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Wood Group (John) PLC
26 March 2024
 

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Full year results for the year ended 31 December 2023

26 March 2024

This announcement contains inside information

 

Strong growth in first year of new strategy; upgrading outlook

 



Notes

FY23

(unaudited)

$m

FY22

$m*

Movement

%

At constant currency %

HEADLINE RESULTS


1,2,3

 

 

 

 

Revenue

Continuing


5,901

5,469

7.9%

8.7%

Adjusted EBITDA

Continuing

4

423

388

8.8%

10.9%

   Adjusted EBITDA margin

Continuing

5

7.2%

7.1%

0.1ppts

0.1ppts

Adjusted EBIT

Continuing

6

185

177

4.4%

 

   Adjusted EBIT margin

Continuing

7

3.1%

3.2%

(0.1)ppts

 

Adjusted diluted EPS

Continuing

8

2.3c

(3.1)c

n/a

 

Adjusted operating cash flow

Total group

9

194

(66)

n/a

 

Free cash flow

Total group

10

(265)

(704)

n/a

 

Net debt including leases

Total group


1,094

736

49%

 

Net debt excluding leases

Total group


694

393

77%

 

Net debt / adjusted EBITDA

Continuing

11

2.1x

1.3x

n/a

 

Order book

Continuing

12

6,269

6,017

4.2%

4.8%

Headcount

Continuing

13

35,335

35,573

(0.1)%

 


 




 

 

STATUTORY RESULTS

 




 

 

Operating profit / (loss)

Continuing


38

(565)

n/a

 

Loss for the period

Total group


(105)

(352)

n/a

 

Basic EPS

Total group


(16.1)c

(52.4)c

n/a

 

Cash flow from operating activities

Total group


48

(361)

n/a

 

*FY22 results have been re-presented to include Built Environment Saudi Arabia. Built Environment Consulting (sold in 2022) is treated as a discontinued operation and its results are included within the "Total group" measures. Continuing results exclude its results. See notes on page 4.

 

Ken Gilmartin, CEO, said:

"We made significant progress in this first year of our three-year growth strategy. We delivered strong revenue and adjusted EBITDA growth, and we significantly improved operating cash flow.

 

"We continue to see clear business momentum, with a higher order book, double-digit growth in our pipeline and positive pricing trends in both pipeline and order book. It is encouraging that the fastest growing parts of Wood are the higher-margin Consulting business, and our sustainable solutions across all areas.

 

"To build on this early success and further enhance our strategic delivery, we have launched a simplification programme to drive efficiency and support further margin expansion. We are therefore upgrading our outlook, with 2024 guidance now towards the top end of our medium-term targets and 2025 expected to exceed those targets. Ultimately, our priority remains sustainable cash generation and we expect to deliver significant free cash flow from 2025."

 

Strategic progress and strong growth in the first year of our strategy

·      Delivered results in line with expectations

Revenue growth across all business units

Strong adjusted EBITDA growth, in line with guidance

·      Continued momentum

Fastest growth in Consulting and across sustainable solutions

Order book up 4% to $6.3 billion, up 7% like-for-like14

Double-digit growth in our factored sales pipeline

Improving pricing trends across pipeline, order book and in margin performance in 2023

Adjusted operating cash flow improved to $194 million, up $260 million on last year

·      Growing our sustainable solutions business to $1.3 billion15

Sustainable solutions revenue up 15% and represented 22% of Group revenue

43% of factored sales pipeline now in sustainable solutions

 

Simplification to enhance strategic delivery

·      Focus on driving higher margins through continued growth, evolving our business mix with faster growth in Consulting, improved pricing and taking action on cost

·      Simplification programme to drive efficiency

Targeting annualised savings of around $60 million from 2025

Initial focus on central costs, with benefit within FY24 expected to be around $10 million

Will improve both EBITDA and EBIT margins, and future cash generation

Cash costs to complete of c.$70 million over next 12 months, exceptional P&L charge in FY24

·      Aligning our portfolio with our strategy

Sale process for EthosEnergy progressing well, smaller disposals expected to follow

 

Upgraded 2024 outlook

·      Adjusted EBITDA growth towards the top end of mid to high single digit target (before disposals)

Margin expansion driven by topline growth, evolving business mix and improved pricing, plus the c.$10 million in-year benefits of our simplification programme

Performance will be weighted to the second half, reflecting the typical seasonality of our business and the phasing of the in-year benefit of the simplification programme

·      Cash performance to continue to improve

Operating cash growing at a faster rate than adjusted EBITDA will help deliver positive free cash flow before exceptional cash flows

Exceptional cash flows are expected to be around $120 million and will be weighted to the first half. They now include c.$50 million related to the delivery of the simplification programme

Net debt at December 2024 expected to be lower than December 2023 after the expected proceeds from planned disposals

 

Upgraded medium-term outlook

·      The simplification programme is expected to add to our growth potential, leading to EBITDA growth in 2025 above our medium-term target

·      We will continue to expand our EBITDA margin and that benefit will translate into our EBIT margins and support a significant increase in our earnings per share over the medium term

·      We are on-track to deliver significant free cash flow in 2025, as previously guided

·      From 2025, our sustainable free cash flow generation, combined with proceeds from disposals, will provide increased flexibility in our capital allocation policy

 

 

FY23 financial highlights

·      Revenue of $5.9 billion was up 8% (+9% at constant currency) with growth in all business units, including a c.$200 million increase in pass-through revenue

·      Adjusted EBITDA of $423 million was up 9% on last year (+11% at constant currency) with good growth across all business units

·      Adjusted EBITDA margin of 7.2%, up 0.1ppts on last year, reflecting business mix and improved pricing partly offset by the increased pass-through revenue and opex investments

·      Adjusted EBIT up 4% to $185 million with EBITDA growth partly offset by higher lease depreciation and software amortisation

·      Adjusted diluted EPS of 2.3c was an improvement on last year's (3.1)c, reflecting the higher adjusted EBIT and lower finance costs

·      Adjusted operating cash flow of $194 million was significantly improved on last year, up $260 million

·      Free cash flow of $(265) million reflects the improved operating cash flow offset by capex, interest and tax paid, plus cash exceptionals broadly in line with our guidance at $145 million

·      Net debt (excluding leases) at 31 December 2023 was $694 million, higher than at 31 December 2022 ($393 million) given the free cash outflow and the payment of $65 million of tax on the sale of Built Environment Consulting

 

FY23 statutory results

·      Operating profit of $38 million compares to an operating loss in the prior year

·      Exceptional items of $77 million include a $45 million charge relating to a receivables write-down and an arbitration claim in the now closed Power and Industrials EPC business. Also includes $29 million of charges related to our asbestos liability. Full details on pages 16-17

·      Loss for the period of $105 million reflects operating profit more than offset by finance costs and tax

·      Basic EPS of (16.1)c reflects the loss for the period

·      Cash flow from operating activities of $48 million, a significant improvement on the outflow in 2022

 

CFO succession

Arvind Balan will join Wood as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) on 15 April 2024, replacing David Kemp who will retire from the Board on 14 April 2024. David will remain with Wood for a period of time to ensure a smooth transition.

 

Presentation

A presentation with Ken Gilmartin (CEO) and David Kemp (CFO) will be held at 9:00am today in London, UK. This event will also be webcast at https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/ngex5be8.

 

The webcast and transcript will be available after the event at www.woodplc.com/investors.

 

For further information:

 

Simon McGough, President, Investor Relations

+44 (0)7850 978 741

Vikas Gujadhur, Senior Manager, Investor Relations

+44 (0)7855 987 399

Alex Le May / Ariadna Peretz, FTI Consulting

+44 (0)20 3727 1340

 

The person responsible for arranging the release of this announcement on behalf of Wood is Martin McIntyre, Company Secretary.

 

Future events

·      9 May 2024 - Q1 trading update and Annual General Meeting

·      11 July 2024 - HY24 trading update

·      20 August 2024 - HY24 results

·      7 November 2024 - Q3 trading update

 

 

NOTES

Adjustments between statutory and underlying information

The Group uses various alternative performance measures (APMs) to enable users to better understand the performance of the Group. The Directors believe the APMs provide a consistent measure of business performance year-to-year and they are used by management to measure operating performance and for forecasting and decision-making. The Group believes they are used by investors in analysing business performance. These APMs are not defined by IFRS and there is a level of judgement involved in identifying the adjustments required to calculate them. As the APMs used are not defined under IFRS, they may not be comparable to similar measures used by other companies. They are not a substitute for measures defined under IFRS.

Note 1: FY22 results are re-presented to include the results of Built Environment Consulting Saudi Arabia, which was previously classified as held for sale. For FY22, this business contributed $27 million of revenue and $3 million of adjusted EBITDA.

Note 2: Percentage growth rates are calculated on actuals and not the rounded figures shown throughout this statement. Growth rates shown at constant currency are calculated by comparing unaudited FY23 to FY22 restated at FY23 currency rates.

Note 3: Built Environment Consulting (sold in September 2022) is treated as a discontinued operation and its results are included within the "Total group" measures. Continuing results exclude its results.

Note 4: A reconciliation of adjusted EBITDA to operating profit is shown in note 1 to the financial statements.

Note 5: Adjusted EBITDA margin is adjusted EBITDA shown as a percentage of revenue. This measure is used by management to measure the performance of business, and is one of our medium-term targets.

Note 6: Adjusted EBIT shows the Group's adjusted EBITDA after depreciation and amortisation. This measure excludes amortisation of acquired intangibles and is therefore aligned with our measure of adjusted EPS. A reconciliation of adjusted EBIT to operating profit/loss is shown in the Financial Review on page 13.

Note 7: Adjusted EBIT margin is adjusted EBIT shown as a percentage of revenue. This measure is used by management to measure the performance of business.

Note 8: A reconciliation of adjusted diluted EPS to basic EPS is shown in note 9 of the financial statements.

Note 9: Adjusted operating cash flow refers to adjusted cash generated from operations excluding leases, as shown on page 20 of the Financial Review. This is a metric used by management to monitor business performance throughout the year.

Note 10: Free cash flow is defined as all cash flows before acquisitions, disposals and dividends. It includes all mandatory payments the Group makes such as interest and tax, and all exceptional cash flows. It excludes the impacts of IFRS 16 (Leases) accounting and FX. A reconciliation of free cash flow to our statutory cash flow statement is shown on page 26. Free cash flow is a key measure of delivering value to our shareholders.

Note 11: Net debt / adjusted EBITDA ratio (covenant basis) is calculated on the existing basis prior to the adoption of IFRS 16 in 2019 and is based on net debt excluding leases. It includes a series of covenant adjustments to both net debt and EBITDA. The calculation is shown in the Financial Review on page 24. This measure is a key metric used in our debt covenants.

Note 12: Order book comprises revenue that is supported by a signed contract or written purchase order for work secured under a single contract award or frame agreements. Multi-year agreements are recognised according to anticipated activity supported by purchase orders, customer plans or management estimates. Where contracts have optional extension periods, only the confirmed term is included. Order book disclosure is aligned with the IFRS definition of revenue and does not include Wood's proportional share of joint venture order book. Order book is presented as an indicator of the visibility of future revenue.

Note 13: Headcount is a measure of total employees working for Wood, including Wood employees and contractors. This measure excludes employees in our joint ventures.

Note 14: Excluding the Gulf of Mexico labour operations business sold in March 2023. Order book at constant currency.

Note 15: Sustainable solutions consist of activities related to: renewable energy, hydrogen, carbon capture & storage, electrification and electricity transmission & distribution, LNG, waste to energy, sustainable fuels & feedstocks and recycling, processing of energy transition minerals, life sciences, and decarbonisation in oil & gas, refining & chemicals, minerals processing and other industrial processes. In the case of mixed scopes that include a decarbonisation element, for our pipeline disclosure we include the proportion of the opportunity that is related to those decarbonisation elements. For our revenue disclosure, we only include revenue if directly within sustainable solutions, with mixed scopes only included if 75% or more of the scope relates to decarbonisation.

 

CEO STATEMENT

We made significant progress in the first year of our three-year profitable growth strategy. The focus in year one was to return to growth and deliver results in line with our guidance. We achieved strong growth in adjusted EBITDA and improved our margin, both of which exceeded our expectations at the start of the year.

 

Strong growth in the first year of our growth strategy

Revenue growth across all businesses

Group revenue of $5.9 billion was broadly in line with our guidance, up 8% on last year (up 9% at constant currency) with growth across all of our business units, led by Consulting. This growth shows the demand that is in our markets for the consulting and engineering services we provide. Around a third of our revenue growth reflected increased pass-through activity, for which we earn little or no margin.

 

Strong adjusted EBITDA growth

Our adjusted EBITDA of $423 million was up 9% on last year, and up 11% at constant currency, reflecting the strong revenue growth combined with an improved margin of 7.2%. This margin performance reflects an improved business mix, as we shift our business model more and more towards consulting and engineering services, and improved pricing across our business. The margin performance included the increased opex investments we made to drive future growth, and the dilutive impact of the increased pass-through revenue.

 

Our adjusted EBIT was up 4% on last year at $185 million, reflecting the growth in EBITDA offset by higher lease depreciation and software amortisation. Our adjusted diluted EPS was 2.3 cents, an improvement on (3.1)c in 2022, reflecting the higher adjusted EBIT and lower finance costs. Despite an improvement in the year, our adjusted tax rate remains high and this is covered in detail in the Financial Review on page 19.

 

Statutory results

Operating profit in the year was $38 million compared to an operating loss of $565 million in 2022, which was impacted by goodwill and intangible impairments of $542 million.

 

Operating profit included $77 million of exceptional items. These included $5 million of costs related to the unsolicited bids from Apollo Global Management, which were booked in the first half of the year, and the movement in our asbestos liability. Also included is a $45 million charge in relation to the Power and Industrials EPC business which we closed in 2022. The charge includes a receivable write down booked in the first half as well as a provision taken in the second half of the year relating to an arbitration claim against Wood. Further details are included in the Financial Review on pages 16-17.

 

The loss for the period was $105 million, mainly reflecting the low level of statutory operating profit offset by finance costs and tax. Our basic earnings per share was (16.1) cents (FY22: (52.4) cents).

 

Cash performance reflects our turnaround journey

As expected, we saw a significant improvement in our adjusted operating cash flow to $194 million. This year-on-year improvement of $260 million was driven by higher adjusted EBITDA and a much-improved working capital performance.

 

Our free cash outflow of $265 million includes $145 million of outflows related to exceptional cash items.

 

Looking ahead, we continue to expect to grow operating cash at a rate above the growth in EBITDA while also reducing the exceptional cash outflows. Operating cash generation will be further strengthened by the actions we are taking on cost and portfolio, and we expect to generate significant free cash flow from 2025.

 

 

Business momentum

We continue to see good momentum across our business. Our order book of $6.3 billion was up 7% on a like-for-like basis while we saw double-digit growth in our factored sales pipeline. Our headcount grew by 1% excluding the Gulf of Mexico business.

 

Encouragingly, we continue to see improvements in pricing. The price of work in both our pipeline and order book improved throughout 2023 and better pricing was a key driver of margin expansion in the year.

 

Delivering on our profitable growth strategy in 2023

We set out our profitable growth strategy in November 2022 and we are delivering on each of the three pillars: inspired culture, performance excellence, and profitable growth.

 

1) Delivering an inspired culture

An inspired culture is about creating a great place to work. During 2023 we put a real focus on culture and improving employee engagement. We were pleased to see a vastly improved employee net promoter score in our mid-year survey and a lower level of employee turnover in professional roles across the Group. Improving leadership diversity is a key part of our inspired culture pillar, with a target of 40% female representation amongst our senior leaders by 2030. We have now reached 35%, an improvement on 32% at December 2022.

 

2) Delivering performance excellence

Performance excellence is about being results-focused and delivering across all of the business. Our order book growth highlights the work done across all business units to win new work while maintaining the bidding discipline crucial to our strategy. Encouragingly, we have also delivered improvements in pricing across the business. We are pleased to have grown our sustainable solutions business again, now to around $1.3 billion of revenue, and representing 43% of our pipeline. Our Global Execution Centre is a critical part of delivering performance excellence for our clients and we now have over 2,000 employees working in our centre in India.

 

3) Delivering profitable growth

Delivering profitable growth is about building a higher-grade business. We grew adjusted EBITDA by 9% in the year despite higher pass-through activity and the opex investments we made for growth. This shows the pricing benefits starting to come through along with improved operational delivery. Delivering profitable growth will lead to significant cash flow generation over time. In 2023 we delivered a substantial improvement in our operating cash flow as we continued our cash recovery journey.

 

We have the right business model in place

We are now a services-led business with the majority of our contracts cost reimbursable (c.80% of revenue) and the remainder mostly fixed price services (c.20% of revenue). This contract mix represents our risk-appetite following our strategic move away from LSTK activity.

 

Our markets are attractive

The energy and materials markets offer significant growth opportunities for Wood. We are focused on:

·      Large markets with solid growth - Oil & Gas and Chemicals

·      Small markets today with substantial growth potential - Hydrogen and Carbon Capture

·      Large markets where we can significantly grow our share - Minerals and Life Sciences

 

Together, these six focus markets offer an addressable market of c.$240 billion in 2026. We expect to outperform market growth through continued market leadership, winning share and a shift in our business mix over time.

 

Winning work across our markets

During 2023, we continued to win work across all of our markets, helped by client demands for solutions that address energy security, energy transition and sustainable materials.

 

 

Significant contract wins across Energy in the year included:

·      New global framework agreement with Shell

·      Detailed engineering design for Woodside's Trion project in the Gulf of Mexico

·      New strategic partnership with Harbour Energy, with contracts worth around $330 million

·      c.$250 million contract extension in Southeast Asia for operations and brownfield engineering services

 

Significant contract wins in the year in Materials included:

·      Collaboration agreement with OMV for the licensing of its ReOil® plastic recycling technology

·      $50 million capital project delivery partner contract from GSK in the USA

·      FEED and EPCm for Europe's largest high purity manganese processing facility

 

Our pipeline continues to grow across both energy and materials, and shows the diversification of the future Group, with 34% of the pipeline in materials and 64% in energy.

 

Growing our Consulting business

Our higher-margin Consulting business saw the strongest growth across the business in 2023, following a reorganisation at the start of the year and increased opex investments to drive growth. Consulting operates across all of our end markets, addressing client challenges across energy, materials and industrial digitalisation and decarbonisation. In 2023, Consulting had sustainable solutions revenue of c.$225 million, helped by our solutions across hydrogen and carbon capture which together saw nearly 1,000 pieces of work awarded in 2023.

 

Growing our sustainable business

Wood is an enabler of net zero, providing solutions across decarbonisation, energy transition and materials for a net zero world. We generated around $1.3 billion of sustainable solutions revenue in 2023, up 15% on last year. Sustainable solutions now represent 22% of revenue and 43% of our factored sales pipeline.

 

In addition to the excellent progress we are making on growing our sustainable solutions business, we continue to deliver against our ESG strategy. We reduced our scope 1 & 2 carbon emissions by 71%, ahead of our 2030 target of a 40% reduction from our 2019 baseline, and we continued to progress leadership diversity. Our progress across ESG was once again reflected in our MSCI AA rating, awarded for the ninth consecutive year, and the maintenance of our top quartile ranking against peers.

 

Simplification to enhance our strategic delivery

To build on the progress made in the first year of our three-year strategy, we have launched a simplification programme to enhance our strategic delivery and support margin expansion.

 

Driving margin expansion

We will drive higher margins, both EBITDA and EBIT, through:

·      Continued growth - continuing to deliver scale benefits as we grow

·      Evolution of our business mix - continued shift to services-led model and higher growth in Consulting

·      Improved pricing - reflecting the selectivity of work and the significant demand for our expertise

·      Taking action on cost - simplification programme to create a leaner and more efficient Wood

 

Simplification programme

We have set out a simplification programme to help us deliver higher margins while remaining focused on business growth. This programme will:

·      Right-size our central functions - by putting greater ownership and accountability for functional activities into the business units, and reducing the number of central function roles

·      Simplify the way we work - by reducing complexity in our functional structure, processes and procedures, and expanding our shared services model

·      Deliver IT savings - building on the cost savings announced previously

·      Reduce property costs - cost savings announced previously that will reduce our property portfolio

 

This programme is expected to generate annualised savings of around $60 million from 2025, with a benefit in FY24 of around $10 million. The costs to achieve this programme are expected to be around $70 million with an exceptional item to be recognised in our first half results. The cash impact is expected to be around $50 million in FY24, weighted to the first half, and around $20 million in FY25.

 

Aligning our portfolio with our strategy

We continue to evaluate our portfolio and identified certain businesses deemed non-core to our strategic growth and priorities. The largest of which is EthosEnergy, a joint venture within Investment Services. We announced in January 2024 that we had started the sales process for EthosEnergy and have made good progress to date. We are also actively exploring options for a number of other small businesses in our portfolio.

 

Upgraded 2024 outlook

Adjusted EBITDA is expected to grow towards the top end of our mid to high single digit medium term target, before the impact of disposals. Our adjusted EBITDA margin is expected to expand in 2024, driven by topline growth, an evolving business mix and improved pricing, plus the c.$10 million in-year benefits of our simplification programme.

 

Performance in 2024 will be weighted to the second half, reflecting the typical seasonality of our business and the phasing of the in-year benefit of the simplification programme.

 

Our cash performance is expected to continue to improve with operating cash growing at a faster rate than adjusted EBITDA. This will help deliver positive free cash flow before exceptional cash flows. These exceptional cash flows are expected to be around $120 million and will be weighted to the first half. They now include c.$50 million related to the delivery of the simplification programme.

 

Net debt at December 2024 is expected to be lower than December 2023 after the expected proceeds from planned disposals.

 

Upgraded medium-term outlook

The simplification programme is expected to add to our growth potential, leading to adjusted EBITDA growth in 2025 above our medium-term target. We will continue to expand our adjusted EBITDA margin and that benefit will translate into our EBIT margins and support a significant increase in our earnings per share over the medium term.

 

We are on-track to deliver significant free cash flow in 2025, as previously guided. Our sustainable free cash flow generation from 2025, combined with proceeds from disposals, will provide increased flexibility in our capital allocation policy.

 

Executive Management Team changes

Marla Storm joined Wood in January 2024 as Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO), replacing Lesley Birse who has retired. Michael Rasmuson joined Wood in January 2024 as Group General Counsel, replacing Martin McIntyre, who will remain as Company Secretary until a successor for this role is appointed. Arvind Balan will join as CFO in April 2024, replacing David Kemp who will retire. Marla and Michael are based in Texas, USA, and Arvind will be based in London, UK.

 

 

BUSINESS REVIEWS

CONSULTING

Our Consulting business provides technical consulting, digital consulting, and energy asset development. It also provides decarbonisation and digital solutions that open opportunities across our other business units.

 

Financial review


FY23

(unaudited)

$m

FY221
$m

Movement

%

At constant currency %

Revenue

739

652

13.3%

13.5%

Adjusted EBITDA2

80

76

4.4%

5.9%

Adjusted EBITDA margin

10.8%

11.7%

(0.9)ppts

(0.8)ppts

Adjusted EBIT

59

50

20.1%

 

Adjusted EBIT margin

8.0%

7.6%

0.4ppts

 

Order book

529

476

11.1%

11.2%

Headcount

4,055

3,941

2.9%

 

1. Re-presented to include the Built Environment Consulting Saudi Arabia business, see note on page 4.

2. Adjusted EBITDA includes $nil from JVs (FY22: $nil). Revenue does not include any contribution from JVs.

 

Revenue of $739 million was 13% higher than last year, with strong growth across both technical consulting and digital consulting in both our energy and materials markets.

 

Adjusted EBITDA of $80 million was 4% higher than last year and 6% higher on a constant currency basis, reflecting the revenue growth offset by a lower margin. The lower adjusted EBITDA margin of 10.8% partly reflects the exit of high-margin work in Russia in 2022, as well as the opex investments we made to secure future growth.

 

The order book at 31 December 2023 was $529 million, up 11% on last year.

 

Operational review

Consulting completed an internal restructure at the start of 2023 and made significant opex investments to better align with the growth trends across technical consulting, digital consulting and decarbonisation.

 

Across our markets, Consulting saw double-digit growth across both energy and materials and 47% growth in sustainable solutions, helped by demand for our renewables and decarbonisation consulting solutions.

 

Key awards in the period across Consulting included:

·      Feasibility study in Europe looking at converting natural gas pipelines for hydrogen transportation

·      Supporting Chevron Renewable Energy Group's Biorefinery

·      Pre-FEED work on SGN's high pressure hydrogen pipelines

 

Sustainable solutions revenue was c.$225 million, up 47% and represented around 30% of Consulting revenue.

 

Outlook for 2024

Following the opex investments made in 2023, we expect Consulting to have the strongest EBITDA growth in the Group, supported by good revenue growth and an expansion in margin, weighted to the second half as performance and pricing benefits ramp up.

 

PROJECTS

Our Projects business mainly provides complex engineering design and project management across energy and materials markets including oil and gas, chemicals, metals and minerals and life sciences.

 

Financial review


FY23

(unaudited)

$m

FY22
$m

Movement

%

At constant currency %

Revenue1

2,424

2,211

9.6%

10.2%

Adjusted EBITDA2

177

169

5.0%

5.0%

Adjusted EBITDA margin

7.3%

7.6%

(0.3)ppts

(0.4)ppts

Adjusted EBIT

87

80

8.0%

 

Adjusted EBIT margin

3.6%

3.6%

-ppts

 

Order book

2,026

2,081

(2.6)%

(2.6)%

Headcount

13,549

13,918

(2.7)%

 

1. Pass-through revenue, which generates only a small or nil margin, was around $460 million (FY22: c.$290 million).

2. Adjusted EBITDA includes $3.4 million from JVs (FY22: $3.9 million). Revenue does not include any contribution from JVs.

 

Revenue of $2,424 million was 10% higher than last year. The business saw strong growth across oil and gas and chemicals offsetting the run-down of our LSTK and large-scale EPC activities and lower revenue in minerals. Over half of the revenue growth came from the increase in pass-through revenue.

 

Adjusted EBITDA of $177 million was 5% higher than last year. This reflected the revenue increase combined with a lower margin of 7.3%. The lower margin includes the impact of higher pass-through revenue, for which we receive nil or a small margin, and increased opex investments made in the year.

 

The order book at 31 December 2023 was $2,026 million, down 3% on last year reflecting our shift away from LSTK and largescale EPC, and lower orders in our minerals business.

 

Operational review

The strategic move away from LSTK and largescale EPC is now complete and is reflected in the lower headcount. We continue to grow our services-led business model across energy and materials.

 

Business growth was balanced across both energy and materials market. Key awards in the period included:

·      Collaboration agreement with OMV for the licensing of its ReOil® plastic recycling technology

·      FEEDs for ADNOC's and QatarEnergy's gas facilities in the Middle East

·      Detailed engineering design for Woodside's Trion project in the Gulf of Mexico

·      Significant life sciences engineering contract in the USA with GSK worth c.$50 million

·      Brownfield engineering contract to help produce active pharmaceutical ingredients in Europe

·      Supporting one of the world's largest offshore clean power projects in Germany

 

Sustainable solutions revenue was c.$730 million, up 10% and represented c.30% of Projects revenue despite a reduction in loss-making LSTK activity in renewables.

 

Outlook for 2024

We expect moderate revenue and EBITDA growth, weighted to the second half given the phasing of new orders and our continued shift away from LSTK and largescale EPC work. Our adjusted EBITDA margin is expected to expand as the year progresses.

 

OPERATIONS

Our Operations business manages and optimises our customers' assets including decarbonisation, maintenance, modifications, brownfield engineering, and asset management through to decommissioning.

 

Financial review


FY23

(unaudited)

$m

FY22
$m

Movement

%

At constant currency %

Revenue1,2

2,482

2,407

3.1%

4.4%

Adjusted EBITDA3

165

148

11.9%

16.1%

Adjusted EBITDA margin

6.7%

6.1%

0.6ppts

0.7ppts

Adjusted EBIT

108

100

8.2%

 

Adjusted EBIT margin

4.3%

4.1%

0.2ppts

 

Order book

3,605

3,295

9.4%

10.6%

Headcount

15,561

15,787

(1.4)%

 

1. Pass-through revenue, which generates only a small or nil margin, was around $550 million (FY22: c.$500 million)

2. Includes the results of the Gulf of Mexico labour operations business that was sold in March 2023. In FY23, this business contributed 

$21 million of revenue (FY22: $99 million) and $1 million of adjusted EBITDA (FY22: $5 million).

3. Adjusted EBITDA includes $13.0 million from JVs (FY22: $15.2 million). Revenue does not include any contribution from JVs.

 

Revenue of $2,482 million was 3% higher than last year, and 4% higher at constant currency. This reflects continued increases in activity levels in oil and gas across Europe, the Middle East and Asia-Pacific. Revenue growth also includes an increased level of pass-through revenue and the impact of the sale of the Gulf of Mexico labour operations business in the period.

 

Adjusted EBITDA of $165 million was 12% higher than last year, and 16% higher at constant currency, reflecting the revenue growth and an increased margin of 6.7%. This margin increase, despite higher pass-through revenue, mainly reflects improved overall contract performance and some improved pricing.

 

The order book at 31 December 2023 was $3,605 million, 9% higher than last year and reflects the expected strong final quarter for bookings. Excluding the Gulf of Mexico offshore labour operations business, the order book was up 15% at constant currency.

 

Operational review

Operations continued to benefit from higher activity levels across geographies. Key awards in 2023 included:

·      New strategic partnership with Harbour Energy for its UK North Sea operations, with associated contracts for five years (with five one-year extensions) worth around $330 million

·      c.$250 million contract extension in SE Asia for operations and brownfield engineering services

·      Brownfield modifications for bp's Murlach development in the North Sea

·      Brownfield EPCm contract with Woodside in Australia

·      Two-year operations contract extension with Equinor in the Mariner field in the North Sea

 

Sustainable solutions revenue was c.$260 million, up 15% and representing around 11% of Operations revenue.

 

Outlook for 2024

We expect moderate revenue and EBITDA growth throughout the year.

 

INVESTMENT SERVICES

Our Investment Services business unit manages a number of legacy activities and includes our Turbines joint ventures. The most notable areas are activities in industrial power and heavy civil engineering.

 

Financial review


FY23

(unaudited)

$m

FY22
$m

Movement

%

At constant currency %

Revenue

255

199

28.4%

27.8%

Adjusted EBITDA1

77

69

11.2%

11.5%

Adjusted EBITDA margin

30.2%

34.9%

(4.7)ppts

(4.4)ppts

Adjusted EBIT

48

47

1.7%

 

Adjusted EBIT margin

18.6%

23.5%

(4.9)ppts

 

Order book

109

164

(33.6)%

(34.0)%

Headcount

518

426

21.6%

 

1. Includes results from our two Turbines joint ventures. Adjusted EBITDA from these JVs was $65 million in FY23 and $48 million in FY22. Revenue does not include any contribution from JVs.

 

Revenue of $255 million was 28% higher than last year. This growth primarily reflects strong activity growth in our heavy civils business and the transfer of a facilities business into Investment Services in 2023 from Projects.

 

Adjusted EBITDA of $77 million mostly represents the share of results from our Turbines joint ventures of 

$65 million, up significantly on last year with a strong performance across both EthosEnergy and RWG. Excluding these Turbine JVs, adjusted EBITDA was down significantly.

 

The order book at 31 December 2023 was $109 million, down 34% on last year.

 

Outlook for 2024

We expect the contribution from Investment Services to be broadly flat in 2024, with the performance of our Turbine JVs weighted to the second half as is typical in these businesses.

 

CENTRAL COSTS


FY23

(unaudited)

$m

FY22
$m

Movement

%

At constant currency %

Adjusted EBITDA

(76)

(74)

(3.7)%

(2.8)%

Adjusted EBIT

(117)

(99)

(17.7)%

 

 

Central costs, not allocated to business units, increased slightly to $76 million, with cost reductions mostly offsetting inflationary pressures.

 

Outlook for 2024

We expect to see a reduction in central costs of around $10 million from the benefits of our simplification programme.

 

FINANCIAL REVIEW

Trading performance

Trading performance is presented on the basis used by management to run the business with adjusted EBITDA and adjusted EBIT including the contribution from joint ventures. Revenue does not include any contribution from joint ventures. A reconciliation of adjusted EBITDA and adjusted EBIT to operating profit is included below. A calculation of adjusted diluted EPS is shown on page 19.


2023

(unaudited)

$m

2022

(re-presented)

$m

Continuing operations



Revenue

5,900.7

5,469.3

Adjusted EBITDA1

422.7

388.2

Adjusted EBITDA margin %

7.2%

7.1%

Depreciation (PPE)

(26.2)

(29.3)

Depreciation on right of use asset (IFRS 16)

(103.1)

(90.5)

Impairment of joint venture investments and property, plant and equipment

(1.8)

(2.4)

Amortisation - software and system development

(106.6)

(89.0)

Adjusted EBIT

185.0

177.0

Adjusted EBIT margin %

3.1%

3.2%

Amortisation - intangible assets from acquisitions

(54.5)

(64.4)

Tax and interest charges on joint ventures

(16.3)

(14.3)

Exceptional items

(76.7)

(121.2)

Impairment of goodwill and intangible assets

-

(542.3)

Operating profit/(loss)

37.5

(565.2)

Net finance expense

(81.5)

(109.8)

Interest charge on lease liability

(18.7)

(16.4)

Loss before taxation from continuing operations

(62.7)

(691.4)

Tax charge on continuing operations

(65.0)

(10.9)

Loss for the period from continuing operations

(127.7)

(702.3)

Profit from discontinued operations, net of tax

22.5

350.6

Loss for the period

(105.2)

(351.7)

Non-controlling interest

(5.5)

(4.6)

Loss attributable to owners of parent

(110.7)

(356.3)

Number of shares (basic)

685.9

680.4

Basic loss per share

 

 (cents)

(16.1)

(52.4)

 

In the table above depreciation and amortisation include the contribution from joint ventures.

Built Environment Consulting (sold in September 2022) is classified as a discontinued operation and its results are included within "Total Group" measures. Continuing operations excludes its results. The comparative information has been re-presented due to the reclassification of Built Environment Consulting Saudi Arabia from discontinued into continuing operations. This relates to the sale of a subsidiary, previously classified as held for sale, which did not complete during 2023 and will now be retained by the Group. The revenue of this business for the year ended 31 December 2022 was $27.1 million and Adjusted EBITDA was $3.1 million. 

Revenue was up 8% on 2022 to $5,900.7 million with good growth across all business units. Adjusted EBITDA increased by $34.5 million to $422.7 million primarily due to the higher revenue and helped by a slightly higher margin of 7.2% as operational performance and improved pricing offset investments in operating costs.

Adjusted EBIT increased by $8.0 million with higher adjusted EBITDA partly offset by higher depreciation of right of use assets and a higher software amortisation charge reflecting the increased software spend across the Group in recent years.

Operating profit of $37.5 million (2022: loss $565.2 million) has improved mainly due to lower exceptional items of $76.7 million (2022: $121.2 million) and no impairment charge (2022: $542.3 million) being recognised on goodwill and intangible assets. The $22.5 million profit from discontinued operations, net of tax includes the final proceeds from the Built Environment Consulting business following agreement of the completion balance sheet between the Group and WSP. The increase in the tax charge to $65.0 million (2022: $10.9 million) is primarily driven by actuarial movements in the UK pension scheme.

The review of our trading performance is contained within the Chief Executive Review on pages 5 to 12.

Reconciliation of Adjusted EBIT to Adjusted diluted EPS


2023

(unaudited)

$m

2022

(re-presented)

$m

Adjusted EBIT

185.0

177.0

Tax and interest charges on joint ventures

(16.3)

(14.3)

Adjusted net finance expense

(70.4)

(103.9)

Interest charge on lease liability

(18.7)

(16.4)

Adjusted profit before tax

79.6

42.4

Adjusted tax charge

(58.3)

(59.2)

Adjusted (loss)/profit from discontinued operations, net of tax

(10.2)

60.2

Adjusted profit for the period

11.1

43.4

Non-controlling interest

(5.5)

(4.6)

Adjusted earnings

5.6

38.8

Number of shares (m) - diluted

685.9

680.4

Adjusted diluted EPS (cents)2

0.8

5.7

Adjusted diluted EPS (cents) continuing operations2

2.3

(3.1)

See notes on page 24

 

Reconciliation to GAAP measures


2023

(unaudited)

$m

 2022

(re-presented)

$m

Loss before tax from continuing operations

(62.7)

(691.4)

Impairment of goodwill and intangible assets

-

542.3

Exceptional items

76.7

121.2

Exceptional items - net finance expense

11.1

5.9

Amortisation - intangible assets from acquisitions

54.5

64.4

Adjusted profit before tax

79.6

42.4

 



Tax charge

65.0

10.9

Tax in relation to acquisition amortisation

3.7

11.9

Tax on exceptional items

(10.4)

36.4

Adjusted tax charge

58.3

59.2

 



      

Profit from discontinued operations, net of tax

22.5

350.6

Discontinued operations, gain on disposal

(37.7)

(297.1)

Discontinued items, exceptional items

5.0

6.7

Adjusted (loss)/profit from discontinued operations, net of tax

(10.2)

60.2

The reconciliation from adjusted EBIT of $185.0 million (2022: $177.0 million) to adjusted earnings of $5.6 million (2022: $38.8 million) has been provided to show a clear reconciliation to adjusted diluted EPS, which is a key performance measure of the Group. The reconciliation to GAAP measures highlights that the adjusted measures remove exceptional items, the exceptional items on discontinued operations and the associated tax charges on the basis that these are disclosed separately due to their size and nature to enable a full understanding of the Group's performance. Please refer to commentary on exceptional items and associated tax charges on pages 16 to 18. Amortisation on intangible assets from acquisitions and the associated tax credit has been excluded to allow a more useful comparison to Wood's peer group.

Amortisation, depreciation and other impairments for continuing operations

Total amortisation for 2023 was $161.1 million (2022: $153.4 million), all of which relates to the continuing Group. The total amortisation charge includes $54.5 million of amortisation of intangibles recognised on the acquisition of Amec Foster Wheeler ("AFW") (2022: $63.5 million). Amortisation in respect of software and development costs was $106.6 million (2022: $89.0 million) and this largely relates to engineering software and ERP system development. Included in the amortisation charge for the year is $1.4 million (2022: $1.5 million) in respect of joint ventures.  

 

The total depreciation charge in 2023 amounted to $129.3 million (2022: $119.8 million) and includes depreciation on right of use assets of $103.1 million (2022: $90.5 million). Included in the depreciation charge for the year is $13.1 million (2022: $12.3 million) in respect of joint ventures.

Net finance expense and debt


2023

(unaudited)

$m

 

2022

$m

Interest on bank borrowings

59.4

47.2

Interest on US Private Placement debt

16.6

40.3

Discounting relating to asbestos, deferred consideration and other liabilities

12.3

6.8

Other interest, fees and charges

12.6

22.4

Total finance expense excluding joint ventures and interest charge on lease liability

100.9

116.7

Finance income relating to defined benefit pension schemes

(18.3)

(2.4)

Other finance income

(1.1)

(4.5)

Net finance expense

81.5

109.8

Interest charge on lease liability

18.7

16.4

Net finance charges in respect of joint ventures

6.5

4.4

Net finance expense including joint ventures, continuing Group

106.7

130.6

 

Interest on bank borrowings of $59.4 million (2022: $47.2 million) primarily relates to interest charged on borrowings under the $1.2 billion Revolving Credit Facility ('RCF') which matures in October 2026 and the United Kingdom Export Facility ('UKEF') term loan which was repaid in December 2023 and replaced with a $200.0 million term loan facility maturing in October 2026. Despite the reduction in average net debt during the period, there was a $12.2 million increase in interest on bank borrowings. The increase in the interest expense is primarily driven by higher interest rates in 2023 compared with 2022.  The higher interest rate is primarily driven by higher base rates throughout 2023 partially offset by the impact of a lower margin in 2023, caused by the reduction in the net debt to adjusted EBITDA covenant from December 2022.

 

The interest charge on US Private Placement debt decreased by $23.7 million to $16.6 million primarily due to the total repayment of around $450 million to the USPP noteholders during the second half of 2022, being the early settlement of notes following the disposal of the Built Environment Consulting business. The Group had $352.5 million (2022: $352.0 million) of unsecured loan notes outstanding at 31 December 2023, maturing between 2024 and 2031 with around 75% due in 2025 or later.

 

Other interest, fees and charges amount to $12.6 million (2022: $22.4 million) and principally relates to the interest on other facilities of $8.4 million, including the receivables factoring facilities and amortisation of bank facility costs of $4.2 million (2022: $10.5 million). The reduction of $9.8 million in other interest, fees and charges is primarily due to lower bank facility costs due to one off, non-cash charges incurred in 2022 as a result of the partial early repayments of the UKEF and USPP facilities.

 

In total, the Group had undrawn facilities of $902.1 million as at 31 December 2023, of which $843.1 million related to the revolving credit facility.

 

The Group recognised interest costs in relation to lease liabilities of $18.7 million (2022: $16.4 million) which relates to the unwinding of discount on the lease liability.

 

Included within the discounting balance of $12.3 million (2022: $6.8 million) is the unwinding of discount on the asbestos provision of $11.1 million (2022: $5.9 million).  

 

Net debt excluding leases to adjusted EBITDA (excluding the impact of IFRS 16) at 31 December was 2.08 times on a covenant basis (2022: 1.3 times) against our covenants of 3.5 times. This is calculated pre IFRS 16 as our covenants are calculated on a frozen GAAP basis, see note 4 on page 24.

 

Interest cover (see note 5 on page 25) was 4.0 times on a covenant basis (2022: 4.2 times) against our covenant of 3.5 times. 

 

Exceptional items


2023

(unaudited)

 $m

2022

$m

Exceptional items included in continuing operations



Power and Industrial EPC losses

45.1

25.0

Impairment of goodwill and intangible assets

-

542.3

Apollo related costs

4.8

-

Redundancy, restructuring and integration costs

-

30.1

Investigation support costs and provisions

(2.6)

(4.2)

Enterprise settlement

-

35.6

Asbestos yield curve and costs

29.4

21.5

Russia exit costs and charges

-

13.2

Exceptional items included in continuing operations, before interest and tax

76.7

663.5

Unwinding of discount on asbestos provision

11.1

5.9

Tax (credit)/charge in relation to exceptional items

(0.2)

5.2

Release of uncertain tax provision

(7.4)

-

Derecognition/(recognition) of deferred tax assets due to UK pension actuarial movements

18.0

(41.6)

Exceptional items included in continuing operations, net of interest and tax

98.2

633.0

 

Exceptional items are those significant items which are separately disclosed by virtue of their size or incidence to enable a full understanding of the Group's financial performance. 

 

Power and Industrial EPC losses

The Group made a strategic decision in 2021 to exit certain business segments within the Power and Industrials sub business group. Following that decision, we ceased to operate in the large-scale EPC or lump sum turnkey business segment.  

 

The costs of exiting that business and any subsequent costs related to the wind down of contracts in that business, to the extent they are material in size, have been treated as exceptional on the basis that they relate to a segment in which the Group no longer operates. 

 

In the first half of 2023 the Group recorded a non-cash exceptional charge of $20.4 million relating to a write down of receivable balances arising from activity in the Power and Industrial EPC business. The Group had expected to recover these balances, but these have since been disputed. 

 

In the second half of 2023, a former client raised an arbitration claim against the Group in respect of alleged damages and costs arising from a legacy Power and Industrial contract.  Following evaluation of the claim, the Group has recognised a provision of $23.0 million with a charge to exceptional items, representing our assessment of probable outflows arising from the matter. 

 

During the year additional costs relating to the discontinued business of $1.7 million were recorded as an exceptional charge. This follows previous write downs made during 2022 of $25.0 million, including a revenue reversal of $8.0 million which represents the impact of a reduction in total value of the contract and is in relation to revenue recognised in prior years.

 

Apollo related costs

 

The Group incurred $4.8 million in relation to legal and advisor costs arising from Apollo's preliminary approach to potentially acquire the ordinary share capital of the Group, which did not ultimately lead to an offer.

 

Investigation support costs and provisions

 

The regulatory investigations were all closed out during 2021 and the agreed settlements were materially in line with the provision made in 2020.  The $2.6m credit relates to the release of provisions made for additional legal and other costs which were ultimately not needed. 

 

Asbestos

 

All asbestos costs have been treated as exceptional on the basis that movements in the provision are non-trading and can be large and driven by market conditions which are out with the Group's control. Excluding these charges from the trading results improves the understandability of the underlying trading performance of the Group. 

 

The charge before interest and tax of $29.4 million (2022: $21.5 million) in 2023 comprises a $34.2 million charge (2022: $52.8 million) based on an updated actuarial review reflecting the best estimate for recent claims experience and $5.4 million (2022: $4.3 million) of costs in relation to managing the claims. These are offset by a credit of $10.0m which relates to the collection of insurance proceeds from an insolvent insurer and a yield curve credit of $0.2 million (2022: $35.6 million).  The lower yield curve credit recognised in 2023 is principally due to the 27 year blended curve rate of 3.64% not being materially different to the 30 year flat rate of 3.97% in 2022.

 

Interest costs of $11.1 million which relate to the unwinding of discount on the asbestos provision over time are shown as exceptional (2022: $5.9 million).

 

Redundancy, restructuring and integration costs

 

No costs were incurred in 2023. In the prior year, $30.1m was incurred in relation to redundancy and restructuring activities. 

 

Enterprise settlement

In the prior year, the Enterprise claim was concluded, with the amount settled being in excess of the amount provided for. The charge in the prior year was classed as an exceptional both by its nature (historic litigation settlement) and by size.

 

Tax

An exceptional tax charge of $10.4 million (2022: $36.4 million credit) has been recorded during the period. It consists of a $0.2 million tax credit on exceptional items (2022: $5.2 million charge), a $7.4 million credit in relation to the release of an uncertain tax provision created through exceptional items on the disposal of the Well Support business in 2011, offset by an exceptional charge of $18.0 million (2022: $41.6 million credit) recognised due to the actuarial loss in relation to the UK defined benefit pension scheme. As deferred tax liabilities support the recognition of deferred tax assets, the reduction of $18.0 million of deferred tax assets has been charged through exceptional items based on its size.

 

Taxation

The effective tax rate on profit before tax, exceptional items and amortisation and including Wood's share of joint venture profit on a proportionally consolidated basis is set out below, together with a reconciliation to the tax charge in the income statement.

 


2023

(unaudited)

$m

 2022

(re-presented)

$m

Loss from continuing operations before tax

(62.7)

(691.4)

(Loss)/profit from discontinued operations, net of tax and before exceptional items

(10.2)

60.2

Tax charge in relation to joint ventures

9.8

9.9

Amortisation (note 10)

159.7

151.9

Exceptional items (continuing operations)

87.8

669.4

Tax charge in relation to discontinued operations

-

7.9

Profit before tax, exceptional items and amortisation

184.4

207.9




Effective tax rate on continuing operations (excluding tax on exceptional items and amortisation)

35.63%

36.84%

Tax charge (excluding tax on exceptional items and amortisation)

65.7

76.6

Tax charge in relation to joint ventures

(9.8)

(9.9)

Tax (credit)/charge in relation to exceptional items (continuing operations)

(7.6)

5.2

Derecognition/(recognition) of deferred tax assets due to UK pension actuarial movements

18.0

(41.6)

Tax credit in relation to amortisation

(1.3)

(11.5)

Tax charge on discontinued operations

-

(7.9)

Tax charge from continuing operations per the income statement

65.0

10.9

 

The effective tax rate reflects the rate of tax applicable in the jurisdictions in which the Group operates and is adjusted for permanent differences between accounting and taxable profit and the recognition of deferred tax assets. Key adjustments impacting on the rate in 2023 are withholding taxes suffered on which full double tax relief is not available, deferred tax not recognised primarily in relation to interest expenses not deductible in the current year, less the release of uncertain tax provisions reflecting the positive outcomes in relation to specific risks.

 

In addition to the effective tax rate, the total tax charge in the income statement reflects the impact of exceptional items and amortisation which by their nature tend to be expenses that are more likely to be not deductible than those incurred in ongoing trading profits. The income statement tax charge excludes tax in relation to joint ventures. The increase in the tax charge in 2023 is largely a result of the exceptional tax charge of $18.0 million (2022: $41.6 million credit) on deferred tax assets as a result of actuarial movements on the UK pension scheme.

Adjusted tax charge

As noted on page 14 our adjusted tax charge was $58.3 million (2022: $59.2 million), representing an adjusted effective tax rate of 73%.  This was lower than the adjusted rate of 140% in 2022, principally due to the significant reduction in net finance costs in the year.  Our adjusted tax rate remained relatively high however, representing a range of factors including the geographical mix of profits and losses across the Group, restrictions on the deductibility of interest, withholding taxes on income in certain jurisdictions and limits on the recognition of deferred tax assets in the UK and US due to losses in these countries.  

 

Earnings per share

The calculation of basic earnings per share is based on the earnings attributable to owners of the parent divided by the weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue during the year excluding shares held by the Group's employee share trusts. For the calculation of adjusted diluted earnings per share, the weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue is adjusted to assume conversion of dilutive potential ordinary shares, only when there is a profit per share. Adjusted diluted earnings per share is disclosed to show the results excluding the impact of exceptional items and amortisation related to acquisitions, net of tax.

 

For the year ended 31 December 2023, the Group reported a basic loss (2022: loss) per ordinary share, therefore the effect of dilutive ordinary shares are excluded (2022: excluded) in the calculation of diluted earnings per share. Where profits have been made when disaggregating discontinued and continuing operations, the calculation of diluted earnings per share was performed on the same basis as the whole Group.

 


 

2023 (unaudited)

 


2022



 

Continuing

operations

$m

Discontinued operations

 $m

Total

$m

Continuing operations

(re-presented)

$m

Discontinued operations

(re-presented)

$m

Total

 (re-presented)

$m


 

 

 

 



(Losses)/earnings attributable to equity

shareholders (basic pre-exceptional)

(35.0)

(10.2)

(45.2)

(73.9)

60.2

(13.7)

Exceptional items, net of tax

(98.2)

32.7

(65.5)

(633.0)

290.4

(342.6)

(Losses)/earnings attributable

to equity shareholders (basic)

(133.2)

22.5

(110.7)

(706.9)

350.6

(356.3)

Number of shares (basic)

685.9

685.9

685.9

680.4

680.4

680.4

Number of shares (diluted)

685.9

685.9

685.9

680.4

680.4

680.4

Basic (losses)/earnings per share (cents)

(19.4)

3.3

(16.1)

(103.9)

51.5

(52.4)

Diluted (losses)/earnings per share (cents)

(19.4)

3.3

(16.1)

(103.9)

51.5

(52.4)


 

 

 




 

(Losses)/earnings attributable

to equity shareholders (diluted)

(133.2)

22.5

(110.7)

(706.9)

350.6

(356.3)

Exceptional items, net of tax

98.2

(32.7)

65.5

633.0

(290.4)

342.6

Amortisation of intangibles on acquisition,

net of tax

50.8

-

50.8

52.5

-

52.5

Earnings/(losses) attributable

to equity shareholders (adjusted diluted)

15.8

(10.2)

5.6

(21.4)

60.2

38.8

Earnings/(losses) attributable

to equity shareholders (adjusted basic)

15.8

(10.2)

5.6

(21.4)

60.2

38.8

Number of shares (diluted)

685.9

685.9

685.9

680.4

680.4

680.4

Number of shares (basic)

685.9

685.9

685.9

680.4

680.4

680.4

Adjusted diluted (cents)

2.3

(1.5)

0.8

(3.1)

8.8

5.7

Adjusted basic (cents)

2.3

(1.5)

0.8

(3.1)

8.8

5.7


Basic loss per share for the year was 16.1 cents (2022: 52.4 cents). The reduction in loss per share is driven by lower exceptional items, net of tax in the continuing Group. The adjusted earnings per share was 0.8 cents (2022: 5.7 cents). The decline in the year mainly reflects the absence of Built Environment Consulting. This measure excludes exceptional items, amortisation of acquired intangibles and all related tax charges and credits. A reconciliation of adjusted EBIT to adjusted EPS is shown on page 14.

 

Capital allocation

We look to manage our target leverage over the medium term within a range of around 0.5 to 1.5 times net debt (excluding leases) to adjusted EBITDA (pre-IFRS 16). Beyond this, we consider how best to create value for our shareholders from dividends, share buybacks or attractive acquisitions.

Cash flow and net debt

The cash flow for the year is set out below and includes both continuing and discontinued operations:

 


Excluding leases

2023

(unaudited)

 

$m

Impact of Leases

2023

(unaudited)

 

$m

Total

2023

 

(unaudited)

 

$m

Excluding leases

2022

 

 

 

$m

Impact of Leases

2022

 

 

$m

Total

2022

 

 

 

$m

Adjusted EBITDA

301.4

111.1

412.5

337.0

121.0

458.0

Less JV EBITDA

(66.4)

(7.2)

(73.6)

(50.8)

(7.7)

(58.5)

JV Dividends

15.6

-

15.6

30.1

-

30.1

Adjusted decrease in provisions (note 6)

(22.1)

-

(22.1)

(43.7)

-

(43.7)

Other

18.7

(1.7)

17.0

28.1

-

28.1

Cash flow generated from operations pre working capital

 

247.2

 

102.2

 

349.4

 

300.7

 

113.3

 

414.0

Adjusted increase in receivables (note 6)

(67.7)

-

(67.7)

(97.5)

-

(97.5)

Adjusted increase/(decrease) in payables (note 6)

12.7

-

12.7

(267.6)

-

(267.6)

Decrease/(increase) in inventory

1.5

-

1.5

(1.6)

-

(1.6)

Adjusted working capital movements

(53.5)

-

(53.5)

(366.7)

-

(366.7)

Adjusted cash generated /(outflow) from operations (note 6)

193.7

102.2

295.9

(66.0)

113.3

47.3

Purchase of property, plant and equipment

(18.8)

-

(18.8)

(27.6)

-

(27.6)

Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment

8.2

-

8.2

7.1

-

7.1

Purchase of intangible assets

(126.4)

-

(126.4)

(109.2)

-

(109.2)

Interest received

1.1

-

1.1

4.5

-

4.5

Interest paid

(81.7)

-

(81.7)

(98.1)

-

(98.1)

Tax paid

(97.7)

-

(97.7)

(81.9)

-

(81.9)

Non-cash movement in leases

-

(160.9)

(160.9)

-

(41.7)

(41.7)

Other

1.4

-

1.4

(14.2)

(6.3)

(20.5)

Free cash flow (excluding exceptionals)

(120.2)

(58.7)

(178.9)

 

(385.4)

65.3

(320.1)

Cash exceptionals

(145.0)

11.1

 

(133.9)

(318.8)

14.6

(304.2)

Free cash flow

(265.2)

(47.6)

(312.8)

(704.2)

79.9

(624.3)

FX movements on cash and debt facilities

 

(12.6)

 

(10.3)

 

(22.9)

 

(25.4)

 

27.0

 

1.6

Divestments

(22.5)

-

(22.5)

1,729.4

-

1,729.4

(Increase)/decrease in net debt

(300.3)

(57.9)

(358.2)

999.8

106.9

1,106.7








Opening net debt

(393.2)

(342.9)

(736.1)

(1,393.0)

(449.8)

(1,842.8)

Closing net debt

(693.5)

(400.8)

(1,094.3)

(393.2)

(342.9)

(736.1)








Closing net debt at 31 December 2023 including leases was $1,094.3 million (2022: $736.1 million). Included within closing net debt is the IFRS 16 lease liability which is the net present value of the lease payments that are not paid at the commencement date of the lease and subsequently increased by the interest cost and reduced by the lease payment made. The lease liability as at 31 December 2023 was $400.8 million (2022: $342.9 million), with the increase primarily relating to a new office campus in Reading, UK that replaced a previous location. All covenants on the debt facilities are measured on a pre-IFRS 16 basis.

 

Closing net debt excluding leases as at 31 December 2023 was $693.5 million (2022: $393.2 million). The monthly average net debt excluding leases in 2023 was $846.4 million (2022: $1,489.1 million). The cash balance and undrawn portion of the Group's committed banking facilities can fluctuate throughout the year. Around the covenant remeasurement dates of 30 June and 31 December the Group's net debt excluding leases is typically lower than the monthly averages due mainly to a strong focus on collection of receipts from customers.

 

Cash generated from operations pre-working capital reduced by $64.6 million to $349.4 million from $414.0 million in the year to December 2023 reflecting increased EBITDA from continuing operations more than offset by EBITDA from the business sold in 2022. It includes a decrease in provisions of $22.1 million which is mainly explained by utilisations of the provision in the year. New provisions created through EBITDA were largely offset by releases to EBITDA. The releases in 2023 are driven by the Group concluding on a number of historic project related and insurance provisions which are no longer considered necessary following resolution of the disputes or the underlying risk. New provisions primarily relate to insurance and various individually immaterial project provisions. The other movement of $17.0 million (2022: $28.1 million) is principally comprised of non-cash movements through EBITDA including share-based charges of $19.6 million (2022: $20.7 million), FX movements of $3.1 million (2022: $8.1 million) and non-cash gains on disposal of the Gulf of Mexico assets, right of use assets and property, plant and equipment of $2.0 million, $1.7 million and $2.6 million respectively.

 

There was a working capital outflow of $53.5 million (2022: $366.7 million). The outflow in receivables of $67.7 million was driven by an increase to revenue in 2023 and higher closing days sales outstanding ("DSO") leading to higher trade receivables and gross amounts due from customers. The trade and other payables balance is broadly consistent with 2022, resulting in a working capital inflow in the year due to payables of $12.7 million.

 

The Group has receivables financing facilities totalling $200.0 million. The amount utilised at 31 December 2023 was $198.2 million (2022: $200.0 million). The facilities are non-recourse to the Group and are not included in our net debt. 

 

Cash exceptionals including lease movements reduced by $170.3 million to $133.9 million as the Group continues to reduce its exposure to legacy contracts. Payments made during 2023 mainly relate to the settlement of known legal claims and asbestos payments. These include the historic SFO investigation payments of $38 million which were provided for in 2020 and net asbestos payments of around $40 million. The remaining cash exceptionals mainly relates to the legacy Aegis contract of $27 million and other legacy contracts of $12 million.

 

The other reduction in net debt of $1.4 million (2022: increase of $20.5 million) is principally comprised of the movements in accrued bank interest and prepaid debt facility costs which are included within net debt.

 

The free cash outflow of $312.8 million (2022: $624.3 million) was lower than in 2022, largely due to the $170.3 million improvement in cash exceptionals and improved working capital performance of $313.2 million. This was offset mainly by an increase in the non-cash movement in leases totalling $160.9 million (2022: $41.7 million) driven by significant lease renewals in the year, an increase of $17.2 million related to the purchase of intangible assets, including software and investment in ERP improvements throughout the Group and an increase in tax paid of $15.8 million following conclusion of a number of uncertain tax provisions.

 

A net cash outflow from divestments of $22.5 million includes final proceeds from the disposal of the Built Environment Consulting ($27.1 million) and proceeds from the sale of the Gulf of Mexico business ($17.5 million). These are offset by taxes paid on the Built Environment Consulting disposal of $65.0 million and professional costs incurred on the disposal of Built Environment Consulting of $2.1 million.

 

Operating cash conversion, before capital expenditure, calculated as cash generated from operations as a percentage of adjusted EBITDA (less JV EBITDA) increased to 87.3% (2022: 11.8%) primarily due improved working capital performance.

Summary balance sheet

 

 


2023

(unaudited)

2022

$m

$m

Goodwill and intangible assets

4,319.0

4,309.1

Right of use assets

355.9

276.0

Other non-current assets

913.9

918.0

Trade and other receivables

1,554.4

1,545.0

Net held for sale assets and liabilities (excluding cash)

-

0.4

Trade and other payables

(1,706.7)

(1,687.6)

Net debt excluding leases

(693.5)

(393.2)

Lease liabilities

(400.8)

(342.9)

Asbestos related litigation

(306.5)

(311.4)

Provisions

(135.3)

(148.3)

Other net liabilities

(258.5)

(435.6)

Net assets

3,641.9

3,729.5




Net current liabilities

(207.0)

(235.0)

 

At 31 December 2023, the Group had net current liabilities of $207.0 million (2022: $235.0 million).

 

Goodwill and intangible assets amount to $4,319.0 million (2022: $4,309.1 million) and principally comprises of goodwill and intangibles relating to acquisitions. The increase of $9.9 million comprises of software additions of $131.0 million and FX movements of $53.6 million offset by amortisation charges of $159.7 million and $15.0 million of goodwill disposed following sale of Gulf of Mexico assets.

 

Right of use assets and lease liabilities amount to $355.9 million (2022: $276.0 million) and $400.8 million (2022: $342.9 million) respectively.  The increase in both the right of use asset and lease liability primarily relates to a new office campus in Reading, UK contributing to around $68 million and $64 million respectively.

 

Trade and other receivables increased to $1,554.4 million reflecting the increased revenues compared with 2022 and a higher DSO. Trade and other payables increased to $1,706.7 million also reflecting the increasing activity levels and follows the normalisation of the balance as at December 2022.

 

Largely as a result of the acquisition of AFW, the Group is subject to claims by individuals who allege that they have suffered personal injury from exposure to asbestos primarily in connection with equipment allegedly manufactured by certain subsidiaries during the 1970s or earlier. The overwhelming majority of claims that have been made and are expected to be made are in the USA. The asbestos related litigation provision amounts to $306.5 million (2022: $311.4 million).

 

The net asbestos liability at 31 December 2023 amounted to $328.1 million (2022: $335.4 million) and comprised $306.5 million in provisions (2022: $311.4 million) and $50.4 million in trade and other payables (2022: $59.5 million) less $23.2 million in long term receivables (2022: $24.4 million) and $5.6 million in trade and other receivables (2022: $11.1 million).

The Group expects to have net cash outflows of approximately $35 million as a result of asbestos liability indemnity and defence payments in excess of insurance proceeds during 2024. The Group has worked with its independent asbestos valuation experts to estimate the amount of asbestos related indemnity and defence costs at each year end based on a forecast to 2050.

 

Other provisions as at December 2023 were $135.3 million (2022: $148.3 million) and comprise project related provisions of $42.2 million (2022: $63.3 million), insurance provisions of $40.7 million (2022: $46.2 million), property provisions of $27.4 million (2022: $26.0 million) and litigation related provisions of $25.0 million (2022: $12.8 million).

 

Full details of provisions are provided in notes 21 and 22 to the condensed financial statements.

 

Pensions

The Group operates a number of defined benefit pension schemes in the UK and US, alongside a number of defined contribution plans. At 31 December 2023, the UK defined benefit pension plan had a surplus of $391.9 million (2022: $432.4 million) and other schemes had deficits totalling $80.1 million (2022: $73.2 million).

The Group's largest pension scheme, the UK Pension Plan, has total scheme assets of $2,822.5 million (2022: $2,690.1 million) and pension scheme obligations of $2,430.6 million (2022: $2,257.7 million) and is therefore 116% (2022: 119%) funded on an IAS 19 basis. There was an increase in scheme liabilities arising from a lower discount rate used in the actuarial assumptions, which is partially offset by an increase in scheme assets. 

In assessing the potential liabilities, judgement is required to determine the assumptions for inflation, discount rate and member longevity. The assumptions at 31 December 2023 showed a small reduction in the discount rate which results in higher scheme liabilities resulting in an overall decrease to the surplus compared to December 2022. Full details of pension assets and liabilities are provided in note 33 to the condensed financial statements.

The UK defined benefit pension plan was estimated to have a surplus on a Technical Provisions basis at the last triennial valuation date which was 31 March 2023 subject to finalisation of the valuation during 2024. The Group is currently working closely with the Trustee to agree on a preferred direction regarding the future of the plan. Options being assessed include moving to a buy-in insured basis and eventual buy-out with a third party as soon as is reasonably practical, or to continue to run the WPP for a limited number of years to potentially generate further surplus. Any surplus could benefit both the Group and pension members, ensuring that appropriate safeguards for both the funding position and members' interests are taken into account at all times.

 

Contingent liabilities

Details of the Group's contingent liabilities are set out in note 34 to the condensed financial statements.

Divestments

The final proceeds from the disposal of the Built Environmental Consulting business were agreed during 2023 upon agreement of the completion balance sheet between the Group and WSP. This has resulted in an additional gain of $31.0 million, comprising largely of $27.1 million of cash proceeds and the release of completion accruals being recognised in discontinued operations.

 

Notes

1.    A reconciliation of operating profit/(loss) to adjusted EBITDA is presented in table below and is a key unit of measurement used by the Group in the management of its business.


 2023

2022


(unaudited)

(re-presented)


$m

$m

Operating profit/(loss) per income statement

37.5

(565.2)

Share of joint venture finance expense and tax (note 13)

16.3

14.3

Exceptional items (note 5)

76.7

663.5

Amortisation (including joint ventures)

161.1

153.4

Depreciation (including joint ventures)

26.2

29.3

Depreciation of right of use assets

103.1

90.5

Impairment of joint venture investments and PP&E

1.8

2.4

Adjusted EBITDA (continuing operations)

422.7

388.2

 

 


Discontinued operation

 


Operating (loss)/profit (discontinued)

(15.2)

63.1

Exceptional items (note 7)

5.0

6.7

Adjusted EBITDA (discontinued operation)

(10.2)

69.8

Total Group Adjusted EBITDA

412.5

458.0

 

2.    Adjusted diluted earnings per share (AEPS) is calculated by dividing earnings attributable to owners before exceptional items and amortisation relating to acquisitions, net of tax, by the weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue during the period, excluding shares held by the Group's employee share ownership trusts and is adjusted to assume conversion of all potentially dilutive ordinary shares. AEPS on continuing operations excludes the adjusted loss from discontinued operations, net of tax of $10.2 million (2022: profit of $60.2 million).  In 2023, AEPS was not adjusted to assume conversion of all potentially dilutive ordinary shares because the unadjusted result is a loss.

3.    Number of people includes both employees and contractors at 31 December 2023.

4.    Net debt to adjusted EBITDA cover on a covenant basis is presented in the table below:

 

 

2023

(unaudited)

2022

 

$m

$m

Net debt excluding lease liabilities (reported basis) (note 31)

693.5

393.2

Covenant adjustments

17.7

16.2

Net debt (covenant basis)

711.2

409.4

Adjusted EBITDA (covenant basis)

341.2

315.1

Net debt to Adjusted EBITDA (covenant basis) - times

2.08

1.3

 

Adjusted EBITDA (covenant basis) is on a rolling 12 month period and excludes adjusted EBITDA from the discontinued operation and the impact of applying IFRS 16. The funding agreements require that covenants are calculated by applying IAS 17 rather than IFRS 16. The covenant adjustment to net debt relates to finance leases which would be on the balance sheet if applying IAS 17. Note: the covenant basis shown above refers to the measure as calculated for our RCF. The measure used for our USPP senior loan notes is not materially different from the covenant measure shown above.

 

5.    Interest cover on a covenant basis is presented in the table below:

 

 

2023

(unaudited)

2022

 

$m

$m

Net finance expense

81.5

109.8

Covenant adjustments

(1.2)

(4.8)

Non-recurring net finance expense

(1.9)

(37.5)

Net finance expense (covenant basis)

78.4

67.5

Adjusted EBITA (covenant basis)

315.0

285.9

Interest cover (covenant basis) - times

4.0

4.2

The difference between adjusted EBITDA (covenant basis) and adjusted EBITA (covenant basis) is $26.2 million (2022: $29.2 million) and is mainly explained by 12-month rolling pre-IFRS 16 depreciation charges of $26.2 million (2022: $29.3 million).

 

6.    Reconciliation to GAAP measures between consolidated cash flow statement and cash flow and net debt reconciliation

 

2023

(unaudited)

2022

 

$m

$m

Decrease in provisions

(91.0)

(123.1)

Prior year cash exceptionals

68.9

79.4

Adjusted movement in provisions

(22.1)

(43.7)

 

 


Increase in receivables

(77.5)

(97.5)

Carrying value of business disposed (operating activity)

9.8

-

Adjusted increase in receivables

(67.7)

(97.5)

 

 


Decrease in payables

(54.4)

(398.9)

Prior year cash exceptionals

67.1

131.3

Adjusted increase/(decrease) in payables

12.7

(267.6)

 

 


Tax paid

(97.7)

(103.9)

Tax paid on disposal of business

-

22.0

Adjusted tax paid

(97.7)

(81.9)


 


Disposal of businesses (net of cash disposed and tax paid)

(22.5)

1,751.4

Tax paid on disposal of business

-

(22.0)

Divestments

(22.5)

1,729.4

 

Proceeds from disposal of investment in joint ventures

15.9

-

Proceeds on disposal of business (operating activity)

(15.9)

-

Adjusted disposal of investment in joint ventures

-

-

 

 

Adjusted cash generated from operations

295.9

47.3

Cash exceptionals

(133.9)

(304.2)

Proceeds on disposal of business (operating activity)

(15.9)

-

Cash generated from/(used in) operations

146.1

(256.9)

Proceeds on disposal of business (operating activity)

15.9

-

Purchase of property, plant and equipment

(18.8)

(27.6)

Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment

8.2

7.1

Purchase of intangible assets

(126.4)

(109.2)

Interest received

1.1

4.5

Interest paid

(81.7)

(98.1)

 Tax paid

(97.7)

(81.9)

Non-cash movement in leases

(160.9)

(41.7)

Other

1.4

(20.5)

Free cash flow

(312.8)

(624.3)

 

Decreases in provisions, receivables and payables, cash generated from operations and tax paid have been adjusted to show exceptional items separately to present significant items separately from the rest of the cash flow either by virtue of size or nature and reflects how the Group evaluates cash performance of the business.

Prior year cash exceptionals is defined as cash payments made in the current period in respect of amounts provided for in prior periods.

The proceeds on disposal of business represents the sale of a joint venture contained within Investment Services. Management consider this as part of Investment Services trading activity and therefore is included within adjusted cash generated from operations. 

 

 

 

Consolidated income statement

for the year to 31 December 2023


 

2023 (unaudited)

2022 (re-presented*)


Note

Pre-exceptional items

$m

Exceptional items

$m

Total

$m

Pre-exceptional
items

$m

Exceptional
items

$m

Total

$m

Continuing operations








Revenue

1,2,5

5,900.7

                          -

5,900.7

5,469.3

(8.0)

5,461.3

Cost of sales

5

(5,191.1)

(24.7)

(5,215.8)

(4,800.6)

(17.0)

(4,817.6)



 

 

 




Gross profit


709.6

(24.7)

684.9

668.7

(25.0)

643.7

Administrative expenses

5

(614.4)

(31.6)

(646.0)

(600.8)

(96.2)

(697.0)

Impairment loss on trade receivables and contract assets


(23.8)

(20.4)

(44.2)

-

-

-

Impairment of goodwill and intangible assets

5

-

-

-

-

(542.3)

(542.3)

Share of post-tax profit from joint ventures

13

42.8

-

42.8

30.4

-

30.4



 

 

 




Operating profit/(loss)


114.2

(76.7)

37.5

98.3

(663.5)

(565.2)



 

 

 




Finance income

3

19.4

-

19.4

6.9

-

6.9

Finance expense

3,5

(108.5)

(11.1)

(119.6)

(127.2)

(5.9)

(133.1)

Profit/(loss) before taxation from continuing operations

4,5

25.1

(87.8)

(62.7)

(22.0)

(669.4)

(691.4)



 

 

 




Taxation

5,6

(54.6)

(10.4)

(65.0)

(47.3)

36.4

(10.9)



 

 

 




Loss for the year from continuing operations


(29.5)

(98.2)

(127.7)

(69.3)

(633.0)

(702.3)

Discontinued operation


 

 

 




(Loss)/profit from discontinued operations, net of tax

7

(10.2)

32.7

22.5

60.2

290.4

350.6

Loss for the year


(39.7)

(65.5)

(105.2)

(9.1)

(342.6)

(351.7)

 

(Loss)/profit attributable to:


 

 

 




Owners of the parent


(45.2)

(65.5)

(110.7)

(13.7)

(342.6)

(356.3)

Non-controlling interests

30

5.5

-

5.5

4.6

-

4.6



(39.7)

(65.5)

(105.2)

(9.1)

(342.6)

(351.7)

Earnings per share (expressed in cents per share)


 

 

 




Basic

9

 

 

(16.1)



(52.4)

Diluted

9

 

 

(16.1)



(52.4)

Earnings per share - continuing operations (expressed in cents per share)


 

 

 




Basic

9

 

 

(19.4)



(103.9)

Diluted

9

 

 

(19.4)



(103.9)



* The comparative information has been re-presented in line with the requirements of IFRS 5, paragraph 36, due to the reclassification of Built Environment Consulting Saudi Arabia from discontinued into continuing operations following a decision not to dispose of that business (note 7).

 

 

Consolidated statement of comprehensive income/expense

for the year to 31 December 2023


Note

2023

(unaudited)

$m

2022

*restated

$m

 

Loss for the year

 

 

 

(105.2)

 

(351.7)



 


Other comprehensive (expense)/income from continuing operations


 




 


Items that will not be reclassified to profit or loss


 


Re-measurement (losses)/gains on retirement benefit obligations

33

(82.2)

168.0

Movement in deferred tax relating to retirement benefit obligations

6

18.0

(41.6)

Total items that will not be reclassified to profit or loss


(64.2)

126.4

 


 


Items that may be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss


 


Cash flow hedges

29

3.8

5.1

Tax on derivative financial instruments

6

(0.4)

(1.7)

Exchange movements on retranslation of foreign operations

29

58.2

(165.1)

Total items that may be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss


61.6

(161.7)



 


Other comprehensive expense from continuing operations for the year, net of tax


(2.6)

(35.3)



 


Other comprehensive (expense)/income from discontinued operations


 




 


Re-measurement gains on retirement benefit schemes

33

-

2.9

Net exchange movements on disposal of foreign currency operations*


-

54.5

Exchange movements on retranslation of foreign operations

29

-

(57.9)



 


Other comprehensive expense from discontinued operations for the year, net of tax


-

(0.5)



 


Total comprehensive expense for the year


(107.8)

(387.5)



 


Total comprehensive expense for the year is attributable to:


 


Owners of the parent


(113.3)

(392.1)

Non-controlling interests


5.5

4.6



 




(107.8)

(387.5)


Exchange movements on the retranslation of foreign operations could be subsequently reclassified to profit or loss in the event of the disposal of a business.

* Based on the requirements of IAS 1 Presentation of Financial Statements, the net exchange movements on disposal of foreign currency operations of $54.5m should have been deducted from the statement of comprehensive income and expense for the year ending 31 December 2022, and the prior year comparative has been adjusted to reflect this.   This matter came to the attention of the directors following the Financial Reporting Council's Corporate Reporting Review Team ("FRC") enquiry.  The reclassification adjustment had no impact on loss for the year, cash flows or any of the balance sheet captions in the current or prior period.

 

 

Consolidated balance sheet

as at 31 December 2023


Note

 

2023

(unaudited)

$m

2022

$m

Assets




Non-current assets




Goodwill and other intangible assets

10

4,319.0

4,309.1

Property plant and equipment

11

65.3

82.4

Right of use assets

12

355.9

276.0

Investment in joint ventures

13

178.1

156.5

Other investments

13

51.3

56.0

Long term receivables

15

184.2

129.5

Retirement benefit scheme surplus

33

391.9

432.4

Deferred tax assets

23

43.1

61.2



5,588.8

5,503.1

Current assets




Inventories

14

16.3

11.1

Trade and other receivables

15

1,554.4

1,545.0

Financial assets

15

9.2

10.8

Income tax receivable


57.9

40.7

Assets held for sale


-

21.0

Cash and cash equivalents

16

434.0

536.7



2,071.8

2,165.3

Total assets


7,660.6

7,668.4

 




Liabilities




Current liabilities




Borrowings

18

315.3

345.9

Trade and other payables

17

1,706.7

1,687.6

Income tax liabilities


115.8

218.1

Lease liabilities

12

83.4

83.2

Provisions

22

57.6

44.9

Liabilities held for sale


-

20.6



2,278.8

2,400.3

Net current liabilities


(207.0)

(235.0)





Non-current liabilities




Borrowings

18

812.2

584.0

Deferred tax liabilities

23

76.6

100.1

Retirement benefit scheme deficit

33

80.1

73.2

Lease liabilities

12

317.4

259.7

Other non-current liabilities

19

69.4

106.8

Asbestos related litigation

21

306.5

311.4

Provisions

22

77.7

103.4



1,739.9

1,538.6

Total liabilities


4,018.7

3,938.9

Net assets


3,641.9

3,729.5

 

Equity attributable to owners of the parent




Share capital

25

41.3

41.3

Share premium

26

63.9

63.9

Retained earnings

27

1,312.9

1,224.4

Merger reserve

28

2,298.8

2,540.8

Other reserves

29

(80.4)

(142.4)

Total equity attributable to owners of the parent


3,636.5

3,728.0

Non-controlling interests

30

5.4

1.5

Total equity


3,641.9

3,729.5

 

 

 

Consolidated statement of changes in equity

for the year to 31 December 2023

 

 

 

 

*restated

 

 

 

 

Note

 

 

Share

capital

$m

 

 

Share

premium

$m

 

 

Retained

earnings

$m

 

 

Merger reserve

$m

 

 

Other

reserves

$m

Equity attributable to owners of the parent

$m

 

Non-

controlling

interests

$m

 

 

Total

equity

$m

At 1 January 2022


41.3

63.9

1,415.0

2,540.8

21.0

4,082.0

3.3

4,085.3











(Loss)/Profit for the year


-

-

(356.3)

-

-

(356.3)

4.6

(351.7)

Other comprehensive income/(expense):










Re-measurement gains on retirement benefit schemes

33

-

-

168.0

-

-

168.0

-

168.0

Re-measurement gains on retirement benefit schemes (discontinued)

33

 

-

 

-

 

2.9

 

-

 

-

 

2.9

 

-

 

2.9

Movement in deferred tax relating to retirement benefit schemes

6

 

-

 

-

 

(41.6)

 

-

 

-

 

(41.6)

 

-

 

(41.6)

Cash flow hedges

29

-

-

-

-

5.1

5.1

-

5.1

Tax on derivative financial instruments

6

-

-

(1.7)

-

-

(1.7)

-

(1.7)

Net exchange movements on retranslation of foreign operations

29

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

(165.1)

 

(165.1)

 

-

 

(165.1)

Net exchange movements on disposal of foreign currency operations*

29

-

-

-

-

54.5

54.5

-

54.5

Net exchange movements on retranslation of foreign operations (discontinued)

29

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

(57.9)

 

(57.9)

 

-

 

(57.9)

Total comprehensive (expense)/income for the year*


-

-

(228.7)

-

(163.4)

(392.1)

4.6

(387.5)

Transactions with owners:










Dividends paid

8,30

-

-

-

-

-

-

(1.1)

(1.1)

Credit relating to share based charges

24

-

-

20.7

-

-

20.7

-

20.7

Deferred tax impact of rate change in equity

6

-

-

(0.8)

-

-

(0.8)

-

(0.8)

Other tax movements in equity

6

-

-

(1.3)

-

-

(1.3)

-

(1.3)

Exchange movements in respect of shares held by employee share trusts

27

 

-

 

-

 

12.5

 

-

 

-

 

12.5

 

-

 

12.5

Purchase of company shares by Employee Share Trust for the Share Incentive Plan (SIP)

27

 

-

 

-

 

1.7

 

-

 

-

 

1.7

 

-

 

1.7

Transactions with non-controlling interests

30

-

-

5.3

-

-

5.3

(5.3)

-

At 31 December 2022


41.3

63.9

1,224.4

2,540.8

(142.4)

3,728.0

1.5

3,729.5

 










 

* Based on the requirements of IAS 1 Presentation of Financial Statements, the net exchange movements on disposal of foreign currency operations of $54.5m should have been deducted from the statement of comprehensive income and expense for the year ending 31 December 2022.  Within the Consolidated statement of changes in equity, the $54.5m was previously presented as a transaction with owners and so has been reclassified to total comprehensive income and expense.   This matter came to the attention of the directors following the Financial Reporting Council's Corporate Reporting Review Team ("FRC") enquiry.  The reclassification adjustment had no impact on loss for the year, cash flows or any of the balance sheet captions in the current or prior period.

 

 

 

 

 

(unaudited)

 

 

 

 

Note

 

 

Share

capital

$m

 

 

Share

premium

$m

 

 

Retained

earnings

$m

 

 

Merger reserve

$m

 

 

Other

reserves

$m

Equity attributable to owners of the parent

$m

 

Non-

controlling

interests

$m

 

 

Total

equity

$m

At 1 January 2023


41.3

63.9

1,224.4

2,540.8

(142.4)

3,728.0

1.5

3,729.5











(Loss)/Profit for the year


-

-

(110.7)

-

-

(110.7)

5.5

(105.2)

Other comprehensive income/(expense):










Re-measurement losses on retirement benefit schemes

33

 

-

 

-

 

(82.2)

 

-

 

-

 

(82.2)

 

-

 

(82.2)

Movement in deferred tax relating to retirement benefit schemes

6

 

-

 

-

 

18.0

 

-

 

-

 

18.0

 

-

 

18.0

Cash flow hedges

29

-

-

-

-

3.8

3.8

-

3.8

Tax on derivative financial instruments

6

-

-

(0.4)

-

-

(0.4)

-

(0.4)

Net exchange movements on retranslation of foreign operations

29

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

58.2

 

58.2

 

-

 

58.2

Total comprehensive (expense)/income for the year


-

-

(175.3)

-

62.0

(113.3)

5.5

(107.8)

Transactions with owners:










Dividends paid

8,30

-

-

-

-

-

-

(1.6)

(1.6)

Credit relating to share based charges

24

-

-

19.6

-

-

19.6

-

19.6

Deferred tax impact of rate change in equity

6

-

-

0.7

-

-

0.7

-

0.7

Other tax movements in equity

6

-

-

(0.1)

-

-

(0.1)

-

(0.1)

Purchase of company shares by Employee Share Trust for the Share Incentive Plan (SIP)

 

27

 

-

 

-

 

1.6

 

-

 

-

 

1.6

 

-

 

1.6

Transfer from merger reserve to retained earnings

28

-

-

242.0

(242.0)

-

-

-

-

At 31 December 2023


41.3

63.9

1,312.9

2,298.8

(80.4)

3,636.5

5.4

3,641.9










 

During 2023, John Wood Group Holdings Limited paid $242.0m to John Wood Group PLC in a partial settlement of the promissory note, which was put in place during 2019. The repayment represented qualifying consideration and as a result the Company transferred an equivalent portion of the merger reserve to retained earnings.                                                    

Other reserves include the capital redemption reserve, capital reduction reserve, currency translation reserve and the hedging reserve.

 

 

Consolidated cash flow statement

for the year to 31 December 2023

 


Note

         2023

(unaudited)

$m

2022

$m

Reconciliation of loss to cash generated from operations:




Loss for the period


(105.2)

(351.7)





Adjustments:




Depreciation

11

21.0

25.2

Depreciation on right of use assets

12

95.2

82.3

Gain on disposal of leases


(1.7)

-

Gain on disposal of property plant and equipment

4

(2.6)

(1.6)

Impairment of goodwill and intangible assets

10

-

542.3

Impairment of property, plant and equipment

11

1.8

0.4

Impairment of joint ventures

13

-

2.0

Gain on disposal of investment in joint ventures

13

(6.2)

-

Amortisation of intangible assets

10

159.7

151.9

Share of post-tax profit from joint ventures

13

(42.8)

(30.4)

Gain on disposal of business


(33.0)

(514.5)

Net finance costs

3

100.2

127.9

Share based charges

24

19.6

20.7

Decrease in provisions and employee benefits


(91.0)

(123.1)

Dividends from joint ventures

13

15.6

30.1

Other exceptional items - non-cash impact

1

84.5

35.3

Tax charge

6

58.3

236.2





Changes in working capital (excluding effect of acquisition and divestment of subsidiaries)




Decrease/(increase)in inventories


1.5

(1.6)

Increase in receivables


(77.5)

(97.5)

Decrease in payables


(54.4)

(398.9)





Exchange movements


3.1

8.1









Cash generated from / (used in) operations


146.1

(256.9)

Tax paid


(97.7)

(103.9)





Net cash generated from / (used in) operating activities


48.4

(360.8)





Cash flows from investing activities




Disposal of businesses (net of cash disposed and tax paid)


(22.5)

1,751.4

Proceeds from disposal of investment in joint ventures

13

15.9

-

Purchase of property plant and equipment

11

(18.8)

(27.6)

Proceeds from sale of property plant and equipment


8.2

7.1

Purchase of intangible assets

10

(126.4)

(109.2)

Interest received

3

1.1

4.5





Net cash (used in) / generated from investing activities


(142.5)

1,626.2





 

Cash flows from financing activities




Repayment of short-term borrowings

31

(133.5)

(35.0)

Proceeds from short-term borrowings

31

-

88.0

Proceeds from long term borrowings

31

515.0

-

Repayment of long-term borrowings

31

(200.0)

(1,039.1)

Payment of lease liabilities

31

(113.3)

(121.6)

Proceeds from SIP shares

27

1.6

1.7

Interest paid


(81.7)

(98.1)

Dividends paid to non-controlling interests

30

(1.6)

(1.1)





Net cash used in financing activities


(13.5)

(1,205.2)





Net (decrease) / increase in cash and cash equivalents

31

(107.6)

60.2





Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

31

4.9

(26.5)





Opening cash and cash equivalents


536.7

503.0





Closing cash and cash equivalents

16

434.0

536.7


Cash at bank and in hand at 31 December 2023 includes $127.7m (2022: $328.4m) that is part of the Group's cash pooling arrangements. For internal reporting and for the purposes of the calculation of interest by the bank, this amount is netted with short-term overdrafts. However, in preparing these financial statements, the Group is required to gross up both its cash and short-term borrowings figures by this amount. Movement in short-term overdrafts are presented as part of the cash flows from financing activities as the overdraft facilities form part of the Group's financing.

The proceeds from long-term borrowings of $515.0m reflects the increased utilisation of the long-term revolving credit facility and the new $200.0m term loan which was issued in December 2023.  The new term loan of $200.0m led to the early repayment of the UKEF loan.

Payment of lease liabilities includes the cash payments for the principal portion of lease payments of $94.6m (2022: $103.7m) and for the interest portion of $18.7m (2022: $17.9m).  The classification of interest paid within financing activities is in line with the Group accounting policy.

The Group has elected to present a cash flow statement that includes an analysis of all cash flows in total, including both continuing and discontinued operations. Amounts related to the discontinued operation by operating, investing and financing activities are disclosed in note 7.

Included in the disposal of businesses are proceeds received of $27.1m relating to the sale of Built Environment Consulting and $17.5m on the Gulf of Mexico asset sale, offset by $65.0m of tax paid and $2.1m professional fees.

 

 

General information

John Wood Group PLC, its subsidiaries and joint ventures, ('the Group') delivers comprehensive services to support its customers across the complete lifecycle of their assets, from concept to decommissioning, across a range of energy and materials markets. Details of the Group's activities during the year are provided in the Strategic Report.  John Wood Group PLC is a public limited company, incorporated and domiciled in the United Kingdom and listed on the London Stock Exchange. Copies of the Group financial statements are available from the Company's registered office at Sir Ian Wood House, Hareness Road, Altens Industrial Estate, Aberdeen AB12 3LE.

The financial information in this announcement does not constitute the Company's statutory accounts for the years ended 31 December 2023 or 2022 but is derived from those accounts. Statutory accounts for 2022 have been delivered to the registrar of companies, and those for 2023 will be delivered in due course.

 The auditor had reported on the Company's statutory accounts for the year ended 31 December 2022 accounts; their reports were (i) unqualified, (ii) did not include a reference to any matters to which the auditor drew attention by way of emphasis without qualifying their report and (iii) did not contain a statement under section 498 (2) or (3) of the Companies Act 2006.

 The Company's statutory accounts for the year ended 31 December 2023 will be finalised on the basis of the financial information provided by the directors in this preliminary announcement and will be delivered to the registrar of companies in due course.

Accounting Policies

Basis of preparation

These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with UK-adopted international accounting standards. The condensed financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis under the historical cost convention as modified by the revaluation of financial assets and liabilities at fair value through the income statement. The financial statements are presented in US dollars and all values are rounded to the nearest $0.1m, unless otherwise stated.

Going concern

The directors have undertaken a rigorous assessment of going concern and liquidity over a period of at least 12 months from the date of approval of these financial statements (the going concern period), which includes financial forecasts up to the end of 2025 to reflect severe, but plausible scenarios.  The directors have considered as part of this assessment the impact of the events that happened post balance sheet date and up to the date of issue of these financial statements.

To satisfy themselves that the Group has adequate resources for the going concern assessment period, the directors have reviewed the Group's existing debt levels, the forecast compliance with debt covenants, and the Group's ability to generate cash from trading activities. As of 31 December 2023, the Group's principal debt facilities comprise a $1,200.0m revolving credit facility maturing in October 2026; a $200.0m term loan which matures in October 2026 and $352.5m of US private placement debt repayable in various tranches between July 2024 and July 2031, with around 75% due after the end of 2025.  The weighted average maturity of the Group's debt profile has been extended as a result of a new term loan being put in place which replaced an existing facility of the same value and that was due to mature in September 2024.  At 31 December 2023, the Group had headroom of $843.1m under its principal debt facilities and a further $59.8m of other undrawn borrowing facilities. The Group also expects to have sufficient levels of headroom in the severe but plausible downside scenarios modelled.

At 31 December 2023, the Group had net current liabilities of $207.0m (2022: $235.0m).

The directors have considered a range of scenarios on the Group's future financial performance and cash flows. These scenarios reflect our outlook for the energy and materials end markets.  Energy includes oil and gas and the Group forecast growth in this area is underpinned by increased focus on energy security and decarbonisation of operations.  During 2023, for example, the Group secured a new long-term strategic partnership around the management of UK North Sea Operations and deployed the Group's expertise in decarbonisation, digitalisation and asset life extension to enhance an international energy company's global portfolio of assets.  Materials includes minerals, chemicals and life sciences which are underpinned by growing populations and global net zero ambitions.  The order book gives significant coverage over 2024 and 2025 revenues.  Further, the order book is 86% reimbursable which reflects the lower risk profile of the Group's forecast cash flows over the going concern period.

The directors have also considered severe, but plausible, downside scenarios which reflect material reductions in 2024 and 2025 revenue of 7% and 5% respectively and reductions of 1% in gross margin percentage from the base, board approved, scenario.  The directors believe that the additional reductions represent a severe, but plausible, downside case.  This could result from a worsening economic climate which could lead to unexpected deferrals or cancellations of contracts by our clients.  In each of the scenarios modelled, the financial covenants were passed with significant facility headroom remaining available. The interest cover covenant has increased levels of headroom after adjusting for the non-recurring interest related to facilities repaid and cancelled within the 12-month period up to 31 December 2023. The directors included the impact of the removal of the receivables financing facilities (which are not committed) of $200m in the base scenario and the impact of additional adverse movements in working capital as additional, more severe, downside scenarios.   The Group still had sufficient headroom to meet its liabilities as they fall due with these additional sensitivities.

Consequently, the directors are confident that the Group and company will have sufficient funds to continue to meet its liabilities as they fall due for at least 12 months from the date of approval of the financial statements and therefore have prepared the financial statements on a going concern basis.

 

Significant accounting policies

The Group's significant accounting policies adopted in the preparation of these financial statements are set out below. These policies have been consistently applied to all the years presented.

Critical accounting judgements and estimates

The preparation of the financial statements 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 revenue and expenses during the year. These estimates and judgements are based on management's best knowledge of the amount, event or actions and actual results ultimately may differ from those estimates. Group management believe that the estimates and assumptions listed below have a significant risk of resulting in a material adjustment to the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities.

                 (a)           Revenue recognition on fixed price and long-term contracts (estimate)

The Group has a large number of fixed price long-term contracts which are accounted for in accordance with IFRS 15 and require estimates to be made for contract revenue.  Fixed price contracts revenue from continuing operations amounted to $1,195.3m in 2023 (2022: $1,179.8m), and is comprised of several hundred individually immaterial contracts which are ongoing at any one point in time and these often span reporting periods and include small short duration consultancy contracts.  They are all at varying stages of completion and carry their own unique risks.  Hence, with the exception of the Aegis contract, which is described further in note 2, it is impracticable to provide any meaningful disclosure on the key sensitivities that would impact on revenue recognition, such as those outlined below.

Uncertainties include the estimation of:

Forecast costs to complete the contract

At the end of the reporting period the Group is required to estimate costs to complete on fixed price contracts based on the work to be performed after the reporting date, which may span more than one reporting period.  This involves an objective evaluation of project progress against the delivery schedule, evaluation of the work to be performed and the associated costs to fully deliver the contract to the customer and contingencies.  These factors are affected by a variety of uncertainties that depend on the outcome of future events, and so often need to be revised as events unfold, and therefore it is not practically possible to present these sensitivities which will be different across a large number of individually immaterial contracts.  The estimates from these contracts, in aggregate, could nevertheless have a possible material impact on revenue, cost of sales, gross amounts due to customers and gross amounts due from customers.

Recognition of revenue from variation orders ("VOs")

As contracts progress management may deem that the company is entitled to VOs increasing the contract price under the existing contracts (variable considerations).  In some instances, changes to the scope or requirements of a project equate to changing the contract in a way that entitles the Company to additional consideration (contract modifications).

 

Where VOs are linked to variable consideration management estimate the value of revenue to be recognised such that it is considered highly probable that a significant reversal in the amount of cumulative revenue recognised to date will not occur when the uncertainty associated with the VO is subsequently resolved.  This assessment is reconsidered at each reporting date.  The assessment is based on discussions with the customer and a range of factors, including contractual entitlement, prior experience of the customer and of similar contracts with other customers.

 

Where VOs are linked to contract modifications, management recognise associated revenue when such modifications are approved and when the company has an enforceable right to payment.  In cases where the price has not been agreed, management estimate the value of revenue to be recognised such that it is considered highly probable that a significant reversal in the amount of cumulative revenue recognised to date will not occur when the final price for the contract modification has been agreed.  The Group has governance processes in place, whereby unapproved variation orders in excess of $5m require approval by senior management.  As at the year end, there were two unapproved variation orders totalling $17m which were approved under this process. Revenue recognised in 2023 and 2022 associated with unapproved variation orders was immaterial.

 

On the Aegis contract, management deem that the Company is entitled to variable consideration under the existing contractual arrangements.  Only the proportion of this deemed entitlement that is assessed as highly probable is recognised as part of the revenue calculation.  The assessment of the proportion of the deemed entitlement to VOs that is considered to be highly probable is a judgement made by management in consultation with internal and external experts.  The amount of the accumulated recognised VOs in relation to the Aegis contract is material. 

 

Liquidated damages ("LDs")

LDs are designated damages (negative variable considerations) that are paid by the defaulting party in the event that certain contractual requirements are not met.  Management make an assessment of the value of LDs to be provided at the reporting date such that it is considered highly probable that a significant reversal in the amount of cumulative revenue recognised will not occur when the uncertainty associated with the LDs is subsequently resolved.  This initial assessment is reconsidered at each reporting date.  The assessment is based on a best estimate of the monetary amount of LDs payable which involves a number of management assumptions and judgements including discussions with the customer, contractual entitlement, prior experience of the customer, prior experience of similar contracts with other customers and other forms of documentary evidence.  Other than the Aegis contract, there were no other individually material contractual liquidated damages as at the year ended 31 December 2023.  On Aegis, given the delay in achieving completion, there is potential under the contract for LDs to be material, although we believe that we have strong arguments for extension of time and dispute how the damages are being applied.  As at 31 December 2023 management has assessed the extent to which LDs are likely to apply and these have been deducted from cumulative revenue recognised.  Refer to note 2 for further details of this contract.

Estimates are updated regularly, and significant changes are highlighted through established internal review procedures. The contract reviews focus on the timing and recognition of revenue including income from incentive payments, scope variations and claims.

See note 2 for further details.

(b)            Impairment of goodwill (estimate)

The Group carries out impairment reviews whenever events or changes in circumstance indicate that the carrying value of goodwill may not be recoverable. In addition, the Group carries out an annual impairment review.  Management expectations are formed in line with performance to date and experience, as well as available external market data. 

An impairment loss is recognised when the recoverable amount of goodwill is less than the carrying amount.  The impairment tests are carried out by CGU ('Cash Generating Unit') and reflect the latest Group budgets and forecasts as approved by the Board.  The budgets and forecasts are based on various assumptions relating to the Group's businesses including assumptions relating to market outlook, resource utilisation, contract awards and contract margins.  The outlook for the Group is discussed in the Chief Executive's Review.  The discount rate, revenue CAGR and long term growth rates are critical assumptions. Pre-tax discount rates of between 10.8% and 12.3% have been used to discount the CGU cash flows and a terminal value is applied using long term growth rates of 2.4%.  The revenue CAGR assumption ranges from 8.3% to 13.4%.  A sensitivity analysis has been performed allowing for possible changes to the key assumptions used in the impairment model.

See note 10 for further details.

                (c)            Provisions and contingent liabilities (judgement and estimate)

The Group records provisions where it has a present obligation (legal or constructive) as a result of a past event, it is probable that an outflow of resources will be required to settle the obligation and a reliable estimate of the obligation can be made.  Where the outcome is less than probable, but more than remote, or a reliable estimate cannot be made, no provision is recorded but a contingent liability is disclosed in the financial statements, if material.  The recording of provisions is an area which requires the exercise of management judgement relating to the nature, timing and probability of the liability and typically the Group's balance sheet includes contract provisions and provisions for pending legal issues.

As a result of the acquisition of Amec Foster Wheeler ("AFW") in 2017, the Group has acquired a significant asbestos related liability. Some of AFW's legacy US and UK subsidiaries are defendants in asbestos related lawsuits and there are out of court informal claims pending in both jurisdictions. Plaintiffs claim damages for personal injury alleged to have arisen from exposure to the use of asbestos in connection with work allegedly performed by subsidiary companies in the 1970s and earlier. The provision for asbestos liabilities is the Group's best estimate of the obligation required to settle claims up until 2050. Group policy is to record annual changes to the underlying gross estimates where they move by more than 5%.

The critical assumptions applied in determining the asbestos provision include: indemnity settlement amount, forecasted number of new claims, estimated defence costs and the discount rate.  The Group uses a blended yield curve rate to discount its asbestos liabilities. This rate is matched to the expected duration of the liabilities and the rate used at the end of December 2023 is 3.64%.

The Group's subsidiaries have been effective in managing the asbestos litigation, in part, because the Group has access to historical project documents and other business records going back more than 50 years, allowing it to defend itself by determining if the claimants were present at the location of the alleged asbestos exposure and, if so, the timing and extent of their presence.

The Group has recorded a $29.4m exceptional charge with respect to the asbestos liability in the period and is principally as a result of an updated actuarial review which updated the best estimate for recent claims experience and latest projections. Further details of the asbestos liabilities are provided in note 21 including a sensitivity analysis showing the impact of changes to the key assumptions.

                (d)            Retirement benefit schemes (estimate)

The value of the Group's retirement benefit schemes' surplus/deficit is determined on an actuarial basis using several assumptions. Changes in these assumptions will impact the carrying value of the surplus/deficit. A sensitivity analysis showing the impact of changes to these assumptions is provided in note 33. The principal assumptions that impact the carrying value are the discount rate, the inflation rate and life expectancy.  The Group determines the appropriate assumptions to be used in the actuarial valuations at the end of each financial year following consultation with the retirement benefit schemes' actuaries.  In determining the discount rate, consideration is given to the interest rates of high-quality corporate bonds in the currency in which the benefits will be paid and that have terms to maturity similar to those of the related retirement benefit obligation.  The inflation rate is derived from the yield curve used in deriving the discount rate and adjusted by an agreed risk premium. Assumptions regarding future mortality are based on published statistics and the latest available mortality tables. The Group, in conjunction with the schemes' actuaries, continues to monitor the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on mortality data. The tax rate applied to the surplus of the UK scheme is 25%, on the basis that there is no expectation that the manner of any future recovery would be in the form of a refund, which would be taxed at 35%.  Following the Authorised Surplus Payments Charge (Variation of Rate) Order 2024, the tax rate of 35% will be reduced to 25% from 6 April 2024.   As at the balance sheet date, there are no plans to request a refund and other avenues are being explored to use the surplus.  The technical surplus is not as large as the IAS 19 surplus and so there is a lower limit to what could be accessed in any event.

The majority of pension scheme assets have quoted prices in active markets. Scheme assets are revalued at least once per annum to reflect their fair value. Fair value is based on market price information. If this is not available, the most recent transaction price, revenue or earnings-based valuations using unobservable inputs may be used for level 3 investments in the fair value hierarchy. 

Further details of the assumptions and measurements outlined can be seen in note 33.

Basis of consolidation

The condensed financial statements are the result of the consolidation of the financial statements of the Group's subsidiary undertakings from the date of acquisition or up until the date of divestment as appropriate.  Subsidiaries are entities controlled by the Group. The Group 'controls' an entity when it is exposed to, or has rights to, variable returns from its involvement with the entity and has the ability to affect those returns through its power over the entity. All Group companies apply the Group's accounting policies and prepare financial statements to 31 December. Intra-group balances and transactions, and any unrealised income and expenses arising from intra-group transactions, are eliminated.

 

Joint ventures and joint operations

A joint venture is a type of joint arrangement where the parties to the arrangement share rights to its net assets.  A joint arrangement is an arrangement of which two or more parties have joint control.  Joint control is the contractually agreed arrangement which exists only when decisions about the relevant activities require unanimous consent of the parties sharing control. The considerations made in determining joint control are similar to those necessary to determine control over subsidiaries.

The Group's interests in joint ventures are accounted for using equity accounting.  Under the equity method, the investment in a joint venture is initially recognised at cost. The carrying amount of the investment is adjusted to recognise changes in the Group's share of net assets of the joint venture from the acquisition date. The results of the joint ventures are included in the consolidated financial statements from the date the joint control commences until the date that it ceases. The Group includes its share of joint venture profit on the line 'Share of post-tax profit from joint ventures' in the Group income statement and its share of joint venture net assets in the 'investment in joint ventures' line in the Group balance sheet. 

A joint operation is a joint arrangement whereby the parties that have joint control of the arrangement have rights to the assets and obligations for the liabilities relating to the arrangement. The Group accounts for joint operations by recognising the appropriate proportional share of revenue, expenses, assets and liabilities.

Presentational currency

The Group's earnings stream is primarily US dollars and the Group therefore uses the US dollar as its presentational currency.

The following exchange rates have been used in the preparation of these financial statements:


2023

2022




Average rate £1 = $

1.2425

1.2324

Closing rate £1 = $

1.2749

1.2029

Foreign currencies

In each individual entity, transactions in foreign currencies are translated into the relevant functional currency at the exchange rates ruling at the date of the transaction. Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are retranslated at the exchange rates ruling at the balance sheet date. Any exchange differences are taken to the income statement.

Income statements of entities whose functional currency is not the US dollar are translated into US dollars at average rates of exchange for the period and assets and liabilities are translated into US dollars at the rates of exchange ruling at the balance sheet date. Exchange differences arising on translation of net assets in such entities held at the beginning of the year, together with those differences resulting from the restatement of profits and losses from average to year end rates, are taken to the currency translation reserve. 

The assets and liabilities of foreign operations, including goodwill and fair value adjustments arising on the acquisition of a foreign entity are treated as assets and liabilities of the foreign entity and translated at the exchange rate ruling at the balance sheet date with any exchange differences taken to the currency translation reserve.

 

Foreign currency differences are recognised in Other Comprehensive Income ("OCI") and accumulated in the translation reserve, except to the extent that the translation difference is allocated to Non-Controlling Interests ("NCI").

When a foreign operation is disposed of in its entirety or partially such that control, significant influence or joint control is lost, the cumulative amount in the translation reserve related to the foreign operation is reclassified to profit or loss as part of the gain or loss on disposal.  If the Group disposes of part of its interest in a subsidiary but retains control, then the relevant proportion of the cumulative amount is reattributed to NCI.  When the Group disposes of only part of an associate or joint venture while retaining significant influence or joint control, the relevant proportion of the cumulative amount is reclassified to profit or loss.  The directors consider it appropriate to record sterling denominated equity share capital in the financial statements of John Wood Group PLC at the exchange rate ruling on the date it was raised.

Revenue recognition

Revenue comprises the fair value of the consideration specified in a contract with a customer and is stated net of sales taxes (such as VAT) and discounts. The Group recognises revenue when it transfers control over a good or service to a customer.

With regard to cost reimbursable projects and fixed price contracts, further detail is provided below about the nature and timing of the satisfaction of performance obligations in contracts with customers, including payment terms and the related revenue recognition policies.

Cost reimbursable projects

Revenue is recognised over time as the services are provided based on contractual rates per man hour in respect of multi-year service contracts. The amount of variable revenue related to the achievement of key performance indicators (KPIs) is estimated at the start of the contract, but any revenue recognised is constrained to the extent that it is highly probable there will not be a significant reversal in future periods.

Fixed price contacts

Revenue on fixed price contracts for services, construction contracts and fixed price long-term service agreements is recognised over time according to the stage of completion reached in the contract by measuring the proportion of costs incurred for work performed to total estimated costs.  Margin is only recognised when the outcome of the contract can be measured reliably.

Contract modifications are generally not distinct from those in the original contract due to the significant integration service provided in the context of the contract and are priced according to the same standalone selling prices of the original contract.  Therefore, modifications are accounted for as a modification of the existing contract and performance obligations with a cumulative catch-up adjustment recognised within revenue. 

Management assess the value of revenue to be recognised in respect of variation orders based on the considerations described in the critical accounting judgements and estimates section above in the paragraph regarding recognition of revenue from variation orders ("VOs").  

A claim is an amount that the contractor seeks to collect from the customer as reimbursement for costs whose inclusion in the contract price is disputed, and may arise from, for example, delays caused by the customer, errors in specification or design and disputed variations in contract work. Claims are also usually variable considerations and are included in contract revenue only to the extent that it is highly probable that a significant reversal of revenue will not occur. Appropriate legal advice is taken in advance of any material revenue being recognised in respect of claims.

The related contract costs are recognised in the income statement when incurred. When it is probable that total contract costs will exceed total contract revenue, the expected loss is recognised immediately.

The Group's payment terms state that all invoices are generally payable within 30 days.

Details of the services provided by the Group are provided under the 'Segmental Reporting' heading.

 

Contract balances

A contract asset includes gross amounts due from customers, which reflects work completed for the client which has not yet been billed at the reporting date.  Gross amounts due from customers reflects revenue recognised on the contract according to the stage of completion, less any progress payments received, and amounts are transferred to trade receivables when the right to consideration becomes unconditional.  Contract assets are adjusted for any expected credit loss allowance considering the probability of default by the counterparty.

 

Contract liabilities include gross amounts due to customers and primarily relate to advance consideration received from customers, for which revenue is recognised over time.

 

Exceptional items

Exceptional items are those significant items which are separately disclosed by virtue of their size or incidence to enable a full understanding of the Group's financial performance.  Transactions which may give rise to material exceptional items include gains and losses on divestment of businesses; write downs or impairments of assets including goodwill; restructuring and redundancy costs or provisions; litigation or regulatory settlements; asbestos related income or charges; tax provisions or payments; provisions for onerous contracts and acquisition and divestment costs. The tax impact on these transactions is shown separately in the exceptional items note to the financial statements (note 5).

Restructuring and redundancy costs or provisions will include those costs associated with major Board approved programmes which will deliver longer term benefits to the Group. If this involves closure of a material office, discrete operating unit or service line the exceptional cost will include redundancy and severance of impacted employees, onerous contract provisions, the write off any unrecoverable net assets and any reversals in future periods. Provisions for restructuring will be recognised in line with the policy on Provisions below.

Finance expense/income

Interest income and expense is recorded in the income statement in the period to which it relates. Arrangement fees and expenses in respect of the Group's debt facilities are amortised over the period which the Group expects the facility to be in place.  Interest relating to the unwinding of discount on deferred and contingent consideration, IFRS 16 lease liabilities and asbestos liabilities is included in finance expense.  Interest expense and interest income on scheme assets relating to the Group's retirement benefit schemes are also included in finance income/expense. See note 3 for further details.

Interest income or expense is recognised using the effective interest method.  The 'effective interest rate' is the rate that exactly discounts estimated future cash payments or receipts through the expected life of the financial instrument to:

-       The gross carrying amount of the financial asset; or

-       The amortised cost of the financial liability.

 

Dividends payable

Dividends to the Group's shareholders are recognised as a liability in the period in which the dividends are approved by shareholders.  Interim dividends are recognised when paid. See note 8 for further details.

 

Business combinations

The Group accounts for business combinations using the acquisition method of accounting when control is transferred to the Group. The consideration transferred is measured at fair value, as are the identifiable net assets acquired. Any goodwill that arises is tested annually for impairment. Intangible assets arising on business combinations are tested for impairment when indicators of impairment exist. Acquisition costs are expensed and included in administrative expenses in the income statement.  

Goodwill

Goodwill represents the excess of the cost of an acquisition over the fair value of the net assets acquired. Goodwill is carried at cost less accumulated impairment losses.  Goodwill is not amortised.

 

Intangible assets

Intangible assets are carried at cost less accumulated amortisation.  Intangible assets are recognised if it is probable that there will be future economic benefits attributable to the asset, the cost of the asset can be measured reliably, the asset is separately identifiable and there is control over the use of the asset.  Where the Group acquires a business, intangible assets on acquisition are identified and evaluated to determine the carrying value on the acquisition balance sheet.  Intangible assets are amortised over their estimated useful lives on a straight-line basis, as follows:

Software

3-5 years

Development costs and licenses

3-5 years

Intangible assets on acquisition


-               Customer contracts and relationships

5-13 years

-               Order backlog

-               Brands

2-5 years

16 years

 

Property plant and equipment

Property plant and equipment (PP&E) is stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and impairment. No depreciation is charged with respect to freehold land and assets in the course of construction.

Depreciation is calculated using the straight-line method over the following estimated useful lives of the assets:

Freehold buildings

25‑50 years

Leasehold improvements

period of lease

Plant and equipment

3‑10 years

When estimating the useful life of an asset group, the principal factors the Group takes into account are the durability of the assets, the intensity at which the assets are expected to be used and the expected rate of technological developments.  Asset lives and residual values are assessed at each balance sheet date.

Refer to the Leases policy for the Group's policy with respect to the right of use assets.

Impairment

The Group performs impairment reviews in respect of PP&E, investment in joint ventures and intangible assets whenever events or changes in circumstance indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable.  In addition, the Group carries out impairment reviews in respect of goodwill, at least annually.  An impairment loss is recognised when the recoverable amount of an asset, which is the higher of the asset's fair value less costs to sell and its value in use, is less than its carrying amount. 

Impairment losses are recognised in profit or loss.  They are allocated to first reduce the carrying amount of any goodwill allocated to the CGU, and then to reduce the carrying amounts of the other assets in the CGU on a pro-rata basis.

For the purposes of impairment testing, assets are grouped together into the smallest group of assets that generates cash inflows from continuing use that are largely independent of the cash inflows of other assets or cash generating units ("CGUs").   Goodwill arising from a business combination is allocated to the appropriate CGU or groups of CGUs that are expected to benefit from the synergies of the combination.  The CGUs are aligned to the structure the Group uses to manage its business. Cash flows are discounted in determining the value in use.

 

See note 10 for further details of goodwill impairment testing and note 13 for details of impairment of investment in joint ventures.

Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include cash in hand and other short-term bank deposits with original maturities of three months or less.  Bank overdrafts are included within borrowings in current liabilities. The Group presents balances that are part of a pooling arrangement with no right of offset on a gross basis in both cash and short-term borrowings.

 

Trade receivables

Trade receivables are recognised initially at fair value and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method, less provision for impairment. Trade receivables are typically classified as Held to Collect.

 

The Group recognises loss allowances for Expected Credit Losses ('ECLs') on trade receivables and gross amounts due from customers, measured at an amount equal to lifetime ECLs.  ECLs are a probability-weighted estimate of credit losses. Credit losses are measured as the present value of all cash shortfalls (i.e. the difference between the cash flows due to the entity in accordance with the contract and the cash flows that the Group expects to receive).  ECLs are discounted at the effective interest rate of the financial asset.

 

At each reporting date, the Group assesses whether financial assets carried at amortised cost are credit-impaired. A financial asset is 'credit-impaired' when one or more events that have a detrimental impact on the estimated future cash flows of the financial asset have occurred.   Evidence that a financial asset is credit-impaired includes a customer being in significant financial difficulty or a breach of contract such as a default.  The gross carrying amount of a financial asset is written off when the Group has no reasonable expectation of

recovering a financial asset in its entirety or a portion thereof. For individual customers, the Group individually makes an assessment with respect to the timing and amount of write-off based on whether there is a reasonable expectation of recovery.

 

The Group has non-recourse financing arrangements in which funds are received in relation to trade receivable balances before the due date for payment. Trade receivables are derecognised on receipt of the payment from the bank. See note 15 for further details.

Asbestos related receivables

Asbestos related receivables represents management's best estimate of insurance recoveries relating to liabilities for pending and estimated future asbestos claims. They are only recognised when it is virtually certain that the claim will be paid. Asbestos related assets under executed settlement agreements with insurers due in the next 12 months are recorded within Trade and other receivables and beyond 12 months are recorded within Long term receivables.  The Group's asbestos related assets have been discounted using an appropriate rate of interest.

 

Trade payables

Trade payables are recognised initially at fair value and subsequently measured at amortised cost.

Borrowings

Borrowings are recognised initially at fair value, net of transaction costs incurred. Borrowings are subsequently stated at amortised cost using the effective interest method.

Taxation

Tax provisions are based on management's interpretation of country specific tax law and the likelihood of settlement. This involves a significant amount of judgement as tax legislation can be complex and open to different interpretation.  Management uses in-house tax experts, professional firms and previous experience when assessing tax risks.  When actual liabilities differ from the provisions, adjustments are made which can have a material impact on the Group's tax charge for the year. 

 

Deferred tax asset recognition is based on two factors. Firstly, deferred tax liabilities in the same jurisdiction as assets that are legally capable of being offset and the timing of the reversal of the asset and liability would enable the deduction from the asset to be utilised against the taxable income from the liability. Secondly, forecast profits support the recognition of deferred tax assets not otherwise supported by deferred tax liabilities. Management uses in-house tax experts to determine the forecast period to support recognition, this is considered by jurisdiction or entity dependent on the tax laws of the jurisdiction. If actual results differ from the forecasts the impact of not being able to utilise the expected amount of deferred tax assets can have a material impact on the Group's tax charge for the year.

 

See note 6 and 23 for details.

 

The tax charge represents the sum of tax currently payable and deferred tax. Tax currently payable is based on the taxable profit for the year.  Taxable profit differs from the profit reported in the income statement due to items that are not taxable or deductible in any period

and also due to items that are taxable or deductible in a different period. The Group's liability for current tax is calculated using tax rates enacted or substantively enacted at the balance sheet date.

 

Tax is recognised in the income statement except to the extent that it relates to items recognised in other comprehensive income or equity, in which case it is recognised in other comprehensive income or equity as appropriate.

 

A current tax provision is recognised when the Group has a present obligation as a result of a past event, it is probable that the Group will be required to settle that obligation and a reliable estimate can be made of the amount of the obligation.  In line with IFRIC 23, depending on the circumstances, the provision is either the single most likely outcome, or a probability weighted average of all potential outcomes.  The provision incorporates tax and penalties where appropriate.  Separate provisions for interest are also recorded.  Interest in respect of the tax provisions is not included in the tax charge, but disclosed within profit before tax.

 

Deferred tax is provided, using the full liability method, on temporary differences arising between the tax bases of assets and liabilities and their carrying amounts in the consolidated financial statements.  The principal temporary differences arise from depreciation on PP&E, tax

losses carried forward and, in relation to acquisitions, the difference between the fair values of the net assets acquired and their tax base.  Tax rates enacted, or substantively enacted, at the balance sheet date are used to determine deferred tax.

 

Deferred tax liabilities are recognised for taxable temporary differences arising on investments in subsidiaries and joint ventures, except where the Group is able to control the reversal of the temporary difference and it is probable that the temporary difference will not reverse in the foreseeable future. 

 

Tax assets and liabilities are offset when they relate to income taxes levied by the same taxation authority and it is intended that they will be settled on a net basis.

 

The Group has applied the exception in the Amendments to IAS 12 issued in May 2023 and has neither recognised nor disclosed information about deferred tax assets or liabilities relating to Pillar Two income taxes.

Accounting for derivative financial instruments and hedging activities

Derivatives are initially recognised at fair value on the date the contract is entered into and are subsequently re-measured at fair value.  Where hedging is to be undertaken, the Group documents the relationship between the hedging instrument and the hedged item at the inception of the transaction, as well as the risk management objective and strategy for undertaking the hedge transaction. The Group also documents its assessment, both at hedge inception and on an ongoing basis, of whether the derivatives that are used in hedging transactions are highly effective in offsetting changes in fair values or cash flows of the hedged items.

 

Fair value measurement

'Fair value' is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date in the principal or, in its absence, the most advantageous market to which the Group has access at that date. The fair value of a liability reflects its non-performance risk. A number of the Group's accounting policies and disclosures require the measurement of fair values, for both financial and non-financial assets and liabilities.

When one is available, the Group measures the fair value of an instrument using the quoted price in an active market for that instrument. If there is no quoted price in an active market, then the Group uses valuation techniques that maximise the use of relevant observable outputs and minimise the use of unobservable outputs. The chosen valuation technique incorporates all of the factors that market participants would take into account in pricing a transaction.

The fair value of interest rate swaps is calculated as the present value of their estimated future cash flows. The fair value of forward foreign exchange contracts is determined using forward foreign exchange market rates at the balance sheet date. The fair values of all derivative financial instruments are verified by comparison to valuations provided by financial institutions.

The carrying values of trade receivables and payables approximate to their fair values.  

The fair value of financial liabilities is estimated by discounting the future contractual cash flows at the current market interest rate that is available to the Group for similar financial instruments. 

Leases

At inception of a contract, the Group assesses whether a contract is, or contains, a lease.  A contract is, or contains, a lease if the contract conveys the right to control or use an identified asset for a period of time in exchange for consideration. To assess whether a contract conveys the right to control the use of an asset, the Group uses the definition of a lease in IFRS 16.

The Group recognises a right of use asset and a lease liability at the lease commencement date.  The right of use asset is initially measured at cost, and subsequently at cost less any accumulated depreciation and impairment losses and adjusted for certain remeasurements of the lease liability. 

The Group leases real estate, including land, buildings and warehouses, machinery/equipment, vehicles and IT equipment. The right of use assets generate cash flows as part of the cash generating units disclosed in note 10. The majority of the lease liability relates to real estate with leases generally entered into for fixed periods of up to five years, unless of strategic importance to the Group. Some leases have extension options as described below. Lease terms are negotiated on an individual basis and contain a wide range of terms and conditions.  The lease agreements do not impose any covenants other than the security interests in the leased assets that are held by the lessor. Leased assets are not used as security for borrowing purposes. 

The right of use asset is subsequently depreciated using the straight-line method from the commencement date to the end of the lease term.  The right of use asset is periodically reduced by impairment losses, if any, and adjusted for certain remeasurements of the lease liability.

The lease liability is initially measured at the present value of the lease payments that are not paid at the commencement date, discounted using the Group's incremental borrowing rate ("IBR") and is subsequently increased by the interest cost on the lease liability and reduced by repayments.  It is remeasured when there is a change in future lease payments arising from a change in an index or rate, a change in the assessment of whether an extension option is reasonably certain to be exercised or a termination option is reasonably certain not to be exercised.

The lease payments are discounted using the interest rate implicit in the lease. If that rate cannot be readily determined, which is generally the case for leases in the Group, the Group's IBR is used. The IBR is the rate that the individual lessee would have to pay to borrow the funds necessary to obtain an asset of similar value to the right of use asset in a similar economic environment with similar terms, security and conditions.

The Group has applied judgement to determine the lease term for some lease contracts in which it is a lessee that includes renewal options.  The assessment of whether the Group is reasonably certain to exercise such options impacts the lease term, which may affect the amount of lease liabilities and right of use assets recognised.

 

The Group applies the practical expedient for short-term leases in which a lessee is permitted to make an accounting policy election not to recognise lease assets and lease liabilities for leases with a term of 12 months or less and do not include an option to purchase the underlying asset. Lease costs of short-term leases are recognised on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease term and disclosed within the consolidated financial statements. The Group believes short-term lease commitments are not materially different than the short-term lease cost for the period.

 

Retirement benefit scheme surplus/deficit

The Group operates a number of defined benefit and defined contribution pension schemes. The surplus or deficit recognised in respect of the defined benefit schemes represents the difference between the present value of the defined benefit obligations and the fair value of the scheme assets.  The assets of these schemes are held in separate trustee administered funds. The schemes are largely closed to future accrual.

 

The defined benefit schemes' assets are measured using fair values. Pension scheme liabilities are measured annually by an independent actuary using the projected unit method and discounted at the current rate of return on a high-quality corporate bond of equivalent term and currency to the liability. The increase in the present value of the liabilities of the Group's defined benefit schemes expected to arise from employee service in the period is charged to operating profit. The interest income on scheme assets and the increase during the period in the present value of the scheme's liabilities arising from the passage of time are netted and included in finance income/expense. Re-measurement gains and losses are recognised in the statement of comprehensive income in full in the period in which they occur. The defined benefit schemes surplus or deficit is recognised in full and presented on the face of the Group balance sheet.

Group management consider it appropriate to recognise the IAS 19 surplus in the Wood Pension Plan as the rules governing the scheme provide an unconditional right to a refund assuming the gradual settlement of the scheme's liabilities over time until there are no members left, as per IFRIC 14.11 (b). On a winding up scenario, any surplus would be returned to the Group. 

The Group's contributions to defined contribution schemes are charged to the income statement in the period to which the contributions relate.

The Group operates a Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (SERP) pension arrangement in the US for certain employees. Contributions are paid into a separate investment vehicle and invested in a portfolio of US funds that are recognised by the Group in other investments with a corresponding liability in other non-current liabilities.  Investments are carried at fair value. The fair value of listed equity investments

and mutual funds is based on quoted market prices and so the fair value measurement can be categorised in Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy.

 

Provisions

Provisions are recognised where the Group is deemed to have a legal or constructive obligation, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required to settle the obligation, and a reliable estimate of the obligation can be made.  Where amounts provided are payable after more than one year the estimated liability is discounted using an appropriate rate of interest.

The Group has taken internal and external advice in considering known and reasonably likely legal claims made by or against the Group. It carefully assesses the likelihood of success of a claim or action. Appropriate provisions are made for legal claims or actions against the Group on the basis of likely outcome, but no provisions are made for those which, in the view of the directors, are less than probable or for which no amount can be reliably measured.

See note 22 for further details.

Where the outcome is less than probable, but more than remote or a reliable estimate cannot be made, no provision is recorded but a contingent liability is disclosed in the financial statements, if material.

Share based charges relating to employee share schemes

The Group has recorded share based charges in relation to a number of employee share schemes.

Charges are recorded in the income statement as an employee benefit expense for the fair value of share options (as at the grant date) expected to be exercised under the Executive Share Option Schemes ('ESOS'). Amounts are accrued over the vesting period with the corresponding credit recorded in retained earnings.

Awards are allocated under the Group's Long Term Plan ('LTP') or the new Discretionary Share Plan ("DSP") which are the incentive plans in place for executive directors and certain senior executives. The charge for awards granted under the LTP/DSP are based on the fair value of those awards at the grant date, spread over the vesting period.  The corresponding credit is recorded in retained earnings.  For awards that have a market related performance measure, the fair value of the market related element is calculated using a Monte Carlo simulation model.

Employees may also be granted non-performance awards either in the form of conditional share awards or share options. These awards typically have a three year vesting period.

The Group has an Employee Share Plan ("ESP") under which employees contribute regular monthly amounts of up to a maximum of 10% of their gross salary which are used to purchase shares over a one year period. At the end of the year the participating employees are awarded one free share for every two shares purchased providing they remain in employment for a further year. A charge is calculated for the award of free shares and accrued over the vesting period with the corresponding credit taken to retained earnings. 

Under the plan the Group also has a UK Share Incentive Plan ("SIP"), which is recognised by HM Revenue and Customs, employees contribute regular monthly amounts of up to £150 per month to purchase shares.  The participating employees are awarded one free share for every two purchased, provided that they hold the purchased shares for 3 years and remain in employment.

Share capital

John Wood Group PLC has one class of ordinary shares and these are classified as equity.  Dividends on ordinary shares are not recognised as a liability or charged to equity until they have been approved by shareholders.

The Group is deemed to have control of the assets, liabilities, income and costs of its employee share trusts, therefore they have been consolidated in the financial statements of the Group. Shares acquired by and disposed of by the employee share trusts are recorded at cost. The cost of shares held by the employee share trusts is deducted from equity.

 

Merger reserve

Where an acquisition qualifies for merger relief under Section 612 of the Companies Act 2006, the premium arising on the issue of shares to fund the acquisition is credited to a merger reserve. See note 28 for further information.

Discontinued operations

The Group classified its Built Environment Consulting business as a discontinued operation for the reporting period ending 31 December 2022. A discontinued operation is a component of the Group's business, the operations and cash flows of which can be clearly distinguished from the rest of the Group and which:

-       represents a separate major line of business or geographic area of operations;

-       is part of a single co-ordinated plan to dispose of a separate major line of business or geographic area of operations; or

-       is a subsidiary acquired exclusively with a view to resale.

Classification as a discontinued operation occurs at the earlier of disposal or when the operation meets criteria to be classified as held for sale. When an operation is classified as a discontinued operation, the comparative income statement and statement of comprehensive income are presented as if the operation had been discontinued from the start of the comparative period. Classification as held for sale was from 1 January 2022 and in September 2022, the sale of this business was completed. Details are outlined in note 7.

Segmental reporting

The Group has determined that its operating segments are based on management reports reviewed by the Chief Operating Decision Maker ('CODM'), the Group's Chief Executive.  Our financial reporting segments reflect our current operating model which consists of Projects, Operations, Consulting and Investment Services ("IVS"). Projects is focused on providing front-end engineering services, procurement and project management. Our Operations segment focuses on improving operational efficiency by providing maintenance, modification and operation services. Consulting is a multi-sector specialist technical consultancy division providing innovative thinking needed to maximise value at every stage of the asset life cycle. Investment Services manages a range of legacy or non-core businesses and investments with a view to generating value via remediation and restructuring.

The comparative information has been re-presented due to the reclassification of Built Environment Consulting Saudi Arabia from discontinued into continuing operations. This relates to the sale of a subsidiary, previously classified as held for sale, which did not complete during 2023 and will now be retained by the Group.

The Chief Executive measures the operating performance of these segments using 'Adjusted EBITDA' (Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation).  Operating segments are reported in a manner consistent with the internal management reports provided to the Chief Executive who is responsible for allocating resources and assessing performance of the operating segments.

Assets and liabilities held for sale

Disposal groups are classified as assets and liabilities held for sale if it is highly probable that they will be recovered primarily through sale rather than continuing use. Disposal groups are measured at the lower of carrying value and fair value less costs to sell and their assets and liabilities are presented separately from other assets and liabilities on the balance sheet.

Research and development government credits

The Group claims research and development government credits predominantly in the UK, US, Canada and Australia. These credits are similar in nature to grants and are offset against the related expenditure category in the income statement. The credits are recognised when there is reasonable assurance that they will be received, which in some cases can be some time after the original expense is incurred.

Government grants

The Group recognises a government grant when it has reasonable assurance that it will comply with the relevant conditions and that the grant will be received.  This may be a judgemental matter, particularly when governments are introducing new programmes that may require new legislation, or for which there is little established practice for assessing whether the conditions to receive a grant are met.  If the conditions are met, then the Group recognises government grants as a credit in profit or loss in line with its recognition of the expenses that the grants are intended to compensate.

The disclosure of impact of new and future accounting standards

Standards issued but not yet effective

The Group is required to comply with the requirements of IFRS 17 Insurance Contracts for reporting periods beginning on or after 1 January 2023. The new accounting standard sets out the requirements that the Group should apply in reporting information about insurance contracts it issues and reinsurance contracts it holds.  The Group has undertaken an assessment of its insurance contracts including those held under its captive insurance company, Garlan Insurance Limited.  The impact of the accounting standard does not have any material impact on the condensed financial statements.

The Group has early adopted the amendments to IAS 1 - Classification of Liabilities as Current or Non-current and Non-current Liabilities with Covenants which are required to be effective from 1 January 2024. The impact of the amendments does not have any material impact on the condensed financial statements. 

Amendments to other existing standards do not have a material impact on the financial statements.

 

1          Segmental reporting

During the year, the Group monitored activity and performance through four operating segments; Projects, Operations, Consulting and Investment Services ('IVS') plus the legacy Built Environment Consulting segment (divested in September 2022).

Under IFRS 11 'Joint arrangements', the Group is required to account for joint ventures using equity accounting. Adjusted EBITDA as shown in the table below includes our share of joint venture profits and excludes exceptional items, which is consistent with the way management review the performance of the business units. Joint venture results are reported on an equity accounting basis and therefore revenue figures exclude joint venture revenue.

The segment information provided to the Group's Chief Executive for the reportable operating segments for the year ended 31 December 2023 includes the following:

Reportable operating segments

Revenue (3)

Adjusted EBITDA(1)

Operating profit/(loss)


2023

(unaudited)
$m


2022
$m


2023

(unaudited)
$m


2022
$m

2023

(unaudited)
$m


2022
$m

Projects

2,424.2

2,211.2

177.2

168.7

11.2

(125.3)

Operations

2,482.2

2,406.9

165.2

147.6

88.0

(344.3)

Consulting (re-presented) (4)

739.1

652.4

79.5

76.2

50.4

(3.1)

Built Environment Consulting (discontinued) (4)

-

854.0

(10.2)

69.8

(15.2)

63.1

Investment Services

255.2

198.8

77.1

69.3

23.0

46.2

Central costs (2)

-

-

(76.3)

(73.6)

(135.1)

(138.7)

Total Group

5,900.7

6,323.3

412.5

458.0

22.3

(502.1)

Elimination of discontinued operation (4)

-

(854.0)

10.2

(69.8)

15.2

(63.1)

Total (continuing operations)

5,900.7

5,469.3

422.7

388.2

37.5

(565.2)

Finance income





19.4

6.9

Finance expense





(119.6)

(133.1)

Loss before taxation from continuing operations





(62.7)

(691.4)

Taxation





(65.0)

(10.9)

Loss for the year from continuing operations





(127.7)

(702.3)

Profit from discontinued operation, net of tax





22.5

350.6

Loss for the year





(105.2)

(351.7)

 

Notes

1. A reconciliation of operating profit/(loss) to Adjusted EBITDA is provided in the table below. Adjusted EBITDA is provided as it is a unit of measurement used by the Group in the management of its business.  Adjusted EBITDA is stated before exceptional items (see note 5).

 

2.      Central includes the costs of certain Group management personnel, along with an element of Group infrastructure costs.

 

3.      Revenue arising from sales between segments is not material, and does not include the impact of the exceptional item disclosed on the face of the income statement of $nil (2022: $8.0m) which is in respect of the Projects operating segment.

4.      The comparative periods have been re-presented due to a reclassification of a business operation from discontinued into continuing operations for the year ended 31 December 2023 (see note 7). The revenue of this business for the period to 31 December 2022 was $27.1m and Adjusted EBITDA was $3.1m.

 

 

Reconciliation of Alternative Performance Measures


 2023

(unaudited)

2022

(re-presented)


$m

$m

Operating profit/(loss) per income statement

37.5

(565.2)

Share of joint venture finance expense and tax (note 13)

16.3

14.3

Exceptional items (note 5)

76.7

663.5

Amortisation (including joint ventures)

161.1

153.4

Depreciation (including joint ventures)

26.2

29.3

Depreciation of right of use assets (including joint ventures)

103.1

90.5

Impairment of joint venture investments and PP&E

1.8

2.4

Adjusted EBITDA (continuing operations)

422.7

388.2

 

 


Discontinued operation

 


Operating (loss)/profit (discontinued)

(15.2)

63.1

Exceptional items

5.0

6.7

Adjusted EBITDA (discontinued operation)

(10.2)

69.8

Total Group Adjusted EBITDA

412.5

458.0

 

Upon classification as a discontinued operation and held for sale on 1 January 2022, the Built Environment Consulting disposal group was not depreciated or amortised in line with IFRS 5 Non-current Assets Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations.   

Analysis of joint venture profits by segment

Adjusted EBITDA

Operating profit



2023

(unaudited)
$m


2022
$m


2023

(unaudited)
$m


2022
$m

Projects

3.4

3.9

3.1

3.5

Operations

13.0

15.2

11.3

13.0

Investment Services

57.2

39.4

44.7

28.2


 


 


Total

73.6

58.5

59.1

44.7

 

The main joint ventures contributing to Adjusted EBITDA and Operating Profit within the Investment Services segment are EthosEnergy and RWG.  The results of these joint ventures are disclosed further in note 13.

Other segment items

At 31 December 2023 (unaudited)

Projects
$m

Operations

$m

Consulting

$m

Built Environment Consulting

$m

Investment

 Services

$m

Unallocated

$m

Total

 $m

Capital expenditure

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PP&E

6.5

6.0

2.5

-

4.3

1.2

20.5

Intangible assets

47.2

55.6

20.4

-

1.9

5.9

131.0

Non-cash expense

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation

6.9

6.0

1.3

-

2.4

4.4

21.0

Depreciation of right of use assets

33.3

25.0

8.6

-

15.2

13.1

95.2

Amortisation

81.7

41.1

19.2

-

-

17.7

159.7

Exceptional items (non-cash element)

43.4

-

-

5.0

-

36.1

84.5

















 

At 31 December 2022

Projects 
$m

Operations

$m

Consulting

$m

Built Environment Consulting

$m

Investment

 Services

$m

Unallocated

$m

Total

 $m

Capital expenditure

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PP&E

7.3

11.6

1.3

3.1

3.2

1.1

27.6

Intangible assets

43.3

49.5

18.2

0.2

-

4.7

115.9

Non-cash expense








Depreciation

8.7

10.3

1.0

-

1.1

4.1

25.2

Depreciation of right of use assets

34.4

17.5

8.3

-

10.6

11.5

82.3

Amortisation

77.7

36.7

27.5

-

-

10.0

151.9

Impairment of intangible assets

113.3

396.3

32.7

-

-

-

542.3

Exceptional items (non-cash element)

14.3

-

1.8

-

-

19.2

35.3

 

The figures in the tables above exclude the share of joint ventures.

Depreciation in respect of joint ventures totals $5.2m (2022: $4.1m), depreciation in respect of joint venture right of use assets totals $7.9m (2022: $8.2m) and joint venture amortisation amounts to $1.4m (2022: $1.5m).

Non-cash exceptionals of $84.5m (2022: $35.3m) primarily comprises $43.4m relating to the Power and Industrial EPC charges, $38.4m of asbestos charges and the disposal of the built environment business has led to a R&D tax credit being determined to be unrecoverable in the foreseeable future, and a non-cash charge of $5.0m has been recognised in addition to the charge previously recognised in 2022, following the filing of the relevant 2022 tax returns. Further detail of these charges is outlined in notes 5 and 7.

 

 

Non-current assets

 

Revenue

(Continuing operations)

Geographical segments

2023

(unaudited)
$m

2022
$m

2023

(unaudited)

$m

2022

$m

United States of America

2,037.7

2,082.2

1,402.1

1,423.5

United Kingdom

949.4

803.4

792.7

731.5

Canada

439.6

436.8

379.6

383.2

Australia

147.9

150.3

330.1

331.9

Singapore

93.6

96.6

301.1

109.0

Norway

103.0

103.2

283.2

342.3

Brunei

8.8

10.2

255.6

232.9

Saudi Arabia

101.7

102.6

245.7

214.6

Iraq

0.8

0.4

235.1

197.5

South Africa

4.1

2.0

151.7

102.8

Papua New Guinea

-

-

153.2

125.9

Rest of the world

1,083.0

1,092.3

1,370.6

1,274.2






Total

4,969.6

4,880.0

5,900.7

5,469.3

 

Non-current assets includes goodwill and other intangible assets, property plant and equipment, right of use assets, investment in joint ventures and other investments. Revenue in the table above analyses total revenue and in 2022 does not reflect the $8.0m exceptional item as disclosed on the Income Statement.


 

2          Revenue

Revenue by geographical segment is based on the location of the ultimate project. Revenue is attributable to the provision of services.

In the following table, revenue is disaggregated by primary geographical market and major service line. The tables provided below analyses total revenue excluding our share of joint venture revenue.

Primary geographical market

Projects

2023

(unaudited)

$m

Projects

2022

(re-presented)

$m

 

 

 

 

Operations

2023

(unaudited)

$m

Operations

2022

$m

Consulting

2023

(unaudited)

$m

Consulting

2022

(re-presented)

$m

IVS

2023

(unaudited)

$m

IVS

2022

$m

 

 

 

 

Total

2023

(unaudited)

$m

 

 

 

Total

2022

(re-presented) $m

USA

535.5

593.7

387.9

457.5

274.0

233.3

204.7

139.0

1,402.1

1,423.5

Europe

407.4

379.1

843.2

820.4

202.0

188.2

8.0

27.5

1,460.6

1,415.2

Rest of the world

1,481.3

1,238.4

1,251.1

1,129.0

263.1

230.9

42.5

32.3

3,038.0

2,630.6

Revenue

2,424.2

2,211.2

2,482.2

2,406.9

739.1

652.4

255.2

198.8

5,900.7

5,469.3


 


 


 


 




Major service lines

 


 


 


 


 


Energy

 


 


 


 


 


Oil & Gas

902.9

694.7

2,095.2

1,989.7

357.1

316.6

18.3

18.7

3,373.5

3,019.7

Power, Renewables, Hydrogen and Carbon Capture

144.2

157.5

112.6

122.1

151.3

85.5

55.5

44.0

463.6

409.1

Materials

 


 


 


 


 


Refining & Chemicals

881.9

801.3

237.4

224.9

96.8

62.5

-

-

1,216.1

1,088.7

Minerals Processing and Life Sciences

357.0

417.4

18.6

19.5

28.5

43.9

-

-

404.1

480.8

Other

 


 


 


 


 


Built Environment

9.7

5.4

14.2

44.2

2.1

37.3

166.2

136.1

192.2

223.0

Industrial Processes and other

128.5

134.9

4.2

6.5

103.3

106.6

15.2

-

251.2

248.0

Revenue

2,424.2

2,211.2

2,482.2

2,406.9

739.1

652.4

255.2

198.8

5,900.7

5,469.3

Sustainable solutions

727.8

664.2

263.6

228.7

226.9

154.8

55.6

62.7

1,273.9

1,110.4

 

The comparative periods have been re-presented due to a reclassification of a business operation from discontinued into continuing operations for the year ended 31 December 2023 (see note 7). The revenue of this business for the period to 31 December 2022 was $27.1m.


 

The Group's revenue is largely derived from the provision of services over time. 

Sustainable solutions consist of activities related to renewable energy, hydrogen, carbon capture & storage, electrification and electricity transmission & distribution, LNG, waste to energy, sustainable fuels & feedstocks and recycling, processing of energy transition minerals, life sciences, decarbonisation in oil & gas, refining & chemicals, minerals processing and other industrial processes.  In the case of mixed scopes including a decarbonisation element, these are only included in sustainable solutions if 75% or more of the scope relates to that element, in which case the total revenue is recorded in sustainable solutions.  Sustainable solutions with respect to the discontinued operation have not been captured.

Revenue from continuing operations in 2023 included $4,705.4m (80%) (2022: $4,289.5m, 78%) from reimbursable contracts and $1,195.3m (20%) (2022: $1,179.8m, 22%) from fixed price contracts. The calculation of revenue from lump sum contracts is based on estimates and the amount recognised could increase or decrease.


Continuing operations

Discontinued operations

Total


2023

(Unaudited)

$m

2022

(re-presented)

$m

2023

(Unaudited)

$m

2022

(re-presented)

$m

2023

(Unaudited)

$m

2022

$m

Total revenue

5,900.7

5,469.3

-

854.0

5,900.7

6,323.3

 

Total revenue in 2022 does not reflect the $8.0m exceptional item as disclosed on the Income Statement. This exceptional item related to the Projects business unit.

Contract balances

The following table provides a summary of receivables, contract assets and liabilities arising from the Group's contracts with customers.


2023

(unaudited)
$m

2022
$m

Trade receivables

729.5

679.6

Non-current contract assets

153.7

97.0

Gross amounts due from customers

522.9

556.9

Gross amounts due to customers

(99.0)

(113.0)


1,307.1

1,220.5

 

The contract balances include amounts the Group has invoiced to customers (trade receivables) as well as amounts where the Group has the right to receive consideration for work completed which has not been billed at the reporting date (gross amounts due from customers). Gross amounts due from customers are transferred to trade receivables when the rights become unconditional which usually occurs when the customer is invoiced. Gross amounts due to customers primarily relates to advance consideration received from customers, for which revenue is recognised over time.

Non-current contract assets of $153.7m (2022: $97.0m) includes $81.2m (2022: $72.9m) of gross amounts due from customers and $15.5m (2022: $1.4m) of trade receivables in relation to the Aegis contract as at 31 December 2023.  See further details on this contract below.  The increase in the non-current contract assets is mainly as a result of reclassifications from current to non-current and the Aegis contract completion in the year. The Group has classified certain receivable balances, including Aegis as non-current due to the element of uncertainty surrounding the timing of the receipt of these balances. Provisions held in relation to the Aegis contract are not material.

Trade receivables and gross amounts due from customers are included within the 'Trade and other receivables' heading in the Group balance sheet.  Gross amounts due to customers are included within the 'Trade and other payables' heading in the Group balance sheet.

Revenue recognised in 2023 which was included in gross amounts due to customers at the beginning of the year of $127.0m represents amounts included within contract liabilities, including $20.6m previously disclosed within held for sale liabilities at 1 January 2023.  Revenue recognised from performance obligations satisfied in previous periods of $6.6m represents revenue recognised in 2023 for performance obligations which were considered operationally complete at 31 December 2022.

 

 

Aegis Poland

This legacy AFW project involved the construction of various buildings to house the Aegis Ashore anti-missile defence facility for the United States Army Corps of Engineers ("USACE").  Wood's construction scope is now complete and the facilities were formally handed over to USACE in July 2023. The corresponding warranty period for facilities will end at various points through July 2024.    There has been no change in management's assessment of the loss at completion which remains at $222m. The full amount of this loss has been recognised to date.   The Group's assessment of the ultimate loss includes change orders which have not been approved by the customer.   As at 31 December 2023, $186m of certified claims had been submitted to our client, and we continue to progress further claims which could be material.  The revenue recognised is estimated based on the amount that is deemed to be highly probable to be recovered. That estimation is made considering the risks and likelihood of recovery of change orders. The Group's assessment of liquidated damages also involves an expectation of relief from possible obligations linked to delays on the contract. These liquidated damages and relief assumptions are estimates prepared in conjunction with the change orders estimates noted above.  Disclosure of the value of liquidated damages included in the loss at completion is not disclosed as the directors believe that this would be seriously prejudicial while commercial settlement negotiations are ongoing.    The range of possible outcomes in respect to the change orders that are highly likely to be recoverable and the liquidated damages for which a relief will be obtained is material. The Group has classified the receivable balances as non-current, due to the element of uncertainty surrounding the timing of the receipt of these balances. The ultimate loss also includes the Group's assessment of the total legal costs necessary to achieve recovery of the amounts believed to be recoverable and defend our position on liquidated damages. At this point in time this is an estimate based on a weighted average of several possible outcomes and the actual costs could be materially higher or lower depending on actual route to settlement. If the amounts agreed are different to the assumptions made, then the ultimate loss could be materially different. In reaching its assessment of this loss, management have made certain estimates and assumptions relating to the date of completion and recovery of costs from USACE. If the actual outcome differs from these estimates and assumptions, the ultimate loss will be different.

 

Transaction price allocated to the remaining performance obligations

The transaction price allocated to the remaining performance obligations (unsatisfied or partially unsatisfied) as at 31 December 2023 was as follows:

$m (unaudited)

Year 1

Year 2

Total

Revenue

3,497.3

2,140.2

5,637.5

 

The Group has not adopted the practical expedients permitted by IFRS 15, therefore all contracts which have an original expected duration of one year or less have been included in the table above. The estimate of the transaction price represents contractually agreed backlog and does not include any amounts of variable consideration which are constrained. The Group continues to move into a reimbursable contract model, moving away from turnkey lump sum contracts which are inherently riskier. 86% of future performance obligations relate to reimbursable contracts and the remainder to fixed price.

 

 

3          Finance expense/(income)

               

2023

(unaudited)
$m


2022

$m




Interest payable on senior loan notes

16.6

40.3

Interest payable on borrowings

59.4

47.2

Amortisation of bank facility fees

4.2

10.5

Unwinding of discount on other liabilities

1.2

0.9

Lease interest (note 12)

18.7

16.4

Other interest expense

8.4

 

11.9

 




Finance expense - continuing operations (pre-exceptional items)

108.5

127.2




Unwinding of discount on asbestos provision (note 5)

11.1

5.9







Finance expense - total

119.6

133.1




Interest receivable

(1.1)

(4.5)

Interest income - retirement benefit obligations (note 33)

(18.3)

(2.4)




Finance income

(19.4)

(6.9)




Finance expense - total - net

100.2

126.2

 

Net interest expense of $6.5m (2022: $4.4m) has been deducted in arriving at the share of post-tax profit from joint ventures.

The unwinding of discount on the asbestos provision is $11.1m (2022: $5.9m) and includes the unwinding of discount on long-term asbestos receivables (note 21).  This is presented within exceptional items in line with the Group's accounting policies.

4          Profit before taxation


2023

(unaudited)
$m


2022

$m




The following items have been charged/(credited) in arriving at profit before taxation:



Employee benefits expense (note 32)

2,714.8

3,130.0

Amortisation of intangible assets (note 10)

159.7

151.9

Depreciation of property plant and equipment (note 11)

21.0

25.2

Depreciation of right of use assets (note 12)

95.2

82.3

Gain on disposal of property plant and equipment

(2.6)

(1.6)

Impairment of intangible assets

-

542.3

Foreign exchange losses

1.0

4.2

 

Depreciation of property plant and equipment is included in cost of sales or administrative expenses in the income statement.  Amortisation of intangible assets is included in administrative expenses in the income statement.

An impairment charge of $542.3m was recorded in the prior year against intangible assets and related to goodwill, brands and customer relationships.

 

Services provided by the Group's auditors and associate firms

During the year the Group obtained the following services from its auditors, KPMG and associate firms at costs as detailed below:


2023

(unaudited)

$m

 

2022

$m

Fees payable to the Group's auditors and its associate firms for



Audit of parent company and consolidated financial statements

7.5

8.7

Audit of financial statements of subsidiaries of the Company

2.7

2.4

Total statutory audit fees

10.2

11.1


 


Fees payable to the Group's auditor for the audit of non-statutory financial statements

-

0.6

Audit related assurance services

0.5

0.5

Other assurance services

-

1.4

Tax and other services

-

-


 



10.7

13.6


 


The fees of $8.7m disclosed for 'Audit of parent company and consolidated financial statements' in 2022 include $1.8m relating to audit work performed in respect of the 2021 consolidated financial statements.

Fees payable to the Group's auditor for the audit of non-statutory financial statements in 2022 relate to the audit of carve-out financial statements of Built Environment Consulting.

Other assurance services in 2022 are Reporting Accountant services performed by KPMG in relation to the Built Environment Consulting disposal.

5  Exceptional items


2023

(unaudited)

$m

 

2022

$m

Exceptional items included in continuing operations



Power and Industrial EPC losses

45.1

25.0

Impairment of goodwill and intangible assets (note 10)

-

542.3

Apollo related costs

4.8

-

Redundancy, restructuring and integration costs

-

30.1

Investigation support costs and provisions

(2.6)

(4.2)

Enterprise settlement

-

35.6

Asbestos yield curve, costs and charges

29.4

21.5

Russia exit costs and charges

-

13.2


 


Exceptional items included in continuing operations, before interest and tax

76.7

663.5

Unwinding of discount on asbestos provision

11.1

5.9

Tax (credit)/charge in relation to exceptional items

(0.2)

5.2

Release of uncertain tax provision

(7.4)

-

Derecognition/(recognition) of deferred tax assets due to UK pension actuarial movements

18.0

(41.6)


 


Exceptional items included in continuing operations, net of interest and tax

98.2

633.0

 

Exceptional items are those significant items which are separately disclosed by virtue of their size or incidence to enable a full understanding of the Group's financial performance. 

 

Power and Industrial EPC losses

The Group made a strategic decision in 2021 to exit certain business segments within the Power and Industrials sub business group.   Following that decision, we ceased to operate in the large-scale EPC or lump sum turnkey business segment.  

 

The costs of exiting that business and any subsequent costs related to the wind down of contracts in that business, to the extent they are material in size, have been treated as exceptional on the basis that they relate to a segment in which the Group no longer operates.

  

In the first half of 2023 the Group recorded a non-cash exceptional charge of $20.4m relating to a write down of receivable balances arising from activity in the Power and Industrial EPC business.   The Group had expected to recover these balances, but these have since been disputed.   

 

In the second half of 2023, a former client raised an arbitration claim against the Group in respect of alleged damages and costs arising from a legacy Power and Industrial contract.  Following evaluation of the claim, the Group has recognised a provision of $23.0m with a charge to exceptional items, representing our assessment of probable outflows arising from the matter. 

 

During the year additional costs relating to the discontinued business of $1.7m were recorded as an exceptional charge. This follows previous write downs made during 2022 of $25.0m, including a revenue reversal of $8.0m which represents the impact of a reduction in total value of the contract and is in relation to revenue recognised in prior years.

 

Apollo related costs

The Group incurred $4.8m in relation to legal and advisor costs arising from Apollo's preliminary approach to potentially acquire the ordinary share capital of the Group, which did not ultimately lead to an offer.

 

Investigation support costs and provisions

 

The regulatory investigations were all closed out during 2021 and the agreed settlements were materially in line with the provision made in 2020.  The $2.6m credit relates to the release of provisions made for additional legal and other costs which were ultimately not needed.

 

Asbestos

 

All asbestos costs have been treated as exceptional on the basis that movements in the provision are non-trading and can be large and driven by market conditions which are out with the Group's control. Excluding these amounts from the trading results improves the understandability of the underlying trading performance of the Group.

 

The $29.4m charge (2022: $21.5m) principally comprises a $34.2m charge (2022: $52.8m) in the period that was a result of an updated actuarial review which updated the best estimate for recent claims experience and $5.4m (2022: $4.3m) of costs in relation to managing the claims. These are offset by a credit of $10.0m which relates to the collection of insurance proceeds from an insolvent insurer and a yield curve credit of $0.2m (2022: $35.6m).  The lower yield curve credit recognised in 2023 is principally due to the 27 year blended yield curve rate of 3.64% not being materially different to the 30 year flat rate of 3.97% in 2022.

 

$11.1m of interest costs which relate to the unwinding of discount on the asbestos provision are also shown as exceptional (2022: $5.9m).

 

Redundancy, restructuring and integration costs

No costs were incurred in 2023. In the prior year, $30.1m was incurred in relation to redundancy and restructuring activities.

 

Enterprise settlement

In the prior year, the Enterprise claim was concluded, with the amount settled being in excess of the amount provided for. The charge in the prior year was classed as an exceptional both by its nature (historic litigation settlement) and by size.

 

Tax

An exceptional tax charge of $10.4m (2022: $36.4m credit) has been recorded during the period. It consists of a tax credit of $0.2m on exceptional items (2022: $5.2m charge), a $7.4m credit in relation to the release of an uncertain tax provision created through exceptional items on the disposal of the Well Support business in 2011, offset by an exceptional charge of $18.0m (2022: $41.6m credit) recognised due to the actuarial loss in relation to the UK defined benefit pension scheme. As deferred tax liabilities support the recognition of deferred tax assets, the reduction of $18.0m of deferred tax assets have been recognised through exceptional items based on its size.

 

 

6          Taxation


2023

(unaudited)
$m


2022

$m

Current tax



Current year

86.1

188.5

Adjustment in respect of prior years

(38.3)

(14.8)





47.8

173.7




Deferred tax



Origination and reversal of temporary differences

17.0

62.7

Adjustment in respect of prior years

(6.5)

(0.2)





10.5

62.5




Total tax charge

58.3

236.2




Comprising



Tax on continuing operations before exceptional items

54.6

47.3

Tax (credit)/charge in relation to exceptional items (note 5)

(7.6)

5.2

Derecognition/(recognition) of deferred tax assets due to UK pension actuarial movements (note 5)

18.0

(41.6)

Tax on discontinued operations

(6.7)

225.3




Total tax charge

58.3

236.2

 

Tax (credited)/charged to other comprehensive income/expense

2023

(unaudited)
$m

 

2022

$m




Deferred tax movement on retirement benefit liabilities

(18.0)

41.6

Tax on derivative financial instruments

0.4

1.7




Total (credited)/charged to other comprehensive income/expense

(17.6)

43.3

               

Tax (credited)/charged to equity

2023
$m

2022

$m




Deferred tax impact of rate change

(0.7)

0.8

Other

0.1

1.3




Total (credited)/charged to equity

(0.6)

2.1

 

Tax payments differ from the current tax charge primarily due to the time lag between tax charge and payments in most jurisdictions and movements in uncertain tax provisions differing from the timing of any related payments.

 

Reconciliation of applicable tax charge at statutory rates to tax charge

2023

(unaudited)

$m

2022 (re-presented)
$m

Loss before taxation from continuing operations

(62.7)

(691.4)

Loss/(profit) before taxation from discontinued operations (note 7)

(15.2)

61.4

Gain on sale of discontinued operation (note 7)

31.0

514.5

Less: Share of post-tax profit from joint ventures (note 13)

(42.8)

(30.4)

 



Loss before taxation from total operations (excluding profits from joint ventures)

(89.7)

(145.9)


 


Applicable tax charge at statutory rates

(1.4)

36.5


 


Effects of:

 


Non-deductible expenses

18.7

8.2

Non-taxable income

-

(1.0)

Non-deductible expenses - exceptional

4.1

332.8

Non-taxable income - exceptional

(9.9)

(0.3)

Deferred tax recognition:

 


  Recognition of deferred tax assets not previously recognised

(5.5)

(4.3)

  Utilisation of tax assets not previously recognised

(3.4)

(12.4)

  Current year deferred tax assets not recognised

62.0

37.7

  Write off of previously recognised deferred tax assets

2.2

5.2

  Derecognition/(recognition) due to UK pension actuarial movements

18.0

(41.6)

  Utilisation of unrecognised deferred tax assets due to the Built Environment Consulting disposal

-

(145.5)

Irrecoverable withholding tax

14.3

20.4

US Base Erosion and Anti-abuse Tax

-

6.7

CFC charges

5.7

2.3

Uncertain tax provisions

(0.4)

7.5

Uncertain tax provisions - exceptional

0.6

-

Uncertain tax provisions prior year adjustments

(10.6)

(26.7)

Uncertain tax provisions prior year adjustments - Exceptional

(7.4)

1.5

Prior year adjustments

(14.4)

7.7

Prior year adjustments - exceptional

(11.2)

2.5

Impact of change in rates on deferred tax

(3.1)

(1.0)


 


Total tax charge

58.3

236.2

 

 

Comprising

 


Tax charge on continuing operations

65.0

10.9

Tax (credit)/charge on discontinued operations

(6.7)

225.3


 


Total tax charge

58.3

236.2

 

The weighted average of statutory tax rates is 1.5% in 2023 (2022: (25.0%)). The low tax rate reflects an overall loss, however profits in jurisdictions with higher tax rates outweigh those at lower tax rates such that there is a small net tax amount at the Group weighted average tax level.

 

 

 

The adjustments in respect of prior years largely relate to the release of uncertain tax positions as the final outcome on certain issues was agreed with tax authorities during the year or the statute of limitations for audit by the tax authorities expiring without challenge, and amendments in respect of the US following more detailed analysis as part of the tax return work. The most significant uncertain tax position release elements relate to the release of legacy Well Support business related provisions of $7.4m within exceptional items and final assessments received without a penalty which had previously been provided for of $7.0m. US related prior year adjustments are a credit of $15.9m and relate to technical areas of the tax return around the availability of losses due to change of ownership rules, the apportionment of profits between states factoring in the Built Environment disposal and a full analysis of the level of Base Erosion and Anti-Abuse tax payable.

During the year, the UK defined benefit pension fund asset on the Wood Pension Plan decreased due to actuarial losses of $82.8m, resulting in the associated deferred tax liability decreasing, with a credit shown in Other Comprehensive Income. The deferred tax liability supports the recognition of deferred tax assets, and as a result $18.0m (2022: $41.6m additional recognition) has been recognised and a corresponding debit recognised in the profit and loss account. Consistent with the prior year, this has been recognised as an exceptional item.  

 

Net income tax liabilities in the Group balance sheet include $87.1m (2022: $108.0m) relating to uncertain tax positions where management has had to exercise judgement in determining the most likely outcome in respect of the relevant issue. The larger amounts relate to recoverability of withholding taxes ($38.0m, 2022: $36.4m), group financing ($25.7m, 2022: $25.2m) and transfer pricing and tax residence ($9.4m, 2022: $9.6m). Where the final outcome on these issues differs to the amounts provided, the Group's tax charge will be impacted.

 

Of the uncertain tax positions, $80.4m are currently under audit by tax authorities and the provision reflects the maximum potential liability reflecting the outcome of the audits being either no liability or the full risk being challenged. The outcome of the audits will determine if there is a credit to taxation in 2024. The remaining $6.7m comprises uncertain tax positions not yet under audit, none of which are individually material. Of the $6.7m, $0.9m will become statute barred for tax authority audit during 2024 if the tax authorities do not commence an audit.

Factors affecting the tax charge in future years

There are a number of factors that may affect the Group's future tax charge including the resolution of open issues with the tax authorities, corporate acquisitions and disposals, the use of brought forward losses and changes in tax legislation and rates. The following outlines key factors that may impact on future tax charges.

 

On 8 October 2021, 136 countries signed up to the OECDs Inclusive Framework (Pillar II). This includes an agreement for a minimum level of tax of 15% which applies to the Group from 1 January 2024. Based on the 2023 results and an analysis of the jurisdictions to which a Pillar II charge may apply, the anticipated range of the additional charge is between $1m and $4m depending on the outcome of technical uncertainties on which guidance has yet to be provided by the OECD. The Jurisdictions Pillar II will have the greatest impact in relation to are the UAE and the captive insurance company incorporated in Guernsey but UK tax resident.

 

During 2022, the actuarial loss in relation to the UK pension fund has resulted in a derecognition of deferred tax assets as less can now be supported by the deferred tax liability related to the pensions asset. Whilst the movement in the deferred tax liability is taken to Other Comprehensive Income, the additional recognition of assets is taken to the Income Statement. The future tax charge will therefore be impacted by movements in the pension asset valuation with actuarial gains increasing deferred tax asset recognition and actuarial losses decreasing recognition. The deferred tax liability in relation to the UK pension fund at 31 December 2023 is $100.8m.

 

The UK Government announced in its budget on 3 March 2021, a rise in the rate of Corporation Tax from 19% to 25% from 1 April 2023. The increase is reflected in deferred tax in the accounts, however there is no impact as deferred tax assets are only recognised to the extent there are deferred tax liabilities in the UK. We anticipate the tax charge and cash tax payable is likely to increase from the 2024 year end onwards as a result of the rate rise to full calendar years from then on.

 

Tax Policy

The Group is committed to complying with all relevant tax laws, rules, regulations and reporting and disclosure requirements wherever it operates. All tax planning undertaken is consistent with the Group's overall strategy and approach to risk. The Group aims to use incentives and reliefs to minimise the tax cost of conducting business but will not use them for purposes which are knowingly contradictory to the intent of the legislation. A full copy of the Group's tax strategy can be found on the Group's website at www.woodplc.com

 

 

7          Discontinued operation

In September 2022, the Group announced it had completed an agreement to sell the Built Environment Consulting business, which is included within the Built Environment Consulting operating segment. The Built Environment Consulting business was classified as a discontinued operation from 1 January 2022, at which point the conditions under IFRS 5 were met. The Group income statement and statement of comprehensive income were re-presented to show the discontinued operation separately from continuing operations.

 

As per the terms of the agreement, the Group had a residual element of the transaction classified as held for sale in the 2022 Annual Report. The sale of the remaining underlying subsidiary, residing in Saudi Arabia, did not complete during 2023 and will now be retained by the Group. The results in the comparative periods arising from discontinued operations have been re-presented in the table below, with the performance of this subsidiary now showing within the Group income statement as part of continuing operations. This restatement is in accordance with the requirements of IFRS 5 paragraph 36. The revenue and profit before tax associated with this subsidiary in 2022 was $27.1m and $3.1m respectively.

(i)            Results of discontinued operation

 

 

Note

2023

(unaudited)

$m

2022

(re-presented)

$m

 




External revenue

 

-

854.0

Cost of sales

 

(10.2)

(735.8)

Gross (loss)/profit

 

(10.2)

118.2


 

 


Administrative expenses

 

-

(48.4)

Exceptional items - administrative expenses

 

(5.0)

(6.7)

Operating (loss)/profit

 

(15.2)

63.1

 

 

 


Finance expense

 

-

(1.7)

(Loss)/profit before tax

 

(15.2)

61.4

 

 

 


Taxation

 

-

(7.9)

 

Results from operating activities, net of tax

 

 

(15.2)

 

53.5

 

 

 


Gain on sale of discontinued operation

 

31.0

514.5

Income tax on gain on sale of discontinued operation (exceptional)

 

6.7

(217.4)


 

 


Profit from discontinued operation, net of tax

 

22.5

350.6

Earnings per share (cents)

 

 

 

Basic

9

3.3

51.5

Diluted

9

3.3

51.5

 

The profit from the discontinued operation, net of tax of $22.5m (2022: $350.6m) is attributable entirely to the owners of the Company. Cost of sales of $10.2m relates to contract costs incurred in respect of the Built Environment Consulting business prior to its sale that were not known at the time of the disposal and should have been accrued in that business in the prior year. As the adjustment is not material the prior year comparatives have not been restated and the charge included in 2023.

The final proceeds from the disposal of the Built Environmental Consulting business were agreed during 2023 upon agreement of the completion balance sheet between the Group and WSP. This has resulted in an additional gain of $31.0m, comprising $27.1m of cash proceeds and the release of completion accruals, being recognised in discontinued operations.

 

The disposal of the built environment business has led to a R&D tax credit being determined to be unrecoverable in the foreseeable future, and a charge of $5.0m has been recognised in addition to the charge previously recognised in 2022, following the filing of the relevant 2022 tax returns.

(ii)           Cash flows from / (used in) discontinued operation

 

 

Note

2023

(unaudited)

$m

 

2022

$m

 




Net cash used in operating activities

 

-

(6.0)

Net cash (used in)/ generated from investing activities

 

(40.0)

1,748.4

 

Net cash flows for the period

 

 

(40.0)

 

1,742.4

 

8          Dividends

No decision has been taken to resume the dividend and this will be kept under review by the directors. Any decision to resume payment of a dividend will consider the Group's future profitability and cash requirements.

 

9          Earnings per share


2023 (unaudited)

2022


(Losses)/earnings attributable to

owners of the

 parent

$m

Number of shares

m

Earnings/(losses) per share

Cents

(Losses)/earnings attributable to owners of the parent

$m

Number of shares

m

Earnings/(losses) per share

cents








Basic pre-exceptional

(45.2)

685.9

(6.6)

(13.7)

680.4

(2.0)

Exceptional items, net of tax

(65.5)

-

(9.5)

(342.6)

-

(50.4)


 

 

 




Basic

(110.7)

685.9

(16.1)

(356.3)

680.4

(52.4)

Effect of dilutive ordinary shares

-

-

-

-

-

-


 

 

 




Diluted

(110.7)

685.9

(16.1)

(356.3)

680.4

(52.4)


 

 

 




Adjusted diluted earnings per share calculation

 

 

 





 

 

 




Basic

(110.7)

685.9

(16.1)

(356.3)

680.4

(52.4)

Exceptional items, net of tax

65.5

-

9.5

342.6

-

50.4

Amortisation related to acquisitions, net of tax

50.8

-

7.4

52.5

-

7.7


 

 

 




Adjusted diluted

5.6

685.9

0.8

38.8

680.4

5.7


 

 

 




Adjusted basic

5.6

685.9

0.8

38.8

680.4

5.7

 

 

i)              (Losses)/earnings attributable to equity shareholders


2023 (unaudited)

2022

 


 

Continuing

operations

$m

 

Discontinued operations

 $m

 

 

Total

$m

Continuing operations

(re-presented)

$m

Discontinued operations

(re-presented)

$m

 

Total

(re-presented)

 

$m


 

 

 

 



(Losses)/earnings attributable to equity

shareholders (basic pre-exceptional)

(35.0)

(10.2)

(45.2)

(73.9)

60.2

(13.7)

Exceptional items, net of tax

(98.2)

32.7

(65.5)

(633.0)

290.4

(342.6)

(Losses)/earnings attributable

to equity shareholders

(133.2)

22.5

(110.7)

(706.9)

350.6

(356.3)

Number of shares (basic)

685.9

685.9

685.9

680.4

680.4

680.4

Number of shares (diluted)

685.9

685.9

685.9

680.4

680.4

680.4

Basic earnings per share (cents)

(19.4)

3.3

(16.1)

(103.9)

51.5

(52.4)

Diluted earnings per share (cents)

(19.4)

3.3

(16.1)

(103.9)

51.5

(52.4)

 

 


2023 (unaudited)

2022


 

Continuing

operations

$m

 

Discontinued operations

 $m

 

 

Total

$m

Continuing operations

(re-presented)

$m

Discontinued operations

(re-presented)

$m

 

Total

(re-presented)

$m

(Losses)/earnings attributable to equity shareholders

(133.2)

22.5

(110.7)

(706.9)

350.6

(356.3)

Exceptional items, net of tax

98.2

(32.7)

65.5

633.0

(290.4)

342.6

Amortisation of intangibles on acquisition,

net of tax

50.8

-

50.8

52.5

-

52.5

(Losses)/earnings attributable

to equity shareholders (adjusted diluted)

15.8

(10.2)

5.6

(21.4)

60.2

38.8

(Losses)/earnings attributable

to equity shareholders (adjusted basic)

15.8

(10.2)

5.6

(21.4)

60.2

38.8

Number of shares (diluted)

685.9

685.9

685.9

680.4

680.4

680.4

Number of shares (basic)

685.9

685.9

685.9

680.4

680.4

680.4

Adjusted diluted (cents)

2.3

(1.5)

0.8

(3.1)

8.8

5.7

Adjusted basic (cents)

2.3

(1.5)

0.8

(3.1)

8.8

5.7

 

The calculation of basic earnings per share is based on the earnings attributable to owners of the parent divided by the weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue during the year excluding shares held by the Group's employee share trusts. For the calculation of diluted earnings per share, the weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue is adjusted to assume conversion of dilutive potential ordinary shares, only when there is a profit per share. The Group's dilutive ordinary shares comprise share options granted to employees under Executive Share Option Schemes, shares and share options awarded under the Group's Long-Term Plan and shares awarded under the Group's Employee Share Plan and Share Incentive Plan. Adjusted basic and adjusted diluted earnings per share are disclosed to show the results excluding the impact of exceptional items and amortisation related to acquisitions, net of tax. 

For the year ended 31 December 2023, the Group reported a basic loss (2022: loss) per ordinary share, therefore the effect of dilutive ordinary shares are excluded (2022: excluded) in the calculation of diluted earnings per share. Where profits have been made when disaggregating discontinued and continuing operations, the calculation of diluted earnings per share was performed on the same basis as the whole Group. Had the result been a profit, an additional 22.0m of dilutive potential shares would have been used in the calculation of diluted EPS metrics, which would have reduced the adjusted diluted EPS by 0.01 cents

 

 

10  Goodwill and other intangible assets

 

 

(unaudited)

 

Goodwill
$m

Software and development
costs

$m

Customer contracts and relationships

$m

Order backlog

$m

Brands

$m

Total

$m

Cost







At 1 January 2023

4,277.4

343.2

656.1

157.0

479.4

5,913.1

Exchange movements

49.4

24.1

4.8

1.2

5.4

84.9

Additions

-

131.0

-

-

-

131.0

Disposals

-

(2.1)

-

-

-

(2.1)

Businesses divested

(15.0)

-

-

-

-

(15.0)








At 31 December 2023

4,311.8

496.2

660.9

158.2

484.8

6,111.9


 

 

 

 

 

 

Amortisation and impairment

 

 

 

 

 

 

At 1 January 2023

488.8

239.4

547.7

157.0

171.1

1,604.0

Exchange movements

6.5

19.0

2.8

1.2

1.8

31.3

Amortisation charge

-

105.2

26.3

-

28.2

159.7

Disposals

-

(2.1)

-

-

-

(2.1)








At 31 December 2023

495.3

361.5

576.8

158.2

201.1

1,792.9








Net book value at 31 December 2023

3,816.5

134.7

84.1

-

283.7

4,319.0








Cost







At 1 January 2022

5,226.2

288.8

815.7

183.9

661.0

7,175.6

Exchange movements

(173.2)

(40.3)

(21.8)

(2.8)

(13.3)

(251.4)

Additions

-

115.9

-

-

-

115.9

Disposals

-

(3.4)

-

-

-

(3.4)

Businesses divested

(775.6)

(17.8)

(137.8)

(24.1)

(168.3)

(1,123.6)








At 31 December 2022

4,277.4

343.2

656.1

157.0

479.4

5,913.1

 







Amortisation and impairment







At 1 January 2022

0.8

205.7

581.2

171.7

140.9

1,100.3

Exchange movements

(5.2)

(33.4)

(15.8)

(2.5)

(3.0)

(59.9)

Amortisation charge

-

87.5

28.4

11.9

24.1

151.9

Impairment

493.2

-

4.2

-

44.9

542.3

Disposals

-

(3.4)

-

-

-

(3.4)

Businesses divested

-

(17.0)

(50.3)

(24.1)

(35.8)

(127.2)








At 31 December 2022

488.8

239.4

547.7

157.0

171.1

1,604.0

 







Net book value at 31 December 2022

3,788.6

103.8

108.4

-

308.3

4,309.1

 

General

In accordance with IAS 36 'Impairment of assets', goodwill was tested for impairment during the year. The impairment tests were carried out by Cash Generating Unit ('CGU') as at 31 December 2023 (the "test date").  The Group has five CGUs and Goodwill is monitored by management at CGU level.  The allocation of Goodwill by CGU as at the test date is shown in the table below.

The carrying value of the goodwill for each CGU as at the test date is shown in the table below.

Cash Generating Unit

Goodwill carrying value

2023 Test date

(unaudited)

 $m

Goodwill carrying value

2022 Test date

 

 $m

Projects

2,195.7

2,280.8

Operations

1,231.2

1,594.8

Consulting

356.4

372.4

Kelchner

16.9

16.9

Swaggart

16.3

16.3

 

Basis for determining recoverable amount

The recoverable amount was determined by preparing value-in-use calculations prepared for each CGU using the cash flow projections included in the financial forecasts prepared by management and approved by the Board for the period 2024 through to 2028.  Management have updated the forecasts which were underpinned by the new strategy announced in November 2022 based on an updated assessment of market outlook; growth in market share; resource utilisation; contract backlog; contract margins; assumed contract awards based on the current pipeline; and actual performance in 2023.  The key market drivers, within energy, include energy security driven by the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and supporting energy transition in our focus markets.  Our materials growth drivers are also underpinned by transition to net zero, as well as increased consumer demand driven by population growth and higher standards of living.

The projected growth in the CGUs is underpinned by the Group's strategy to fully capitalise on the engineering capabilities of each of the CGUs to help our clients move to net zero through energy transition and decarbonisation. In addition to applying decarbonization capabilities within each CGU across each of the growth markets, digitization is another key driver which is expected to draw demand for the digital tools, products and capabilities offered by the Consulting CGU.  During 2023 each of the CGUs have had significant contract wins in energy transition and decarbonisation and are therefore well placed to benefit from significant levels of investment required by our clients to achieve net zero.  The Group have also considered that there are risks associated with energy transition, including energy transition and industrial decarbonisation markets not generating sufficient revenues to meet targets, which may also impact the Group's ability to attract or retain the appropriately skilled workforce which could prevent the Group from competing for work in this space.  However, offsetting this risk is the large near-term addressable market focused on energy security within oil and gas along with the desire of those clients to pursue net-zero and decarbonization efforts. These projects are supporting the energy security agenda as major economies aim to reduce their dependency on Russian oil and gas, whilst also ensuring affordable energy for consumers.

Critical assumptions

The revenue CAGR for each of the CGUs ranges from 8.3% to 13.4% (2022: 4.8% to 14.2%). The Projects revenue CAGR includes growth from its Middle East region, process and chemicals sector and minerals and processing sectors. Projects is expected to leverage from its existing engineering capabilities and client relationships to grow its market share in the minerals sectors, whilst population growth is expected to underpin growth in the process and chemicals sector.  The Projects Middle East business is underpinned by the Group's deep history in that region.  If this growth does not materialise, there is a risk of an impairment in the Projects CGU.  

The Operations revenue CAGR includes growth from the oil and gas sector in Europe and the Middle East and is underpinned by a global focus on energy security and supporting the energy transition.  Operations have secured a number of contract awards with large, multinational energy companies during 2023, and this is reflected in a higher orderbook as at 31 December 2023 compared with 31 December 2022.  Reasonably possible changes in the critical assumptions used in the Operations impairment test did not result in an impairment. 

The terminal growth rates assumed from 2028 do not exceed the long-term average historical growth rates for the regions and sectors in which the CGUs operate.  The Group is well placed to benefit from the significant long term growth opportunities from Energy Transition, which has been considered in determining long term growth rates.  Management reviewed independent forecasts which set out the long-term investment required in order to achieve net zero.  This long-term annual growth was then applied to each of the CGUs based on current activity levels.  Accordingly, the long-term growth rates assumed in the model are 2.4% for Operations (2022:  2.4%); 2.4% for Projects (2022: 2.4%); and 2.4% (2022: 2.4%) for Consulting. 

The cash flows have been discounted using discount rates appropriate for each CGU, and these rates are reviewed for each impairment review performed.  The discount rate is a critical assumption in the impairment test and the significant volatility in financial markets has led to an increase in the discount rate. The Group have considered the additional specific risks related to each business such as country risk and forecasting risk.  The Group have considered the ongoing conflict in Israel on its operations in the Middle East as part of its assessment of country risk premium.  The pre-tax rates used for the 2023 review are tabulated as follows and were derived from the Group WACC calculation with specific adjustments for CGU specific risks including country risk premiums.  

The discount rates tabulated below reflect the view that the cash flows have been risk adjusted in 2023, whereas risk adjustments were reflected in the discount rate in 2022.  The 2023 pre-tax discount rates, with risk reflected in the discount rate would have been 13.1% for Projects, 13.7% for Operations, 12.3% for Consulting, 12.9% for Kelchner and 13.1% for Swaggart.

Cash Generating Unit

Pre-tax discount rate

2023

(unaudited)

%

Pre-tax discount rate

2022

 

%

Post-tax discount rate

2023

(unaudited)

%

Post-tax discount rate

2022

 

%

Projects

12.0

13.2

10.3

11.0

Operations

12.3

12.9

10.5

10.5

Consulting

12.0

12.2

10.3

9.9

Kelchner

10.8

12.4

9.4

10.4

Swaggart

11.0

12.8

9.4

10.4

 

Sensitivity analysis

In order to reduce headroom to $nil in 2023, the post-tax discount rate would need to increase to:

Cash Generating Unit (unaudited)

%

Projects

10.7

Operations

13.0

Consulting

16.8

Kelchner

20.0

Swaggart

17.4

 

The headroom for Projects was $112m based on the assumptions described above.   The key assumptions used in the impairment model for the CGU include discount rate, long term growth rate and revenue growth.  There are reasonably possible changes in assumptions that would result in an impairment for Projects.  If the post-tax discount rate was 1.0% higher for Projects, the impairment would be $171m.  A 1.2% reduction in revenue CAGR over the forecast period would reduce headroom to $nil and a 0.5% reduction in the long-term growth rate would also reduce headroom to $nil.    

Reasonably possible changes in the assumptions used in the impairment tests in the other CGUs did not result in an impairment.

Group test

The carrying values of the corporate assets that were not allocated to the above cash generating units above were $111.8m (2022: $73.2m) and were tested for impairment at the group level, taking into account the estimates and assumptions discussed above in respect of the Group's cash generating units.  The Group post tax discount rate was 9.6% (pre-tax 11.2%) and a terminal growth rate of 2.4% was applied to the forecast consolidated cash flows of the Group, including the unallocated central costs.  The recoverable amount of the Group at the test date was $4,767m.  The Group post-tax discount rate would need to be 0.5% higher to reduce the headroom to $nil. 

Intangibles

Customer relationships relate mainly to the acquisition of Amec Foster Wheeler in 2017 and are being amortised over periods of 5 to 13 years. Order backlog relates entirely to the acquisition of AFW and was being amortised over periods of 2 to 5 years and has fully amortised. Brands recognised relate entirely to the acquisition of AFW and the remaining carrying value is being amortised over a period of 11 years.

Software and development costs includes internally generated assets with a net book value of $47.5m at 31 December 2023 (2022: $36.9m). $18.7m (2022: $19.9m) of internally generated intangibles is included in additions in the year.

The software disposals relate to the write off of fully depreciated assets that are no longer in use.

 

11  Property plant and equipment

(unaudited)

Land and Buildings
$m

Plant and equipment
$m

Total
$m

Cost




At 1 January 2023

51.6

79.3

130.9

Exchange movements

1.9

4.1

6.0

Additions

2.7

17.8

20.5

Disposals

(17.4)

(25.7)

(43.1)

Reclassifications

-

(14.8)

(14.8)


 

 

 

At 31 December 2023

38.8

60.7

99.5


 

 

 

Accumulated depreciation and impairment

 

 

 

At 1 January 2023

28.5

20.0

48.5

Exchange movements

0.9

3.3

4.2

Charge for the year

5.1

15.9

21.0

Disposals

(12.1)

(25.4)

(37.5)

Impairment

1.1

0.7

1.8

Reclassifications

-

(3.8)

(3.8)


 

 

 

At 31 December 2023

23.5

10.7

34.2


 

 

 

Net book value at 31 December 2023

15.3

50.0

65.3


 

 

 

Cost




At 1 January 2022

86.7

115.7

202.4

Exchange movements

(5.3)

(10.9)

(16.2)

Additions

1.5

26.1

27.6

Disposals

(11.0)

(21.7)

(32.7)

Businesses divested (note 7)

(22.1)

(28.1)

(50.2)

Reclassifications

1.8

(1.8)

-





At 31 December 2022

51.6

79.3

130.9





Accumulated depreciation and impairment




At 1 January 2022

50.5

49.7

100.2

Exchange movements

(3.5)

(11.4)

(14.9)

Charge for the year

5.5

19.7

25.2

Disposals

(7.5)

(19.4)

(26.9)

Businesses divested (note 7)

(18.3)

(17.2)

(35.5)

Reclassifications

1.8

(1.8)

-

Impairment

-

0.4

0.4





At 31 December 2022

28.5

20.0

48.5

 




Net book value at 31 December 2022

23.1

59.3

82.4

 

The net book value of Land and Buildings includes $7.9m (2022: $14.0m) of Long Leasehold and Freehold property and $7.4m (2022: $9.1m) of Short Leasehold property. There were no material amounts in assets under construction at 31 December 2023.

During the year there were finance lease assets with a net book value of $11.5m transferred from Plant and Equipment to Right of Use Assets.

 

 

12  Leases

Right of use assets (unaudited)

Land and Buildings
$m

Plant and equipment
$m

Total
$m

Net book value




At 1 January 2023

249.5

26.5

276.0

Exchange movements

10.3

0.8

11.1

Additions

121.2

35.0

156.2

Disposals

(2.8)

(0.9)

(3.7)

Reclassifications

-

11.5

11.5

Depreciation of right of use assets

(61.4)

(33.8)

(95.2)

At 31 December 2023

316.8

39.1

355.9


 

 

 

 

Lease liabilities (unaudited)

 

 

 

At 1 January 2023



342.9

Exchange movements



10.3

Additions



147.6

Disposals



(5.4)

Interest expense related to lease liabilities



18.7

Repayment of lease liabilities



(113.3)

At 31 December 2023

 

 

400.8

 

 

Right of use assets




Net book value




At 1 January 2022

316.6

39.5

356.1

Exchange movements

(17.5)

(2.1)

(19.6)

Additions

67.8

27.0

94.8

Disposals

(1.5)

-

(1.5)

Businesses divested (note 7)

(53.7)

(17.8)

(71.5)

Depreciation of right of use assets

(62.2)

(20.1)

(82.3)

At 31 December 2022

249.5

26.5

276.0

 

 

Lease liabilities

 

 

 

At 1 January 2022



449.8

Exchange movements



(27.0)

Additions



91.9

Disposals



(5.4)

Businesses divested (note 7)



(62.7)

Interest expense related to lease liabilities



17.9

Repayment of lease liabilities



(121.6)

At 31 December 2022

 

 

342.9

 

Included in the above, the Group has finance leases liabilities totalling $17.7m (2022: $16.2m) in addition to the IFRS 16 lease liabilities in respect of leases previously classified as operating leases under IAS 17. 

 

 

A maturity analysis of the Group's total lease liability is shown below:

 




2023

(unaudited)

 

2022




$m

$m

Current lease liability



83.4

83.2

Non-current lease liability



317.4

259.7




 


Total lease liability

 

 

400.8

342.9

 

The following table shows the breakdown of lease expense between amounts charged to operating profit and amounts charged to finance costs.

 




$m

$m

Depreciation charge for right of use assets

 

 

Property

61.4

62.2

Plant and equipment

33.8

20.1

Charged to operating profit

95.2

82.3

Interest expense related to lease liabilities

18.7

17.9

Charge to profit/(loss) before taxation for leases

113.9

100.2

 

13  Investment in joint ventures and other investments

The Group operates a number of joint ventures companies, the most significant of which are its turbine JV's, EthosEnergy Group Limited and RWG (Repair & Overhauls) Limited.  The Group considers these to be joint arrangements on the basis that two or more parties have joint control, which is defined as the contractually agreed sharing of control and exists only when decisions about the relevant activities of the joint arrangement require the unanimous consent of the parties sharing control. The Group has a 51% shareholding in EthosEnergy, a provider of rotating equipment services and solutions to the power, oil and gas and industrial markets. EthosEnergy is domiciled and headquartered in Aberdeen, Scotland. The Group has a 50% shareholding in RWG, a provider of repair and overhaul services to the oil and gas, power generation and marine propulsion industries. RWG is based in Aberdeen, Scotland.

The assets, liabilities, income and expenses of the EthosEnergy and RWG are shown below. The financial information below has been extracted from the management accounts for these entities.

 

 


EthosEnergy (100%)

RWG (100%)


2023

(unaudited)
$m


2022

$m

      2023

(unaudited)
$m

    
2022

$m

Non-current assets

145.7

137.9

58.7

57.9

Current assets

534.7

520.7

160.8

141.4

Current liabilities

(353.8)

(347.7)

(78.5)

(74.6)

Non-current liabilities

(65.7)

(78.7)

(2.7)

(7.7)


 


 


Net assets

260.9

232.2

138.3

117.0


 


 


Wood Group share

133.1

118.4

69.2

58.5

Accumulated impairments and other adjustments

(65.9)

(65.9)

-

-


 


 


Wood Group investment

67.2

52.5

69.2

58.5


 


 


Revenue

861.0

824.8

253.4

234.3

Cost of sales

(726.2)

(721.5)

(181.6)

(169.8)

Administrative expenses

(86.9)

(80.5)

(31.1)

(31.2)

Exceptional items

-

-

-

-


 


 


Operating profit

47.9

22.8

40.7

33.3

Finance expense

(11.7)

(7.5)

(1.0)

(0.8)


 


 


Profit before tax

36.2

15.3

39.7

32.5

Tax

(5.9)

(6.4)

(7.1)

(6.5)


 


 


Post-tax profit from joint ventures

30.3

8.9

32.6

26.0


 


 


Wood Group share  

15.5

4.5

16.3

13.0

 

Cash and cash equivalents amounted to $30.8m (2022: $48.2m) and $3.2m (2022: $13.9m) for EthosEnergy and RWG respectively. 

Depreciation amounted to $17.0m (2022: $29.0m) and $4.6m (2022: $9.2m) for EthosEnergy and RWG respectively. 

Amortisation amounted to $1.0m (2022: $0.9m) and $1.9m (2022: $2.1m) for EthosEnergy and RWG respectively. 

EthosEnergy's net debt at 31 December 2023 amounted to $75.9m (2022: $85.7m).

RWG had net debt at 31 December 2023 of $0.5m (2022: net cash $5.1m).

The aggregate carrying amount of the Group's other equity accounted joint ventures, which individually are not material, amounted to $41.7m at 31 December 2023 (2022: $45.5m).

 

 

The Group's share of its joint venture income and expenses is shown below.

 

2023

(unaudited)
$m


2022

$m




Revenue

733.5

754.7

Cost of sales

(602.5)

(641.8)

Administrative expenses

(71.9)

(68.2)


 


Operating profit

59.1

44.7

Net finance expense

(6.5)

(4.4)


 


Profit before tax

52.6

40.3

Tax

(9.8)

(9.9)


 


Share of post-tax profit from joint ventures

42.8

30.4


The movement in investment in joint ventures is shown below:


2023

(unaudited)

 

               2022


$m

$m




At 1 January

156.5

169.7

Exchange movements on retranslation of net assets

3.9

(11.9)

Share of profit after tax

42.8

30.4

Dividends received

(15.6)

(30.1)

Impairment of joint ventures

-

(2.0)

Additions

0.2

0.4

Disposals

(9.7)

-

At 31 December

178.1

156.5



The joint ventures have no significant contingent liabilities to which the Group is exposed, nor has the Group any significant contingent liabilities in relation to its interest in the joint ventures other than those described in note 34

A full list of subsidiary and joint venture entities is included in note 38.

Other investments

Other investments of $51.3m (2022: $56.0m) relates to the US SERP defined contribution scheme referred to in note 33. The SERP invests in a mixture of equities, bonds and money market funds as part of a pension arrangement for US based employees. The liabilities of the SERP are included in non-current liabilities (see note 19).

 

 

14  Inventories



2023

(unaudited)
$m


2022

$m




Materials

7.8

3.1

Finished goods and goods for resale

8.5

8.0


 



16.3

11.1

 

15  Trade and other receivables


 

2023

(unaudited)
$m

 


2022

$m




Trade receivables

805.4

 

744.6

 

Less: provision for impairment of trade receivables

(75.9)

(65.0)

 

 


Trade receivables - net

729.5

679.6

Gross amounts due from customers

522.9

556.9

Prepayments

76.3

84.6

Amounts due from joint ventures

9.8

8.9

Asbestos related insurance recoveries

5.6

11.1

Research and development credits

26.9

24.7

Other receivables

183.4

179.2


 


Trade and other receivables - current

1,554.4

1,545.0

Long term receivables - asbestos related insurance recoveries

23.2

24.4

Long term receivables - other

161.0

105.1


 


Total receivables

1,738.6

1,674.5


As at 31 December 2023, the Group had received $198.2m (2022: $200.0m) of cash relating to non-recourse financing arrangements. An equivalent amount of trade receivables was derecognised on receipt of the cash. At 31 December 2023, $111.7m (2022: $113.6m) had been received from customers in the normal course of business in relation to the same amounts received from the factors. This $111.7m (2022: $113.6m) is due to be paid over to the factors and is included in trade payables.
The impact of both the cash received from the facility and the cash received from customers is included within cash generated from operations.

Included within other long-term receivables of $161.0m (2022: $105.1m) are contract assets of $96.7m (2022: $74.3m) in relation to the Aegis contract.

 

Financial assets

 


2023

(unaudited)
$m


2022

$m




Derivative financial instruments (note 20)

9.2

10.8


 



9.2

10.8

 

 

The Group's trade receivables balance is shown in the table below.

31 December 2023 (unaudited)

Trade
receivables -
Gross
$m

Provision for impairment
$m

Trade
receivables -
Net
$m

Receivable
days






Projects

420.5

(40.4)

380.1

93

Operations

218.7

(4.7)

214.0

49

Consulting

96.2

(5.2)

91.0

51

Investment Services

70.0

(25.6)

44.4

131


 

 

 

 

Total Group

805.4

(75.9)

729.5

75

 

 

 

31 December 2022

Trade
receivables -
Gross
$m

Provision for impairment
$m

Trade
receivables -
Net
$m

Receivable
days






Projects

371.1

(40.4)

330.7

76

Operations

197.4

(5.3)

192.1

42

Consulting

105.1

(3.8)

101.3

75

Investment Services

71.0

(15.5)

55.5

73






Total Group

744.6

(65.0)

679.6

67


Receivable days are calculated by allocating the closing trade receivables and gross amounts due from customers balances to current revenue. A receivable days calculation of 75 indicates that closing trade receivables represent on average the most recent 75 days of revenue. 

Receivable days for Investment Services has been adjusted to exclude the impact of the Aegis project for both 2023 and 2022. The Total Group Receivable days reflects all Group activity including Aegis.

The ageing of the provision for impairment of trade receivables is as follows:


2023

(unaudited)
$m


2022

$m

Up to 3 months

0.2

2.6

Over 3 months

75.7

62.4


 



75.9

65.0

 

 

The movement on the provision for impairment of trade receivables is as follows:

2023 (unaudited)

Projects
$m

Operations
$m

Consulting
 $m

Built Environment Consulting

$m

Investment Services
 $m

 

Total
$m








At 1 January

40.4

5.3

3.8

-

15.5

65.0

Exchange movements

1.0

(0.1)

0.2

-

0.1

1.2

Reclassed during year

(20.7)

-

1.7

-

-

(19.0)

Provided during year

20.0

1.5

0.4

-

18.2

40.1

Utilised during year

(0.3)

(0.6)

-

-

(6.8)

(7.7)

Released during year

-

(1.4)

(0.9)

-

(1.4)

(3.7)


 

 

 

 

 

 

At 31 December

40.4

4.7

5.2

-

25.6

75.9








2022

 







At 1 January

43.7

8.2

3.7

5.1

15.2

75.9

Exchange movements

(2.7)

(0.1)

0.1

-

(0.6)

(3.3)

Disposed during year

-

-

-

(4.1)

-

(4.1)

Reclassed during year

(0.1)

0.2

(0.9)

-

0.1

(0.7)

Provided during year

4.2

0.7

1.6

(0.2)

1.5

7.8

Utilised during year

(3.5)

(3.3)

(0.2)

-

-

(7.0)

Released during year

(1.2)

(0.4)

(0.5)

(0.8)

(0.7)

(3.6)








At 31 December

40.4

5.3

3.8

-

15.5

65.0

 

Other receivables of $183.4m includes an impairment charge of $2.3m against an impaired VAT receivable.  The other classes within trade and other receivables do not contain impaired assets. Of the $40.1m provided during the year, $23.8m remains subject to enforcement activity.

The total expected credit loss was $44.2m in 2023 and includes a $20.4m exceptional charge in relation to a receivable balance within the Power and industrial EPC business, see note 5 for further details. The remaining balance of $23.8m principally arose within the Projects business unit.

Included within gross trade receivables of $805.4m above (2022: $744.6m) and gross amounts due from customers of $522.9m (2022: $556.9m) are contract assets of $299.2m (2022: $244.6m) which were past due. These relate to customers for whom there is no recent history or expectation of default. The ageing analysis of these contract assets is as follows:


2023

(unaudited)
$m


2022

$m




Up to 3 months overdue

149.0

117.9

Over 3 months overdue

150.2

126.7


 



299.2

244.6


The above analysis excludes retentions relating to contracts in progress of $64.5m (2022: $67.2m).

 

 

16  Cash and cash equivalents


2023

(unaudited)
$m


2022

$m




Cash at bank and in hand

356.2

521.7

Short-term bank deposits

28.4

-

Restricted cash

49.4

15.0


 



434.0

536.7


Cash at bank and in hand at 31 December 2023 includes $127.7m (2022: $328.4m) that is part of the Group's cash pooling arrangements and both cash and borrowings are grossed up by this amount in the financial statements.

The effective interest rate on short-term deposits at 31 December 2023 was 6.65% (2022: nil%) and these deposits have no maturity date.

 The restricted cash balance comprises $38.1m (2022: not considered restricted) of cash held in Equatorial Guinea where the Group are seeking Central Bank approval in order to repatriate cash from a subsidiary via dividends or intercompany loans. A further $9.3m (2022: $10.0m) of cash is held in jurisdictions where there is insufficient liquidity in the local market to allow for immediate repatriation. The remaining $2.0m (2022: $5.0m) relates to balances held within Russia that are impacted by the sanctions associated with Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Management considers it appropriate to include the restricted cash balance in the Group's net debt figure on the basis that it meets the definition of cash, albeit is not readily available to the Group.

 

 

17  Trade and other payables


      

2023

(unaudited)
$m

 


2022

$m




Trade payables

639.2

550.6

Gross amounts due to customers

99.0

113.0

Other tax and social security payable

57.2

58.2

Accruals

570.2

637.0

Derivative financial instruments

3.4

10.8

Amounts due to joint ventures

12.1

0.3

Asbestos related payables

50.4

59.5

Other payables

275.2

258.2


 



1,706.7

1,687.6


Trade payables includes $111.7m (2022: $113.6m) relating to cash received from customers which is due to be paid over to the bank.

Gross amounts due to customers included above represent payments on account received in excess of amounts due from customers on fixed price contracts.

Accruals includes amounts due to suppliers and sub-contractors that have not yet been invoiced, unpaid wages, salaries and bonuses.

Other payables includes project related and other liabilities which include the amounts due under the investigation which was concluded in 2021. At 31 December 2023 there is one remaining payment in relation to the investigation of $35.6m which was paid in January 2024.

 

 

18  Borrowings


2023

(unaudited)
$m


2022

$m




Bank loans and overdrafts due within one year or on demand



Unsecured

 

 

225.7

345.9

Senior loan notes

 


Unsecured

89.6

-


 


Total current borrowings

315.3

345.9


 


Non-current bank loans

 


Unsecured

549.3

232.0

Senior loan notes

 


Unsecured

262.9

352.0


 


Total non-current borrowings

812.2

584.0




Borrowings of $127.7m (2022: $328.4m) that are part of the Group's cash pooling arrangements, and are netted against cash for internal reporting purposes, are grossed up in the short-term borrowings figure above.  

Bank overdrafts are denominated in a number of currencies and bear interest based on the Bank of England base rate or the relevant foreign currency equivalent.

Following the disposal of the Built Environment Consulting business in September 2022, the Group repaid $400.0m of the $600.0m term loan and agreed the early repayment of the US Private Placement loan notes totalling $416.3m. The Group had total facilities of $1,901.9m as at 31 December 2023, which comprises of a $200.0m term loan maturing in October 2026, $1,200.0m of Revolving Credit Facility maturing in October 2026, $352.5m of senior loan notes in the US private placement market with varying maturities and $149.4m of other banking facilities.

Of the non-current borrowings of $812.2m, $366.5m is denominated in sterling and the balance in US dollars.

As noted in the Basis of Preparation, based on the latest forecasts approved by the directors, the Group expect to pass the covenant requirements during the forecast period, including in the severe but plausible downside scenario. Given that the June and December 2023 covenants were passed, all debts under the RCF facility were disclosed as non-current.

The Group's principal borrowing facilities at 31 December 2023 are set out in the table below.

 

 

Facility (unaudited)

 

Total available

$m

Drawn at 31 December 2023

$m

Undrawn at 31 December 2023

$m

 

 

Repayable

Term loan

200.0

200.0

-

October 2026

Revolving credit facility

1,200.0

356.9

843.1

October 2026

Senior loan notes

352.5

352.5

-

Various dates

Other facilities

149.4

89.6

59.8

Various dates

Accrued interest

-

8.4

(8.4)

N/A

Unamortised fees

-

(7.6)

7.6

N/A


1,901.9

999.8

902.1


 

 

The above table excludes borrowings of $127.7m that are part of the Group's cash pooling arrangements and are offset by equivalent cash balances.

 

The Group has $352.5m (2022: $352.0m) of unsecured senior loan notes issued in the US private placement market.  The notes mature at varying dates between 2024 and 2031 as shown in the table below.  Interest is payable at an average rate of 4.58% (2022: 4.58%). 

 

 

Repayable

        2023

(unaudited)
$m


2022

$m

July 2024

11.5

11.5

August 2024

55.1

55.1

November 2024

23.0

23.0

July 2026

57.9

57.4

August 2026

58.8

58.8

February 2027

18.4

18.4

February 2029

46.0

46.0

July 2029

59.5

59.5

July 2031

22.3

22.3


 



352.5

352.0

 

The effective interest rates on the Group's bank loans and overdrafts at the balance sheet date were as follows:


        2023

(unaudited)
%


2022

 %

US dollar

7.07

4.79

Sterling

6.67

5.09

Euro

4.95

3.02

 

The carrying amounts of the Group's borrowings, including those held within pooling arrangements, are denominated in the following currencies:


        2023

(unaudited)
$m


2022

$m

US Dollar

658.7

611.6

Sterling

371.8

176.7

Euro

67.0

120.0

Other

30.0

21.6


 



1,127.5

929.9

 

The Group is required to issue tender bonds, performance bonds, retention bonds, advance payment bonds and standby letters of credit to certain customers.  Management have assessed that the possibility of these being triggered is remote.  At 31 December 2023, the Group's bank facilities relating to the issue of bonds, guarantees and letters of credit amounted to $1,230.9m (2022: $1,244.2m).  At 31 December 2023, these facilities were 58% utilised (2022: 61%).

 

Borrowing facilities

The Group has the following undrawn borrowing facilities available at 31 December:


2023

(unaudited)
$m


2022

$m

Expiring within one year

59.8

109.7

Expiring between one and two years

-

-

Expiring between two and five years

842.3

1,155.7


 



902.1

1,265.4


All undrawn borrowing facilities are floating rate facilities.  The facilities expiring within one year are annual facilities subject to review at various dates during 2024.  The Group was in compliance with its bank covenants throughout the year. 

A reconciliation of movements of borrowings and lease liabilities to cash flows arising from financing activities is presented in the table below.

 

(unaudited)

Short term borrowings

$m

Long term borrowings

$m

Lease liabilities

$m

 

Total

$m

Balance 1 January 2023

345.9

584.0

342.9

1,272.8

Changes from financing cash flows

 

 

 

 

Repayments of long-term borrowings

-

(200.0)

-

(200.0)

Repayments of short-term borrowings

(133.5)

-

-

(133.5)

Proceeds from long-term borrowings

-

515.0

-

515.0

Payment of lease liabilities (note 12)

-

-

(113.3)

(113.3)

Total changes from financing activities

(133.5)

315.0

(113.3)

68.2


 

 

 

 

Effects of changes in foreign exchange rates (note 31)

17.1

0.4

10.3

27.8

Other changes

 

 

 

 

New leases (note 12)

-

-

142.2

142.2

Reclassification of senior loan notes

89.6

(89.6)

-

-

Interest expense

-

81.7

18.7

100.4

Interest paid

-

(81.7)

-

(81.7)

Other movements

(3.8)

2.4

-

(1.4)

Total liability other changes

85.8

(87.2)

160.9

159.5

Balance at 31 December 2023

315.3

812.2

400.8

1,528.3

 

 

 

 

Short term borrowings

$m

Long term borrowings

$m

Lease liabilities

$m

 

Total

$m

Balance 1 January 2022

281.9

1,614.1

449.8

2,345.8

Changes from financing cash flows





Repayment of long-term borrowings

-

(1,039.1)

-

(1,039.1)

Repayment of short-term borrowings

(35.0)

-

-

(35.0)

Proceeds from short-term borrowings

88.0

-

-

88.0

Payment of lease liabilities (note 12)

-

-

(121.6)

(121.6)

Total changes from financing activities

53.0

(1,039.1)

(121.6)

(1,107.7)






Effects of changes in foreign exchange rates (note 31)

(1.2)

0.1

(27.0)

(28.1)

Other changes





New leases (note 12)

-

-

23.8

23.8

Interest expense

-

98.1

17.9

116.0

Interest paid

-

(98.1)

-

(98.1)

Other movements

12.2

8.9

-

21.1

Total liability other changes

12.2

8.9

41.7

62.8

Balance at 31 December 2022

345.9

584.0

342.9

1,272.8

 

19  Other non-current liabilities


2023

(unaudited)
$m


2022

$m

Other payables

69.4

106.8


 



69.4

106.8

 

Other payables include $51.3m (2022: $55.6m) relating to the US SERP pension arrangement referred to in note 33 and unfavourable leases of $nil (2022: $3.3m). The SERP payables are offset by investments of $51.3m which are included in note 13. Unfavourable lease liabilities represent non-lease components, such as facilities costs which are not included within the IFRS 16 lease liability.

 

 

20  Financial instruments

The Group's activities give rise to a variety of financial risks: market risk (including foreign exchange risk and cash flow interest rate risk), credit risk and liquidity risk.  The Group's overall risk management strategy is to hedge exposures wherever practicable in order to minimise any potential adverse impact on the Group's financial performance.

Risk management is carried out by the Group Treasury department in line with the Group's Treasury policies. Group Treasury, together with the Group's business units identify, evaluate and where appropriate, hedge financial risks.  The Group's Treasury policies cover specific areas, such as foreign exchange risk, interest rate risk, use of derivative financial instruments and investment of excess cash.

Where the Board considers that a material element of the Group's profits and net assets are exposed to a country in which there is significant geo-political uncertainty a strategy is agreed to ensure that the risk is minimised.

(a)            Market risk

(i)             Foreign exchange risk

The Group is exposed to foreign exchange risk arising from various currencies.  The Group has subsidiary companies whose revenue and expenses are denominated in currencies other than the US dollar.  Where possible, the Group's policy is to eliminate all significant currency exposures at the time of the transaction by using financial instruments such as forward currency contracts.  Changes in the forward contract fair values are booked through the income statement, except where hedge accounting is used in which case the change in fair value is recorded in equity.

Hedging of foreign currency exchange risk - cash flow hedges

The notional contract amount, carrying amount and fair values of forward contracts and currency swaps designated as cash flow hedges at the balance sheet date are shown in the table below.

 

 

 

 

 

2023

(unaudited)

Notional

contract

amount

$m

2022

Notional

contract

amount

$m

2023

(unaudited)

Carrying

amount and

fair value
$m

2022

Carrying

amount and

fair value

$m

Current assets

136.1

144.9

2.1

2.1

Current liabilities

(42.1)

(180.7)

(0.9)

(4.8)

 

 

A net foreign exchange gain of $3.8m (2022: loss $3.0m) was recognised in the hedging reserve as a result of fair value movements on forward contracts and currency swaps designated as cash flow hedges.

Hedging of foreign currency exchange risk - fair value through income statement

The notional contract amount, carrying amount and fair value of all other forward contracts and currency swaps at the balance sheet date are shown in the table below.

 

 

 

 

 

 

2023

(unaudited)

Notional

contract

amount

$m

2022

Notional

contract

amount

$m

2023

(unaudited)

Carrying

amount and

fair value

$m

2022

Carrying

amount and

fair value

$m

Current assets

930.1

990.4

7.1

8.7

Current liabilities

(443.4)

(337.8)

(2.5)

(6.0)

 

The Group's largest foreign exchange risk relates to movements in the sterling/US dollar exchange rate. Movements in the sterling/US dollar rate can impact the translation of sterling profit earned in the UK and the translation of sterling denominated net assets. A weakening of the pound has a negative impact on translation of UK companies' profits and net assets. Sterling denominated trading profits in the UK are offset by the Group's corporate overhead and a 10% change in the sterling/dollar rate would result in a change to Adjusted EBITDA of less than 1%. A 10% change in the sterling/dollar rate would impact net assets by less than 1%. 10% has been used in these calculations as it represents a reasonable possible change in the sterling/US dollar exchange rate. The Group also has foreign exchange risk in relation a number of other currencies, such as the Australian dollar, the Canadian dollar and the Euro.

 

(ii)            Interest rate risk

The Group finances its operations through a mixture of retained profits and debt.  The Group borrows in the desired currencies at a mixture of fixed and floating rates of interest to manage the Group's exposure to interest rate fluctuations.  At 31 December 2023, 30% (2022: 53%) of the Group's borrowings were at fixed rates. The Group is also exposed to interest rate risk on cash held on deposit.  The Group's policy is to maximise the return on cash deposits and where possible and deposit cash with a financial institution with a credit rating of BBB+ or better.

If average interest rates had been 2% higher or lower during 2023 (2022: 2%), post-tax profit for the year would have been $10.3m lower or higher respectively (2022: $5.8m). 2% has been used in this calculation as it represents a reasonable possible change in interest rates.

 (iii)          Price risk

The Group is not exposed to any significant price risk in relation to its financial instruments.

(b)            Credit risk

The Group's credit risk primarily relates to its trade receivables. The Group assumes that the credit risk on a financial asset has increased significantly if it is more than 6 months past due and considers a financial asset to be in default when the financial asset is more than 12 months past due. Responsibility for managing credit risk lies within the businesses with support being provided by Group and divisional management where appropriate.

The credit risk associated with customers is considered as part of each tender review process and is addressed initially through contract payment terms. Trade finance instruments such as letters of credit, bonds, guarantees and credit insurance are used to manage credit risk where appropriate. Credit control practices are applied thereafter during the project execution phase. A right to interest and suspension is normally sought in all contracts. There is significant management focus on customers that are classified as high risk in the current challenging market although the Group had no material write offs in the year.

The Group's major customers are typically large companies which have strong credit ratings assigned by international credit rating agencies.  Where a customer does not have sufficiently strong credit ratings, alternative forms of security such as the trade finance instruments referred to above may be obtained.

The Group uses the simplified provision matrix when calculating expected credit losses on financial assets. The provision matrix is based on historical default rates and is adjusted for forward looking estimates. The historical default rate is determined by comparing actual contract write offs against revenue recognised over each of the prior five years. The average write off over the historical period can be applied to current year revenue. The forward-looking assessment also considers post-year end cash collection, country risk scoring, customer disputes and specific financial uncertainties.

Management review trade receivables based on receivable days calculations to assess performance.    A table showing trade receivables and receivable days is provided in note 15.  Receivable days calculations are not provided on non-trade receivables as management do not believe that this information is a relevant metric. 

The maximum credit risk exposure on cash and cash equivalents and bank deposits (more than three months) at 31 December 2023 was $434.0m (2022: $536.7m). The Group treasury department monitors counterparty exposure on a global basis to avoid any over exposure to any one counterparty.  The Group's policy is to deposit cash at institutions with a credit rating of at least BBB+. 100% of cash held on deposit at 31 December 2023 was held with such institutions.

(c)            Liquidity risk

The Group's policy is to ensure the availability of an appropriate amount of funding to meet both current and future forecast requirements consistent with the Group's budget and strategic plans. The Group will finance operations and growth from its existing cash resources and the $902.1m undrawn portion of the Group's committed banking facilities. The 2023 average net debt (excluding leases) was $846.4m (2022: $1,489.1m). The cash balance and undrawn portion of the Group's committed banking facilities can fluctuate throughout the year.  Around the covenant remeasurement dates of 30 June and 31 December the Group's net debt is typically lower than these averages due to a combination of factors including a strong focus on collection of receipts from customers.  Although revenue is typically weighted towards the second half of the year it is usually higher in June than in December, which means the level of working capital required is typically higher at the end of June and net debt is typically lower by the end of December.    

At 31 December 2023, 100% (2022: 100%) of the Group's principal borrowing facilities (including senior loan notes) were due to mature in more than one year.  Based on the Group's latest forecasts the Group has sufficient funding in place to meet its future obligations.

The Group's total bank facilities comprise of a $200.0m term loan maturing in October 2026 and a $1,200.0m revolving credit facility which matures in October 2026.  The revolving credit facility includes KPIs linked to growing revenues related to energy transition and sustainable infrastructure and reducing scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions.

The Group has $352.5m of unsecured senior loan notes issued in the US private placement market. The notes mature in various tranches between July 2024 and 2031.

 

(d)            Capital risk

The Group seeks to maintain an optimal capital structure by monitoring its ratio of net debt to EBITDA, its interest cover and its gearing ratio.

The ratio of net debt to Adjusted EBITDA at 31 December 2023 was 2.08 times (2022: 1.3 times). This ratio is calculated by dividing net debt before leases by Adjusted EBITDA on a frozen GAAP basis which excludes the impact of IFRS 16.

Interest cover is calculated by dividing Adjusted EBITA, excluding the impact of IFRS 16, by net recurring finance expense and was 4.0 times for the year ended 31 December 2023 (2022: 4.2 times).

Gearing is calculated by dividing net debt, before leases, by equity attributable to owners of the parent.  Gearing at 31 December 2023 was 19.1% (2022: 10.5%).

Financial liabilities

The table below analyses the Group's financial liabilities into relevant maturity groupings based on the remaining period from the balance sheet date to the contractual maturity date. The amounts disclosed in the table are the contractual undiscounted cash flows which are not usually closed out before contractual maturity. 

 

 

At 31 December 2023 (unaudited)

Less than
1 year

$m

Between
1 and 2 years
$m

Between
2 and 5 years
$m

Over 5
years

$m






Borrowings

365.2

55.6

855.9

24.0

Trade and other payables

1,706.7

-

-

-

Lease liabilities

104.1

74.4

138.9

228.3

Other non-current liabilities

-

17.7

51.7

-

At 31 December 2022










Borrowings

361.2

116.2

431.2

132.7

Trade and other payables

1,628.7

-

-

-

Lease liabilities

107.0

80.5

123.6

145.2

Other non-current liabilities

-

51.2

55.6

-

 

Fair value of non-derivative financial assets and financial liabilities

The fair value of short-term borrowings, trade and other payables, trade and other receivables, financial assets, short-term deposits and cash at bank and in hand approximates to the carrying amount because of the short maturity of interest rates in respect of these instruments.

The fair value of non-current bank borrowings as at 31 December 2023 was $256.0m (book value $242.9m) (2022: $231.1m, book value $244.3m).  The fair value of the US Private Placement debt at 31 December 2023 was $360.3m (book value $352.5m) (2022: $358.1m, book value $352.0m).

Fair values (excluding the fair value of assets and liabilities classified as held for sale) are determined using observable market prices (level 2 as defined by IFRS 13 'Fair Value Measurement') as follows:

·     The fair value of forward foreign exchange contracts is estimated by discounting the difference between the contractual forward price and the current forward price for the residual maturity of the contract using a risk-free interest rate.

·     The fair value of interest rate swaps is estimated by discounting estimated future cash flows based on the terms and maturity of each contract and using market rates.

All derivative fair values are verified by comparison to valuations provided by the derivative counterparty banks.

The Group determines whether transfers have occurred between levels in the hierarchy by reassessing categorisation (based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement as a whole) at the end of each reporting period. During the year ended 31 December 2023 and 31 December 2022, there were no transfers into or out of level 2 fair value measurements.

 

 

21  Asbestos related litigation

 

 

2023 (unaudited)

 


$m

 



 

At 1 January 2023

311.4

 

Reclassifications

9.5

 

Utilised

(58.4)

 

Charge to income statement

45.1

 

Release of provisions

(2.6)

 

Exchange movements

1.5

 



 

At 31 December 2023

306.5

 


 

 

Presented as

 

 

Current

-


Non-current

306.5


 

 

2022



 

At 1 January 2022

342.1

 

Reclassifications

(5.6)

 

Utilised

(44.1)

 

Charge to income statement

59.6

 

Release of provisions

(37.0)

 

Exchange movements

(3.6)

 



 

At 31 December 2022

311.4

 


 

 

Presented as

 

 

Current

-


Non-current

311.4


 

The Group assumed the majority of its asbestos-related liabilities when it acquired Amec Foster Wheeler in October 2017. Whilst some of the asbestos claims have been and are expected to be made in the United Kingdom, the overwhelming majority have been and are expected to be made in the United States. 

 

Some of Amec Foster Wheeler's US subsidiaries are defendants in numerous asbestos-related lawsuits and out-of-court informal claims pending. Plaintiffs claim damages for personal injury alleged to have arisen from exposure to, or use of, asbestos in connection with work allegedly performed during the 1970s and earlier. The estimates and averages presented have been calculated on the basis of the historical US asbestos claims since the initiation of claims filed against these entities.

 

The number and cost of current and future asbestos claims in the US could be substantially higher than estimated and the timing of payment of claims could be sooner than estimated, which could adversely affect the Group's financial position, its results and its cash flows.

 

 

The Group expects these subsidiaries to be named as defendants in similar suits and that new claims will be filed in the future.  For purposes of these financial statements, management have estimated the indemnity and defence costs to be incurred in resolving pending and forecasted claims through to 2050.  Although we believe that these estimates are reasonable, the actual number of future claims brought against these subsidiaries and the cost of resolving these claims could be higher.

Some of the factors that may result in the costs of asbestos claims being higher than the current estimates include:

·      an increase in the rate at which new claims are filed and an increase in the number of new claimants

·      increases in legal fees or other defence costs associated with asbestos claims

·      increases in indemnity payments, decreases in the proportion of claims dismissed with zero payment and payments being required to be made sooner than expected

 

The Group has worked with its advisors with respect to projecting asbestos liabilities and to estimate the amount of asbestos-related indemnity and defence costs at each year-end through to 2050.  Each year the Group records its estimated asbestos liability at a level consistent with the advisors' reasonable best estimate.  The Group's advisors perform a quarterly and annual review of asbestos indemnity payments, defence costs and claims activity and compare them to the forecast prepared at the previous year-end.  Based on its review, they may recommend that the assumptions used to estimate future asbestos liabilities are updated, as appropriate.

 

The total liability recorded in the Group's balance sheet at 31 December 2023 is based on estimated indemnity and defence costs expected to be incurred to 2050.  Management believe that any new claims filed after 2050 will be minimal. 

Asbestos related liabilities and assets recognised on the Group's balance sheet are as follows:


2023 (unaudited)

2022


US

$m

UK

$m

Total

$m

US

$m

UK

$m

Total

$m

Asbestos related provision







Gross provision

409.5

31.1

440.6

425.4

32.5

457.9

Effect of discounting

(83.8)

-

(83.8)

(87.0)

-

(87.0)


 

 

 




Net provision

325.7

31.1

356.8

338.4

32.5

370.9


 

 

 




Insurance recoveries

 

 

 




Gross recoveries

-

(28.7)

(28.7)

(6.0)

(29.5)

(35.5)

Effect of discounting

-

-

-

-

-

-


 

 

 




Net recoveries

-

(28.7)

(28.7)

(6.0)

(29.5)

(35.5)


 

 

 




Net asbestos related liabilities

325.7

2.4

328.1

332.4

3.0

335.4


 

 

 




Presented in financial statements as follows

 

 

 




Provisions - non-current

Trade and other payables

Trade and other receivables

Long term receivables

 

 

306.5

50.4

(5.6)

(23.2)



311.4

59.5

(11.1)

(24.4)


 

 

 





 

 

328.1



335.4

 

The gross US asbestos related provision of $409.5m (2022: $425.4m) includes $23.3m (2022: $35.4m) relating to agreed settlements which have not been paid at 31 December 2023. The remaining $386.2m (2022: $390.0m) represents the gross US asbestos related provision which is discounted to a net present value of $302.4m (2022: $303.0m).  

 

A net interest charge of $11.1m (2022: $5.9m) representing the unwinding of the discount over time and a yield curve credit of $0.2m (2022: $35.6m) are included within exceptional items since the movements in the provision are non-trading, can be large and are driven by market conditions which are out with the Group's control. 

An additional $34.2m has been charged to the income statement in the year, reflecting future actuarial adjustments in the overall plan estimates. The increase to the estimates are driven by a higher number of filings compared to the underlying actuarial model, an increased number of settlements at higher settlement values and updated future inflation rates. A further credit or income of $10.0m has been recorded to the income statement in the year as a result of collecting insurance proceeds from an insolvent insurer, not previously recognised.

 

A summary of the Group's US asbestos claim activity is shown in the table below:


2023

(unaudited)

 

2022

Number of open claims

Number

Number

At 1 January

57,200

57,490

New claims

2,410

2,330

Claims resolved

(5,640)

(2,620)

At 31 December

53,970

57,200

Claims not valued in liability

(38,900)

(42,170)

Open claims valued in liability at 31 December

15,070

15,030

Claims not valued in the liability include claims on certain inactive court dockets, claims over six years old that are considered abandoned and certain other items.

Based on 2023 activity, the Group's current forecast liabilities have been adjusted for payments made in 2023 of $58.4m and to reflect the impact of discounting.

In 2023, the liability for asbestos indemnity and defence costs to 2050 was calculated at a gross nominal amount of $440.6m (present value $356.8m), which brought the liability to a level consistent with our advisor's reasonable best estimate. The total asbestos-related liabilities are comprised of estimates for liabilities relating to open (outstanding) claims being valued and the liability for future unasserted claims to 2050.

The estimate takes account of the following information and/or assumptions:

·      number of open claims

·      forecasted number of future claims

·      estimated average cost per claim by disease type - mesothelioma, lung cancer and non-malignancies

The total estimated liability, which has been discounted for the time value of money, includes both the estimate of forecasted indemnity amounts and forecasted defence costs.  Total defence costs and indemnity liability payments are estimated to be incurred through to 2050.  The Group believes that it is likely that there will be some claims filed after 2050, however these are projected to be minimal.  

In the last 5 years from 2019 to 2023, the US average combined indemnity and defence cost per resolved claim has been approximately $10k.  The average cost per resolved claim is increasing and management believe it will continue to increase in the future as the Group continues to resolve the current and estimated future claims inventory.   A sensitivity analysis on average indemnity settlement and defence costs is included in the table below. 

Asbestos related receivables represents management's best estimate of insurance recoveries relating to liabilities for pending and estimated future asbestos claims through to 2050.  The receivables are only recognised when it is virtually certain that the claim will be paid.

The following table sets out the sensitivities associated with a change in certain estimates used in relation to the US asbestos-related liabilities:

 

Assumption (unaudited)

Impact on asbestos liabilities (range)

$m

25% change in average indemnity settlement amount

50-60

25% change in forecasted number of new claims

50-60

25% change in estimated defence costs

40-50

In addition to the above, the impact on the income statement in the year is sensitive to changes in the blended yield curve rate used to calculate the time value of money. 

 

The Group has used a 27-year blended yield curve rate, based on US Treasury strip rates, to discount its asbestos liabilities. The rate as at 31 December 2023 is 3.64% (2022: 3.97% using a 30-year US Treasury Bond rate). A change of 0.1% in the 27-year blended yield curve rate would give rise to a change to the income statement charge/credit of approximately $1.7m.

The Group's subsidiaries have been effective in managing the asbestos litigation, in part, because the Group has access to historical project documents and other business records going back more than 50 years, allowing it to defend itself by determining if the claimants were present at the location of the alleged asbestos exposure and, if so, the timing and extent of their presence. In addition, the Group has identified and validated insurance policies issued since 1952 and has consistently and vigorously defended claims that are without merit and settled meritorious claims for reasonable amounts.

The table below summarises the asbestos-related net cash impact for indemnity and defence costs and collection of insurance proceeds:


2023

(unaudited)

 

                2022


$m

$m

Asbestos litigation, defence and case resolution payments

58.4

44.1

Insurance proceeds

(16.4)

(7.7)

Net asbestos related payments

42.0

36.4

The Group expects to have a net cash outflow of approximately $35m as a result of asbestos liability indemnity and defence payments in excess of insurance proceeds during 2024.  This estimate assumes no elections by the Group to fund additional payments. The Group has discounted the expected future cash flows with respect to the asbestos related liabilities using the blended yield curve rates.

 

22  Provisions

 

 

2023 (unaudited)

Insurance

$m

 

 

Property

$m

Litigation

related provisions

$m

Project related provisions

$m

Total

$m







At 1 January 2023

46.2

26.0

12.8

63.3

148.3

Reclassifications

1.3

-

-

-

1.3

Utilised

-

(0.4)

(11.2)

(17.0)

(28.6)

Charge to income statement

12.4

2.9

23.0

13.0

51.3

Release of provisions

(19.2)

(1.7)

-

(18.4)

(39.3)

Exchange movements

-

0.6

0.4

1.3

2.3







At 31 December 2023

40.7

27.4

25.0

42.2

135.3


 

 

 

 

 

Presented as

 

 

 

 

 

Current

-

7.4

23.0

27.2

57.6

Non-current

40.7

20.0

2.0

15.0

77.7

 

 

2022

Insurance

$m

 

 

Property

$m

Litigation

related provisions

$m

Project related provisions

$m

Total

$m

 







 

At 1 January 2022

55.2

32.4

93.3

112.2

293.1

 

Reclassifications

1.3

-

1.1

4.5

6.9

 

Utilised

-

(3.2)

(88.5)

(45.5)

(137.2)

 

Divestments

-

-

-

(0.7)

(0.7)

 

Charge to income statement

17.4

0.4

10.0

15.3

43.1

 

Release of provisions

(27.7)

(2.3)

(2.5)

(18.1)

(50.6)

 

Exchange movements

-

(1.3)

(0.6)

(4.4)

(6.3)

 







 

At 31 December 2022

46.2

26.0

12.8

63.3

148.3

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

Presented as

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current

-

3.3

11.0

30.6

44.9


Non-current

46.2

22.7

1.8

32.7

103.4


 

Insurance provisions

The Group has liabilities in relation to its captive insurance companies of $40.7m (2022: $46.2m).

The Group currently has one captive insurance company, Garlan Insurance Limited, which is active and is registered in Guernsey with tax domicile in the UK. The company provides insurance solely to other Group companies and does not provide any insurance to third parties. The provisions recorded represent amounts payable to external parties in respect of claims, the value of which is based on actuarial reports which assess the likelihood and value of these claims.  These are reassessed annually, with movements in claim reserves being recorded in the income statement.     

Property provisions

Property provisions total $27.4m (2022: $26.0m). Property provisions mainly comprise of dilapidations relating to the cost of restoring leased property back into its original, pre-let condition.  The estimate of costs is the greatest area of uncertainty and the timing of future cash outflows is linked to the term dates of numerous individual leases.

Litigation related provisions

The Group is party to litigation involving clients and sub-contractors arising from its contracting activities. Management has taken internal and external legal advice in considering known or reasonably likely legal claims and actions by and against the Group. Where a known or likely claim or action is identified, management carefully assesses the likelihood of success of the claim or action.  A provision is recognised only in respect of those claims or actions where management consider it is probable that a cash outflow will be required.

Provision is made for management's best estimate of the likely settlement costs and/or damages to be awarded for those claims and actions that management considers are likely to be successful. Due to the inherent commercial, legal and technical uncertainties in estimating project claims, the amounts ultimately paid or realised by the Group could differ from the amounts that are recognised in the financial statements.

 

In the second half of 2023, and as noted in note 5, a third party raised an arbitration claim against the Group in respect of alleged damages and costs arising from a fixed price contract in the discontinued Power and Industrial EPC business. Management have recognised a provision of $23.0m as an exceptional charge, representing their assessment of probable outflows arising from the matter.

 

Investigations 

At 31 December 2023, the Group continues to recognise the final instalment of outstanding penalties of $35.6m (2022: $37.3m) within Trade and other payables. The final instalment was paid in January 2024.

 

Project related provisions

The Group has numerous provisions relating to the projects it undertakes for its customers. The value of these provisions relies on specific judgements in areas such as the estimate of future costs or the outcome of disputes and litigation.  Whether or not each of these provisions will be required, the exact amount that will require to be paid and the timing of any payment will depend on the actual outcomes. The balance is made up of a large number of provisions, which are not individually material or significant. 

 

Certain of the jurisdictions in which the Group operates, in particular the US and the EU, have environmental laws under which current and past owners or operators of property may be jointly and severally liable for the costs of removal or remediation of toxic or hazardous substances on or under their property, regardless of whether such materials were released in violation of law and whether the operator or owner knew of, or was responsible for, the presence of such substances. Largely as a consequence of the acquisition of Amec Foster Wheeler, the Group currently owns and operates, or owned and operated, industrial facilities. It is likely that, as a result of the Group's current or former operations, hazardous substances have affected the property on which those facilities are or were situated.

 

As described in note 34, the Group agreed to indemnify certain third parties relating to businesses and/or assets that were previously owned by the Group and were sold to them. These principally relate to businesses that were sold by Amec Foster Wheeler prior to its acquisition by the Group.

 

 

23  Deferred tax

Deferred tax is calculated in full on temporary differences under the liability method using the tax rate applicable to the territory in which the asset or liability has arisen. The Group has provided deferred tax in relation to UK companies at 25% (2022: 25%).  The movement on the deferred tax account is shown below:

(Asset)/liability

(unaudited)



Re-presented

As at 1 January 2023

$m

Income
statement
$m

OCI
$m

Other
$m

As at 31 December 2023

$m

Accelerated capital allowances



(31.5)

(2.6)

(1.8)

-

(35.9)

Intangibles



179.8

(4.7)

3.1

-

178.2

Pension



106.8

4.1

(11.8)

-

99.1

Share based charges



(1.4)

(0.3)

-

-

(1.7)

Other temporary differences



8.4

(2.4)

(3.3)

(0.6)

2.1

Provisions



(47.7)

13.7

(1.0)

-

(35.0)

Unremitted earnings



23.5

2.7

0.4

-

26.6

Deferred interest deduction



-

(3.8)

(0.2)

-

(4.0)

Tax credits



-

(0.2)

-

0.2

-

Losses



(199.0)

4.0

0.7

(1.6)

(195.9)









Total

 

 

38.9

10.5

(13.9)

(2.0)

33.5

 

 


As at 1 January 2022
$m

Income
statement
$m

OCI
$m

Other
$m

Disposals
$m

Re-presented

As at 31 December 2022

$m

Accelerated capital allowances

(26.8)

(7.1)

2.4

-

-

(31.5)

Intangibles

240.3

1.2

(4.5)

-

(57.2)

179.8

Pension

63.6

10.0

33.2

-

-

106.8

Share based charges

(2.3)

0.9

-

-

-

(1.4)

Other temporary differences

(3.3)

7.5

4.6

(0.4)

-

8.4

Provisions

(50.7)

0.8

1.8

-

0.4

(47.7)

Unremitted earnings

21.7

3.1

(1.3)

-

-

23.5

Deferred interest deduction

(54.2)

54.2

-

-

-

-

Tax credits

-

1.5

-

(1.5)

-

-

Losses

(191.5)

(9.6)

1.9

(0.1)

0.3

(199.0)








Total

(3.2)

62.5

38.1

(2.0)

(56.5)

38.9

 

Deferred tax is presented in the financial statements as follows:


2023

(unaudited)

 

2022


$m

$m

Deferred tax assets

(43.1)

(61.2)

Deferred tax liabilities

76.6

100.1

Net deferred tax (asset)/liability

33.5

38.9

 

No deferred tax liability has been recognised in respect of $20,776.0m (2022: $21,722.0m) of unremitted reserves of subsidiaries because the Group is in a position to control the timing of the reversal of the temporary difference and it is not probable that such differences will reverse in the foreseeable future. The amount of unrecognised deferred tax liabilities in respect of these unremitted reserves is estimated to be $49.4m (2022: $61.8m).

 

The deferred tax balances are analysed below.

31 December 2023

 

 

(unaudited)

Accelerated capital allowances

 $m

Intangibles $m

Pension $m

Share based charges $m

Other temporary differences

$m

Provisions $m

Unremitted earnings

$m

Deferred interest deduction

$m

Losses $m

Netting $m

Total $m

Deferred tax assets

(49.6)

-

(1.8)

(1.7)

(1.5)

(35.0)

-

(4.0)

(195.9)

246.4

(43.1)

Deferred tax liabilities

13.7

178.2

100.9

-

3.6

-

26.6

-

-

(246.4)

76.6













Net

(35.9)

178.2

99.1

(1.7)

2.1

(35.0)

26.6

(4.0)

(195.9)

-

33.5

 

The prior year allocation of deferred tax has been reviewed and items previously classified as other temporary differences have been reallocated into categories that provide improved disclosure of what they relate to. Other temporary differences primarily relate to differences between IFRS and local GAAP accounts and temporary differences related to leases.

 

Included in the $195.9m (2022: $199.0m) of deferred tax assets in respect of losses is an amount of $104.5m (2022: $97.4m) relating to the UK tax group which has sufficient deferred tax liabilities to offset, and $84.4m (2022: $91.3m) relating to the US tax group of which no asset (2022: no asset) is recognised based on forecast profits of the US business, the balance is supported by deferred tax liabilities.

 

31 December 2022


Accelerated capital allowances

 $m

Intangibles $m

Pension $m

Share based charges $m

Other temporary differences

$m

Provisions $m

Unremitted earnings

$m

Deferred interest deduction

$m

Losses $m

Netting $m

Total $m

Deferred tax assets

(61.7)

-

(1.3)

(1.4)

(4.0)

(47.7)

-

-

(199.0)

253.9

(61.2)

Deferred tax liabilities

30.2

179.8

108.1

-

12.4

-

23.5

-

-

(253.9)

100.1













Net

(31.5)

179.8

106.8

(1.4)

8.4

(47.7)

23.5

-

(199.0)

-

38.9

 

The expiry dates of unrecognised gross deferred tax assets carried forward are as follows:

31 December 2023 (unaudited)

Tax losses

$m

Deductible temporary differences

$m

Total

$m

Expiring within 5 years

711.0

123.1

834.1

Expiring within 6-10 years

19.6

-

19.6

Expiring within 11-20 years                                

170.1

-

170.1

Unlimited

7,047.3

1,511.7

8,559.0


7,948.0

1,634.8

9,582.8

 

31 December 2022

Tax losses

$m

Deductible temporary differences

$m

Total

$m

Expiring within 5 years

695.3

131.9

827.2

Expiring within 6-10 years

32.0

7.5

39.5

Expiring within 11-20 years

137.7

-

137.7

Unlimited

7,046.9

1,177.8

8,224.7


7,911.9

1,317.2

9,229.1

 

 

The expiry dates of unrecognised net deferred tax assets carried forward are as follows:

31 December 2023 (unaudited)

Tax losses

$m

Deductible temporary differences

$m

Total

$m

Expiring within 5 years

147.8

123.1

270.9

Expiring within 6-10 years

5.9

-

5.9

Expiring within 11-20 years                                

42.4

-

42.4

Unlimited

1,761.1

382.9

2,144.0


1,957.2

506.0

2,463.2

 

31 December 2022

Tax losses

$m

Deductible temporary differences

$m

Total

$m

Expiring within 5 years

86.9

131.9

218.8

Expiring within 6-10 years

9.6

7.5

17.1

Expiring within 11-20 years

34.3

-

34.3

Unlimited

1,732.8

299.6

2,032.4


1,863.6

439.0

2,302.6

 

24  Share based charges

The Group currently has a number of share plans that give rise to equity settled share based charges.  These are the Executive Share Option Scheme ('ESOS'), the Long Term Plan ('LTP'), the Employee Share Plan ('ESP') and the Share Incentive Plan ('SIP'). The charge to operating profit for these plans for the year amounted to $19.6m (2022: $20.7m) and is included in administrative expenses with the corresponding credit included in retained earnings.

Long Term Plan and Discretionary Share Plan

The Group's Long-Term Plan ('LTP') was introduced in 2013. The plan was replaced at the Group's Annual General Meeting in 2023 with the new Discretionary Share Plan ("DSP"). There are two distinct awards made under the DSP, performance-based awards to the executive leadership team made based on achievement of performance measures and non-performance awards to senior management either in the form of conditional share awards or nil cost share options.

The performance measures relevant to active cycles are total shareholder return, EBITDA margin, revenue growth, EBITDA and ESG targets including reducing carbon emissions and leadership gender diversity.  Participants may be granted conditional share awards or nil cost options at the start of the cycle. Where performance applies, this is measured over a three year period and up to 80% of an award may vest based on the performance over that period. The vesting of at least 20% of any award is normally deferred for a further period of at least two years. 

Employees may also be granted non-performance awards either in the form of conditional share awards or share options. These awards typically have a three-year vesting period. From 2022, a large portion of senior management who were previously eligible for the performance-based element of the LTP were instead awarded these non-performance awards.

Performance based awards

Details of the LTP awards are set out in the table below. The charge for market related performance targets has been calculated using a Monte Carlo simulation model taking account of share price volatility against peer group companies, risk free rate of return, dividend yield and the expected lifetime of the award. Further details of the LTP are provided in the Directors' Remuneration Report.

 

Cycle

Performance period

Fair value of award

Awards outstanding 31 December 2023

(unaudited)

Awards outstanding 31 December 2022

11

2018-20

£6.67

130,233

405,899

12

2019-21

£5.69

227,146

257,082

13

2020-22

£3.64

-

6,987,812

14

15

2021-23

2022-24

£3.17

£1.88

7,048,776

1,354,999

7,634,392

1,647,844

16

2023-25

£1.32

3,567,754

-




12,328,908

16,933,029

 

3,567,754 awards were made during the year, 299,928 awards were exercised during the year and 7,871,947 awards lapsed or were cancelled due to performance targets not being achieved.

The awards outstanding under cycle 11 and 12 represent 100% of the deferred award for directors and 20% of the award for all other participants at vesting which is deferred for two years. Zero awards remain outstanding under cycle 13 as performance measures were missed. Awards under cycle 15 and 16 were granted to directors and the executive leadership team only, with other senior management receiving non-performance LTP awards.

Further details on the LTP are provided in the Directors' Remuneration Report.

ESOS

For the purposes of calculating the fair value of the share options, a Black-Scholes option pricing model has been used. Based on past experience, it has been assumed that options will be exercised, on average, six months after the earliest exercise date, which is four years after grant date, and a lapse rate of 25% has been assumed. The share price volatility used in the calculation of 40% is based on the actual volatility of the Group's shares as well as that of comparable companies. The risk-free rate of return is based on the implied yield available on zero coupon gilts with a term remaining equal to the expected lifetime of the options at the date of grant.

Share awards

A summary of the basis for the charge for ESOS and LTP options is set out below together with the number of awards granted, exercised and lapsed during the year.     

 



ESOS

LTP and deferred bonus



2023

(unaudited)

2022

2023

(unaudited)

2022

Number of participants


156

218

261

349

Lapse rate


25%

25%

10%

10%

Risk free rate of return on grants during year


N/A

N/A

3.69%

1.43%

Share price volatility


40%

40%

40%

40%

Dividend yield on grants during year


N/A

N/A

0%

0%

Fair value of options granted during year


N/A

N/A

£1.41-£2.25

£1.91-£2.39

Weighted average remaining contractual life


0.3 years

0.7 years

1.8 years

2.2 years

 

Options outstanding 1 January


995,000

1,540,288

8,254,534

3,284,268

Options granted during the year


-

-

7,942,031

7,673,780

Options exercised during the year


-

-

(1,406,735)

(1,456,502)

Options lapsed during the year


(545,500)

(545,288)

(1,189,312)

(1,247,012)

Dividends accrued on options


-

-

-

-

Options outstanding 31 December


449,500

995,000

13,600,518

8,254,534

 

No. of options exercisable at 31 December


449,500

995,000

597,733

296,531

Weighted average share price of options exercised during year


 

N/A

 

N/A

£1.85

£1.58

 

Executive Share Option Schemes

The following options to subscribe for new or existing shares were outstanding at 31 December:

 

Year of Grant

Number of ordinary
shares under option

Exercise price
(per share)

Exercise period


2023

(unaudited)

2022






2012

-

-

680½p

2016-2022

2013

-

518,500

845⅓p

2017-2023

2014

449,500

476,500

767⅔p

2018-2024


449,500

995,000



 

Share options are granted at an exercise price equal to the average mid-market price of the shares on the three days prior to the date of grant.

Nil value share awards

The following awards granted under the Group's LTP/DSP were outstanding at 31 December:

                                                               

Number of ordinary
shares under award

Exercise price

(per share)

 

Exercise
period

Year of Grant

2023

(unaudited)

  2022






2018

-

79,348

0.00p

2022-2023

2020

-

227,183

0.00p

2022-2023

2020

5,000

5,000

0.00p

2023-2024

2021

627,000

1,544,000

0.00p

2025-2026

2022

83,222

101,337

0.00p

2024-2025

2022

880,000

900,000

0.00p

2025-2026

2022

4,606,367

5,397,666

0.00p

2025

2023

465,634

-

0.00p

2025-2026

2023

6,933,295

-

0.00p

2026


 

13,600,518

 

8,254,534



 

Awards are granted under the Group's LTP/DSP at nil value. There are no performance criteria relating to the exercise of the options.  Further details on the LTP/DSP are provided in the Directors' Remuneration Report.

Employee share plan

The Group introduced the ESP in 2016. Under the plan employees contribute regular monthly amounts which are used to purchase shares over a one-year period. At the end of the year, the participating employees are awarded one free share for every two shares purchased, providing they remain in employment for a further year. During 2023, 2,192,616 shares were awarded in relation to the ESP, of which 599,218 and 1,593,398 shares related to the 2022/23 and 2023/24 schemes respectively.

Share incentive plan

The Group introduced the SIP in 2021 for UK employees. Under the plan, which is recognised by HM Revenue and Customs, employees contribute regular monthly amounts of up to £150 per month to purchase shares.  The participating employees are awarded one free share for every two purchased, provided that they hold the purchased shares for 3 years and remain in employment.  During 2023, 845,381 partnership shares and 422,563 matching shares were awarded

 

 

25  Share capital

Ordinary shares of 42/7 pence each (2021: 42/7 pence)

Authorised, issued and fully paid

             shares

2023

(unaudited)
$m

             shares

2022
$m

 





At 1 January and 31 December

691,839,369

41.3

691,839,369

41.3

 

Holders of ordinary shares are entitled to receive any dividends declared by the Company and are entitled to vote at general meetings of the Company.

 

26  Share premium


2023

(unaudited)
$m

2022
$m

 

At 1 January and 31 December

 

63.9

 

63.9

 

The shares allocated to the trust during the year were issued at 42/7 pence (2021: 42/7 pence).

 

27  Retained earnings


2023

(unaudited)
$m


2022

$m




At 1 January

1,224.4

1,415.0

Loss for the year attributable to owners of the parent

(110.7)

(356.3)

Credit relating to share based charges (note 24)

19.6

20.7

Re-measurement (losses)/gains on retirement benefit liabilities (note 33)

(82.2)

170.9

Movement in deferred tax relating to retirement benefit liabilities

18.0

(41.6)

Deferred tax impact of rate change in equity

0.7

(0.8)

Tax on derivative financial instruments

(0.4)

(1.7)

Other tax movements in equity

(0.1)

(1.3)

Exchange movements in respect of shares held by employee share trusts

-

12.5

Purchase of shares by employee share trusts for the Share Incentive Plan (SIP)

1.6

1.7

Transfer from merger reserve

242.0

-

Transactions with non-controlling interests

-

5.3




At 31 December

1,312.9

1,224.4





Retained earnings are stated after deducting the investment in own shares held by employee share trusts.  No options have been granted over shares held by the employee share trusts (2022: nil).

 

Shares held by employee share trusts


 

2023

(unaudited)


 

2022


Shares

$m

Shares

$m

Balance 1 January

8,442,031

99.4

14,358,014

111.9

Shares issued to satisfy option exercises

(1,406,735)

-

(1,456,502)

-

Shares issued to satisfy awards under Long Term Incentive Plan

(299,928)

-

(1,438,398)

-

Shares issued to satisfy awards under Employee Share Plan

(1,114,466)

-

(1,984,772)

-

Shares issued to satisfy awards under Share Incentive Plan

(1,267,944)

-

(1,036,311)

-

Exchange movement

-

-

-

(12.5)

 

Balance 31 December

 

4,352,958

 

99.4

 

8,442,031

 

99.4

 

Shares acquired by the employee share trusts are purchased in the open market using funds provided by John Wood Group PLC to meet obligations under the Employee Share Option Schemes and LTP. Shares are allocated to the employee share trusts in order to satisfy future option exercises at various prices.

The costs of funding and administering the trusts are charged to the income statement in the period to which they relate.  The market value of the shares at 31 December 2023 was $9.5m (2022: $13.7m) based on the closing share price of £1.72 (2022: £1.35) and closing exchange rate of 1.2749 (2022: 1.2029).  The employee share trusts have waived their rights to receipt of dividends on ordinary shares.       

 

28  Merger reserve


2023

(unaudited)
$m


2022

$m

 

At 1 January

 

2,540.8

 

2,540.8

Transfer to retained earnings

(242.0)

-




At 31 December

2,298.8

2,540.8




On 6 October 2017, 294,510,217 new shares were issued in relation to the acquisition of Amec Foster Wheeler Group. As the acquisition resulted in the Group securing 90% of Amec Foster Wheeler's share capital, the acquisition qualified for merger relief under section 612 of the Companies Act 2006 and the premium arising on the issue of the shares was credited to a merger reserve rather than the share premium account.

In November 2019, John Wood Group PLC (the Company) sold its investment in Amec Foster Wheeler Limited and other subsidiaries to another subsidiary company, John Wood Group Holdings Limited for $2,815.2m in exchange for a promissory note. To the extent that the promissory note is settled by qualifying consideration, the related portion of the merger reserve is considered realised and becomes available for distribution.

In 2023, John Wood Group Holdings Limited paid $242.0m to John Wood Group PLC in a partial settlement of the promissory note. The repayment represented qualifying consideration and as a result the Company transferred an equivalent portion of the merger reserve to retained earnings.

 

29  Other reserves


Capital reduction reserve
$m

Capital redemption reserve
$m

Currency translation reserve
$m

 

Hedging reserve
$m

 

 

Total
$m







At 1 January 2022

88.1

439.7

(497.0)

(9.8)

21.0







Cash flow hedges

-

-

-

5.1

5.1

Exchange movement on retranslation of foreign operations

-

-

(223.0)

-

(223.0)

Exchange movement on disposal of foreign operations

-

-

54.5

-

54.5







At 31 December 2022

88.1

439.7

(665.5)

(4.7)

(142.4)







Cash flow hedges (unaudited)

-

-

-

3.8

3.8

Exchange movement on retranslation of foreign operations (unaudited)

-

-

58.2

-

58.2







At 31 December 2023 (unaudited)

88.1

439.7

(607.3)

(0.9)

(80.4)


The capital reduction reserve was created subsequent to the Group's IPO in 2002 and is a distributable reserve.

The capital redemption reserve was created following a share issue that formed part of a return of cash to shareholders in 2011. This is not a distributable reserve.

The currency translation reserve relates to the retranslation of foreign currency net assets on consolidation. This was reset to zero on transition to IFRS at 1 January 2004.  The movement during the year relates to the retranslation of foreign operations, including goodwill and intangible assets recognised on acquisition.

The hedging reserve relates to the accounting for derivative financial instruments under IFRS 9. Fair value gains and losses in respect of effective cash flow hedges are recognised in the hedging reserve.

 

30  Non-controlling interests


2023

(unaudited)
$m


2022

$m

At 1 January

1.5

3.3

Share of profit for the year

5.5

4.6

Dividends paid to non-controlling interests

(1.6)

(1.1)

Transactions with non-controlling interests

-

(5.3)




At 31 December

5.4

1.5

 

 

31  Analysis of net debt


At 1 January 2023

Cash

 flow

Other

Exchange movements

At 31 December

2023

2023 (unaudited)

$m

$m

$m

$m

$m

Short term borrowings

(345.9)

133.5

(85.8)

(17.1)

(315.3)

Long term borrowings

(584.0)

(315.0)

87.2

(0.4)

(812.2)


(929.9)

(181.5)

1.4

(17.5)

(1,127.5)

Cash and cash equivalents

536.7

(107.6)

-

4.9

434.0

Net debt excluding leases

(393.2)

(289.1)

1.4

(12.6)

(693.5)

Leases

(342.9)

113.3

(160.9)

(10.3)

(400.8)

Net debt including leases

(736.1)

(175.8)

(159.5)

(1,094.3)

 


At 1 January 2022

Cash

 flow

Other

Exchange movements

At 31 December

2022

2022

$m

$m

$m

$m

$m

Short term borrowings

(281.9)

(53.0)

(12.2)

1.2

(345.9)

Long term borrowings

(1,614.1)

1,039.1

(8.9)

(0.1)

(584.0)


(1,896.0)

986.1

(21.1)

1.1

(929.9)

Cash and cash equivalents

503.0

60.2

-

(26.5)

536.7

Net debt excluding leases

(1,393.0)

1,046.3

(21.1)

(25.4)

(393.2)

Leases

(449.8)

121.6

(41.7)

27.0

(342.9)

Net debt including leases

(1,842.8)

1,167.9

(62.8)

1.6

(736.1)

 

Cash at bank and in hand at 31 December 2023 includes $127.7m (2022: $328.4m) that is part of the Group's cash pooling arrangements. For internal reporting and the calculation of interest, this amount is netted with short-term overdrafts and is presented as a net figure on the Group's balance sheet. In preparing these financial statements, the Group is required to gross up both its cash and short-term borrowings figures by this amount.

Cash and cash equivalents of $434.0m (2022: $536.7m) includes restricted cash of $49.4m (2022: $15.0m). The restricted cash balance comprises $38.1m (2022: not considered restricted) of cash held in Equatorial Guinea where the Group are seeking Central Bank approval in order to repatriate cash from a subsidiary via dividends or intercompany loans.  A further $9.3m (2022: $10.0m) of cash is held in jurisdictions where there is insufficient liquidity in the local market to allow for immediate repatriation. The remaining $2.0m (2022: $5.0m) relates to balances held within Russia that are impacted by the sanctions associated with Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Management considers it appropriate to include the restricted cash balance in the Group's net debt figure on the basis that it meets the definition of cash, albeit is not readily available to the Group.

The lease liability at 31 December 2023 is made up of non-current leases of $317.4m (2022: $259.7m) and current leases of $83.4m (2022: $83.2m).

The other movements of $159.5m (2022: $62.8m) in the above table represents new leases entered into of $142.2m (2022: $23.8m), interest expense of $18.7m (2022: $17.9m), amortisation of bank facility fees of $2.4m (2022: $8.9m) and accrued interest on loan notes of $3.8m (2022: $12.2m).   In addition, senior loan notes amounting to $89.6m were reclassified from long term borrowings to short term as they fall due within the next 12 months.

As at 31 December 2023, the Group had received $198.2m (2022: $200.0m) of cash relating to non-recourse financing arrangements.  An equivalent amount of trade receivables was derecognised on receipt of the cash.  At 31 December 2023, $111.7m (2022: $113.6m) had been received from customers in the normal course of business in relation to the same amounts received from the factors.  This $111.7m (2022: $113.6m) is due to be paid over to the factors and is included in trade payables. The impact of both the cash received from the facility and the cash received from customers is included within cash generated from operations. 

 

 

32  Employees and directors   

Employee benefits expense 

2023

(unaudited)
$m


2022

$m




Wages and salaries

2,414.3

2,808.0

Social security costs

180.6

196.1

Pension costs - defined benefit schemes (note 33)

2.9

1.7

Pension costs - defined contribution schemes (note 33)

97.4

103.5

Share based charges (note 24)

19.6

20.7


2,714.8

3,130.0

 

Average monthly number of employees (including executive directors)

2023
No.

2022
No.

By geographical area:



UK

4,928

5,601

US

6,443

9,128

Rest of the World

20,701

20,721


32,072

35,450

 

The average number of employees excludes contractors and employees of joint venture companies.

Key management compensation

2023

(unaudited)
$m


2022

$m




Salaries and short-term employee benefits

9.0

13.9

Amounts receivable under long-term incentive schemes

0.8

0.7

Social security costs

0.8

1.0

Post-employment benefits

0.2

0.3

Share based charges

2.5

3.6

Termination benefits

-

0.9


13.3

20.4

 

Key management compensation represents the charge to the income statement in respect of the remuneration of the Group board and Group Executive Leadership Team ('ELT') members. At 31 December 2023, key management held 0.2% of the voting rights of the company.

Directors

2023

(unaudited)

$m


2022

$m




Aggregate emoluments

3.6

3.8

Aggregate amounts receivable under long-term incentive schemes

0.3

0.3

Aggregate gains made on the exercise of share options

0.1

0.3

Share based charges

1.1

1.6


5.1

6.0

 

At 31 December 2023, two directors (2022: one) had retirement benefits accruing under a defined contribution pension plan and no directors (2022: none) had benefits accruing under a defined benefit pension scheme. Further details of directors' emoluments are provided in the Directors' Remuneration Report.

 

33  Retirement benefit schemes

The Group operates a number of defined benefit pension schemes which are largely closed to future accrual. The assets of the defined benefits schemes are held separately from those of the Group, being invested with independent investment companies in trustee administered funds. The trustees of the pension schemes are required by law to act in the best interests of the scheme participants and are responsible for setting certain policies (such as investment, contribution and indexation policies) for the schemes.

At 31 December 2023, the largest schemes by gross obligation are the Wood Pension Plan ('WPP') in the UK, the Foster Wheeler Inc Salaried Employees Pension Plan ('FW Inc SEPP') in the US and the Foster Wheeler Inc Pension Plan for Certain Employees ('FW Inc PPCE') in the US. These pension plans provide certain former employees with leaving service benefits that are generally based on service and salary.  

The scheme valuations are based on the membership data contained within the triennial valuation of Wood Pension Plan as at 31 March 2023, and the valuation of the Foster Wheeler Inc SEPP/PPCE as at 1 January 2023. The scheme valuations have been updated by the schemes' actuaries for the requirement to assess the present value of the liabilities of the schemes as at 31 December 2023. The assets of the schemes are stated at their aggregate market value as at 31 December 2023. It is expected that the Group will make funding and expense contributions to these pension plans totalling $6.9m in the calendar year 2024 (nil in 2023) in line with the funding requirements agreed for the plans.

The actuarial valuation method is prescribed by the IAS 19 accounting standard and uses discount rates determined by the yields on high quality, AA rated, bonds at the measurement date. Conversely, each pension scheme is subject to a separate technical provisions or funding basis valuation which is considered to be more prudent than the IAS 19 methodology. Under IAS 19, the Wood Pension Plan is 116% funded on 31 December 2023 compared to 109% funded on the technical provisions basis.    

Management have considered the requirements of IFRIC 14, 'The Limit on a Defined Benefit Asset, Minimum Funding Requirements and their Interaction' and consider it is appropriate to recognise the IAS 19 surplus in the Wood Pension Plan. The rules governing these schemes provide an unconditional right to a refund assuming the gradual settlement of the scheme's liabilities over time until all members have left the schemes. The requirements of IFRIC 14 also mean there is no requirement to recognise any additional liabilities in relation to deficit funding requirements.  At the balance sheet date, there are no plans to exercise the unconditional right to a refund and other assets are being explored to use the surplus, and therefore the tax rate applied to the surplus of the UK scheme is 25%.

Scheme membership at the date of the most recent scheme census was as follows:




2023 (unaudited)

2022




 

Wood                  Pension

Plan

 

FW

Inc

SEPP

 

FW

Inc

PPCE

 

Wood

Pension

Plan

 

FW

Inc

SEPP

 

FW

Inc

PPCE

Active members

 

 

303

30

22

494

44

28

Deferred members

 

 

7,190

734

266

8,313

622

437

Pensioner members

 

 

10,178

2,245

833

10,149

2,233

871


Active members includes deferred members still employed but not actively contributing to the scheme.

The principal assumptions made by the actuaries at the balance sheet date were:




2023 (unaudited)

2022




Wood

Pension

Plan

%

FW

Inc

SEPP

%

FW

Inc

PPCE

%

Wood Pension

Plan

%

FW

Inc

SEPP

%

FW

Inc

PPCE

%

Discount rate

 

 

4.8

4.9

4.9

5.0

5.2

5.2

Rate of increase in pensions in payment and deferred pensions

 

 

2.8

N/A

N/A

2.8

N/A

N/A

Rate of retail price index inflation

 

 

3.0

N/A

N/A

3.1

N/A

N/A

Rate of consumer price index inflation

 

 

2.6

N/A

N/A

2.6

N/A

N/A

 

The assumptions on the FW Inc SEPP and FW Inc PPCE in the above table are not applicable since there are no post-retirement increases or cost of living adjustments provided in these plans. With no cost of living adjustments, there are no underlying retail price index or consumer price index assumptions to consider.

 

The mortality assumptions used to determine pension liabilities in the main schemes at 31 December 2023 were as follows:

Scheme

Mortality assumption

Wood Pension Plan

Base table

Non-pensioners: Males: 102% of S3PMA Females: 104% of S3PFA_M Pensioners: Males: 97% of S3PMA Females: 99% of S3PFA_M

Future improvements

Scheme specific table with CMI 2022 (Sk =7.0) projections and a long-term rate of improvement of 1.25% pa, initial addition ("A" parameter) of 0.3, 25% weight on 2022 data and no weight on 2020 and 2021 data

FW Inc SEPP and FW Inc PPCE

Pri-2012 Employee and Annuitant tables for males and females with generational projection using Scale MP-2021 with no collar adjustments and Pri-2012 Contingent Annuitant mortality for spouses and beneficiaries with generational projection using Scale MP-2021 with no collar adjustments

 

The mortality assumption uses data appropriate to each of the Group's schemes adjusted to allow for expected future improvements in mortality using the latest projections. Assumptions regarding future mortality are based on published statistics and the latest available mortality tables. In relation to the Wood Pension Plan, the Group has reflected the latest available data on the mortality characteristics of plan members following a mortality study undertaken since the prior year-end. The Group has also adopted the CMI_2022 model for projecting future improvements in life expectancy with the following parameters: s-kappa of 7.0, no weight to 2020 and 2021 death data and 25% weight to 2022 death data and an initial addition parameter of 0.3. The impact of adopting this revised mortality assumption, compared to the assumption adopted for the prior year, is around a 3% reduction in the value of the defined benefit obligation. In setting the assumptions, the Group has also reflected the results of a separate demographic study which assessed the proportion of plan members who are expected to have an eligible dependant and the likely age difference of any dependant. The impact of adopting these revised assumptions is around 2.3% increase in the value of the defined benefit obligation compared to the prior year. 

 

For the schemes referred to above the assumed life expectancies are shown in the following table:




2023 (unaudited)

2022




 

Wood

 Pension

Plan

 

FW

Inc

SEPP

 

FW

Inc

PPCE

 

Wood

 Pension

Plan

 

FW

Inc

SEPP

 

FW

Inc

PPCE

Life expectancy at age 65 of male aged 45

 

 

22.9

22.2

22.2

23.8

22.1

22.1

Life expectancy at age 65 of male aged 65

 

 

22.0

20.7

20.7

22.5

20.6

20.6

Life expectancy at age 65 of female aged 45

 

 

24.8

24.1

24.1

25.5

24.0

24.0

Life expectancy at age 65 of female aged 65

 

 

23.7

22.6

22.6

24.0

22.6

22.6

 

The amounts recognised in the income statement are as follows:


2023

(unaudited)
$m


2022

$m

Current service cost

2.9

1.7

Past service credit

-

-


 


Total expense included within operating profit

2.9

1.7

 

 

 



 


Interest cost

126.7

78.0

Interest income on scheme assets

(145.0)

(80.4)

Total included within finance income

(18.3)

(2.4)

 

The amounts recognised in the balance sheet are determined as follows:


2023

(unaudited)

$m


2022

$m

Present value of funded obligations

(2,707.3)

(2,533.0)

Fair value of scheme assets

3,019.1

2,892.2

Net surplus

311.8

359.2

 

Changes in the present value of the defined benefit liability are as follows:


2023

(unaudited)

$m


2022

$m

Present value of funded obligations at 1 January

2,533.0

4,626.6

Current service cost

2.9

1.7

Interest cost

126.7

78.0

Re-measurements:



- actuarial losses/(gains) arising from changes in financial assumptions

48.1

(1,544.5)

- actuarial gains arising from changes in demographic assumptions

(16.9)

(31.4)

- actuarial losses arising from changes in experience

41.6

72.0

Benefits paid

(164.4)

(177.3)

Decrease due to divestments

-

(58.7)

Exchange movements

136.3

(433.4)




Present value of funded obligations at 31 December

2,707.3

2,533.0

 

Changes in the fair value of scheme assets are as follows:


2023

(unaudited)

$m


2022

$m

Fair value of scheme assets at 1 January

2,892.2

4,811.5

Interest income on scheme assets

145.0

80.4

Contributions

3.1

42.5

Benefits paid

(164.4)

(177.3)

Re-measurement losses on scheme assets

(9.4)

(1,333.0)

Expenses paid

(7.6)

(7.4)

Decrease due to divestments

-

(55.9)

Exchange movements

160.2

(468.6)




Fair value of scheme assets at 31 December

3,019.1

2,892.2

 

Analysis of the movement in the balance sheet surplus:


2023

(unaudited)

$m


2022

$m

Surplus at 1 January

359.2

184.9

Current service cost

(2.9)

(1.7)

Finance income

18.3

2.4

Contributions

3.1

42.5

Re-measurement (losses)/gains recognised in the year

(82.2)

170.9

Expenses paid

(7.6)

(7.4)

Increase due to divestments (note 7)

-

2.8

Exchange movements

23.9

(35.2)




Surplus at 31 December

311.8

359.2

 

The increased surplus due to divestments of $2.8m in 2022 relates to sale of a net pension liability on a small US scheme. This forms part of the disposal of the Built Environment Consulting business outlined in note 7.

The net surplus at 31 December is presented in the Group balance sheet as follows:


2023

(unaudited)

$m


2022

$m




Wood Pension Plan

391.9

432.4




Retirement benefit scheme surplus

391.9

432.4




Foster Wheeler Inc SEPP/PPCE

(52.5)

(49.4)

All other schemes

(27.6)

(23.8)




Retirement benefit scheme deficit

(80.1)

(73.2)




Net surplus

311.8

359.2

 

For the principal schemes the defined benefit obligation can be allocated to the plan participants as follows:




2023 (unaudited)

2022





Wood

Pension

Plan

%


FW

Inc

SEPP

%

 

FW

Inc

PPCE

%

 

Wood

Pension

Plan

%

 

FW

Inc

SEPP

%

 

FW

Inc

PPCE

%

Active members

 

 

3.9

2.4

1.6

5.6

3.5

1.7

Deferred members

 

 

32.9

24.6

12.8

38.5

23.1

12.9

Pensioner members

 

 

63.2

73.0

85.6

55.9

73.4

85.4

 

The weighted average duration of the defined benefit obligation is as follows:




2023 (unaudited)

2022





Wood

Pension

Plan

years


FW

Inc

SEPP

years

 

FW

 Inc

PPCE

years

 

Wood

Pension

Plan

years

 

FW

Inc

SEPP

years

 

FW

Inc

PPCE

years

Duration of defined benefit obligation

 

 

13.0

8.1

7.3

13.0

8.1

7.3

 

The major categories of total scheme assets are as follows:


2023 (unaudited)

2022

2023

2022




Wood

Pension

Plan

$m



FW

Inc

SEPP

$m

 

 

FW

 Inc

PPCE

$m

 

 

Wood

Pension

Plan

$m

 

 

FW

Inc

SEPP

$m

 

 

FW

Inc

PPCE

$m

 

(unaudited)

Quoted

on active

market

%

 

 

Quoted

on active

market

%

Equities

5.2

26.2

53.1

10.6

31.1

62.4

89.8

93.8

Property [a]

34.0

-

-

75.7

-

-

-

-

Bonds (including gilts)

1,398.2

39.8

48.5

1,254.7

37.2

44.3

100.0

100.0

Liability-Driven Investments (LDIs)

1,554.5

-

-

1,456.3

-

-

100.0

100.0

Cash

101.9

0.9

1.7

124.3

0.8

1.7

100.0

100.0

Liquidity funds

14.8

-

-

248.6

-

-

100.0

100.0

Derivatives [b]

(286.0)

-

-

(480.1)

-

-

-

-

Investment funds

-

3.7

7.6

-

3.3

6.8

100.0

100.0



 








2,822.6

70.6

110.9

2,690.1

72.4

115.2

n/a

n/a

 

a.         Property assets are valued based on an analysis of recent market transactions supported by market knowledge derived from third-party, independent valuation experts

b.         Derivatives are mainly related to repurchase agreements used to fund liability driven investments

 

As at 31 December 2023, 108.2% (2022: 113.7%) of total scheme assets in the principal schemes have quoted prices in active markets.

The Plan has a target allocation of 50% of investments held in cashflow-matching assets, with the remaining 50% allocated to liability-matching assets, designed to partially offset the movements in the Plan's liabilities caused by movements in interest rates and inflation. This asset split reflects the Trustee's current view of the most appropriate investments balancing risk/reward characteristics of the funds the Plan is invested in. During the accounting period the Plan has continued the process of selling down the growth assets in the portfolio.

As a result, the value of the property portfolio has declined over the reporting period. This was partly due to two properties being sold during 2023, totalling £23.9 million disposal proceeds alongside valuation reductions across the property portfolio driven by a combination of wider property market valuations weakening as well as property specific factors in the portfolio.

The reduction in the cash allocation over the 12 months to 31 December 2023 is predominantly down to the cash and cash equivalents balance within the BlackRock LDI mandate. In Q4 2022 the LDI mandate was recapitalised following the UK governments "mini budget" and the gilts crisis that followed and this resulted in a higher than usual cash balance in the LDI mandate at 31 December 2022. This cash balance has been invested into gilts and other hedging instruments during 2023 reducing the allocation.  The majority of the change in the value of the derivatives allocation can be attributed to a change in the allocation to gilt repos in the LDI mandate. The remainder of the change is the result of derivatives exposure at the buy and maintain credit managers who use derivatives to hedge currency risk. As currency pairs fluctuate, the market value of derivatives within these mandates will also fluctuate.

The Trustee's policy and beliefs in relation to ESG factors for the Plan are set out in the Statement of Investment Principles. The Trustee also undertake TCFD reporting annually, which assesses the climate impact of the Plan's portfolio as well as the potential risks that differing climate change scenarios may pose to the Plan over differing time horizons. Individual investment manager ESG ratings are reviewed in detail annually and the Trustee discuss ESG related issues when meeting with the Plan's investment managers.

 

The Group seeks to fund its pension plans to ensure that all benefits can be paid as and when they fall due. The Group is in the process of finalising the 31 March 2023 valuation, but due to the significant surplus, no contribution will be likely.

The US plans are funded to ensure that statutory obligations are met and contributions are generally payable to at least minimum funding requirements.

Scheme risks

The retirement benefit schemes are exposed to a number of risks, the most significant of which are -

Volatility

The defined benefit obligation is measured with reference to corporate bond yields and if scheme assets underperform relative to this yield, this will create a deficit, all other things being equal.  The scheme investments are well diversified such that the failure of a single investment would not have a material impact on the overall level of assets.

 

The schemes hold various liability driven investments comprising physical gilts, swap and leveraged gilt exposures to provide asset protection against interest and inflation factors inherent in their liability valuations. Collateral buffers have been further strengthened by de-risking steps taken to disinvest from equities and it is believed the WPP has sufficient collateral to withstand a sizable level of movement in interest rates. Of the scheme's liabilities 105.2% are currently hedged against interest rates and 103.7% against inflation rate risk.

Changes in bond yields

A decrease in corporate bond yields will increase the defined benefit obligation.  This would however be offset to some extent by a corresponding increase in the value of the scheme's bond asset holdings.

Inflation risk

The majority of benefits in deferment and in payment are linked to price inflation so higher actual inflation and higher assumed inflation will increase the defined benefit obligation.

Life expectancy

The defined benefit obligation is generally made up of benefits payable for life and so increases to members' life expectancies will increase the defined benefit obligation, all other things being equal.

Sensitivity of the retirement benefit obligation

The impact of changes to the key assumptions on the retirement benefit obligation is shown below. The sensitivity is based on a change in an assumption whilst holding all other assumptions constant.  In practice, this is unlikely to occur, and changes in some of the assumptions may be correlated.  When calculating the sensitivity of the defined benefit obligation to significant actuarial assumptions the same method has been applied as when calculating the pension obligation recognised in the Group balance sheet.

 

 

 

Approximate increase/(decrease) on scheme liabilities

Wood

Wood

FW

FW

FW

FW

Pension

Pension

Inc

Inc

Inc

Inc

Plan

Plan

SEPP

SEPP

PPCE

PPCE

2023

(unaudited)

2022

2023

(unaudited)

2022

2023

(unaudited)

2022

$m

$m

$m

$m

$m

$m

Discount rate

 

 

 




Plus 0.5%

(146.6)

(134.0)

(3.2)

(3.2)

(5.2)

(5.4)

Minus 0.5%

163.0

151.5

3.5

3.5

5.6

5.7

Inflation

 


 


 


Plus 0.1%

15.0

13.3

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

Minus 0.1%

(14.9)

(13.2)

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

Life expectancy

 


 


 


Plus 1 year

86.5

75.5

3.0

2.9

6.2

6.1

Minus 1 year

(87.0)

(73.6)

(3.0)

(2.9)

(6.1)

(6.0)

 

The sensitivity analysis covering the impact of reasonably plausible movements in pension assumptions are included in the above table. The 0.5% sensitivity applied is considered to be sufficient on the basis of minimal movements between 2023 and 2022 on the interest rates of high-quality corporate bonds in the currency in which the benefits will be paid and that have terms to maturity similar to those of the related retirement benefit obligation.  The discount rate sensitivities can be extrapolated downwards and upwards to broadly calculate the impact of a 0.25% and 1% discount rate movement respectively.

 

Defined contribution plans

Pension costs for defined contribution plans were as follows:


2023

(unaudited)

$m

 

2022

$m

 

Defined contribution plans

 

97.4

 

103.5

 

There were no material contributions outstanding at 31 December 2023 in respect of defined contribution plans.

The Group operates a Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (SERP) pension arrangement in the US for certain employees. During the year, the Group made contributions of $0.1m (2022: $0.1m) to the arrangement. Contributions are invested in a portfolio of US funds and the fair value of the funds at the balance sheet date are recognised by the Group in other investments. Investments held by the Group at 31 December amounted to $51.7m (2022: $55.6m) and will be used to pay benefits when employees retire.  The corresponding liability is recorded in other non-current liabilities.

 

 

34  Contingent liabilities

General

A contingent liability is a potentially material present obligation that arises from past events but is not recognised because it is not probable that an outflow of resources will be required to settle the obligation or the amount of the obligation cannot be measured with sufficient reliability. 

 

Cross guarantees

At the balance sheet date, the Group had cross guarantees extended to its principal bankers and surety providers in respect of sums advanced to subsidiaries and certain joint ventures.  A liability will only occur in the event of a default by a subsidiary or certain joint ventures on its obligations.

Legal Claims

From time to time, the Group is notified of claims in respect of work carried out on customer projects or as a subcontractor to others. For a number of these claims the potential exposure is material.  Where management believes we are in a strong position to defend these claims no provision is made, such that no economic outflow is probable. This includes a civil administrative determination, made by the Contraloría General de la República de Colombia against two Amec Foster Wheeler subsidiaries, along with 22 others, in relation to work carried out for Refineria de Cartagena, S.A ("Reficar") between 2009 and 2016. We are continuing to vigorously challenge this determination and we are confident in our ability to prevail.  This also includes commercial disputes which arise predominantly within our Projects business, some of which may evolve within the next 12 months and these will be reassessed in future periods as the Group engages in defences to the claims.    

At any point in time there are a number of claims where it is too early to assess the merit of the claim, and hence it is not possible to make a reliable estimate of the potential financial impact. In performing this assessment, the directors considered the nature of existing litigations or claims, the progress of matters, existing law and precedent, the opinions and views of legal counsel and other advisors, the Group's experience in similar cases (where applicable) and other facts available to the Group at the time of assessment. The director's assessment of these factors may change over time as individual litigations or claims progress. 

The group carries insurance coverage and in the event of future economic outflow arising with respect to any of these contingencies, an element of reimbursement may occur, subject to any excess or other policy restrictions and limits.

Investigations

Following the settlement of the various regulatory investigations in 2021, it remains possible that there may be other adverse consequences for the Group's business including actions by authorities in other jurisdictions. At this time, these consequences appear unlikely and therefore no provision has made in respect of them in the financial statements.

Employment claims

The Group received assessments from HMRC into the historical application of employer's National Insurance Contributions to workers on the UK Continental Shelf. The assessments have been appealed and our case is stayed for a fixed period. We believe it is more likely than not that we will be able to defend this challenge and therefore as a result do not expect that it is probable a liability will arise. The maximum potential exposure to the Group in relation to tax and interest should we be unsuccessful in our position is approximately $32.5m.

 

Indemnities and retained obligations

The Group has agreed to indemnify certain third parties relating to businesses and/or assets that were previously owned by the Group and were sold to them. Such indemnifications relate primarily to breach of covenants, breach of representations and warranties, as well as potential exposure for retained liabilities, environmental matters and third party claims for activities conducted by the Group prior to the sale of such businesses and/or assets. We have established provisions for those indemnities in respect of which we consider it probable that there will be a successful claim, to the extent such claim is quantifiable. The Group sold its Built Environment Consulting business to WSP in late 2022 and the share purchase agreement provided an indemnity for losses on three specified contracts.  No provisions were considered necessary for these contracts as at 31 December 2023.

 

Tax planning

HMRC have challenged the deductibility of certain interest expenses in relation to loans from Irish resident finance companies to the UK.  The tax treatment of the Irish finance companies under the UK controlled foreign company regime was previously considered as part of the EU State Aid, but no state aid was found to apply. A significant amount of contemporaneous documentation has been provided to HMRC regarding the transition from a previous finance company structure in the Netherlands, and subsequent funding of acquisitions via the Irish companies. HMRC continue with their enquiries. We believe that the interest deductions have been appropriately taken in line with tax legislation and guidance and therefore do not expect any outflow as a result, however we continue to monitor case law in the area and will consider the challenges of HMRC when raised. The maximum potential exposure to the Group including interest in relation to the interest deductions is approximately $39.5m and in the event of any amount ultimately being payable there is no prospect of any reimbursement.

 

35  Capital and other financial commitments

 


2023

(unaudited)

$m

 

2022

$m




Contracts placed for future capital expenditure not provided in the financial statements

102.3

74.8


The capital expenditure above relates to software costs which will be included within intangible asset additions when incurred. 

36  Related party transactions

The following transactions were carried out with the Group's joint ventures. These transactions comprise sales and purchases of goods and services and funding provided in the ordinary course of business. The receivables include loans to joint venture companies.


2023

(unaudited)

$m

 

2022

$m

Sale of goods and services to joint ventures

3.6

12.2

Purchase of goods and services from joint ventures

0.6

4.3

Receivables from joint ventures

9.8

8.9

Payables to joint ventures

12.1

0.3

 

Compensation of key management personnel includes salaries, non-cash benefits and contributions to post retirement benefits schemes disclosed in note 32.

The Group operates a number of defined benefit pension arrangements and seeks to fund these arrangements to ensure that all benefits can be paid as and when they fall due. The Group has an agreed schedule of contributions with the UK plan's trustees where amounts payable by the Group are dependent on the funding level of the respective scheme. The US plans are funded to ensure that statutory obligations are met and contributions are generally payable to at least minimum funding requirements. Note 33 sets out details of the Group's pension obligations under these arrangements.

37  Post balance sheet events

The directors have reviewed the position of the Group, up to the date authorised for issue of these financial statements and have not identified any events arising after the reporting period which require disclosure.

 

38  Subsidiaries, joint ventures and other related undertakings

The Group's subsidiary and joint venture undertakings at 31 December 2023 are listed below.  All subsidiaries are fully consolidated in the financial statements. Ownership interests noted in the table reflect holdings of ordinary shares.

Subsidiaries



Company Name

Registered Address

Ownership Interest %

Algeria



SARL Wood Group Algeria

Regus Algeria, Tour Nord,, Centre Commercial et Administratif de Bab Ezzouar,, Quartier d'affaires de Bab Ezzouar, Algeria  Properties

100

Wood Group Somias SPA

PO Box 67, Elmalaha Road (Route des Salines), Elbouni, Annaba, Algeria

55

Angola



Production Services Network Angola Limitada

RuaKima Kienda, Edificio SGEP, 2nd Floor, Apartment 16, Boavista District, Ingombota, Luanda, Angola

49*

Wood Group Kianda Limitada

No 201, Rua Engenheiro Armindo de Andrade,Bairro Miramar, Simbizanga, Luanda, Angola

41*

Argentina



Foster Wheeler E&C Argentina S.A.

Paraguay 1866, Buenos Aires, Argentina

100

ISI Mustang (Argentina) S.A.

Pedro Molina 714, Provincia de Mendoza, Ciudad de Mendoza, Argentina

100

Wood Solar Argentina S.A.U.

Tucuman 1 Floor 4, Buenos Aires, Argentina

100

Wood Wind Argentina S.A.U.

Tucuman 1 Floor 4, Buenos Aires, Argentina

100

Australia



Amec Foster Wheeler Australia Pty Ltd

Level 1, 240 St Georges Terrace, Perth, WA 6000, Australia

100

Aus-Ops Pty Ltd

Level 1, 240 St Georges Terrace, Perth, WA 6000, Australia

100

Innofield Services Pty Ltd

Level 1, 240 St Georges Terrace, Perth, WA 6000, Australia

100

RIDER HUNT INTERNATIONAL (AUSTRALIA) PTY LTD

Level 3, 171 Collins Street, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia

100

SVT Holdings Pty Ltd

Level 1, 240 St Georges Terrace, Perth, WA 6000, Australia

100

Wood Australia Architecture Pty Ltd

Level 1, 240 St Georges Terrace, Perth, WA 6000, Australia

100

Wood Australia Pty Ltd

Level 3, 171 Collins Street ,Melbourne, VIC, 3000, Australia

100

Wood Field Services Pty Ltd

Level 3, 171 Collins Street ,Melbourne, VIC, 3000, Australia

100

Wood Group Australia PTY Ltd

Level 1, 240 St Georges Terrace, Perth, WA 6000, Australia

100

Wood Group Kenny Australia Pty Ltd

Level 1, 240 St Georges Terrace, Perth, WA 6000, Australia

100

Azerbaijan



AMEC Limited Liability Company

37 Khojali Street, Baku, AZ1025, Azerbaijan

100

Wood Group PSN Azerbaijan LLC

Khojali Avenue,Building 37, Khatal District, Baku, AZ1025, Azerbaijan

100

Bermuda



Foster Wheeler Ltd.

Clarendon House, 2 Church Street, Hamilton, HM-11, Bermuda

100

FW Management Operations, Ltd.

Clarendon House, 2 Church Street, Hamilton HM CX, Bermuda

100

Brazil



Amec Foster Wheeler America Latina, Ltda.

Rua Evaristo da Veiga No. 65, Salas 1101, 1201 e 1202 do Sector 1, Edificio Passeio Corporate, Centro, Rio de Janeiro, CEP 20.031-040, Brazil

100

Amec Foster Wheeler Brasil S.A.

Avenida das Americas, n 3.434, Bloco 2, salas 307 e 308, Centro Empresarial Mario Henrique Simonsen, Barra da Tijuca, CEP 22.640-102, Brazil

100

AMEC Petroleo e Gas Ltda.

Avenida das Americas, n 3.434, Bloco 2, salas 307 e 308, Centro Empresarial Mario Henrique Simonsen, Barra da Tijuca, CEP 22.640-102, Brazil

100

AMEC Projetos e Consultoria Ltda

Rua Professor Moraes No. 476, Loja 5, Sobreloja, Bairro Funcionarios, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, 30150-370, Brazil

100

FW Industrial Power Brazil Ltda

Alameda Santos, 1293, Room 63, Cerqueira César, Sao Paulo, 01419-002, Brazil

100

Santos Barbosa Tecnica Comercio e Servicos Ltda.

Estrada Sao Jose do Mutum, 301 - Imboassica, Cidade de Macae, Rio de Janeiro, CEP 27973-030, Brazil

100

Wood Group Engineering and Production Facilities Brasil Ltda.

Rua Ministro Salgado Filho,119, Cavaleiros, Cidade de Macae,CEP 27920-210, Estado do Rio de Janeiro

100

Wood Group Kenny do Brasil Servicos de Engenharia Ltda.

Rua Sete de Setembro, 54 - 4 andares, Centro, Rio de Janeiro - RJ, CEP 20050-009, Brazil

100

Brunei Darussalam



Amec Foster Wheeler (B) SDN BHD

Unit No.s 406A-410A, Wisma Jaya, Jalan Pemancha, Bandar Seri Begawan BS8811, Brunei Darussalam

100

Bulgaria



AMEC Minproc Bulgaria EOOD

7th Floor, 9-11 Maria Louisa Blvd, Vazrazhdane District, Sofia 1301, Bulgaria

100

Cameroon



Amec Foster Wheeler Cameroun SARL

Cap Limboh, Limbe, BP1280, Cameroon

100

Canada



2292127 Alberta Ltd.

1900, 520 - 3rd Ave. S.W., Calgary, AB, T2P 0R3, Canada

100

Amec Foster Wheeler Canada Ltd.

Borden Ladner Gervais LLP, Centennial Place, East Tower, 1900, 520 - 3rd Ave. S.W., Calgary, AB, T2P 0R3, Canada

100

Rider Hunt International (Alberta) Inc.

900 AMEC Place, 801-6th Avenue S.W., Calgary, AB, T2P 3W3, Canada

100

Wood Canada Limited

1900, 520 - 3rd Avenue SW, Calgary, AB, T2P 0R3, Canada

100

Wood Group Asset Integrity Solutions, Inc.

1900, 520 - 3rd Avenue SW, Calgary, AB, T2P 0R3, Canada

100

Wood Group Canada, Inc.

Borden Ladner Gervais LLP, Centennial Place, East Tower, 1900, 520 - 3rd Ave. S.W., Calgary, AB, T2P 0R3, Canada

100

Wood Solar Canada Ltd.

1900, 520 - 3rd Ave. S.W., Calgary, AB, T2P 0R3, Canada

100

Wood Wind Canada Ltd.

1900, 520 - 3rd Ave. S.W., Calgary, AB, T2P 0R3, Canada

100

Cayman Islands



FW Chile Holdings Ltd.

Codan Trust Company (Cayman) Limited, Cricket Square, Hutchins Drive, PO Box 2681, George Town, KY1-1111

100

Wood Group O&M International, Ltd.

Sterling Trust (Cayman) Limited, Whitehall House, 238 North Church Street, George Town, KY1-1102, Cayman Islands

100

Chile



Amec Foster Wheeler Talcahuano, Operaciónes y Mantenciones Limitada

Camino A Ramuntcho 3230, Sector 4 Esquinas, Talcahuano, Chile

100

ISI Mustang Chile SpA

Calle Providencia 337, off. 7, Comuna de Providencia, Santiago, Chile

100

Wood Chile Limitada

Avenida Presidente Riesco 5335, piso 8, Las Condes, Chile

100

Wood Ingenieria y Consultoria Chile Limitada

Avenida Larrain 5862, Piso 11, La Reina, Santiago, 7870154, Chile

100

China



Liaoning Province Pharmaceutical Planning and Designing Institution Co. Ltd.

3rd Floor, Gate 4, 153-10 Chuangxin Road, Hunnan District, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, China

100

Shenyang Dongyu Youan Pharmaceutical Technology Co. Ltd.

Gate 2, 8# Wulihe Street, Heping District, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, China

76

Colombia



Wood Engineering & Consultancy Colombia S.A.S.

Carrera 11 A No. 96-51 5th floor, Bogota D.C., Colombia

100

Cyprus



WGPS International Limited

Elenion Building, 2nd Floor, 5 Themistocles Street, CY-1066 Nicosia,CY-1310 Nicosia, PO Box 25549, Cyprus

100

Wood Group Angola Limited

Elenion Building, 2nd Floor, 5 Themistocles Street, CY-1066 Nicosia,CY-1310 Nicosia, PO Box 25549, Cyprus

100

Wood Group Equatorial Guinea Limited

Elenion Building, 2nd Floor, 5 Themistocles Street, CY-1066 Nicosia,CY-1310 Nicosia, PO Box 25549, Cyprus

100

Democratic Republic of Congo



MDM Engineering SPRL

32 Avenue 3Z, Commune de Kasuku, Ville de Kindu, Democratic Republic of Congo

100

Egypt



Foster Wheeler Petroleum Services S.A.E.

Al-Amerya General Free Zone, Alexandria, Egypt

100

Equatorial Guinea



Baker Energy International Equatorial Guinea S.A.

Bioko, Island Region, Malabo

65

Hexagon Sociedad Anonima con Consejo de Administracion

c/o Solege, Calle Kenia S/N, Malabo, Equatorial Guinea

65

France



Amec Foster Wheeler France S.A.

14, Place de la Coupole, Charenton-le-Pont, France, 94220

100

Wood Group Engineering Services (France) SAS

6Pl de la Madeleine, 75008, Paris, France

100

Wood Group France SAS

108 rue de Longchamp 75116 Paris

100

Gabon



Production Services Network Gabon SARL

1.149, Republic Boulevard, CEDAM Building, 6th Floor, Bali - Douala, Douala, PO Box 3586, Cameroon

100

Germany



Bauunternehmung Kittelberger GmbH i.L.

Liebigstr. 1-3, Kaiserslautern, 67661, Germany

100

KIG Immobilien Beteiligungsgesellschaft mbH

Hammstrasse 6, 04129 Leipzig, Germany

100

KIG Immobiliengesellschaft mbH & Co. KG

Hammstrasse 6, 04129 Leipzig, Germany

100

Wood E&IS (Renewables) GmbH

Zippelhaus 4, 20457 Hamburg, Germany

100

Ghana



Amec Foster Wheeler Operations Ghana Limited

House Number 4, Momotse Avenue, Behind All Saints Anglican Church, Adabraka, PO Box GP 1632, Accra, Greater Accra, Ghana

100

Wood & BBS Ghana Ltd

No 4 Momotsa Avenue, Behind All Saints Anglican Church, Adabraka, Accra, Ghana

80

Wood Group Ghana Limited

20 Jones Nelson Road, Adabraka, Accra, Ghana

49*

Greece



Amec Foster Wheeler Hellas Engineering and Construction Societe Anonyme

15 Meandrou Street, Athens, 115 28, Greece

100

Guatemala



AMEC Guatemala Engineering and Consulting, Sociedad Anonima

Ciudad Guatemala, Guatemala

100

Guernsey



AMEC Operations Limited

22 Havilland Street, St Peter Port, GY1 2QB, Guernsey

100

Garlan Insurance Limited

PO Box 33, Maison Trinity, Trinity Square, St Peter Port, GY1 4AT, Guernsey

100

Wood Group Offshore Services Limited

PO Box 119 Martello Court, Admiral Park, St Peter Port, Guernsey, GY1 3HB, Guernsey

100

Wood USA Holdings Limited

22 Havilland Street, St Peter Port, GY1 2QB, Guernsey

100

Hong Kong

 

 

AMEC Asia Pacific Limited

3806, Central Plaza, 18 Harbour Road, Wanchai, Hong Kong

99

India



Ingenious Process Solutions Private Limited

307, Atlanta Estate, 3rd Floor, Hanuman Tekdil Road Vitbhatti, Off. W.E. Highway, Goregaon (East) Mumbai MH 400063

100

Mustang Engineering India Private Limited

6th Floor, Zenith Building, Ascendas IT Park, CSIR Road, Taramani, Chennai 600 113, India

 

100

Wood India Engineering & Projects Private Limited

6th Floor, Zenith Building, Ascendas IT Park, CSIR Road, Taramani, Chennai 600 113, India

100

Wood Group Kenny India Private Limited

15th Floor Tower-B, Building No. 5, DLF Cyber City, ,HR, Phase III Gurgaon Gurgaon, 122002, India

100

Wood Group PSN India Private Limited

5th Floor, Zenith Building, Ascendas IT Park, CSIR Road, Taramani, Chennai, 600113, India

100

Indonesia



PT AGRA Monenco

c/o 2020 Winston Park Drive, Suite 700, Oakville, ON, L6H 6X7, Canada

100

PT Amec Foster Wheeler Indonesia

Perkantoran Pulo mas Blok VII No. 2, Jl Perintis Kemerdekaan, Pulo Gadung, Jakarta, Timur, Indonesia

55

PT Australian Skills Training

Green Town Warehouse No. 2, Bengkong-Batam-Indonesia, Indonesia

95

PT Foster Wheeler O&G Indonesia

Perkantoran Pulo mas Blok VII No.2, Jl. Perintis Kemerdekaan, Pulo Gadung, Jakarta Timur 13260, Indonesia

90

PT Harding Lawson Indonesia

c/o 2020 Winston Park Drive, Suite 700, Oakville, ON, L6H 6X7, Canada

95

PT Simons International Indonesia

c/o 2020 Winston Park Drive, Suite 7000, Oakville, Ontario, Canada

100

PT Wood Group Indonesia

Gedung Perkantoran Prudential Centre, Kota Kasablanka, Lantai 22, Unit A, J1, Cassablanca Kav, 88 Kel. Menteng Dalam, Kec.Tebet, Kota Adm, Jarkarta Selantan, DKI Jarkarta, Malaysia

90

Iran



Foster Wheeler Adibi Engineering

9th Floor Aluminumm Building, Avenue Shah, Tehran

45

Wood Group Iran - Qeshm Company (pjs)

No 2564, Hafez Street, Toola Industrial Park,Qeshm Island, Annaba, Iran

97

Iraq



Ghabet El Iraq for General Contracting and Engineering Services, Engineering Consultancy (LLC)

Suite 24, Building 106,St 19, Sec 213, Al-Kindi St, Al-Haritheeya Qts, Baghdad, Iraq

100

Touchstone General Contracting, Engineering Consultancy and Project Management LLC

Flat no. 23A, 3rd Floor, near Kahramana Square Anbar Building, District no. 903, Hay Al Karada, Baghdad, Iraq

100




Ireland



Wood Group Kenny Ireland Limited

Second Floor, Blocks 4 and 5, Galway Technology Park, Parkmore, Galway, Ireland

100

Italy



Concetto Green S.r.l

Via S. Caboto 15, Corsico, Milan, 20094, Italy

100

Concettorinnovabile s.r.l.

Via S. Caboto 15, Corsico, Milan, 20094, Italy

100

ForEarth S.r.l

Via S. Caboto 15, Corsico, Milan, 20094, Italy

100

Geo Rinnovabile S.r.l.           

Via S. Caboto 15, Corsico, Milan, 20094, Italy

100

Green2dream s.r.l.

Via S. Caboto 15, Corsico, Milan, 20094, Italy

100

Green2grid S.r.l

Via S. Caboto 15, Corsico, Milan, 20094, Italy

100

Greendream1 S.r.l.

Via S. Caboto 15, Corsico, Milan, 20094, Italy

100

Greendream2 S.r.l.

Via S. Caboto 15, Corsico, Milan, 20094, Italy

100

HWF S.r.l.

Via S. Caboto 15, Corsico, Milan, 20094, Italy

100

Hybrid Energy S.r.l.

Via S. Caboto 15, Corsico, Milan, 20094, Italy

100

Newagro s.r.l.

Via S. Caboto 15, Corsico, Milan, 20094, Italy

100

Oro Rinnovabile s.r.l.

Via S. Caboto 15, Corsico, Milan, 20094, Italy

100

Orosolare s.r.l.

Via S. Caboto 15, Corsico, Milan, 20094, Italy

100

Res4green s.r.l.

Via S. Caboto 15, Corsico, Milan, 20094, Italy

100

Res4planet S.r.l

Via S. Caboto 15, Corsico, Milan, 20094, Italy

100

Res4power s.r.l.

Via S. Caboto 15, Corsico, Milan, 20094, Italy

100

Resergy S.r.l

Via S. Caboto 15, Corsico, Milan, 20094, Italy

100

Transizione s.r.l.

Via S. Caboto 15, Corsico, Milan, 20094, Italy

100

Transizioneverde s.r.l.

Via S. Caboto 15, Corsico, Milan, 20094, Italy

100

Tre Rinnovabili S.r.l.

Via S. Caboto 15, Corsico, Milan, 20094, Italy

100

Versogreen s.r.l.

Via S. Caboto 15, Corsico, Milan, 20094, Italy

100

Wood Italiana S.r.l.

Via S. Caboto 15, Corsico, 20094, Italy

100

Wood Solare Italia S.r.l.

Via S. Caboto 15, Corsico, Milan, 20094, Italy

100

Jamaica



Monenco Jamaica Limited

c/o 2020 Winston Park Drive, Suite 700, Oakville, ON, L6H 6X7, Canada

100

Jersey



RHI Talent UK Limited

28 Esplanade, St Helier, JE2 3QA, Jersey

100

Wood Group Engineering Services (Middle East) Limited

28 Esplanade, St Helier, JE2 3QA, Jersey

100

Wood Group Production Facilities Limited

28 Esplanade, St Helier, JE2 3QA, Jersey

100

Kazakhstan



AMEC Limited Liability Partnership

46 Satpayev St., Atyrau City, Atyrau Oblast, 060011, Kazakhstan

100

Foster Wheeler Kazakhstan LLP

app. 27, h. 64, Bostandykskiy district, Abaya Ave., Almaty City, Kazakhstan

100

QED International (Kazakhstan) Limited Liability Partnership

46 Satpayev St., Atyrau City, Atyrau Oblast, 060011, Kazakhstan

100

Wood Group Kazakhstan LLP

Satpayev str. 46, Atyrau, 060011, Kazakhstan

100

Kuwait



AMEC Kuwait Project Management and Contracting Company W.L.L.

2nd Floor, Al Mutawa Building, Ahmed Al Jaber Street, Sharq, Kuwait City

49*

Luxembourg



Financial Services S.à r.l.

15, Boulevard Friedrich Wilhelm Raiffeisen, L-2411, Luxembourg

100

FW Investment Holdings S.à r.l.

15, Boulevard Friedrich Wilhelm Raiffeisen, L-2411, Luxembourg

100

Malaysia



Amec Foster Wheeler OPE Sdn. Bhd.

Suite 1005, 10th Floor, Wisma Hamzah-Kwong Hing, No. 1, Leboh Ampang, Kuala Lumpur, 50100, Malaysia

100

BMA Engineering SDN. BHD.

Unit C-12-4, Level 12, Block C, Megan Avenue II, Wilayah Persekutuan,Wilayah Persekutuan, Kuala Lumpur, 50450, Malaysia

100

Foster Wheeler (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd.

Suite 1005, 10th Floor, Wisma Hamzah-Kwong Hing, No. 1, Leboh Ampang, Kuala Lumpur, 50100, Malaysia

100

Foster Wheeler E&C (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd.

Suite 1005, 10th Floor, Wisma Hamzah-Kwong Hing, No. 1, Leboh Ampang, Kuala Lumpur, 50100, Malaysia

70

Rider Hunt International (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd

Level 7, Menara Milenium, Jalan Damanlela, Pusat Bandar Damansara, Damansara Heights, Kuala Lumpur, 50490, Malaysia

100

Wood Group Kenny Sdn Bhd

c/o Securities Services (Holdings) Sdn Bhd, level 7, Menara Milenium, Jalan Damanlela, Pusat Bandar Damansara, Damansara Heights, ,Kuala Lumpur, Damansara Town Centre, Damansa, 50490, Malaysia

25*

Wood Group Mustang (M) Sdn. Bhd.

Level 7, Menara Milenium,Jalan Damanlela, Pusat Bandar Damansara, Damansara Heights,Wilayah Persekutuan,Wilayah Persekutuan, Kuala Lumpur, 50490, Malaysia

100

Mauritius



MDM Engineering Investments Ltd

1st Floor, Felix House, 24 Dr Joseph Street, Port Louis, Mauritius

100

MDM Engineering Projects Ltd

1st Floor, Felix House, 24 Dr Joseph Street, Port Louis, Mauritius

100

P.E. Consultants, Inc.

c/o First Island Trust Company Ltd, Suite 308, St. James Court, St. Denis Street, Port Louis, Mauritius

100

QED International Ltd

c/o Ocorian Corporate Services (Mauritius) Limited, 6th Floor, Tower A, 1 CyberCity, Ebene, 72201, Mauritius

100

Mexico



AGRA Ambiental S.A. de C.V.

c/o 2020 Winston Park Drive, Suite 700, Oakville, ON, L6H 6X7, Canada

100

Amec Foster Wheeler Energia Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V.

Av. Vasconcelos 453, Colonia del Valle 66220 Nuevo Leon, Monterrey (Estados Unidos de México), Mexico

100

Amec Foster Wheeler Mexico, S.A. de C.V.

David Alfaro Siqueiros No.104, Piso 2, Colonia Valle Oriente, San Pedro Garza Garcia, Nuevo Leon, C.P. 66269, Mexico

100

CEC Controls Automatizacion S. de R.L. de C.V.

Libramiento Carr. Silao-León #201, Esq. Prolongación Bailleres, Col. Progreso Silao, Guanajuato, CP. 36135, Mexico

100

Foster Wheeler Constructors de Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V.

699 15th Street, 6th Avenue, Agua Prieta, Sonora, Mexico

80

Global Mining Projects and Engineering, S.A. de C.V.

Calle Coronado 124, Zona Centro, Chihuahau, Chihuahau, 31000, Mexico

100

Harding Lawson de Mexico S.A. de C.V.

Edificio Omega, Campos Eliseos 345, floors 2, 3 & 11, Chapultepec Polanco 11560 Mexico, D.F.

100

ISI Mustang Servicios de Ingenieria de Mexico, S de R.L. De C.V.

HOMERO 1804 PISO 11,COL. LOS MORALES - DELEGACION MIGUEL HIDALGO, Distrito Federal, Mexico City, C.P. 11540, Mexico

100

Wood Group de Mexico S.A. de C.V.

Insurgentes Sur #619 piso 10, Colonia Napoles, Municipio Benito Juarez, between Calle Vermont and Calle Yosemite, Mexico City, 03810, Mexico

100

Wood Group Management Services de Mexico, S.A. de C.V.

Blvd. Manuel Avila Camacho 40 - 1801, Lomas de Cahpultepec, Delgacion Miguel Hidalgo, Mexico, D.F. 11000

100

Mongolia



AMEC LLC

Mongol TV Tower-1005, Chinggis Avenue, Sukhbaatar District, 1st khoroo, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia

100

Mozambique



Amec Foster Wheeler Mozambique Limitada

Mocambique, Maputo Cidade, Distrito Urbano 1, Bairro Sommerschield II, Av. Julius Nyerere, nº 3412, Maputo, Mozambique

100

Wood Group Mozambique, Limitada

73 Rua Jose Sidumo, Bairro da Polana, Maputo, Mozambique

100

Netherlands

 

 

AMEC GRD SA B.V.

Meander 251, Arnhem, 6825 MC, Netherlands

100

AMEC Holland B.V.

EDGE Amsterdam West, Basisweg 10, 1043 AP, Amsterdam, Netherlands

100

AMEC Investments B.V.

EDGE Amsterdam West, Basisweg 10, 1043 AP, Amsterdam, Netherlands

100

Foster Wheeler Continental B.V.

Naritaweg 165, 1043 BW Amsterdam, Netherlands

100

Foster Wheeler Europe B.V.

Naritaweg 165, 1043 BW Amsterdam, Netherlands

100

John Wood Group B.V.

C/O Centralis Netherlands BV, Zuidplein 126, WTC, Toren H 15e, Amsterdam, 1077XV, Netherlands

100

John Wood Group Holdings BV

C/O Centralis Netherlands BV, Zuidplein 126, WTC, Toren H 15e, Amsterdam, 1077XV, Netherlands

100

New Zealand



M&O Pacific Limited

26 Manadon Street, Spotswood, New Plymouth, 4310, New Zealand

100

Nigeria



AMEC Contractors (W/A) Limited

13A AJ Marinho Drive, Victoria Island, Lagos, Nigeria

100

AMEC King Wilkinson (Nigeria) Limited

No 3, Hospital Road, PO Box 9289, Lagos, Nigeria

100

AMEC Offshore (Nigeria) Limited

18th Floor, Western House, 8/10 Broad street, Lagos, Nigeria

75

Foster Wheeler (Nigeria) Limited

1 Murtala Muhammed Drive, (Formerly Bank Road), Ikoyi, Lagos, Nigeria

100

Foster Wheeler Environmental Company Nigeria Limited

c/o Nwokedi & Co., 21 Ajasa Street, Onikan, Nigeria

87

JWG Nigeria Limited

13 Sumbo Jibowu Street, Ikoyi, Lagos, Nigeria

100

Overseas Technical Services Nigeria Limited

No 13 Sumbo Jibowu Street, Ikoyi, Lagos, Nigeria

93

Norway



Wood Group Norway AS

Fokserodveien 12, Sandefjord, 3241, Norway

100

Oman



Wood Engineering Consultancy LLC

PO Box 1469, Postal Code 133, Al-Khuwair, Sultanate of Oman

60

Wood LLC

Bldg No. 89, Way No. 6605, Al Oman Street, Ghala Industrial Area, P.O. Box 293, Al Khuwair, PC 133, Oman

70

Papua New Guinea



Wood Engineering PNG Ltd

Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu, Level 9, Deloitte Haus, Macgregor Street, Section 8, Allotment 19, Port Moresby, National Capital District, Papua New Guinea

100

Wood Group PNG Limited

Dentons PNG, Level 5, Bsp Haus, Harbour City, Port Moreseby,Papau New Guinea, National Capital District, Papua New Guinea

100

Peru



Wood Group Peru S.A.C.

Av. de la Floresta 407, 5th Floor, San Borja, Lima, Peru

100

Philippines



Foster Wheeler (Philippines) Corporation

U-7A, 7/F PDCP Bank Centre,V.A. Rufino St. Corner L.P. Leviste St., Salcedo Village, Makati City, PH, 1227

100

Production Services Network Holdings Corp.

585 ME National Road HW, Barangay Alangilan, Batangas City, Batangas, Philippines

100

PSN Production Services Network Philippines Corp

12th Floor, Net One Center,26th Street Corner, 3rd Avenue, Crescent Park West,Taguig, Metro Manilla, Bonifacio Global City, 1634, Philippines

100

Poland



Amec Foster Wheeler Consulting Poland Sp. z o.o.

ul. Chmielna 132/134, Warsaw, 00-805, Poland

100

Portugal



Amec Foster Wheeler (Portugal) Lda

Avenida Barbosa du Bocage 113-4, Lisboa, 1050-031, Portugal

100

Qatar



Production Services Network Qatar LLC

PO Box 2515, Doha, Qatar

49*

Romania



AMEC Operations S.R.L

Rooms 1 and 2, 2nd Floor, No. 59 Strada Grigore Alexandrescu, Sector 1, Bucharest 010623, Romania

100

Russia



OOO Amec Foster Wheeler

Office E-100, Park Place, 113/1, Leninsky Prospekt, 117198, Moscow, Russian Federation 113/1, Leninsky Prospekt, 117198, Moscow, Russian Federation

100

Production Services Network Eurasia LLC

2-6 Floors,88 Amurskaya, Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, 693020, Russian Federation

100

Production Services Network Sakhalin LLC

2-6 Floors,88 Amurskaya, Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, 693020, Russian Federation

99

Saudi Arabia



Amec Foster Wheeler Energy and Partners Engineering Company

Majd Business Center, Tower B, P.O. Box 30920, King Faisal Road, Al-Khobar, 31952, Saudi Arabia

75

Mustang and Faisal Jamil Al-Hejailan Consulting Engineering Company

PO Box 9175, Almalaz, Salahuddin Alayoubi Street, Riyadh, 11413, Saudi Arabia

70

Mustang Saudi Arabia Co. Ltd.

King Fahad Road, Rakah, Po Box 8145, Al-Khobar, 34225, Saudi Arabia

100

Wood Group ESP Saudi Arabia Limited

PO Box 1280, Al-Khobar

51

Singapore



Amec Foster Wheeler Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd.

One Marina Boulevard #28-00, Singapore, 018989, Singapore

100

AMEC Global Resources Pte Limited

991E Alexandra Road, #01 - 25, 119973, Singapore

100

Foster Wheeler Eastern Private Limited

1 Marina Boulevard, #28-00, Singapore 018989

100

OPE O&G Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd.

1 Marina Boulevard, #28-00, One Marina Boulevard, 018989, Singapore

100

Rider Hunt International (Singapore) Pte Limited

24 Raffles Place, #24-03 Clifford Centre, Singapore, 048621

100

Simons Pacific Services Pte Ltd.

8 Marina Boulevard #05-02, Marina Bay Financial Centre, Singapore, 018981, Singapore

100

Wood Group International Services Pte. Ltd.

991E Alexandra Road, #01 - 25, 119973, Singapore

100

Slovakia



The Automated Technology Group (Slovakia) s.r.o.

c/o, Kinstellar s.r.o., Hviezdoslavovo nám 13, Bratislava, 811 02, Slovakia

100

South Africa

 

 

Amec Foster Wheeler Properties (Pty) Limited

Waterfall Corporate Campus, Building 6, 74 Waterfall Drive Waterval City, Gauteng, 2090, South Africa

100

AMEC Minproc (Proprietary) Limited

2 Eglin Road, Sunninghill, 2157, South Africa

100

Wood Minerals and Metals Africa (Pty) Ltd

Building Number 2 - Silverstream Business Park, 10 Muswell Road South, Bryanston, Gauteng, 2021

100

Rider Hunt International South Africa (Pty) Ltd

Building No. 2, Silver Stream Business Park, No. 10 Muswell Road South, Bryanston, South Africa

83

Wood BEE Holdings (Proprietary) Ltd

Waterfall Corporate Campus, Building 6, 74 Waterfall Drive Waterval City, Gauteng, 2090, South Africa

58

Wood Mining South Africa (Pty) Ltd

Building No. 2, Silver Stream Business Park, 10 Muswell Road South, Bryanston, Gauteng, 2021, South Africa

100

Wood South Africa (PTY) Ltd

Waterfall Corporate Campus, Building 6, 74 Waterfall Drive Waterval City, Gauteng, 2090, South Africa

70

South Korea



AMEC Korea Limited

KG Tower 5F, 92 Tongil-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul 04517, Korea

100

Spain



Amec Foster Wheeler Energia, S.L.U.

Calle Gabriel Garcia Marquez, no 2, Parque Empresarial Madrid, Las Rozas, 28232 Las Rozas, Madrid, Spain

100

Wood Iberia S.L.U.

Calle Gabriel Garcia Marquez, no 2, Parque Empresarial Madrid - Las Rozas, 28230 Las Rozas, Madrid, Spain

100

Switzerland



A-FW International Investments GmbH

c/o Intertrust Services (Schweiz) AG, Alpenstrasse 15, 6300, Zug, Zug, Switzerland

100

Wood Engineering AG

Lohweg 6, 4054 Basel, Switzerland

100

Tanzania



MDM Projects-Tanzania Limited

Plot No. 483, Garden Road, Mikocheni Ward, Kinondoni District, Dar es Salaam, 14112, Tanzania, the United Republic of

100

Thailand



Amec Foster Wheeler Holding (Thailand) Limited

1st Floor Talaythong Tower, 53 Moo 9, Sukhumvit Road, Thungsukla, Sriracha, Chonburi, 20230, Thailand

100

Foster Wheeler (Thailand) Limited

53 Talaythong Tower, 1st Floor, Moo 9, Sukhumvit Road, Tambol Tungsukhla, Amphur Sriracha, Chonburi, 20230, Thailand

100

Trinidad and Tobago



Wood Group Trinidad & Tobago Limited

18 Scott Bushe Street, Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago

100

Turkey



Amec Foster Wheeler Bimas Birlesik Insaat ve Muhendislik A.S.

Kucukbakkalkoy Mah, Çardak Sok, No.1A Plaza, 34750 Atasehir, Istanbul, Turkey

100

Uganda



Wood Group PSN Uganda Limited

KAA House, Plot 41,Nakasero Road, PO Box 9566, Kampala, Uganda

100

Ukraine



Wood Ukraine LLC

Room 398, Building 26, Obolonskyi Avenue, Kyiv City, 04205, Ukraine

100

United Arab Emirates



Production Services Network Emirates LLC

Unit 1301-CI Tower, Level 13, Al Bateen Street, Khalidiya, Abu Dhabi, PO Box 105828

49*

PSN Overseas Holding Company Limited

The MAZE Tower, 15th Floor, Sheikh Zayed Road, PO Box 9275, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

100

United Kingdom



AFW Finance 2 Limited

Booths Park, Chelford Road, Knutsford, Cheshire, WA16 8QZ, England

100

AMEC (F.C.G.) Limited

Booths Park, Chelford Road, Knutsford, Cheshire, WA16 8QZ, England

100

AMEC (MH1992) Limited

Booths Park, Chelford Road, Knutsford, Cheshire, WA16 8QZ, England

100

AMEC (MHL) Limited

Booths Park, Chelford Road, Knutsford, Cheshire, WA16 8QZ, England

100

AMEC (WSL) Limited

Booths Park, Chelford Road, Knutsford, Cheshire, WA16 8QZ, England

100

AMEC BKW Limited

Booths Park, Chelford Road, Knutsford, Cheshire, WA16 8QZ, England

100

AMEC Bravo Limited

Booths Park, Chelford Road, Knutsford, Cheshire, WA16 8QZ, England

100

AMEC Building Limited

Booths Park, Chelford Road, Knutsford, Cheshire, WA16 8QZ, England

100

AMEC Capital Projects Limited

Booths Park, Chelford Road, Knutsford, Cheshire, WA16 8QZ, England

100

AMEC Civil Engineering Limited

Booths Park, Chelford Road, Knutsford, Cheshire, WA16 8QZ, England

100

Amec Foster Wheeler (Holdings) Limited

Booths Park, Chelford Road, Knutsford, Cheshire, WA16 8QZ, England

100

Amec Foster Wheeler Earth and Environmental (UK) Limited

Booths Park, Chelford Road, Knutsford, Cheshire, WA16 8QZ, England

100

Amec Foster Wheeler Energy Limited

Booths Park, Chelford Road, Knutsford, Cheshire, WA16 8QZ, England

100

Amec Foster Wheeler Finance Asia Limited

Booths Park, Chelford Road, Knutsford, Cheshire, WA16 8QZ, England

100

Amec Foster Wheeler Finance Limited

Booths Park, Chelford Road, Knutsford, Cheshire, WA16 8QZ, England

100

Amec Foster Wheeler Group Limited

Booths Park, Chelford Road, Knutsford, Cheshire, WA16 8QZ, England

100

Amec Foster Wheeler International Limited

Booths Park, Chelford Road, Knutsford, Cheshire, WA16 8QZ, England

100

Amec Foster Wheeler Limited

Booths Park, Chelford Road, Knutsford, Cheshire, WA16 8QZ, England

100

AMEC Investments Europe Limited

Booths Park, Chelford Road, Knutsford, Cheshire, WA16 8QZ, England

100

AMEC Offshore Limited

Booths Park, Chelford Road, Knutsford, Cheshire, WA16 8QZ, England

100

AMEC Process and Energy Limited

Booths Park, Chelford Road, Knutsford, Cheshire, WA16 8QZ, England

100

AMEC Project Investments Limited

Booths Park, Chelford Road, Knutsford, Cheshire, WA16 8QZ, England

100

AMEC Services Limited

Booths Park, Chelford Road, Knutsford, Cheshire, WA16 8QZ, England

100

AMEC Trustees Limited

Booths Park, Chelford Road, Knutsford, Cheshire, WA16 8QZ, England

100

AMEC USA Holdings Limited

Booths Park, Chelford Road, Knutsford, Cheshire, WA16 8QZ, England

100

AMEC Wind Developments Limited

Booths Park, Chelford Road, Knutsford, Cheshire, WA16 8QZ, England

100

Automated Technology Group Holdings Limited

Booths Park, Chelford Road, Knutsford, Cheshire, WA16 8QZ, England

100

East Mediterranean Energy Services Limited

c/o Ledingham Chalmers LLP, 3rd Floor, 68-70 George Street, Edinburgh, EH2 2LR, United Kingdom

100

Foster Wheeler (G.B.) Limited

Booths Park, Chelford Road, Knutsford, Cheshire, WA16 8QZ, England

100

Foster Wheeler (London) Limited

Booths Park, Chelford Road, Knutsford, Cheshire, WA16 8QZ, England

100

Foster Wheeler (Process Plants) Limited

Booths Park, Chelford Road, Knutsford, Cheshire, WA16 8QZ, England

100

Foster Wheeler E&C Limited

Booths Park, Chelford Road, Knutsford, Cheshire, WA16 8QZ, England

100

Foster Wheeler Environmental (UK) Limited

Booths Park, Chelford Road, Knutsford, Cheshire, WA16 8QZ, England

100

Foster Wheeler Europe

Booths Park, Chelford Road, Knutsford, Cheshire, WA16 8QZ, England

100

Foster Wheeler UK Investments Limited

Sir Ian Wood House, Hareness Road, Altens Industrial Estate, Aberdeen, AB12 3LE, Scotland, United Kingdom

100

Foster Wheeler World Services Limited

Booths Park, Chelford Road, Knutsford, Cheshire, WA16 8QZ, England

100

FW Investments Limited

Booths Park, Chelford Road, Knutsford, Cheshire, WA16 8QZ, England

100

HFA Limited

Sir Ian Wood House, Hareness Road, Altens Industrial Estate, Aberdeen, AB12 3LE, Scotland, United Kingdom

100

Integrated Maintenance Services Limited

Booths Park, Chelford Road, Knutsford, Cheshire, WA16 8QZ, England

100

James Scott Limited

Ground Floor, 15 Justice Mill Lane, Aberdeen, AB11 6EQ, Scotland

100

John Wood Group Holdings Limited

Sir Ian Wood House, Hareness Road, Altens Industrial Estate, Aberdeen, AB12 3LE, Scotland, United Kingdom

100

JWG Investments Limited

Sir Ian Wood House, Hareness Road, Altens Industrial Estate, Aberdeen, AB12 3LE, Scotland, United Kingdom

100

JWGUSA Holdings Limited

Sir Ian Wood House, Hareness Road, Altens Industrial Estate, Aberdeen, AB12 3LE, Scotland, United Kingdom

100

Kelwat Investments Limited

Sir Ian Wood House, Hareness Road, Altens Industrial Estate, Aberdeen, AB12 3LE, Scotland, United Kingdom

100

Metal and Pipeline Endurance Limited

Booths Park, Chelford Road, Knutsford, Cheshire, WA16 8QZ, England

100

Mustang Engineering Limited

Sir Ian Wood House, Hareness Road, Altens Industrial Estate, Aberdeen, AB12 3LE, Scotland, United Kingdom

100

Press Construction Limited

Booths Park, Chelford Road, Knutsford, Cheshire, WA16 8QZ, England

100

Process Plants Suppliers Limited

Booths Park, Chelford Road, Knutsford, Cheshire, WA16 8QZ, England

100

Production Services Network (UK) Limited

Sir Ian Wood House, Hareness Road, Altens Industrial Estate, Aberdeen, AB12 3LE, Scotland, United Kingdom

100

Production Services Network Bangladesh Limited

Booths Park, Chelford Road, Knutsford, Cheshire, WA16 8QZ, England

100

PSJ Fabrications Ltd

Booths Park, Chelford Road, Knutsford, Cheshire, WA16 8QZ, England

100

PSN (Angola) Limited

Sir Ian Wood House, Hareness Road, Altens Industrial Estate, Aberdeen, AB12 3LE, Scotland, United Kingdom

100

PSN (Philippines) Limited

Sir Ian Wood House, Hareness Road, Altens Industrial Estate, Aberdeen, AB12 3LE, Scotland, United Kingdom

100

PSN Asia Limited

Sir Ian Wood House, Hareness Road, Altens Industrial Estate, Aberdeen, AB12 3LE, Scotland, United Kingdom

100

PSN Overseas Limited

Sir Ian Wood House, Hareness Road, Altens Industrial Estate, Aberdeen, AB12 3LE, Scotland, United Kingdom

100

QED International (UK) Limited

Sir Ian Wood House, Hareness Road, Altens Industrial Estate, Aberdeen, AB12 3LE, Scotland, United Kingdom

100




Rider Hunt International Limited

Booths Park, Chelford Road, Knutsford, Cheshire, WA16 8QZ, England

100

Sandiway Solutions (No 3) Limited

Booths Park, Chelford Road, Knutsford, Cheshire, WA16 8QZ, England

100

SgurrEnergy Limited

St Vincent Plaza, 319 St Vincent Street, Glasgow, G2 5LP, Scotland, United Kingdom

100

The Automated Technology Group Limited

Booths Park, Chelford Road, Knutsford, Cheshire, WA16 8QZ, England

100

WGPSN (Holdings) Limited

Sir Ian Wood House, Hareness Road, Altens Industrial Estate, Aberdeen, AB12 3LE, Scotland, United Kingdom

100

WGPSN Eurasia Limited

Sir Ian Wood House, Hareness Road, Altens Industrial Estate, Aberdeen, AB12 3LE, Scotland, United Kingdom

100

Wood (Indonesia) Limited

Sir Ian Wood House, Hareness Road, Altens Industrial Estate, Aberdeen, AB12 3LE, Scotland, United Kingdom

100

Wood and Company Limited

Booths Park, Chelford Road, Knutsford, Cheshire, WA16 8QZ, England

100

Wood Finance UK Limited

Booths Park, Chelford Road, Knutsford, Cheshire, WA16 8QZ, England

100

Wood Group Algeria Limited

Sir Ian Wood House, Hareness Road, Altens Industrial Estate, Aberdeen, AB12 3LE, Scotland, United Kingdom

100

Wood Group Algiers Limited

Sir Ian Wood House, Hareness Road, Altens Industrial Estate, Aberdeen, AB12 3LE, Scotland, United Kingdom

100

Wood Group Annaba Limited

Sir Ian Wood House, Hareness Road, Altens Industrial Estate, Aberdeen, AB12 3LE, Scotland, United Kingdom

100

Wood Group Arzew Limited

Sir Ian Wood House, Hareness Road, Altens Industrial Estate, Aberdeen, AB12 3LE, Scotland, United Kingdom

100

Wood Group Engineering & Operations Support Limited

Sir Ian Wood House, Hareness Road, Altens Industrial Estate, Aberdeen, AB12 3LE, Scotland, United Kingdom

100

Wood Group Engineering (North Sea) Limited

Sir Ian Wood House, Hareness Road, Altens Industrial Estate, Aberdeen, AB12 3LE, Scotland, United Kingdom

100

Wood Group Hassi Messaoud Limited

Sir Ian Wood House, Hareness Road, Altens Industrial Estate, Aberdeen, AB12 3LE, Scotland, United Kingdom

100

Wood Group Holdings (International) Limited

Sir Ian Wood House, Hareness Road, Altens Industrial Estate, Aberdeen, AB12 3LE, Scotland, United Kingdom

100

Wood Group Investments Limited

Sir Ian Wood House, Hareness Road, Altens Industrial Estate, Aberdeen, AB12 3LE, Scotland, United Kingdom

100

Wood Group Kenny Corporate Limited

Sir Ian Wood House, Hareness Road, Altens Industrial Estate, Aberdeen, AB12 3LE, Scotland, United KingdomSir Ian Wood House, Hareness Road, Altens Industrial Estate, Aberdeen, AB12 3LE, Scotland, United Kingdom

100

Wood Group Kenny Limited

Booths Park, Chelford Road, Knutsford, Cheshire, WA16 8QZ, England

100

Wood Group Kenny UK Limited

Booths Park, Chelford Road, Knutsford, Cheshire, WA16 8QZ, England

100

Wood Group Limited

Sir Ian Wood House, Hareness Road, Altens Industrial Estate, Aberdeen, AB12 3LE, Scotland, United Kingdom

100

Wood Group Power Investments Limited

Sir Ian Wood House, Hareness Road, Altens Industrial Estate, Aberdeen, AB12 3LE, Scotland, United Kingdom

100

Wood Group Production Services UK Limited

Sir Ian Wood House, Hareness Road, Altens Industrial Estate, Aberdeen, AB12 3LE, Scotland, United Kingdom

100

Wood Group UK Limited

Sir Ian Wood House, Hareness Road, Altens Industrial Estate, Aberdeen, AB12 3LE, Scotland, United Kingdom

100

Wood Group/OTS Limited

Booths Park, Chelford Road, Knutsford, Cheshire, WA16 8QZ, England

100

Wood International Limited

Booths Park, Chelford Road, Knutsford, Cheshire, WA16 8QZ, England

100

Wood Limited

Booths Park, Chelford Road, Knutsford, Cheshire, WA16 8QZ, England

100

Wood Pensions Trustee Limited

Booths Park, Chelford Road, Knutsford, Cheshire, WA16 8QZ, England

100

Wood Transmission and Distribution Limited

Booths Park, Chelford Road, Knutsford, Cheshire, WA16 8QZ, England

100

Wood UK Limited

Booths Park, Chelford Road, Knutsford, Cheshire, WA16 8QZ, England

100

United States



4900 Singleton, L.P.

400 North St. Paul, Dallas, TX, 75201

100

AMEC Construction Management, Inc.

United Agent Group Inc., 3411 Silverside Road Tatnall Building #104, Wilmington, New Castle County, DE, 19810, United States

100

Amec Foster Wheeler Arabia Ltd.

3411 Silverside Road Tatnall Building #104, Wilmington, New Castle County, DE, 19810, United States

100

Amec Foster Wheeler Environmental Equipment Company, Inc.

3411 Silverside Road Tatnall Building #104, Wilmington, New Castle County, DE, 19810, United States

100

Amec Foster Wheeler Industrial Power Company, Inc.

3411 Silverside Road Tatnall Building #104, Wilmington, New Castle County, DE, 19810, United States

100

Amec Foster Wheeler Martinez, Inc.

United Agent Group Inc., 3411 Silverside Road Tatnall Building #104, Wilmington, New Castle County, DE, 19810, United States

100

Amec Foster Wheeler North America Corp.

United Agent Group Inc., 3411 Silverside Road, Tatnall Bldg. #104, Wilmington, DE, 19810, United States

100

Amec Foster Wheeler Power Systems, Inc.

c/o The Corporation Trust Company, Corporation Trust Center, 1209 Orange Street, Wilmington, DE, 19801

100

Amec Foster Wheeler USA Corporation

United Agent Group Inc., 3411 Silverside Road, Tatnall Bldg. #104, Wilmington, DE, 19810, United States

100

AMEC Holdings, Inc.

United Agent Group Inc., 3411 Silverside Road Tatnall Building #104, Wilmington, New Castle County, DE, 19810, United States

100

AMEC North Carolina, Inc.

225, Hillsborough Street, Raleigh, NC, 27603, United States

100

AMEC Oil & Gas World Services, Inc.

United Agent Group Inc., 3411 Silverside Road Tatnall Building #104, Wilmington, New Castle County, DE, 19810, United States

100

Barsotti's Inc.

Perryville Corporate Park, 53 Frontage Road, PO Box 9000, Hampton, NJ, 08827-90000

100

BMA Solutions Inc.

United Agent Group Inc., 3411 Silverside Road, Tatnall Bldg. #104, Wilmington, DE, 19810, United States

100

C E C Controls Company, Inc.

United Agent Group Inc., 28175 Haggerty RoadD, Novi, MI, 48377, United States

100

Cape Software, Inc.

United Agent Group, 2425 W Loop South #200, Houston, TX, 77027, United States

100

Ceres Solar 1, LLC

8275 South Eastern Avenue #200, Las Vegas, Clark County, NV, 89123, United States

100

Ceres Solar 2, LLC

8275 South Eastern Avenue #200, Las Vegas, Clark County, NV, 89123, United States

100

Ceres Solar 3, LLC

8275 South Eastern Avenue #200, Las Vegas, Clark County, NV, 89123, United States

100

Equipment Consultants, Inc.

Corporation Trust Company, 1209 Orange Street, Wilmington, DE, 19801

100

Energy Transition Developments LLC

5444 Westheimer #1000, Houston, Harris County, TX, 77056, United States

100

Energy Transition Ventures 1 LLC

5444 Westheimer #1000, Houston, Harris County, TX, 77056, United States

100

Energy Transition Ventures 2 LLC

5444 Westheimer #1000, Houston, Harris County, TX, 77056, United States

100

Energy Transition Ventures 3 LLC

5444 Westheimer #1000, Houston, Harris County, TX, 77056, United States

100

Energy Transition Ventures 4 LLC

5444 Westheimer #1000, Houston, Harris County, TX, 77056, United States

100

Energy Transition Ventures 5 LLC

5444 Westheimer #1000, Houston, Harris County, TX, 77056, United States

100

Wood Contract Services LLC

17325 Park Row, Suite 500, Houston, TX, 77084, United States

100

Foster Wheeler Energy Corporation

5444 Westheimer #1000, Houston, Harris County, TX, 77056, United States

100

Foster Wheeler Environmental Corporation

5444 Westheimer #1000, Houston, Harris County, TX, 77056, United States

100

Foster Wheeler Inc.

United Agent Group Inc., 3411 Silverside Road, Tatnall Bldg. #104, Wilmington, DE, 19810, United States

100

Foster Wheeler Intercontinental Corporation

c/o The Corporation Trust Company, Corporation Trust Center, 1209 Orange Street, Wilmington, DE, 19801

100

Foster Wheeler International LLC

United Agent Group Inc., 3411 Silverside Road Tatnall Building #104, Wilmington, New Castle County, DE, 19810, United States

100

Foster Wheeler LLC

United Agent Group Inc., 3411 Silverside Road, Tatnall Bldg. #104, Wilmington, DE, 19810, United States

100

Foster Wheeler Realty Services, Inc.

c/o The Corporation Trust Company, Corporation Trust Center, 1209 Orange Street, Wilmington, DE, 19801

100

Ingenious Inc.

United Agent Group, 2425 W Loop South #200, Houston, TX, 77027, United States

100

ISI Group, L.L.C.

United Agent Group, 2425 W Loop South #200, Houston, TX, 77027, United States

100

JWGUSA Holdings, Inc.

United Agent Group Inc., 3411 Silverside Road, Tatnall Bldg. #104, Wilmington, DE, 19810, United States

100

Kelchner, Inc.

United Agent Group Inc., 119 E. Court Street, Cincinnati, OH, 45202, United States

100

MACTEC E&C International, Inc.

United Agent Group Inc., 3411 Silverside Road Tatnall Building #104, Wilmington, New Castle County, DE, 19810, United States

100

Martinez Cogen Limited Partnership

United Agent Group Inc., 3411 Silverside Road Tatnall Building #104, Wilmington, New Castle County, DE, 19810, United States

99

Mustang International, Inc.

5444 Westheimer #1000, Houston, Harris County, TX, 77056, United States

100

Process Consultants, Inc.

United Agent Group Inc., 3411 Silverside Road Tatnall Building #104, Wilmington, New Castle County, DE, 19810, United States

100

RHI Talent USA Inc.

United Agent Group Inc., 8275 South Eastern Av., #200, Las Vegas, NV, 89123, United States

100

Rider Hunt International (USA) Inc.

United Agent Group, 2425 W Loop South #200, Houston, TX, 77027, United States

100

Swaggart Brothers, Inc.

United Agent Group Inc., 5708 S.E. 136th Avenue, #2, Portland, OR, 97236, United States

100

Swaggart Logging & Excavation LLC

United Agent Group Inc., 5708 S.E. 136th Avenue, #2, Portland, OR, 97236, United States

100

Thelco Co.

c/o The Corporation Trust Company, Corporation Trust Center, 1209 Orange Street, Wilmington, DE, 19801

100

Wood Group Alaska, LLC

United Agent Group Inc., 3411 Silverside Road, Tatnall Bldg. #104, Wilmington, DE, 19810, United States

100

Wood Group PSN, Inc.

United Agent Group Inc., 8275 South Eastern Av., #200, Las Vegas, NV, 89123, United States

100

Wood Group Support Services, Inc.

United Agent Group Inc., 8275 South Eastern Av., #200, Las Vegas, NV, 89123, United States

100

Wood Group US Holdings, Inc.

3411 Silverside Road Tatnall Building #104, Wilmington, New Castle County, DE, 19810, United States

100

Wood Group USA, Inc.

5444 Westheimer #1000, Houston, Harris County, TX, 77056, United States

100

Wood Programs, Inc.

2475 Northwinds Parkway, #200-260, Alpharetta, GA, 30009, United States

100

Uzbekistan



Wood Energy Solutions LLC

Sulton Darvoza Business Center, 38/1 Shakhrisabz Street, Tashkent, 100060, Uzbekistan

100

Vanuatu



O.T.S. Finance and Management Limited

Law Partners House, Rue Pasteur, Port Vila, Vanuatu

100

Overseas Technical Service International Limited

Law Partners House, Rue Pasteur, Port Vila, Vanuatu

100

Venezuela



Amec Foster Wheeler Venezuela, C.A.

Avenida Francisco de Miranda, Torre Cavendes, Piso 9, Ofic 903, Caracas, Venezuela

100

 

 

*Companies consolidated for accounting purposes as subsidiaries on the basis of control. There is no material impact on the financial statements of the judgements applied in assessing the basis of control for these entities.

** The Group does not have a direct shareholding in these entities but considers them to be under group control.

 

Joint Ventures



Company Name

Registered Address

Ownership Interest %

Australia



Clough Wood Pty Ltd1

Level 6, QV1 Building, 250 St Georges Terrace, Perth, WA, 6000, Australia

50

Azerbaijan



Socar-Foster Wheeler Engineering LLC

88A Zardaby Avenue,Baku, Azerbaijan

35

Brunei Darussalam



TendrillWood Sdn Bhd

Lot 29 & 30, Tapak Perindustrian Sungai Bera, Kampong Sungai Bera, Seria, Belait, KB1933, Brunei Darussalam

75

Canada



ABV Consultants Ltd1

Suite 2300, Bentall 5, 550 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC, V6C 2B5, Canada

50

AMEC Black & McDonald Limited1

60 Cutler Avenue, Dartmouth, NS, B3B 0J6, Canada

50

ODL Canada Limited

689 Water Street, Newfoundland, St. John's, NL, A1E 1B5, Canada

50

Teshmont Consultants Inc.

1190 Waverley Street, Winnipeg, MB, R3T 0P4, Canada

50

Vista Mustang JV

Suite B12, 6020 2nd Street S. E., Calgary, AB, T2H 2L8, Canada

50

Chile



Consorcio AMEC CADE / PSI Consultores Limitada

Av. Jose Domingo, Canas No 2640, Nunoa, Santiago, 7750164, Chile

50

Consorcio Consultor Cade Zañartu Limitada

Seminario 714, Ñuñoa, Santiago de Chile

50

Consorcio Consultor Systra / Cade Idepe / Geoconsult Limitada

Av. Jose Domingo, Canas No 2640, Nunoa, Santiago, 7750164, Chile

40

Consorcio de Ingenieria Geoconsult Cade Idepe Limitada

Av. Jose Domingo, Canas No 2640, Nunoa, Santiago, 7750164, Chile

50

Consorcio de Ingeniería Systra Cade Limitada

Av. Jose Domingo, Canas No 2640, Nunoa, Santiago, 7750164, Chile

50

Consorcio de Ingenieria Transporte Systra Cade Idepe Consultores Limitada

Jose Domingo Cañas 2640, Ñuñoa, Santiago Chile

50

Construcciòn e Ingenierìa Chile FI Limitada

Avenida Andrés Bello 2711, Piso 22 - Comuna Las Condens, Santiago, Chile

50

China



Wood Zone Co., Ltd

No. 143 Jinyi Road, Jinshan District, Shanghai, 200540, China

50

Cyprus



Wood Group - CCC Limited

Elenion Building, 2nd Floor, 5 Themistocles Street, CY-1066 Nicosia,CY-1310 Nicosia, PO Box 25549, Cyprus

50

Kazakhstan



WOOD KSS JSC

Satpayev str. 46, Atyrau, 060011, Kazakhstan

50

Mexico



AFWA DUBA Salina Cruz, S. de R.L. de C.V.

Carlos Salazar, #2333, Colonia Obrera, Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, Mexico

50

Grupo Industrial de Ingenieria Ecologica III HLA & Iconsa S.A. de C.V.

Edificio Omega, Campos Eliseos 345, floors 2, 3 & 11, Chapultepec Polanco 11560 Mexico, D.F.

51

Mustang Diavaz, S.A.P.I. de C.V.

Av. Revolucion 468, Col. San Pedro de los Pinos Mexico, D.F., 03800, Mexico

50

Northam Conip Consorcio, S.A. de C.V.

David Alfaro Siqueiros 104 piso 2, Col. Valle Oriente, San Pedro Garza Garcia, Nuevo Leon, CP. 66269, Mexico

50

Malaysia



ICE Wood Sdn. Bhd.

Level 7, Menara Milenium,Jalan Damanlela, Pusat Bandar Damansara, Damansara Heights,Wilayah Persekutuan,Wilayah Persekutuan, Kuala Lumpur, 50490, Malaysia

49

Netherlands



Wood Group Azerbaijan B.V.

C/O Centralis Netherlands BV, Zuidplein 126, WTC, Toren H 15e, Amsterdam, 1077XV, Netherlands

51

New Zealand



Wood Beca Limited

Ground Floor, Beca House, 21 Pitt Street, Auckland, 1010, New Zealand

50

Oman



AMEC Al Turki LLC

c/o Al Alawi, Mansoor Jamal & Co., Barristers & Legal Consultants, Muscat International Centre, Mezzanine Floor, Muttrah Business District, P.O. Box 686 Ruwi, Oman

35

Qatar



Wood Black Cat LLC

5th Floor Al Aqaria Tower, Building No. 34, Museum Street, Old Salata Area, Street 970, Zone 18, P.O Box No. 24523 Doha, Qatar

49

Saudi Arabia



AMEC BKW Arabia Limited1

Al Rushaid Petroleum Investment Co. Building, Prince Hamoud Street, PO Box 31685 - Al Khobar 31952, Saudi Arabia

50

Spain



Insolux Monenco Medio Ambiente S.A.

Calle Juan Bravo, 3-C, Madrid, 28006, Spain

49

Trinidad and Tobago



Massy Wood Group Ltd.

4th Floor, 6A Queens Park West, Victoria Avenue, Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago

50

United Kingdom



ACM Health Solutions Limited

Booths Park, Chelford Road, Knutsford, Cheshire, WA16 8QZ, England, United Kingdom

33

Ethos Energy Group Limited

Sir Ian Wood House, Hareness Road, Altens Industrial Estate, Aberdeen, AB12 3LE, Scotland, United Kingdom

51




RWG (Repair & Overhauls) Limited

Sir Ian Wood House, Hareness Road, Altens Industrial Estate, Aberdeen, AB12 3LE, Scotland, United Kingdom

50

South Kensington Developments Limited

Ground Floor T3 Trinity Park, Bickenhill Lane, Birmingham, B37 7ES, United Kingdom

50




 

1Entities are consolidated as joint operations on the basis of control.

 

In addition to the subsidiaries listed above, the Group has a number of overseas branches.

Details of the direct subsidiaries of John Wood Group PLC are provided in note 1 to the parent company financial statements.

 

The Group will be exempting the following companies from an audit in 2023 under Section 479A of the Companies Act 2006. All of these companies are fully consolidated in the condensed financial statements.

 

AFW Finance 2 Limited (Registered number 09861575)

AME Building Limited (Registered number 165287)

AMEC (F.C.G) Limited (Registered number 148585)

AMEC (MH1992) Limited (Registered number 222870)

AMEC (MHL) Limited (Registered number 713103)

AMEC (WSL) Limited Registered number 514311)

AMEC BKW Limited (Registered number 169831)

AMEC Bravo Limited (Registered number 6206015)

AMEC Capital Projects Limited (Registered number 2804109)

AMEC Civil Engineering Limited (Registered number 1265199)

Amec Foster Wheeler (Holdings) Limited (Registered number 00163609)

Amec Foster Wheeler Earth and Environmental (UK) Limited (Registered number 4987981)

Amec Foster Wheeler Energy Limited (Registered number 1361134)

Amec Foster Wheeler Finance Asia Limited (Registered number 6205760)

Amec Foster Wheeler Finance Limited (Registered number 1332332)

Amec Foster Wheeler Group Limited (Registered number 4612748)

Amec Foster Wheeler International Limited (Registered number 3203966)

AMEC Investments Europe Limited (Registered number 3704533)

AMEC Offshore Limited (Registered number 1054207)

AMEC Process and Energy Limited Registered number 2028340)

AMEC Project Investments Limited (Registered number 2619408)

AMEC Services Limited (Registered number 2804093)

AMEC Trustees Limited (Registered number 2830098)

Amec USA Holdings Limited (Registered number 4041261)

Amec Wind Developments Limited (Registered number 8781332)

Automated Technology Group Holdings Limited (Registered number 07871655)

East Mediterranean Energy Services Limited (Registered number SC505318)

Foster Wheeler (G.B.) Limited (Registered number 745470)

Foster Wheeler (London) Limited (Registered number 887857)

Foster Wheeler (Process Plants) Limited (Registered number 1184855)

Foster Wheeler E&C Limited (Registered number 2247293)

Foster Wheeler Environmental (UK) Limited (Registered number 1657494)

Foster Wheeler Europe (Registered number 04127813)

Foster Wheeler UK Investments Limited Registered number SC649888)

Foster Wheeler World Services Limited (Registered number 1439353)

FW Investments Limited (Registered number 6933416)

HFA Limited (Registered number SC129298)

Integrated Maintenance Services Limited (Registered number 3665766)

James Scott Limited (Registered number SC35281)

John Wood Group Holdings Limited (Registered number SC642609)

JWG Investments Limited (Registered number SC484872)

JWGUSA Holdings Limited (Registered number SC178512)

Kelwat Investments Limited (Registered number SC203212)

Metal and Pipeline Endurance Limited (Registered number 534109)

Mustang Engineering Limited (Registered number SC273548)

Press Construction Limited (Registered number 471400)

Process Plants Suppliers Limited (Registered number 957881)

Production Services Network (UK) Limited (Registered number SC293004)

Production Services Network Bangladesh Limited (Registered number 02214332)

PSJ Fabrications Ltd (Registered number 01205595)

PSN (Angola) Limited (Register number SC311500)

PSN (Philippines) Limited (Registered number SC345547)

PSN Asia Limited (Registered number SC317111)

PSN Overseas Limited (Registered number SC319469)

QED International (UK) Limited (Registered number SC106477)

Rider Hunt International Limited (Register number 02305615)

Sandiway Solutions (No 3) Limited (Registered number 5318249)

SgurrEnergy Limited (Registered number SC245814)

The Automated Technology Group Limited (Registered number 03109235)

WGPSN (Holdings) Limited (Registered number SC288570)

WGPSN Eurasia Limited (Registered number SC470501)

Wood (Indonesia) Limited (Registered number SC693591)

Wood and Company Limited (Registered number 01580678)

Wood Group Algeria Limited (Registered number SC299843)

Wood Group Algiers Limited (Registered number SC299845)

Wood Group Annaba Limited (Registered number SC299848)

Wood Group Arzew Limited (Registered number SC299850)

Wood Group Engineering (North Sea) Limited (Registered number SC030715)

Wood Group Engineering & Operations Support Limited (Registered number SC159149)

Wood Group Hassi Messaoud Limited (Registered number SC299851)

Wood Group Holdings (International) Limited Register number SC169712)   

Wood Group Investments Limited (Registered number SC301983)

Wood Group Kenny Corporate Limited (Registered number SC147353)

Wood Group Kenny Limited (Registered number 1398385)

Wood Group Kenny UK Limited (Registered number 2331383)

Wood Group Power Investments Limited (Registered number SC454342)

Wood Group Production Services UK Limited (Registered number SC278252)

Wood Group/OTS Limited (Registered number 1579234)

Wood International Limited (Registered number 10517856)

Wood Limited (Registered number 9861563)

Wood Finance UK Limited (Registered number 03725076)

Wood Pensions Trustee Limited (Registered number 1889899)

Wood Transmission and Distribution Limited (Registered number 11829648)

Wood UK Limited (Registered number 3863449)

 

 

Shareholder information

Officers and advisers


Secretary and Registered Office

Registrars

M McIntyre

Equiniti Limited

John Wood Group PLC

Aspect House

Sir Ian Wood House

Spencer Road

Hareness Road

Lancing

Altens Industrial Estate

West Sussex

Aberdeen

BN99 6DA

AB12 3LE


 

Stockbrokers

Independent Auditor

JPMorgan Cazenove Limited

KPMG LLP

Morgan Stanley

Chartered Accountants and Statutory Auditors


1 Marischal Square


Broad Street


Aberdeen


AB10 1DD

 

 

Company Solicitors

 

Slaughter and May


Financial calendar


Results announced

26 March 2024

Annual General Meeting

9 May 2024

 

The Group's Investor Relations website can be accessed at www.woodplc.com

 

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