16 March 2023 

 

Savills plc

 

("Savills" or "the Group")

 

PRELIMINARY RESULTS FOR THE FULL YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2022

 

Group performance ahead of expectations despite challenging markets

 

Savills plc, the international real estate advisor, today announces its preliminary results for the year ended 31 December 2022.

 

Key financial highlights

 

·      Group revenue up 7% to £2.3bn (2021: £2.15bn)

·      Underlying* profit before tax decreased 18% to £164.6m (2021: £200.3m)

·      Reported profit before tax decreased 16% to £153.9m (2021: £183.1m)

·      Underlying basic EPS down 19% to 94.9p (2021: 116.5p); reported basic EPS down 17% to 87.0p (2021: 104.9p)

·      Aggregate proposed final and supplementary interim dividends of 29.0p (2021: 28.35p, together with a one off special dividend of 27.05p)

·      Net cash** £307.4m (2021: £340.7m)

 

* Underlying profit before tax ('underlying profit') is an alternative performance measure used to assess the performance of the Group. It is calculated on a consistently reported basis in accordance with Note 3 to this Preliminary Statement.

** Net cash reflects cash and cash equivalents net of borrowings and overdrafts in the notional pooling arrangement (see Note 8).

 

Key operating highlights

 

·      Transactional Advisory revenues up 4% despite challenging market conditions, particularly in H2; Residential Transaction revenue down 2%.

·      Less transactional businesses, in aggregate 60% of Group revenue, continued to perform well with revenue up 9%.

·      Property and Facilities Management revenue up 13%, Consultancy revenue up 4%.

·      Savills Investment Management revenue up 1%, Assets under Management ('AUM') up marginally from £21.9bn to £22.1bn.

 

Commenting on the results, Mark Ridley, Group Chief Executive, said:

 

"Performance in 2022 was slightly ahead of our expectations despite challenging markets. More importantly, perhaps, the Group's performance was substantially ahead of the 2019 'pre-COVID' comparative period. The strength of our less transactional businesses, primarily Consultancy and Property Management, helped underpin the Group's performance overall.

 

"In the year ahead, challenging macro conditions are expected to continue with inflation and interest rates remaining in focus for some time. As a result, the speed at which individual investment markets adjust to the cost of debt is uncertain, although certain markets, such as the UK, are recalibrating faster than in the past, and will be helped by the lack of development supply and an overall trend to sustainability. We would also expect that the release of COVID restrictions in Greater China paves the way for progressive improvement in real estate markets in the region.

 

"We have started 2023 broadly in line with our expectations. However, it is clear that, at this stage, predictions for the full year are characterised by a wide range of possible outcomes; we believe that H1 2023 will be more challenging than its 2022 comparative; however, we expect progressive improvement through the second half of the year. 2024 should see more positive conditions for real estate market activity and Savills is both retaining its bench strength and investing in advance of such recovery."  

 

 

The analyst presentation will be held at 9.30am today by webinar. For joining instructions please contact [email protected]. A recording of the presentation will be available from noon at www.ir.savills.com.

 

For further information, contact:

 

Savills	020 7409 8030
Mark Ridley, Group Chief Executive Simon Shaw, Group Chief Financial Officer
Teneo	020 7353 4200
Mark Burgess William Palfreyman

 

 

Chairman's statement

 

Results

The Group traded well in 2022, against a backdrop of geopolitical, economic, logistical (supply chain) and, in some locations, continued COVID-related challenges. The Group's revenue increased by 7% to £2.3bn (2021: £2.15bn), substantially driven by the performance of our property management business.  

 

We had anticipated a reduction in profits compared with 2021 due both to the progressive return of certain discretionary costs (travel, entertainment and marketing events) as markets unlocked post-COVID, and as a result of staff cost inflation. In the event, and despite significant challenges in many transactional markets, underlying profit for the year decreased by 18% to £164.6m (2021: £200.3m), reflecting an underlying profit margin of 7.2% (2021: 9.3%). To put this into pre-COVID context, underlying profit was 15% ahead of 2019 (£143.4m), which represented an underlying profit margin of 7.5% for that pre-pandemic year.  

 

The Group's reported profit before tax decreased by 16% to £153.9m (2021: £183.1m).

 

The Group continued to maintain a strong liquidity position with net cash (cash and cash equivalents net of borrowings and overdrafts in the notional pooling arrangements) of £307.4m at year end (2021: £340.7m).

 

Overview

Since the end of Q1 2022, real estate markets across the Globe have been increasingly challenged by geopolitical events, macro-economic issues and the associated policy responses. Despite this, the Group performed ahead of its previous expectations for the year and substantially ahead of the 2019 'pre-COVID' comparative period. Overall, our Transaction Advisory revenue increased 4% year-on-year and our less transactional businesses of Consultancy and Property Management grew revenue by 4% and 13% respectively. Although not immune from market volatility (particularly in respect of some Consultancy service lines), these businesses performed well and their strength helped underpin Savills performance overall.

 

In the Transactional businesses, the rapid rise in actual and anticipated debt costs, through the second half of the year in particular, represented a significant challenge to which commercial investment markets have had to adjust. This, together with inflationary pressures globally, also reduced the volume of leasing transactions, although in a number of markets the drive for sustainability and improved amenity ensured that Grade A office activity, in particular, remained relatively robust.

 

One highlight in the year was the relative strength of the prime residential markets which, particularly in the UK, helped to mitigate the effect of volume declines in commercial transaction activity.

 

The Investment Management business traded marginally ahead of our expectations although deployment of capital was inevitably reduced, given the uncertain market conditions, and valuation adjustments reduced performance fee income year-on-year as anticipated. The majority of the effect of quarterly portfolio valuation adjustments is, however, likely to be felt in 2023. Overall, we were pleased with progress in the first full year of Savills Investment Management's relationship with Samsung life Insurance and the consequent launch of a number of new fund products in these market conditions.

 

Discretionary costs (travel, entertainment and marketing events), which reduced significantly during the pandemic, increased overall in line with our expectations as marketing activity, entertainment and travel normalised post-pandemic. Meanwhile employment costs increased substantially as expected, reflecting inflationary pressures. The combination of these factors resulted in a decrease to the Group underlying profit margin to 7.2% (2021: 9.3%).

 

The impact of the above factors on the Group underlying profit margin decreased reported profit before tax by 16% to £153.9m (2021: £183.1m), representing a 6.7% reported pre-tax profit margin (2021: 8.5%).

 

Currency movements in the year increased revenue by £69.4m, underlying profit by £1.7m and reported profit before taxation by £1.5m.

 

Market conditions

2022 started strongly in virtually all markets which had largely released COVID-related restrictions. The war in Ukraine, inflation and the rising interest rate cycle began to affect transaction markets in Q2, initially in the smaller lot sizes of both capital and leasing transactions, as investors and corporates began to factor inflation and rising debt costs into their decisions.

 

As a consequence, the volume of global real estate investment activity declined substantially in 2022, with the majority of the reduction occurring in the final quarter as cumulative interest rate rises and wage inflation began to bite. That said, in the UK especially, markets have been quicker to recalibrate than has been the case historically. We anticipate that this will continue with markets progressively normalising from the end of Q2 2023.

 

In the UK, the housing market remained stronger for longer than anticipated, with the prime London housing markets particularly resilient. The international nature of the prime London market, with lower dependence upon mortgage financing relative to the wider markets and attractive valuations in a global context, should partially mitigate the effect of further volume reductions in the residential market overall.

 

In Europe, 2022 was characterised by a progressively reduced flow of capital into real estate and weakening valuations due to the impact of interest rate rises on historically low yields. In certain markets such as Germany, utility inflation and weakened export markets (eg China) significantly reduced both investment and corporate leasing demand during the period.

 

In the Asia Pacific region market conditions varied with the majority being affected by rising interest rates. The major exception was Japan, where continued low interest rates ensured a strong investment market. Finally, in Greater China, COVID related restrictions significantly affected market activity for the majority of the period.

 

In North America Q1 2022 showed strong volumes in capital and leasing transactions. Thereafter the pace of interest rate increases significantly dampened demand.

 

Sustainability in real estate

During 2022 the key focus for the Group continued to be minimising our impact on the environment by delivering continuous improvement against our targets relating to the nine material Sustainable Development Goals and reducing carbon emissions.

During the year we remained committed to the Science-Based Targets Initiative to deliver our carbon reduction goals, consistent with a no greater than 1.5°C temperature increase, to achieving Scope 1 and 2 net zero by 2030 and net zero in our value chain (ie Scope 3, including assets under the Group's discretionary control) by 2040. We have made tangible reductions in carbon in 2022 with our absolute Scope 1 and 2 'market-based' emissions totalling 6,679 tonnes CO2e, which is a 17.9% (1,454 tonnes CO2e) reduction against the 2019 base year. Across the Group we continue to implement practical initiatives to improve the environmental performance of the workspaces we occupy, including in the design of new offices, retrofitting of existing ones, and the active management of the whole estate.

 

We have adopted a new green lease and fit-out guide as a basis for engagement with the Group's landlords including a transition towards renewable energy tariffs and the use of electric vehicles where market availability allows.

 

Looking forwards we aim to improve upon our Green House Gas ('GHG') data sets for all three scopes, whilst also undertaking further tangible carbon reduction actions consistent with our Net Zero Transition Plan. Following some significant progress on the ESG agenda this year, we aim to enhance our ability to support both our people and our communities in the year ahead.

 

Business development

Savills strategy is to be a leading multi-sector property advisor in the key markets in which we operate. Our global strategy is delivered locally by our experts on the ground with flexibility to adapt quickly to changes in circumstances and opportunities. They are supported by our global cross-border investment, residential and occupier services specialists. We continuously monitor opportunities to acquire complementary businesses, teams or individuals to enhance our strong core business.

 

During the year we completed the acquisition of several businesses and continued to undertake significant organic growth initiatives across the business. The Group acquired workplace technology specialist BrickByte GmbH in Germany, enhancing Savills ability to respond to increasing client demand for technology-enabled workplace consulting in this market. In Indonesia, the Group acquired a full service property business to bolster our offering in the region. Savills Investment Management acquired Pitmore 1 Limited, a UK development and build-to-rent specialist, and a majority interest in Simply Affordable Homes LLP, a registered provider of affordable housing; both transactions were part of the continued expansion of our European Living Platform in Savills Investment Management. The Group also acquired a majority interest in AMS Maintenance Services Pte Limited and Solute Pte Limited, a facilities management group in Singapore, enhancing the property and integrated facilities management platform in the region.

 

Focus on technology

Technology is an important focus for the Group, and we continue to benefit from the investments we have made both internally and externally, through Grosvenor Hill Ventures, across the world. As we build our insight and data capabilities through our local, regional and global network of specialists, this allows us to ensure that individual teams have the resources they require to continue to deliver market leading advice to clients, while benefitting from the network effect of centralisation driving innovation and efficiencies.

 

Workthere, our flexible office brokerage, continues to grow and had a record year as occupiers sought increased flexibility. We continue to invest in both brokerage and technology within the business to ensure ever increased efficiency and data collection as we expand our footprint. Our digitally enabled auction business within the UK continues to go from strength-to-strength, taking significant market share during the year.

 

In February 2022 we acquired the trade and assets of Cureoscity Limited, the tenant experience platform. This connects occupiers, asset owners and property and facilities managers, primarily focused on multi-let office buildings. Post-acquisition we have further deployed the technology into our own property management portfolio, and on a stand-alone basis the business continues to win new mandates from third party managed buildings.

 

Through Grosvenor Hill Ventures we have continued to support our portfolio businesses and we also participated in the Series A funding round of ThirdFort Limited, a platform which improves the customer experience by digitising many aspects of the increasingly onerous compliance process in real estate transactions.

 

Board

On 15 December 2022 Marcus Sperber was appointed to the Board as an additional independent Non-Executive Director. I am delighted that Marcus has joined the Board and we are already benefitting from his extensive global real estate experience as we further grow our business.

 

In addition, having been Chairman since May 2016, I plan to retire from the Board towards the end of this year. A search for a new Board Chair is underway and we will update further in due course.

 

Dividends

An interim dividend of 6.6p per share (2021: 6.0p) amounting to £8.9m was paid on 5 October 2022, and a final ordinary dividend of 13.4p per share (2021: 12.75p) is recommended, making the ordinary dividend 20.0p per share for the year (2021: 18.75p). A supplemental interim dividend of 15.6p per share (2021: 15.6p) is declared, based upon the underlying performance of our Transaction Advisory business. Taken together, the ordinary and supplemental interim dividends comprise an aggregate distribution for the year of 35.6p per share, representing an increase of 3.6% on the 2021 aggregate ordinary and supplemental dividend of 34.35p. In 2021 we also declared a special dividend of 27.05p.

 

Subject to Shareholder approval of the proposed final dividend at the AGM on 17 May 2023, the aggregate final and supplementary interim dividends of 29.0p will be paid on 22 May 2023 to Shareholders on the register at 11 April 2023.

 

People

I would like to express my thanks to all our employees worldwide for their hard work, commitment and continued focus on client service, which enable the Group to deliver these results in such challenging times.

 

Summary and Outlook

Performance in 2022 was slightly ahead of our expectations despite challenging markets. More importantly, perhaps, the Group's performance was substantially ahead of the 2019 'pre-COVID' comparative period. The strength of our less transactional businesses, primarily Consultancy and Property Management, helped underpin the Group's performance overall.

 

In the year ahead, challenging macro conditions are expected to continue with inflation and interest rates remaining in focus for some time. As a result, the speed at which individual investment markets adjust to the cost of debt is uncertain, although certain markets, such as the UK, are recalibrating faster than in the past, and will be helped by the lack of development supply and an overall trend to sustainability. We would also expect that the release of COVID restrictions in Greater China paves the way for progressive improvement in real estate markets in the region.

 

We have started 2023 broadly in line with our expectations. However, it is clear that, at this stage, predictions for the full year are characterised by a wide range of possible outcomes; we believe that H1 2023 will be more challenging than its 2022 comparative; however, we expect progressive improvement through the second half of the year. 2024 should see more positive conditions for real estate market activity and Savills is both retaining its bench strength and investing in advance of such recovery.

 

 

Nicholas Ferguson CBE

Chairman

 

Review of operations

 

Savills' geographic and business diversity were key to achieving the year's result. Our performance analysed by region was as follows:

 

	Revenue £m			Underlying profit/(loss) £m
	2022	2021	% growth	2022	2021	% growth
UK	956.3	925.6	3	118.1	129.5	(9)
Asia Pacific	669.7	626.5	7	41.4	59.2	(30)
CEME	335.0	301.2	11	17.3	15.4	12
North America	337.3	293.7	15	4.1	15.1	(73)
Unallocated	-	-	n/a	(16.3)	(18.9)	n/a
Total	2,298.3	2,147.0	7	164.6	200.3	(18)

 

On a constant currency basis Group revenue increased by 4% to £2,228.9m, underlying profit decreased 19% to £162.9m and reported profit before tax decreased by 17% to £152.4m. Our Asia Pacific business represented 29% of Group revenue (2021: 29%) and our overseas businesses as a whole represented 58% of Group revenue (2021: 57%). Our performance by service line is set out below:

 

	Revenue £m			Underlying profit/(loss) £m
	2022	2021	% growth	2022	2021	% growth
Transaction Advisory	930.1	892.9	4	71.9	97.6	(26)
Property and Facilities Management	841.5	745.6	13	50.2	49.1	2
Consultancy	413.9	396.7	4	37.6	47.0	(20)
Investment Management	112.8	111.8	1	21.2	25.5	(17)
Unallocated	-	-	n/a	(16.3)	(18.9)	n/a
Total	2,298.3	2,147.0	7	164.6	200.3	(18)

 

Overall, our Commercial and Residential Transaction Advisory business revenues together represented 40% of Group revenue (2021: 42%). Of this, the Residential Transaction Advisory business represented 10% of Group revenue (2021: 11%). Our Property and Facilities Management businesses continued to perform well, growing year-on-year and representing 37% of Group revenue (2021: 35%). Our Consultancy businesses represented 18% of revenue (2021: 18%). The Investment Management business increased revenue by 1% and represented 5% of Group revenue (2021: 5%).

 

 

Transaction Advisory

Overall, our Transaction Advisory revenues increased by 4% (1% on constant currency basis) to £930.1m (2021: £892.9m). Globally our commercial capital transaction business revenue decreased by 1% and our leasing and occupier focused transactional revenues grew by 11%. Our Global Residential business revenue remained resilient against a strong comparative in 2021.

 

Underlying profits fell by 26% to £71.9m (2021: £97.6m), with an underlying profit margin of 7.7% (2021: 10.9%), reflecting the impact of continued COVID restrictions in Greater China on profits, and inflationary pressures on the cost base, brought about by a combination of the pandemic, the war in Ukraine, inflation and the consequential tightening of monetary policy around the globe.

 

Asia Pacific Commercial

Revenue from the Asia Pacific Commercial Transactional business decreased by 5% to £145.3m (2021: £153.0m), a decrease of 7% in constant currency. Despite this, revenue exceeded 2019 by 5%.

 

There were significant revenue reductions in Hong Kong, mainland China and Australia, partially offset by stronger performances elsewhere in the region, in particular Japan, Singapore and South Korea. In China the lockdowns which remained in place during the first three quarters, coupled with a subsequent surge in COVID cases after restrictions were eased in Q4, significantly reduced market activity throughout the year. This had a material impact in Hong Kong, which suffered from a lack of investment inflows from the mainland, coupled with higher interest rates during 2022. Likewise in Australia, increased interest rates caused reduced investment activity. With the yen at a 24-year low against the dollar, and interest rates remaining low, investment transactions in Japan increased significantly, resulting in a 140% constant currency increase in revenue. Elsewhere there was significant revenue growth in Singapore and South Korea, the former driven by increased investment activity and the latter driven by the Industrial teams, primarily through our expertise in data centres. Leasing activity in the region also improved, notably in Australia and Singapore, as corporates which had delayed making longer-term lease decisions during 2021, began to commit to new leases.

 

Overall the Asia Pacific Commercial Transactional business experienced a 35% reduction in underlying profit to £13.4m (2021: £20.6m) with a margin of 9.2% (2021: 13.5%).

 

UK Commercial

UK Commercial Transactional revenue grew by 3% to £118.9m (2021: £115.2m), reflecting growth in both the investment and leasing sectors as a result of their strong performance in the first half of the year.

 

Investment markets slowed considerably in the second half of 2022 resulting in Capital Transaction related revenues for the UK regions and Central London respectively, which had been up 59% and 88% at the half year, declining by 3% and 5% respectively for the year as a whole. The final quarter saw transactional activity drop to levels that have not been experienced since the global financial crisis. The severity of this decline, however, appears to have helped the UK market to recalibrate quicker than in the past.

 

Leasing markets fared somewhat better, although business confidence fell in the final quarter of 2022. Take-up of office, retail and logistics space across the UK was generally in line with or above long-term averages, with Savills teams achieving year-on-year revenue growth of 21%. To a great extent this was driven by corporate desire to improve the sustainability characteristics of their leased estate.

 

Despite the increase in revenues, underlying profits fell by 5% to £20.4m (2021: £21.5m), mainly as a result of higher staff costs and discretionary spend increasing towards pre-pandemic norms. The margin reduced to 17.2% (2021: 18.7%), still comfortably ahead of the 2019 pre-pandemic margin of 13.1%.

 

North America

Revenue from the North America Transactional business increased by 15% to £303.5m (2021: £263.6m), an improvement of 4% in constant currency.

 

The overwhelming majority of North American revenue relates to occupier leasing transactions which improved by 16% to £279.8m (2021: £240.6m). Growth in the North East and southern regions offset significant declines in activity in the Mid-Atlantic and West Coast regions as the corporate exodus from markets such as San Francisco and the recalibration of growth expectations in the technology sector took effect. These factors contributed substantial losses compared with the prior year, which could not be completely offset by growth in South Eastern and South Western markets.

 

Capital markets revenues improved by 3% to £23.7m (2021: £23.0m).

 

Profits were impacted by significant wage inflation in the salaried employee base, investment and retention of individuals and teams, as well as the anticipated increase in discretionary spend as marketing events and travel returned towards pre-pandemic levels. All the above factors resulted in a reduction in underlying profit to £2.3m (2021: £10.3m).

 

Continental Europe and the Middle East (CEME)

In CEME, transaction fee income increased by 4% to £129.8m (2021: £124.4m); an improvement of 5% in constant currency.

 

The war in Ukraine and subsequent supply chain disruption, along with inflation and rising interest rates reduced investor and occupier activity levels, most notably in Germany and Poland. Across the region there was a slowdown in Investment markets as a result of the higher cost of debt, partially offset by more resilient leasing volumes within Office Agency and Retail. We continued to grow market share in Spain together with stronger performances from Ireland, France (particularly in Retail), Italy and the Czech Republic.

 

Profitability was impacted primarily by the significant downturn in activity causing losses in Germany and Poland together with investment in new teams in France and Italy and new offices in Portugal. As a result the underlying loss for the year was £2.7m (2021: £1.4m underlying profit).

 

UK Residential

UK Residential Transactional revenue decreased by 1% to £208.3m (2021: £210.7m), which was significantly ahead of our expectations at the start of the year.

 

Second-hand sales revenue declined by 5% with a reduction in the number of exchanges of 17% to 6,124 (2021: 7,412), this was offset by an increase in the average sales value by 14% to £1.68m (2021: £1.48m). Volumes in the regional UK market declined significantly in line with our expectations, however Central London volumes remained relatively robust.

 

New Homes revenues were up 8% year-on-year, reflecting a 17% increase in the average value per exchange which more than offset the 4% reduction in the number of exchanges (2022: 3,477 vs 2021: 3,609), this was primarily due to growth in London, which helped to mitigate reduced demand in the regional markets.

 

In the institutional residential business, multifamily and student housing capital markets revenues were up 16%, driven by an increase in corporate finance portfolio transactions.

 

Underlying profit reduced by 10% to £35.1m (2021: £38.9m), reflecting higher staff costs, the return of discretionary spend, including resumption of national promotional campaigns and higher utility costs in the branch network. This performance represented an underlying profit margin of 16.9% (2021: 18.5%); underlying profits were 97% ahead of the pre-pandemic 2019 comparative (2019: £17.8m).

 

Asia Pacific Residential

Revenue from the Asia Pacific Residential Transaction business decreased by 7% to £24.3m (2021: £26.0m), a fall of 13% in constant currency.

 

With some 83% of revenues in this segment generated in Greater China, lockdowns throughout the year and COVID resurgence on reopening in the last quarter had a significant impact on the volume of transactions. In Hong Kong and Australia, restrictions on travel coupled with high interest rates further limited demand. In Singapore, revenues and profits were broadly flat year-on-year with an increased contribution from Huttons, our mid-market residential agency joint venture. As a result, underlying profits fell by £1.5m to £3.4m (2021: £4.9m).

 

 

Property and Facilities Management

Our Property and Facilities Management businesses continued to perform well, with revenues growing by 13% to £841.5m (2021: £745.6m); 9% in constant currency. Savills total area under management increased by 1% to 2.47bn sq. ft. (2021: 2.45bn sq. ft.). Underlying profit increased by 2% to £50.2m (2021: £49.1m), a decrease of 1% in constant currency, primarily due to staff cost inflation and the absence of receipts under the COVID-related employment retention subsidies in Hong Kong and Singapore (2021: £5.1m).

 

Asia Pacific

In Asia Pacific, Property Management revenue was £404.9m, an increase of 14% year-on-year (2021: £356.7m); a 5% increase in constant currency.

 

Facilities Management revenues were up 15% (2022: £164.8m vs 2021: £143.9m) and Property Management up 13% (2022: £240.1m vs 2021: £212.8m). The revenue growth in Property Management came mainly from new contracts won in Hong Kong, Vietnam, Singapore and mainland China. The revenue growth in Facilities Management was predominantly in Singapore, aided by the acquisition of Absolute Maintenance Services Pte Limited and Solute Pte Limited ('AMS').

 

The absence of employment subsidies in 2022 (2021: £5.1m) reduced underlying profits by 19% year on-year to £21.0m (2021: £25.8m) resulting in a more normal margin of 5.2% (2021: 7.2%) for the Asia Pacific business as a whole.

 

UK

The UK Property Management business grew revenues by 9% to £327.4m (2021: £300.6m) reflecting continued success with contract wins. We now have the leading position in the management of landmark offices (four of the six largest towers in City of London are managed by Savills).

 

Square footage under management increased by 1.5% (31 December 2022: 577.0 million sq ft, 31 December 2021: 568.7 million sq ft). Of the increase in revenues, proportionately more came from the lower margin Facilities Management ('FM'), which thus has a less beneficial effect on the overall profitability of the business. During the year we continued to diversify our FM business into new service lines, such as car park consultancy and secured significant new FM mandates.

 

Our Residential Lettings business had a successful year, with revenues increasing by 10%, reflecting strong tenant demand with reduced supply, particularly within London.  

 

The higher revenues, along with a continued drive to improve efficiencies, increased underlying profit by 18% to £25.9m (2021: £22.0m).

 

Continental Europe and the Middle East

CEME Property Management revenues increased by 24% to £109.2m (2021: £88.3m); the same on a constant currency basis. 

 

In Germany revenues were up 40%, with significant new mandates won. In Spain revenues were up 38%, including the full year impact of a new team hire during 2021. Revenue in Ireland grew as a result of new contracts won, with the Middle East also improving significantly, reflecting contracts won in the Saudi Arabian and Egyptian property management businesses. There was also improvement in the Czech Republic in its third year of operation from a standing start.

 

Area under management at 31 December 2022 was 265.4 million sq ft, up 43% on last year (31 December 2021: 186.0 million sq ft), mainly as a result of the new mandates in Germany and contract wins in the Netherlands and Poland.

 

Profitability and margins in the CEME businesses were benefited by improved scale but were impacted by inflationary cost pressures. However, in aggregate underlying profit increased by 154% to £3.3m (2021: £1.3m).

 

 

Consultancy

Global Consultancy revenue increased by 4% to £413.9m (2021: £396.7m); 2% on a constant currency basis. Underlying profit decreased by 20% to £37.6m (2021: £47.0m); 20% on a constant currency basis. Some of the reduction was associated with market-related reductions in certain service lines such as valuations, which are linked to transactional volumes, however the most significant impact was salary inflation, particularly amongst professionals below director level.

 

UK

The UK Consultancy businesses, comprising a broad range of advisory activities, increased revenue by 2% to £248.4m (2021: £244.0m).

 

The main sources of revenue growth were the Housing, Business Projects & Consulting ('BP&C') and Planning teams, partially offset by reductions in Development, Energy & Projects, Hotels, Leisure & Trading ('HLT') and Valuations.

Housing revenue growth was driven by high client demand particularly in surveying, due to government initiatives on safety in the sector, BP&C benefitted from significant year-on-year growth in both Scotland and the south of England (mainly project management work), and Planning had a very strong end to the year in both London and the regions.

Development revenues were down on 2021 reflecting a slowdown in house building following the mini-budget, likewise the Valuations teams also suffered a reduction in revenues as a result of subdued capital transactions in Q4.

Underlying profits were impacted by higher staff costs, which were due to a combination of salary increases coupled with headcount growth. In addition discretionary spend such as travel and entertainment increased, albeit still well below pre-pandemic levels.

As a result underlying profit decreased by 15% to £28.0m (2021: £33.1m).

 

Asia Pacific

In the Asia Pacific Consultancy segment, revenues increased by 8% to £87.4m (2021: £81.3m); 2% on a constant currency basis. The overwhelming majority of revenues are earned in mainland China and Australia, both of which suffered from reductions in valuation and research activity as a result of COVID-related lockdowns and the impact of interest rates on capital transaction volumes.

 

Project management increased revenue by 31% year-on-year, boosted by the acquisition of Merx Holdings (SG) Pte Ltd ('Merx') at the end of 2021. The business operates in Singapore and Hong Kong and generated revenue of £5.4m.

 

Asia Pacific Consultancy underlying profit was impacted by significant reductions in activity and professional salary inflation in mainland China and Australia, together with initial costs relating to the integration of Merx and set-up costs in developing the project management offering across the region.

 

As a result, underlying profit decreased by 56% both at prevailing exchange rates and on a constant currency basis to £2.9m (2021: £6.6m).

 

Continental Europe and the Middle East

Revenues increased by 7% to £44.3m (2021: £41.3m), at both prevailing rates and on a constant currency basis.

 

Revenue growth was driven by growth in portfolio advisory work in Germany supported by growth in advisory services in the Netherlands, Sweden and Ireland.

 

Underlying profits grew by 96% to £4.9m (2021: £2.5m); 92% in constant currency.

 

North America

This segment primarily comprises complex project management through Macro Consultants LLC ('Macro'), a national project management consultancy business and T3 Advisors, a workplace solutions advisory firm specialising in the life science and technology sectors (acquired June 2021), as part of our strategy to diversify our income streams by building up our Consultancy practices.

 

Revenues increased by 12% to £33.8m (2021: £30.1m), 2% on a constant currency basis, primarily as a result of a greater volume of project work in the Macro business. This was partially offset by the impact of reduced growth expectations in the technology sector which affected the revenue of T3 Advisors after a very successful year in 2021.

 

The impact of the significant cost pressures in these sectors resulted in a reduction in underlying profit of 63% to £1.8m (2021: £4.8m), 65% in constant currency.

 

 

Investment Management

Savills Investment Management achieved revenue growth of 1% to £112.8m (2021: £111.8m); 1% in constant currency.

 

The revenue growth was driven by the full year effect of 100% ownership of DRC Savills Investment Management, the real estate debt investor whose remaining 75% partnership interests were acquired in May 2021. This was partially offset by significantly lower performance fees as global markets cooled during 2022.

 

During 2022 transactions of circa £3.4bn (2021: £3.5bn) were executed, including £1.3bn of disposals, £1.8bn of acquisitions and £0.3bn in debt investments. Assets Under Management increased by 1% to £22.1bn (2021: £21.9bn). Fund performance remained strong with 94% of funds exceeding their five year benchmarks. In difficult market conditions the business raised £1.6bn of new equity (2021: £2.5bn), supported by initial investments from Samsung Life Insurance in the first 12 months of the relationship.

 

The cost base was impacted by an increase in headcount, inflationary pressures on property and office costs and investments in the platform, including the acquisitions of Pitmore 1 Limited (a UK development and build-to-rent specialist) and a majority stake in Simply Affordable Homes LLP (specialising in shared ownership and affordable and social rents).

 

In aggregate, primarily as a result of the reduction in performance fees year-on-year, underlying profit reduced by 17% to £21.2m (2021: £25.5m); 16% decrease on a constant currency basis.

 

 

Financial review

 

Profit margin

Underlying profit margin decreased to 7.2% (2021: 9.3%), see Note 3 to this Preliminary Statement for further explanation of underlying profit measures. This reflects the mix of business with reduced growth in higher margin Transactional and Investment Management businesses. In addition, there was higher staff cost inflation than for some years and a return to higher levels of marketing, travel and entertainment/events-related expenses. This was anticipated after the abnormally low levels of such expenditure in 2021 due to the impact of COVID and remote working.

 

Reported pre-tax profit margin decreased to 6.7% (2021: 8.5%).

 

Taxation

The tax charge for the year decreased to £34.1m (2021: £36.4m), representing an effective tax rate on reported profit before tax of 22.2% (2021: 19.9%). The Group's effective reported tax rate is higher than the UK effective rate of tax of 19% as a result of profits in higher tax jurisdictions and permanently disallowed charges, including non-deductible transaction-related costs.

 

The underlying effective tax rate increased to 20.5% (2021: 18.7%).

 

Transaction-related costs

During the year the Group recognised a total of £15.5m in transaction-related costs (2021: £17.0m), these costs primarily represent liabilities for future consideration payments which are contingent on the continuity of recipients' employment at the time of payment (2022: £14.8m, 2021: £13.9m). The largest individual component of this charge in 2022 related to the acquisition in 2021 of the 75% partnership interests in DRC Capital LLP, which the Group did not already own.

 

These charges have been excluded from the calculation of underlying profit on a consistent basis in line with Group policy.

 

Earnings per share

Basic earnings per share decreased 17% to 87.0p (2021: 104.9p), reflecting an 18% decrease in reported profit after tax. Adjusted on a consistent basis for significant restructuring, transaction-related costs, profits and losses on disposals, certain share-based payment adjustments, amortisation and impairment of intangible assets arising from business combinations, impairments of goodwill and significant fair value gains and losses, underlying basic earnings per share decreased 19% to 94.9p (2021: 116.5p).

 

Fully diluted earnings per share decreased by 18% to 82.2p (2021: 99.8p). The underlying fully diluted earnings per share decreased 19% to 89.8p (2021: 110.9p).

 

Cash resources, borrowings and liquidity

Cash and cash equivalents, net of overdrafts in notional pooling arrangements, at year end decreased 5% to £467.1m (2021: £491.2m). This decrease reflected the special dividend payment in the year and the value of treasury share purchases offset by a robust trading performance and the positive impact of exchange movements on cash held in foreign currencies.  

 

Gross borrowings at year end increased to £159.7m (2021: £150.5m). These principally comprise £150.0m (2021: £150.0m) of 7, 10 and 12 year fixed rate notes which were issued in June 2018. The Group's £360.0m UK revolving credit facility ('RCF') was undrawn at the end of the year (2021: undrawn), with a total of £426.2m (2021: £422.2m) of undrawn borrowing facilities available to the Group. At the year end, cash and cash equivalents net of borrowings was £307.4m (2021: £340.7m).

 

Cash is typically retained in a number of subsidiaries in order to meet the requirements of commercial contracts or capital adequacy. In addition, cash in certain territories is retained to meet future growth requirements.

 

The Group's net inflow of cash is typically greater in the second half of the year. This is as a result of seasonality in trading and the major cash outflows associated with dividends, profit related remuneration payments and related payroll taxes in the first half. The Group cash inflow for the year from operating activities was £164.0m (2021: £302.7m). This reduction was due to reduced profits year-on-year and the related increase in net working capital.

 

With a large proportion of the Group's revenue typically being transactional in nature, the Board's strategy is to maintain low levels of gearing, but retain sufficient credit facilities to enable it to meet cash requirements during the year and finance the majority of business development opportunities as they arise.

 

Capital and Shareholders' interests

During the year 0.1m (2021: 1.1m) new ordinary shares were issued on the exercise of options by participants of the Group's SAYE schemes and 0.1m (2021: nil) of new ordinary shares were issued to participants of the Group's PSP schemes. The total number of ordinary shares in issue (before the impact of shares held by the Savills plc 1992 Employee Benefit Trust and the Savills Rabbi Trust) at 31 December 2022 was 144.4m (2021: 144.2m).

 

Savills Pension Scheme

The funding level of the defined benefit Savills Pension Scheme in the UK, which is closed to future service-based accrual, improved further during the year with the increase in the yield on AA-rated corporate bonds, reducing the value of the Scheme's liabilities. The plan was in a surplus position of £22.3m at the year-end (2021: £17.4m surplus).

 

Net assets

Net assets as at 31 December 2022 were £805.3m (2021: £753.4m). This movement reflects primarily the Group's trading performance and currency translation gains, reflecting the weakening of sterling during the year, offset by purchases of treasury shares and dividend payments.

 

Foreign currency

The Group operates internationally and is exposed to foreign exchange risks. As both revenue and costs in each location are generally denominated in the same currency, transaction-related risks are relatively low and generally associated with intra Group activities. Consequently, the overriding foreign currency risk relates to the translation of overseas profits and losses into sterling on consolidation. The Group does not actively seek to hedge risks arising from foreign currency translations due to their non-cash nature.

 

The net impact of foreign exchange rate movements during the year represented a £69.4m increase in revenue and a £1.7m increase in underlying profit.

 

Principal risks and uncertainties

The Directors have carried out a robust assessment of the principal risks facing the Company - including those that would threaten its business model, future performance, solvency, liquidity and/or pose a material reputational risk. Further detail on these principal risks will be provided in the Group's Annual Report and Accounts, which will be available on publication at www.ir.savills.com on 3 April 2023. The identified principal risks are summarised below:

 

·      Market conditions, macro-economic and geopolitical issues

·      Achieving the right market positioning to meet the needs of our clients

·      Recruitment and retention of high-calibre staff

·      Reputational and brand risk

·      Legal risk

·      Failure or significant interruption to IT systems causing disruption to client service

·      Operational resilience/Business continuity

·      Business conduct

·      Changes in the regulatory environment/regulatory breaches

·      Acquisition/integration risk

·      Environment and sustainability

 

Savills plc

Consolidated income statement

for the year ended 31 December 2022

 

		2022	2021
	Note	£m	£m
Revenue	2	2,298.3	2,147.0
Less:
Employee benefits expense		(1,509.8)	(1,413.1)
Depreciation		(65.8)	(63.4)
Amortisation of intangible assets		(16.9)	(14.2)
Impairment of intangible assets and goodwill		-	(5.2)
Other operating expenses		(562.1)	(465.2)
Decrease/(increase) in provision for expected credit loss		2.1	(4.0)
Other net gains		0.3	2.0
Share of post-tax profit from joint ventures and associates		12.1	12.6
Operating profit		158.2	196.5
Finance income		13.7	1.9
Finance costs		(18.0)	(15.3)
		(4.3)	(13.4)
Profit before income tax		153.9	183.1
Income tax expense	4	(34.1)	(36.4)
Profit for the year		119.8	146.7
Attributable to:
Owners of the parent		119.4	146.2
Non-controlling interests		0.4	0.5
		119.8	146.7
Earnings per share
Basic earnings per share	6(a)	87.0p	104.9p
Diluted earnings per share	6(a)	82.2p	99.8p

 

Supplementary income statement information

 

Reconciliation to underlying profit before income tax
Profit before income tax		153.9	183.1
- restructuring and transaction-related costs		15.6	17.3
- other underlying adjustments		(4.9)	(0.1)
Underlying profit before income tax	2 and 3	164.6	200.3

 

 

 

Savills plc

Consolidated statement of comprehensive income

for the year ended 31 December 2022

 

	2022	2021
	£m	£m
Profit for the year	119.8	146.7
Other comprehensive income/(loss)
Items that will not be reclassified to profit or loss:
Remeasurement of defined benefit pension scheme and employee benefit obligations	6.6	21.3
Changes in fair value of financial assets at FVOCI	(10.9)	(4.4)
Tax on other items that will not be reclassified	(3.9)	(5.3)
Total items that will not be reclassified to profit or loss	(8.2)	11.6
Items that may be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss:
Currency translation differences	48.1	(8.9)
Tax on items that may be reclassified	-	(0.1)
Total items that may be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss	48.1	(9.0)
Other comprehensive income for the year	39.9	2.6
Total comprehensive income for the year	159.7	149.3
Total comprehensive income attributable to:
Owners of the parent	158.4	148.8
Non-controlling interests	1.3	0.5
	159.7	149.3

 

 

Savills plc

Consolidated statement of financial position

at 31 December 2022

			2022	2021 restated*
	Note		£m	£m
Assets: Non-current assets
Property, plant and equipment			77.0	66.3
Right-of-use assets			223.8	232.6
Goodwill			449.4	411.6
Intangible assets			66.3	72.6
Investments in joint ventures and associates			37.0	32.8
Deferred income tax assets			38.6	36.1
Financial assets at fair value through other comprehensive income ('FVOCI')			5.7	16.7
Financial assets at fair value through profit and loss ('FVPL')			36.8	29.5
Defined benefit pension surplus			25.5	18.1
Contract related assets			2.4	3.4
Trade and other receivables			37.5	25.4
			1,000.0	945.1
Assets: Current assets
Contract assets			7.4	9.3
Trade and other receivables			643.1	602.3
Income tax receivable			2.4	0.9
Derivative financial instruments			0.3	0.1
Cash and cash equivalents**			669.1	689.7
			1,322.3	1,302.3
Liabilities: Current liabilities
Borrowings	10		10.6	2.1
Overdrafts in notional pooling arrangement**			202.0	198.5
Lease liabilities			53.2	48.0
Derivative financial instruments			1.0	0.9
Contract liabilities			14.0	14.5
Trade and other payables			744.3	738.5
Income tax liabilities			15.5	15.9
Employee benefit obligations			17.7	16.9
Provisions			9.2	9.2
			1,067.5	1,044.5
Net current assets			254.8	257.8
Total assets less current liabilities			1,254.8	1,202.9
Liabilities: Non-current liabilities
Borrowings	10		149.1	148.4
Lease liabilities			224.4	237.0
Derivative financial instruments			6.7	2.6
Other payables			21.9	20.0
Employee benefit obligations			25.2	20.3
Provisions			20.6	20.0
Deferred income tax liabilities			1.6	1.2
			449.5	449.5
Net assets			805.3	753.4
Equity:
Share capital			3.6	3.6
Share premium			104.9	104.4
Other reserves			112.8	76.2
Retained earnings			546.8	540.0
Equity attributable to owners of the parent			768.1	724.2
Non-controlling interests			37.2	29.2
Total equity			805.3	753.4

 

* See Note 1(b) and Note 9 for details on the prior year restatements.

** Included within cash and cash equivalents are cash balances of £205.0m (31 December 2021: £201.5m) that are operated within a notional cash pooling arrangement together with overdraft balances of £202.0m (31 December 2021: £198.5m) presented above in current liabilities. See Note 8 for further details.

Savills plc

Consolidated statement of changes in equity

for the year ended 31 December 2022

 

	Attributable to owners of the parent
	Share capital	Share premium	Other reserves	Retained earnings	Total	Non-controlling interests	Total equity
	£m	£m	£m	£m	£m	£m	£m
Balance at 1 January 2022	3.6	104.4	76.2	540.0	724.2	29.2	753.4
Profit for the year	-	-	-	119.4	119.4	0.4	119.8
Other comprehensive income/(loss):
Remeasurement of defined benefit pension scheme and employee benefit obligations	-	-	-	6.1	6.1	0.5	6.6
Changes in fair value of financial assets at FVOCI	-	-	(10.9)	-	(10.9)	-	(10.9)
Tax on items taken to other comprehensive income/(loss)	-	-	-	(3.7)	(3.7)	(0.2)	(1.7)
Currency translation differences	-	-	47.5	-	47.5	0.6	48.1
Total comprehensive income for the year	-	-	36.6	121.8	158.4	1.3	159.7
Employee share option scheme:
- Value of services provided	-	-	-	29.6	29.6	0.8	30.4
- Tax on employee share option schemes	-	-	-	(2.6)	(2.6)	-	(2.6)
Issue of share capital	-	0.5	-	-	0.5	-	0.5
Tax on other items taken to reserves	-	-	-	0.3	0.3	-	0.3
Purchase of treasury shares	-	-	-	(49.0)	(49.0)	-	(49.0)
Dividends	-	-	-	(85.5)	(85.5)	(0.4)	(85.9)
Transfer between reserves	-	-	0.4	(4.0)	(3.6)	3.6	-
Fair value of derivative financial instrument	-	-	-	(4.5)	(4.5)	-	(4.5)
Transaction with non-controlling interest	-	-	(0.4)	0.7	0.3	-	0.3
Additions through business combinations	-	-	-	-	-	2.7	2.7
Balance at 31 December 2022	3.6	104.9	112.8	546.8	768.1	37.2	805.3

 

 

 

	Attributable to owners of the parent
	Share capital	Share premium	Other reserves	Retained earnings	Total	Non-controlling interests	Total equity
	£m	£m	£m	£m	£m	£m	£m
Balance at 1 January 2021	3.6	97.2	90.0	390.1	580.9	0.7	581.6
Profit for the year	-	-	-	146.2	146.2	0.5	146.7
Other comprehensive income/(loss):
Remeasurement of defined benefit pension scheme	-	-	-	21.3	21.3	-	21.3
Changes in fair value of financial assets at FVOCI	-	-	(4.4)	-	(4.4)	-	(4.4)
Tax on items taken to other comprehensive income/(loss)	-	-	-	(5.4)	(5.4)	-	(5.4)
Currency translation differences	-	-	(8.9)	-	(8.9)	-	(8.9)
Total comprehensive (loss)/income for the year	-	-	(13.3)	162.1	148.8	0.5	149.3
Employee share option scheme:
- Value of services provided	-	-	-	23.7	23.7	-	23.7
- Tax on employee share option schemes	-	-	-	4.7	4.7	-	4.7
Issue of share capital	-	7.2	-	-	7.2	-	7.2
Tax on other items taken to reserves	-	-	-	0.6	0.6	-	0.6
Purchase of treasury shares	-	-	-	(49.0)	(49.0)	-	(49.0)
Disposal of financial assets at FVOCI	-	-	(0.3)	0.2	(0.1)	-	(0.1)
Dividends	-	-	-	(31.9)	(31.9)	(0.4)	(32.3)
Transaction with non-controlling interest	-	-	-	39.3	39.3	28.2	67.5
Transfer between reserves	-	-	(0.2)	0.2	-	-	-
Additions through business combinations	-	-	-	-	-	0.2	0.2
Balance at 31 December 2021	3.6	104.4	76.2	540.0	724.2	29.2	753.4

 

Savills plc

Consolidated statement of cash flows

for the year ended 31 December 2022

 

		2022	2021
	Note	£m	£m
Cash flows from operating activities
Cash generated from operations	7	210.9	348.3
Interest received		13.3	1.8
Interest paid		(16.9)	(14.0)
Income tax paid		(43.3)	(33.4)
Net cash generated from operating activities		164.0	302.7
Cash flows from investing activities
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment		0.2	1.0
Proceeds from sale of financial assets held at FVOCI and FVPL		1.6	1.7
Proceeds from sale of interests in joint ventures		0.1	0.7
Dividends received from joint ventures		7.1	6.6
Dividends received from associates		4.2	6.0
Dividends received from other parties		0.2	-
Repayment of loans by joint ventures		0.1	0.1
Repayment of loans by associates		0.4	-
Repayment of loans by other parties		0.7	-
Loans to joint ventures		(0.1)	(0.6)
Loans to associates		(0.4)	-
Loans to other parties		(1.7)	(7.4)
Acquisition of subsidiaries, net of cash and overdrafts acquired		(14.9)	(40.5)
Deferred consideration paid in relation prior year acquisitions		(3.3)	(5.9)
Purchase of property, plant and equipment		(19.8)	(18.6)
Purchase of intangible assets		(7.0)	(5.9)
Purchase of financial assets held at FVOCI and FVPL		(8.8)	(9.8)
Purchase of investment in joint ventures		(0.4)	(0.4)
Purchase of investment in associates		-	(0.3)
Net cash used in investing activities		(41.8)	(73.3)
Cash flows from financing activities
Proceeds from issue of share capital		0.5	7.2
Proceeds from transaction with non-controlling interest		7.9	63.7
Transaction costs incurred on transactions with non-controlling interest		(0.2)	(0.9)
Proceeds from borrowings		9.6	26.9
Repayments of borrowings		(5.6)	(38.2)
Financing fees paid		(0.4)	(0.5)
Principal elements of lease payments		(51.4)	(47.2)
Purchase of treasury shares		(49.0)	(49.0)
Dividends paid		(85.9)	(32.3)
Net cash used in financing activities		(174.5)	(70.3)
Net (decrease)/increase in cash, cash equivalents and bank overdrafts		(52.3)	159.1
Cash, cash equivalents and bank overdrafts at beginning of year		490.0	338.2
Effect of exchange rate fluctuations on cash and cash equivalents held		26.6	(7.3)
Cash, cash equivalents and bank overdrafts at end of year		464.3	490.0

 

NOTES

 

1(a). Basis of preparation

 

The results for the year ended 31 December 2022 have been extracted from the audited financial statements. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with UK adopted international accounting standards.

The financial statements are prepared on a going concern basis and under the historical cost convention as modified by the revaluation of loans receivable, equity investments and derivative financial instruments held at fair value.

 

The financial information in this statement does not constitute statutory accounts within the meaning of s434 of the Companies Act 2006. The statutory accounts for the year ended 31 December 2022, on which the auditors have given an unqualified audit report, have not yet been filed with the Registrar of Companies.

 

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with IFRS requires the use of estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Although these estimates are based on management's best knowledge of the amount, event or actions, actual results ultimately may differ from those estimates.

 

Going concern

The Group has prepared its going concern assessment for the period to the end of June 2024. As in prior years, the Board undertook a strategic business review in the current year taking account of the Group's current position and prospects, the Group's strategic plan, the Group's principal risks and the management of those risks, and the Board's risk appetite. Sensitivity analysis was also undertaken, including financing projections, to flex the financial forecasts under several severe downside scenarios, which involved applying different assumptions to the underlying forecasted revenues, costs and underlying profits both individually and in aggregate. These scenarios assess the potential impact from several macro-economic risks, including a severe global economic downturn analogous to that experienced during the Global Financial Crisis in 2008/09. The results of this sensitivity analysis showed that the Group would retain liquidity and maintain significant available facility and covenant headroom to be able to withstand the impact of such scenarios over the period of the financial forecast, as a result of the resilience and diversity of the Group, underpinned by a strong balance sheet.

 

Based on the Group's strong net cash position of £307.4m (cash and cash equivalents less overdrafts in notional pooling arrangements and borrowings) and undrawn £360.0m revolving credit facility at the year end, combined with the assessment explained above, the Directors have formed the judgement at the time of approving the financial statements, that there is a reasonable expectation that the Group has adequate resources to continue as a going concern for a period of at least 12 months from the date of the approval of the financial statements until at least June 2024. For this reason, they continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

1(b).  Prior year restatement

 

Reclassification of financial assets held at FVPL

The Group's prior year Statement of Financial Position included financial assets held at FVPL incorrectly classified as financial assets held at FVOCI. Some financial assets had originally been classified as equity instruments, with the Group making an irrevocable election for these to be classified as FVOCI. In the current year, the Group made further investments and reassessed the accounting treatment for all financial assets previously classified as FVOCI. It was determined that some of these financial assets do not meet the definition of an equity instrument under IFRS 9: 'Financial Instruments' and as a result should be classified as financial assets held at FVPL with changes in fair value recognised through the income statement. The 2021 fair value gains and losses recognised in OCI and the cumulative fair value gains and losses recognised in previous periods on these instruments are not material to the Group.

 

These are correctly reflected in the current year's financial statements and the prior period comparatives have been restated in accordance with IAS 8 'Accounting Policies, Changes in Accounting Estimates and Errors' to meet the presentation requirements of IAS 1 'Presentation of Financial Statements'.

 

In addition, the Group's prior year Statement of Financial Position included other financial assets appropriately held at FVPL which were included within non-current trade receivables. As a consequence of the above correction of prior year classification error, these financial assets have been included in the financial asset held at FVPL line item in the Statement of Financial Position to conform to the current year presentation, which also reflects the nature of these instruments.  

 

The tables below show the impact of the prior year restatement on the Group's primary financial statements:

 

Statement of Financial Position

 

		31 December 2021 reported £m	Restatement £m	31 December 2021 restated £m
Assets: Non-current assets
Financial assets at fair value through other comprehensive income ('FVOCI')		30.4	(13.7)	16.7
Financial assets at fair value through profit and loss ('FVPL')		-	29.5	29.5
Trade and other receivables		41.2	(15.8)	25.4

 

Management has chosen not to present a third balance sheet as the error impacts upon three financial statement line items within non-current assets. As at 1 January 2021 the financial instruments which should have been presented as at financial assets held at FVPL at 1 January 2021 was £17.3m, of which £6.5m was included within financial assets held at FVOCI and £10.8m was included within non-current trade and other receivables. This prior year restatement does not have a material impact on the Group's Income Statement, Statement of Cash Flows, Statement of Changes in Equity or Statement of Comprehensive Income. The prior year restatement also does not have an impact on the Group's net assets or net current assets.

 

2. Segment analysis

 

	Transaction Advisory	Consultancy	Property and Facilities Manage- ment	Investment Manage- ment	Unalloc-ated	Total
Year ended to 31 December 2022	£m	£m	£m	£m	£m	£m
Revenue
United Kingdom - commercial	118.9	202.0	278.7	53.3	-	652.9
United Kingdom - residential	208.3	46.4	48.7	-	-	303.4
Total United Kingdom	327.2	248.4	327.4	53.3	-	956.3
CEME	129.8	44.3	109.2	51.7	-	335.0
Asia Pacific - commercial	145.3	87.4	404.9	7.8	-	645.4
Asia Pacific - residential	24.3	-	-	-	-	24.3
Total Asia Pacific	169.6	87.4	404.9	7.8	-	669.7
North America	303.5	33.8	-	-	-	337.3
Revenue	930.1	413.9	841.5	112.8	-	2,298.3
Underlying profit/(loss) before tax
United Kingdom - commercial	20.4	21.8	21.2	8.7	(16.3)	55.8
United Kingdom - residential	35.1	6.2	4.7	-	-	46.0
Total United Kingdom	55.5	28.0	25.9	8.7	(16.3)	101.8
CEME	(2.7)	4.9	3.3	11.8	-	17.3
Asia Pacific - commercial	13.4	2.9	21.0	0.7	-	38.0
Asia Pacific - residential	3.4	-	-	-	-	3.4
Total Asia Pacific	16.8	2.9	21.0	0.7	-	41.4
North America	2.3	1.8	-	-	-	4.1
Underlying profit/(loss) before tax	71.9	37.6	50.2	21.2	(16.3)	164.6

 

	Transaction Advisory	Consultancy	Property and Facilities Manage- ment	Investment Manage- ment	Unalloc-ated	Total
Year ended to 31 December 2021	£m	£m	£m	£m	£m	£m
Revenue
United Kingdom - commercial	115.2	193.6	256.4	55.1	-	620.3
United Kingdom - residential	210.7	50.4	44.2	-	-	305.3
Total United Kingdom	325.9	244.0	300.6	55.1	-	925.6
CEME	124.4	41.3	88.3	47.2	-	301.2
Asia Pacific - commercial	153.0	81.3	356.7	9.5	-	600.5
Asia Pacific - residential	26.0	-	-	-	-	26.0
Total Asia Pacific	179.0	81.3	356.7	9.5	-	626.5
North America	263.6	30.1	-	-	-	293.7
Revenue	892.9	396.7	745.6	111.8	-	2,147.0
Underlying profit/(loss) before tax
United Kingdom - commercial	21.5	24.6	17.9	14.0	(18.9)	59.1
United Kingdom - residential	38.9	8.5	4.1	-	-	51.5
Total United Kingdom	60.4	33.1	22.0	14.0	(18.9)	110.6
CEME	1.4	2.5	1.3	10.2	-	15.4
Asia Pacific - commercial	20.6	6.6	25.8	1.3	-	54.3
Asia Pacific - residential	4.9	-	-	-	-	4.9
Total Asia Pacific	25.5	6.6	25.8	1.3	-	59.2
North America	10.3	4.8	-	-	-	15.1
Underlying profit/(loss) before tax	97.6	47.0	49.1	25.5	(18.9)	200.3

 

Operating segments reflect internal management reporting to the Group's chief operating decision maker, defined as the Group Executive Board ('GEB'). The GEB primarily manages the business based on the geographic location in which the Group operates, with the Investment Management business being managed separately.

 

The operating segments are identified as the following regions: the UK, Continental Europe and the Middle East ('CEME'), Asia Pacific and North America. The Savills Investment Management business is also considered a separate operating segment. The reportable operating segments derive their revenue primarily from property-related services. Within the UK and Asia Pacific, both commercial and residential services are provided. Other segments are largely commercial-based.

 

The GEB also reviews the business with reference to the nature of the services in each region. Therefore, the Group has presented its segment analysis below in a matrix with the primary operating segments based on regions in which the Group operates.

 

The GEB assesses the performance of operating segments based on a measure of underlying profit before tax which adjusts reported pre-tax profit by profit/(loss) on disposals, share-based payment adjustment, significant restructuring costs, significant transaction-related costs, amortisation and impairment of intangible assets arising from business combinations, impairment of goodwill and other items that are considered non-operational and material (fair value gain on a transaction-related call option in the current year, fair value gain on associates/joint ventures and fair value loss on a transaction-related call option in the prior year).

 

A reconciliation of underlying profit before tax to reported profit before tax is provided in Note 3.

 

3. Underlying profit before tax

The Group believe that the consistent presentation of underlying profit before tax, underlying effective tax rate, underlying basic earnings per share and underlying diluted earnings per share provides additional useful information to Shareholders on the underlying trends and comparable performance of the Group over time by excluding significant non-operational costs/income from the GAAP measures. The 'underlying' measures are also used by the Group for internal performance analysis and incentive compensation arrangements for employees.

 

These terms are not defined terms under IFRS and may therefore not be comparable with similarly-titled profit measures reported by other companies. They are not intended to be a substitute for, or superior to, GAAP measures. The non-GAAP measures may be materially higher or lower than GAAP measures and should not be regarded as a complete picture of the Group's financial performance.

	2022 £m	2021 £m
Reported profit before tax	153.9	183.1
Adjustments:
Amortisation of intangible assets arising from business combinations	9.9	8.1
Impairment of goodwill and intangible assets arising from business combinations	-	5.2
Share-based payment adjustment	(14.7)	(10.8)
Profit on disposal of joint ventures	-	(0.4)
Restructuring costs	0.1	0.3
Transaction-related costs	15.5	17.0
Fair value gain on step acquisitions of subsidiaries previously classified as associates/joint ventures	-	(4.0)
Fair value (gain)/loss on transaction-related call option	(0.1)	1.8
Underlying profit before tax	164.6	200.3

 

The adjustment for share-based payments relates to the impact of the accounting standard for share-based compensation. The annual bonus is paid in a mixture of cash and deferred shares and the proportions can vary from one year to another. Under IFRS, the deferred share element is amortised to the income statement over the vesting period whilst the cash element is expensed in the year. The adjustment above addresses this by adding to or deducting from profit the difference between the IFRS 2 charge in relation to outstanding bonus-related share awards and the estimated value of the current year bonus pool to be awarded in deferred shares. This adjustment is made to align the underlying staff cost in the year with the revenue recognised in the same period, providing additional information on the Group's performance over time with respect to profitability.

 

There have been no impairments of goodwill and intangible assets arising from business combinations recognised in the current year. Impairment of goodwill in the prior year relates to the Indonesia and Sweden cash-generating units. Impairment of intangible assets arising from business combinations in the prior year relate to property management contracts in South Korea and Japanese investment management contracts relating to closed funds.

 

In the prior year, profit on disposal recognised primarily in relation to the disposal of holdings in joint ventures in China.

 

Restructuring costs includes costs of integration activities in relation to significant business acquisitions. Restructuring costs in the current and prior year relate primarily to the ongoing IFRS 2: 'Share-based Payment' charge for deferred shares, with a five-year vesting period, issued in relation to the restructuring upon acquisition of Aguirre Newman SA ('Aguirre Newman') in 2017.

 

Transaction-related costs includes a £14.8m charge for future consideration payments which are contingent on the continuity of recipients' employment in the future (2021: £13.9m). In the current year, a significant portion of the charge related to the acquisition of DRC Capital LLP ('DRC') in 2021. In the prior year, the largest individual components of this charge related to the acquisition of DRC and the acquisition of Macro Consultants LLC in 2020. In the current year, transaction-related costs also consist of £1.4m of professional advisory transaction fees (2021: £1.1m) and £0.3m of interest on deferred consideration and non-current future payments in relation to business acquisitions that are linked to employment (2021: £0.6m). In the current year, transaction-related costs included a £0.6m (2021: £1.4m) charge relating to prepaid amounts issued as part of business acquisitions that are linked to continued active engagement in the business. Of these items, prepaid amounts that are linked to active engagement in the business are recorded as employee benefits expenses in the income statement, unwinding of interest is recorded as a finance cost in the income statement and all other charges/(credits) are recorded within other operating expenses. In the current year, transaction-related costs also consist of a £1.6m credit (2021: £nil) for fair value changes to contingent deferred consideration not related to continuity of employment.

 

In the prior year, a fair value gain was recognised on the remeasurement of the Group's holding in its associate, DRC, and a joint venture in Indonesia, prior to the Group's acquisition of the remaining equity interest in these businesses.

 

In the current year, a fair value gain of £0.1m was recognised on the fair value measurement of the Samsung Life call option, which gives Samsung Life the right to purchase up to an additional 10% shareholding in the Savills Investment Management group subject to the quantum of capital it has invested in SIM products during the initial 5-year term (2021: fair value loss of £1.8m).

 

 

4. Income tax expense

The income tax expense has been calculated on the basis of the underlying rate in each jurisdiction adjusted for any disallowable charges.

	2022	2021
	£m	£m
United Kingdom
- Current tax	18.7	21.7
- Deferred tax	(1.5)	(6.8)
Foreign tax
- Current tax	23.1	23.8
- Deferred tax	(6.2)	(2.3)
Income tax expense	34.1	36.4

 

 

5. Dividends

 

	2022	2021
	£m	£m
Amounts recognised as distribution to equity holders in the year:
In respect of the previous year
Ordinary final dividend of 12.75p per share (2020: 17.0p)	17.6	23.6
Supplemental interim dividend of 15.6p per share (2020: £nil)	21.6	-
Special dividend of 27.05p per share (2020: £nil)	37.4	-
In respect of the current year
Interim dividend of 6.6p per share (2021: 6.0p)	8.9	8.3
	85.5	31.9

 

The Group paid £0.4m (2021: £0.4m) of dividends to non-controlling interests.

 

The Board recommends a final dividend of 13.4p per ordinary share (amounting to £19.3m), alongside the supplemental interim dividend of 15.6p per ordinary share (amounting to £22.5m), to be paid on 22 May 2023 to Shareholders on the register at 11 April 2023. These financial statements do not reflect this dividend payable.

 

The total paid and recommended ordinary and supplemental dividend for the 2022 financial year comprises an aggregate distribution of 35.6p per ordinary share (2021: 61.4p per ordinary share, which included a 27.05p special dividend per ordinary share).

 

6(a). Basic and diluted earnings per share

 

	2022	2022	2022	2021	2021	2021
	Earnings	Shares	EPS	Earnings	Shares	EPS
Year to 31 December	£m	million	pence	£m	million	pence
Basic earnings per share	119.4	137.3	87.0	146.2	139.4	104.9
Effect of additional shares issuable under option	-	7.9	(4.8)	-	7.1	(5.1)
Diluted earnings per share	119.4	145.2	82.2	146.2	146.5	99.8

 

6(b). Underlying basic and diluted earnings per share

 

	2022	2022	2022	2021	2021	2021
	Earnings	Shares	EPS	Earnings	Shares	EPS
Year to 31 December	£m	million	pence	£m	million	pence
Basic earnings per share	119.4	137.3	87.0	146.2	139.4	104.9
- Amortisation of intangible assets arising from business combinations after tax	7.6	-	5.5	6.5	-	4.7
- Impairment of goodwill and intangible assets arising from business combinations after tax	-	-	-	5.4	-	3.9
- Share-based payment adjustment after tax	(11.9)	-	(8.7)	(9.0)	-	(6.5)
- Profit on disposal of joint ventures and associates after tax	-	-	-	(0.4)	-	(0.3)
- Restructuring costs after tax	0.1	-	0.1	0.4	-	0.3
- Transaction-related costs after tax	15.3	-	11.1	15.5	-	11.1
- Fair value gain on step acquisition of subsidiaries previously classified as joint ventures/associates after tax	-	-	-	(4.0)	-	(2.9)
- Fair value (gain)/loss on transaction-related call option	(0.1)	-	(0.1)	1.8	-	1.3
Underlying basic earnings per share	130.4	137.3	94.9	162.4	139.4	116.5
Effect of additional shares issuable under option	-	7.9	(5.1)	-	7.1	(5.6)
Underlying diluted earnings per share	130.4	145.2	89.8	162.4	146.5	110.9

 

 

7. Cash generated from operations

 

	2022	2021
	£m	£m
Profit for the year	119.8	146.7
Adjustments for:
Income tax (Note 4)	34.1	36.4
Depreciation	65.8	63.4
Amortisation of intangible assets	16.9	14.2
Impairment of goodwill and intangible assets arising from business combinations	-	5.2
Fair value gain on joint ventures and associates	-	(4.0)
Fair value (gain)/loss on derivative financial instrument	(0.1)	1.8
Loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment, intangible assets and leases	1.1	0.9
Impairment of property, plant and equipment	0.8	-
Gain on disposal of joint ventures and associates	-	(0.4)
Net finance cost	4.3	13.4
Share of post-tax profit from joint ventures and associates	(12.1)	(12.6)
Dividends from other parties	(0.2)	-
Increase in employee and retirement obligations	2.6	6.7
Exchange movements and fair value movements on financial instruments in operating activities	0.6	(2.5)
(Decrease)/increase in provisions	(4.7)	5.4
Charge for share-based compensation	30.4	23.7
Operating cash flows before movements in working capital	259.3	298.3
Increase in trade and other receivables and contract assets	(7.3)	(90.1)
(Decrease)/increase in trade and other payables and contract liabilities	(41.1)	140.1
Cash generated from operations	210.9	348.3

 

Foreign exchange movements resulted in a £37.3m increase in current and non-current trade and other receivables (2021: £0.3m increase) and a £43.8m increase in current and non-current trade and other payables (2021: £5.9m increase).

 

 

8. Notional pooling arrangement

For internal cash management purposes, the Group maintains a notional cash pooling arrangement with Barclays Bank PLC, whereby credit and debit cash balances for the participating bank accounts are notionally offset. There is no overdraft cost or charge associated with any pooled overdraft that is fully offset by pooled credit cash balances. As at 31 December 2022, the notional cash pooling arrangement included cash balances of £205.0m presented in cash and cash equivalents (December 2021: £201.5m) and overdrafts of £202.0m (31 December 2021: £198.5m) presented in current liabilities. This represents as at 31 December 2022 surplus pooled credit cash balances of £3.0m (31 December 2021: surplus pooled credit cash £3.0m).

 

For the purpose of the Statement of Cash Flows, cash and cash equivalents net of overdrafts comprise the following:

 

	31 December 2022	31 December 2021
	£m	£m
Cash and cash equivalents	669.1	689.7
Overdrafts in notional pooling arrangement	(202.0)	(198.5)
Bank overdrafts	(2.8)	(1.2)
	464.3	490.0

 

 

 

9. Acquisition of subsidiaries

The fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed as part of the Group's acquisitions in the year are provisional and will be finalised within 12 months of the acquisition date. These are summarised below:

 

		Provisional fair value to the Group
		AMS £m	Pitmore £m	Other £m	Total £m
Non-current assets:	Property, plant and equipment	5.2	-	0.2	5.4
	Right-of-use asset	2.2	-	0.5	2.7
	Intangible assets	0.2	1.1	2.2	3.5
	Financial assets held at FVPL	-	0.1	-	0.1
Current assets:	Trade and other receivables	9.5	0.3	0.3	10.1
	Cash and cash equivalents	0.3	0.2	0.6	1.1
Current liabilities:	Borrowings	(2.8)	-	-	(2.8)
	Lease liabilities	(0.6)	-	(0.2)	(0.8)
	Contract liabilities	-	-	(0.1)	(0.1)
	Income tax liabilities	-	(0.1)	(0.1)	(0.2)
	Trade and other payables	(4.9)	(0.1)	(0.4)	(5.4)
	Employee benefit obligations	(0.2)	-	-	(0.2)
	Provisions	(1.6)	-	-	(1.6)
Non-current liabilities:	Borrowings	(0.4)	-	-	(0.4)
	Lease liabilities	(1.6)	-	(0.3)	(1.9)
	Other payables	(0.2)	-	-	(0.2)
	Employee benefit obligations	-	-	(0.1)	(0.1)
	Provisions	(1.5)	-	-	(1.5)
	Deferred tax liabilities	-	(0.3)	-	(0.3)
Net assets		3.6	1.2	2.6	7.4
Non-controlling interest share of net assets		(2.6)	-	(0.1)	(2.7)
Net assets acquired		1.0	1.2	2.5	4.7
Goodwill		6.6	2.2	4.6	13.4
Purchase consideration		7.6	3.4	7.1	18.1
Consideration satisfied by:
Cash paid		7.6	3.4	5.0	16.0
Deferred consideration < 1 year		-	-	1.8	1.8
Loan novation		-	-	0.3	0.3
		7.6	3.4	7.1	18.1

 

Absolute Maintenance Services Pte Limited and Solute Pte Limited ('AMS')

On 31 August 2022, the Group acquired 60% of the equity interest in AMS, a facilities services group in Singapore. The acquisition expands and enhances the property and integrated facilities management platform in the region. 

 

Total acquisition consideration is provisionally determined at £7.6m, all of which was settled on completion.

 

Acquisition-related costs of £0.1m have been expensed as incurred to the income statement and classified within other operating expenses.

 

Goodwill of £6.6m has been determined. Goodwill is attributable to the experience and expertise of key staff members and is not expected to be deductible for tax purposes.

 

The acquired business contributed revenue of £7.3m and profit of £0.6m to the Group for the period from the date of acquisition to 31 December 2022. Had the acquisition been made at the beginning of the financial year, revenue would have been £19.4m and a loss of £2.6m would have been recognised.

 

The fair value of trade and other receivables is £9.5m, £7.4m of which relates to trade receivables. The gross contractual amount for trade receivables is £7.4m, all of which is expected to be collectible.

 

Pitmore 1 Limited ('Pitmore')

On 30 July 2022, the Group acquired 100% equity interest in Pitmore, a UK development and build-to-rent ('BTR') specialist. The acquisition will assist the continued expansion of the Savills IM's European Living Platform and is a pivotal part of plans to grow the UK residential and BTR platform.

 

Total acquisition consideration is provisionally determined at £3.4m, all of which was settled on completion.

 

In addition to the above, an earn-out is payable in the first quarter of 2029 and is measured against income targets. The earn-out consideration is deemed to be linked to continued active engagement with the business. As required by IFRS 3 (revised), the expected value of these payments will be expensed to the income statement over the relevant period of engagement.

 

Acquisition-related costs of £0.7m have been expensed as incurred to the income statement and classified within other operating expenses.

 

Goodwill of £2.2m has been determined. Goodwill is attributable to the experience and expertise of the team and the strong industry reputation. It is not expected to be deductible for tax purposes. Intangible assets recognised on acquisition include £1.1m of investment management contracts.

 

The acquired business contributed revenue of £0.6m and a loss of £0.5m to the Group for the period from acquisition to 31 December 2022. Had the acquisition been made at the beginning of the financial year, revenue would have been £1.5m and the loss would have been £0.8m.  

 

The fair value of trade and other receivables is £0.3m, £0.1m of which relates to trade receivables. The gross contractual amount for trade receivables is £0.1m, all of which expected to be collectible.

 

Other acquisitions

The Group acquired 60% of the UK-based Simply Affordable Homes LLP on 8 September 2022, to continue the expansion of Savills IM's European Living Platform and a UK residential platform; 100% of the equity interest in BrickByte GmbH on 1 June 2022, a technology-enabled workplace services and consulting start up in Germany to further enhance our existing offering and complementary areas of client service in that market; and 100% of SRS Lease Administration LLC on 31 December 2022, a US-based lease administration business, further building out this service in North America. In addition, on 22 June 2022 the Group acquired 60% of the equity interest in PT CB Advisory; 70% of the equity interest in PT Cakrawala Baswara Cemerlang; and 60% of the equity interest in PT Cakrawala Baswara Indonesia, a full service property business in Indonesia, complementing our existing services and supporting further Indonesia expansion. The Group also acquired the trade and assets of Cureoscity Limited on 2 February 2022, a UK web-based management portal to enhance our property management business; James A Baker on 7 September 2022, a UK-based specialist advisor in licensed property to broaden the UK offering in this area; and the trade and assets of a property management company based in Poland on 30 September 2022.

 

Cash consideration for these transactions amounted to £5.0m. The remainder of the acquisition consideration relates to deferred consideration of £1.8m, payable within one year of the reporting date, and £0.3m of loan novation.

 

Goodwill of £4.6m has been provisionally determined. Goodwill is attributable to the experience and expertise of key staff and strong industry reputation and is not expected to be deductible for tax purposes.

 

2021 acquisitions

In the year ended 31 December 2021 the Group acquired the remaining 25% equity interest in DRC Capital LLP ('DRC'), 100% of the equity interest in T3 Advisors ('T3'), the remaining 51% of Cluttons Saudi Arabia Company Limited (previous 49% ownership equity accounted for as a joint venture), the remaining 49% economic interest in the Savills Indonesia business (previous 51% economic ownership equity accounted for as a joint venture) and 60% of Merx Holdings (SG) Pte Ltd ('Merx Group').

 

During the year, the provisional fair values for the above transactions were finalised resulting in a £0.3m decrease in the value of accrued income acquired as part of the acquisition of the remaining 51% of Cluttons Saudi Arabia Company Ltd. This adjustment is considered a measurement period adjustment in accordance with IFRS 3 and as a result the prior period comparatives have been restated by increasing goodwill arising on the acquisition by £0.3m, with a corresponding decrease in trade and other receivables. 

 

There were no changes to the provisional fair values in respect of the other acquisitions as reported in the Group's 2021 Annual Report.

 

 

10. Borrowings

Movements in borrowings are analysed as follows:

			£m
Opening amount as at 1 January 2022			150.5
Additional borrowings, net of transaction costs paid*			10.8
Repayments of borrowings (including overdraft movement)*			(5.6)
Addition through business combination (Note 9)			3.2
Amortisation of transaction costs			0.6
Foreign exchange			0.2
Closing amount as at 31 December 2022			159.7

 

* 2022 includes a £1.5m increase in overdraft balances and £0.3m of transaction costs paid within additional borrowings. 2021 includes  £0.1m decrease in overdraft balances within repayments of borrowings and £0.5m of transaction costs paid within additional borrowings. 

 

	2022	2021
	£m	£m
Current
Bank overdrafts	2.8	1.2
Unsecured bank loans due within one year or on demand	4.0	0.9
Loan notes due within one year or on demand	3.8	-
	10.6	2.1
Non-current
Unsecured bank loans	0.5	-
Loan notes	150.0	150.0
Transaction costs (issuance of loan notes and RCF arrangement fees)	(1.4)	(1.6)
	149.1	148.4
	159.7	150.5

 

The Group holds a £360.0m multi-currency revolving credit facility ('RCF'), which includes a £90.0m accordion facility. In June 2022 the Group extended the maturity date of the RCF by a further year to June 2026. As at 31 December 2022 none (2021: none) of the RCF was drawn.

 

The unsecured bank loans reflect a £0.9m working capital loan in Thailand, which is repayable on demand and denominated in Thailand baht (2021: £0.7m), a £0.3m working capital loan in Indonesia which is repayable on demand and denominated in Indonesian rupiah (2021: £0.2m) and £3.3m of loans in Singapore, denominated in Singapore dollar (2021: £nil). Of the loans in Singapore, £2.3m relates to property loans (£1.9m repayable within one year and £0.4m repayable in 2025), a £0.6m factoring facility maturing within one year and a £0.3m bridging loan expiring within one year. The remaining £0.1m of loans in Singapore are bank loans maturing between 2023 and 2024.

 

The loan notes due within one year or on demand reflects working capital loans in Singapore, which are repayable within one year or on demand and denominated in Singapore dollars. These loans are payable to a non-controlling interest holder in one of the Group's subsidiaries.

 

Non-current loan notes reflect the £150.0m of long-term debt held by the Group through the issuance of 7, 10 and 12 year fixed rate private note placements in the US institutional market, which were issued in June 2018.

 

The Group has the following undrawn borrowing facilities:

 

	2022				2021
	Fixed £m	Floating £m	Total £m		Floating £m
Expiring within 1 year or on demand	1.1	64.9	66.0		61.2
Expiring between 1 and 5 years	0.2	360.0	360.2		361.0
	1.3	424.9	426.2		422.2

 

 

11. Related party transactions

As at 31 December 2022, there were £0.2m of loans receivable from joint ventures and £1.7m of loans receivable from associates (2021: £0.2m of loans receivable from joint ventures and £1.5m of loans receivable from associates).

 

There were no other material related party transactions during the period. All related party transactions take place on an arm's-length basis under the same terms as those available to other customers in the ordinary course of business.

 

12. Annual report and accounts

Copies of the Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2022 will be circulated to shareholders on 3 April 2023 and will also be available from the investor relations section of the Company website at www.ir.savills.com or from:

 

Savills plc, 33 Margaret Street, London, W1G 0JD

Telephone:  020 7499 8644

 

 

Directors' responsibilities in respect of the financial statements

 

We confirm that to the best of our knowledge:

 

·      that the consolidated financial statements, prepared in accordance with UK-adopted international accounting standards give a true and fair view of the assets, liabilities, financial position and profit of the parent company and undertakings included in the consolidation taken as a whole; and

 

·      the Annual Report, including the Strategic Report, includes a fair review of the development and performance of the business and the position of the company and undertakings included in the consolidation taken as a whole, together with a description of the principal risks and uncertainties that they face.

 

The contents of this announcement, including the responsibility statement above, have been extracted from the annual report and accounts for the year ended 31 December 2022, which will be available on publication at www.ir.savills.com. Accordingly, this responsibility statement makes reference to the financial statements of the Company and the Group and the relevant narrative appearing in that annual report and accounts rather than the contents of this announcement.

 

 

On behalf of the Board

 

 

Mark Ridley

Group Chief Executive

 

Chris Lee

Group Legal Director and Company Secretary

 

16 March 2023

 

 

Forward-looking statements

 

The financial information contained in this announcement has not been audited. Certain statements made in this announcement are forward-looking statements and are therefore subject to risks, assumptions and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied because they relate to future events. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements relating to the Company's expectations.

 

 

END