.2 million; 2017: £30.1 million)
is required to be presented as follows: audit fees £24.7 million (2018: £24.7 million; 2017: £29.2 million), audit-related fees £0.4 million
(2018: £0.4 million; 2017: £0.5 million), tax fees £nil million (2018: £nil million; 2017: £0.2 million) and all other fees £0.1 million
(2018: £0.1 million; 2017: £0.2 million).
Total research and development costs including employee benefit costs and depreciation are £376 million (2018: £258 million;
2017: £191 million). Included in the 2019 research and development costs is £65 million of costs primarily related to packages in respect of
employee benefit reductions as part of the Group’s 2019 restructuring initiative (Quantum), as discussed in note 3(e).
The adjusting charge in 2019 relates to the ongoing restructuring costs associated with the implementation of revisions to the Group’s operating
model. These costs are mainly in relation to a programme, known as Quantum, to simplify the business and create a more efficient, agile and
focused company. This includes the cost of packages in respect of permanent headcount reduction and permanent employee benefit reductions
in the Group. The costs also cover the downsizing and factory rationalisation activities in Germany, Russia and APME. Included in other operating
income are amounts related to cash and reversal of deferred consideration associated with the acquisition of TDR d.o.o. (TDR) (note 23).
Restructuring and integration costs in 2018 include integration costs associated with the acquisition of RAI and ongoing costs of implementing
the revisions to the Group’s operating model. This includes the cost of packages in respect of permanent headcount reductions and permanent
employee benefit reductions in the Group. The costs also cover downsizing activities in Russia, Germany and APME. Included in other operating
income are gains from the sale of land and buildings in the Netherlands.
Restructuring and integration costs in 2017 include adviser fees and costs incurred related to the acquisition of the remaining shares in RAI not
already owned by the Group, that completed on 25 July 2017 (note 23). It also includes the implementation of a new operating model and the
cost of redundancy packages in respect of permanent headcount reductions and permanent employee benefit reductions in the Group. The costs
also cover integration costs incurred as a result of the RAI acquisition, factory closure and downsizing activities in Germany and Malaysia, certain
exit costs and asset write-offs related to the withdrawal from the Philippines. Included in other operating income are gains from the sale of land
and buildings in Brazil.
The Group manages foreign exchange gains and losses and fair value changes on a net basis excluding adjusting items, which are explained in
note 4(b). The derivatives that generate the fair value changes are explained in note 15.
Facility fees principally relate to the Group’s central banking facilities.
(b) Adjusting items included in net finance costs
Adjusting items are significant items in net finance costs which individually or, if of a similar type, in aggregate, are relevant to an understanding
of the Group’s underlying financial performance.
In 2019, the Group incurred interest on adjusting tax payables of £80 million (2018: £41 million; 2017: £43 million). This included interest of
£28 million (2018: £25 million; 2017: £25 million) in relation to the Franked Investment Income Group Litigation Order (FII GLO) (note 6(b)) and
interest of £50 million (2018: £nil; 2017: £nil) in respect of the Russia excise dispute (note 3(h)).
In 2018, the Group recognised a monetary gain of £45 million related to the application of hyperinflationary accounting in Venezuela (note 3(h)).
In 2017, the Group incurred pre-financing costs related to the acquisition of RAI of £153 million.
Also in 2017, the Group realised a £9 million charge in relation to the reversal of a gain recognised in 2016, related to hedge ineffectiveness
on external swaps following the referendum regarding ‘Brexit’. These amounts were deemed to be adjusting as it is not representative of the
underlying performance of the business.
* The gain on deemed divestment of RAI is recognised in the Group’s share of associates profit from operations.
Enumerated below are movements that have impacted the post-tax results of associates and joint ventures in 2019, 2018 and 2017.
(a) Adjusting items
In 2019, the Group’s interest in ITC Ltd. (ITC) decreased from 29.57% to 29.46% (2018: 29.71% to 29.57%; 2017: 29.89% to 29.71%) as a
result of ITC issuing ordinary shares under the ITC Employee Share Option Scheme. The issue of these shares and change in the Group’s share
of ITC resulted in a gain of £25 million (2018: £22 million; 2017: £29 million), which is treated as a deemed partial disposal and included in the
income statement.
In 2018, ITC has also recognised an adjusting gain in respect of the release of certain provisions related to a tax claim, the Group’s share of which
was £10 million.
On 25 July 2017, the Group announced the completion of the acquisition of the 57.8% of RAI the Group did not already own. As at this date RAI
ceased to be reported as an associate and has become a fully owned subsidiary. Accordingly, as at that date, the Group was deemed to divest
its investment in RAI as an associate and consolidated RAI in accordance with IFRS 10 Consolidated Financial Statements. This resulted in a gain of
£23,288 million that has been reported in the Group’s share of post-tax results of associates and joint ventures.
In 2017, due to a deterioration in the financial performance of Tisak d.d. (Tisak), linked to the financial difficulties associated with a third-party
distributor (Agrokor) in Croatia, the Group impaired the carrying value of this investment. This resulted in a charge of £27 million to the income
statement that has been reported as an ‘other’ adjusting item.
In 2017, RAI recognised, prior to acquisition by the Group, the following amounts in ‘other’: transaction costs associated with the acquisition
by the Group of US$125 million, the Group’s share of which is £33 million (net of tax), deferred tax charges in respect of temporary differences
on trademarks of US$51 million, the Group’s share of which is £18 million, restructuring charges of US$79 million, the Group’s share of which
is £14 million (net of tax) and costs in respect of a number of Engle progeny lawsuits and other tobacco litigation charges that amounted
to US$162 million, the Group’s share of which is £32 million (net of tax). Additionally, there is income of US$17 million related to the Non-
Participating Manufacturer (NPM) Adjustment claims of the states no longer challenging the findings of non-diligence entered against them by
an Arbitration Panel, the Group’s share of which is £4 million (net of tax).
Summarised financial information of the Group’s associates and joint ventures is shown below.
2019
ITC Others Total
£m £m £m
Revenue 5,556 2,025 7,581
Profit on ordinary activities before taxation 2,322 57 2,379
Post-tax results of associates and joint ventures 1,646 40 1,686
Other comprehensive income (365) – (365)
Total comprehensive income 1,281 40 1,321
2018
ITC Others Total
£m £m £m
Revenue 5,072 2,163 7,235
Profit on ordinary activities before taxation 2,059 61 2,120
Post-tax results of associates and joint ventures 1,373 45 1,418
Other comprehensive income (110) – (110)
Total comprehensive income 1,263 45 1,308
2017
RAI* ITC Others Total
£m £m £m £m
Revenue 5,525 6,607 1,953 14,085
Profit on ordinary activities before taxation 2,017 2,054 (8) 4,063
Post-tax results of associates and joint ventures 1,261 1,362 (23) 2,600
Other comprehensive income (595) (135) (8) (738)
Total comprehensive income 666 1,227 (31) 1,862
* The information presented above for RAI is for the period from 1 January 2017 up to and including 24 July 2017 (see note 23).
Tax at 19% (2018 and 2017: 19%) on the above 1,409 19.0 1,507 19.0 1,010 19.0
Factors affecting the tax rate:
Tax at standard rates other than UK corporation tax rate 353 4.8 384 4.8 389 7.3
Other national tax charges 147 2.0 204 2.6 119 2.2
Permanent differences 122 1.6 7 0.1 40 0.8
Overseas tax on distributions – – – – 25 0.5
Overseas withholding taxes 106 1.4 155 1.9 191 3.6
Double taxation relief on UK profits (29) (0.4) (35) (0.4) (29) (0.5)
Unutilised/(utilised) tax losses 16 0.2 5 0.1 (38) (0.7)
Adjustments in respect of prior periods (60) (0.8) (11) (0.1) 2 0.0
Deferred tax relating to changes in tax rates (47) (0.6) (70) (0.9) (9,620) (180.9)
Deemed US repatriation tax – – – – 34 0.6
Release of deferred tax on unremitted earnings of associates – – – – (180) (3.4)
Additional net deferred tax charges/(credits) 46 0.6 (5) (0.1) (72) (1.4)
2,063 27.8 2,141 27.0 (8,129) (152.9)
The tax relating to each component of other comprehensive income is disclosed in note 18.
Basic
2019 2018 2017
Earnings Earnings Earnings
Earnings per share Earnings per share Earnings per share
Notes £m pence £m pence £m pence
Basic earnings per share 5,704 249.7 6,032 264.0 37,485 1,833.9
Effect of restructuring and integration costs 3(e) 565 24.7 363 15.9 600 29.4
Tax and non-controlling interests on restructuring
and integration costs (101) (4.4) (83) (3.6) (133) (6.5)
Effect of amortisation and impairment of goodwill,
trademarks and similar intangibles 3(f), (h) 675 29.6 377 16.5 383 18.7
Tax and non-controlling interests on amortisation
and impairment of goodwill, trademarks and
similar intangibles (115) (5.0) (78) (3.4) (90) (4.4)
Effect of associates’ adjusting items net of tax 5(a) (25) (1.1) (32) (1.4) (23,197) (1,134.9)
Effect of Quebec class action 3(h) 436 19.1 – – – –
Tax on Quebec class action (124) (5.4) – – – –
Effect of Russia excise dispute 3(h) 202 8.9 – – – –
Tax on Russia excise dispute (16) (0.7) – – – –
Effect of hyperinflation on Venezuela retained earnings 3(h),4(b) – – 65 2.8 – –
Other adjusting items 3(h) 236 10.3 184 8.0 534 26.1
Tax effect on other adjusting items (50) (2.2) (44) (1.9) (184) (8.9)
Deferred tax relating to changes in tax rates 6 (49) (2.2) (79) (3.5) (9,586) (469.0)
Release of deferred tax on unremitted earnings
from associates 6(d) – – – – (180) (8.8)
Effect of interest on FII GLO settlement and other 4(b) 80 3.5 41 1.8 43 2.1
Effect of retrospective guidance on WHT 6(d) – – 55 2.4 – –
Effect of adjusting finance costs in relation
to acquisition of RAI 4(b) – – – – 153 7.5
Tax effect of adjusting finance costs in relation
to acquisition of RAI – – – – (49) (2.4)
Effect of hedge ineffectiveness 4(b) – – – – 9 0.4
Tax effect on hedge ineffectiveness – – – – (2) (0.1)
Adjusted earnings per share (basic) 7,418 324.8 6,801 297.6 5,786 283.1
Other adjusting items 3(h) 236 10.3 184 8.0 534 26.0
Tax effect on other adjusting items (50) (2.2) (44) (1.9) (184) (8.9)
Deferred tax relating to changes in tax rates 6 (49) (2.2) (79) (3.4) (9,586) (467.4)
Release of deferred tax on unremitted earnings
from associates 6(d) – – – – (180) (8.8)
Effect of interest on FII GLO settlement and other 4(b) 80 3.5 41 1.8 43 2.1
Effect of retrospective guidance on WHT 6(d) – – 55 2.4 – –
Effect of adjusting finance costs in relation
to acquisition of RAI 4(b) – – – – 153 7.5
Tax effect of adjusting finance costs in relation
to acquisition of RAI – – – – (49) (2.4)
Effect of hedge ineffectiveness 4(b) – – – – 9 0.4
Tax effect on hedge ineffectiveness – – – – (2) (0.1)
Adjusted earnings per share (diluted) 7,418 323.8 6,801 296.7 5,786 282.1
Basic
2019 2018 2017
Earnings Earnings Earnings
Earnings per share Earnings per share Earnings per share
£m pence £m pence £m pence
Basic earnings per share 5,704 249.7 6,032 264.0 37,485 1,833.9
Effect of impairment of intangibles, property, plant and equipment
and assets held-for-sale 518 22.7 238 10.3 179 8.7
Tax and non-controlling interests on impairment of intangibles
and property, plant and equipment (79) (3.5) (65) (2.8) (35) (1.7)
Effect of losses/(gains) on disposal of property, plant and equipment
and held-for-sale assets 7 0.3 (11) (0.5) (48) (2.3)
Tax and non-controlling interests on disposal of property, plant
and equipment and held-for-sale assets (1) – 4 0.2 13 0.6
Effect of gains on disposal of businesses, non-current investments
and brands – – (10) (0.4) – –
Tax on gains on disposal of businesses, non-current investments
and brands – – 2 0.1 – –
Gain on deemed disposal of RAI associate – – – – (23,288) (1,139.3)
Write-off of investment in associate – – – – 27 1.3
Issue of shares and change in shareholding in associate (25) (1.1) (22) (1.0) (29) (1.4)
Headline earnings per share (basic) 6,124 268.1 6,168 269.9 14,304 699.8
Diluted
2019 2018 2017
Earnings Earnings Earnings
Earnings per share Earnings per share Earnings per share
£m pence £m pence £m pence
Diluted earnings per share 5,704 249.0 6,032 263.2 37,485 1,827.6
Effect of impairment of intangibles, property, plant and equipment
and assets held-for-sale 518 22.5 238 10.3 179 8.6
Tax and non-controlling interests on impairment of intangibles
and property, plant and equipment (79) (3.4) (65) (2.8) (35) (1.7)
Effect of losses/(gains) on disposal of property, plant and equipment
and held-for-sale assets 7 0.3 (11) (0.5) (48) (2.3)
Tax and non-controlling interests on disposal of property, plant
and equipment and held-for-sale assets (1) – 4 0.2 13 0.6
Effect of gains on disposal of businesses, non-current investments
and brands – – (10) (0.4) – –
Tax on gains on disposal of businesses, non-current investments
and brands – – 2 0.1 – –
Gain on deemed disposal of RAI associate – – – – (23,288) (1,135.4)
Write-off of investment in associate – – – – 27 1.3
Issue of shares and change in shareholding in associate (25) (1.1) (22) (1.0) (29) (1.4)
Headline earnings per share (diluted) 6,124 267.3 6,168 269.1 14,304 697.3
8 Intangible assets
(a) Overview of intangible assets
2019
Trademarks
and Assets in
Computer similar the course of
Goodwill software intangibles development Total
£m £m £m £m £m
1 January
Cost 46,163 1,101 78,736 125 126,125
Accumulated amortisation and impairment (698) (1,414) (2,112)
Net book value at 1 January 46,163 403 77,322 125 124,013
Differences on exchange (1,676) (2) (2,976) – (4,654)
Additions
– internal development – – – 148 148
– acquisitions (note 23) 23 – 54 – 77
– separately acquired – – 7 6 13
Reallocations – 134 30 (164) –
Amortisation charge – (105) (361) – (466)
Impairment (194) (3) (147) – (344)
31 December
Cost 44,316 1,207 75,726 115 121,364
Accumulated amortisation and impairment (780) (1,797) (2,577)
Net book value at 31 December 44,316 427 73,929 115 118,787
2018
Trademarks
and Assets in
Computer similar the course of
Goodwill software intangibles development Total
£m £m £m £m £m
1 January
Cost 44,147 1,119 74,136 71 119,473
Accumulated amortisation and impairment (672) (1,016) (1,688)
Net book value at 1 January 44,147 447 73,120 71 117,785
Differences on exchange 2,024 – 4,483 – 6,507
Additions
– internal development – – – 120 120
– acquisitions (note 23) 14 – 13 – 27
– separately acquired – – 62 – 62
Reallocations (22) 58 30 (66) –
Amortisation charge – (102) (342) – (444)
Impairment – – (44) – (44)
31 December
Cost 46,163 1,101 78,736 125 126,125
Accumulated amortisation and impairment (698) (1,414) (2,112)
Net book value at 31 December 46,163 403 77,322 125 124,013
(b) Goodwill
Goodwill of £44,316 million (2018: £46,163 million) is included in intangible assets in the balance sheet of which the following are the
significant acquisitions: RAI £33,761 million (2018: £35,117 million); Rothmans Group £4,704 million (2018: £4,856 million); Imperial Tobacco
Canada £2,335 million (2018: £2,307 million); ETI (Italy) £1,396 million (2018: £1,478 million) and ST (principally Scandinavia) £1,048 million
(2018: £1,111 million). The principal allocations of goodwill in the Rothmans’ acquisition are to the cash-generating units of Europe and South
Africa, with the remainder mainly relating to operations in the domestic and export markets in the United Kingdom and operations in APME.
For CGU Other the weighted average pre-tax discount rate has been used.
The recoverable amounts of all cash-generating units have been determined on a value-in-use basis. The key assumptions for the recoverable
amounts of all units are the budgeted volumes, revenues, operating margins and long-term growth rates, which directly impact the cash
flows, and the discount rates used in the calculation. The long-term growth rate is used purely for the impairment testing of goodwill under
IAS 36 Impairment of Assets and does not reflect long-term planning assumptions used by the Group for investment proposals or for any
other assessments.
Pre-tax discount rates, as shown above, were used in the impairment testing, based on the Group’s weighted average cost of capital, taking
into account the cost of capital and borrowings, to which specific market-related premium adjustments are made. These adjustments are
derived from external sources and are based on the spread between bonds (or credit default swaps, or similar indicators) issued by the US or
comparable governments and by the relevant local government, adjusted for the Group’s own credit market risk. For ease of use and consistency
in application, these results are periodically calibrated into bands based on internationally recognised credit ratings. The long-term growth rates
and discount rates have been applied to the budgeted cash flows of each cash-generating unit. These cash flows have been determined by local
management based on experience, specific market and brand trends as well as pricing and cost expectations. These have been endorsed by
Group management as part of the consolidated Group’s budget.
(iv) Impairment testing – Goodwill (excluding RAI and Canada)
The value-in-use calculations use cash flows based on detailed financial budgets prepared by management covering a one-year period
extrapolated over a 10-year horizon with growth of 4% in years 2 to 10, including 2% inflation (2018: 2% inflation), after which a total growth
rate of 2 % (2018: 2%) has been assumed as the long-term volume decline is more than offset by pricing to drive revenue growth. A 10-year
horizon is considered appropriate based on the Group’s history of profit and cash growth, its well-balanced portfolio of brands and the industry
in which it operates. In some instances, such as recent acquisitions, start-up ventures or in specific cases, the forecast is expanded to reflect the
medium-term plan of the country or market management spanning five years or beyond. Following the application of a reasonable range of
sensitivities to all the cash-generating units, and after reflecting the impairments below, there was no indication of any further impairment.
In 2009, the Group acquired Bentoel and the goodwill arising from this acquisition was assigned to the Indonesia cash-generating unit.
During 2019, the Indonesian government announced a significant increase in excise effective 1 January 2020. The recoverable amount of the
Indonesia cash-generating unit has been determined on a value-in-use basis using a 10-year forecast with cash flows after year 10 extrapolated as
described above. The 10-year forecast has been prepared to take into account the expected decline in revenue and the impact this will have on
net revenue, operating profit and cash flows. The extent of the significant increase in excise is such that the forecast cash flows do not support
the carrying value of goodwill and therefore the goodwill of £172 million has been fully impaired. The other assets held by the Indonesian cash-
generating unit were assessed for impairment and based on the recoverable amounts, no impairment charges were recognised.
As explained in note 8(c) above, in addition to the impairment of trademarks and similar intangibles, the goodwill associated with the acquisitions
of VapeWild and Quantus/Highendsmoke (note 23) have been impaired in full amounting to £12 million and £10 million, respectively.
(v) Impairment testing – RAI
Goodwill relating to RAI and the Newport trademark
On 15 November 2018, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced an intention to ban flavoured vaping products and menthol
cigarette. Management recognises that the FDA announcement in 2018 does not itself constitute a ban on menthol in cigarettes, and any
proposed regulation of menthol in cigarettes would need to be introduced through the established US comprehensive rule-making process, the
timetable and outcome for which was, and remains, uncertain. In addition, it is unclear how any such potential US regulation might affect the
manufacture and marketing of Group combustible brands containing menthol.
Having considered the combination of the risk of implementation and impact of any change in regulations, the Group has not recognised any
impairment in 2019 or 2018 on either the Newport brand or RAI goodwill, as management concluded that there would not be a significant
impact to the value-in-use. The base case scenario used in the impairment model therefore does not include any potential impact of changes in
regulation in relation to menthol flavourings in combustibles.
Canada
goodwill
%
Assumptions
Decrease in revenue by 19.0
Increase in pre-tax discount rate by 10.3
The £2,335 million of goodwill relating to ITCAN on the Group’s balance sheet at 31 December 2019 will continue to be reviewed on a regular
basis. Any future impairment charge would result in a non-cash charge to the income statement that will be treated as an adjusting item.
2019
Plant, Plant,
equipment equipment Assets in the
Freehold Leasehold and other and other course of
property property owned leased construction Total
£m £m £m £m £m £m
31 December
Cost 1,515 268 5,730 33 1,108 8,654
Accumulated depreciation and impairment (411) (129) (2,931) (17) (3,488)
Net book value at 31 December 1,104 139 2,799 16 1,108 5,166
Accounting policy change (IFRS 16) (note 30) 470 140 610
Net book value at 1 January 1,104 609 2,799 156 1,108 5,776
Differences on exchange (56) (30) (136) (9) (51) (282)
Additions
– right-of-use assets – 85 – 77 162
– separately acquired 3 1 46 – 566 616
– acquisition of subsidiaries (note 23) – 4 2 – – 6
Reallocations 73 12 610 – (695) –
Depreciation (37) (114) (308) (62) (521)
Impairment (6) (2) (159) – (7) (174)
Right-of-use assets – reassessments, modifications and terminations – (9) – (18) (27)
Disposals (5) – (27) – (32)
Net reclassifications as held-for-sale – – (6) – (6)
31 December
Cost 1,503 785 5,795 215 921 9,219
Accumulated depreciation and impairment (427) (229) (2,974) (71) – (3,701)
Net book value at 31 December 1,076 556 2,821 144 921 5,518
2018
Plant, Assets in the
Freehold Leasehold equipment course of
property property and other construction Total
£m £m £m £m £m
1 January
Cost 1,455 267 5,552 917 8,191
Accumulated depreciation and impairment (369) (124) (2,816) (3,309)
Net book value at 1 January 1,086 143 2,736 917 4,882
Differences on exchange 76 4 27 (5) 102
Additions
– separately acquired 5 1 41 722 769
Reallocations 58 2 466 (526) –
Depreciation (34) (11) (318) (363)
Impairment (74) – (120) (194)
Disposals (13) – (17) (30)
31 December
Cost 1,515 268 5,763 1,108 8,654
Accumulated depreciation and impairment (411) (129) (2,948) (3,488)
Net book value at 31 December 1,104 139 2,815 1,108 5,166
In 2018, the differences on exchange include £149 million of indexation in respect of the operations in Venezuela. However, management
believes that such a revaluation is not reflective of the fair value of assets in Venezuela and an impairment charge of £110 million has been
recognised, as explained in note 3(h).
Also in 2018, the closing balance of ‘plant, equipment and other’ includes £16 million of leased assets (£33 million of cost and £17 million of
accumulated depreciation). Upon adoption of IFRS 16 Leases prospectively from 1 January 2019, the right-of-use assets have been reported in a
separate asset class, ‘plant, equipment and other leased’, as explained in note 30.
2019 2018
£m £m
Cost of freehold land within freehold property on which no depreciation is provided 261 255
Leasehold land and property comprises
– net book value of long leasehold 83 100
– net book value of short leasehold 473 46
556 146
Contracts placed for future expenditure 133 141
The Group’s investment in Tisak d.d. (Tisak) was acquired as part of the TDR transaction (note 23). During 2016, the Group entered into an
agreement with Tisak’s parent Agrokor d.d. (Agrokor) to convert certain outstanding trading balances into long-term loans and an additional
shareholding in Tisak. As part of the agreement, Agrokor had the right to reacquire the additional shareholding in Tisak. As a consequence of this,
while the Group had legal ownership of the additional shareholding, it did not consider that the shares provided any additional equity interest
and continued to account for 26% of the equity of Tisak. In 2017, due to the financial difficulties of Agrokor and Tisak, the Group fully impaired
this investment. This resulted in a charge of £27 million to the income statement that has been reported as an adjusting item in note 5. In July
2018, Agrokor’s creditors approved a settlement plan proposed by Agrokor’s administrators. The settlement plan has not returned any value to
the Group and Tisak is expected to be liquidated in 2020.
Included within the dividends amount of £239 million (2018: £211 million) are £231 million (2018: £204 million) attributable to dividends
declared by ITC.
The principal associate undertaking of the Group is ITC Ltd. (“ITC”) as shown under associates undertakings and joint ventures.
2019 2018
£m £m
Non-current assets 4,124 4,106
Current assets 3,234 2,823
Non-current liabilities (237) (238)
Current liabilities (1,031) (1,002)
6,090 5,689
Group’s share of ITC Ltd. (2019: 29.46%; 2018: 29.57%) 1,794 1,682
– retirement benefit scheme liabilities (807) (982) (652) (683) (1,459) (1,665)
– retirement benefit scheme assets 429 1,147 1 – 430 1,147
(378) 165 (651) (683) (1,029) (518)
Of the Group’s unfunded pension schemes 50% (2018: 48%) relate to arrangements in the UK and 32% (2018: 32%) relate to arrangements in
the US, while 86% (2018: 87%) of the Group’s unfunded healthcare arrangements relate to arrangements in the US.
The amounts recognised in the income statement are as follows:
The above charges are recognised within employee benefit costs in note 3(a) and include a charge of £16 million in 2019 (2018: £3 million) in
respect of settlements, past service costs and defined contribution costs reported as part of the restructuring costs charged in arriving at profit
from operations (note 3(e)). Included in current service cost in 2019 is £21 million (2018: £16 million) of administration costs. Current service
cost is stated after netting employee contributions, where applicable.
Changes in financial assumptions principally relate to discount rate movements in both years.
Scheme liabilities by scheme membership:
Scheme assets have been diversified into equities, bonds and other assets and are typically invested via fund investment managers into both
pooled and segregated mandates of listed and unlisted equities and bonds.
The principal actuarial assumptions (weighted to reflect individual scheme differences) used in the following territories are shown below. In both
years, discount rates are determined by reference to normal yields on high quality corporate bonds at the balance sheet date.
2019 2018
US UK Germany Canada Netherlands Switzerland US UK Germany Canada Netherlands Switzerland
Rate of increase in salaries (%) 3.4 3.0 0.6 3.0 2.1 1.3 3.9 3.2 1.7 3.0 2.1 1.3
Rate of increase in pensions
in payment (%) 2.5 3.0 0.4 Nil 0.9 Nil 2.5 3.2 1.1 Nil 1.1 Nil
Rate of increase in deferred
pensions (%) – 2.2 0.4 Nil 0.9 – – 2.2 1.1 Nil 1.1 –
Discount rate (%) 3.3 2.0 0.3 3.0 1.1 0.1 4.3 2.9 1.3 3.8 1.8 0.9
General inflation (%) 2.5 3.0 0.4 2.0 2.0 1.1 2.5 3.2 1.1 2.0 2.0 1.1
2019 2018
US UK Germany Canada Netherlands Switzerland US UK Germany Canada Netherlands Switzerland
Weighted average duration
of liabilities (years) 11.4 16.1 14.0 11.0 17.8 13.9 10.8 16.0 8.2 10.5 17.5 12.8
For healthcare inflation in the US, the assumption is 6.5% for both years and in Canada, the assumption is 5.0% for both years.
US PRI-2012 mortality tables without collar or amount, projected with MP-2019 generational projection
(2018: RP-2018 and MP-2018)
UK S2PA (YOB) with the CMI (2018) improvement model with a 1.25% long term improvement rate (2018: CMI (2017))
Germany RT Heubeck 2018 G (both years)
Canada CPM-2014 Private Table (both years)
Netherlands AG Prognosetafel 2018 (both years)
Switzerland LPP/BVG 2015 base table with CMI projection factors for mortality improvements with a 1.5% long-term improvement
rate (both years)
Based on the above, the weighted average life expectancy, in years, for mortality tables used to determine benefit obligations is as follows:
For the remaining territories, typical assumptions are that real salary increases will be from 0% to 5.0% (2018: 0.5% to 6.3%) per annum and
discount rates will be from 0% to 11.7% (2018: 0.6% to 7.6%) above inflation. Pension increases, where allowed for, are generally assumed to be
in line with inflation. Assumptions of life expectancy are in line with best practice in each territory. For countries where there is not a deep market
in such corporate bonds, the yield on government bonds is used.
The valuation of retirement benefit schemes involves judgements about uncertain future events. Sensitivities in respect of the key assumptions
used to measure the principal pension schemes as at 31 December 2019 are set out below. These sensitivities show the hypothetical impact
of a change in each of the listed assumptions in isolation, with the exception of the sensitivity to inflation which incorporates the impact of
certain correlating assumptions such as salary increases. While each of these sensitivities holds all other assumptions constant, in practice such
assumptions rarely change in isolation, while asset values also change, and the impacts may offset to some extent.
0.25 0.25
percentage percentage
1 year 1 year point point
increase decrease increase decrease
£m £m £m £m
Average life expectancy – increase/(decrease) of scheme liabilities 387 (385)
Rate of inflation – increase/(decrease) of scheme liabilities 173 (163)
Discount rate – (decrease)/increase of scheme liabilities (350) 367
A one percentage point increase in healthcare inflation would increase healthcare scheme liabilities by £42 million, and a one percentage point
decrease would decrease liabilities by £36 million. The income statement effect of this change in assumption is not material.
12 Deferred tax
Net deferred tax (liabilities)/assets comprise:
Excess of Undistributed
capital earnings of
allowances associates Other
Stock over Tax and Retirement temporary
relief depreciation losses subsidiaries benefits Trademarks differences Total
£m £m £m £m £m £m £m £m
1 January 2019 (70) (210) 105 (281) 222 (18,246) 1,048 (17,432)
Differences on exchange 4 11 (2) 15 (9) 701 (40) 680
Subsidiaries acquired (note 23) – – – – – (4) – (4)
Credited/(charged) to the income
statement 21 (9) (24) (52) (15) 92 (68) (55)
(Charged)/credited relating to changes
in tax rates – – – – (1) 49 (1) 47
Credited to other comprehensive income – – – – 82 – 56 138
31 December 2019 (45) (208) 79 (318) 279 (17,408) 995 (16,626)
31 December 2017 (91) (174) 113 (241) 264 (17,323) 656 (16,796)
Accounting policy change
(IFRS 9) (note 30) – – – – – – 7 7
Revised 1 January 2018 (91) (174) 113 (241) 264 (17,323) 663 (16,789)
Differences on exchange (7) (10) 4 6 15 (1,066) 47 (1,011)
Subsidiaries acquired (note 23) – – – – – (3) 4 1
Credited/(charged) to the
income statement 27 (16) (11) (46) (36) 67 319 304
Credited/(charged) relating to changes
in tax rates 1 (10) (1) – 4 79 (3) 70
(Charged)/credited to other
comprehensive income – – – – (25) – 18 (7)
31 December 2018 (70) (210) 105 (281) 222 (18,246) 1,048 (17,432)
The net deferred tax liabilities are reflected in the Group balance sheet as follows: deferred tax asset of £424 million and deferred tax liability of
£17,050 million (2018: deferred tax asset of £344 million and deferred tax liability of £17,776 million), after offsetting assets and liabilities where
there is a legally enforceable right to offset current tax assets and liabilities and where the deferred income taxes relate to the same fiscal authority.
At the balance sheet date, the Group has not recognised a deferred tax asset in respect of unused tax losses of £342 million (2018: £308 million)
which have no expiry date and unused tax losses of £208 million (2018: £502 million) which will expire within the next 10 years.
In 2019 and 2018 the Group has not recognised any deferred tax asset in respect of deductible temporary differences which have no expiry
date and has not recognised £92 million (2018: £184 million) in respect of deductible temporary differences which will expire within the next
10 years.
At the balance sheet date, the Group has unused tax credits of £80 million (2018: £80 million) which have no expiry date. No amount of
deferred tax has been recognised in respect of these unused tax credits.
At the balance sheet date, the aggregate amount of undistributed earnings of subsidiaries which would be subject to dividend withholding tax
and for which no withholding tax liability has been recognised was £0.6 billion (2018: £0.7 billion).
The majority of receivables are held in order to collect contractual cash flows, in accordance with the Group’s business model for managing
financial assets, and hence are measured at amortised cost. In certain countries, however, the Group has entered into factoring arrangements
and periodically sells certain trade receivables to banks and other financial institutions, without recourse, for cash. These trade receivables have
been derecognised from the statement of financial position to reflect the transfer by the Group of substantially all of the risks and rewards
of the receivables, including credit risk. Consequently, the cash inflows have been recognised within operating cash flows. Typically in these
2019 2018
£m £m
Trade receivables – gross 3,396 2,898
Trade receivables – allowance (27) (30)
Loans and other receivables – gross 639 1,092
Loans and other receivables – allowance (10) (10)
Prepayments and accrued income 343 323
Net trade and other receivables per balance sheet 4,341 4,273
2019 2018
Loans and Loans and
Trade other Trade other
receivables receivables Total receivables receivables Total
£m £m £m £m £m £m
1 January 30 10 40 39 46 85
Accounting policy change (IFRS 9) (notes 1 and 30) – – – 37 8 45
Revised 1 January 30 10 40 76 54 130
Differences on exchange (2) (2) 2 – 2
Provided in the year 24 24 16 10 26
Released (25) (25) (64) (54) (118)
31 December 27 10 37 30 10 40
As permitted by IFRS 9, the loss allowance on trade receivables arising from the recognition of revenue under IFRS 15 is initially measured at an
amount equal to lifetime expected losses. Allowances in respect of loans and other receivables are initially recognised at an amount equal to
12-month expected credit losses. Allowances are measured at an amount equal to the lifetime expected credit losses where the credit risk on the
receivables increases significantly after initial recognition.
Prior to the adoption of IFRS 9 on 1 January 2018, loans and receivables were stated net of allowances for estimated irrecoverable amounts due to
the identification of a loss event (the incurred loss method).
The Group holds bank guarantees, other guarantees and credit insurance in respect of some of the past due debtor balances.
Trade and other receivables are predominantly denominated in the functional currencies of subsidiary undertakings apart from the following: US
dollar: 4.2% (2018: 3.5%), UK sterling: 0.2% (2018: 4.2%), Euro: 1.1% (2018: 1.6%) and other currencies: 11.2% (2018: 6.6%).
There is no material difference between the above amounts for trade and other receivables and their fair value due to the short-term duration of
the majority of trade and other receivables as determined using discounted cash flow analysis. There is no concentration of credit risk with respect
to trade receivables as the Group has a large number of internationally dispersed customers.
Investments held at fair value through OCI relate to the Group’s strategic investments in China Materialia Fund II.
2019 2018
£m £m
Functional currency 131 212
US dollar 4 –
Euro – –
Other currency – 5
135 217
The classification of these investments under the IFRS 13 fair value hierarchy is given in note 22.
There is no material difference between the investments held at fair value and their gross contractual values.
2019 2018
Assets Liabilities Assets Liabilities
£m £m £m £m
Fair value hedges
– interest rate swaps 177 62 181 83
– cross-currency swaps 191 – 282 –
Cash flow hedges
– interest rate swaps – 187 – 98
– cross-currency swaps 114 84 149 56
– forward foreign currency contracts 57 50 61 42
Net investment hedges
– forward foreign currency contracts 178 19 10 174
Held-for-trading*
– interest rate swaps 3 6 6 –
– forward foreign currency contracts 45 60 46 63
Total 765 468 735 516
Derivatives
– in respect of net debt 527 384 647 269
– other 238 84 88 247
765 468 735 516
* Derivatives which do not meet the tests for hedge accounting under IFRS 9 or which are not designated as hedging instruments are referred to as “held-for-trading”. These derivatives principally consist
of forward foreign currency contracts which have not been designated as hedges due to their value changes offsetting with other components of net finance costs relating to financial assets and financial
liabilities. The Group does not use derivatives for speculative purposes. All derivatives are undertaken for risk management purposes.
2019 2018
Assets Liabilities Assets Liabilities
Inflow Outflow Inflow Outflow Inflow Outflow Inflow Outflow
£m £m £m £m £m £m £m £m
Within one year
– forward foreign currency contracts 10,168 (9,367) 8,534 (8,069) 7,081 (6,526) 9,876 (9,749)
– cross-currency swaps 35 (38) 18 (62) 55 (54) 33 (92)
Between one and two years
– forward foreign currency contracts 548 (524) 278 (263) 332 (330) 449 (441)
– cross-currency swaps 811 (765) 969 (1,012) 36 (43) 20 (73)
Between two and three years
– cross-currency swaps 15 (23) 17 (36) 830 (771) 1,008 (1,075)
Between three and four years
– cross-currency swaps 725 (590) 683 (679) 15 (26) 17 (38)
Between four and five years
– cross-currency swaps 9 (15) 10 (15) 733 (592) 690 (730)
Beyond five years
– cross-currency swaps 762 (609) 460 (435) 754 (625) 469 (490)
13,073 (11,931) 10,969 (10,571) 9,836 (8,967) 12,562 (12,688)
The maturity dates of net-settled derivative financial instruments, which primarily relate to interest rate swaps, are as follows:
2019 2018
Assets Liabilities Assets Liabilities
Inflow Outflow Inflow Outflow
£m £m £m £m
Within one year 44 44 53 40
Between one and two years 25 39 48 19
Between two and three years 25 39 45 15
Between three and four years 10 21 26 13
Between four and five years 43 63 23 15
Beyond five years 182 263 15 23
329 469 210 125
2019 2018
Changes in Changes in
fair value fair value
Nominal used for Nominal used for
amount of calculating amount of calculating
hedging hedge hedging hedge
instrument ineffectiveness instrument ineffectiveness
£m £m £m £m
Interest rate risk exposure:
Fair value hedges
– interest rate swaps 3,065 73 4,470 11
– cross-currency swaps 1,436 (72) 1,561 19
Cash flow hedges
– interest rate swaps 4,068 (103) 2,715 (98)
– cross-currency swaps 2,695 (61) 2,856 (91)
Foreign currency risk exposure:
Cash flow hedges
– forward foreign currency contracts 3,827 (3) 3,574 (4)
Net investment hedges (derivative related)
– forward foreign currency contracts 5,274 161 5,291 (166)
Net investment hedges (non-derivative related)
– debt (carrying value) in borrowings designated as net investment hedges of net assets 372 22 4,647 (226)
16 Inventories
2019 2018
£m £m
Raw materials and consumables 2,750 3,049
Finished goods and work in progress 3,258 2,877
Goods purchased for resale 86 103
6,094 6,029
Inventories pledged as security for liabilities amount to £7 million (2018: £7 million). Write-offs taken to other operating expenses in the
Group income statement were £255 million (2018: £148 million; 2017: £114 million), including amounts relating to restructuring costs.
Goods purchased for resale include Group brands produced under third party contract manufacturing arrangements.
The carrying value of cash and cash equivalents approximates their fair value.
Cash and cash equivalents are denominated in the functional currency of the subsidiary undertaking or other currencies as shown below:
2019 2018
£m £m
Functional currency 2,199 2,144
US dollar 127 158
Euro 64 174
Other currencies 136 126
2,526 2,602
In the Group cash flow statement, net cash and cash equivalents are shown after deducting bank overdrafts and accrued interest where
applicable, as follows:
2019 2018
£m £m
Cash and cash equivalents as above 2,526 2,602
Less overdrafts and accrued interest (491) (274)
Net cash and cash equivalents 2,035 2,328
Cash and cash equivalents include restricted amounts of £627 million (2018: £170 million), principally due to exchange control regulations in
certain countries and subsidiaries in CCAA protection (note 28).
Cash and cash equivalents also include £14 million (2018: £125 million) of cash that is held as a hedging instrument.
(b) Share premium account, capital redemption reserves and merger reserves comprise:
Share Capital
premium redemption Merger
account reserves reserves Total
£m £m £m £m
31 December 2019 94 101 26,414 26,609
31 December 2018 91 101 26,414 26,606
31 December 2017 87 101 26,414 26,602
i. Translation reserve:
The translation reserve is explained in the accounting policy on foreign currencies in note 1.
In 2018, within the translation reserve differences on exchange, a gain of £107 million has been recognised in relation to the application of
hyperinflationary accounting in Venezuela as explained in note 3(h).
In 2017, included within the £923 million of differences on exchange in respect of associates is a debit of £545 million in respect of foreign
exchange recycled from reserves as a result of the divestment of the RAI associate. This has been reported in the Group’s share of post-tax results
of associates and joint ventures.
ii. Hedging reserve:
The hedging reserve is explained in the accounting policy on financial instruments in note 1.
Of the amounts reclassified from the hedging reserve and reported in profit for the year, a gain of £12 million (2018: £15 million gain;
2017: £52 million gain) and a gain of £3 million (2018: £23 million gain; 2017: £27 million loss) were reported within revenue and raw materials
and consumables, respectively, together with a gain of £11 million (2018: £7 million loss; 2017: £4 million gain) reported in other operating
expenses and a gain of £27 million (2018: £14 million loss; 2017: £80 million gain) reported within net finance costs.
19 Borrowings
2019 2018
Currency Maturity dates Interest rates £m £m
Eurobonds Euro 2020 to 2045 0.9% to 4.9% 7,591 8,717
Euro 2021 3m EURIBOR +50bps 931 986
UK sterling 2021 to 2055 1.8% to 7.3% 4,161 4,671
US dollar 2019 1.6% – 512
Swiss franc 2021 to 2026 0.6% to 1.4% 510 523
Bonds issued pursuant to Rules under
the U.S. Securities Act (as amended) US dollar 2020 to 2049 2.8% to 8.1% 23,805 25,428
USD 3m LIBOR +
US dollar 2020 to 2022 59bps to 88bps 1,325 1,381
Bonds and notes 38,323 42,218
Commercial paper 1,056 536
Other loans 4,624 3,859
Bank loans 293 608
Bank overdrafts 491 274
Lease liabilities 579 14
45,366 47,509
The interest on the commercial paper referred to in the table above is based on USD LIBOR plus a margin ranging between 22 and 63 basis
points and EURIBOR plus a margin ranging between 10 and 24 basis points (2018: USD LIBOR plus a margin ranging between 22 and 65 basis
points and EURIBOR plus a margin ranging between 8 and 15 basis points).
Other loans primarily comprise of £745 million (2018: £nil) relating to bilateral facilities maturing in 2020 and £3,859 million
(2018: £3,859 million) relating to two £1,929 million term loans maturing in 2020 and 2022.
Current borrowings per the balance sheet include interest payable of £474 million at 31 December 2019 (2018: £470 million). Included within
borrowings are £5,136 million (2018: £6,245 million) of borrowings subject to fair value hedges where their amortised cost has been increased
by £210 million (2018: £179 million) in the table above.
The fair value of borrowings is estimated to be £45,674 million (2018: £44,457 million) of which £38,631 million (2018: £39,169 million) has
been calculated using quoted market prices and is within level 1 of the fair value hierarchy and £7,043 million (2018: £5,288 million) has been
calculated based on discounted cash flow analysis and is within level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.
Amounts secured on Group assets including property, plant and equipment, inventory and receivables as at 31 December 2019 are £88 million
(2018: £75 million). The majority of lease liabilities are also secured against the associated assets.
19 Borrowings continued
Borrowings are repayable as follows:
The contractual gross maturities in each year include the borrowings maturing in that year together with forecast interest payments on all
borrowings which are outstanding for all or part of that year.
Borrowings are denominated in the functional currency of the subsidiary undertaking or other currencies as shown below:
The exposure to interest rate changes when borrowings are re-priced is as follows:
19 Borrowings continued
Lease liabilities are repayable as follows:
The Group’s undrawn committed borrowing facilities (note 22) total £6,000 million (2018: £6,000 million) with £3,000 million maturing within
one year (2018: £3,000 million maturing within one year) and with £3,000 million maturing between one and two years (2018: £3,000 million
maturing between two and three years).
The Group defines net debt as follows:
2019 2018
£m £m
Borrowings* 44,787 47,495
Lease liabilities 579 14
Derivatives in respect of net debt:
– assets (note 15) (527) (647)
– liabilities (note 15) 384 269
Cash and cash equivalents (note 17) (2,526) (2,602)
Current investments held at fair value (note 14) (123) (178)
42,574 44,351
* Borrowings as at 31 December 2019 include £848 million (2018: £944 million) in respect of the purchase price adjustments relating to the acquisition of Reynolds.
The movements in net debt are presented below along with a reconciliation to the financing activities in the Group Cash Flow Statement:
2019
£m
Accounting Fair value,
policy change accrued
Opening (IFRS 16) Subsidiaries Foreign interest and Closing
balance (note 30) acquired Cash flow exchange other balance
Borrowings 47,495 – – (1,176) (1,536) 4 44,787
Lease liabilities 14 607 3 (154) (30) 139 579
Derivatives in respect of net debt:
– assets (note 15) (647) – – (2) 107 15 (527)
– liabilities (note 15) 269 – – (389) 491 13 384
Cash and cash equivalents (note 17) (2,602) – – 17 57 2 (2,526)
Current investments held at fair value (note 14) (178) – – 95 38 (78) (123)
44,351 607 3 (1,609) (873) 95 42,574
Other movements in lease liabilities in 2019 mainly comprise additions of £135 million (net of reassessments, modifications and terminations), see
note 9. The £78 million increase in current investments held at fair value represents the fair value gains for these investments.
19 Borrowings continued
2018
£m
Accounting Fair value,
policy change Revised accrued
Opening (IFRS 9) (note opening Subsidiaries Foreign interest and Closing
balance 30) balance acquired Cash flow exchange other balance
Borrowings 49,450 – 49,450 – (3,671) 1,826 (96) 47,509
Derivatives in respect of net debt:
– assets (note 15) (640) – (640) – 109 (55) (61) (647)
– liabilities (note 15) 117 – 117 – (6) 132 26 269
Cash and cash equivalents (note 17) (3,291) – (3,291) (1) 563 100 27 (2,602)
Current investments held at fair value
(note 14) (65) (144) (209) – 9 53 (31) (178)
45,571 (144) 45,427 (1) (2,996) 2,056 (135) 44,351
2019 2018
£m £m
Cash flows per net debt statement (1,609) (2,996)
Non-financing cash flows included in net debt (329) (386)
Interest paid (1,601) (1,557)
Interest element of lease liabilities (32) (2)
Remaining cash flows relating to derivative financial instruments (173) (54)
Purchases of own shares held in employee share ownership trusts (117) (139)
Dividends paid to owners of the parent (4,598) (4,347)
Capital injection from/(purchases) of non-controlling interests 20 (11)
Dividends paid to non-controlling interests (157) (142)
Other 3 4
Net cash used in financing activities per cash flow statement (8,593) (9,630)
Restructuring Employee-
of existing related Other
businesses benefits Fox River provisions Total
£m £m £m £m £m
1 January 2018 158 40 138 417 753
Differences on exchange – (3) – (15) (18)
Provided in respect of the year 41 10 – 50 101
Utilised during the year (72) (14) (30) (71) (187)
31 December 2018 127 33 108 381 649
The restructuring provisions relate to the restructuring and integration costs incurred and are reported as adjusting items. The principal restructuring
activities in 2019 and 2018 are as described in note 3(e). While some elements of the non-current provisions of £95 million will unwind over several years,
as termination payments are made over extended periods in some countries, it is estimated that approximately 29% will unwind within five years.
Employee-related benefits mainly relate to employee benefits other than post-employment benefits. The principal components of these provisions are
gratuity and termination awards, and ‘jubilee’ payments due after a certain service period. It is estimated that approximately 28% of the non-current
provisions of £14 million will unwind within five years.
A provision of £274 million was made in 2011 for a potential claim under a 1998 settlement agreement entered into by a Group subsidiary in respect of
the clean-up of sediment in the Fox River. On 30 September 2014, the Group, NCR, Appvion and Windward Prospects entered into a funding agreement;
the details of this agreement are explained in note 27. This agreement led to payments of £32 million in 2019 (2018: £25 million). In addition, the Group
incurred legal costs of £3 million (2018: £5 million), which were also charged against the provision. It is expected that the non-current provision will
unwind within five years.
On 10 February 2017, a decision was delivered on the further hearing related to a payment of dividends by Windward to Sequana in May 2009.
Further details are provided in note 27.
Other provisions comprise balances set up in the ordinary course of general business that cannot be classified within the other categories, such as sales
returns and onerous contracts, together with amounts in respect of supplier, excise and other disputes. The nature of the amounts provided in respect of
disputes is such that the extent and timing of cash flows are difficult to estimate and the ultimate liability may vary from the amounts provided.
In 2019, following the Quebec Class Action judgment on 1 March 2019, the Group recognised a provision of CAD$758 million (£436 million) representing
the expected liability associated with the claim. As explained in note 13, the Group has utilised the litigation related deposit against the current estimate of the
liability and consequently both the provision and litigation related deposit (note 13) have reduced. Further details are provided in note 27.
As explained in note 3(h), in 2019, the Group recognised a provision of £252 million in relation to the Russia excise dispute.
Amounts provided above are shown net of reversals of unused provisions which include reversals of £18 million (2018: £12 million) for
restructuring of existing businesses, £3 million (2018: £4 million) for employee benefits and £97 million (2018: £111 million) for other provisions,
of which £10 million (2018: £56 million) was reclassified to trade and other payables.
The movement in sundry payables relates to the correction for the accounting for dividends, as explained in note 18(e).
As explained in note 13, the Group acts as a collection agent for banks and other financial institutions in certain debt factoring arrangements.
The cash collected in respect of these arrangements that has not yet been remitted amounts to £115 million (2018: £118 million) and is included
in sundry payables.
In addition, the Group has certain Supply Chain Financing (SCF) or ‘reverse factoring’ arrangements in place. The principal purpose of these
arrangements is to provide the supplier with the option to access liquidity earlier through the sale of its receivables due from the Group to a
bank or other financial institution prior to their due date. Management has determined that the Group’s payables to these suppliers have neither
been extinguished nor have the liabilities been significantly modified by these arrangements. The value of amounts payable, invoice due dates
and other terms and conditions applicable, from the Group’s perspective, remain unaltered, with only the ultimate payee being changed.
At 31 December 2019, the value of amounts payable under the SCF programmes was £71 million (2018: £45 million). The cash outflows in
respect of these arrangements have been recognised within operating cash flows.
Accrued charges and deferred income include £4 million of deferred income (2018: £5 million) and £61 million (2018: £51 million) in respect of
interest payable mainly related to tax matters. FII GLO deferred income of £963 million relates to receipts in 2015, in respect of the Franked Investment
Income Government Litigation Order (note 6(b)). Amounts payable to related parties including associated undertakings are shown in note 26.
There is no material difference between the above amounts for trade and other payables and their fair value due to the short-term duration of the
majority of trade and other payables, as determined using discounted cash flow analysis.
Trade and other payables are predominantly denominated in the functional currencies of subsidiary undertakings with less than 6% in other
currencies (2018: less than 5% in other currencies).
2019 2018
Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total
£m £m £m £m £m £m £m £m
Assets at fair value
Investment held at fair value (note 14) 78 – 57 135 141 – 76 217
Derivatives relating to
– interest rate swaps (note 15) – 180 – 180 – 187 – 187
– cross-currency swaps (note 15) – 305 – 305 – 431 – 431
– forward foreign currency contracts (note 15) – 280 – 280 – 117 – 117
Assets at fair value 78 765 57 900 141 735 76 952
Liabilities at fair value
Derivatives relating to
– interest rate swaps (note 15) – 255 – 255 – 181 – 181
– cross-currency swaps (note 15) – 84 – 84 – 56 – 56
– forward foreign currency contracts (note 15) – 129 – 129 – 279 – 279
Liabilities at fair value – 468 – 468 – 516 – 516
Level 2 financial instruments are not traded in an active market, but the fair values are based on quoted market prices, broker/dealer quotations,
or alternative pricing sources with reasonable levels of price transparency. The Group’s level 2 financial instruments include OTC derivatives.
Netting arrangements of derivative financial instruments
The gross fair value of derivative financial instruments as presented in the Group balance sheet, together with the Group’s rights of offset
associated with recognised financial assets and recognised financial liabilities subject to enforceable master netting arrangements and similar
agreements, is summarised as follows:
2019 2018
Amount Related Amount Related
presented amounts not presented amounts not
in the offset in the in the offset in the
Group Group Group Group
balance balance Net balance balance Net
sheet* sheet amount sheet* sheet amount
£m £m £m £m £m £m
Financial assets
– Derivative financial instruments (note 15) 765 (291) 474 735 (295) 440
Financial liabilities
– Derivative financial instruments (note 15) (468) 291 (177) (516) 295 (221)
297 – 297 219 – 219
The Group is subject to master netting arrangements in force with financial counterparties with whom the Group trades derivatives.
2019
Accumulated
amount of fair Line item
value hedge in the
adjustments on statement of
the hedged item financial Changes in fair
included in the position where value used for
Carrying amount carrying amount the hedged calculating Cash flow
of the hedged of the hedged item is hedge hedge
item item included ineffectiveness reserve
£m £m £m £m £m
Fair value hedges
Interest rate risk
– borrowings (liabilities) 5,136 210 Borrowings (9)
Cash flow hedges
Interest rate risk
– borrowings (liabilities) 4,013 Borrowings 163 (308)
Derivative
financial
– derivative financial instruments (assets)* 2 instruments – –
Derivative
financial
– derivative financial instruments (liabilities)* (49) instruments 1 (1)
* The carrying value reported for derivative financial instruments represents the aggregated exposure as at the balance sheet date. For assets, the gross nominal value amounts to £226 million (2018: £nil)
and for liabilities, the gross nominal value amounts to £932 million (2018: £nil).
2018
Accumulated
amount of fair
value hedge Line item
adjustments on in the statement
the hedged item of financial Changes in fair
included in the position where value used for
Carrying amount carrying amount the hedged calculating Cash flow
of the hedged of the hedged item is hedge hedge
item item included ineffectiveness reserve
£m £m £m £m £m
Fair value hedges
Interest rate risk
– borrowings (liabilities) 6,424 179 Borrowings (32)
Cash flow hedges
Interest rate risk
– borrowings (liabilities) 2,819 Borrowings 189 (146)
£372 million (2018: £4,647 million) of the Group’s borrowings are designated as net investment hedge instruments of the Group’s net
investments in foreign operations. In line with the Group’s risk management policies, the net investment hedge relationships are reviewed
periodically. Consequently, a number of these relationships have matured in 2019. The change in the value used for calculating hedge
ineffectiveness for hedged items designated under net investment hedge relationships is £22 million (2018: £226 million).
As at 31 December 2019, the total balance of the cash flow hedge reserve was a loss of £346 million (2018: loss of £177 million) including a
loss of £309 million (2018: loss of £146 million) in relation to interest rate exposure and foreign currency exposure arising from borrowings
held by the Group, a loss of £160 million (2018: loss of £98 million) in relation to interest rate exposure on forecasted borrowings, and a gain of
£105 million (2018: gain of £48 million) in relation to deferred tax arising from cash flow hedges. The remainder related to the Group’s foreign
currency exposure on forecasted transactions, and cost of hedging (note 18(c)(ii)).
2019 2018
Vested Unvested Vested Unvested
£m £m £m £m
LTIP 0.5 2.8 0.5 2.6
DSBS 0.3 6.2 0.2 6.1
Total liability 0.8 9.0 0.7 8.7
2019 2018
Equity-
settled Cash-settled Equity-settled Cash-settled
Number Number Number Number
of options of options of options of options
in thousands in thousands in thousands in thousands
Outstanding at start of year 6,908 306 6,030 378
Granted during the period 4,552 202 3,067 66
Exercised during the period (1,045) (129) (1,739) (102)
Forfeited during the period (1,222) (61) (450) (36)
Outstanding at end of year 9,193 318 6,908 306
Exercisable at end of year 739 25 676 22
As at 31 December 2019, the Group has 9,193,000 shares (2018: 6,908,000 shares) outstanding which includes 2,479,057 shares
(2018: 1,208,129 shares) which are related to RAI LTIP awards from which 43,924 shares (2018: 72,033 shares) are exercisable at the end of
the year.
The weighted average British American Tobacco p.l.c. share price at the date of exercise for share options exercised during the period was £28.31
(2018: £38.90; 2017: £51.95) for equity-settled and £30.87 (2018: £40.62; 2017: £52.08) for cash-settled options.
The weighted average British American Tobacco p.l.c. share price for ADS on the New York Stock Exchange at the date of exercise for share
options exercised during the period relating to equity-settled RAI LTIP awards was US$36.35 (2018: US$51.43).
The outstanding shares for the year ended 31 December 2019 had a weighted average remaining contractual life of 8.2 years (2018: 8.1 years;
2017: 8.1 years) for the equity-settled scheme, 1.93 years for RAI equity-settled (2018: 1.91 years scheme; 2017: 2.17 years) and 8.3 years
(2018: 8.1 years; 2017: 8.3 years) for the cash-settled share-based payment arrangements.
2019 2018
Equity-
settled Cash-settled Equity-settled Cash-settled
Number Number Number Number
of options of options of options of options
in thousands in thousands in thousands in thousands
Outstanding at start of year 3,248 281 2,962 382
Granted during the period 2,097 202 1,262 66
Exercised during the period (1,500) (184) (940) (145)
Forfeited during the period (97) (17) (36) (22)
Outstanding at end of year 3,748 282 3,248 281
Exercisable at end of year 90 6 79 5
The weighted average British American Tobacco p.l.c. share price at the date of exercise for share options exercised during the financial year was
£28.40 (2018: £40.00; 2017: £52.52) for equity-settled and £30.06 (2018: £40.51; 2017: £52.50) for cash-settled options.
The outstanding shares for the year ended 31 December 2019 had a weighted average remaining contractual life of 1.5 years (2018: 1.3 years;
2017: 1.3 years) for the equity-settled scheme and 1.5 years (2018: 1.1 years; 2017: 1.2 years) for the cash-settled scheme.
Valuation assumptions
Assumptions used in the Black-Scholes models to determine the fair value of share options at grant date were as follows:
2019 2018
LTIP DSBS LTIP DSBS
Expected volatility (%) 22.0 22.0 18.0 18.0
Average expected term to exercise (years) 3.5 3.0 3.5 3.0
Risk-free rate (%) 0.7 0.7 1.0 1.0
Expected dividend yield (%) 6.5 6.5 5.0 5.0
Expected dividend yield (%) – Management Board 6.0 6.0 5.0 5.0
Share price at date of grant (£) 30.83 30.83 38.94 38.94
Share price at date of grant (£) – Management Board 33.28 33.28 38.94 38.94
Fair value at grant date (£) 21.93 25.35 29.39 33.50
Fair value at grant date (£) – Management Board 24.03 25.35 29.39 33.50
Market condition features were incorporated into the Monte-Carlo models for the total shareholder return elements of the LTIP, in determining
fair value at grant date. Assumptions used in these models were as follows:
2019 2018
LTIP LTIP
Average share price volatility FMCG comparator group (%) 18 18
Average correlation FMCG comparator group (%) 28 31
Fair values determined from the Black-Scholes and Monte-Carlo models use assumptions revised at the end of each reporting period for cash-
settled share-based payment arrangements.
The expected British American Tobacco p.l.c. share price volatility was determined taking account of the return index (the share price index plus
the dividend reinvested) over a five-year period. The FMCG share price volatility and correlation was also determined over the same periods.
The average expected term to exercise used in the models has been adjusted, based on management’s best estimate, for the effects of non-
transferability, exercise restrictions and behavioural conditions, forfeiture and historical experience.
The risk-free rate has been determined from market yield curves for government gilts with outstanding terms equal to the average expected term
to exercise for each relevant grant. The expected dividend yield was determined by calculating the yield from the last two declared dividends
divided by the grant share price.
In addition to these valuation assumptions, LTIP awards contain earnings per share performance conditions. As these are non-market performance
conditions they are not included in the determination of fair value of share options at the grant date, however they are used to estimate the
number of awards expected to vest. This pay-out calculation is based on expectations published in analysts’ forecasts.
25 Group employees
The average number of persons employed by the Group and its associates during the year, including Directors, was 94,846 (2018: 95,239).
2019 2018
Number Number
United States 5,046 5,066
APME 14,910 15,074
AMSSA 18,638 19,351
ENA 25,505 26,102
Subsidiary undertakings 64,099 65,593
Associates 30,747 29,646
94,846 95,239
Included within the employee numbers for ENA are certain employees in the UK in respect of central functions. Some of the costs of these
employees are allocated or charged to the various regions and markets in the Group.
As explained in note 23, in 2017, the Group completed the acquisition of the remaining 57.8% of RAI not already owned. This transaction has
not been included in the table above.
On 17 December 2012, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Group, BATUS Japan Inc. (BATUSJ), entered into an Amendment and Extension
Agreement (referred to as the Amendment) with a wholly-owned subsidiary of RAI, R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company (referred to as RJRTC).
The Amendment modifies the American-blend Cigarette Manufacturing Agreement (referred to as the 2010 Agreement), effective as of
1 January 2010.
Prior to the Amendment, the term of the 2010 Agreement was scheduled to expire on 31 December 2014, subject to early termination and
extension provisions. Pursuant to the Amendment, the Manufacturing Agreement would remain in effect beyond 31 December 2014, provided
that either RJRTC or BATUSJ may terminate the Manufacturing Agreement by furnishing three years’ notice to the other party. Such notice was
given in January 2016. As a result of early termination of this agreement the Group agreed to a compensation payment of US$90 million of which
US$7 million was paid to RJRTC on 22 September 2016, with the Group recognising the full expense of US$90 million as required by IFRS in
2016. The balance was paid in March 2017.
During 2019, the Group acquired 60% of VapeWild Holdings LLC and a minority stake in AYR Limited. The Group also made a capital injection in
Brascuba Cigarillos S.A..
During 2018, the Group acquired a further 44% interest in British American Tobacco Myanmar Limited and a further 11% interest in British
American Tobacco Vranje.
During 2017, the Group acquired the remaining 49% interest in IPRESS d.o.o. and a further 0.01% interest in British American Tobacco Chile
Operaciones S.A. The combined costs are less than £1 million.
As explained in note 11, contributions to the British American Tobacco UK Pension Fund are secured by a charge over the Group’s Head Office
(Globe House) up to a maximum of £150 million.
The key management personnel of British American Tobacco consist of the members of the Board of Directors of British American Tobacco
p.l.c. and the members of the Management Board. No such person had any material interest during the year in a contract of significance (other
than a service contract) with the Company or any subsidiary company. The term key management personnel in this context includes their close
family members.
The following table, which is not part of IAS 24 disclosures, shows the aggregate emoluments of the Directors of the Company.
(Note 1) This includes cases to which the Reynolds American Inc. (“RAI”) group companies were a party at such date.
(Note 2) This category of cases includes the Department of Justice action. See note 27, paragraphs 20-24 and the list of Closed Litigation Matters.
(Note 4) This category of cases includes smoking and health cases alleging personal injuries caused by tobacco use or exposure brought by
or on behalf of individual plaintiffs based on theories of negligence, strict liability, breach of express or implied warranty and violations of state
deceptive trade practices or consumer protection statutes. The plaintiffs seek to recover compensatory damages, attorneys’ fees and costs and
punitive damages. Out of the 135 active individual smoking and health cases, six judgments have been returned in the plaintiffs’ favour, awarding
damages totalling approximately US$192 million (approximately £145 million), which are pending post-trial in trial courts or on appeal. For a
further description of these cases, see note 27, paragraph 40.
(Note 5) In July 1998, trial began in Engle v R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co., a then-certified class action filed in Circuit Court, Miami-Dade County,
Florida, against US cigarette manufacturers, including R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. (“RJRT”) (individually, and as successor by merger to Lorillard
Tobacco Company (“Lorillard Tobacco”)) and Brown & Williamson Holdings, Inc. (formerly Brown & Williamson Tobacco Corporation) (“B&W”).
In July 2000, the jury in Phase II awarded the class a total of approximately US$145 billion (approximately £109.5 billion) in punitive damages,
apportioned US$36.3 billion (approximately £27.4 billion) to RJRT, US$17.6 billion (approximately £13.3 billion) to B&W, and US$16.3 billion
(approximately £12.3 billion) to Lorillard Tobacco. This decision was appealed and ultimately resulted in the Florida Supreme Court in December
2006 decertifying the class and allowing judgments entered for only two of the three Engle class representatives to stand and setting aside the
punitive damages award. Putative Engle class members were permitted to file individual lawsuits, deemed ‘Engle progeny cases’, against the Engle
defendants, within one year of the Supreme Court’s decision (subsequently extended to 11 January 2008). Between the period 1 January 2017
and 31 December 2019, 40 judgments have been returned in the plaintiffs’ favour, awarding damages totalling approximately US$354 million
(approximately £267 million). Certain of these judgments have been appealed by RJRT and in certain other cases, RJRT still had time to appeal, as
of 31 December 2019. For a further description of the Engle progeny cases, see note 27, paragraphs 29-38.
(Note 6) Broin v Philip Morris, Inc. was a class action filed in Circuit Court in Miami-Dade County, Florida in 1991 and brought on behalf of
flight attendants alleged to have suffered from diseases or ailments caused by exposure to Environmental Tobacco Smoke (“ETS”) in airplane
cabins. Group companies and other cigarette manufacturer defendants settled Broin, agreeing to pay a total of US$300 million (approximately
£226 million) to fund research on the detection and cure of tobacco-related diseases and US$49 million (approximately £37 million) in plaintiffs’
counsel’s fees and expenses. Group companies’ share of these payments totalled US$174 million (approximately £131 million). Broin II cases refer
to individual cases by class members. There have been no Broin II trials since 2007. For a further description of the Broin II cases, see note 16 to
paragraph 40.
(Note 7) Includes claims brought against Lorillard Tobacco and Lorillard Inc. by individuals who seek damages resulting from their alleged
exposure to asbestos fibres that were incorporated into filter material used in one brand of cigarettes manufactured by a predecessor to Lorillard
Tobacco for a limited period of time ending more than 50 years ago. Since 1 January 2017, Lorillard Tobacco and RJRT have paid, or have
reached agreement to pay, a total of approximately US$31 million (approximately £23 million) in settlements to resolve 138 Filter Cases. See note
17 to paragraph 40.
(Note 8) Group companies’ expenses and payments under the State Settlement Agreements for 2019 amounted to approximately US$2.8 billion
(approximately £2.1 billion) in respect of settlement expenses and US$2.9 billion (approximately £2.2 billion) in respect of settlement cash
payments. See note 27, paragraph 43. The pending cases referred to above relate to the enforcement, validity or interpretation of the State
Settlement Agreements in which RJRT, B&W or Lorillard Tobacco is a party. See note 27, paragraphs 41-53.
b. “Damages” refers to the amount of money sought by a 16. Scheduled trials. Trial schedules are subject to change, and
plaintiff in a complaint, or awarded to a party by a jury or, many cases are dismissed before trial. In the US, there are 28
in some cases, by a judge. “Compensatory damages” are cases, exclusive of Engle progeny cases, scheduled for trial as of
awarded to compensate the prevailing party for actual losses 31 December 2019 through 31 December 2020, for the Reynolds
suffered, if liability is proved. In cases in which there is a finding Defendants: 14 individual smoking and health cases, 13 Filter
that a defendant has acted wilfully, maliciously or fraudulently, Cases and one non-smoking and health case. There are also
generally based on a higher burden of proof than is required approximately 146 Engle progeny cases against RJRT (individually
for a finding of liability for compensatory damages, a plaintiff and as successor to Lorillard Tobacco) and B&W scheduled for trial
also may be awarded “punitive damages”. Although damages through 31 December 2020. It is not known how many of these
may be awarded at the trial court stage, a losing party may cases will actually be tried.
be protected from paying any damages until all appellate 17. Trial results. From 1 January 2017 through 31 December 2019,
avenues have been exhausted by posting a supersedeas 108 trials occurred in individual smoking and health, Engle
bond. The amount of such a bond is governed by the law of progeny, and Filter Cases in which the Reynolds Defendants were
the relevant jurisdiction and generally is set at the amount of defendants, including 20 where mistrials were declared. Verdicts in
damages plus some measure of statutory interest, modified at favour of the Reynolds Defendants and, in some cases, other
the discretion of the appropriate court or subject to limits set defendants, were returned in 28 cases (including one directed
by a court or statute. verdict after the jury reached an impasse in a punitive damages
c. “Settlement” refers to certain types of cases in which cigarette trial), tried in Florida (26) and Massachusetts (2). Verdicts in favour
manufacturers, including RJRT, B&W and Lorillard Tobacco, of the plaintiffs were returned in 46 cases (including one in which
have agreed to resolve disputes with certain plaintiffs without the jury found for the plaintiff in Phase I and the parties reached a
resolving the cases through trial. resolution agreement prior to completion of Phase II), which were
tried in Florida (41), the US Virgin Islands (2), and Massachusetts
(3). Nine of the cases in Florida were dismissed during trial.
Two cases were continued during trial. Three cases were punitive
damages retrials.
** Of the 40 trials resulting in plaintiffs’ verdicts 1 January 2017 to 31 December 2019 (note 11):
Note 11: The 40 trials include one case that was tried twice (Gloger v. R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co.) and one case (Robert Miller v. R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co.) where plaintiff moved for a mistrial following
a plaintiff’s verdict where the jury awarded no compensatory or punitive damages, and an adverse judgment has not yet been entered.
Note 12: Of the 27 adverse judgments appealed by RJRT as a result of judgments arising in the period 1 January 2017 to 31 December 2019:
a. 15 appeals remain undecided in the District Courts of Appeal; and
b. 12 were decided and/or closed. Of these 12 appeals, 6 were affirmed in favour of plaintiff, 1 was reversed to the trial court for possible retrial on punitive damages and review of the Florida Supreme
Court has been requested, 1 reversed for new trial on all issues, 1 reversed to reduce amount of compensatory damages by comparative fault, 1 reversed for reinstatement of full amount of
compensatory verdict, 1 was appealed but appeal was voluntarily dismissed, and 1 was involuntarily dismissed by the appellate court.
36. By statute, Florida applies a US$200 million (approximately £151 million) bond cap to all Engle progeny cases in the aggregate.
Individual bond caps for any given Engle progeny case vary depending on the number of judgments in effect at a given time.
Judicial attempts by several plaintiffs in the Engle progeny cases to challenge the bond cap as violating the Florida Constitution have
failed. In addition, bills have been introduced in sessions of the Florida legislature that would eliminate the Engle progeny bond cap, but those
bills have not been enacted as of 31 December 2019.
(Note 14) Out of the 135 pending individual smoking and health cases, six have received adverse verdicts in the court of first instance or on
appeal, and the total amount of those verdicts is approximately US$192 million (approximately £145 million).
(Note 15) The number of Engle progeny cases will fluctuate as cases are dismissed or if any of the dismissed cases are appealed. Please see earlier
table in paragraph 35.
(Note 16) Broin v Philip Morris, Inc. was a class action filed in Circuit Court in Miami-Dade County, Florida in 1991 and brought on behalf of flight
attendants alleged to have suffered from diseases or ailments caused by exposure to ETS in airplane cabins. In October 1997, RJRT, B&W, Lorillard
Tobacco and other cigarette manufacturer defendants settled Broin, agreeing to pay a total of US$300 million (approximately £226 million)
in three annual US$100 million (approximately £75 million) instalments, allocated among the companies by market share, to fund research
on the early detection and cure of diseases associated with tobacco smoke. It also required those companies to pay a total of US$49 million
(approximately £37 million) for the plaintiffs’ counsel’s fees and expenses. RJRT’s portion of these payments was approximately US$86 million
(approximately £65 million); B&W’s was approximately US$57 million (approximately £43 million); and Lorillard Tobacco’s was approximately
US$31 million (approximately £23 million). The settlement agreement, among other things, limits the types of claims class members may bring
and eliminates claims for punitive damages. The settlement agreement also provides that, in individual cases by class members that are referred
to as Broin II lawsuits, the defendants will bear the burden of proof with respect to whether ETS can cause certain specifically enumerated diseases,
referred to as “general causation.” With respect to all other liability issues, including whether an individual plaintiff’s disease was caused by his
or her exposure to ETS in airplane cabins, referred to as “specific causation”, individual plaintiffs will bear the burden of proof. On 7 September
1999, the Florida Supreme Court approved the settlement. There have been no Broin II trials since 2007. There have been periodic efforts to
activate cases and the Group expects this to continue over time.
(Note 17) Includes claims brought against Lorillard Tobacco and Lorillard Inc. by individuals who seek damages resulting from their alleged
exposure to asbestos fibres that were incorporated into filter material used in one brand of cigarettes manufactured by a predecessor to Lorillard
Tobacco for a limited period of time ending more than 50 years ago. Pursuant to the terms of a 1952 agreement between P. Lorillard Company
and H&V Specialties Co., Inc. (the manufacturer of the filter material), Lorillard Tobacco is required to indemnify Hollingsworth & Vose for legal
fees, expenses, judgments and resolutions in cases and claims alleging injury from finished products sold by P. Lorillard Company that contained
the filter material. As of 31 December 2019, Lorillard Tobacco and/or Lorillard Inc. was a defendant in 51 Filter Cases. Since 1 January 2017,
Lorillard Tobacco and RJRT have paid, or have reached agreement to pay, a total of approximately US$31 million (approximately £23 million) in
settlements to resolve 138 Filter Cases.
(d) State Settlement Agreements
41. In November 1998, the major US cigarette manufacturers, including RJRT, B&W and Lorillard Tobacco, entered into the Master Settlement
Agreement (“MSA”) with attorneys general representing 46 US states, the District of Columbia and certain US territories and possessions.
These cigarette manufacturers previously settled four other cases, brought on behalf of Mississippi, Florida, Texas and Minnesota, by separate
agreements with each state (collectively and with the MSA, the “State Settlement Agreements”).
42. These State Settlement Agreements settled all health care cost recovery actions brought by, or on behalf of, the settling jurisdictions; released
the defending major US cigarette manufacturers from various additional present and potential future claims; imposed future payment
obligations in perpetuity on RJRT, B&W, Lorillard Tobacco and other major US cigarette manufacturers; and placed significant restrictions on
their ability to market and sell cigarettes and smokeless tobacco products. In accordance with the MSA, various tobacco companies agreed
to fund a US$5.2 billion (approximately £3.9 billion) trust fund to be used to address the possible adverse economic impact of the MSA on
tobacco growers.
* Subject to adjustments for changes in sales volume, inflation, operating profit and other factors. Payments are allocated among the companies on the basis of relative market share or other methods.
44. The State Settlement Agreements have materially adversely affected RJRT’s shipment volumes. RAI believes that these settlement obligations
may materially adversely affect the results of operations, cash flows or financial position of RAI and RJRT in future periods. The degree of the
adverse impact will depend, among other things, on the rate of decline in US cigarette sales in the premium and value categories, RJRT’s
share of the domestic premium and value cigarette categories, and the effect of any resulting cost advantage of manufacturers not subject to
the State Settlement Agreements.
45. In addition, the MSA includes an adjustment that potentially reduces the annual payment obligations of RJRT, Lorillard Tobacco and
the other signatories to the MSA, known as “Participating Manufacturers” (“PMs”). Certain requirements, collectively referred to as the
“Adjustment Requirements”, must be satisfied before the Non-Participating Manufacturers (“NPM”) Adjustment for a given year is available:
(i) an Independent Auditor must determine that the PMs have experienced a market share loss, beyond a triggering threshold, to those
manufacturers that do not participate in the MSA (such non-participating manufacturers being referred to as “NPMs”); and (ii) in a binding
arbitration proceeding, a firm of independent economic consultants must find that the disadvantages of the MSA were a significant factor
contributing to the loss of market share. This finding is known as a significant factor determination.
46. When the Adjustment Requirements are satisfied, the MSA provides that the NPM Adjustment applies to reduce the annual payment
obligation of the PMs. However, an individual settling state may avoid its share of the NPM Adjustment if it had in place and diligently
enforced during the entirety of the relevant year a ‘Qualifying Statute’ that imposes escrow obligations on NPMs that are comparable to
what the NPMs would have owed if they had joined the MSA. In such event, the state’s share of the NPM Adjustment is reallocated to other
settling states, if any, that did not have in place and diligently enforce a Qualifying Statute.
47. RJRT and Lorillard Tobacco are or were involved in NPM Adjustment proceedings concerning the years 2003 to 2017. In 2012, RJRT,
Lorillard Tobacco, and SFNTC entered into an agreement (the “Term Sheet”) with certain settling states that resolved accrued and potential
NPM adjustments for the years 2003 through 2012 and, as a result, RJRT and SFNTC collectively received, or are to receive, more than
US$1.1 billion (approximately £830 million) in credits that, in substantial part, were applied to MSA payments in 2014 through 2017. After an
arbitration panel ruled in September 2013 that six states had not diligently enforced their qualifying statutes in the year 2003, additional
states joined the Term Sheet. RJRT executed the NPM Adjustment Settlement Agreement on 25 September 2017 (which incorporated the
Term Sheet). Since the NPM Adjustment Settlement Agreement was executed, an additional 10 states have joined. NPM proceedings are
ongoing and could result in further reductions of the companies’ MSA-related payments.
48. On 18 January 2017, the State of Florida filed a motion to join Imperial Tobacco Group, PLC (“ITG”) as a defendant and to enforce the Florida
State Settlement Agreement, which motion seeks payment under the Florida State Settlement Agreement of approximately US$45 million
(approximately £34 million) with respect to the four brands (Winston, Salem, Kool and Maverick) that were sold to ITG in the divestiture of
certain assets, on 12 June 2015, by subsidiaries or affiliates of RAI and Lorillard, together with the transfer of certain employees and certain
liabilities, to a wholly-owned subsidiary of Imperial Brands plc (the “Divestiture”), referred to as the “Acquired Brands”. The motion also claims
future annual losses of approximately US$30 million per year (approximately £23 million) absent the court’s enforcement of the Florida State
Settlement Agreement. The State’s motion sought, among other things, an order declaring that RJRT and ITG are in breach of the Florida
Settlement Agreement and are required, jointly and severally, to make annual payments to the State under the Florida State Settlement
Agreement with respect to the Acquired Brands. In addition, on 18 January 2017, PM USA filed a motion to enforce the Florida State
Settlement Agreement, asserting among other things that RJRT and ITG breached that agreement by failing to make settlement payments
as to the Acquired Brands, which PM USA asserts has improperly shifted settlement payment obligations to PM USA. On 27 January 2017,
RJRT sought leave to file a supplemental pleading for breach by ITG of its obligations regarding joinder into the Florida State Settlement
Agreement. The Florida court, on 30 March 2017, ruled that ITG should be joined into the enforcement action.
Nigeria
62. British American Tobacco (Nigeria) Limited (“BAT Nigeria“), the Company and Investments have been named as defendants in a medical
reimbursement action by the federal government of Nigeria, filed on 6 November 2007 in the Federal High Court, and in similar actions
filed by the Nigerian states of Kano (9 May 2007), Oyo (30 May 2007), Lagos (13 March 2008), Ogun (26 February 2008), and Gombe
(17 October 2008) commenced in their respective High Courts. In the five cases that remain active, the plaintiffs seek a total of approximately
10.6 trillion Nigerian naira (approximately £22 billion) in damages, including special, anticipatory and punitive damages, restitution and
disgorgement of profits, as well as declaratory and injunctive relief.
63. The suits claim that the state and federal government plaintiffs incurred costs related to the treatment of smoking-related illnesses resulting
from allegedly tortious conduct by the defendants in the manufacture, marketing, and sale of tobacco products in Nigeria, and assert that the
plaintiffs are entitled to reimbursement for such costs. The plaintiffs assert causes of action for negligence, negligent design, fraud and deceit,
fraudulent concealment, breach of express and implied warranty, public nuisance, conspiracy, strict liability, indemnity, restitution, unjust
enrichment, voluntary assumption of a special undertaking, and performance of another’s duty to the public.
64. The Company and Investments have made a number of challenges to the jurisdiction of the Nigerian courts. Such challenges are still pending
(on appeal) against the federal government and the states of Lagos, Kano, Gombe and Ogun. The underlying cases are stayed or adjourned
pending the final outcome of these jurisdictional challenges. In the state of Oyo, on 13 November 2015, and 24 February 2017, respectively,
the Company’s and Investments’ jurisdictional challenges were successful in the Court of Appeal and the issuance of the writ of summons was
set aside.
South Korea
65. In April 2014, Korea’s National Health Insurance Service (“NHIS”) filed a healthcare recoupment action against KT&G (a Korean tobacco
company), PM Korea and BAT Korea (including BAT Korea Manufacturing). The NHIS is seeking damages of roughly 54 billion Korean
Won (approximately £35 million) in respect of health care costs allegedly incurred by the NHIS treating patients with lung (small cell and
squamous cell) and laryngeal (squamous cell) cancer between 2003 and 2012. Court hearings in the case, which constitute the trial,
commenced in September 2014 and remain ongoing.
Brazil
66. On 21 May 2019, the Federal Attorney’s Office (“AGU”) in Brazil filed an action in the Federal Court of Rio Grande do Sul against the
Company, the BAT Group’s Brazilian subsidiary Souza Cruz LTDA (“Souza Cruz”), Philip Morris International, Philip Morris Brazil Indústria
e Comércio LTDA and Philip Morris Brasil S/A, asserting claims for medical reimbursement for funds allegedly expended by the federal
government as public health care expenses to treat 26 tobacco-related diseases over the last five years and that will be expended in
perpetuity during future years, including diseases allegedly caused both by cigarette smoking and exposure to ETS. The action includes a
claim for moral damages allegedly suffered by Brazilian society to be paid into a public welfare fund. The action is for an unspecified amount
of monetary compensation, as the AGU seeks a bifurcated action in which liability would be determined in the first phase followed by an
evidentiary phase to ascertain damages.
67. On 19 July 2019, the trial court ordered that service of the action on the Company be effected via service on Souza Cruz. On 6 August 2019,
Souza Cruz refused to receive service on behalf of the Company due to Souza Cruz’s lack of power to receive the summons on behalf of the
Company and such refusal was attached to the case files on 9 August 2019. On 7 August 2019, Souza Cruz was served with the complaint by
the AGU and Souza Cruz’s acknowledgement of service was attached to the case files on 12 August 2019.
68. On 19 August 2019, Souza Cruz filed an interlocutory appeal challenging the 19 July 2019 trial court order permitting the AGU to effect
service on the Company by serving Souza Cruz and requesting a stay of the proceedings until the appeal is decided. Souza Cruz also
appealed the fact that several documents attached to the AGU’s complaint are in English, without proper translation, and it also appealed the
very short term of 30 days for the defendants to prepare their defences.
131. Loews Indemnity. In 2008, Loews Corporation (“Loews”), entered 134. Except as otherwise noted above, RAI is not able to estimate the
into an agreement with Lorillard Inc., Lorillard Tobacco, and maximum potential of future payments, if any, related to these
certain of their affiliates, which agreement is referred to as the indemnification obligations.
“Separation Agreement”. In the Separation Agreement, Lorillard 135. Competition Investigations. There are instances where Group
agreed to indemnify Loews and its officers, directors, employees companies are cooperating with relevant national competition
and agents against all costs and expenses arising out of third- authorities in relation to ongoing competition law investigations
party claims (including, without limitation, attorneys’ fees, and/or engaged in legal proceedings at the appellate level,
interest, penalties and costs of investigation or preparation of including (amongst others) in Ukraine, Cyprus and Netherlands.
defence), judgments, fines, losses, claims, damages, liabilities,
taxes, demands, assessments, and amounts paid in settlement
based on, arising out of or resulting from, among other things,
Loews’ ownership of or the operation of Lorillard and its assets
and properties, and its operation or conduct of its businesses
at any time prior to or following the separation of Lorillard and
Loews (including with respect to any product liability claims).
2019 2018
£m £m
Service contracts
Within one year 15 20
Between one and five years 20 17
Beyond five years – –
35 37
Financial commitments arising from short-term leases and leases of low-value assets that are not capitalised under IFRS 16 Leases are £10 million
for property and £11 million for plant, equipment and other assets. Refer to note 30 for more information on the adoption of IFRS 16.
Performance guarantees
As part of the acquisition of TDR in 2015, the Group has committed to keeping the manufacturing facility in Kanfanar, Croatia operational for at
least five years following completion of the acquisition. The maximum exposure under this guarantee is £42 million (2018: £45 million).
28 Interests in subsidiaries
Subsidiaries with material non-controlling interests
Non-controlling interests principally arise from the Group’s listed investment in Malaysia (British American Tobacco (Malaysia) Berhad), where
the Group held 50% of the listed holding company in 2019, 2018 and 2017. The Group has assessed that it exercises de facto control over
Malaysia as it has the practical ability to direct the business through effective control of the Company’s Board as a result of the Group controlling
the largest shareholding block in comparison to other shareholdings which are widely dispersed. Summarised financial information for Malaysia
is shown below as required by IFRS 12. As part of the Group’s reporting processes, Malaysia report consolidated financial information for the
Malaysia group which has been adjusted to comply with Group accounting policies which may differ to local accounting practice. Goodwill in
respect of Malaysia, which arose as a result of the acquisition of the Rothmans group referred to in note 8, has not been included as part of the
net assets below. In addition, no adjustments have been made to the information below for the elimination of intercompany transactions and
balances with the rest of the Group.
2019 2018
Summarised financial information £m £m
Non-current assets 2,403 2,781
Current assets 768 394
Non-current liabilities (131) (129)
Current liabilities (447) (498)
2,593 2,548
Under the terms of CCAA, the court has appointed FTI Consulting Canada Inc. to act as a monitor. This monitor has no operational input and is
not involved in the management of the business. The Group considers that ITCAN continues to meet the requirements of IFRS 10 Consolidated
Financial Statements, and, until such requirements are not met, the Group will continue to consolidate the results of ITCAN.
Whilst the Group continues to control the operations of its Canadian subsidiary, there are restrictions over the ability to access or use certain
assets including the ability to remit dividends. Included in current assets are cash and cash equivalents of £595 million, of which £445 million is
restricted (2018: £248 million, none of which was restricted) (note 17) and inventories of £117 million (2018: £105 million). Included in non-
current assets for 2019 and 2018 is goodwill of £2.3 billion subject to impairment reviews (note 8). Included in current liabilities are trade and
other payables of £310 million (2018: £362 million), the majority of which are amounts payable in respect of duties and excise. Refer to note 27
for information on the Quebec Class Actions.
Other shareholdings
The Group holds 92% of the equity shares of PT Bentoel Internasional Investama Tbk (“Bentoel”). In 2011, the Group sold 984 million shares,
representing approximately 14% of Bentoel’s share capital, for the purposes of fulfilling certain obligations pursuant to Bapepam LK (Indonesia)
takeover regulations. The Group simultaneously entered into a total return swap on 971 million of the shares. In June 2016, the Group and other
investors participated in a rights issue by Bentoel, increasing its stake in Bentoel to 92%. Simultaneously, the Group amended the total return
swap to take account of an addition 1,684 million shares. The shares subject to the total return swap now represent 7% of Bentoel’s issued
capital. While the Group does not have legal ownership of these shares, it retains the risks and rewards associated with them which results in the
Group continuing to recognise an effective interest in 99% of Bentoel’s net assets and results.
Refer to note 10 for information on the Group’s 42% investment in Tisak d.d..
Attributable to:
Owners of the parent 5,849 3,060 3,323 3,088 5,622 (15,238) 5,704
Non-controlling interests – – – – 145 – 145
5,849 3,060 3,323 3,088 5,767 (15,238) 5,849
Attributable to:
Owners of the parent 6,176 2,728 3,100 2,759 6,331 (15,062) 6,032
Non-controlling interests – – – – 178 – 178
6,176 2,728 3,100 2,759 6,509 (15,062) 6,210
Attributable to:
Owners of the parent 37,550 3,720 4,123 3,897 37,852 (49,657) 37,485
Non-controlling interests – – – – 171 – 171
37,550 3,720 4,123 3,897 38,023 (49,657) 37,656
Attributable to:
Owners of the parent 2,126 3,257 3,538 3,285 1,755 (11,961) 2,000
Non-controlling interests – – – – 126 – 126
2,126 3,257 3,538 3,285 1,881 (11,961) 2,126
Attributable to:
Owners of the parent 9,390 2,728 3,100 2,759 9,538 (18,276) 9,239
Non-controlling interests – – – – 185 – 185
9,390 2,728 3,100 2,759 9,723 (18,276) 9,424
Attributable to:
Owners of the parent 34,422 3,720 4,123 3,897 34,728 (46,529) 34,361
Non-controlling interests – – – – 167 – 167
34,422 3,720 4,123 3,897 34,895 (46,529) 34,528
* The opening balance of net cash and cash equivalents represents external cash held by the parent guarantor, issuers, subsidiary guarantors and non-guarantor subsidiaries.
Attributable to:
Owners of the parent 5,849 117 198 192 3,323 5,461 (9,436) 5,704
Non-controlling interests – – – – – 145 – 145
5,849 117 198 192 3,323 5,606 (9,436) 5,849
Attributable to:
Owners of the parent 6,176 157 102 243 3,100 6,810 (10,556) 6,032
Non-controlling interests – – – – – 178 – 178
6,176 157 102 243 3,100 6,988 (10,556) 6,210
Attributable to:
Owners of the parent 37,550 (52) (63) 636 4,120 37,155 (41,861) 37,485
Non-controlling interests – – – – – 171 – 171
37,550 (52) (63) 636 4,120 37,326 (41,861) 37,656
Attributable to:
Owners of the parent 2,126 (97) 177 192 3,538 1,777 (5,713) 2,000
Non-controlling interests – – – – – 126 – 126
2,126 (97) 177 192 3,538 1,903 (5,713) 2,126
Attributable to:
Owners of the parent 9,390 56 117 243 3,100 10,103 (13,770) 9,239
Non-controlling interests – – – – – 185 – 185
9,390 56 117 243 3,100 10,288 (13,770) 9,424
Attributable to:
Owners of the parent 34,422 (294) (84) 636 4,120 34,294 (38,733) 34,361
Non-controlling interests – – – – – 167 – 167
34,422 (294) (84) 636 4,120 34,461 (38,733) 34,528
* The opening balance of net cash and cash equivalents represents external cash held by the parent guarantor, issuers, subsidiary guarantors and non-guarantor subsidiaries.
The weighted average incremental borrowing rate applied in discounting lease commitments was 5.60%.
Adoption of new accounting standards effective 1 January 2018
Adoption of IFRS 9
With effect from 1 January 2018, the Group has adopted IFRS 9 Financial Instruments with no restatement of prior periods, as permitted by
the Standard.
The cumulative impact of adopting the Standard, including the effect of tax entries, has been recognised as a restatement of opening reserves
in 2018, and is £38 million, arising from the impairment of financial assets under the expected loss model. A simplified ‘lifetime expected loss
model’ is available for balances arising as a result of revenue recognition, by applying a standard rate of provision on initial recognition of trade
debtors based upon the Group’s historical experience of credit loss modified by expectations of the future, and increasing this provision to take
account of overdue receivables. Applying the requirements of IFRS 9 has resulted in a decrease of trade and other debtors of £45 million as at
1 January 2018.
IFRS 9 also changes the classification and measurement of financial assets. The category of available-for-sale investments (where fair value changes
were deferred in reserves until disposal of the investment) has been replaced with the category of financial assets at Fair Value through Profit
and Loss (for most investments) and the category of financial assets at Fair Value through Other Comprehensive Income (for qualifying equity
investments), and the available-for-sale reserve at 1 January 2018 has been reclassified into retained earnings. In addition, certain loans and
receivables which do not meet the measurement tests for amortised cost classification under IFRS 9 have been reclassified as financial assets at Fair
Value through Profit and Loss at the same date. The Group has used the term ‘investments held at fair value’ to refer to all of these financial assets
both pre- and post- the adoption of IFRS 9.
GROUP COMPANIES
AND UNDERTAKINGS
This disclosure is made in accordance with Section 409 of the Companies Act 2006 and The Large and Medium-sized Companies and Groups
(Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008, as amended by The Companies, Partnerships and Groups (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2015.
A full list of subsidiary undertakings, associates and joint ventures and joint operations as defined by IFRS (showing the country of incorporation,
effective percentage of equity shares held and full registered office addresses) as at 31 December 2019 is disclosed below.
The subsidiary undertakings that are held directly by British American Tobacco p.l.c. (the ultimate Parent Company) are indicated thus*; all others
are held by sub-holding companies.
Unless otherwise stated, the equity shares held are in the form of ordinary shares or common stock, except for those indicated thus#, which
include preference shares. The effective percentage of equity shares held in subsidiary undertakings is 100% unless otherwise stated. Further,
where the effective percentage of equity shares held by the sub-holding company is different from that held by British American Tobacco p.l.c.,
the percentage of equity shares held by British American Tobacco p.l.c. is indicated thus^ and is shown after the percentage interest held by the
sub-holding company.
The results of a number of these subsidiary undertakings principally affect the financial statements of the Group. These principal subsidiary
undertakings are highlighted in grey and are considered to be the main corporate entities in those countries which, in aggregate, contributed
76% of the Group revenue and 78% of profit from operations.
Subsidiary Undertakings
Albania Austria
Rruga e Kavajes, Ish Kombinati Ushqimor, Tirana, Albania Dr. Karl Lueger Platz 5, 1010, Wien, Austria
British American Tobacco – Albania SH.P.K. British American Tobacco (Austria) GmbH
Algeria Bahrain
Industrial Zone, Cheraga, El Omrane, Ouled Fayet Road, Lot 04 Ilot Flat 2115, Building 2504, Road 2832, Block 428, Al Seef Area,
789, Algiers, Algeria Kingdom of Bahrain
British American Tobacco (Algérie) S.P.A. (51%) British American Tobacco Middle East S.P.C.
Angola Bangladesh
Viana Park, Polo Industrial, Viana, Luanda, Angola New DOHS Road, Mohakhali, Dhaka 1206, Bangladesh
Agrangol Limitada (77%) British American Tobacco Bangladesh Company Limited (72.91%)
British American Tobacco – B.A.T. Angola, Limitada1 Barbados
Fabrica de Tabacos de Cacuso (51%) Braemar Court, Deighton Road, St. Michael, Barbados
SETA, Sarl (98%) B.C.O., Inc
Sociedade Geral de Distribuição e Comércio, Limitada Chancery Chambers, Chancery House, High Street, Bridgetown,
Sociedade Industrial Tabacos Angola LDA (76.60%) Barbados
Sociedade Unificada Tabacos Angola LDA (76.39%) Southward Insurance Ltd.
Argentina Belarus
San Martín 140, Floor 14, City of Buenos Aires, Argentina 7th Floor, 3 Kuprevicha Str., Minsk, 220141, Belarus
British American Tobacco Argentina S.A.I.C.y F. (99.98%) British-American Tobacco Trading Company Foreign Private Trading
Australia Unitary Enterprise
166 William Street, Woolloomooloo, NSW 2011, Australia Belgium
British American Tobacco (Australasia Holdings) Pty Limited10 Globe House, 4 Temple Place, London, WC2R 2PG, United
Kingdom
British American Tobacco Australasia Limited10
British American Tobacco Holdings Belgium N.V.
British American Tobacco Australia Limited10
Nieuwe Gentsesteenweg 21, 1702 Groot-Bijgaarden, Belgium
British American Tobacco Australia Overseas Pty Limited10
British American Tobacco Belgium N.V.
British American Tobacco Australia Services Limited10
Tabacofina-Vander Elst N.V.
British American Tobacco Manufacturing Australia Pty Ltd.10
Rue de Koninck 38, 1080 Sint-Jans-Molenbeek, Belgium
Rothmans Asia Pacific Limited# 10
British American Tobacco Co-ordination Centre/L.P. Co-ordination
The Benson & Hedges Company Pty. Limited10
Centre VOF
W.D. & H.O. Wills Holdings Limited10
Benin
Cotonou, Lot Numbero H19, Quartiers Les Cocotiers, 01 BP 2520, Benin
British American Tobacco Benin SA
Bolivia
Av. Costanerita No. 71, esq Calle 6, floor 5, Zona de Obrajes, La
Paz, Bolivia
BAT Bolivia S.R.L.
Croatia Finland
Draškovićeva 27, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia Itamerentori 2, 00180, Helsinki, Finland
Inovine d.d. (93.42%) British American Tobacco Finland Oy
Ivana Luc̆ića 2/a, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia France
BAT HRVATSKA d.o.o. u likvidaciji 8 Rue La Boétie, 75008 Paris, France
Obala V. Nazora 1, 52210 Rovinj, Croatia Carreras France SAS
Adista d.o.o. Cœur Défense Tour A 100-110 Esplanade de Gaulle 92932 Paris
TDR d.o.o. La Défense Cedex, France
Osjec̆ka 2, 33000 Virovitica, Croatia British American Tobacco France SAS
Hrvatski Duhani d.d. Tobacco Leaf Processing (89.55%) France 23, Rue du Roule, 75001 Paris, France
Cuba Nicoventures France S.A.S.
Calle Reyes, No. 6, entre Calzada de Luyanó y Calle Princesa, Germany
Municipio 10 de Octubre, Ciudad de La Habana, Cuba Alsterufer 4, 20354 Hamburg, Germany
Brascuba Cigarrillos S.A. (50%) BATIG Gesellschaft fur Beteiligungen m.b.H.
Cyprus British American Tobacco (Germany) GmbH
Photiades Business Centre, 5th Floor, 8 Stasinou Avenue, Nicosia, British American Tobacco (Hamburg International) GmbH
CY-1060, Cyprus British American Tobacco (Industrie) GmbH
B.A.T (Cyprus) Limited Schillerstr. 10, 28195 Bremen, Germany
Rothmans (Middle East) Limited Chic Deutschland GmbH
Czech Republic Schutterwalder Straße 23, 01458 Ottendorf-Okrilla, Germany
Karolinská 654/2, Prague 8 – Karlín, 186 00, Czech Republic Quantus Beteiligungs – und Beratungsgesellschaft mbH
British American Tobacco (Czech Republic), s.r.o. Ghana
Denmark F190/5 Josiah Tongogari Street, Opposite Tante Marie Restaurant,
Vester Farimagsgade 19, 1606 Copenhagen, Denmark Labone-Accra, Ghana
British American Tobacco Denmark A/S (House of Prince A/S) British American Tobacco Ghana Limited (97.09%)
Precis (1789) Denmark A/S Greece
X-International ApS 27, Ag. Thoma Street, Maroussi, 151 24, Greece
Egypt British American Tobacco Hellas S.A.
Administrative unit no.1, 5th Floor, Building S2B, Sector A, Guernsey
Downtown Mall Katameya, 5th settlement, New Cairo, Egypt St. Martin’s House, Le Bordage, St. Peter’s Port, GY1 4AU,
BETCO for General Services and Marketing LLC Guernsey
BETCO for Trade and Distribution LLC Belaire Insurance Company Limited
British American Tobacco Egypt LLC Guyana
British American Tobacco North Africa LLC 90 Carmichael Street, South Cummingsburg, Georgetown, Guyana
Eritrea Demerara Tobacco Company Limited (70.25%)
P.O. Box 749, 62 Fel Ket Street, Asmara, Eritrea Honduras
British American Tobacco (Eritrea) Share Company# Boulevard del Sur, Zona El Cacao, San Pedro Sula, Depart. de
Estonia Cortés, Honduras
Tornimäe 7, 10145 Tallinn, Estonia Tabacalera Hondureña S.A. (83.64%)
British American Tobacco Estonia AS Hong Kong
Ethiopia 11/F, One Pacific Place, 88 Queensway, Hong Kong
Bole Road, TK Building 3rd Floor, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia British American Tobacco China Investments Limited
Tobacco Marketing Consultants Level 30, Three Pacific Place, 1 Queen’s Road East, Wanchai, Hong
Kong
Fiji
British American Tobacco Asia-Pacific Region Limited
Lady Maria Road, Nabua, Suva, Fiji
British-American Tobacco Company (Hong Kong) Limited
British American Tobacco (Fiji) Marketing Pte Limited
LEHMAN, LEE & XU CORPORATE SERVICES, Suite 3313, Tower
Central Manufacturing Company Pte Limited One, Times Square, 1 Matheson Street, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong
Rothmans of Pall Mall (Fiji) Pte Limited Reynolds Asia-Pacific Limited
Units 2501 and 2506 to 2510, 25/F Island Place Tower, Island Place
510, King’s Road, Hong Kong
American Cigarette Company Limited
Hungary
H-1124, Budapest, Csörsz utca 49-51. 3. em., Hungary
BAT Pécsi Dohánygyár Korlátolt Felelosségu Társaság
Indonesia Jordan
Capital Place Office Tower 6th Floor, Jl. Gatot Subroto Kav. 18, Salman Quadah Street, Behind Abdoun Mall Opp. Khaled Khreisat
Jakarta 12710 Indonesia Complex, Villa No. (1), Abdoun, Amman, Jordan
PT Bentoel Internasional Investama, Tbk (92.48%) British American Tobacco – Jordan Private Shareholding Company
Jl. Raya Karanglo, Desa Banjararum, Kecamatan Singosari, Jawa Limited11
Timur 65153 Indonesia Kazakhstan
PT Bentoel Prima4 (100%) (92.48%)^ 240G, Nursultan Nazarbayev avenue, A26F8D4 Almaty, Republic of
Jl. Susanto No. 2B, Ciptomulyo, Sukun, Malang, Jawa Timur 65148 Kazakhstan
Indonesia British American Tobacco Kazakhstan Trading LLP
PT Bentoel Distribusi Utama (100%) (92.48%)^ Kenya
Iran, Islamic Republic of 8 Likoni Road, Industrial Area, P.O. Box 30000-00100, Nairobi,
No.3, Aftab St., Khodami St., Vanak Sq., Post Code: 1994834589, Kenya
Islamic Republic of Iran African Cigarette Company (Overseas) Limited (100%) (60%)^
B.A.T. Pars Company (Private Joint Stock) (99%) BAT Kenya Tobacco Company Limited (100%) (60%)^
No. 88, Baran Bld., Kuyeh Sayeh, Across Mellat Park, Vali’asr Ave., 9 Likoni Road, Industrial Area, P.O. Box 30000-00100, Nairobi,
Tehean, Islamic Republic of Iran Kenya
TDR Parisian Co British American Tobacco Area Limited
Iraq 10 Likoni Road, Industrial Area, P.O. Box 30000-00100, Nairobi,
Enkawa, Erbil, Kurdistan Region of Iraq Kenya
B.A.T. Iraqia Company for Tobacco Trading Limited British American Tobacco Kenya plc (60%)
Ireland 11 Likoni Road, Industrial Area P.O. Box 30000-00100, Nairobi, Kenya
Suite D, 2nd Floor, The Apex Building, Blackthorn Road, Sandyford East African Tobacco Company (Kenya) Limited (100%) (60%)^
Industrial Estate, Dublin 18, Republic of Ireland Korea, Republic of
Carroll Group Distributors Limited Gangnam Finance Center, 152 Teheran-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul,
P.J. Carroll & Company Limited4 Republic of Korea
Rothmans of Pall Mall (Ireland) Limited5 British American Tobacco Korea Limited
Isle of Man 141, Gongdan1-ro, Sanam-Myun, Sacheon City, Kyungsangnamdo,
Republic of Korea
c/o Boston MFO, 2nd Floor, St Mary’s Court, 20 Hill Street,
Douglas, IM1 1EU, Isle of Man British American Tobacco Korea Manufacturing Limited
Abbey Investment Company Limited Kosovo, Republic of
The Raleigh Investment Company Limited Llapllaselle p.n., 10500 Gracanicë, Republic of Kosovo
Tobacco Manufacturers (India) Limited British American Tobacco Kosovo SH.P.K.
Italy Latvia
Via Amsterdam 147, 00144 Rome, Italy Mukusalas iela 101, Riga LV-1004, Latvia
British American Tobacco Italia S.p.A. British American Tobacco Latvia SIA
Ivory Coast Lithuania
Rue des Jardins-Immeuble Woodin- 2eme étage, Abidjan, Cocody 2 J. Galvydžio g. 11-7, LT-08236 Vilnius Lithuania
plateaux, Ivory Coast UAB British American Tobacco Lietuva
British American Tobacco RCI SARL Luxembourg
Marcory, Immeuble Plein Ciel Boulevard VGE – 6 BP 1377, Ivory 1, Rue Jean Piret, 2350 Luxembourg, Grand Duchy of Luxembourg
Coast British American Tobacco Brands (Switzerland) Limited
Tobacco Marketing Consultant CDI SARL Malawi
Jamaica Northgate Arcade, Highway Chipembere, Blantyre, Malawi
13A Ripon Road, Kingston 5, Jamaica British American Tobacco (Malawi) Limited
Carreras Limited (50.40%) 8 Malaysia
Sans Souci Development Limited (100%) (50.40%) ^ 8 12th Floor, Menara Symphony, No. 5, Jalan Semangat, Seksyen 13,
Sans Souci Limited (100%) (50.40%) ^ 8 46200, Petaling Jaya, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia
Japan British American Tobacco GSD (Kuala Lumpur) Sdn Bhd
Midtown Tower 20F, 9-7-1 Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan Level 11, Sunway Geo Tower, Jalan Lagoon Selatan, Sunway South Quay,
British American Tobacco Japan, Ltd. Bandar Sunway, 47500 Subang Jaya, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia
Jersey BAT Aspac Service Centre Sdn Bhd
22 Grenville Street, St Helier, JE4 8PX, Jersey Level 19, Guoco Tower, Damansara City, No. 6 Jalan Damanlela,
Pathway 5 (Jersey) Limited Bukit Damansara, 50490 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
British American Tobacco Malaysia Foundation7
British American Tobacco (Malaysia) Berhad (50%)
Commercial Marketers and Distributors Sdn. Bhd. (100%) (50%)^
Rothmans Brands Sdn. Bhd. (100%) (50%)^
Tobacco Importers and Manufacturers Sdn. Bhd. (100%) (50%)^
Mali Netherlands
Djelibougou, Immeuble BASSARO, BP 2065, Bamako – Mali Handelsweg 53 A, 1181 ZA, Amstelveen, Netherlands
British American Tobacco (Mali) Sarl Aruba Properties B.V.
Malta B.A.T Finance B.V.
PM Building, Level 2, Mriehel Industrial Zone, Bone Street, B.A.T. Netherlands Finance B.V.
Mriehel, BKR3000, Malta British American Tobacco European Operations Centre B.V.
British American Tobacco (Malta) Limited British American Tobacco Exports B.V.
Central Cigarette Company Limited British American Tobacco Holdings (Australia) B.V.
Rothmans of Pall Mall (Malta) Limited British American Tobacco Holdings (Malaysia) B.V.
Mexico British American Tobacco Holdings (South Africa) B.V.
Francisco I Madero 2750 Poniente, Colonia Centro, Monterrey, British American Tobacco Holdings (The Netherlands) B.V.
Nuevo León, C.P. 64000, Mexico British American Tobacco Holdings (Venezuela) B.V.
British American Tobacco Mexico Comercial, S.A. de C.V. British American Tobacco Holdings (Vietnam) B.V.
British American Tobacco Mexico, S.A. de C.V.4 British American Tobacco International (Holdings) B.V.
British American Tobacco Servicios S.A. de C.V. British American Tobacco International Investments B.V.
Cigarrera La Moderna, S.A. de C.V. British American Tobacco Manufacturing B.V.
Predio Los Sauces Sin número, Colonia Los Sauces, C.P. 63195, British American Tobacco Nederland B.V.
Tepic, Nayarit, Mexico
British American Tobacco Western Europe Region B.V.
Procesadora de Tabacos de Mexico, S.A. de C.V. (93%)
Molensteegh Invest B.V.
Moldova, Republic of Precis (1789) B.V.
65, Stephan cel Mare Str., off. 414-417, Chisinau, MD2001, Precis (1790) B.V.
Republic of Moldova
Rothmans Far East B.V.
British American Tobacco – Moldova S.R.L.
Rothmans International Holdings B.V.
Mozambique
Rothmans International Holdings II B.V.
2289 Avenida de Angola, Maputo, Mozambique
Rothmans Tobacco Investments B.V.
British American Tobacco Mozambique Limitada (95%)
Rothmans UK Holdings B.V.
Sociedade Agricola de Tabacos Limitada (95%)
Turmac Tobacco Company B.V.
Myanmar Paterswoldseweg 43, 9726 BB Groninge, Netherlands
Min Aye Yar Street, Plot No. 55/56, Survey Ward No.14, Schwe Koninklijke Theodorus Niemeyer B.V.
Than Lwin Industrial Zone, Hlaing Tharyar Township, Yangon,
Myanmar New Zealand
British American Tobacco Myanmar Limited (95%)8 2 Watt Street, Parnell, Auckland, 1052, New Zealand
British American Tobacco Myanmar Services Limited8 British American Tobacco (New Zealand) Limited
Namibia British American Tobacco Holdings (New Zealand) Limited
Shop 48, Second Floor Old Power Station Complex, Armstrong c/o Mint Advisory Limited, Suite 6, 8 Turua Street, St Heliers,
Street, Windhoek, Namibia Auckland, 1071, New Zealand
British American Tobacco Namibia (Pty) Limited New Zealand (UK Finance) Limited#
Niger
Rue du Parc, Quartier Terminus, Niamey, Niger
British American Tobacco Niger
Singapore Spain
15 Senoko Loop, Singapore 758168 Torreo Espacio, Paseo de la Castellana, 259D, 28046 Madrid, Spain
British American Tobacco International Services Pte Ltd British American Tobacco España, S.A.
British-American Tobacco (Singapore) Private Limited Sri Lanka
British-American Tobacco Marketing (Singapore) Private Limited 178 Srimath Ramanathan Mawatha, Colombo, 15, Sri Lanka
18 Ah Hood Road #12-51, Hiap Hoe Bldg at Zhongshan Park, Ceylon Tobacco Company Plc (84.13%)
Singapore 329983 Sudan
British American Tobacco Sales & Marketing Singapore Pte. Ltd. Byblos Tower, Al-Muk Nemer Street, Postal Code 11111, P.O Box
Shenton Way, #33-00 OUE Downtown, Singapore 068809 1381, Khartoum, Sudan
RHL Investments Pte Limited# Blue Nile Cigarette Company Limited
Slovenia Swaziland
Bravnic̆arjeva ulica 13, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia Rhus Office Park, Kal Grant Street, P.O. Box 569, Mbabane,
British American Tobacco d.o.o. Swaziland
Solomon Islands British American Tobacco Swaziland (Pty) Limited
Kukum Highway, Ranadi, Honiara, Honiara, Solomon Islands Sweden
Solomon Islands Tobacco Company Limited Stre Järnvägsgatan 13, 4 fl. SE-252 24 Helsingborg, Sweden
South Africa Niconovum AB
Unit 19, Frazzitta Business Park, Freedom Way, Marconi Beam, Västra Trädgårdsgatan 15, 111 53 Stockholm, Sweden
Cape Town 8000, South Africa British American Tobacco Sweden AB
Twisp (Pty) Limited Sweden Stationsvägen 11, 523 74 Hökerum, Sweden
Waterway House South, 3 Dock Road, V&A Waterfront, Cape Town Winnington AB
8000, South Africa Stenåldersgatan 23, 213 76 Malmö, Sweden
Agrega EEMEA (Pty) Limited Fiedler & Lundgren AB
Amalgamated Tobacco Corporation (South Africa) (Pty) Limited Switzerland
American Cigarette Company (Overseas) Ltd. Route de France 17, 2926 Boncourt, Geneva, Switzerland
Benson & Hedges (Pty) Limited AD Tabacs International S.A.
British American Shared Services Africa Middle East (Pty) Limited American-Cigarette Company (Overseas) Limited
British American Tobacco GSD (South Africa) (Pty) Limited British American Tobacco Switzerland S.A.
British American Tobacco Holdings South Africa (Pty) Limited# British American Tobacco Switzerland Vending SA
British American Tobacco Properties South Africa (Pty) Ltd. Nicoventures Communications (Switzerland) AG
British American Tobacco Services South Africa (Pty) Limited Rothmans of Pall Mall Limited
British American Tobacco South Africa (Pty) Limited Route de la Glâne 107, c/o NBA Fiduciaire S.A. 1752 Villars-sur-
British American Tobacco Southern Africa Markets (Pty) Limited Glâne, Switzerland
Brown & Williamson Tobacco Corporation (Pty) Limited Intertab S.A. (50%)
Business Venture Investments No 216 (Pty) Limited c/o Seepark AG, Gartenstrasse 4, 6300 Zug, Switzerland
Carlton Cigarette Company (Pty) Limited British American Tobacco International Limited in Liquidation
Intercontinental Tobacco Company (Pty) Ltd. Tanzania
John Chapman (Pty) Limited Acacia Estate Building, Kinondoni Rd, P.O. Box 72484, Dar es
John Player & Sons (Pty) Limited Salaam, Tanzania
Kentucky Tobacco Corporation (Pty) Limited British American Tobacco (Tanzania) Limited
Martins of London (Pty) Limited International Cigarette Distributors Limited (99%)
Rembrandt Tobacco Corporation (Overseas) Ltd Zanzibar Distribution Company Limited (99%)
Riggio Tobacco Corporation of New York Ltd c/o IMMMA Advocates, Plot No.357, UN Road, Upanga, P.O Box
Rothmans of Pall Mall London Limited 72484, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
St. Regis Tobacco Corporation Ltd BAT Distribution Tanzania Limited
Thomas Bear’s Son & Co (Pty) Limited Trinidad and Tobago
Tobacco Research and Development Institute (Pty) Limited Corner Eastern Main Road and Mt. D’or Road, Champs Fleurs,
W.D. & H.O. Wills (Pty) Limited Trinidad and Tobago
Westminster Tobacco Company (Cape Town & London) (Pty) Limited The West Indian Tobacco Company Limited (50.13%)
Winfield Tobacco Corporation (Pty) Limited Turkey
Winston Tobacco Company Limited Orjin Maslak is Merkezi, Eski Büyükdere Caddesi, Kat: 9-10, Maslak,
Sanyer, istanbul, Türkiye – PK: 34485
British American Tobacco Tütün Mamulleri Sanayi ve Ticaret Anonim Sirketi
Globe House, 4 Temple Place, London, WC2R 2PG, United United States
Kingdom 2710 Gateway Oaks Drive, Suite 150N, Sacramento CA 95833,
Amalgamated Tobacco Company Limited United States
American Cigarette Company (Overseas) Limited Genstar Pacific Corporation
Ardath Tobacco Company Limited 251 Little Falls Drive, Wilmington, DE 19808, United States
B.A.T Additional Retirement Benefit Scheme Trustee Limited B.A.T Capital Corporation
B.A.T Industries p.l.c. BATUS Holdings Inc.
B.A.T. International Finance p.l.c.* BATUS Japan, INC.
B.A.T. Operating Finance Limited BATUS Retail Services, Inc.
BATLaw Limited British American Tobacco (Brands) Inc.
BATMark Limited* Brown & Williamson Holdings, Inc.
Benson & Hedges (Overseas) Limited BTI 2014 LLC
Better Tomorrow Ventures Limited Imasco Holdings Group, Inc.
British American Global Shared Services Limited Imasco Holdings, Inc.
British American Tobacco (1998) Limited* ITL (USA) Limited
British American Tobacco (2009) Limited Louisville Corporate Services, Inc.
British American Tobacco (2009 PCA) Limited Nicoventures U.S. Limited
British American Tobacco (2012) Limited Farmers Bank Building, Suite 1402, 301 N. Market Street,
British American Tobacco (Brands) Limited Wilmington, DE 19801, United States
British American Tobacco (Corby) Limited Reynolds Finance Company
British American Tobacco (NGP) Limited 3700 Airpark Drive, Owensboro, KY 42301, United States
British American Tobacco Healthcare Trustee Limited Kentucky BioProcessing, Inc.
British American Tobacco Taiwan Logistics Limited 401 N. Main Street, Winston-Salem, NC 27101, United States
British-American Tobacco (Holdings) Limited CF Vapor Company, LLC
Brown & Williamson Tobacco Corporation (Export) Limited Conwood Holdings, Inc.
Carreras Limited EXP Homes, LLC
Courtleigh of London Limited Lorillard Licensing Company LLC
Dunhill Tobacco of London Limited Lorillard, LLC
John Sinclair Limited Niconovum USA, Inc
Louisville Securities Limited Northern Brands International, Inc.
Moorgate Tobacco Co. Limited R.J. Reynolds Global Products, Inc.
Peter Jackson (Overseas) Limited R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
Precis (1789) Limited R.J. Reynolds Tobacco International, Inc
Precis (1814) Limited R.J. Reynolds Vapor Company
Rothmans International Enterprises Limited R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co.
Rothmans of Pall Mall Limited R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Holdings, Inc.
Senior Service (Overseas) Limited RAI Innovations Company
South Western Nominees Limited RAI International, Inc.
The London Tobacco Company Limited RAI Services Company
Tobacco Insurance Company Limited RAI Strategic Holdings, Inc.
Weston (2009) Limited RAI Trade Marketing Services Company
Weston Investment Company Limited Reynolds American Inc.
One, Eton Street, Richmond Upon Thames, London, TW9 1EF, Reynolds Brands Inc.
United Kingdom Reynolds Technologies, Inc.
British American Tobacco UK Limited RJR Realty Relocation Services, Inc.
Ten Motives Limited RJR Vapor Co., LLC
10 Motives Limited Rosswil LLC
S.F. Imports, Inc.
Spot You More, Inc.
3220 Knotts Grove Road, Oxford, NC 27565, United States Associated undertakings and joint ventures
Santa Fe Natural Tobacco Company, Inc Croatia
4550 Excel Parkway, Suite 100, Addison, TX 75001, United States Slavonska avenija 11a, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
Hanu Life LLC (100%) (60%)^ Tisak d.d. (41.86%)
VapeWild LLC (100%) (60%)^ Hungary
VapeWild Franchising LLC (100%) (60%)^ H-6800 Hódmezóvásárhely, Erzsébeti út 5/b, Hungary
VapeWild Holdings, LLC (60%) Országos Dohányboltellátó Korlátolt Felelosségu Társaság (49%)
VapeWild Retail Operations, LLC (100%) (60%)^ India
VapeWild Wholesale, LLC (100%) (60%)^ Virginia House, 37, J.L. Nehru Road, Kolkata, 700 071, India
Wolfpack Wholesale Global, Ltd. (100%) (60%)^ ITC Limited (29.49%)
5106, Tradeport Dr., Memphis, TN 38141, United States Azamabad, Andhra Pradesh, Hyderabad, 500 020, India
American Snuff Company, LLC VST Industries Limited (32.16%)8
Uruguay Nepal
Juncal 1392, Montevideo, Uruguay Shree Bal Sadan, Gha 2-513, Kantipath, Kathmandu, Nepal
Kellian S.A. Surya Nepal Pvt. Limited (61%) (19.44%)^
Uzbekistan Uganda
77 Minor Passage, Tashkent, 100084, Uzbekistan 69/71 Jinja Road, P.O Box 7100, Kampala, Uganda
JSC JV UZBAT A.O. (97.38%) Uganda Tobacco Processors Limited (50%)
Venezuela United Kingdom
Registro Mecantil Primero de la Circunscripción, Judical des 65a Hopton Street, London,SE1 9LR, United Kingdom
Distrito, Capital y Estado, Miranda, Venezuela
AYR Limited (13.14%)9
Agrega de Venezuela, Agreven, C.A. (50%)
Uzbekistan
Avenida Francisco de Miranda, Edificio Bigott, Los Ruices, Caracas
Gulobod Village, Samarkand Region, 140100, Uzbekistan
– Estado Miranda, 1010, Venezuela
FE “Samfruit” JSC (10.2%)
Agrobigott, C.A.
Compania Anonima Cigarrera Bigott Sucesores Yemen
Distribuidora Bigott, C.A. P.O. Box 14, Sanna, Yemen
Avenida Francisco de Miranda, Torre Chacao 19.02, Municipio Kamaran Industry and Investment Company (31%)
Chacao, Estado, Miranda, Caracas, Venezuela P.O. Box 5302, Hoban, Taiz, Yemen
Proyectos de Inversion BAT 1902 C.A. United Industries Company Limited (32%)
Vietnam
19/F Mplaza Saigon, 39 Le Duan Street, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Joint operations
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam Hong Kong
East Asia Area Services Company Limited 29/F, Oxford House, 979 King’s Road, Taikoo Place, Quarry Bay,
Area 8, Long Binh Ward, Bien Hoa City, Dong Nai Province, Hong Kong
Vietnam CTBAT International Co. Limited (50%)
British American Tobacco – Vinataba Limited (70%)
Notes
Lot 45C/I, Road #7, Vinh Loc Industrial Park, Binh Chanh District, 1. Ownership held in the class of USD 100 (100%) (76.30%)^ and USD 49,900 (100%).
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam 2. Ownership held in the class of Series F and 2nd Preferred shares.
VINA-BAT Joint Venture Company Limited (49%) 3. Ownership held in the class of A shares (50%) and class of B shares (100%).
Zambia 4. Ownership held in class of A shares and B shares.
20992 Kafue Road, P O Box 30622, Lusaka, Zambia 5. Ownership held solely in class of preference shares.
British American Tobacco (Zambia) plc (78%) 6. Ownership held in class of Investment stock (98.98%) and Ordinary shares (98.35%).
BALANCE SHEET@
British American Tobacco p.l.c. – at 31 December
2019 2018
Note £m £m
Assets
Fixed assets
Investments in Group undertakings 2 27,908 27,901
Current assets
Debtors 3 7,644 8,276
Cash at bank and in hand 5 6
Derivative financial instruments 8 –
Total current assets 7,657 8,282
Total assets 35,565 36,183
Equity
Capital and reserves
Called up share capital 614 614
Share premium account 95 92
Capital redemption reserve 101 101
Merger reserves 23,116 23,116
Other reserves 90 90
Profit and loss account 8,529 5,919
Total shareholders’ funds 4 32,545 29,932
Liabilities
Creditors 5 3,020 6,249
Derivative financial instruments – 2
Total liabilities 3,020 6,251
Total Equity and liabilities 35,565 36,183
The accompanying Notes on the Accounts are an integral part of the Parent Company financial statements.
On behalf of the Board
Richard Burrows
Chairman
17 March 2020
@ denotes section, including accompanying text and tables, that does not
form part of BAT’s Annual Report on Form 20-F as filed with the SEC.
Share Capital
Called up premium Merger redemption Other Profit and Total
share capital account Reserve reserves Reserves loss account Equity
£m £m £m £m £m £m £m
Share Capital
Called up premium Merger redemption Other Profit and Total
share capital account Reserve reserves Reserves loss account Equity
£m £m £m £m £m £m £m
There was no difference between profit and loss for the period and total comprehensive income for the period.
For movements on dividends – on equity shares, refer to note 8 ‘Dividends and other appropriations’.
The profit and loss account is stated after deducting the cost of treasury shares which was £5,247 million at 31 December 2019 (31 December
2018: £5,227 million).
@ denotes section, including accompanying text and tables, that does not
form part of BAT’s Annual Report on Form 20-F as filed with the SEC.
NOTES TO
THE ACCOUNTS@
3 Debtors
2019 2018
£m £m
Amounts due from Group undertakings 7,644 8,276
2019 2018
£m £m
Allowance account
1 January 37 42
Released during the year (2) (5)
31 December 35 37
Current 8 7
Non-current 27 30
31 December 35 37
Included within amounts due from Group undertakings is an amount of £6,681 million (2018: £7,278 million) which is unsecured, interest-
bearing and repayable on demand. The interest rate is based on LIBOR.
Amounts due from Group undertakings include £989 million (2018: £1,031 million) representing the value of the fees receivable from
the parental guarantees issued by the Company, of which £136 million (2018: £150 million) is due within one year and £853 million
(2018: £882 million) is due after more than one year. In addition, amounts due from Group undertakings include balances of £9 million
(2018: £4 million) which are unsecured, interest free and repayable on demand.
The adoption of IFRS 9 resulted in the recognition of an expected credit loss @ denotes section, including accompanying text and tables, that does not
allowance of £42 million as at 1 January 2018. form part of BAT’s Annual Report on Form 20-F as filed with the SEC.
4 Shareholders’ funds
Profit and loss account
The accounting policy change for the adoption of IFRS 9 as at 1 January 2018 was a charge to the profit and loss reserve of £42 million.
In 2017 and 2018, dividend distributions to the Company’s shareholders were recognised as a liability in the Group’s financial statements in
the period in which they were confirmed by the Directors. As referred to in Note 8, Dividends and other appropriations, from 2019, the Group
recognises the interim dividend in the period in which it is paid. This change has no impact to the timing of when shareholders will receive
the dividend.
As permitted by Section 408 of the Companies Act 2006, the profit and loss of the Company has not been presented in these Financial
Statements. The profit for the year ended 31 December 2019 was £6,106 million (2018: £4,314 million).
Details of the Director’s remuneration, share options and retirement benefits are given in the Remuneration Report in the Group Annual Report
and Accounts. Details of key management compensation are included in note 26 of the Group financial statements. The Company had two
employees at 31 December 2019 (2018: two). These two employees are Jack Bowles and Tadeu Marroco. The details of their remuneration are
shown on page 98 of the Group’s Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2019. The costs of these employees are borne
by another Group company.
Shareholders’ funds are stated after deducting the cost of treasury shares which include £4,845 million (2018: £4,845 million) for shares
repurchased and not cancelled and £402 million (2018: £382 million) in respect of the cost of own shares held in Employee Share
Ownership Trusts.
As at 31 December 2019, treasury shares include 8,049,187 (2018: 7,312,975) of shares held in trust and 162,645,590 (2018: 162,645,590)
of shares repurchased and not cancelled as part of the Company’s share buy-back programme.
Other movements in shareholders’ funds principally relate to the release of treasury shares as a result of the exercise of share options.
Merger reserve
In 2017, the Company announced the completion of the acquisition of the remaining 57.8% of Reynolds American Inc. (’RAI’) it did not already
own. Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, the Company, on behalf of its indirect subsidiary BATUS Holdings Inc (’BATUS’), agreed to issue new
shares, represented by American Depositary Shares, for the benefit of RAI shareholders. In consideration for the Company issuing new shares,
BATUS agreed to issue to the Company an assignable obligation owed by BATUS to issue shares to the holder of that obligation.
As a consequence, the Company issued 429,045,762 new shares with a nominal value of £107,261,441.
In accordance with Section 612 of the Companies Act 2006, the excess of the fair value of the shares issued over the nominal value of the shares
has been treated as a merger reserve.
Capital redemption premium
On the purchase of own shares, as part of the share buy-back programme for shares which are cancelled, a transfer is made from retained
earnings to the capital redemption reserve equivalent to the nominal value of the shares purchased. The Company suspended its share buy-back
programme from 30 July 2014.
Other reserves
As part consideration for the acquisition of Rothmans International BV in 1999, convertible redeemable preference shares were issued by the
Company. The discount on these shares was amortised by crediting other reserves and charging retained earnings. The balance of £90 million in
other reserves comprises the accumulated balance in respect of the preference shares converted during 2004.
Share premium
The share premium increase of £3 million (2018: £4 million) relates solely to ordinary shares issued under the Company’s share option schemes.
These schemes are described in the Remuneration Report.
@ denotes section, including accompanying text and tables, that does not
form part of BAT’s Annual Report on Form 20-F as filed with the SEC.
5 Creditors
2019 2018
£m £m
Amounts due to Group undertakings 114 124
Loans due to Group undertakings 1,571 3,617
Ordinary dividends payable – 1,116
Other creditors 1,327 1,384
Deferred income 8 8
3,020 6,249
Amounts due to Group undertaking of £114 million (2018: £124 million) are unsecured, interest free and repayable on demand.
Loans due to Group undertakings of £1,571 million (2018: £3,617 million) are unsecured, bear interest at rates between 1.51% and 2.38%
(2018: 0.9% and 2.28%). An amount of £2,046 million was repaid in 2019, and the remaining amount of £1,571 million is repayable in 2022.
Included in other creditors is a provision of £1,301 million (2018: £1,360 million) in respect of subsidiary undertaking borrowings guaranteed by
the Company. Out of this amount, a total of £144 million (2018: £142 million) represents amounts to be settled within one year.
The movement in ordinary dividends payable relates to the correction for the accounting for dividends as discussed in Note 8.
6 Audit Fees
2019 2018
Fees payable to KPMG
– Audit fees £30,000 £30,000
– Fees paid for other services £nil £nil
7 Contingent Liabilities
British American Tobacco p.l.c. has guaranteed borrowings by subsidiary undertakings of £43.0 billion (2018: £45.1 billion) and total borrowing
facilities of £48.7 billion (2018: £51.9 billion). The Company has cross-guaranteed the liabilities of the British American Tobacco UK Pension Fund
which had a deficit according to the last formal triennial valuation in March 2017 of £23 million and which had a surplus on an IAS 19 basis at
31 December 2019 of £326 million (2018: £1,063 million). In addition, there are contingent liabilities in respect of litigation in various countries
(note 27 to the Group financial statements).
@ denotes section, including accompanying text and tables, that does not
form part of BAT’s Annual Report on Form 20-F as filed with the SEC.
@ denotes section, including accompanying text and tables, that does not
form part of BAT’s Annual Report on Form 20-F as filed with the SEC.
OTHER
INFORMATION
CONTENTS
Additional disclosures
Information on the Group 255
Selected financial information 256
Non-financial KPIs 257
Non-GAAP measures 258
Additional disclosures on liquidity and capital resources 269
Employees271
Group risk factors 272
Regulation of the Group’s business 287
Disclosure pursuant to Section 219 of the Iran Threat
Reduction and Syria Human Rights Act of 2012 (ITRA) 291
Material contracts 292
Property, plant and equipment 294
US corporate governance practices 295
Controls and procedures 296
Statements regarding competitive position 296
Directors’ Report information 297
Cautionary statement 298
Shareholder information
Share prices and listings 299
Dividends300
Shareholder taxation information 302
Share capital and security ownership 306
Articles of Association 317
Purchases of shares 320
Group Employee Trust 321
American Depositary Shares 322
Shareholding administration and services 323
Exhibits324
Other information
Glossary326
Cross-reference to Form 20-F 327
INFORMATION
ON THE GROUP
History and development of BAT In 2019, the Group acquired 60% of VapeWild Holdings LLC,
a vertically integrated manufacturer and retailer in the US, and
The Group has had a significant global presence in the tobacco Twisp Propriety Limited, a South African e-cigarette/nicotine
industry for over 100 years. BAT Ltd. was incorporated in 1902, when vapour company.
the Imperial Tobacco Company and the American Tobacco Company
agreed to form a joint venture company. BAT Ltd. inherited companies British American Tobacco p.l.c. was incorporated in July 1997 under
and quickly expanded into major markets, including India and Ceylon, the laws of England and Wales as a public limited company and is
Egypt, Malaya, Northern Europe and East Africa. In 1927, BAT Ltd. domiciled in the United Kingdom.
expanded into the US market through its acquisition of B&W. Seasonality
During the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s, the Group diversified its business The Group’s business segments are not significantly affected by
under the umbrella of B.A.T Industries p.l.c., with acquisitions in seasonality although in certain markets cigarette consumption trends
the paper, cosmetics, retail and financial services industries, among rise during summer months due to longer daylight time and tourism.
others. Various business reorganisations followed as the business was
eventually refocused on the Group’s core cigarette, cigars and tobacco Patents and trademarks
products businesses with BAT becoming a separately listed entity on Our trademarks, which include the brand names under which our
the LSE in 1998. products are sold, are key assets which we consider, in the aggregate,
to be important to the business as a whole. As well as protecting our
In 1999, the Group announced a global merger with Rothmans brand names by way of trademark registration, we also protect our
International, at that time the fourth largest tobacco company in the innovations by means of patents and designs in key global jurisdictions.
world. The Group acquired Imperial Tobacco Canada in 2000, and in
2003 the Group acquired Ente Tabacchi Italiani S.p.A., Italy’s state-
owned tobacco company. Investments were made in Peru and Serbia
in 2003, through the acquisitions of Tabacalera Nacional and Duvanska
Industrija Vranje. In July 2004, the US assets, liabilities and operations,
other than certain specified assets and liabilities, of BAT’s wholly-owned
subsidiary, B&W, were combined with RJR Tobacco Company. RAI was
formed as a new holding company for these combined businesses.
As a result of the B&W business combination, B&W acquired beneficial
ownership of approximately 42% of the RAI shares. In 2008, the BAT
Group acquired Tekel, the Turkish state-owned tobacco company,
as well as 100% of the cigarette and snus business of Skandinavisk
Tobakskompagni A/S. Following the acquisition of its business during
2009, the Group recognised an effective 99% interest in Bentoel in
Indonesia. In 2011, the Group completed the acquisition of 100% of
Protabaco in Colombia.
SELECTED FINANCIAL
INFORMATION
This information set out below has been derived from, in part, the audited consolidated financial statements of the Group commencing on
page 124. This selected financial information should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and the Strategic Report.
Notes:
1. All of the information above is in respect of continuing operations, revised for the fully retrospective adoption of IFRS 15.
2. Revenue is net of duty, excise and other taxes of £39,826 million, £38,553 million, £37,780 million, £32,136 million and £27,896 million for the years ended 31 December 2019, 31 December 2018, 2017,
2016 and 2015, respectively.
3. In February 2020, the BAT directors declared an interim dividend of 210.4 pence per ordinary share of 25p, payable in four equal quarterly instalments of 52.6 pence per ordinary share. This will be paid
in May 2020, August 2020, November 2020 and February 2021. The equivalent quarterly dividends receivable by holders of ADSs in US dollars will be calculated based on the exchange rate on the
applicable payment date. The BAT Directors declared an interim dividend of 203.0 pence per share for the year ended 31 December 2018, payable in four equal instalments of 50.75 pence per ordinary
share. The interim dividend was paid to BAT shareholders in May 2019, August 2019, November 2019 and February 2020.
NON-FINANCIAL
KPIS
Volume
Volume is defined as the number of units sold. Units may vary between categories. This can be summarised for the principal metrics as follows:
– Factory made cigarettes (FMC) – sticks, regardless of weight or dimensions;
– Roll-Your-Own / Make-Your-Own – kilos, converted to a stick equivalent based upon 0.8 grams (per stick equivalent) for Roll-Your-Own and
between 0.5 and 0.7 grams (per stick equivalent) for Make-Your-Own;
– Traditional oral – pouches (being 1:1 conversion to stick equivalent) and kilos, converted to a stick equivalent based upon 2.8 grams (per stick
equivalent) for Moist Snuff, 2.0 grams (per stick equivalent) for Dry Snuff and 7.1 grams (per stick equivalent) for other oral;
– Modern Oral – pouches, being 1:1 conversion to stick equivalent;
– Tobacco Heat sticks - sticks, being 1:1 conversion to stick equivalent; and
– Vapour - pods and 10 millilitre bottles. There is no conversion to a stick equivalent.
Volume is recognised in line with IFRS 15 Revenue from Contracts with Customers, based upon transfer of control. It is assumed that there is no
material difference, in line with the Group’s recognition of revenue, between the transfer of control and shipment date.
Volume is used by management and investors to assess the relative performance of the Group and its brands within categories, given volume is a
principal determinant of revenue.
Volume share
Volume share is the number of units bought by consumers of a specific brand or combination of brands, as a proportion of the total units bought
by consumers in the industry, category or other sub-categorisation. Sub-categories include, but are not limited to, the total nicotine category,
modern oral, vapour, traditional oral or cigarette.
Where possible, the Group utilises data provided by third-party organisations, including AC Nielsen, based upon retail audit of sales to consumers.
In certain markets, where such data is not available, other measures are employed which assess volume share based upon other movements
within the supply chain, such as sales to retailers. This may depend on the provision of data to the industry by the customers including
distributors / wholesalers.
Volume share is used by management to assess the relative performance to the Group and its brands against the performance of its competitors
in the categories and geographies in which the Group operates. The Group’s management believes that this measure is useful to investors to
understand the relative performance of the Group and its brands against the performance of its competitors in the categories and geographies in
which the Group operates.
Volume share in each year compares the average volume share in the year with the average volume share in the prior year. This is a more robust
measure of performance, removing short-term volatility that may arise at a point in time.
However, in certain circumstances, related to periods of introduction to a market, in order to illustrate the latest performance, data may be
provided as at the end of the period rather than the average in that period. In these instances the Group states these are at a specific date (for
instance, December 2019).
Value share
Value share is the retail value of units bought by consumers of a particular brand or combination of brands, as a proportion of the total retail value
of units bought by consumers in the industry, category or other sub-categorisation in discussion.
Where possible, the Group utilises data provided by third party organisations, including AC Nielsen, based upon retail audit of sales to consumers.
In certain markets, where such data is not available, other measures are employed which assess value share based upon other movements within
the supply chain, such as sales to retailers. This may depend on the provision of data to the industry by the customers (including distributors
and wholesalers).
Value share is used by management to assess the relative performance of the Group and its brands against the performance of its competitors
in the categories and geographies in which the Group operates, specifically indicating the Group’s ability to realise value relative to the market.
The Group’s management believes that this measure is useful to investors to apprehend the relative performance of the Group and its brands
against the performance of its competitors in the categories and geographies in which the Group operates, specifically indicating the Group’s
ability to realise value relative to the market.
Value share in each year compares the average value share in the year with the average value share in the prior period. This is a more robust
measure of performance, removing short-term volatility that may arise at a point of time. However, in certain circumstances, related to periods
of introduction to a market, in order to illustrate the latest performance, data may be provided that is as at the end of the period rather than the
average in that period. In these instances the Group states these are at a specific date (for instance, December 2019).
Price mix
Price mix is a term used by management and investors to explain the movement in revenue between periods. Revenue is affected by the volume
(how many units are sold) and the value (how much is each unit sold for). Price mix is used to explain the value component of the sales as the
Group sells each unit for a value (price) but may also achieve a movement in revenue due to the relative proportions of higher value volume sold
compared to lower value volume sold (mix).
This term is used to explain the Group’s relative performance between periods only. It is calculated as the difference between the movement in
revenue (between periods) and volume (between periods). For instance, the growth in combustibles revenue of 4.2% in 2019, with a decline in
cigarette volume of 4.7% in 2019, leads to a price mix of 8.9% in 2019. No assumptions underlie this metric as it utilises the Group’s own data.
NON-GAAP
MEASURES
To supplement the presentation of the Group’s results of operations and financial condition in accordance with IFRS, we also present several
non-GAAP measures used by management to monitor the Group’s performance. The Group’s management regularly reviews the measures
used to assess and present the financial performance of the Group and, as relevant, its geographic segments.
2017
Adjusting Include Adjusted
Reported items Adjusted acquisitions repres
£m £m £m £m £m
US 4,160 – 4,160 5,531 9,691
APME 4,973 – 4,973 (4) 4,969
AmSSA 4,323 – 4,323 (3) 4,320
ENA 6,108 (258) 5,850 53 5,903
19,564 (258) 19,306 5,577 24,883
The table below reconciles the Group’s profit from operations in 2017 to adjusted profit from operations on a representative basis.
2017
Adjusting Include Adjusted
Reported items* Adjusted acquisitions repres
£m £m £m £m £m
US 1,165 763 1,928 2,502 4,430
APME 1,902 147 2,049 25 2,074
AmSSA 1,648 134 1,782 22 1,804
ENA 1,697 473 2,170 29 2,199
6,412 1,517 7,929 2,578 10,507
Adjusted revenue
Definition – revenue before the impact of adjusting items.
To supplement BAT’s revenue presented in accordance with IFRS, the Group’s Management Board, as the chief operating decision-maker, reviews
adjusted revenue to evaluate the underlying business performance of the Group and its geographic segments. The Group’s Management Board
defines adjusted revenue as revenue before the impact of adjusting items, specifically the excise on bought-in goods that the Group will acquire
and sell, for a limited period, will be recorded in accordance with IFRS as a cost of sale and within revenue, with a dilutive effect on operating
margin. Once the short-term arrangements cease, the goods will be manufactured by the Group, and the excise, in accordance with Group
policy, will not be included in cost of sales or revenue – leading to a reduction in revenue and improvement in operating margin that does not
represent the underlying performance of the Group. As such, the excise on bought-in goods meets the Group’s definition of an adjusting item,
as defined in note 1 in the Notes on the Accounts.
The Group’s Management Board also believes that adjusted revenue provides information that enables investors to better compare the Group’s
business performance across periods. Adjusted revenue has limitations as an analytical tool. The most directly comparable IFRS measure to
adjusted revenue is revenue. Adjusted revenue is not a presentation made in accordance with IFRS, and is not a measure of financial condition
or liquidity and should not be considered as an alternative to revenue as determined in accordance with IFRS. Adjusted revenue is not necessarily
comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies. As a result, you should not consider this performance measure in isolation from,
or as a substitute analysis for, BAT’s results as determined in accordance with IFRS.
The table below reconciles the Group’s revenue to adjusted revenue for the periods presented and to adjusted revenue at constant rates based on
a re-translation of adjusted revenue for each year at the previous year’s exchange rates. Refer to note 2 in the Notes on the Accounts for further
discussion of the segmental results and for the reconciliation of adjusted revenue at current and constant rates of exchange to segmental revenue
and to Group revenue for the years ended 31 December 2019, 2018 and 2017.
NON-GAAP MEASURES
CONTINUED
Reconciliation of revenue by product category to adjusted revenue by product category at constant rates of
exchange – 2018-2017
2018 2017
Adjusted at
Adjusting Impact of Adjusted at constant vs Adjusting Uplift for
Reported vs 2017 items exchange constant 2017 repres Reported items acquisitions 2017 repres
£m % £m £m £m % £m £m £m £m
Combustible 22,072 +21.5% (180) 1,359 23,251 +1.8% 18,171 (258) 4,926 22,839
Vapour 318 +89% – 7 325 +26.0% 168 – 90 258
THP 565 +180% – 11 576 +183.7% 202 – 1 203
Modern oral 34 +127% – 2 36 +140.0% 15 – – 15
New Categories 917 +138% – 20 937 +96.8% 385 – 91 476
Traditional oral 941 +127% – 34 975 +7.9% 415 – 488 903
Other 562 -5.3% – 35 597 -10.2% 593 – 72 665
Revenue 24,492 +25.2% (180) 1,448 25,760 +3.5% 19,564 (258) 5,577 24,883
Adjusted revenue growth from the Strategic Portfolio, at constant rates of exchange
Definition – change in revenue before the impact of adjusting items and at the prior year’s prevailing exchange rate, derived from Kent,
Dunhill, Lucky Strike, Pall Mall, Rothmans, Camel (US), Newport (US), Natural American Spirit (US), the Group’s New Category portfolio
and certain brands within Traditional Oral.
To supplement BAT’s revenue presented in accordance with IFRS, the Group’s Management Board, as the chief operating decision-maker, reviews
adjusted revenue growth from the Strategic Portfolio to evaluate the underlying business performance of the Group reflecting the focus of the
Group’s investment activity. The Group’s Management Board defines the growth in adjusted revenue from the Strategic Portfolio, at constant
rates of exchange, as revenue before the impact of adjusting items and translated to the Group’s reporting currency at the prior periods prevailing
exchange rate, derived from the Group’s Strategic Combustible portfolio (Kent, Dunhill, Lucky Strike, Pall Mall, Rothmans, Camel (US), Newport
(US), Natural American Spirit (US)), the Group’s New Category portfolio (being vapour, THP and modern oral) and certain brands within
Traditional Oral.
The Group’s Management Board also believes that the adjusted revenue growth from the Strategic Portfolio at constant rates of exchange
provides information that enables investors to better compare the Group’s business performance across periods and by reference to the Group’s
investment activity. Adjusted revenue growth from the Strategic Portfolio has limitations as an analytical tool. The most directly comparable IFRS
measure to adjusted revenue growth from the Strategic Portfolio is revenue. Adjusted revenue growth from the Strategic Portfolio at constant
rates of exchange is not a presentation made in accordance with IFRS, is not a measure of financial condition or liquidity and should not be
considered as an alternative to revenue as determined in accordance with IFRS. Adjusted revenue growth from the Strategic Portfolio is not
necessarily comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies. As a result, you should not consider this performance measure in
isolation from, or as a substitute analysis for, BAT’s results as determined in accordance with IFRS.
Reconciliation of revenue to adjusted revenue from the Strategic Portfolio at constant rates of exchange – 2019-2018
Adjusted at Adjusted at
Adjusting Impact of constant constant vs Adjusting Adjusted
2019 items exchange 2019 2018 2018 items 2018
£m £m £m £m % £m £m £m
Strategic Portfolio comprises:
Combustible portfolio 16,515 – (200) 16,315 +5.6% 15,457 – 15,457
New Categories products
Vapour 401 – (9) 392 +23.4% 318 – 318
THP 728 – (35) 693 +22.7% 565 – 565
Modern oral 126 – 3 129 +273.1% 34 – 34
New Categories 1,255 – (41) 1,214 +32.4% 917 – 917
Traditional oral 1,023 – (43) 980 +11.0% 883 – 883
Total New Categories and Traditional
Oral 2,278 – (84) 2,194 +21.9% 1,800 – 1,800
Strategic Portfolio 18,793 – (284) 18,509 +7.3% 17,257 – 17,257
Other 7,084 (50) 140 7,174 +1.7% 7,235 (180) 7,055
Revenue 25,877 (50) (144) 25,683 +5.6% 24,492 (180) 24,312
Reconciliation of revenue to adjusted revenue from the Strategic Portfolio at constant rates of exchange – 2018-2017
Adjusted at Adjusted at Adjusted at
Adjusting Impact of constant constant vs constant vs Adjusted Uplift for
2018 items exchange 2018 2017 2017 repres 2017 acquisitions 2017 repres
£m £m £m £m % % £m £m £m
Strategic Portfolio comprises:
Combustible portfolio 15,457 – 816 16,273 +50.1% +5.7% 10,842 4,553 15,395
New Categories products
Vapour 318 – 7 325 +93.5% +26.0% 168 90 258
THP 565 – 11 576 +185.1% +183.7% 202 1 203
Modern oral 34 – 2 36 +140.0% +140.0% 15 – 15
New Categories 917 – 20 937 +143.4% +96.8% 385 91 476
Traditional oral 883 – 33 916 +136.7% +9.0% 387 453 840
Total New Categories and Traditional
Oral 1,800 – 53 1,853 +140.0% +40.8% 772 544 1,316
Strategic Portfolio 17,257 – 869 18,126 +56.1% +8.5% 11,614 5,097 16,711
Other 7,235 (180) 579 7,634 -0.8% -6.6% 7,692 480 8,172
Revenue 24,492 (180) 1,448 25,760 +33.4% +3.5% 19,306 5,577 24,883
NON-GAAP MEASURES
CONTINUED
Underlying tax rate has limitations as an analytical tool. It is not a presentation made in accordance with IFRS and should not be considered as
an alternative to the effective tax rate as determined in accordance with IFRS. Underlying tax rate is not necessarily comparable to similarly titled
measures used by other companies. As a result, you should not consider this measure in isolation from, or as a substitute analysis for, the Group’s
effective tax rate as determined in accordance with IFRS. The table below provides the calculation of the Group’s underlying tax rate for the
periods presented.
NON-GAAP MEASURES
CONTINUED
In 2017, the Group brought forward the MSA payment (£1,397 million) which impacted operating cash conversion in that year.@ To provide a
view of the operating cash conversion, without such a distortion, the Group has provided the below computation for the periods presented.
@ denotes phrase, paragraph or similar that does not form part of BAT’s Annual Report on Form 20-F as filed with the SEC.
* For comparison purposes, the receipt, in 2015, of £963 million in relation to the Franked Investment Income Group Litigation Order (FII GLO) has been excluded from adjusted cash generated from
operations in that year. This is in line with the treatment in that year, for remuneration purposes as the receipt did not reflect the adjusted cash generated from operations in that year.
@ denotes phrase, paragraph or similar that does not form part of BAT’s Annual Report on Form 20-F as filed with the SEC.
NON-GAAP MEASURES
CONTINUED
Net debt
Definition – total borrowings, including related derivatives, less cash and cash equivalents and current investments held at fair value.
The Group uses net debt to assess its financial capacity. Net debt is not a measure defined by IFRS. The most directly comparable IFRS measure to
net debt is total borrowings. The Group’s Management Board believes that this additional measure, which is used internally to assess the Group’s
financial capacity, is useful to the users of the financial statements in helping them to see how business financing has changed over the year.
Net debt has limitations as an analytical tool. It is not a presentation made in accordance with IFRS and should not be considered as an alternative
to total borrowings or total liabilities determined in accordance with IFRS. Net debt is not necessarily comparable to similarly titled measures
used by other companies. As a result, you should not consider this measure in isolation from, or as a substitute analysis for, the Group’s measures
of financial position or liquidity as determined in accordance with IFRS. A reconciliation of borrowings to net debt is provided in note 19 in the
Notes on the Accounts.
@The table below reconciles the movement in net debt during each financial year:
@ denotes phrase, paragraph or similar that does not form part of BAT’s Annual Report on Form 20-F as filed with the SEC.
Adjusted net debt to adjusted earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation
(adjusted EBITDA)
Definition – net debt excluding the impact of the revaluation of RAI acquired debt arising as part of the purchase price allocation
process adjusted net debt), as a proportion of profit for the year (earnings) before net finance costs/income, taxation on ordinary
activities, depreciation, amortisation, impairment costs, the Group’s share of post-tax results of associates and joint ventures,
and other adjusting items.
To supplement BAT’s total borrowings as presented in accordance with IFRS, the Group’s Management Board, as the chief operating decision‑
maker, reviews adjusted net debt to adjusted EBITDA to assess its level of net debt (excluding the impact of the purchase price allocation
adjustment to RAI acquired debt) in comparison to the underlying earnings generated by the Group to evaluate the underlying business
performance of the Group and its geographic segments. This is deemed by the Group’s Management Board to reflect the Group’s ability to
service and repay borrowings.
For the purposes of this ratio, adjusted net debt is net debt, as discussed and reconciled on page 266, adjusted for the uplift arising on the RAI
debt as part of the purchase price allocation, as such an uplift in value is not reflective of the repayment value of the debt.
Adjusted EBITDA is not a measure defined by IFRS. The most directly comparable IFRS measure to adjusted EBITDA is profit for the year.
The Group’s Management Board believes that this additional measure, which is used internally to assess the Group’s financial capacity, is useful
to the users of the financial statements in helping them to see how the Group’s financial capacity has changed over the year. Adjusted EBITDA
has limitations as an analytical tool. It is not a presentation made in accordance with IFRS and should not be considered as an alternative to profit
from operations as determined in accordance with IFRS.
Adjusted net debt to adjusted EBITDA is not necessarily comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies. As a result, you should
not consider this measure in isolation from, or as a substitute analysis for, the Group’s measures of financial position or liquidity as determined in
accordance with IFRS. The table below reconciles both total borrowings to adjusted net debt and profit for the year to adjusted EBITDA for the
periods presented.
NON-GAAP MEASURES
CONTINUED
@
Adjusted Return on Capital Employed
Definition – Profit from operations, excluding adjusting items and including dividends from associates and joint ventures, as a
proportion of average total assets less current liabilities in the period.
The Group provides adjusted return on capital employed (adjusted ROCE) to provide users of the financial statements with an indication of the
financial return (by reference to the financial performance in a given period), with the assets less current liabilities (defined as Capital Employed)
in the period.
Adjusted ROCE is not a measure defined by IFRS. The most directly comparable IFRS measure to adjusted ROCE is profit from operations as a
proportion of total assets less current liabilities. The Group’s Management Board believes that this additional measure is useful to the users of
the financial statements in helping them to see how the Group’s capital employed has generated a return in any given period, by reference to
Group’s performance as reported via the income statement. Adjusted ROCE has limitations as an analytical tool. It is not a presentation made
in accordance with IFRS and should not be considered as an alternative to other measures that may be derived from the financial statements
prepared in accordance with IFRS.
Adjusted ROCE is not necessarily comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies. As a result, you should not consider this
measure in isolation from, or as a substitute analysis for, the Group’s measures of financial performance or return as determined in accordance
with IFRS. The table below reconciles profit from operations to adjusted profit from operations including dividends from associated and joint
ventures and provides the constituent parts of average capital employed.
ADDITIONAL DISCLOSURES ON
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
The Group’s cash inflows derive principally from its operating activities. They are supplemented when required by cash flows from financing
activities, typically to support acquisitions. The principal sources of liquidity for the Group are cash flows generated from the operating business
and proceeds from issuances of debt securities described below under ‘capital resources’.
The Board reviews and agrees the overall treasury policies and procedures, delegating appropriate oversight to the Finance Director and the
treasury function. The treasury policies include a set of financing principles and key performance indicators. The Group’s treasury position is
monitored by a Corporate Finance Committee chaired by the Finance Director. Treasury operations are subject to periodic independent reviews
and audits, both internal and external.
In 2019, 2018 and 2017, all contractual borrowing covenants were met and none are expected to inhibit the Group’s operations or
funding plans.
Capital expenditure
Gross capital expenditures include purchases of property, plant and equipment and purchases of certain intangibles. The Group’s gross capital
expenditures for 2019, 2018 and 2017 were £807 million, £883 million and £862 million, respectively, representing investment in the Group’s
global operational infrastructure (including, but not limited to, the manufacturing network, trade marketing and IT systems). The Group expects
gross capital expenditures in 2020 of approximately £650 million, representing the ongoing investment in the Group’s operational infrastructure,
including the continued investment into New Categories. This is expected to be funded by the Group’s cash flows and existing facilities.
Hedging instruments
As discussed in note 22 in the Notes on the Accounts, the Group hedges its exposure to interest rate movements and currency movements. BAT’s
cash flow hedges are principally in respect of sales or purchases of inventory and certain debt instruments. A certain number of forward foreign
currency contracts were used to manage the currency profile of external borrowings. Interest rate swaps have been used to manage the interest
rate profile of external borrowings, while cross-currency swaps have been used to manage the currency profile of external borrowings.
Capital resources
Policy
The Group utilises cash pooling and zero balancing bank account structures in addition to intercompany loans and borrowings to ensure that
there is the maximum mobilisation of cash within the Group. The key objectives of treasury in respect of cash and cash equivalents are to
protect the principal value of the Group’s cash and cash equivalents, to concentrate cash at the centre to minimise the required long-term debt
issuance and to optimise the yield earned. The amount of debt the Group issues is determined by forecasting the net debt requirement after the
mobilisation of cash.
Subsidiary companies are funded by share capital and retained earnings, loans from the central finance companies on commercial terms
or through local borrowings by the subsidiaries in appropriate currencies. All contractual borrowing covenants have been met and none
are expected to inhibit the Group’s operations or funding plans.
Borrowings
The following table sets out the Group’s long- and short-term borrowings as of the dates indicated:
As of 31 December (£m)1
Currency Maturity dates Interest rates at 31 December 2019 2019 2018 2017
Eurobonds 3
Euro 2020 to 2045 0.9% to 4.9% 7,591 8,717 8,585
Euro 2021 3m EURIBOR +50bps 931 986 1,326
UK pound sterling 2021 to 2055 1.8% to 7.3% 4,161 4,671 4,680
US dollar 2019 1.6% – 512 482
Swiss franc 2021 to 2026 0.6% to 1.4% 510 523 498
Bonds issued pursuant to
Rules under the US
Securities Act (as
amended)3 US dollar 2020 to 2049 2.8% to 8.1% 23,805 25,428 25,545
US dollar 2020 to 2022 USD 3m LIBOR +59bps to 88bps 1,325 1,381 1,665
Commercial Paper2,3 1,056 536 1,200
Other loans 4,624 3,859 4,466
Bank loans 293 608 512
Bank overdrafts 491 274 469
Finance leases 579 14 22
Total 45,366 47,509 49,450
Notes:
1. The financial data above has been extracted from the Group’s consolidated financial statements.
2. The interest on the commercial paper referred to in the table above is based on US$ LIBOR plus a margin ranging between 22 and 63 basis points (2018: between 22 and 65 basis points, 2017: between
19 and 38 basis points) and EURIBOR plus a margin ranging between 10 and 24 basis point (2018: ranging between 8 and 15 basis points, 2017: ranging between 10 and 24 basis points)
3. The issuers of these debt securities are B.A.T. International Finance p.l.c., B.A.T Capital Corporation, Reynolds American Inc., or R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company, as applicable. British American Tobacco
p.l.c. is the ultimate guarantor in each case.
Notes:
1. For more information about the Group’s long-term debt, see note 19 in the Notes on the Accounts.
2. Purchase obligations primarily include commitments to acquire tobacco leaf. Purchase orders for the purchase of other raw materials and other goods and services are not included in the table, as the
Group’s operating subsidiaries are not able to determine the aggregate amount of such purchase orders that represent contractual obligations, as purchase orders typically represent authorisations to
purchase rather than binding agreements.
The table above does not include any amounts that the Group may pay to fund its retirement benefit plans as the timing and amount of any
such future funding are unknown and dependent on, among other things, the future performance of defined benefit pension plan assets, interest
rate assumptions and other factors. The net retirement benefit scheme liabilities totalled £1,029 million as of 31 December 2019, which is net of
pension assets of £11,860 million. The Group expects to be required to contribute £80 million to its defined benefit plans during 2020. See note
11 in the Notes on the Accounts for further information.
High Low
September 2019 1.2493 1.2086
October 2019 1.2983 1.2206
November 2019 1.2965 1.2790
December 2019 1.3349 1.2917
January 2020 1.3195 1.2983
February 2020 1.3051 1.2778
The following table sets forth for each year the average of the noon buying rates on the last business day of each month of that year, as certified
for customs purposes by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, for the pound sterling expressed in US dollars per pound sterling for each of the
five most recent fiscal years.
Average
Year ended 31 December 2015 1.5250
Year ended 31 December 2016 1.3444
Year ended 31 December 2017 1.3016
Year ended 31 December 2018 1.3309
Year ended 31 December 2019 1.2803
On 13 March 2020, the latest practicable date prior to this filing, the noon buying rate was £1.00 = US$1.2406.
The rates presented above may differ from the actual rates used in preparation of financial information appearing in this Annual Report and Form
20-F. The presentation of such rates is not meant to suggest that the US dollar amounts actually represent the pound sterling amounts or that
such amounts could have been converted to US dollars at any particular rate.
EMPLOYEES
As at 31 December 2019, the number of persons permanently employed by the Group was 59,989 worldwide. The Group believes that its labour
relations are good.
Certain temporary employees are included in the below figures. The number of such temporary employees is approximately 3,300 in 2019 and
largely relates to seasonal workers within operations.
The following table sets forth the number of Group employees by region in 2019, 2018 and 2017.
As of 31 December
Region (number of employees worldwide) 2019 2018 2017
US 5,020 5,019 5,201
APME 13,465 15,077 14,730
AmSSA 16,862 17,372 17,962
ENA1 24,642 26,409 24,377
Total employees 59,989 63,877 62,270
Notes:
1. Included within the employee numbers for ENA are certain employees in different locations in respect of central functions. Some of the costs of these employees are allocated or charged to the various
regions and markets in the Group.
GROUP RISK
FACTORS
Risk: Geopolitical tensions that have the potential to disrupt the Group’s business in multiple markets.
Description
The Group’s operations and financial condition are influenced by the economic and political situations in the markets and regions in which
it has operations, which are often unpredictable and outside of its control. Some markets in which the Group operates face the threat of civil
unrest and can be subject to frequent changes in regime. In others, there is a risk of terrorism, conflict, global health crisis, war, organised crime
or other criminal activity. The Group is also exposed to economic policy changes in jurisdictions in which it operates. In addition, some markets
maintain trade barriers or adopt policies that favour domestic producers, preventing or restricting the Group’s sales.
Impact
Deterioration of socio-economic or political conditions could potentially lead to loss of life or loss of assets that limit or eliminate the Group’s
access to particular markets or may disrupt the Group’s operations, such as its supply chain, or manufacturing or distribution capabilities.
Such disruption may result in increased costs due to the need for more complex supply chain arrangements, to build new facilities or to
maintain inefficient facilities, or in a reduction of the Group’s sales volume.
Risk: Disruption to the Group’s data and information technology systems, including by cyber attack or the malicious
manipulation or disclosure of confidential or sensitive information.
Description
The Group increasingly relies on data and information technology systems for its daily business operations, internal communications, controls,
reporting and relations with customers and suppliers. Some of these systems are managed by third-party service providers. A significant
disruption of the Group’s systems, including those managed by third-party service providers, due to computer viruses, cyber threats, malicious
intrusions or unintended or malicious behaviour by employees, contractors or services providers could affect the Group’s communications
and operations. Computer viruses and cyber attacks are becoming more sophisticated and coordinated. In addition, such disruption may
compromise the integrity of information and result in the inappropriate disclosure of confidential information, or may lead to false or misleading
statements being made about the Group.
Impact
Any disruption to technology systems related to the Group’s operations could adversely affect its business and result in financial and reputational
losses. Any delays or failure to rapidly detect or respond to attempts to gain unauthorised access to the Group’s information technology systems
through a cyber attack can lead to a loss of access to systems or information being corrupted or lost, resulting in significantly increased costs for
remediation and reputational consequences. Any delay in response will also impact the outcome.
Security breaches and the loss of data or operational capacity may disrupt relationships throughout the supply chain, expose the Group or our
consumers to a risk of loss or misuse of information, which could further expose the Group to liability, impact the Group’s reputation and lead
to increased costs.
The disclosure of trade secrets or other commercially sensitive information may provide competitors with a competitive advantage resulting
in competitive or operational damage to the Group. The disclosure of confidential and sensitive information about the Group’s employees,
customers, consumers, suppliers or other third parties could compromise data privacy and expose the Group to liability.
Failure to effectively prevent or respond to a major breach or cyber attack may also subject the Group to significant reputational damage.
Risk: Exposure to unavailability of, and price volatility, in raw materials and increased costs of employment.
Description
The availability and price of various commodities required in the manufacture of the Group’s products fluctuate. Raw materials and other inputs
used in the Group’s business, such as wood pulp and energy, are commodities that are subject to price volatility caused by numerous factors,
including political influence, market fluctuations and natural disasters.
Similarly, the Group is exposed to the risk of an increase above inflation in employment costs, including due to governmental action to
introduce or increase minimum wages. Employment and health care law changes may also increase the cost of provided health care and other
employment benefits expenses.
Impact
Restricted availability and price volatility of commodities may result in supply shortages and unexpected increases in costs for raw materials and
packaging for the Group’s products, which may affect the Group’s results of operations and financial condition.
Similarly, the Group’s profitability may be affected by increases in overall employment costs.
The Group may not be able to increase prices to offset increased costs without suffering reduced sales volume and revenue. In the absence of
compensating for increased costs through pricing, significant increases in raw material, packaging and employment costs above inflation will
impact product margins, leading to lower profits and negatively affecting the Group’s results of operations and financial condition.
Risk: Failure to successfully design, implement and sustain an integrated operating model.
Description
The Group aims to improve profitability and productivity through supply chain improvements and the implementation of an integrated
operating model and organisational structure, including standardisation of processes, centralised back-office services and a common IT
platform. The Group undertakes transformation initiatives periodically which aims to simplify the organisation and facilitate growth.
Impact
Failure by the Group to successfully design, implement and sustain the integrated operating model, organisational structure and transformation
initiatives could lead to the failure to realise anticipated benefits, increased costs, disruption to operations, decreased trading performance,
disgruntled employees, loss of institutional knowledge and reduced market share. These results could in turn reduce profitability and funds
available for investment by the Group in long-term growth opportunities.
Impact
Existing and future regulatory measures could adversely affect volume and profits as a result of restrictions on the Group’s ability to sell its
products or brands, including due to the loss of provisional sales approvals for New Categories. Increased regulatory cost may also make certain
products/brands unprofitable, which may lead to discontinuations (e.g. VapeWild). Impediments to building or maintaining brand equity could
also adversely impact volume and profits.
In addition, new regulation could lead to greater complexity, as well as higher production and compliance costs. For example, it may be
that the recent incidents in the US prompt regulators to impose restrictions on the sale of vaping products and/or flavours. New product
specifications may have a negative impact on sales volumes as consumers seek alternatives in illicit trade. The Group’s share price has also
experienced, and could in the future experience, shocks upon the announcement or enactment of restrictive regulation. All these effects
may have an adverse effect on the Group’s results of operations and financial conditions.
In particular, through the acquisition of RAI, the Group acquired the Newport brand, the leading menthol cigarette brand in the US, the
Group’s largest single market. The sales of Newport, together with the other menthol brands of the Group’s operating subsidiaries, represent
a significant portion of the Group’s total net sales. Any action by the FDA or any other governmental authority banning or materially restricting
the use of menthol in tobacco products could have a significant negative impact on sales volumes of the Newport brand and the Group’s other
menthol products which would, in turn, have an adverse effect on the results of operations and financial position of the Group. Any action by
the FDA or any government authority restricting the use of New Category products could also have an adverse effect on the operation and
financial position of the Group.
Failure to obtain formal marketing authorisation for products deemed to be under the authority of the FDA, such as RAI’s vapour or Modern
Oral products, could have a negative impact on RAI’s financial position and, in turn, the financial position of the Group.
Similarly, regulations on nicotine levels in cigarettes and in other products that are being considered in a number of jurisdictions in which the
Group operates could have a negative impact on sales volumes of the Group’s products in the relevant jurisdictions.
In addition, taking into account the significant number of regulations that may apply to the Group’s businesses across the world, the Group
is and may in the future be subject to claims for breach of such regulations. Even when proven untrue, there are often financial costs and
reputational impacts in defending against such claims.
Risk: Adverse implications of proposed EU legislation on single-use plastics that will result in on-pack
environmental warnings and financial implications relating to the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR).
Description
The EU adopted a Directive on single-use plastics in July 2019 which, among other products, targets tobacco products with filters containing
plastic. The Cellulose Acetate in our filters is defined as a single-use plastic under the Directive and, as such, the Directive will have an impact on
the Group’s cigarettes, filters for other tobacco products and consumables for THPs.
Under the Directive, the Group will be subject to EPR schemes, requiring the Group to cover the costs of collecting, transporting, treating and
cleaning-up of filters containing plastic. The Directive also imposes on tobacco manufacturers the obligation to finance consumer awareness
campaigns and to place environmental markings on packs of products with filters containing plastic.
Prior to the anticipated implementation deadline for EPR schemes on 5 January 2023, the European Commission is expected to issue guidelines
on the criteria for the costs of cleaning up litter. In addition, it is expected to adopt an Implementing Act harmonising specifications for required
product markings in the first half of 2020. When transposing the Directive into national law, EU member states could decide to expand its scope
under their respective laws, which may subject the Group to additional regulations and financial obligations.
It is noted that there is a growing level of scrutiny on the use of single-use plastic across the world and a number of markets in which the Group
operates are considering ways to restrict (or ban) the use of filters made of plastic and/or introduce EPR schemes.
Impact
The financial implications of the proposed EPR schemes may have an adverse effect on the Group’s results of operations and financial condition.
If significant space is appropriated on the packaging of some of the Group’s products, this may also be an impediment to maintaining or
building brand equity of the Group’s products which may, in turn, have a negative impact on the Group’s sales volume.
Risk: Significant and/or unexpected increases or structural changes in tobacco and nicotine-related taxes.
Description
Tobacco and nicotine products are subject to high levels of taxation, including excise taxes, sales taxes, import duties and levies in most markets
in which the Group operates. In many of these markets, taxes are generally increasing, but the rate of increase varies between markets and
between different types of tobacco and nicotine products. Increases in, or the introduction of new, tobacco and nicotine-related taxes may be
caused by a number of factors, including fiscal pressures, health policy objectives and increased lobbying pressure from anti-tobacco advocates.
With respect to New Categories, although a common framework for regulation and taxation has yet to emerge, the manufacture, sale,
packaging and advertising of such products are increasingly being regulated.
Impact
Significant or unexpected increases in, or the introduction of new, tobacco-related taxes or minimum retail selling prices, changes in relative tax
rates for different tobacco and nicotine products or adjustments to excise may result in the need for the Group to absorb such tax increases due
to limits in its ability to increase prices, an alteration in the sales mix in favour of value-for-money brands or products, or growth in illicit trade,
each of which could impact pricing, sales volume and profit for the Group’s products.
Risk: Failure to comply with health and safety and environmental laws.
Description
The Group is subject to a variety of laws, regulations and operational standards relating to health and safety and the environment. The Group
may fail to assess certain risks and implement the right level of control measures or to maintain adequate standards of health and safety or
environmental compliance, which could cause injury, ill health, disability or loss of life to employees, contractors or members of the public,
or harm to the natural environment and local communities in which the Group operates. Insufficient information, instruction and training in
the relevant areas and a lack of knowledge of the existence and/or requirements of relevant regulations, or a failure to monitor, assess and
implement the requirements of new or modified legislation, may increase these risks.
Impact
Any failure by the Group to comply with applicable health and safety or environmental laws, or the exposure to the consequences of a
perceived failure, could result in business disruption, reputational damage, difficulties in recruiting and retaining staff, increased insurance costs,
consequential losses, the obligation to install or upgrade costly pollution control equipment, loss of value of the Group’s assets, remedial costs
and damages, fines and penalties as well as civil or criminal liability. Each of these results could in turn adversely impact the Group’s results of
operations and financial condition.
Risk: Failure to establish and maintain adequate controls and procedures to comply with applicable securities,
corporate governance and compliance regulations.
Description
The Group’s operations are subject to a range of rules and regulations around the world. These include US securities, corporate governance and
compliance laws and regulations such as the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the US Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, which applies to
the Group’s worldwide activities. While the Group continuously seeks to improve its systems of internal controls and to remedy any weaknesses
identified, there can be no assurance that the policies and procedures will be followed at all times or effectively detect and prevent violations of
applicable laws. In addition, the Group is subject to increasingly stringent reporting obligations under UK corporate reporting regulations.
Impact
The increased scope and complexity of applicable regulations to which the Group is subject may lead to higher costs for compliance. Failure to
comply with laws and regulations may result in significant legal liability, fines, penalties, and/or damages actions, criminal sanctions against the
Group, its officers and employees, and damage to the Group’s reputation. Non-compliance with such regulations could also lead to a loss of the
Group’s listing on one or more stock exchanges or a loss of investor confidence with a subsequent reduction in share price.
Risk: Failure to comply with product regulations due to uncertainty surrounding the proper interpretation and
application of those regulations.
Description
The interpretation and application of regulations concerning the Group’s products, such as the Tobacco and Related Products Directive (TPD2),
may be subject to debate and uncertainty. This includes uncertainty over product classifications and restrictions on advertising. In particular with
respect to the developing category of New Categories, which has grown in size and complexity in a relatively short period of time, a consensus
framework for the interpretation and application of existing regulation, such as the rules concerning nicotine-containing liquids used in vapour
products, has yet to emerge.
The continuously changing and evolving landscape of regulation concerning the Group’s products contributes to the uncertainty surrounding
interpretation and application and creates a risk that the Group may misinterpret or fail to comply with developing regulations in the various
jurisdictions in which it operates, or becomes subject to enforcement actions from regulators. With the continuous changing of product cycle
plans and expansion to new markets and innovations, there is a risk that such changes and launches fail to comply with the relevant regulations,
including pre-approval and/or pre-registration requirements. For example, some governments have intentionally banned or are seeking to ban
novel tobacco products and products containing nicotine, while others would need to amend their existing legislation to permit their sale.
Even in countries where the sale of such products is currently permitted, some governments have adopted, or are seeking to adopt, bans on
New Categories or restrictions on certain flavours.
Impact
The significant number of emerging regulations and the uncertainty surrounding their interpretation and application may subject the Group to
claims for breach of such regulations. Financial costs of such enforcement actions include financial penalties, product recalls and litigation costs,
and entail a significant risk of adverse publicity and damage to the Group’s reputation and goodwill.
Risk: Failure to uphold high standards of corporate behaviour, including under anti-bribery and anti-corruption laws.
Description
The Group is subject to various anti-corruption laws and regulations (Anti-Corruption Laws). All employees of BAT, its subsidiaries and joint
ventures which it controls are expected to uphold a high standard of corporate behaviour and comply with the Group Standards of Business
Conduct (SoBC) which includes a requirement to comply with Anti-Corruption Laws. Employees, associates, suppliers, distributors and agents
are prohibited from engaging in improper conduct to obtain or retain business or to improperly influence (directly or indirectly) a person
working in an official capacity to decide in the Group’s favour. The Group’s employees may fail to comply with our SoBC and may violate
applicable Anti-Corruption Laws.
For example, the Group is investigating, through external legal advisers, allegations of misconduct and is liaising with the UK Serious Fraud
Office (SFO) and other relevant authorities. It was announced in August 2017 that the SFO had opened an investigation in relation to the
Company, its subsidiaries and associated persons. The Group continues to cooperate with the SFO’s investigation and a sub-Committee of
the Board has oversight of these matters. The outcomes will be decided by the relevant authorities or, if necessary, the courts. It is too early
to predict the outcomes, but these could include the prosecution of individuals and/or of a Group company or companies. Accordingly, the
potential for fines, penalties or other consequences cannot currently be assessed but may be material. As the investigation is ongoing, it is not
yet possible to identify the timescale in which these matters might be resolved.
Impact
Failure of the Group to comply with Anti-Corruption Laws or to deploy and maintain robust internal policies, procedures and controls could
result in significant fines and penalties, criminal sanctions against the Group and its officers and employees, increased costs, prohibitions
or other limitations on the conduct of the Group’s business and reputational harm and may subject the Group to claims for breach of
such regulations.
Even when proven untrue, there are often financial costs, time demands and reputational impacts associated with investigating and defending
against such claims.
Risk: Imposition of sanctions under sanctions regimes or similar international, regional or national measures.
Description
National and international sanctions regimes or similar international, regional or national measures may affect jurisdictions in which the Group
operates or third parties with which it may have commercial relationships.
In particular, the Group has operations in a number of countries that are subject to various sanctions, including Iran and Cuba. Operations in
these countries expose the Group to the risk of significant financial costs and disruption in operations that may be difficult or impossible to
predict or avoid or the activities could become commercially and/or operationally unviable.
National and international sanctions regimes may also affect third parties with which the Group has commercial relationships and could lead to
supply and payment chain disruptions.
For example, the Group has been investigating, and is aware of governmental authorities’ investigations into, allegations of misconduct.
It has been liaising with the DOJ and OFAC in the United States, which are conducting an investigation into suspicions of breach of sanctions.
The Group is cooperating with the authorities’ investigations. The potential for fines, penalties or other consequences cannot currently be
assessed but may be material. As the investigations are ongoing, it is not yet possible to identify the timescale in which these matters might
be resolved.
Impact
As a result of the limitations imposed by sanctions, it may become commercially and/or operationally unviable for the Group to operate in
certain jurisdictions and the Group may be required to exit existing operations in such jurisdictions. The Group may also experience difficulty in
sourcing materials or importing products and be exposed to increased costs. In addition, the costs of complying with sanctions may increase as
a result of changes to existing sanctions regimes.
Any failure to comply with sanctions regimes or similar international, regional or national measures may result in significant legal liability, fines
and/or penalties, criminal sanctions against the Group, its officers and employees, damage to commercial relationships and reputational harm.
Reputational harm may result regardless of whether the Group complies with imposed sanctions.
Risk: Inability to obtain price increases and exposure to risks from excessive price increases and value
chain erosion.
Description
Annual manufacturers’ price increases are among the key drivers in increasing market profitability. However, the Group has in the past been,
and may in the future be, unable to obtain such price increases as a result of increased regulation; increased competition from illicit trade;
stretched consumer affordability arising from deteriorating political and economic conditions and rising prices; sharp increases or changes in
excise structures; and competitors’ pricing.
As the New Category market continues to develop, the Group may face erosion in the value chain for New Categories through lower market
prices, excise taxes, high retail trade margins or high production costs that make New Categories less competitive versus combustible
tobacco products.
In addition, the Group faces the risk that price increases it has conducted in the past, and may conduct in the future, may be excessive and not
find adequate adult tobacco consumer acceptance.
Impact
If the Group is unable to obtain price increases or is adversely affected by impacts of excessive price increases, it may be unable to achieve its
strategic growth metrics, have fewer funds to invest in growth opportunities, and, in the case of excessive price increases, be faced with quicker
reductions in sales volumes than anticipated due to accelerated market decline, down-trading (switching to a cheaper brand) and increased
illicit trade. These in turn impact the Group’s market share, results of operations and financial condition.
In addition, erosion in the value chain for New Categories could have a negative impact on the Group’s sales volume or pricing for these
products. High excise could dampen demand for New Categories or result in lower profit margins. Lower market prices, high retail trade
margins or increases in production costs could also negatively impact profit margins or lead to uncompetitive pricing.
Risk: Effects of declining consumption of legitimate tobacco products and a tough competitive environment.
Description
Evidence of market contraction and the growth of illicit trade of tobacco products is apparent in several key global markets in which the Group
operates. This decline is due to multiple factors, including increases in excise taxes leading to continued above-inflation price rises, changes
in the regulatory environment, the continuing difficult economic environment in many countries impacting consumers’ disposable incomes,
the increase in the trade of illicit tobacco products, health concerns, a decline in the social acceptability of smoking and an increase in New
Category uptake.
The Group competes on the basis of product quality, brand recognition, brand loyalty, taste, innovation, packaging, service, marketing,
advertising and price. The Group is subject to highly competitive conditions in all aspects of its business. The competitive environment and the
Group’s competitive position can be significantly influenced by the prevailing economic climate, consumers’ disposable income, regulation,
competitors’ introduction of lower-price or innovative products, higher tobacco product taxes, higher absolute prices, governmental action to
increase minimum wages, employment costs, interest rates and increase in raw material costs.
Furthermore, the Group is subject to substantial payment obligations under the State Settlement Agreements, which adversely affect the ability
of the Group to compete in the US with manufacturers of deep-discount cigarettes that are not subject to such substantial obligations.
Impact
Any future decline in the demand for legitimate tobacco products could have an adverse effect on the Group’s results of operations and
financial conditions.
In a tough competitive environment, factors such as market size reduction, customer down-trading, illicit trade and competitors aggressively
taking market share through price re-positioning or price wars generally reduce the overall profit pool of the market and may impact the
Group’s profits. These risks may also lead to a decline in sales volume of the Group, loss of market share, erosion of its portfolio mix and
reduction of funds available to it for investment in growth opportunities.
Risk: Increases in net liabilities under the Group’s retirement benefit schemes.
Description
The Group currently maintains and contributes to defined benefit pension plans and other post-retirement benefit plans that cover various
categories of employees and retirees worldwide. The Group’s obligations to make contributions under these arrangements may increase in the
case of increases in pension liabilities, decreases in asset returns, salary increases, inflation, decreases in long-term interest rates, increases in life
expectancies, changes in population trends and other actuarial assumptions.
Please refer to the information under the caption ‘Retirement benefit schemes’ on page 158 and to note 11 in the Notes on the Accounts for
details of the Group’s retirement benefit schemes.
Impact
Higher contributions to the Group’s retirement benefit schemes could have an adverse impact on the Group’s results of operations, financial
condition and ability to raise funds.
Risk: Exposure to risks associated with intellectual property rights, including the failure to identify, protect and
prevent infringement of the Group’s intellectual property rights and potential infringement of, or the failure to retain
licences to use, third-party intellectual property rights.
Description
The Group relies on trademarks, patents, registered designs, copyrights and trade secrets. The brand names under which the Group’s products
are sold are key assets of its business. The protection and maintenance of the reputation of these brands is important to the Group’s success.
Protection of intellectual property rights is also important in connection with the Group’s innovative products, including New Categories.
The Group is exposed to the risk of infringements of its intellectual property rights by third parties due to limitations in judicial protection, failure to
identify, protect and register its innovations and/or inadequate enforceability of these rights in some markets in which the Group operates.
Some brands and trademarks under which the Group’s products are sold are licensed for a fixed period of time in certain markets. If any of
these licences are terminated or not renewed after the end of the applicable term, the Group would no longer have the right to use, and to sell
products under, those brand(s) and trademark(s).
In addition, as third-party rights are not always identifiable, the Group may be subject to claims for infringement of third-party intellectual property rights.
Impact
Any erosion in the value of the Group’s brands, or failure to obtain or maintain adequate protection of intellectual property rights for any reason,
or the loss of brands or trademarks under licence to Group companies, may have a material adverse effect on the Group’s market share, results
of operations and financial condition. Any inability to appropriately protect the Group’s products and key innovations will also limit its growth
and affect competitiveness and return on innovation investment.
Any infringement of third-party intellectual property rights could result in interim injunctions, product recalls, legal liability and the payment of
damages, any of which may disrupt operations, negatively impact the Group’s reputation and have an adverse effect on its results of operations
and financial condition.
REGULATION OF
THE GROUP’S BUSINESS
Overview
The Group’s businesses operate under increasingly stringent regulatory regimes worldwide. The tobacco industry is one of the most highly-
regulated in the world, with manufacturers required to comply with a variety of different regulatory regimes across the globe. The Group
continues to respond to these regimes and engages with governments and other regulatory bodies to find solutions to changing regulatory
landscapes. Restrictions on the manufacture, sale, marketing and packaging of tobacco products are in place in nearly all countries and markets.
Regulation can typically be categorised as follows:
– Place: including regulations restricting smoking in private, public and work places (e.g. public place smoking bans);
– Product: including: regulations on the use of ingredients, product design and attributes (e.g. ceilings regarding tar, nicotine and carbon
monoxide yields, as well as restrictions on flavours); product safety regulations (e.g. General Product Safety Directive (2001/95/EC), electrical
safety regulations and reduced cigarette ignition propensity standards); and regulatory product disclosure requirements (e.g. in relation to
ingredients and emissions);
– Packaging and labelling: including regulations on health warnings and other government-mandated messages (e.g. in respect of content,
positioning, size and rotation); restrictions on the use of certain descriptors and brand names; requirements on pack shape, size, weight and
colour and mandatory plain packaging;
– Sponsorship, promotion and advertising: including partial or total bans on tobacco advertising, marketing, promotions and sponsorship
and restrictions on brand sharing and stretching (the latter refers to the creation of an association between a tobacco product and a non-
tobacco product by the use of tobacco branding on the non-tobacco product);
– Purchase: including regulations on the manner in which tobacco products are sold, such as type of outlet (e.g. supermarkets and vending
machines) and how they are sold (e.g. above-the-counter versus beneath-the-counter); and
– Price: including regulations which have implications for the prices that manufacturers can charge for their tobacco products (e.g. excise taxes
and minimum prices).
In addition, the Group operates a number of global policies, and in some cases its businesses have also entered into voluntary agreements, which
may impose more onerous obligations or standards than those imposed by local legislation.
Single-use plastics
The Single Use Plastics Directive (EU) 2019/904 (the SUP Directive) entered into force on 02 July 2019. The Directive requires that EU
Member States introduce Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) schemes covering the cost to clean up litter and the application of on-pack
marking requirements for tobacco product filters. Member States must transpose the SUP Directive into national law by 3 July 2021, with an
implementation deadline of 5 January 2023.
Other governments have passed or are considering similar legislation including Russia, South Korea and various levels of government in the
United States.
Illicit trade
The illegal market for tobacco products is an increasingly important issue for governments and the industry across the world.
Euromonitor International estimates that approximately 456 billion cigarettes per year are smuggled, manufactured illegally or counterfeited.
A number of governments, regulators and organisations have or are considering adopting regulation to support anti-illicit trade activities.
Among other forms, such regulation may comprise mandatory ‘tracking and tracing’ requirements, enabling regulators to identify the point at
which any seized product left the legal supply chain, security features to combat counterfeiting and inspection and authentication obligations in
respect of seized product. The TPD2, for example, requires that all unit packets of tobacco are marked with a unique and irremovable identifier,
which when scanned provides various information about that product’s route to market.
In November 2012, the FCTC adopted the Protocol to Eliminate Illicit Trade in Tobacco Products which includes a raft of supply chain control
measures, including the implementation of ‘tracking and tracing’ technologies. The Protocol entered into force on 25 September 2018 and
was considered at the first session of the Meeting of the Parties to the Protocol in October 2018. As at 1 January 2020, 58 parties have ratified
the Protocol.
Vapour products
More recently, significant debate has been generated regarding the appropriate regulation of vapour products, including regulation of the
nicotine liquids used in them. As the nascent vapour category has grown in size and complexity in a relatively short period of time, a consensus
framework for regulation and taxation has yet to emerge. The TPD2, for example, establishes frameworks for the regulation of novel tobacco
products and e-cigarettes, introducing nicotine limits, health warnings requirements, advertising bans and pre-market notification and post-
market disclosure obligations. Conversely, some governments have intentionally banned or are seeking to ban novel tobacco products and
products containing nicotine, while others would need to amend their existing legislation in order to permit their sale. For example, in Australia
nicotine is classified as poison, meaning that the importation of vaping products or nicotine refill liquids is illegal in every state and territory, as is
the possession and use of these products. Even in countries where the sale of vapour products is permitted, some governments have adopted,
or are seeking to adopt, bans on vaping in public places. Recent reports in North America of individuals experiencing acute respiratory injury in
suspected association with vaping certain e-liquids (EVALI) and youth usage have led to an increase in scrutiny of vapour products, especially at
State and Provincial levels in the United States and Canada.
The US
Through the RAI subsidiaries, the Group is subject to US federal, state and local laws and regulations. In 2009, President Obama signed into law
the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act (FSPTCA), which grants the US Food & Drug Administration (FDA) broad authority over
the manufacture, sale, marketing and packaging of tobacco products but at the outset limited the agency’s authority to cigarettes, smokeless
tobacco products, cigarette tobacco and roll-your-own tobacco products. Key elements of the FSPTCA include: filing of facility registrations,
product listing, constituent testing and ingredient information; obtaining FDA clearance for all new products or product modifications; banning
all characterising flavours other than tobacco or menthol in cigarettes; establishing ‘user fees’ to fund the FDA’s regulation of tobacco products;
increasing the health warning size on cigarette packs with the option to introduce pictorial health warnings; implementing good manufacturing
practices; revising the labelling and advertising requirements for smokeless tobacco products; and requiring the study of menthol. The US
Congress did limit the FDA’s authority in two areas, prohibiting it from:
– banning categories of tobacco products; and
– requiring the reduction of nicotine yields of a tobacco product to zero.
On 10 May 2016, the FDA issued a final regulation, referred to as the Deeming Rule, deeming all remaining products that meet the FSPTCA’s
definition of ‘tobacco product’ to be subject to the FDA’s regulatory authority under the FSPTCA. The Final Rule became effective as of 8 August
2016, though each requirement of the Final Rule has its own compliance date. Such newly ‘deemed’ tobacco products subject to the FSPTCA
include, among others, electronic nicotine delivery systems (including e-cigarettes, e-hookah, e-cigars, vape pens, advanced refillable personal
vapourisers, electronic pipes and e-liquids mixed in vape shops), certain dissolvable tobacco products, cigars and pipe tobacco.
The ‘grandfather’ date under the Final Rule for newly deemed products remains the same as the ‘grandfather’ date for those tobacco products
already subject to the FSPTCA – 15 February 2007. Any tobacco product that was not legally marketed as of 15 February 2007 will be considered
a new tobacco product subject to pre-market review by the FDA. The FDA has recognised that few, if any, e-cigarettes were on the market as of
15 February 2007, but thousands of such products (including R.J. Reynolds Vapor’s Vuse Digital Vapor Cigarette) subsequently have entered into
commerce. To address this issue, the FDA established a compliance policy regarding the pre-market review requirements for all newly deemed
tobacco products that are not grandfathered products, but were on the market as of 8 August 2016. The FDA will allow such products to remain
on the market so long as the manufacturer has filed the appropriate Premarket Tobacco Application (PMTA) by a specific deadline.
The Final Rule established staggered initial compliance periods based on the expected complexity of the applications to be submitted. On 28 July
2017, as part of the FDA’s announcement of a comprehensive regulatory plan for nicotine and tobacco, the FDA extended the deadline for
submission of PMTAs for newly deemed products by several years (for e-cigarettes, the new deadline was August 2022). However, as a result of
legal action, in July 2019 a federal court ultimately brought forward the filing deadline for non-combustible products to 12 May 2020. This court
decision has been appealed and is currently under judicial review. In October 2019, R.J. Reynolds Vapor filed PMTAs for Vuse Solo and intends
to file PMTAs for Vuse Vibe, Ciro, and Alto, as well as Revel and Velo, by May 2020. In the case of the later three PMTAs, certain data from
ongoing tests will not be included, but will be submitted during the FDA review process. Based on the FDA’s draft guidance setting forth the
type of evidence that must be included within a pre-market review application, R.J. Reynolds Vapor expects the costs of preparing a PMTA to
be significant.
In January 2020, the FDA reinforced the filing deadline of 12 May 2020 in its Guidance related to vapor, but reversed its previous compliance
policy that allowed products to remain on the market without a PMTA and to enforce (as of February 2020) the PMTA requirements on certain
products as follows: 1) Flavoured, cartridge-based vapor products except for tobacco- or menthol-flavoured products; 2) All other vapor products
for which the manufacturer has failed to take (or is failing to take) adequate measures to prevent minors’ access; 3) Any vapor products that
targets or whose marketing is likely to promote use by minors; and 4) Any vapor product that is offered for sale in the United States after 12 May
2020, and for which the manufacturer has not submitted a premarket application. Flavoured disposable vapor products and flavoured open
systems would remain available for sale unless 1) the manufacture has failed to take adequate measures to prevent minors’ access, 2) product that
targets or whose marketing is likely to promote use by minors, or 3) fails to file PMTA by 12 May 2020.
As of the date of this report, BAT is not aware of any activity, transaction or dealing by the Group or any of its affiliates during the financial year
ended 31 December 2019 that is disclosable under Section 219 of the Iran Threat Reduction and Syria Human Rights Act of 2012 and Section
13(r) of the Exchange Act, except as set forth below. This information is to the best of BAT’s knowledge.
BAT has a local operation in Iran, established on 18 October 2003, through its wholly-owned non-US subsidiary, B.A.T. Pars Company (Private
Joint Stock) (BAT Pars). BAT Pars produces its products, which include Kent, Pall Mall and Montana brands, in its own factory in Eshtehard, which
is in the Alborz province of Iran. BAT Pars distributes its product via 75 sub-agents with national and provincial distribution licences, who sell
products to wholesalers and retailers with the support of BAT Pars’ sales representatives. BAT Pars has 307 direct employees and an additional
1,159 contract workers supplied by a private company.
Concerning the business of BAT Pars, various elements such as income tax, payroll, social security, other taxes, excise, monopoly fees, duties and
other fees, including for utilities, licences and judicial fees to commence litigation, are payable to the Government of Iran and affiliated entities
regarding BAT Pars’ operation. BAT Pars maintains bank accounts in Iran with various banks to facilitate its operations in the country and to make
any required payments, as described above, to the Government of Iran and affiliated entities regarding its operations.
During the year ended 31 December 2019, BAT did not have any gross revenues or net profits derived from transactions with the Government of
Iran or affiliated entities.
BAT believes, and maintains policies and procedures designed to ensure, that its activities in Iran and elsewhere comply in all material aspects with
the applicable and relevant trade sanctions laws and regulations, including US and other international trade sanctions and/or embargoes. BAT’s
sanctions policies and procedures have been designed to be as robust as possible. However, there can be no absolute assurance that these policies
and procedures will be effective. Were they to be ineffective, penalties or sanctions could be imposed against BAT, which could be material.
To the extent permitted under applicable law, and as long as it continues to meet BAT’s risk management and operational requirements, BAT Pars’
activities in Iran are expected to continue.
MATERIAL
CONTRACTS
The Master Settlement Agreement & State Settlement Agreements
In 1998, the major US cigarette manufacturers (including R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company, Lorillard and Brown & Williamson, businesses which
are now part of Reynolds American) entered into the Master Settlement Agreement (MSA) with attorneys general representing most US states
and territories. The MSA imposes a perpetual stream of future payment obligations on the major US cigarette manufacturers. The amounts of
money that the participating manufacturers are required to annually contribute are based upon, among other things, the volume of cigarettes
sold and market share (based on cigarette shipments in that year).
During 2012, R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company, various other tobacco manufacturers, 17 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico
reached a final agreement related to Reynolds American’s 2003 MSA activities, and three more states joined the agreement in 2013. Under this
agreement, R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company has received credits of more than US$1 billion in respect of its Non-Participating Manufacturer
(NPM) Adjustment claims related to the period from 2003 to 2012. These credits have been applied against the company’s MSA payments
over a period of five years from 2013, subject to, and dependent upon, meeting the various ongoing performance obligations. During 2014,
two additional states agreed to settle NPM disputes related to claims for the period 2003 to 2012. R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company received
US$170 million in credits, which have been applied over a five-year period from 2014. During 2015, another state agreed to settle NPM disputes
related to claims for the period 2004 to 2014. R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company received US$285 million in credits, which have been applied over
a four-year period from 2016. During 2016, no additional states agreed to settle NPM disputes. During 2017, two more states agreed to settle
NPM disputes related to claims for the period 2004 to 2014. It is estimated that R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company will receive US$61 million in
credits, which will be applied over a five-year period from 2017. During 2018, nine more states agreed to settle NPM disputes related to claims
for the period 2004 to 2019, with an option through 2022, subject to certain conditions. It is estimated that R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company will
receive US$182 million in credits for settled periods through 2017, which will be applied over a five-year period from 2018. Also in 2018, one
additional state agreed to settle NPM disputes related to claims for the period 2004 to 2024, subject to certain conditions. It is estimated that R.J.
Reynolds Tobacco Company will receive US$205 million in credits for settled periods through 2017, which will be applied over a five-year period
from 2019. Credits in respect of future years’ payments and the NPM Adjustment claims would be accounted for in the applicable year and will
not be treated as adjusting items. Only credits in respect of prior year payments are included as adjusting items.
The BAT Group is subject to substantial payment obligations under the MSA and the state settlement agreements with the states of Mississippi,
Florida, Texas and Minnesota (such settlement agreements, collectively State Settlement Agreements). RAl’s operating subsidiaries’ expenses and
payments under the MSA and the State Settlement Agreements for 2019 amounted to US$2,762 million in respect of settlement expenses and
US$2,918 million in respect of settlement cash payments. RAl’s operating subsidiaries’ expenses and payments under the MSA and the State
Settlement Agreements for 2018 amounted to US$2,741 million in respect of settlement expenses and US$917 million in respect of settlement
cash payments.
LTIPs
The rules of the long-term incentive plans 2007 and 2016 (the LTIPs). – in the event of a change of control of the Company as a result of a
takeover, reconstruction or winding-up of the Company (not being an
internal reorganisation), LTIP awards will become exercisable for
a limited period based on the period of time that has elapsed since
the date of the award and the achievement of the performance
conditions at that date, unless the Remuneration Committee
determines this not to be appropriate in the circumstances; and
– the rules of the LTIPs allow (as an alternative to early release) that
participants may, if permitted, exchange their LTIP awards for new
awards of shares in the acquiring company on a comparable basis.
PROPERTY, PLANT
AND EQUIPMENT
The Group uses a combination of in-house and contract manufacturers to manufacture its products.
BAT-owned manufacturing facilities1
United States APME AmSSA ENA Total
Fully integrated cigarette manufacturing 2 16 15 12 45
Sites processing tobacco only 1 7 9 2 19
Site manufacturing other tobacco products, Snus, Modern Oral
and Liquids 3 – – 5 8
R&D facilities and Product Centres 1 1 3 2 7
Total 7 24 27 21 79
Note:
1. As of 31 December 2019.
The plants and properties owned or leased and operated by the Group’s subsidiaries are maintained in good condition and are believed to be
suitable and adequate for the Group’s present needs.
The technology employed in the Group’s factories is sophisticated, especially in the area of cigarette making and packing where throughputs can
reach between 500 and 1,000 packs per minute. The Group can produce many different pack formats (e.g., the number of cigarettes per packet)
and configurations (e.g., bevel edge, round corner, international) to suit marketing and consumer requirements. New technology machines are
sourced from the leading machinery suppliers to the industry. Close cooperation with these organisations helps the Group support its marketing
strategy by driving its product innovations, which are brought to the market on a regular basis.
The Group utilises quality standards, processes and procedures covering the entire end-to-end value chain to help to ensure quality products are
provided to its customers and adult tobacco consumers according to the Group’s requirements and end market regulatory requirements.
The Group has several improvement initiatives which it is currently managing. For example, the Group is continuing to realise the benefits of its
Integrated Work System Programme launched in 2014, which is centrally led with an aim to improve the performance of the Group’s factories
globally by focusing on manufacturing standards, continuous improvement, assessment and benchmarking, and organisational development.
The Group also utilises a survey process in the factories with an aim to improve factory productivity and reduce costs in the manufacturing
environment. This process, known as ‘Bulls Eye’, has been in existence for a number of years and highlights productivity opportunities
by benchmarking.
In 2019, the Group manufactured cigarettes in 45 cigarette factories in 43 countries. These plants and properties are owned or leased and
operated by the Group’s subsidiaries. The Group’s factory outputs and establishments vary significantly in size and production capacity.
In 2019, the Group used third-party manufacturers to manufacture the components required, including the devices, related to New Categories.
The Group also used third-party manufacturers to supplement the Group’s own production facilities in the US and Poland to bottle the liquids
used in the vapour products.
For more information on property, plant and equipment, see note 9 in the Notes on the Accounts.
US CORPORATE
GOVERNANCE PRACTICES
Principles
In the US, ADSs of the Company are listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). The significant differences between the Company’s
corporate governance practices as a UK company and those required by NYSE listing standards for US companies are discussed below.
The Company has applied a robust set of board governance principles, which reflect the UK Corporate Governance Code 2018 and its principles-
based approach to corporate governance. NYSE rules require US companies to adopt and disclose on their websites corporate governance
guidelines. The Company complies with UK requirements, including a statement in this report of how the Company has applied the principles of
the UK Corporate Governance Code 2018 and that the Company has complied with the provisions of the UK Corporate Governance Code 2018.
Independence
The Company’s Board governance principles require that all Non-Executive Directors be determined by the Board to be independent in character
and judgement and free from any business or other relationships that could interfere materially with, or appear to affect, their judgement.
The Board also has formal procedures for managing conflicts of interest. The Board has determined that, in its judgement, all of the Non-
Executive Directors are independent. In doing so, the Board has taken into consideration the independence requirements outlined in the NYSE’s
listing standards and considers these to be met by the Chairman and all of its Non-Executive Directors.
Committees
The Company has a number of Board Committees that are broadly comparable in purpose and composition to those required by NYSE rules
for domestic US companies. For instance, the Company has a Nominations (rather than nominating/corporate governance) Committee and
a Remuneration (rather than compensation) Committee. The Company also has an Audit Committee, which NYSE rules require for both US
companies and foreign private issuers.
These Committees are composed solely of Non-Executive Directors and, in the case of the Nominations Committee, the Chairman whom the
Board has determined to be independent in the manner described above.
Each Board Committee has its own terms of reference, which prescribe the composition, main tasks and requirements of each of the Committees
(see the Board Committee reports on pages 79, 83 and 111).
Under US securities law and the listing standards of the NYSE, the Company is required to have an audit committee that satisfies the requirements
of Rule 10A-3 under the Exchange Act and Section 303A.06 of the NYSE Listed Company Manual. The Company’s Audit Committee complies
with these requirements. The Company’s Audit Committee does not have direct responsibility for the appointment, reappointment or removal of
the independent auditors. Instead, it follows the UK Companies Act 2006 by making recommendations to the Board on these matters for it to put
forward for shareholder approval at the AGM.
One of the NYSE’s additional requirements for the audit committee states that at least one member of the audit committee is to have ‘accounting
or related financial management expertise’. The Board has determined that Luc Jobin, Holly Keller Koeppel and Kieran Poynter possess such
expertise and also possess the financial and audit committee experiences set forth in both the UK Corporate Governance Code 2018 and SEC
rules (see the Audit Committee report on page 83). Mr Jobin, Ms Keller Koeppel and Mr Poynter have also each been designated as an Audit
Committee financial expert as defined in Item 16.A. of Form 20-F. The Board has also determined that each Audit Committee member meets the
financial literacy requirements applicable under NYSE listing standards.
CONTROLS AND
PROCEDURES
STATEMENTS REGARDING
COMPETITIVE POSITION
Statements referring to the competitive position of BAT and its subsidiaries are based on the Group’s belief and best estimates. In certain cases,
such statements and figures rely on a range of sources, including investment analyst reports, independent market surveys, and the Group’s own
internal assessments of market share.
DIRECTORS’ REPORT
INFORMATION
This Other Information section of the British American Tobacco Annual Report and Form 20-F, which includes Additional Disclosures and
Shareholder Information, forms part of, and includes certain disclosures which are required by law to be included in, the Directors’ Report.
CAUTIONARY
STATEMENT
This document contains certain forward-looking statements, including “forward-looking” statements made within the meaning of Section 21E
of the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These statements are often, but not always, made through the use of words or phrases
such as “believe,” “anticipate,” “could,” “may,” “would,” “should,” “intend,” “plan,” “potential,” “predict,” “will,” “expect,” “estimate,”
“project,” “positioned,” “strategy,” “outlook”, “target” and similar expressions. These include statements regarding our intentions, beliefs or
current expectations concerning, amongst other things, our results of operations, financial condition, liquidity, prospects, growth, strategies and
the economic and business circumstances occurring from time to time in the countries and markets in which the Group operates. In particular,
among other statements: (i) certain statements in the Overview section (pages 2 to 19), including the Chairman’s introduction, Chief Executive’s
review and Finance Director’s overview; (ii) certain statements in the Strategic Management section (pages 20 to 42), including the Global
industry overview; (iii) certain statements in the Financial Review section (pages 43 to 57), including the Treasury and cash flow section and going
concern discussions; and (iv) certain statements in the Other Information section (pages 254 to 323), including the Additional disclosures and
Shareholder information sections.
All such forward-looking statements involve estimates and assumptions that are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause
actual future financial condition, performance and results to differ materially from the plans, goals, expectations and results expressed in the
forward-looking statements and other financial and/or statistical data within this document. Among the key factors that could cause actual results
to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements are uncertainties related to the following: the impact of competition
from illicit trade; the impact of adverse domestic or international legislation and regulation; changes in domestic or international tax laws and
rates and the impact of an unfavourable ruling by a tax authority in a disputed area; adverse litigation and dispute outcomes and the effect of
such outcomes on the Group’s financial condition; changes or differences in domestic or international economic or political conditions; adverse
decisions by domestic or international regulatory bodies; the impact of market size reduction and consumer down-trading; translational and
transactional foreign exchange rate exposure; the impact of serious injury, illness or death in the work place; the ability to maintain credit ratings
and to fund the business under the current capital structure; the inability to develop, commercialise and deliver the New Categories strategy; and
changes in the market position, businesses, financial condition, results of operations or prospects of the Group. Further details on the principal
risks that may affect the Group can be found in the ‘Principal Group risks’ section of the Strategic Report on pages 58 to 62 of this document.
A summary of all the risk factors (including the principal risks) which are monitored by the Board through the Group’s risk register is set out in
the Additional Disclosures section under the heading ‘Group risk factors’ on pages 272 to 286.
It is believed that the expectations reflected in this document are reasonable but they may be affected by a wide range of variables that could
cause actual results to differ materially from those currently anticipated. Past performance is no guide to future performance and persons needing
advice should consult an independent financial adviser. The forward-looking statements reflect knowledge and information available at the date of
preparation of this document and the Group undertakes no obligation to update or revise these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of
new information, future events or otherwise. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements.
No statement in this document is intended to be a profit forecast and no statement in this document should be interpreted to mean that earnings
per share of BAT for the current or future financial years would necessarily match or exceed the historical published earnings per share of BAT.
SHARE PRICES
AND LISTINGS
Share prices
The high and low prices at which the Company’s ordinary shares and ADSs are recorded as having traded during the year on each of the LSE,
JSE and NYSE are as follows:
High Low
LSE £32.88 £23.75
JSE R606.84 R424.18
NYSE US$42.80 US$31.41
DIVIDENDS
Policy
The Group’s policy is to pay dividends of 65% of long-term sustainable earnings, calculated with reference to adjusted diluted earnings per share,
as defined on page 264, and reconciled from earnings per share in note 7 in the Notes on the Accounts. Please see page 47 of this Annual Report
and Form 20-F 2019 for further discussion on the Group’s dividend.
Notes:
1. ADS ratio change: prior to 14 February 2017, each BAT ADS represented two BAT ordinary shares; from 14 February 2017, each BAT ADS represents one BAT ordinary share.
2. Holders of BAT ADSs: dividends are receivable in US dollars based on the £ sterling/US dollar exchange rate on the applicable ADS payment date, being three business days after the payment date for
the BAT ordinary shares.
Key dates
In compliance with the requirements of the LSE, the NYSE and Strate, the electronic settlement and custody system used by the JSE,
the following are the salient dates for the quarterly dividend payments. All dates are 2020 unless otherwise stated.
Event Payment No. 1 Payment No. 2 Payment No. 3 Payment No. 4
Preliminary announcement
(includes declaration data required for JSE 27 February
purposes)
Publication of finalisation information (JSE) 17 March 30 June 21 September 7 December
No removal requests (in either direction) 17 March– 30 June– 21 September– 7 December–
permitted between the UK main register 27 March 10 July 2 October 18 December
and the South Africa branch register (inclusive) (inclusive) (inclusive) (inclusive)
Last day to trade (LDT) cum-dividend (JSE) 24 March 7 July 29 September 14 December
Shares commence trading ex-dividend (JSE) 25 March 8 July 30 September 15 December
No transfers permitted between the UK 25 March– 8 July– 30 September – 15 December–
main register and the South Africa 27 March 10 July 2 October 18 December
branch register (inclusive) (inclusive) (inclusive) (inclusive)
No shares to be dematerialised or 25 March– 8 July– 30 September– 15 December–
rematerialised on the South Africa 27 March 10 July 2 October 18 December
branch register (inclusive) (inclusive) (inclusive) (inclusive)
Shares commence trading ex-dividend 26 March 9 July 1 October 17 December
(LSE)
Shares commence trading ex-dividend 26 March 9 July 1 October 17 December
(NYSE)
Record date (LSE, JSE and NYSE) 27 March 10 July 2 October 18 December
Last date for receipt of Dividend Reinvestment 21 April 29 July 22 October 13 January 2021
Plan (DRIP) elections (LSE)
Payment date (LSE and JSE) 13 May 19 August 12 November 3 February 2021
ADS payment date (NYSE) 18 May 24 August 17 November 8 February 2021
Note:
Further details of the total amounts of dividends paid in 2019 (with 2018 comparatives) are given in note 8 in the Notes on the Accounts.
SHAREHOLDER
TAXATION INFORMATION
The following discussion summarises material US federal income tax consequences and UK taxation consequences to US holders of owning and
disposing of ordinary shares or ADSs. This discussion does not address any tax consequences arising under the laws of any state, local or foreign
jurisdiction or under any US federal laws other than those pertaining to income tax. This discussion is based upon the US Internal Revenue Code
of 1986 (the ‘US Tax Code’), the Treasury regulations promulgated under the US Tax Code and court and administrative rulings and decisions,
all as in effect on the date hereof. These laws may change, possibly retroactively, and any change could affect the accuracy of the statements
and conclusions set forth in this discussion.
This discussion addresses only those US holders of ordinary shares or ADSs who hold such equity interests as capital assets within the meaning
of Section 1221 of the US Tax Code. Further, this discussion does not address all aspects of US federal income taxation that may be relevant
to US holders in light of their particular circumstances or that may be applicable to them if they are subject to special treatment under the US
federal income tax laws, including, without limitation:
– a bank or other financial institution; – a US holder that is a tax-qualified retirement plan or a participant
or a beneficiary under such a plan;
– a tax-exempt organisation;
– a person that is not a US holder (as defined below);
– an S corporation or other pass-through entity and an investor therein;
– a person that has a functional currency other than the US dollar;
– an insurance company;
– a person required to recognise any item of gross income as a result of
– a mutual fund;
such income being recognised on an applicable financial statement;
– a regulated investment company or real estate investment trust;
– a US holder of ordinary shares or ADSs that holds such equity interest
– a dealer or broker in stocks and securities, or currencies; as part of a hedge, straddle, constructive sale, conversion or other
integrated transaction;
– a trader in securities that elects mark-to-market treatment;
– a US holder that owns (directly, indirectly or constructively) 10% or
– a US holder subject to the alternative minimum tax provisions of the
more of ordinary shares or ADSs by vote or by value; or
US Tax Code;
– a US expatriate.
– a US holder that received ordinary shares or ADSs through the
exercise of an employee stock option, pursuant to a tax qualified
retirement plan or otherwise as compensation;
The determination of the actual tax consequences to a US holder will depend on the US holder’s specific situation. US holders of ordinary shares
or ADSs should consult their own tax advisers as to the tax consequences of owning and disposing of ordinary shares or ADSs, in each case,
including the applicability and effect of the alternative minimum tax and any state, local, foreign or other tax laws and of changes in those laws.
For purposes of this discussion, the term US holder means a beneficial owner of ordinary shares or ADSs (as the case may be) that:
– is for US federal income tax purposes: (i) an individual citizen or resident of the United States; (ii) a corporation, including any entity treated
as a corporation for US federal income tax purposes, created or organised in or under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the
District of Columbia; (iii) a trust if a US court is able to exercise primary supervision over the trust’s administration and one or more US persons
are authorised to control all substantial decisions of the trust or it has a valid election in effect under applicable Treasury regulations to be
treated as a US person; or (iv) an estate that is subject to US federal income tax on its income regardless of its source; and
– is not resident in the UK for UK tax purposes.
The US federal income tax consequences to a partner in an entity or arrangement treated as a partnership for US federal income tax purposes
that holds ordinary shares or ADSs generally will depend on the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. Partners in a partnership
holding any such equity interest should consult their own tax advisers.
Material US federal income tax consequences relating to the ownership and disposition of ordinary
shares or ADSs
The following is a discussion of the material US federal income tax consequences of the ownership and disposition by US holders of ordinary
shares or ADSs. This discussion assumes that BAT is not, and will not become, a passive foreign investment company for US federal income tax
purposes, as described below.
ADSs
A US holder of ADSs, for US federal income tax purposes, generally will be treated as the owner of the underlying ordinary shares that are
represented by such ADSs. Accordingly, deposits or withdrawals of ordinary shares for or from ADSs will not be subject to US federal income tax.
Taxation of Dividends
The gross amount of distributions on the ordinary shares or ADSs will be taxable as dividends to the extent paid out of BAT’s current or
accumulated earnings and profits, as determined under US federal income tax principles. Such income will be includable in a US holder’s gross
income as ordinary income on the day actually or constructively received by the US holder. Such dividends will be treated as foreign source
income and will not be eligible for the dividends received deduction allowed to corporations under the US Tax Code.
With respect to non-corporate US investors, certain dividends received from a qualified foreign corporation may be subject to reduced rates of
taxation. A qualified foreign corporation includes a foreign corporation that is eligible for the benefits of a comprehensive income tax treaty with
the United States that the Treasury determines to be satisfactory for these purposes and that includes an exchange of information provision.
The Treasury has determined that the treaty between the United States and the United Kingdom meets these requirements, and BAT believes that
it is eligible for the benefits of the treaty. However, non-corporate holders that do not meet a minimum holding period requirement during which
they are not protected from the risk of loss or that elect to treat the dividend income as ‘investment income’ pursuant to Section 163(d)(4) of the
US Tax Code will not be eligible for the reduced rates of taxation. In addition, the rate reduction will not apply to dividends if the recipient of a
dividend is obligated to make related payments with respect to positions in substantially similar or related property. This disallowance applies even
if the minimum holding period has been met. US holders should consult their own tax advisers regarding the application of these rules to their
particular circumstances.
The amount of any dividend paid by BAT in £ sterling (including any such amount in respect of ADSs that is converted into US dollars by the
depositary bank) will equal the US dollar value of the £ sterling actually or constructively received, calculated by reference to the exchange rate in
effect on the date the dividend is so received by the US holder, regardless of whether the £ sterling are converted into US dollars. If the £ sterling
received as a dividend are converted into US dollars on the date received, the US holder generally will not be required to recognise foreign
currency exchange gain or loss in respect of the dividend income. If the £ sterling received as a dividend are not converted into US dollars on
the date of receipt, the US holder will have a basis in £ sterling equal to their US dollar value on the date of receipt. Any gain or loss realised on a
subsequent conversion or other disposition of £ sterling will be treated as US source ordinary income or loss. US holders of ADSs should consult
their own tax advisers regarding the application of these rules to the amount of any dividend paid by BAT in £ sterling that is converted into US
dollars by the depositary bank.
To the extent that the amount of any distribution exceeds BAT’s current and accumulated earnings and profits for a taxable year, as determined
under US federal income tax principles, the distribution will first be treated as a tax-free return of capital, causing a reduction in the US holder’s
adjusted basis of the ordinary shares or ADSs, and to the extent the amount of the distribution exceeds the US holder’s tax basis, the excess
will be taxed as capital gain recognised on a sale or exchange, as described below. BAT does not expect to determine earnings and profits
in accordance with US federal income tax principles. Therefore, notwithstanding the foregoing, US holders should expect that distributions
generally will be reported as dividend income for US information reporting purposes.
Distributions by BAT of additional ordinary shares (which may be distributed by the depositary bank to a holder of ADSs in the form of ADSs) to
a US holder that is made as part of a pro rata distribution to all holders of ordinary shares and ADSs in respect of their ordinary shares or ADSs,
and for which there is no option to receive other property (not including ADSs), generally will not be subject to US federal income tax. The basis
of any new ordinary shares (or ADSs representing new ordinary shares) so received will be determined by allocating the US holder’s basis in the
previously held ordinary shares or ADSs between the previously held ordinary shares or ADSs and the new ordinary shares or ADSs, based on their
relative fair market values on the date of distribution.
Passive foreign investment company
A passive foreign investment company (PFIC), is any foreign corporation if, after the application of certain ‘look-through’ rules: (1) at least 75% of
its gross income is ‘passive income’ as that term is defined in the relevant provisions of the US Tax Code; or (2) at least 50% of the average value
of its assets produce ‘passive income’ or are held for the production of ‘passive income.’ The determination as to PFIC status is made annually.
BAT does not believe that it is, for US federal income tax purposes, a PFIC, and BAT expects to operate in such a manner so as not to become a
PFIC. If, however, BAT is or becomes a PFIC, US holders could be subject to additional US federal income taxes on gain recognised with respect to
the ordinary shares or ADSs and on certain distributions, plus an interest charge on certain taxes treated as having been deferred under the PFIC
rules. Non-corporate US holders will not be eligible for reduced rates of taxation on any dividends received from BAT if it is a PFIC in the taxable
year in which such dividends are paid or in the preceding taxable year. BAT’s US counsel expresses no opinion with respect to BAT’s PFIC status.
Taxation of capital gains
Upon a sale, exchange or other taxable disposition of ordinary shares or ADSs, a US holder will generally recognise capital gain or loss for US
federal income tax purposes in an amount equal to the difference between the US dollar value of the amount realised on the disposition and the
US holder’s adjusted tax basis in the ordinary shares or ADSs as determined in US dollars. Such gain or loss generally will be US source gain or loss,
and will be long-term capital gain or loss if the US holder has held the ordinary shares or ADSs for more than one year. Certain non-corporate US
holders may be eligible for preferential rates of US federal income tax in respect of net long-term capital gains. The deductibility of capital losses
is subject to limitations.
The amount realised on a sale, exchange or other taxable disposition of ordinary shares for an amount in foreign currency will be the US dollar
value of that amount on the date of sale or disposition. On the settlement date, the US holder will recognise US source foreign currency exchange
gain or loss (taxable as ordinary income or loss) equal to the difference (if any) between the US dollar value of the amount received based on the
exchange rates in effect on the date of sale, exchange or other disposition and the settlement date. However, in the case of ordinary shares traded
on an established securities market that are sold by a cash-basis US holder (or an accrual-basis US holder that so elects), the amount realised will
be based on the exchange rate in effect on the settlement date for the sale, and no foreign currency exchange gain or loss will be recognised
at that time.
A US holder’s tax basis in ordinary shares or ADSs will generally equal the US dollar cost of the ordinary shares or ADSs. The US dollar cost of
ordinary shares purchased with foreign currency will generally be the US dollar value of the purchase price on the date of purchase, or the
settlement date for the purchase in the case of ordinary shares traded on an established securities market that are purchased by a cash-basis
US holder (or an accrual-basis US holder that so elects).
Tax on dividends
BAT is not required to withhold UK tax at source from dividends paid on ordinary shares or ADSs.
US holders will not generally be subject to UK tax on dividends received from BAT provided that they do not carry on a trade, profession or
vocation in the United Kingdom through a branch, agency or permanent establishment in connection with which the ordinary shares or ADSs
are held.
Stamp duty and stamp duty reserve tax (SDRT)
Based on current published HMRC practice and recent case law, transfers of ADSs should not be subject to SDRT or stamp duty provided that any
instrument of transfer is executed and remains outside the UK. The transfer of an underlying ordinary share to the ADS holder in exchange for the
cancellation of an ADS should also not give rise to a stamp duty or SDRT charge.
Transfers of ordinary shares outside of the depositary bank, including the repurchase of ordinary shares by BAT, will generally be subject to
stamp duty or SDRT at the rate of 0.5% of the amount or value of the consideration given, except as described above in connection with the
cancellation of an ADS. If ordinary shares are redeposited into a clearance service or depositary system, the redeposit will attract stamp duty
or SDRT at the higher rate of 1.5%.
The purchaser or the transferee of the ordinary shares or ADSs will generally be responsible for paying any stamp duty or SDRT payable.
Where stamp duty or SDRT is payable, it is payable regardless of the residence position of the purchaser.
Inheritance tax
A gift or settlement of ordinary shares or ADSs by, or on the death of, an individual shareholder may give rise to a liability to UK inheritance tax
even if the shareholder is not a resident of, or domiciled in, the United Kingdom.
A charge to inheritance tax may arise in certain circumstances where ordinary shares or ADSs are held by close companies and trustees
of settlements.
However, pursuant to the Estate and Gift Tax Treaty 1980 (the ‘Treaty’) entered into between the United Kingdom and the United States, a gift or
settlement of ordinary shares or ADSs by shareholders who are domiciled in the United States for the purposes of the Treaty may be exempt from
any liability to UK inheritance tax.
Notes:
1. The latest percentage of issued share capital excludes treasury shares.
2. Includes 24,494,199 ordinary shares represented by ADRs.
All shares held by the significant shareholders represent the Company’s ordinary shares. These significant shareholders have no special voting
rights compared with other holders of the Company’s ordinary shares.
Notes:
1. The number of ordinary shares beneficially owned by the Executive Directors include ordinary shares awarded and required to be held for a period of at least three years in a UK-based trust under the SIP.
Ordinary shares cannot be sold or transferred out of the trust until the end of the three-year holding period. The amounts next to the corresponding Executive Director include the following ordinary shares
held in the trust under the SIP: (a) 573 ordinary shares for Mr Bowles, of which 311 have been held for less than three years; (b) 854 ordinary shares for Mr Marroco, of which 351 have been held for less
than three years. In all cases, the beneficial owner of ordinary shares under the SIP may direct the trust to exercise its voting rights in accordance with his instructions. See footnote (5) to the table below
under the heading ‘Outstanding Share-based Awards and Options-based Awards of the Board of Directors and the Management Board’ for additional details regarding the SIP and the ordinary shares
held thereunder.
2. The number of ordinary shares beneficially owned by the Executive Directors include the following number of options granted under the LTIP that are scheduled to vest and may be exercised within
60 days of 13 March 2020: (a) 18,497 options under the LTIP for Mr Bowles; and (b) 14,755 options under the LTIP for Mr Marroco. Each option is convertible into one ordinary share upon exercise.
See footnote (1) to the table below under the heading ‘Outstanding Share-based Awards and Options-based Awards of the Board of Directors and the Management Board’ for additional details
regarding the LTIP.
3. The number of ordinary shares beneficially owned by the Executive Directors include the following number of awards of restricted ordinary shares granted under the DSBS that are scheduled to vest within
60 days of 13 March 2020: (a) 8,997 ordinary shares for Mr Bowles; (b) 7,177 ordinary shares for Mr Marroco. Until awards of ordinary shares under the DSBS vest, they are held in trust and the recipient
of such award does not have the ability to transfer, sell or direct the voting of the applicable ordinary shares. See footnote (4) to the table below under the heading ‘Outstanding Share-based Awards and
Options-based Awards of the Board of Directors and the Management Board’ for additional details regarding the DSBS.
4. The ordinary shares beneficially owned by Mr Fowden, Mr Jobin and Ms Koeppel are represented by ADSs, each of which represents one ordinary share.
5. Ms Koeppel, being a former director of RAI and a participant in the Deferred Compensation Plan for Directors of RAI (DCP), holds DSUs which were granted prior to becoming a Director of BAT. Each DSU
entitles the holder to receive a cash payment upon ceasing to be a Director equal to the value of one BAT ADS. The number of DSUs increases on each dividend date by reference to the value of dividends
declared on the ADSs underlying the DSUs. Ms Koeppel currently holds 23,333.51 DSUs.
6. The number of ordinary shares beneficially owned by the members of the Management Board include ordinary shares awarded and required to be held for a period of at least three years in a UK-based
trust under the SIP. Ordinary shares cannot be sold or transferred out of the trust until the end of the three-year holding period. The amounts next to the corresponding Management Board member include
the following ordinary shares held in the trust under the SIP: (a) 705 ordinary shares for Mr Abelman, of which 327 have been held for less than three years; (b) 159 ordinary shares for Ms Bellini, of which
105 have been held for less than three years; (c) 724 ordinary shares for Mr Comin, of which 330 have been held for less than three years; (d) 762 ordinary shares for Mr Davy, of which 350 have been held
for less than three years; (e) 263 ordinary shares for Ms Kim, of which 263 have been held for less than three years; (f) 295 ordinary shares for Mr Lageweg, of which 261 have been held for less than three
years; (g) 249 ordinary shares for Mr Meldrum, of which 249 have been held for less than three years; (h) 1,994 ordinary shares for Dr O’Reilly, of which 540 have been held for less than three years; (i) 619
ordinary shares for Mr Oberlander, of which 316 have been held for less than three years; (j) 701 ordinary shares for Mr Vandermeulen, of which 323 have been held for less than three years; and (k) 911
ordinary shares for Mr Wheaton, of which 373 have been held for less than three years. In all cases, the beneficial owner of ordinary shares under the SIP may direct the trust to exercise its voting rights
in accordance with their instructions. See footnote (5) to the table below under the heading ‘Outstanding Share-based Awards and Options-based Awards of the Board of Directors and the Management
Board’ for additional details regarding the SIP and the ordinary shares held thereunder.
7. The number of ordinary shares beneficially owned by the members of the Management Board include the following number of options granted under the LTIP that are scheduled to vest and may be
exercised within 60 days of 13 March 2020: (a) 13,688 options under the LTIP for Mr Abelman; (b) 5,229 options under the LTIP for Mr Comin; (c) 13,350 options under the LTIP for Mr Davy; (d) 2,802
options under the LTIP for Ms Kim; (e) 25,205 options under the LTIP for Mr Lageweg; (f) 5,633 options under the LTIP for Mr Meldrum; (g) 12,354 options under the LTIP for Mr O’Reilly; (h) 15,375 options
under the LTIP for Mr Oberlander; (i) 14,815 options under the LTIP for Mr Vandermeulen; (j) 14,946 options under the LTIP for Mr Wheaton. Each option is convertible into one ordinary share upon exercise.
See footnote (1) to the table below under the heading ‘Outstanding Share-based Awards and Options-based Awards of the Board of Directors and the Management Board’ for additional details regarding
the LTIP.
8. The number of ordinary shares beneficially owned by the members of the Management Board include the following number of awards of restricted ordinary shares granted under the DSBS that are
scheduled to vest within 60 days of 13 March 2020: (a) 6,658 ordinary shares for Mr Abelman; (b) 2,866 ordinary shares for Mr Comin; (c) 6,493 ordinary shares for Mr Davy; (d) 1,373 ordinary shares for
Ms Kim; (e) 3,048 ordinary shares for Mr Lageweg; (f) 2,751 ordinary shares for Mr Meldrum; (g) 6,009 ordinary shares for Dr O’Reilly; (h) 7,478 ordinary shares for Mr Oberlander; (i) 7,206 ordinary shares
for Mr Vandermeulen; and (j) 7,270 ordinary shares for Mr Wheaton. Until awards of ordinary shares under the DSBS vest, they are held in trust and the recipient of such award does not have the ability
to transfer, sell or direct the voting of the applicable ordinary shares. See footnote (4) to the table below under the heading ‘Outstanding Share-based Awards and Options-based Awards of the Board of
Directors and the Management Board’ for additional details regarding the DSBS.
9. The number of ordinary shares beneficially owned by Mr Lageweg includes 83,416 ADSs, each of which represents one ordinary share.
10. The information in this column is based on [2,293,894,961] ordinary shares outstanding (excluding treasury shares) as of 13 March 2020. Any securities not outstanding subject to options, warrants,
rights or conversion privileges that give the beneficial owner the right to acquire the securities within 60 days are deemed to be outstanding for the purpose of computing the percentage of outstanding
securities of the class owned by such person but are not deemed to be outstanding for the purpose of computing the percentage of the class by any other person.
Outstanding Share-based Awards and Options-based Awards of the Board of Directors and
the Management Board
The following table presents information regarding the options and the restricted share awards held by the Directors and the Management
Board as of 13 March 2020. The following Directors (being the Chairman and the Non-Executive Directors) have not been granted share‑based
Awards or Options-based Awards over ordinary shares: Mr Burrows, Ms Farr, Mr Fowden, Dr Helmes, Mr Jobin, Ms Koeppel, Mr Kwan,
Mr Panayotopoulos and Mr Poynter.
Market Price
Options at Date of Grant
Number of Date of Exercise Price of Option Number of Exercisable (LTIP/Sharesave)
Options Held Grant/Award £ £ Shares Awarded Vesting (DSBS/SIP)
Directors
Jack Bowles
LTIP1 26,463 27 Mar 2017 0.00 52.11 – 27 Mar 2020 – 26 Mar 2027
43,785 26 Mar 2018 0.00 38.94 – 26 Mar 2021 – 25 Mar 2028
176,532 28 Mar 2019 0.00 33.28 – 28 Mar 2024 – 27 Mar 2029
Total Options3 246,780
DSBS4 – 27 Mar 2017 – – 8,997 27 Mar 2020
– 26 Mar 2018 – – 12,064 26 Mar 2021
– 28 Mar 2019 – – 26,192 28 Mar 2022
SIP5 – 3 Apr 2017 – – 67 3 Apr 2020
– 4 May 2017 – – 6 4 May 2020
– 28 Sep 2017 – – 3 28 Sep 2020
– 8 Feb 2018 – – 3 8 Feb 2021
– 3 Apr 2018 – – 70 3 Apr 2021
– 9 May 2018 – – 3 9 May 2021
– 8 Aug 2018 – – 4 8 Aug 2021
– 15 Nov 2018 – – 6 15 Nov 2021
– 7 Feb 2019 – – 7 7 Feb 2022
– 1 Apr 2019 – – 112 1 Apr 2022
– 8 May 2019 – – 6 8 May 2022
– 8 Aug 2019 – – 8 8 Aug 2022
– 14 Nov 2019 – – 9 14 Nov 2022
– 6 Feb 2020 – – 7 6 Feb 2023
Total Restricted Share Awards6 47,564
Market Price
Options at Date of Grant
Number of Date of Exercise Price of Option Number of Exercisable (LTIP/Sharesave)
Options Held Grant/Award £ £ Shares Awarded Vesting (DSBS/SIP)
Tadeu Marroco
LTIP1 21,109 27 Mar 2017 0.00 52.11 – 27 Mar 2020 – 26 Mar 2027
28,248 26 Mar 2018 0.00 38.94 – 26 Mar 2021 – 25 Mar 2028
36,057 28 Mar 2019 0.00 33.28 – 28 Mar 2022 – 27 Mar 2029
Sharesave2 495 23 Mar 2015 30.26 37.82 – 1 May 2020 – 31 Oct 2020
266 28 Mar 2018 33.76 42.20 – 1 May 2021 – 31 Oct 2021
Total Options3 86,175
DSBS4 – 27 Mar 2017 – – 7,177 27 Mar 2020
– 26 Mar 2018 – – 7,783 26 Mar 2021
– 28 Mar 2019 – – 13,233 28 Mar 2022
SIP5 – 3 Apr 2017 – – 67 3 Apr 2020
– 4 May 2017 – – 8 4 May 2020
– 28 Sep 2017 – – 6 28 Sep 2020
– 8 Feb 2018 – – 4 8 Feb 2021
– 3 Apr 2018 – – 70 3 Apr 2021
– 9 May 2018 – – 6 9 May 2021
– 8 Aug 2018 – – 7 8 Aug 2021
– 15 Nov 2018 – – 10 15 Nov 2021
– 7 Feb 2019 – – 11 7 Feb 2022
– 1 Apr 2019 – – 112 1 Apr 2022
– 8 May 2019 – – 11 8 May 2022
– 8 Aug 2019 – – 13 8 Aug 2022
– 14 Nov 2019 – – 14 14 Nov 2022
– 6 Feb 2020 – – 12 6 Feb 2023
Total Restricted Share Awards6 28,544
Market Price
Options at Date of Grant
Number of Date of Exercise Price of Option Number of Exercisable (LTIP/Sharesave)
Options Held Grant/Award £ £ Shares Awarded Vesting (DSBS/SIP)
Management Board
Jerome Abelman
LTIP1 19,583 27 Mar 2017 0.00 52.11 – 27 Mar 2020 – 26 Mar 2027
32,100 26 Mar 2018 0.00 38.94 – 26 Mar 2021 – 25 Mar 2028
37,560 28 Mar 2019 0.00 33.28 – 28 Mar 2022 – 27 Mar 2029
Sharesave2 991 23 Mar 2015 30.26 37.82 – 1 May 2020 – 31 Oct 2020
Total Options3 90,234
DSBS4 – 27 Mar 2017 – – 6,658 27 Mar 2020
– 26 Mar 2018 – – 8,844 26 Mar 2021
– 28 Mar 2019 – – 13,785 28 Mar 2022
SIP5 – 3 Apr 2017 – – 67 3 Apr 2020
– 4 May 2017 – – 5 4 May 2020
– 28 Sep 2017 – – 4 28 Sep 2020
– 8 Feb 2018 – – 3 8 Feb 2021
– 3 Apr 2018 – – 70 3 Apr 2021
– 9 May 2018 – – 4 9 May 2021
– 8 Aug 2018 – – 5 8 Aug 2021
– 15 Nov 2018 – – 8 15 Nov 2021
– 7 Feb 2019 – – 9 7 Feb 2022
– 1 Apr 2019 – – 112 1 Apr 2022
– 8 May 2019 – – 9 8 May 2022
– 8 Aug 2019 – – 10 8 Aug 2022
– 14 Nov 2019 – – 11 14 Nov 2022
– 6 Feb 2020 – – 10 6 Feb 2023
Total Restricted Share Awards6 29,614
Marina Bellini
LTIP1 29,296 28 Mar 2019 0.00 33.28 – 28 Mar 2022 – 27 Mar 2029
Sharesave2 785 28 Mar 2019 22.91 28.63 – 1 May 2022 – 31 Oct 2022
Total Options3 30,081
DSBS4 – 28 Mar 2019 – – 5,525 28 Mar 2022
SIP5 – 1 Apr 2019 – – 99 1 Apr 2022
– 8 Aug 2019 – – 1 8 Aug 2022
– 14 Nov 2019 – – 3 14 Nov 2022
– 6 Feb 2020 – – 2 6 Feb 2023
Total Restricted Share Awards6 5,630
Market Price
Options at Date of Grant
Number of Date of Exercise Price of Option Number of Exercisable (LTIP/Sharesave)
Options Held Grant/Award £ £ Shares Awarded Vesting (DSBS/SIP)
Luciano Comin
LTIP1 7,482 27 Mar 2017 0.00 52.11 – 27 Mar 2020 – 26 Mar 2027
10,313 26 Mar 2018 0.00 38.94 – 26 Mar 2021 – 25 Mar 2028
31,550 28 Mar 2019 0.00 33.28 – 28 Mar 2022 – 27 Mar 2029
Sharesave2 533 28 Mar 2018 33.76 42.20 – 1 May 2021 – 31 Oct 2021
Total Options3 49,878
DSBS4 – 27 Mar 2017 – – 2,866 27 Mar 2020
– 26 Mar 2018 – – 3,464 26 Mar 2021
– 28 Mar 2019 – – 5,084 28 Mar 2022
SIP5 – 3 Apr 2017 – – 67 3 Apr 2020
– 4 May 2017 – – 5 4 May 2020
– 28 Sep 2017 – – 4 28 Sep 2020
– 8 Feb 2018 – – 3 8 Feb 2021
– 3 Apr 2018 – – 70 3 Apr 2021
– 9 May 2018 – – 5 9 May 2021
– 8 Aug 2018 – – 5 8 Aug 2021
– 15 Nov 2018 – – 9 15 Nov 2021
– 7 Feb 2019 – – 8 7 Feb 2022
– 1 Apr 2019 – – 112 1 Apr 2022
– 8 May 2019 – – 9 8 May 2022
– 8 Aug 2019 – – 11 8 Aug 2022
– 14 Nov 2019 – – 12 14 Nov 2022
– 6 Feb 2020 – – 10 6 Feb 2023
Total Restricted Share Awards6 11,744
Alan Davy
LTIP1 19,099 27 Mar 2017 0.00 52.11 – 27 Mar 2020 – 26 Mar 2027
26,579 26 Mar 2018 0.00 38.94 – 26 Mar 2021 – 25 Mar 2028
33,804 28 Mar 2019 0.00 33.28 – 28 Mar 2022 – 27 Mar 2029
Sharesave2 221 24 Mar 2017 40.56 50.70 – 1 May 2020 – 31 Oct 2020
Total Options3 79,703
DSBS4 – 27 Mar 2017 – – 6,493 27 Mar 2020
– 26 Mar 2018 – – 7,323 26 Mar 2021
– 28 Mar 2019 – – 12,406 28 Mar 2022
SIP5 – 3 Apr 2017 – – 67 3 Apr 2020
– 4 May 2017 – – 10 4 May 2020
– 28 Sep 2017 – – 6 28 Sep 2020
– 8 Feb 2018 – – 4 8 Feb 2021
– 3 Apr 2018 – – 70 3 Apr 2021
– 9 May 2018 – – 7 9 May 2021
– 8 Aug 2018 – – 7 8 Aug 2021
– 15 Nov 2018 – – 9 15 Nov 2021
– 7 Feb 2019 – – 11 7 Feb 2022
– 1 Apr 2019 – – 112 1 Apr 2022
– 8 May 2019 – – 11 8 May 2022
– 8 Aug 2019 – – 12 8 Aug 2022
– 14 Nov 2019 – – 13 14 Nov 2022
– 6 Feb 2020 – – 11 6 Feb 2023
Total Restricted Share Awards6 26,572
Market Price
Options at Date of Grant
Number of Date of Exercise Price of Option Number of Exercisable (LTIP/Sharesave)
Options Held Grant/Award £ £ Shares Awarded Vesting (DSBS/SIP)
Hae In Kim
LTIP1 4,010 27 Mar 2017 0.00 52.11 – 27 Mar 2020 – 26 Mar 2027
6,497 26 Mar 2018 0.00 38.94 – 26 Mar 2021 – 25 Mar 2028
30,048 28 Mar 2019 0.00 33.28 – 28 Mar 2022 – 27 Mar 2029
Sharesave2 533 28 Mar 2018 33.76 42.20 – 1 May 2021 – 31 Oct 2021
Total Options3 41,088
DSBS4 – 27 Mar 2017 – – 1,373 27 Mar 2020
– 26 Mar 2018 – – 1,863 26 Mar 2021
– 28 Mar 2019 – – 3,798 28 Mar 2022
SIP5 – 3 Apr 2017 – – 67 3 Apr 2020
– 3 Apr 2018 – – 70 3 Apr 2021
– 15 Nov 2018 – – 2 15 Nov 2021
– 7 Feb 2019 – – 1 7 Feb 2022
– 1 Apr 2019 – – 112 1 Apr 2022
– 8 May 2019 – – 1 8 May 2022
– 8 Aug 2019 – – 3 8 Aug 2022
– 14 Nov 2019 – – 4 14 Nov 2022
– 6 Feb 2020 – – 3 6 Feb 2023
Total Restricted Share Awards6 7,297
Paul Lageweg
LTIP1 4,540 28 Mar 2014 0.00 32.58 – 28 Mar 2017 – 27 Mar 2024
8,954 27 Mar 2015 0.00 36.25 – 27 Mar 2018 – 26 Mar 2025
5,956 12 May 2016 0.00 42.34 – 12 May 2019 – 11 May 2026
8,234 27 Mar 2017 0.00 52.11 – 27 Mar 2020 – 26 Mar 2027
11,471 26 Mar 2018 0.00 38.94 – 26 Mar 2021 – 25 Mar 2028
29,296 28 Mar 2019 0.00 33.28 – 28 Mar 2022 – 27 Mar 2029
Sharesave2 1,309 28 Mar 2019 22.91 28.63 – 1 May 2024 – 31 Oct 2024
Total Options3 69,760
DSBS4 – 27 Mar 2017 – – 3,048 27 Mar 2020
– 26 Mar 2018 – – 2,039 26 Mar 2021
– 28 Mar 2019 – – 5,265 28 Mar 2022
SIP5 – 3 Apr 2017 – – 67 3 Apr 2020
– 4 May 2017 – – 1 4 May 2020
– 3 Apr 2018 – – 70 3 Apr 2021
– 9 May 2018 – – 1 9 May 2021
– 15 Nov 2018 – – 1 15 Nov 2021
– 7 Feb 2019 – – 1 7 Feb 2022
– 1 Apr 2019 – – 112 1 Apr 2022
– 8 May 2019 – – 1 8 May 2022
– 8 Aug 2019 – – 2 8 Aug 2022
– 14 Nov 2019 – – 3 14 Nov 2022
– 6 Feb 2020 – – 2 6 Feb 2023
Total Restricted Share Awards6 10,613
Market Price
Options at Date of Grant
Number of Date of Exercise Price of Option Number of Exercisable (LTIP/Sharesave)
Options Held Grant/Award £ £ Shares Awarded Vesting (DSBS/SIP)
Guy Meldrum
LTIP1 8,059 27 Mar 2017 0.00 52.11 – 27 Mar 2020 – 26 Mar 2027
11,066 26 Mar 2018 0.00 38.94 – 26 Mar 2021 – 25 Mar 2028
31,550 28 Mar 2019 0.00 33.28 – 28 Mar 2022 – 27 Mar 2029
Total Options3 50,675
DSBS4 – 27 Mar 2017 – – 2,751 27 Mar 2020
– 26 Mar 2018 – – 3,796 26 Mar 2021
– 28 Mar 2019 – – 5,651 28 Mar 2022
SIP5 – 3 Apr 2017 – – 67 3 Apr 2020
– 3 Apr 2018 – – 70 3 Apr 2021
– 1 Apr 2019 – – 112 1 Apr 2022
Total Restricted Share Awards6 12,447
Dr David O’Reilly
LTIP1 17,674 27 Mar 2017 0.00 52.11 – 27 Mar 2020 – 26 Mar 2027
24,364 26 Mar 2018 0.00 38.94 – 26 Mar 2021 – 25 Mar 2028
30,048 28 Mar 2019 0.00 33.28 – 28 Mar 2022 – 27 Mar 2029
Total Options3 72,086
DSBS4 – 27 Mar 2017 – – 6,009 27 Mar 2020
– 26 Mar 2018 – – 6,713 26 Mar 2021
– 28 Mar 2019 – – 11,028 28 Mar 2022
SIP5 – 3 Apr 2017 – – 67 3 Apr 2020
– 4 May 2017 – – 32 4 May 2020
– 28 Sep 2017 – – 19 28 Sep 2020
– 8 Feb 2018 – – 15 8 Feb 2021
– 3 Apr 2018 – – 70 3 Apr 2021
– 9 May 2018 – – 21 9 May 2021
– 8 Aug 2018 – – 19 8 Aug 2021
– 15 Nov 2018 – – 29 15 Nov 2021
– 7 Feb 2019 – – 31 7 Feb 2022
– 1 Apr 2019 – – 112 1 Apr 2022
– 8 May 2019 – – 31 8 May 2022
– 8 Aug 2019 – – 32 8 Aug 2022
– 14 Nov 2019 – – 33 14 Nov 2022
– 6 Feb 2020 – – 29 6 Feb 2023
Total Restricted Share Awards6 24,290
Market Price
Options at Date of Grant
Number of Date of Exercise Price of Option Number of Exercisable (LTIP/Sharesave)
Options Held Grant/Award £ £ Shares Awarded Vesting (DSBS/SIP)
Ricardo Oberlander
LTIP1 21,996 27 Mar 2017 0.00 52.11 – 27 Mar 2020 – 26 Mar 2027
38,520 26 Mar 2018 0.00 38.94 – 26 Mar 2021 – 25 Mar 2028
45,072 28 Mar 2019 0.00 33.28 – 28 Mar 2022 – 27 Mar 2029
Sharesave2 495 23 Mar 2015 30.26 37.82 – 1 May 2020 – 31 Oct 2020
Total Options3 106,083
DSBS4 – 27 Mar 2017 – – 7,478 27 Mar 2020
– 26 Mar 2018 – – 8,438 26 Mar 2021
– 28 Mar 2019 – – 16,542 28 Mar 2022
SIP5 – 3 Apr 2017 – – 67 3 Apr 2020
– 4 May 2017 – – 7 4 May 2020
– 28 Sep 2017 – – 5 28 Sep 2020
– 8 Feb 2018 – – 3 8 Feb 2021
– 3 Apr 2018 – – 70 3 Apr 2021
– 9 May 2018 – – 6 9 May 2021
– 8 Aug 2018 – – 4 8 Aug 2021
– 15 Nov 2018 – – 7 15 Nov 2021
– 7 Feb 2019 – – 7 7 Feb 2022
– 1 Apr 2019 – – 112 1 Apr 2022
– 8 May 2019 – – 7 8 May 2022
– 8 Aug 2019 – – 7 8 Aug 2022
– 14 Nov 2019 – – 8 14 Nov 2022
– 6 Feb 2020 – – 6 6 Feb 2023
Total Restricted Share Awards6 32,774
Johan Vandermeulen
LTIP1 21,195 27 Mar 2017 0.00 52.11 – 27 Mar 2020 – 26 Mar 2027
30,335 26 Mar 2018 0.00 38.94 – 26 Mar 2021 – 25 Mar 2028
39,438 28 Mar 2019 0.00 33.28 – 28 Mar 2022 – 27 Mar 2029
Sharesave2 991 23 Mar 2015 30.26 37.82 – 1 May 2020 – 31 Oct 2020
Total Options3 91,959
DSBS4 – 27 Mar 2017 – – 7,206 27 Mar 2020
– 26 Mar 2018 – – 8,358 26 Mar 2021
– 28 Mar 2019 – – 13,785 28 Mar 2022
SIP5 – 3 Apr 2017 – – 67 3 Apr 2020
– 4 May 2017 – – 4 4 May 2020
– 28 Sep 2017 – – 4 28 Sep 2020
– 8 Feb 2018 – – 3 8 Feb 2021
– 3 Apr 2018 – – 70 3 Apr 2021
– 9 May 2018 – – 4 9 May 2021
– 8 Aug 2018 – – 5 8 Aug 2021
– 15 Nov 2018 – – 7 15 Nov 2021
– 7 Feb 2019 – – 8 7 Feb 2022
– 1 Apr 2019 – – 112 1 Apr 2022
– 8 May 2019 – – 8 8 May 2022
– 8 Aug 2019 – – 10 8 Aug 2022
– 14 Nov 2019 – – 11 14 Nov 2022
– 6 Feb 2020 – – 10 6 Feb 2023
Total Restricted Share Awards6 29,672
Market Price
Options at Date of Grant
Number of Date of Exercise Price of Option Number of Exercisable (LTIP/Sharesave)
Options Held Grant/Award £ £ Shares Awarded Vesting (DSBS/SIP)
Kingsley Wheaton
LTIP1 21,382 27 Mar 2017 0.00 52.11 – 27 Mar 2020 – 26 Mar 2027
32,100 26 Mar 2018 0.00 38.94 – 26 Mar 2021 – 25 Mar 2028
43,194 28 Mar 2019 0.00 33.28 – 28 Mar 2022 – 27 Mar 2029
Sharesave2 1,309 28 Mar 2019 22.91 28.63 – 1 May 2024 – 31 Oct 2024
Total Options3 97,985
DSBS4 – 27 Mar 2017 – – 7,270 27 Mar 2020
– 26 Mar 2018 – – 8,358 26 Mar 2021
– 28 Mar 2019 – – 13,785 28 Mar 2022
SIP5 – 3 Apr 2017 – – 67 3 Apr 2020
– 4 May 2017 – – 12 4 May 2020
– 28 Sep 2017 – – 8 28 Sep 2020
– 8 Feb 2018 – – 6 8 Feb 2021
– 3 Apr 2018 – – 70 3 Apr 2021
– 9 May 2018 – – 8 9 May 2021
– 8 Aug 2018 – – 8 8 Aug 2021
– 15 Nov 2018 – – 13 15 Nov 2021
– 7 Feb 2019 – – 13 7 Feb 2022
– 1 Apr 2019 – – 112 1 Apr 2022
– 8 May 2019 – – 13 8 May 2022
– 8 Aug 2019 – – 14 8 Aug 2022
– 14 Nov 2019 – – 16 14 Nov 2022
– 6 Feb 2020 – – 13 6 Feb 2023
Total Restricted Share Awards6 29,786
Notes:
Options
1. LTIP: grants or awards of ordinary shares under the LTIP are for nil consideration. The number of options shown is the maximum that may be exercised subject to the completion of the applicable
performance period and conditions under the rules of the LTIP. The number of options which may vest and become exercisable may be less than the number of ordinary shares shown in the table.
2. Sharesave Scheme: grants of options under the Sharesave Scheme are: (a) normally granted at a discount of 20% to the market price of ordinary shares at the time of invitation, as permitted by the
rules of the Sharesave Scheme; and (b) are exercisable at the end of a three-year or five-year savings contract up to a monthly limit of £500.
3. Each of the LTIP and Sharesave Scheme contains provisions which permit the Board of Directors or a duly authorised committee of the Board of Directors to establish further plans for the benefit of
overseas employees based on the relevant share plan but modified as necessary or desirable to take account of overseas tax, exchange control or applicable securities laws. Any new ordinary shares
issued under such plans would not count towards any applicable plan limits under the LTIP or the Sharesave Scheme.
Restricted Share Awards
4. DSBS: awards of deferred shares are made through the DSBS and comprise free ordinary shares normally held in trust for three years and no further performance conditions apply in that period.
The ordinary shares carry no rights to vote in that period.
5. SIP: the SIP is an all-employee plan which includes the SRS under which eligible employees receive an award of ordinary shares (Free Shares) in April of each year in which the plan operates in respect
of performance in the previous financial year. The Free Shares are held in a UK-based trust from the date of the award for a minimum period of three years. During that time the SIP participant is entitled to
receive dividends on those ordinary shares which are re-invested by such trust to buy further ordinary shares (Dividend Shares) on behalf of the SIP participant. The Dividend Shares are also held in the
trust from the date of acquisition for a minimum period of three years. During the three-year holding periods, the SIP participant may not remove the Free Shares or the Dividend Shares from the trust, but
may direct the trust to exercise its voting rights in accordance with his or her instructions. In addition to the Free Shares and Dividend Shares, participants in the SIP are also eligible to purchase additional
ordinary shares from their pre-tax salary up to an annual statutory limit (Partnership Shares). The SIP also provides that BAT has the right to offer additional ordinary shares to a participant at no cost for
each Partnership Share the participant purchases, at a ratio of two such ordinary shares for each Partnership Share purchased (Matching Shares). BAT does not currently provide any Matching Shares.
6. BAT has established similar plans to the SIP for non-UK employees and specific plans for employees in Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands. Each of these plans has been modified to take account
of overseas tax, exchange control and applicable securities laws.
ARTICLES OF
ASSOCIATION
The Company is incorporated under the name of British American Tobacco p.l.c. and is registered in England and Wales under registered
number 3407696. Under the Companies Act 2006 (Companies Act), the Company’s objects are unrestricted. The following descriptions
summarise certain provisions of the Company’s current Articles of Association (Articles) (as adopted by special resolution at the AGM on 28 April
2010), applicable English and Welsh law and the Companies Act. This summary is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Companies Act and
the Articles, available on bat.com. The Articles may be altered or added to, or completely new articles may be adopted by, a special resolution of
the shareholders of the Company, subject to the provisions of the Companies Act.
ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION
CONTINUED
Repurchase of shares
– subject to authorisation by shareholder resolution, the Company may purchase its own shares in accordance with the Companies Act
– any shares which have been bought back may be held as treasury shares or, if not so held, must be cancelled immediately upon completion
of the purchase, thereby reducing the amount of the Company’s issued share capital
Directors
Appointment and retirement
– a Board of Directors of not fewer than five Directors and not subject to any maximum (unless otherwise determined by ordinary resolution
of shareholders)
– Directors and the Company (by ordinary resolution) may appoint a person who is willing to act as a Director
– the Articles govern the minimum number of Directors who must be subject to retirement at each AGM and who may seek re-election
– notwithstanding the Articles, all of the Directors of the Company will be subject to re-election at the forthcoming AGM to be held
on 30 April 2020 in accordance with the UK Corporate Governance Code
– fees for Non-Executive Directors and the Chairman are determined by the Directors but cannot currently exceed in aggregate an annual
sum of £2,500,000, unless determined otherwise by ordinary resolution of the shareholders
– the remuneration of the Executive Directors is determined by the Remuneration Committee, which comprises independent
Non‑Executive Directors
Disclosure of interests
– specific provisions apply to the regulation and management of the disclosure of Directors’ interests in transactions and any conflicts of interest
that may occur in such situations including those which may arise as a result of the Director’s office or employment or persons connected
with him or her
Meetings and voting
– the quorum for a meeting of Directors is two Directors
– the Directors may delegate any of their powers to a person or a committee
– the Articles place a general prohibition on a Director voting at a Board meeting on any matter in which he has an interest other than
by virtue of his interest in shares in the Company
– specific provisions apply to a Director’s ability to vote in relation to: the giving of guarantees; the provision of indemnities; insurance
proposals; retirement benefits; and transactions or arrangements with a company in which the Director may have an interest
Borrowing powers
– the Directors may exercise all the powers of the Company to borrow money and to mortgage or charge its undertaking, property, assets
(present and future) and uncalled capital
– the Directors may also issue debentures, debenture stock and other securities
Additional disclosures
Disclosure of ownership of shares
There are no provisions in the Articles whereby persons acquiring, holding or disposing of a certain percentage of the Company’s ordinary shares
are required to make disclosure of their ownership percentage, although there are such requirements under statute and regulation.
Director retirement
There is no requirement for a director to retire on reaching any age.
Sinking Funds
There is no sinking fund provision in the Articles applicable to the Company’s ordinary shares.
Limitations on voting and shareholding
There are no limitations under the Articles restricting the right of non-resident or foreign owners to hold or vote ordinary shares in the Company.
Distribution of assets on a winding up
If the Company is wound up, the liquidator may, with the sanction of a special resolution and any other sanction required by law, divide among
the members in specie the whole or any part of the assets of the Company and may, for that purpose, value any assets and determine how the
division shall be carried out as between the members or different classes of members. The liquidator may, with the like sanction, vest the whole
or any part of the assets in trustees upon such trusts for the benefit of the members as he may with the like sanction determine, but no member
shall be compelled to accept any assets upon which there is a liability.
Anti-takeover devices and change of control
There are no provisions in the Articles that would have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a takeover, or change of control, of the
Company. Under English law, the Company’s directors have a fiduciary duty to take only those actions that are in the interests of the Company
and any anti-takeover devices employed by the directors in the future, if any, must accordingly be in the interests of the Company. The Company
is also subject to the City Code on Takeovers and Mergers (the “City Code”), which governs the conduct of mergers and takeovers in the UK.
Any takeover of the Company would have to be in accordance with the City Code.
PURCHASES
OF SHARES
Total number of
ordinary shares Total number of Total number of Maximum number of
purchased Average price ADSs purchased Average price ordinary shares shares that may
by ESOPs or certain paid per by ESOPs or certain paid per purchased as yet be purchased as
employee share-based ordinary share employee share-based ADS part of a publicly part of a publicly
plans £ plans US$ announced plan1 announced plan1
2019
2 January 4,041 24.890000 – – – –
6 February 3,608 27.760000 – – – –
6 March 3,296 29.990000 – – – –
29 March–2 April 2,900,000 31.944600 – – – –
1 April 233,150 31.599204 – – – –
3 April 3,078 31.200000 – – – –
3 April 2,205* 31.350000 – – – –
3 April 26,658 31.109000 – – – –
25 April 63,067 30.270000 – – – –
1 May 3,407 29.870000 – – – –
5 June 3,640 28.475000 – – – –
3 July 3,340 29.750000 – – – –
7 August 3,271 29.750000 – – – –
4 September 3,228 29.395000 – – – –
2 October 3,224 29.750000 – – – –
6 November 3,355 28.295000 – – – –
4 December 3,103 29.740000 – – – –
3,265,671 29.713988 – – – –
Notes:
1. There was no publicly announced plan for BAT to purchase its own ordinary shares or ADSs during the year ended 31 December 2019.
2. All the purchases of ordinary shares and/or ADSs were made on open market transactions except for the purchase marked * which was made by way of an arm’s-length private treaty arrangement
between BAT and the relevant trustee.
GROUP
EMPLOYEE TRUST
Notes:
1. Company share – based payment arrangements: details of the material equity share-based and cash-settled share-based arrangements are set out in note 24 in the Notes on the Accounts.
2. The values of ordinary shares shown are based on the closing mid-market share price on 31 December 2019: 3,232p (31 December 2018: 2,500p).
3. In addition to the ordinary shares held in BATGET, the trust held the following American Depositary Shares (ADSs) which relate to the vesting and exercise of certain employee stock awards formerly
granted by RAI over RAI common stock and which were assumed by BAT to be satisfied by the delivery of ADSs following the merger with RAI on 25 July 2017.
Note:
(a) The value of the ADSs shown is based on the closing price of ADSs on 31 December 2019 of US$42.46.
AMERICAN
DEPOSITARY SHARES
Service Fees
Issuance of ADSs upon deposit of ordinary shares (excluding issuances Up to US$0.05 per ADS issued1
as a result of distributions of shares described below)
Cancellation of ADSs Up to US$0.05 per ADS surrendered1
Distribution of cash dividends or other cash distributions (i.e. sale of Up to US$0.05 per ADS held2
rights and other entitlements)
Distribution of ADSs pursuant to: (1) stock dividends or other free stock Up to US$0.05 per ADS held
distributions; or (2) exercise of rights to purchase additional BAT ADSs
Distribution of securities other than ADSs or rights to purchase Up to US$0.05 per ADS held
additional ADSs (i.e. spinoff shares)
Depositary bank services Up to US$0.05 per ADS held
Notes:
1. Under the terms of a separate agreement between BAT and the Depositary, the Depositary has agreed to waive the fees that would otherwise be payable in connection with the issuance of ADSs upon
deposit of ordinary shares and the cancellation of ADSs and corresponding withdrawal of ordinary shares, in each case by BAT or any of its affiliates, officers, directors or employees. The terms of this
separate agreement may be amended at any time by BAT and the Depositary.
2. While under the Restated Deposit Agreement cash dividends paid in respect of ADSs are subject to a fee of up to US$0.05 per ADS payable to the Depositary, under the terms of the separate agreement
between BAT and the Depositary referred to above, such dividends are instead subject to a fee of up to US$0.02 per ADS per year (a fee of US$0.005 per dividend based on the distribution of four
quarterly cash dividends per year). Under the separate agreement, this dividend fee may not be varied by the Depositary without the consent of BAT.
SHAREHOLDING ADMINISTRATION
AND SERVICES
EXHIBITS
The following documents are filed in the SEC EDGAR system, as part of this Annual Report on Form 20-F, and can be viewed on the SEC’s
website, www.sec.gov:
Notes:
1. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to BAT’s Registration Statement on Form F-4 (Reg. No. 333-217939) filed on 12 May 2017.
2. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to BAT’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 (Reg. No. 333-237186) filed on 16 March 2020.
3. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.4 to BAT’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended 31 December 2017 filed on 15 March 2018.
4. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to BAT’s Registration Statement on Form F-4 (Reg. No. 333-227658) filed on 2 October 2018.
5. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to British American Tobacco p.l.c.’s Form 6-K filed on 6 September 2019.
6. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to British American Tobacco p.l.c.’s Form 6-K filed on 6 September 2019.
7. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to British American Tobacco p.l.c.’s Form 6-K filed on 6 September 2019.
8. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.4 to British American Tobacco p.l.c.’s Form 6-K filed on 6 September 2019.
9. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.5 to British American Tobacco p.l.c.’s Form 6-K filed on 6 September 2019.
10. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to British American Tobacco p.l.c.’s Form F-3 filed on 17 July 2019.
11. Incorporated by reference to BAT’s Amendment No. 4 to Schedule 13D filed on 17 January 2017.
12. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.5 to BAT’s Registration Statement on Form F-4 (Reg. No. 333-217939) filed on 12 May 2017,
and replaced by the revolving credit facilities agreement, dated as of 12 March 2020, included in Exhibit 4.25 hereto.
13. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to BAT’s Registration Statement on Form F-4 (Reg. No. 333-217939) filed on 12 May 2017.
14. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8 to BAT’s Registration Statement on Form F-4 (Reg. No. 333-217939) filed on 12 May 2017.
15. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.6 to BAT’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended 31 December 2018 filed on 15 March 2019.
16. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.7 to BAT’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended 31 December 2018 filed on 15 March 2019.
17. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to BAT’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 (Reg. No. 333-237186) filed on 16 March 2020.
18. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.43 to Reynolds American Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended 31 December 2007 filed on 27 February 2008.
19. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.9 to BAT’s Registration Statement on Form F-4 (Reg. No. 333-217939) filed on 12 May 2017.
20. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.10 to BAT’s Registration Statement on Form F-4 (Reg. No. 333-217939) filed on 12 May 2017.
21. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.11 to BAT’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended 31 December 2018 filed on 15 March 2019.
22. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.11 to BAT’s Registration Statement on Form F-4 (Reg. No. 333-217939) filed on 12 May 2017.
23. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4 to R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Holdings, Inc.’s Form 8-K dated 24 November 1998.
24. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2 to R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Holdings, Inc.’s Form 8-K dated 5 September 1997.
25. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2 to R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Holdings, Inc.’s Form 8-K dated 27 January 1998.
26. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 to R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Holdings, Inc.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended 30 March 1998 filed on 15 May 1998.
27. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.2 to R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Holdings, Inc.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended 30 March 1998 filed on 15 May 1998.
28. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.3 to R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Holdings, Inc.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended 30 March 1998 filed on 15 May 1998.
29. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.2 to R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Holdings, Inc.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended 30 June 1998 filed on 14 August 1998.
30. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.4 to R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Holdings, Inc.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended 30 June 1998 filed on 14 August 1998.
31. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 to R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Holdings, Inc.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended 30 September 1998 filed on 12 November 1998.
32. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Reynolds American Inc.’s Form 8-K dated 12 March 2013.
33. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 11 to to BAT’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended 31 December 2017 filed on 15 March 2018.
34. These certifications are furnished only and are not filed as part of BAT’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended 31 December 2019.
Certain instruments which define the rights of holders of long-term debt issued by BAT and its subsidiaries are not being filed because the total
amount of securities authorised under each such instrument does not exceed 10% of the total consolidated assets of BAT and its subsidiaries.
BAT agrees to furnish copies of any or all such instruments to the SEC on request.
GLOSSARY
CROSS-REFERENCE
TO FORM 20-F
www.bat.com/reporting
www.bat.com
@BATPress
flickr.com/welcometobat
youtube.com/welcometobat