SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

Form 20-F

 

 

(Mark One)

REGISTRATION STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OR (g) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

or

 

ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 20162018

or

 

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

or

 

SHELL COMPANY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Commission file number: 1-10409

 

 

InterContinental Hotels Group PLC

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

England and Wales

(Jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)

Broadwater Park,

Denham, Buckinghamshire UB9 5HR

(Address of principal executive offices)

Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

Title of each class

 

Name of each exchange on which registered

American Depositary SharesNew York Stock Exchange

Ordinary Shares of 1819 31817/32921 pence each
 

New York Stock Exchange

New York Stock Exchange*

 

 

* Not for trading, but only in connection with the registration of American Depositary Shares, pursuant to the requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

None

Securities for which there is a reporting obligation pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Act:

None

Indicate the number of outstanding shares of each of the issuer’s classes of capital or common stock as of the close of the period covered by the annual report:

 

Ordinary Shares of 1819 31817/32921 pence each 197,517,380190,770,580

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act:    Yes  ☑    No  ☐

If this report is an annual or transition report, indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934:    Yes  ☐    No  ☑

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to file such reports) and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days:    Yes  ☑    No  ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically, and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes      No  ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

 

Large accelerated filer  Accelerated filer  ☐ Non-accelerated filer  ☐Smaller reporting company  
Non-accelerated filer (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)  Emerging growth company

IndicateIf an emerging growth company that prepares its financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP, indicate by check mark which financial statement itemif the registrant has elected not to follow:

Item 17 ☐      Item 18 ☑

If this is an annual report, indicate by check mark whetheruse the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to
Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act):

YesAct.  ☐                     No            ☑

Indicate by check mark which basis of accounting the registrant has used to prepare the financial statements included in this filing:

 

US GAAP  ☐

  

International Reporting Standards as issued by

the International Standards Accounting Board  ☑

  Other  ☐

If “Other” has been checked in response to the previous question, indicate by check mark which financial statement item the registrant has elected to follow.

 ☐ Item 17       ☐ Item 18

If this is an annual report, indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act):

Yes            ☐                     No            ☑

(Applicable only to Issuers involved in bankruptcy proceedings during the past five years).

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed all documents and reports required to be filed by Sections 12, 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 subsequent to the distribution of securities under a plan confirmed by a court.

  ☐    Yes      ☐No

 

 


LOGOLOGO


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With thousands of hotels

in more than 100 countries,

our purpose is to provide

True Hospitality for everyone.

Holiday Inn London – Watford Junction, United Kingdom


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Contents

 

Strategic Report

2

 IHG at a glance

4

 Chairman’sChair’s statement

6

 Chief Executive Officer’s review

8

 Industry overview

10

 Our preferred brands

12

14
 Our business model

14

18
 Our strategy for high-quality growth

16

20
 Our WinningStrategic Model in action: executing our strategyaction

18

22
 DoingOur culture, key stakeholders and doing business responsibly

20

26
 Risk management

22

30
 Viability statement

23

31
 Key performance indicators (KPIs)

26

36
 Performance

26

36
 Key performance measures (includingNon-GAAP measures) used by management

27

37
 Group

30

40
 Regional highlightsAmericas

31

43
 The AmericasEurope, Middle East, Asia and Africa (EMEAA)

34

46
 Europe

37

Asia, Middle East and Africa (AMEA)

40

Greater China

Governance

48

54
 Chairman’sChair’s overview

49

55
 Corporate Governance

49

55
 Our Board and Committee governance structure

50

56
 Our Board of Directors

52

58
 Our Executive Committee

54

60
 Board meetings

55

61
 Engagement with stakeholders
62Director induction, training and development

55

63
 Board effectiveness evaluation

56

64
 Engagement with shareholders

57

Audit Committee Report

60

68
 Corporate Responsibility Committee Report

61

69
 Nomination Committee Report

62

70
 Statement of compliance with the UK Corporate Governance Code

64

72
 Directors’ Remuneration Report

Group Financial Statements

84

88
 Statement of Directors’ Responsibilities

90

95
 Independent Auditor’s US Report

91

96
 Group Financial Statements

98

103
 Accounting policies

106

109
 New accounting standards and presentational changes
115New standards issued but not yet effective
116Notes to the Group Financial Statements

Additional Information

156

172
 Other financial information

160

178
 Directors’ Report

164

182
 Group information

173

193
 Shareholder information

181

201
 Exhibits

182

202
 Form20-F cross-reference guide

184

204
 Glossary

186

206
 Useful information

188

208
 Forward-looking statements

The Strategic Report on pages 2 to 4551 was

approved by the Board on 2018 February 2016.2019.

George Turner, Company Secretary

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IHG  IHG|  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2016         2018Strategic Report

1


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Strategic Report

 

Contents        IHG Annual Report and Form 20-F 2016                1


IHG at a glance

We have a diverse portfolioare one of differentiatedthe world’s leading hotel companies and our purpose is

to provide True Hospitality for everyone. By recognising and respecting

people and creating great guest experiences, we offer hotel brands

that are well known and loved by millions of guests and preferred by owners. Through

our global reach we ensure True Hospitality also extends to our people,

the environment and local communities all around the world. Whatever their needs, we have the right hotel brands for both our guests and owners.

 

We are focused

With our asset-light business model, we predominantly manage and franchise hotel brands, and grow our business by ensuring we have the right offer for both guests and owners, whatever their needs. Focused on high-growth industry segments and geographies, our strategy involves strengthening our portfolio of preferredestablished brands and capitalising on opportunities for our brand portfolio; building and leveraging scale,scale; developing lifetime guest relationships; and delivering revenue to our hotels through the lowest-cost direct channels. Our propositionUnderpinning our entire strategy, our business model and partnerships is a clear commitment to operating responsibly, brought to life through our culture and talented colleagues.

Central to our success are the relationships we have with our employees, guests, and third-party hotel owners

owners. Our focus is highly competitive and drives superior returns for them. We execute an asset-light strategyon: ensuring our high-quality owner proposition is competitive; operating our business with a focus on the most attractive, high-growth marketstargeted allocation of resources; and industry segments. We take a disciplined approach to capitalallocation, investing for the future growth of our brands.processes and risk controls. This enables us to drive sustainable growth in our profitability and deliver superior shareholder returns over the long term.

    OUR BRANDS

 

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

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Live the InterContinental Life

    

 

 

LOGOOur brands

 

A different way to stayMainstream

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Upscale

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Luxury

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Making travel inspiring

Group revenue

$1,715m (-4.9%)

2015: $1,803m

Group operating profit

$678m (-54.8%)

2015: $1,499m

Group operating profit before exceptional items

$707m (+4.0%)

2015: $680m

Total gross revenue in IHG’s System 

$24.5bn (+2.1%)

2015: $24.0bn

Total underlying operating profit growth 

$61m (+9.5%)

2015: $67m

Revenue per available room (RevPAR) growth

+1.8%

2015: +4.4%

Underlying fee revenue growth

+4.4%

2015: +7.7% (excluding growth arising from the acquisition of Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants) Driven by: +1.8% (2015: 4.4%) RevPAR growth; and 3.1% (2015: 4.8%) net System size growth

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Where wellness

is built in

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Capturing the spirit

of Chinese hospitality

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Making business

travel work

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Joy of travel for all

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Simple, smart travel

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The joy of lifetime vacations

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The joy of family holidays

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Feel at ease when

you stay with us

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Your home base

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For further information on our brands, see pages 10 and 11.

Use of Non-GAAP measures

In addition to performance measures directly observable in the Group Financial Statements (IFRS measures), additional financial measures (described as Non-GAAP) are presented that are used internally by management as key measures to assess performance. Non-GAAP measures are either not defined under IFRS or are adjusted IFRS figures. Further explanation in relation to these measures can be found on page 26, and reconciliations to IFRS figures, where they have been adjusted, are on pages 156 and 157.

2            IHG Annual Report and Form 20-F 2016        Strategic Report


We are one of the world’s leading hotel companies, whose purpose is to create Great Hotels Guests Love® through delivering our promise of True Hospitality for everyone.LOGOLOGO

Definition System

Hotels/rooms operating under
our franchise and management
agreements, together with IHG
owned and leased hotels/rooms.

OUR SCALE

We predominantly franchise our brands to, and manage hotels on behalf of, third-party hotel owners; our focus is therefore on building preferred brands and strong revenue delivery systems.

Total hotels (rooms) in the IHG System

5,174

(767,135)

2015: 5,032 (744,368)

Franchised hotels (rooms)

4,321

(542,650)

2015: 4,219 (530,748)

Managed hotels (rooms)

845

(222,073)

2015: 806 (211,403)

Owned and leased hotels (rooms)

8

(2,412)

2015: 7 (2,217)

Total hotels (rooms) in the pipeline

1,470

(230,076)

2015: 1,330 (213,916)

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LOGO2 For details on central revenue and net central costs, see page 43.

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IHG at a glance        IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2016            32018


Chairman’s statement

 

    

    

Financial highlights

Total revenue

$4,337m(+6.4%)

2017: $4,075ma

Revenue from reportable segmentsb

$1,933m(+11.7%)

2017: $1,730ma

Operating profit

$566m(-22.3%)

2017: $728ma

Operating profit from reportable segmentsb

$816m(+7.7%)

2017: $758ma

Total gross revenue in IHG’s Systemb

$27.4bn(+6.6%)

2017: $25.7bn

Underlying fee revenue growthb

+6.5%

2017: +4.7%a

Total underlying operating profit growthb

$47m(+6.2%)

2017: $56ma

Revenue per available room (RevPAR) growth

+2.5%

2017: +2.7%

Our scale

We predominantly franchise our brands and manage hotels on behalf of third-party hotel owners; our focus is therefore on building preferred brands and strong revenue delivery systems.

Total hotels (rooms) in the IHG System

5,603

(836,541)

2017: 5,348 (798,075)

Franchised hotels (rooms)

4,615

(576,979)

2017: 4,433 (552,834)

Managed hotels (rooms)

965

(253,566)

2017: 903 (241,370)

Owned, leased and managed lease hotels (rooms)

23

(5,996)

2017: 12 (3,871)

Total hotels (rooms) in the pipeline

1,859

(270,948)

2017: 1,655 (244,146)

Where we operate

Group revenue from reportable

segments 2018($1,933m)b

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Group operating profit from

reportable segments 2018($816m)b

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Number of rooms (836,541)

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a

restated to reflect the adoption of IFRS 15 (see pages 109 to 113) in the Financial Statements.

b

Use ofNon-GAAP measures

In addition to performance measures directly observable in the Group Financial Statements (IFRS measures), additional financial measures (described asNon-GAAP) are presented that are used internally by management as key measures to assess performance.Non-GAAP measures are either not defined under IFRS or are adjusted IFRS figures. Further explanation in relation to these measures can be found on page 36, and reconciliations to IFRS figures, where they have been adjusted, are on pages 172 to 175.

Total underlying operating profit growth and underlying fee revenue growth are stated at constant currency.


 

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“The work being done by our colleagues day in, day out, to deliver the real hallmarks of our distinctive brands, and bring each of them to life, is truly outstanding.”IHG

Patrick Cescau

Chairman

Throughout 2016, we continued to focus on delivering our proven strategy for high-quality growth and enhancing our offer for guests and owners. In what was another year of change for both our sector and the wider world, we once again demonstrated our ability to deliver sustainable growth.

Shaped for success

IHG has a long track record of succeeding in a changing world. As a global business, with a footprint in nearly 100 countries, managing through change and uncertainty is something that we are very used to. Our success comes from having a clear, proven and focused strategy in place, which continues to deliver value in this environment. It is also a result of having a portfolio of brands that mean something to our guests, strong long-term relationships with our owners, and significant global scale.

As the hospitality and consumer landscape continues to evolve, with continued digitisation, changing demographics and further industry consolidation, coupled with broader political, economic and societal change, these core strengths and capabilities will remain at the heart of our success.

Strategic priorities

Against this backdrop, we continue to make sure that we deliver on our strategy in a way that makes sense for different markets and geographies, and that resources are aligned behind the greatest opportunities. This involves staying close to the trends shaping our industry, something we capture each year in our IHG Trends Report (see page 8). The Board’s priority remains to ensure that the business is focused on staying agile and moving at pace, whilst at the same time maintaining our strategic direction and ensuring that we continue to nurture a culture of strong values, develop world-class talent, and maintain trust and integrity with our stakeholders.

Our Board and our culture

Making sure our Board has the right expertise to challenge and support the business in its corporate decision-making is crucial, and is something I personally take very seriously indeed. We regularly review the composition of the Board to ensure that our combined skill set is aligned with the business’ strategic priorities. At the end of 2016, the Board comprised six Non-Executive Directors, myself as Chairman, and two Executive Directors. We are delighted that, effective from 1 March 2017, Malina Ngai will be joining the Board as a Non-Executive Director and she will also sit on the Corporate Responsibility, Nomination and Remuneration Committees. Malina will bring a deep understanding of how consumer-facing, branded companies operate, as well as the role that technology and digital-commerce play in transforming the consumer experience. She also has a truly global perspective and significant insight into the Asian market, which is a key focus for the business.

We are a diverse Board in terms of gender, nationality and age, as well as in the broad range of skills and areas of expertise we collectively bring to the table. Ensuring that we strengthen this breadth, particularly from a regional and gender diversity perspective, will continue to be a key priority for us. This will ensure that the Board has the ability to maintain a high-quality level of discussion and debate, and keep IHG well prepared for the future.

Crowne Plaza Atlanta – Midtown, Georgia, US,

which completed a major renovation in 2016

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4            IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2016        2018  |  Strategic Report  |  IHG at a glance3


Strategic Report

Chair’s statement

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Final dividend

78.1¢

to be paid on 14 May 2019

(2017: 71.0¢)

Full-year dividend

Five-year progress (¢)

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Return of funds

Since March 2003, the Group has returned over $11 billion of funds to shareholders by way of special dividends, capital returns and share repurchase programmes.

Since 2014:

$500 million special dividend paid 29 January 2019

$400 million special dividend paid 22 May 2017

$1.5 billion special dividend paid 23 May 2016

$500 million share buyback completed in 2014

$750 million special dividend paid 14 July 2014

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entral to IHG’s long-term success has been our commitment to evolve, adapt and innovate in order to keep improving, and in 2018 we took significant steps to strengthen the execution of our strategy and lay the foundations for faster growth.

Whilst the world’s changing economic, political and societal landscape means we will always operate amid challenges – from competing tensions of globalisation and nationalism, to climate change – the prospects for our industry remain strong. A growing global economy, expanding middle class, increasing disposable incomes and cheaper air travel all underpin exciting growth prospects. Ready to meet that demand is a heavily competitive marketplace vying to serve increasingly high consumer expectations around service, experience and technology.

At IHG, we are well placed to capitalise. Our successful asset-light strategy and focus on distinctive hotel brands that meet guest needs and deliver strong owner returns is a proven one. This is illustrated by our global scale, the millions of guests choosing our brands, the many long-standing owner relationships we have, and our respect within the investment community for delivering strong, consistent shareholder returns. However, as we operate in a landscape of increasing choice for consumers and investors, we continue to seek opportunities to execute our strategy in quicker, more targeted and effective ways.

This was the focus of 2018: introducing clear strategic initiatives that strengthen our brand portfolio and loyalty programme; our work with owners; how we use our scale, resources and technology to drive industry-leading net rooms growth over the medium term; and deliver our purpose of providing True Hospitality for everyone.

To enable these initiatives, we have made necessary large-scale functional, cultural and personnel changes that will transform our organisation and provide a stronger platform for future success. Encouragingly, whilst an acceleration in our growth rate is a long-term commitment, our best openings and signings performance in a decade, alongside strong financial results, shows we are already having an impact.

Focus on growth

As a Board, we want to ensure that a focus on accelerated growth adheres to the high-quality principles we uphold as a business. This means maintaining our discipline, committing resources in keeping with our strategic direction, and working with owners who share our values. Operating in this responsible way is central to IHG’s long-term track record of delivering high-quality, sustainable growth for all our stakeholders.

A key role of the Board is to challenge and support the business in its corporate decision making, and we have a breadth of diversity, skills and experience to draw upon in order to add value to the decisions we make as a company. We strongly believe that different perspectives enrich a business and we recognise the importance of gender balance too, with more than a third of our Board being female and half of our committees chaired by women.

4IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2018


    

 

    

  FULL-YEAR DIVIDEND

“Our focus in 2018 has been

strengthening the execution

of our strategy, and laying the

foundation for faster growth”.

 

  Five-year progress (¢)

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    FINAL DIVIDEND

    64.0¢ to be paid on 22 May 2017

    (2015: 57.5¢)

RETURN OF FUNDS

Since March 2004, the Group has returned over £5.9 billion of funds to shareholders by way of special dividends, capital returns and share repurchase programmes. A further return of funds of $400 million via a special dividend with share consolidation is proposed in 2017.

Paid during the last five years

•  $500 million paid 22 October 2012

•  $350 million paid 4 October 2013

•  $750 million paid 14 July 2014

•  $500m share buyback completed in 2014

•  $1.5 billion paid 23 May 2016, equivalent to 632.9¢/438.2p per share

We know that,In addition to be truly successful, we mustcollaborating as a Board with senior leadership on the implementation of organisational changes in 2018, significant moves to strengthen our brand portfolio were also on the agenda, with the $39 million acquisition of a 51% stake in Regent Hotels & Resorts in July, and an agreement to rebrand and operate a collection of high-quality properties in the UK. Both deals, and our recent acquisition of Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spas, illustrate IHG’s commitment to strengthening our luxury presence.

In what was his first full year as Chief Executive Officer, Keith Barr has shown a great ability to lead the business and engage external stakeholders during a significant period of change. On behalf of the Board, I would like to congratulate Keith and his leadership team on injecting a fresh energy into IHG, and a renewed focus on how we deliver sustainable, high-quality growth. We achieve thisworking collectively at speed to drive growth through attractive brands and strong owner support. Illustrative of IHG’s inclusive approach is a passionate commitment to instillinglaunch a share plan for corporate colleagues outside of IHG’s effective culturesenior leadership. The plan, which is subject to shareholder and valuesregulatory approval, recognises the role that all corporate colleagues play in IHG’s success and our wayspromise to ensure they have the opportunity to benefit as our Company grows.

Managing risk

Operating a business in more than 100 countries requires a considered and agile approach to managing risks associated with our industry and evolving business model, actively taking opportunities to pursue growth and managing risks carefully where we have less tolerance for uncertainty. Reflecting this and the Board’s responsibility to uphold the highest ethical standards and corporate governance, we regularly review areas for improvement, training and development.

In 2018, the Board attended presentations on key corporate governance, consumer, technology and cybersecurity themes, and spent time reviewing opportunities to further increase transparency and enhance IHG’s trusted reputation through changes related to the 2018 UK Corporate Governance Code.

On cybersecurity in particular, an external risk assessment was undertaken, which focused on industry specific issues, our current capabilities, recent progress and a forward-looking plan that will remain in focus in 2019.

It’s important to remember that our scale also brings many opportunities. Not only does it allow us to manage volatility and continue to grow our business, but it also provides a valuable platform to care for the environment and give back to local communities within which we operate. This is extremely important to IHG. Contributing to a broader social purpose is something our colleagues are passionate about, and we know the actions we take are increasingly followed by a wider range of working,stakeholders, from guests and maintaining our deep commitmentcorporate clients to conducting business responsibly – a principle that guides the behaviourinvestors.

We’re proud of our colleagues,commitments in this area, and builds trust with consumers and investors.whether it’s by helping hotels better manage their carbon footprint, creating a chance to build a career in hospitality, or offering support in times of disaster, it’s important to everyone at IHG that we help.

Shareholder returns

Our close, trusted relationships with our owners, together with our internationally-renowned brands, people, scale and systems, is a powerful combination that continues to deliver outstanding long-term shareholder value.

I am pleased to announce that the Board is recommending a final dividend of 64.078.1 cents per ordinary share, an increase of 11 per cent10% on the final dividend for 2015, resulting2017. This results in a full yearfull-year dividend of 94.0114.4 cents per share, up 11 per cent10% on 2015. The2017. During the year, the Board has also proposedapproved$400$500 million special dividend with share consolidation, which will takewas paid to shareholders in January 2019. This takes the total funds returned to shareholders since 2003 to $12.8 billion. With$13.6 billion, representing value through both our asset-light strategy concludingprogramme of asset sales (which concluded in 2015, it is important to note that nearly $5 billion of the total returns has come from IHG’s underlying operations, illustrating2015), and the strength of our cash generative business model and ability to deliver sustaineddrive organic growth.

Thank you

I spent timeWe continue to grow our business in alla way that ensures shareholder returns do not come at the expense of other stakeholders. Guided by our regions during the year and visited brands across our portfolio. During this time, I had the opportunitysuccessful strategy, we’re able to meet many ofinvest in initiatives that drive growth, create a rewarding culture for our colleagues, and have seen first-handdeliver strong returns for owners, all whilst delivering on our commitments to shareholders. As a Board, we will continue in 2019 to promote and instill the many improvementsculture, values, systems and controls that we are making to our brands. I have also spent time with our owners, as well as representatives of the IHG Owners Association, to share ideas, discuss new projects and, alongside our Executive Committee, ensure that we maintain our excellent working relationships.make this possible.

I am very proud of all the achievements we have made in 2016. The work being done by our colleagues day in, day out, to deliver the real hallmarks of our distinctive brands, and bring each of them to life, is truly outstanding. Their passion and enthusiasm has been a driving factor in our strong – and improving – satisfaction scores (Guest Love), and has fuelled further demand from our owner community, illustrated by another strong year of hotel openings and signings. As we head into 2017, I would like to sincerely thank all colleagues for their tireless effortshard work and commitment to create great guest experiences,IHG and our brands in 2018, and our owners and investors for their continued confidence in our business and commitment to driving success.business.

 

LOGOLOGO

Patrick Cescau

ChairmanChair

 

 

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Chairman’s statement        IHGIHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 20162018  |  Strategic Report  |  Chair’s statement5


Strategic Report

Chief Executive Officer’s review

 

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Key 2018 highlights

Total room signings

98,814

The highest number in a decade

New brands

2

Regent Hotels & Resorts and voco™ added to brand portfolio

Total room openings

56,343

The highest number in a decade

IHG Concerto™

5,603

Global roll out to all hotels

LOGOn almost two decades spent with IHG, I have seen the Company reach many milestones, but the pace and scale of achievements delivered in 2018 mark a period of important change, and an ambition to ensure our already successful business is best
equipped to reach its enormous potential.

As one of the world’s leading hotel companies, we already have a family of much-loved brands, a strong loyalty proposition, outstanding hotels, talented teams, and long-standing owner relationships in key markets globally. These elements are the foundation upon which we have executed a clear and effective strategy, helping to significantly grow our business in recent years and create substantial returns for all our stakeholders.

When I became Chief Executive Officer in July 2017, it was with a clear vision to make our strategy work harder, by strengthening our brands, guest experiences and owner proposition. Enabling these are reorganised functions, freed-up capacity and a sharp focus on prioritised initiatives that together will further increase our competitiveness and accelerate our growth, adding more high-quality hotels to our system at a faster pace.

As a result, there has been change within our business in 2018, and it is a real testament to all our colleagues that we made such huge progress, whilst still driving strong operational and financial performance.

Accelerating our growth

As of January 2018, we combined our Asia, Middle East and Africa operating region with Europe, in order to allow us to better use our scale, share best practice, and increase investment in specific markets.

More broadly, we moved to a new organisational structure that allows us to work faster and more effectively as one global team. Two changes formed a key part of this work. Firstly, the integration of our Commercial and Technology functions to help maximise revenue delivery and bring new products and services to market faster. Secondly, the creation of a new Global Marketing Organisation which combines our brand, loyalty and marketing capabilities. This change puts our full might behind new global teams responsible for driving the growth and performance of our mainstream, upscale and luxury brands.

Using our new organisational framework, we outlined a series of strategic growth initiatives in February 2018, funded by a reinvestment of $125 million in annual cost savings by 2020. These initiatives focus on optimising our brand portfolio; enhancing hotel revenue delivery through digital and technological innovation that enriches the guest experience; improving our owner proposition across development, hotel openings and performance; and strengthening our IHG Rewards Club loyalty programme through personalisation and powerful partnerships.

Financial performance

While our initiatives are multi-year focused, significant progress in 2018, supported by new ways of working, contributed to a strong annual performance. We delivered a 6% increase in underlying operating profit and our best performance for openings and signings in a decade, leaving us well positioned for future growth.

Our Holiday Inn® BrandFamily remains IHG’s growth engine, and represented almost half of total signings in 2018. Driving this demand is our continued use of consumer and owner

6IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2018


    

    

LOGOinsights to improve experiences and returns through new designs and services. Equally, the work we are doing to strengthen Crowne Plaza in the Americas through our Accelerate programme is also driving improvements in key hotel metrics.

“UnderpinningAnother key highlight in 2018 was the successgrowth of Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants, where we doubled signingsyear-on-year, and secured a presence in 14 countries, including locations in London, Bangkok, Tokyo and Mexico City. Equally impressive was the continued phenomenal demand for our newest mainstream brand, avid hotels, which has 171 hotels in the pipeline and one property already open. On top of that we celebrated openings of our 200th InterContinental, and 100th Hotel Indigo.

To help accelerate our growth, we’ve been clear that we will capitalise on opportunities for our portfolio too, and the acquisition of a majority stake in Regent Hotels & Resorts was a key moment. Regent is a well-respected brand at the top tier of luxury, where we know many owners want to work with IHG. We have repositioned the brand to appeal to modern luxury travellers, and we are excited about the prospect of growing its portfolio from six hotels to more than 40 in the years ahead.

sit at the very top tier of our luxury offer, and our plans to launch a newall-suites upper midscale brand into the US later this year.

Transformational technology

As well as the right brands, guests and owners want the right technology, and the global rollout in 2018 of IHG Concerto™ was a significant milestone.

This cloud-based technology platform, which includes our industry-leading Guest Reservation System, allows us to bring together all our core hotel systems, providing the right mix of technology, data and functionality needed to improve stay experiences and help owners drive revenue and performance. In 2019, we will develop a second phase focused on enhancing the reservation experience, with hotels able to highlight attributes they know guests value, from a particular room size to specific views.

Ensuring we offer the right platforms and experiences to deliver revenue to our hotels is crucial to our business. Digital revenue, which is our lowest cost booking channel, grew by 13% in 2018 to $5.3 billion. Ensuring we find more ways to enrich everything from bookings to stays and marketing, whilst placing the utmost importance on data privacy and security, remains a significant priority for IHG.

“Supported by our people,

strategic initiatives and positive

industry trends, we are confident

in our prospects.”

We also launched our new upscale brand, voco, which offers a different avenue of growth for IHG and is already attracting strong interest. The brand will principally focus on conversion opportunities and work with owners of high-quality hotels looking to quickly take advantage of a strong brand and systems to drive growth. We’ve already opened two hotels and have another eight in the pipeline.

Supporting growth of both our Kimpton and voco brands was the deal in May to rebrand and operate a collection of UK portfolio properties – an agreement which made IHG the leading luxury hotel operator in that market.

Continuing this momentum, in February 2019 we announced the $300 million acquisition of Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spas, which will

Special culture

The scale of change achieved alongside our performance has not been without challenges but as I have travelled around our business, the enthusiasm of colleagues to embrace change encapsulates IHG’s special culture, and we continue to focus heavily on keeping people informed and supported.

We are proud to have been recognised as a 2018 Aon Global Best Employer for a second consecutive year, and listed in the 2018 Hampton Alexander Review as one of the top 10 FTSE 100 companies for female representation across our Executive Committee and direct reports. We place huge importance on our diverse and inclusive culture; and several initiatives led by a newly formed Global D&I Board, which I chair, will ensure further progress.

For any company, having the right strategy, structure and growth initiatives in place is of course crucial, but we recognise that ensuring we grow in a responsible way is equally important. Embedded in our business are a range of standards, policies and programmes that engender the right culture among our hotels, offices and suppliers, and helps us have a positive impact on the environment and local communities within which we operate.

Ensuring this is achieved across our operations, we embarked on 2018-2020 Responsible Business Targets during the year, which broadens our focus to areas of environmental sustainability, community impact, our people and procurement. This ranges from providing hospitality skills training to thousands through our IHG® Academy, to helping our hotels reduce their carbon footprint and increasing the diversity of our senior leadership.

Supporting our targets around community impact, we also launched our new True Hospitality for Good programme, which gives colleagues greater involvement in the IHG charity partners they wish to support, and puts more focus on volunteering for great causes. Almost 140,000 colleagues took part in the programme in 2018, helping support charities working to offer education and skills in hospitality, or providing disaster relief efforts globally.

We were delighted to be named an industry leader in sustainability for a second consecutive year on the S&P Dow Jones Sustainability Indices, and more broadly to receive several notable awards that show the progress we continue to make as a business. These include HICAP’s Merger and Acquisition of the year award for our Regent deal, and InterContinental Hotels & Resorts being named the world’s leading hotel brand at the World Travel Awards for the 12th time.

Thank you

I truly appreciate the amazing work and efforts of all of our brandscolleagues in our hotels, corporate offices, and service centres globally. The energy and passion that they have put into delivering our purpose of providing True Hospitality is a focus on digital leadership. This involves us using new technologiesextraordinary. Thank you also to our owners for their partnership and dataconfidence in our brands.

Supported by our people, strategic initiatives and positive industry trends, our prospects for growth are strong and we look forward to deliver truly relevant experiences.”2019 with optimism.

LOGO

Keith Barr

Richard Solomons

Chief Executive Officer

 KEY HIGHLIGHTS

 Gross revenue delivered through mobile bookings

 $1.6bn

 The launch of

 Your Rate

 by IHG® Rewards Club

 Total hotel signings

 516

 The highest number since 2008

IHG delivered another year of consistent, high-quality growth and strong financial and operational performance in 2016, led by the continued execution of our Winning Model.

This focus, brought to life by our talented colleagues and supported by strong owner relationships, enables us to successfully differentiate ourselves from the competition and meet the needs of our guests in an ever-changing consumer environment.

We made important progress against every element of our Winning Model. We built scale where it matters by broadening the global footprint of our brands in key markets, made important enhancements to our digital channels, significantly strengthened our direct-bookings offer for guests and owners, and further improved our industry-leading loyalty programme (see pages 16, 17 and 30).

Financial and operational highlights

Alongside this important work, we delivered strong underlying operating profit growth, signed the highest number of hotels since 2008, and closed the year with almost 5,200 open hotels in our portfolio. We remained focused on driving growth in markets where we see the greatest opportunities, and continued to build important momentum in this approach. IHG finished 2016 with a pipeline of 230,000 rooms, with approximately 90 per cent of them situated in our 10 priority markets. This represents a 14 per cent share of the active industry pipeline – more than three times our share of current supply – and illustrates our attractive prospects for strong, organic growth.

In what is an increasingly important space, we made excellent progress in driving digital growth across the business, strengthening our booking channels and leveraging our leading, data-driven marketing capabilities to engage with more guests in ways that are both relevant and most preferred. Digital revenue grew approximately eight per cent – driven by mobile, which delivered $1.6 billion in revenue. This channel alone now drives more traffic to our websites than desktop, with our award-wining app a key driver of this shifting trend. This is particularly important and helpful for our owners, with increased direct bookings delivering more low-cost revenue.

Brands-led business

The increasing global demand from guests and owners for our portfolio of brands is extremely encouraging. Throughout the year, we made real progress, be it by entering new markets or securing flagship locations, or by introducing important enhancements to service and design that are making a positive difference to the guest experience and helping attract new business.

In InterContinental Hotels & Resorts’ 70th anniversary year, we strengthened its position as the world’s largest luxury hotel brand with a significant global marketing campaign, more iconic openings, improved service training and the highest number of hotel and room signings since 2008.

Illustrating our ability to successfully grow and develop some of our newer US brands, we celebrated taking Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants global, signing a deal in Paris and opening a property in Grand Cayman. In 2017, the brand will debut in Europe, opening a hotel in Amsterdam. We also doubled the size of our lifestyle brand, EVEN Hotels, to six open hotels, added more to the pipeline and signed a deal to launch the brand in Australia and New Zealand.

For our Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts brand, we established a new global identity and service style to help to further build on its industry-leading position in many of our markets around the world. Using this as a foundation, we announced the Crowne Plaza Accelerate programme – a $200 million investment programme designed to deliver an improved performance in The Americas through enhanced service and marketing that better resonates with the modern business traveller.

Delivering our strategy

Underpinning the success of all our brands is a focus on digital leadership. In 2016, we made strong progress in enhancing the Guest Journey (Dream, Plan, Book, Stay and Share), building more rewarding loyalty relationships, and strengthening our competitive advantage, by leveraging the latest technology.

Following a successful trial, we rolled out Your Rate by IHG Rewards Club globally, providing access to exclusive, preferential rates to loyalty members booking through our direct channels. This has led to higher direct bookings, delivering better-quality revenue to our hotels, and a rise in membership enrolments. We also

6            IHG Annual Report and Form 20-F 2016        Strategic Report


increased our attractiveness to Chinese travellers through a deal with China’s leading third-party online payment solutions company, Alipay, to offer their services across our hotels and online platforms worldwide, and we made important progress with the development of our new Guest Reservation System (GRS), which remains on track to begin roll-out in 2017. IHG has a rich history of innovation, and the new GRS will provide an industry-leading cloud-based booking platform that offers guests a more personalised experience and allows hotels to manage and sell rooms in a more powerful way.

LOGO

Kimpton Seafire Resort + Spa, Grand Cayman,

the first Kimpton hotel outside of the US, which opened in 2016

Our digital business is one of the ways in which we build meaningful lifetime relationships with our guests. This involves us using new technologies and data to deliver truly relevant experiences – be it more targeted marketing, or through enhanced arrival information that empowers our hotels to create a more personal stay. Mobile check-out and our wifi offer, IHG Connect, are all also making important contributions in this area. All these programmes will continue to expand across our hotels in 2017.

Combining this commercial strength with our unique brand propositions and outstanding colleagues forms the bedrock of creating Great Hotels Guests Love, which we deliver through providing True Hospitality for everyone. This important commitment connects us all at IHG and centres on our passion to make everyone feel welcome and cared for, recognised and respected – be it guests, owners, partners, colleagues or those in the communities in which we work.

Our responsible business credentials

We have made excellent progress with our two corporate responsibility programmes, IHG® Academy and the IHG Green Engage™ system. IHG Academy has been building hospitality skills in local communities for more than a decade and, in 2016, we introduced 11,985 new participants to programmes in 75 countries, while our group-wide sustainability programme, the IHG Green Engage system, is helping drive real improvements in how our hotels responsibly manage things such as water, carbon and waste.

We reached another significant milestone with the launch of the IHG® Foundation in February 2016. The IHG Foundation builds on the positive impact of our corporate responsibility initiatives, and allows us to make a deeper, more lasting change in communities beyond

our hotels around the world, and across areas including disaster relief and environmental protection. In 2016, the Foundation made 34 grants to 25 organisations, including donations to the Sichuan Province Foundation for Poverty Alleviation in China, and it supported communities affected by disasters such as flooding in France and earthquakes in Japan and Ecuador.

Awards

External recognition is the best measure of our progress and, in 2016, IHG won over 200 awards. This is an outstanding achievement. I am particularly proud of the many employer awards, including winning Best Employer Brand in the UK at the Personnel Today Awards, and being named on Atlanta’s Best Places to Work list by the Atlanta Business Chronicle. IHG was also named Britain’s most admired company in the leisure and hotels sector by Management Today, and 8th in their list of all UK companies. Our brands also picked up many coveted awards. Crowne Plaza was voted best Upscale Hotel Brand in North America by Business Travel News, up from 8th in 2015, and InterContinental Hotels & Resorts was named the World’s Leading Hotel Brand at the World Travel Awards. The Flyer Travel Awards named HUALUXE Hotels and Resorts Best New Hotel Brand in China and Holiday Inn was voted the Best Mid-Range Hotel Brand in China at the TTG China

Travel Awards for the sixth consecutive year, while Condé Nast also named the Kimpton RiverPlace Hotel in Portland, Oregon, US one of the world’s top hotels.

Strengthened position

It was a busy year, and both our industry and the world is changing at pace. This brings both challenges and opportunities and I remain confident that, by executing our winning strategy and leveraging the strength of our business model, we will continue to deliver sustainable, organic growth into the future.

We head into 2017 in a position of strength, and I would once again like to thank all our owners for their support and for the trust they place in us. Our owners are crucial to our performance, and we place the utmost importance on our relationship with them. I would also like to thank our talented, passionate and energetic colleagues, who bring our brands to life and remain IHG’s greatest competitive advantage.

LOGO

Richard Solomons

Chief Executive Officer

LOGO

 

IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2018  |  Strategic Report  |  Chief Executive Officer’s review7


LOGO

 

Strategic Report

Industry overview
From growing consumer demand for branded hotels, to an expanding middle class and greater disposable incomes, we operate in an industry with growth potential.

Chief Executive Officer’s review        IHG Annual Report and Form 20-F 2016            7


LOGO

The global hotel industry is a $525bn industry, made up of 18 million rooms. 54% of rooms are affiliated with a global or regional chain (‘branded’), up from 50% in 2012, and 46% are unaffiliated (‘independent’). The top five hotel groups, IHG, Marriott, Hilton, Wyndham and Accor account for 25% of market share, up from 19% in 2012, and for 58% of the global development pipeline of hotels in planning or under construction.

 

8            IHG Annual Report and Form 20-F 2016        Strategic Report


LOGO

In what is a fragmented market, competitor pressures in the branded space are intensifying as all major players pursue growth strategies through acquisitions, organic growth or diversification. As the digital landscape has evolved, consumer choice of where to stay and how to book has developed and hotel companies compete in an environment that includes Online Travel Intermediaries and alternative lodging solutions, such as peer-to-peer home rental companies and serviced apartments.

 

There are several metrics that recognise industry performance. RevPAR is an important indicator of the value guests ascribe to a given hotel, brand or market and grows when guests stay more often or pay higher rates. Rooms supply is significant because it is reflective of the attractiveness of investing in the hotel industry from an owner perspective and is influenced mainly by the profitability of a brand or market.

Driven by strong economic fundamentals, the global hotel industry has seen growth in both RevPAR and rooms supply for the past nine years as part of a larger travel and tourism sector. It also plays an important role economically, accounting for 1 in 10 jobs around the world.

The hotel industry is cyclical; long-term fluctuations in RevPAR tend to reflect the interplay between industry demand, supply and the macroeconomic environment. In the short term, at a local market level, political, economic and natural factors such as terrorism, oil market conditions and hurricanes can impact demand and supply.

a  Source: STR, Inc

b  Source: Oxford Economics

8 IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2018
Industry overview        IHG Annual Report and Form 20-F 2016            9


Our preferred brands


LOGO

    

 

IHG is a brands-led business, and we create Great Hotels Guests Love® through our portfolio of complementary and differentiated hotel brands. Our brands are trusted for meeting guests’ needs, for rewarding loyalty and for delivering memorable experiences.
Trends shaping our industry
Demand for branded experiencesDiverse consumer needsPower of the cloud

Growing consumer demand for branded experiences requires hotel companies to continue to find new ways to work with owners and partners to meet expectations.

Owners recognise the strength of a branded offer, and in addition to traditional opportunities, are looking for ways to affiliate with a brand through light-touch conversions orlow-cost construction techniques, combined with features that reduce operating costs. The recent addition of multiple new brands bybig-branded players illustrates the level of capacity in the market and industry appetite.

 

Over the last decade, IHG has added our wellness focus brand, EVEN Hotels, a brand tailored to the Chinese consumer, HUALUXE, and following acquisition, expanded Kimpton in the global luxury space. We have also launched avid hotels in the mainstream segment, upscale brand voco, which is principally focused on conversions, and acquired both Regent and Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spas in the top tier of the luxury segment. This reflects a continued strategic focus on offering more tailored experiences to a diverse guest base in the highest opportunity segments and markets.

The consumer landscape continues to evolve – from millennials seeking increasingly unique and authentic experiences, to baby boomers with money and time to travel, both of whom increasingly expect technology to aid, inform and enrich their stays.

From intuitive booking apps, chatbots, and mobilecheck-in/check-out, to smart artificial intelligence assistants and seamless wifi, today’s guests expect technology to be integrated into many areas of the travel experience. To meet this trend, the ability of hotel companies to work in partnership with the right technology providers has become increasingly important.

IHG has made good progress in this area: from bespoke online payment solutions to Artifical Intelligence Smart Rooms in some of our InterContinental hotels, which allows guests to use voice commands to control opening the curtains through to ordering room service; and the development of IHG Studio with our avid brand, which allows seamless direct casting of entertainment from guest smart devicesto in-room TVs.

Data generation, storage and use has never been as prevalent and important as it is today. Cloud storage has further changed the game, giving accommodation providers easy access to real-time diverse data, that enables a more personalised and efficient service.

Operationally it allows providers to use data to tailor guest experiences faster, and drive a more personalised relationship with them. With this trend comes a growing responsibility to handle data responsibly, respecting consumer preferences and rights.

IHG is a pioneer in data-centric technology innovation, from loyalty to reservations and hotel solutions. See IHG Concerto™ case study on page 21 for more details.

IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2018  |  Strategic Report  |  Industry overview 9

InterContinental® Hotels & Resorts:

Live the InterContinental Life

International travel should always be alluring. As the world’s first international luxury travel hotel brand, we have been pioneering new international destinations for decades. We are dedicated to those who appreciate and enjoy ‘The InterContinental Life’ – the glamour and exhilaration of fascinating places, mixed with our international know-how and local cultural wisdom.


Strategic Report

 

GuestOur brands

In 2018, we evolved our marketing function to adopt a

comprehensive global approach to marketing and brand

development activities. This included organising our brands into

mainstream, upscale and luxury segments, in order to maximise

efficiencies, better focus resources and drive performance.

With a purpose to provide True Hospitality for everyone at our core, the changes we have made leave us better equipped to keep our existing brands fresh and relevant, and to broaden our portfolio as we create the optimum mix of options for both our guests and owners.

Alongside a strong loyalty proposition, innovation and technology, and enhanced operational solutions for our owners, we are providing the foundations for industry-leading net rooms growth over the medium term. Reflecting the early impact of our changes, we delivered our best openings and signings performance in a decade in 2018.

Mainstream

IHG is the clear global leader within the mainstream segment, with 16% of existing global market share by rooms and 25% of the pipeline. Our mainstream brands operate across the midscale and upper midscale market segments, from full service hotels offering full-service facilities, to extended stay occasions: short-break experience, mixing business with pleasure, social identityb.hotels which offer longer term accommodation compared to a traditional hotel. We are focused on enhancing our iconic brands, launching fast-growing new ones and expanding an already strong presence in extended stay.

Building on our mainstream strength, in February 2019 we announced plans to launch into the US a newall-suites upper midscale brand, targeted at an underserved $18 billion industry segment.

  Annual industryIndustry revenue
  global segmentgrowth potential
  revenueto 2025
$115bn$65bn

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Kimpton®Holiday Inn Hotels & Restaurants:

A different way to stay

As the industry pioneer that first introduced the boutique concept to the US, we are renowned for making travellers feel genuinely cared for through thoughtful perks and amenities, inventive meetings and events, bold and playful design, and a sincerely personal style of guest service.

Guest stay occasions: short-break experience, business productivity, family time.

HUALUXEResorts® Hotels and Resorts:

Capturing the spirit of Chinese hospitality

We are the first upscale international hotel brand designed specifically for Chinese guests. We have woven into every detail of the luxury brand’s service and design an acknowledgement of Chinese culture and heritage, with particular emphasis on the Chinese values of etiquette, rejuvenation in nature, recognition of status and enabling spaces.

Guest stay occasion:

building business interactions.

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Hotel Indigo®:

Making travel inspiring

We serve the curious – people who are inspired by new places, new people and new ideas. Each hotel is part of the pulse and the rhythm of a place, drawing on the story of its local area to inspire every aspect of the hotel, from intriguing design to distinctive local ingredients in our menus.

Guest stay occasions: short-break experience, business productivity, romantic getawaya.

EVEN® Hotels:

Where wellness is built in

We provide a strong lifestyle offering for travellers seeking more options to stay healthier and happier away from home. Our hotels, and wellness-savvy staff, offer guests a best-in-class fitness experience, healthier food choices, and natural and relaxing spaces. Beyond our hotels, we support the needs of travellers through wellwellwell.com, a go-to source for healthier, happier travel.

Guest stay occasion: well-being.

Crowne Plaza® Hotels & Resorts:

Making business travel work

We believe business travel should work better. In every market in the world, business has changed, and so has work. It’s more digital, more flexible, more mobile, more connected. As oneOne of the world’s largest upscalemost iconic and trusted brands, we have properties located in majorHoliday Inn is delivering warm and welcoming experiences for guests staying for business or pleasure. With a breadth of property types from urban centres gateway citiesto beach resorts, the brand continues to drive demand with a focus on service, improved guest room and resort destinations all around the globe.public area designs, and new food and beverage offers.

 

Guest stay occasions: business productivity, building business interactionsb.

1,224

Open hotels

288

Pipeline hotels

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Holiday Inn Express®

Our Holiday Inn Express brand offers guests simpler, smarter travel experiences. Demand for our industry’s largest brand by rooms continues to grow, helped by new guest room designs and an enhanced breakfast offer that are leading to greater satisfaction scores. In China, the brand’s tailored franchise model has contributed to record growth in 2018, with 71 hotels signed.

2,726

Open hotels

 

784

Pipeline hotels

10            IHG Annual Report and Form 20-F 2016        Strategic Report
10IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2018


    

 

    

    

    

Our hotel brands are underpinned by the IHG® parent brand, strengthened by our leading loyalty programme, IHG® Rewards Club, and are brought to life by outstanding people in great hotels. Building upon an in-depth understanding of what matters most to guests, we continually enhance our brands’ promises.In a crowded marketplace, our brands therefore stand out from the competition and continue to deliver memorable stay experiences, which in turn drives the performance of our business.LOGO

Definition Guest stay occasion

We broadly segment the market into nine globally relevant categories that align to the different occasions for which guests might travel, such as for family time or for a romantic getaway. By understanding these guest stay occasions, we are able to deliver a differentiated brand experience that better meets our guests’ expectations.

LOGOSee page 29 for a breakdown of IHG hotels open and in the pipeline.

    

Holiday Inn® Hotels & Resorts:

Joy of travel for all

We believe the joy of travel is for everyone. We pride ourselves on delivering an affordable, enjoyable hotel experience where guests are always welcomed warmly. We opened the doors of our first hotel in 1952, and since then we have been making travel a more enjoyable experience for all.

    

Guest stay occasions: family time, mixing business with pleasure, social identityb.

Holiday Inn Express® Hotels:

Simple, smart travel

We keep it simple and smart. As IHG’s largest hotel brand, we’re the clear choice for the increasing number of travellers who need a simple, engaging place to rest, recharge and get a little work done. We offer everything guests need, and provide more where it matters most.

    

Guest stay occasion: rest and go.

Staybridge Suites Hotels®:LOGO

Feel at ease when you stay with us

As an extended-stay brand, we make sure every space features a sense of community, comfort and convenience, so guests can feel at home while on the road. Staybridge Suites is ideal for upscale business and leisure travellers who want to enjoy the best of home and hotel.

Guest stay occasion: business productivity.

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Holiday Inn Club Vacations®:

More than 340,000 families now make our Holiday Inn Club Vacations brand their choice for vacation ownership. Continuing its impressive growth, the brand welcomed its 27th resort in 2018, further enhanced brand standards, renovated more than 1,000 villas, and introduced attractive benefits to enhance the member experience.

27      

Open hotels

0

Pipeline hotels

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Candlewood Suites®

OurUS-focused extended stay brand, Candlewood Suites, continues to delight its long-term guests, and was named 2018’s number one hotel for midscale extended stay by Business Travel News. The joybrand has more than tripled in size since it was acquired by IHG in 2004 and continues to grow strongly, with a new 2019 hotel design expected to add further momentum.

396   

Open hotels

102

  Pipeline hotels

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Staybridge Suites®

Featuring thoughtful amenities and spacious suites that provide a break from the norms of lifetime vacationsconventional travel, our extended stay brand Staybridge Suites was ranked first in its class for guest satisfaction in 2018’s J.D. Power survey for North America. Growing strongly in the US and expanding internationally, the brand will benefit from fresh new hotel designs rolling out globally.

Our

276   

Open hotels

182

  Pipeline hotels

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avid™ hotels

Launched in September 2017, our avid brand has enjoyed huge success, with signings in the US, Canada and Mexico, a development agreement in Germany, and one hotel already open. Priced below Holiday Inn Express, avid delivers the essentials exceptionally well at good value for guests, and provides owners are part of a community of people who understand the importance of familywith an attractive brand that’s efficient to build, operate and investing in a lifetime of invaluable memories. All of our properties offer spacious villa accommodation for families in top leisure destinations, and access to world-class attractions such as mountain adventures, championship golf courses and serene beaches.maintain.

1       

  Open hotels

171

  Pipeline hotels

IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2018  |  Strategic Report  |  Our brands11


Strategic Report

 

Guest stay occasion: family time.

Holiday Inn Resort®:

The joy of family holidays

We want all families to experience the joy of great holidays together. In some of the world’s most desirable locations – on the beach, by the theme park, next to the golf course, our resorts offer a wide variety of activities and comforts, from kids’ clubs and signature swimming pools, to informal restaurants and quiet, fireside lounges.Our brands continued

 

Guest stay occasion: family time.

Candlewood Suites Hotels®:

Your home base

Upscale

WeIn a broad market segment, we continue to focus on ensuring we offer a more casual kind of longer stay, where youattractive brands that deliver distinct experiences – from business travel to wellness-focused stays.

Improved service and modern designs will always feel at home, at your best and really productive while on the road. All offurther enhance our locations throughout The Americas are easily accessible,existing brands as we grow them globally, and we are always openingcreating new hotels, so guests can book a spacious suite wheneveropportunities for owners to quickly take advantage of our scale, systems and wherever it works for them.expertise.

 

Annual industryIndustry revenue
global segmentgrowth potential
revenueto 2025
$40bn$20bn

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GuestCrowne Plaza® Hotels & Resorts

Our Crowne Plaza brand champions a modern way of business travel through distinctive stay occasion: business productivity.and meeting experiences. Recognised for award-winning innovative designs and marketing, the brand is focused on growing itssmall-to-mid-size meetings offer and rolling out key service and Sleep Advantage programmes that are helping deliver superior guest stays.

 

429   

Open hotels

79

Pipeline hotels

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voco™ Hotels

Launched in June 2018, our new distinctive upscale brand primarily focuses on conversion opportunities, offering owners of high-quality unbranded hotels the ability to combine the character of an individual property with rich guest experiences and IHG systems. Our first voco hotels are already open in Cardiff and on Australia’s Gold Coast, with signings ahead of expectations.

2       

Open hotels

8

Pipeline hotels

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HUALUXEa® US onlyHotels and Resorts

The first upscale international hotel brand designed for Chinese guests, we’ve adapted and evolved HUALUXE using consumer and owner insight to deliver a more competitive offer. Receiving awards for best business hotel brand, HUALUXE is driving strong guest satisfaction scores, and will welcome two iconic new openings in 2019 – HUALUXE Xi’anHi-tech Zone and HUALUXE Xi’an Tanghua.

8       

Open hotels

21

Pipeline hotels

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EVENb® China/India onlyHotels

With every square-foot of an EVEN property designed for travellers seeking a healthier and happier stay when away from home, our wellness-focused brand is meeting an increasing demand from guests and owners. PredominantlyUS-based, we are expanding internationally with pipeline properties in both Greater China and New Zealand.

 

10     

Open hotels

18

  Pipeline hotels

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Hotel Indigo®

Already one of the largest global boutique hotel brands by number of hotels, we celebrated our 100th hotel opening in 2018 and our estate is set to almost double in size in the next five years. Serving growing demand for authentic local neighbourhood experiences, we are increasing guest satisfaction scores and seeing new hotel signings reach record levels.

102   

Open hotels

92

Pipeline hotels

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12IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2018


 

Our preferred brands        IHG Annual Report

Luxury

With a strong heritage and Form 20-F 2016            11


Our business model

Our portfolio of 12 preferred brands are built on unique customer insights and cater to a broad range of needs. We predominantly franchise our hotel brands to, or manage hotels on behalf of, third-party hotel owners, resulting in an asset-light business model.expertise in luxury, we are growing our offer to ensure we cater for a range of needs in desirable destinations, from the top tier of the luxury segment through to boutique luxury. In February 2019, we further enhanced our offer with a $300 million acquisition of top tier luxury operator Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spas. A comprehensive luxury proposition strengthens our loyalty offer, attracts more corporate customers and creates a broader owner base to work with.

 

Whether we franchise or manage hotels to third-party hotel owners depends largely on market maturity, owner preference and, in certain cases, the particular brand.
Annual industryIndustry revenue
global segmentgrowth potential
revenueto 2025
$60bn$35bn

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Regent Hotels & Resorts

Our acquisition of a majority stake in the Regent brand in July 2018 gives IHG a vital presence in the top tier of luxury. For decades a benchmark for the top tier of luxury hotels, we see potential to grow the brand to more than 40 key destinations – creating a luxury halo for our entire estate. With new hallmarks, designs and service, we have evolved the brand for modern luxury travellers.

Mature markets predominantly follow a franchise model:

6       

Open hotels

3

Pipeline hotels

 

-

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InterContinental® Hotels & Resorts

The world’s first and largest luxury hotel brand celebrated its 200th opening in 2018, with new hotels including Shanghai Wonderland and San Diego, and was named the world’s leading hotel brand at the World Travel Awards for a 12th time. An enhanced Club InterContinental experience, global marketing campaign, new designs and luxury B2B focus are helping drive demand.

204   

Open hotels

 

60

Pipeline hotels

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Kimpton® Hotels & Restaurants

Known in the US for its highly-personal service and playful design, our Kimpton brand is now attracting strong interest in key international markets. We finished 2018 having secured a presence in 14 countries, including openings in Toronto and London and signings in Barcelona, Tokyo and Bangkok. The brand also ranked 6th on Fortune’s 100 Best Companies to Work For list.

66     

Open hotels

27

Pipeline hotels

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For more information on our

brand portfolio see page 21.

Loyalty

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One of the industry’s leading loyalty programmes, IHG Rewards Club is our way of ensuring that travel is experienced the way it should be: personal, simple and rewarding.

IHG® Rewards Club

IHG Rewards Club helps build valuable relationships with members, strengthens their bond with our hotel brands, drives direct bookings, and encourages guests to further explore our hotel portfolio. It allows us to create experiences that truly reward guests for their custom, from promotions to partnerships, to welcome amenities and perks. We’re focused on making those experiences even better.

In The Americas2018, we launched two new US IHG Rewards Clubco-branded credit cards, allowing customers to earn accelerated rewards and enjoy additional travel benefits. We also integrated Kimpton’s loyalty programme, Kimpton Karma, into IHG Rewards Club, giving Kimpton members access to all IHG’s brands, and IHG Rewards Club members a chance to earn points and redeem Reward Nights at our Kimpton properties.

We continue to innovate IHG Rewards Club to build stronger and deeper relationships with our guests, and to drive high value revenue across our hotel estate. Loyalty members are seven times more likely to book direct, and over the last four years we have increased loyalty room revenue contribution by 4%ppts to 43%. We are currently testing new features designed to increase member engagement with variable point pricing, for roll out during 2019.

IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2018  |  Strategic Report  |  Our brands13


Strategic Report

Our business model

Through our business model, we predominantly franchise our

brands and manage hotels on behalf of third-party hotel owners.

As an asset-light business, we focus on growing our fee revenues

and fee margins, with limited requirements for capital.

Our asset-light strategy enables us to grow our business whilst generating high returns on invested capital.

Whether we franchise or manage hotels is largely dependent on market maturity, owner preference and, in certain cases, the particular brand. For instance, in more developed markets such as the US and Europe, over 90 per cent90% of IHG hotels are franchised.

While a managed model is typically used in emerging markets:

-In AMEA about 80 per cent By contrast, in emerging markets such as Greater China, 91% of IHG hotels are managed by us;IHG.

Over time, we believe the Chinese market will move towards a franchised model. We successfully launched the first tailored franchised offer for Holiday Inn Express in 2016 and

-In Greater China, that figure rises have since expanded this to more than 98 per cent.

In addition, we own/lease and manage a few select hotels, however, this figure has dramatically reduced from over 180 owned hotels 15 years ago, to just eight hotels at 31 December 2016.

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Definition System Fund orFundinclude Holiday Inn and Crowne Plaza.

assessment feesIHG’s owner proposition

We focus on ensuring our brand portfolio provides a differentiated offering for both guests and contributions collected from hotels withinowners, and we continue to invest in building a superior owner proposition. For our owners we have developedstate-of-the-art technology to drive hotel demand, be it through our mobile booking app, or our cloud-based hotel solutions. Our distribution channels (call centres and booking sites, through which hotel rooms are marketed and booked), allow hotel owners to reach potential guests at a lower cost. Over the IHG System which fund specifically marketing,last three years, the proportion of rooms revenue booked through IHG’s direct and indirect channels, has been steadily increasing. For guests, we ensure different brands deliver on their expectations, and we continually look to enhance our brand proposition and our IHG Rewards Club loyalty programmeprogramme.

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For further information on

our brands see pages 10 to 13.

While our business model means that we do not employ colleagues in franchised hotels nor do we control theirday-to-day operations, policies or procedures, IHG and its franchised hotels are committed to delivering a consistent brand experience, conducting business responsibly, and delivering True Hospitality. See pages 22 to 25 for more information.

How we generate revenue and deliver value

Revenue from reportable segments

Our revenue is directly linked to the

revenue generated by the Guest Reservation System.hotels in

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our system.

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Franchised Managed
576,979 253,566
rooms rooms
Central Owned, leased and

Revenue is principally technology fee income,

(see page 49)

 

managed lease

5,996

rooms

Franchised hotels

From our franchised hotels we receive a fixed percentage of the room revenue following a guest staying at the hotel. This is our fee revenue. We deliver value to our hotel owners through cultivation of hotel brands, economies of scale, access to

shared systems and resources, guest demand across the brand estate and centralised marketing activity to drive hotel guest bookings.

 

 

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Managed hotels

From our managed hotels we generate revenue through a fixed percentage of the total hotel revenue and a proportion of the hotel’s profit. As well as the benefits we deliver through our franchise model, we drive value to our managed hotel owners by optimising the performance of their hotels.

Owned, leased and managed lease hotels

For hotels which we own or lease, we record the entire revenue and profit of the hotel in our financial statements. Our owned, leased and managed lease hotels have reduced from over 180 hotels 17 years ago, to 23 hotels at 31 December 2018.


14IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2018
12            IHG Annual Report and Form 20-F 2016        Strategic Report


    

 

    

    

    

    

DISCIPLINED APPROACH TO ALLOCATION OF CAPITAL

Our focus on an asset-light business model is supported by a disciplined, long-term approach to allocating capital and reducing the asset intensity of the business. We seek to maintain an efficient balance sheet with an investment-grade credit rating. Our business is highly cash-generative (see page 45), and we have three primary uses for this cash:

1.

Invest in the business to drive growth: this includes strategic investments and our day-to-day capital expenditures – see table below, and page 107 for further details of our capital expenditure in 2016.

2.

Maintain sustainable growth in the ordinary dividend: compound annual growth of 11 per cent since 2003.

3.

Return surplus funds to shareholders. In February 2017, we proposed a further $400 million return of funds to shareholders via a special dividend with share consolidation.

IHG’s outlook on capital expenditure

Capital expenditure incurred by IHG can be summarised as follows.

Capital expenditureExamples
Maintenance capital expenditure and key money to access strategic growth

  Maintenance of our owned and leased hotels, which is now reducing as we have become increasingly asset-light.

  Corporate infrastructure maintenance – for example, in respect of our offices and systems.

  Deployment of key money, which is used to access strategic opportunities, particularly in high-quality and sought-after locations when returns are financially and/or strategically attractive.

Recyclable investments to drive the growth of our brands and our expansion in priority markets

  Through the acquisition of real estate, investment through joint ventures or via equity capital.

   We aim to recycle this capital by selling these investments when the time is right and to reinvest elsewhere in the business and across our portfolio, as we are currently doing for our EVEN Hotels brand.

System-Funded capital investments for strategic investment to drive growth at hotel level

   The development of tools and systems that hotels use to drive performance, such as our new, pioneering Guest Reservation System developed with Amadeus.

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See Chairman’s statement for progress

on dividends, page 5.

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Our business model        IHG Annual Report and Form 20-F 2016            13


Our strategy for

high-quality growth

We are focused on delivering high-quality growth,

which for us means delivering consistent, sustained

growth in cash flows and profits over the long term,

via our portfolio of preferred brands.

Our strategy is unchanged. Through our Winning Model, we focus on value-creation by building preferred brands, delivering a superior owner proposition, leveraging scale and generating revenue through the lowest-cost, direct channels. We concentrate on a Targeted Portfolio that, together with

Disciplined Execution of our strategy and a commitment to doing business responsibly, will drive superior shareholder returns.

LOGOWe measure our performance with a set of carefully selected key performance indicators (KPIs), which monitor our success in achieving our strategy – see pages 23 to 25.

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For further information on our strategy,

go to www.ihgplc.com/about-us under Our strategy.

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14            IHG Annual Report and Form 20-F 2016        Strategic Report


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Our strategy for high-quality growth        IHG Annual Report and Form 20-F 2016                15


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16                IHG Annual Report and Form 20-F 2016        Strategic Report


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Our Winning Model in action: executing our strategy        IHG Annual Report and Form 20-F 2016                17


Doing business responsibly

We genuinely care about the well-being of our guests and colleagues – and the impact we have on local communities and businesses too. Our responsible business culture is embedded throughout our organisation and underpins our entire strategy.

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Our culture of responsible business

In a climate where employees, guests and other stakeholders want confirmation that companies uphold their values, it’s important that the credibility and value of our brands are maintained through a culture of responsible business. We achieve this through:

strong governance and leadership, which promote responsible business attitudes and behaviours;

ensuring our employees understand key legal and reputational issues and our Winning Ways (see box to the left);

ensuring the safety and security of employees, guests and other visitors to our hotels and offices;

operating effective risk management and internal controls; and

engaging in responsible procurement.

Our responsible business activities are also closely aligned to the objectives of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which means that we are contributing to the UN’s aim of transforming our world by 2030.

Corporate responsibility

Through our corporate responsibility programmes, we are capitalising on our unique position to help make communities

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around the world better places to be for all. In September 2013, IHG released a number of five-year corporate responsibility targets, which focus on measuring the positive impact IHG has around the globe (see page 25 for our performance against these targets).

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Our communities

Through the IHG® Academy, a collaboration between our hotels, education providers and community organisations in our local communities, we are nurturing and developing people, to improve their employability and grow their careers in the hospitality industry. It’s our way of opening doors and creating opportunities for all.

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Our environment

IHG Green Engage™ system is our Group-wide, online sustainability programme, which helps hotels manage their use of energy, carbon, water and waste, and minimise their overall utility costs and environmental impact. By delivering more environmentally sustainable hotels, we can drive cost efficiencies for owners as well as meet the expectations of all our stakeholders.

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Human rights

IHG focuses on those areas of human rights that are most relevant to our business and we work to ensure our values are reflected consistently across our business. We have developed an e-learning module on human rights and modern slavery. In addition, we publish a human rights policy, which is translated into more than 40 languages.

We report on diversity in our supply chain and set targets to ensure that corporate responsibility criteria, including human rights standards, are integrated into the selection and evaluation process for preferred suppliers. We also require our suppliers to adhere to our Vendor Code of Conduct.

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See www.ihgplc.com/responsible-business for details on our first Slavery and Human Trafficking Statement, detailing the steps we are taking to eradicate modern slavery in our supply chain and business.

18            IHG Annual Report and Form 20-F 2016        Strategic Report


    

    

    

 

Employee Engagement

IHG revenue from reportable segments and the System Fund

System Fund

IHG manages a System Fund on behalf of our third-party hotel owners, who pay a contribution into it. In addition, the System Fund also receives proceeds from the sale of IHG Rewards Club points. The System Fund is managed by IHG for the benefit of hotels within the IHG system, and is run at no profit or loss over the long-term. In 2018 IHG recognised $1.2 billion of revenue in the System Fund. Key elements of System Fund expenditure included marketing and sales activity, technology investments including our Guest Reservation System and our IHG Rewards Club loyalty programme.

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88.7%
IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2018  |  Strategic Report  |  Business model15


Strategic Report

Our business model continued

Disciplined approach to capital allocation

of survey respondents in 2016 were engaged,

Our asset-light business model is highly cash generative and enables us to invest in our brands. We have a disciplined approach to capital allocation ensuring that the business is appropriately invested in whilst maintaining an efficient balance sheet.

Our priorities for the uses of cash are consistent with previous years and comprise of:

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Beyond this, we look to return surplus cash to shareholders through ordinary and special dividends and share buybacks.

Our objective is to maintain an investment grade credit rating. One of the measures we use to monitor this is net debt:EBITDA and we aim for a ratio of2.0-2.5x. The ratio at 31 December 2018 was 1.7x. Following the adoption of IFRS 16 ‘Leases’ (see page 115), from 1 January 2019 we will aim to maintain a net debt:EBITDA ratio of2.5-3.0x, which is equivalent to our guidance under the previous accounting standard.

Final dividend

The Board has proposed a final dividend per ordinary share of 78.1¢. With the interim dividend per ordinary share of 36.3¢, the full-year dividend per ordinary share for 2018 will total 114.4¢.

1.

Invest in

the business

Through strategic investments and ourday-to-day capital expenditures we continue to drive growth.

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an improvement of
2.Maintain sustainable growth in the ordinary dividend
IHG has a progressive dividend policy which means we look to grow the dividend per ordinary share each year.

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14ppt
3.

Return

surplus funds

In October 2018, we announced a $500m capital return to shareholders via a special dividend and share consolidation. The special dividend was paid on 29 January 2019.

Capital investments net ($m)

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Ordinary dividend progression (¢)

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Shareholder returns2003-18 ($bn)

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since 2010
16IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2018


Dividend policy

The Board constantly reviews the Group’s approach to capital allocation and seeks to maintain an efficient balance sheet and investment grade credit rating. IHG has a progressive dividend policy and excellent track record of returning funds to shareholders through ordinary

and special dividends, and share buybacks, with the ordinary dividend seeing 11% CAGR since 2003. This is in addition to special returns of funds detailed on page 198.

When reviewing dividend recommendations, the Directors also take into account

stakeholder interests, the long-term sustainable success of the Company and ensure that there are sufficient, distributable reserves.

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For more details on our dividend policy

and approach, see pages 4 and 50.

IHG’s outlook on capital expenditure

Capital expenditure incurred by IHG can be summarised as follows.

Type

What is it?

Recent examples

Maintenance capital expenditure, key money and selective investment to access strategic growth.Maintenance capital expenditure is devoted to the maintenance of our owned, leased and managed lease hotels, which has reduced as we have become increasingly asset-light.Examples of maintenance spend includes maintenance of our offices, systems and our owned, leased and managed lease hotels.
Key money is expenditure used to access strategic opportunities, particularly in high-quality and sought-after locations when returns are financially and/or strategically attractive.Examples of key money include investments to secure representation for our brands in prime city locations.

Recyclable investments to drive the growth of our brands and our expansion in priority markets.

Recyclable investments is capital used to acquire real estate or investment through joint ventures or equity capital. This expenditure is strategic to help build brand presence.

Over time, we would look to divest these investments at an appropriate time and reinvest the proceeds elsewhere across the business.

Examples of recent recyclable investments in prior years include our EVEN Hotel brand, where we used our capital to build three hotel properties in the US and established a joint venture in a third to showcase the brand. Over time we expect to divest our interest in these hotels.

System Fund capital investments for strategic investment to drive growth at hotel level.The development of tools and systems that hotels use to drive performance. This is charged back to the System Fund over the life of the asset.Recently we rolled out our new pioneering cloud-based Guest Reservation System, one of IHG Concerto’s comprehensive set of capabilities, which we developed with Amadeus.

IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2018  |  Strategic Report  |  Business Model17


Strategic Report

Our strategy for high-quality growth

We have a clearly defined strategy designed to drive superior shareholder returns.

Our focus is on delivering high-quality growth, which means consistent, sustained

growth in cash flows and profits over the long-term. The execution of our strategy

is underpinned by a strong culture, talented people and a commitment to the

environment and our stakeholders.

Overview of strategy

Our Strategic Model focuses on value-creation by building preferred brands, delivering a superior owner proposition, strengthening our loyalty programme, leveraging scale and generating revenue through the lowest-cost direct channels. Our targeted portfolio, together with disciplined execution of our strategy and a commitment to doing business responsibly, are designed to achieve industry-leading net rooms growth over the medium term.

Whilst executing our strategy we target the most attractive markets and segments, prioritising our resources and investments based on growth potential, strategic importance and IHG’s ability to build scale. This reflects our ambition to accelerate our growth trajectory and build on our strong global competitive position. Our brands operate in the mainstream, upscale and luxury segments which in our view are the highest opportunity segments based on guest needs. In addition, we focus on key countries and cities in markets where there is high growth potential, and look to invest ahead of demand.

Our strategy is executed through a strong set of values, business behaviours and talented people.

 

 

Awards

24

received in 2016 for our people practices
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Our strategy should be read together with

our culture, key stakeholders and doing

business responsibly (pages 22 to 25),

and our principal risks and uncertainties

(pages 26 to 30).

 

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For further information on our strategy,

go towww.ihgplc.com/about-us under

Our strategy.

 

More information onLOGO


18IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2018


Strategic Model

Since becoming a stand-alone company 16 years ago our employees can be found on page 161Strategic Model

has delivered superior shareholder returns. Our ambition is to accelerate

our growth further, delivering industry-leading net rooms growth over

the medium term, whilst doing business responsibly and delivering

True Hospitality for all.

The individual components of IHG’s Strategic Model are at the heart of our success and continue to align our organisation to focus on the most important strategic initiatives and deliver our commitment to True Hospitality. This approach helps us create value for our stakeholders and deliver high-quality growth for our shareholders.

Build and

leverage scale

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Scale provides significant advantages in the hospitality industry at both global and national level. IHG uses the breadth of its portfolio, combined with our depth in attractive markets and focus on the highest opportunity segments, to drive significant efficiencies, leading to increased operating leverage and ultimately higher margins.

  We achieved 4.8% net system size growth in 2018.

  In 2018 signings grew by 18% to 98,814 rooms, the highest in a decade.

  We have built a strategic position in Greater China with a domestic business that has continued to outperform the market.

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For further information see our

accelerating our growth case study

on page 20.

Strengthen loyalty

programme

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Having an attractive, differentiated loyalty offering tailored to our guests’ needs is critical to IHG’s continuing success. We are continually innovating

  Over the past four years we have increased our loyalty contribution by 4%ppts to 43%.

IHG Rewards Club to build lifetime relationships with our guests. This creates a sustainable long-term revenue source and transforms previously unaffiliated travellers into powerful advocates for our brands.

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For further information on loyalty

and IHG Rewards Club see page 13.

Enhance revenue delivery

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By striving to drive business through our direct channels, IHG maximises returns for our owners, as these channels are less costly than alternatives such as third-party intermediaries.

  13% growth in room revenues delivered through digital (web and mobile) channels to $5.3bn.

  Successful roll out of IHG Concerto™, including the Guest Reservation System.

Digital and technological innovation, alongside strong brands and compelling loyalty, is key in ensuring IHG continues to manage revenue delivery effectively.

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For further information on

IHG Concerto see page 21.

Evolve owner

proposition

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Within our asset-light business model, maintaining positive relationships with long-standing owners and constantly forging new owner relationships

  We invest in our hotel lifecycle capabilities, providing strong support for our owners from signing to opening a hotel, to future refurbishments.

is vital for IHG. Our outstanding operational support, preferred brands, industry-leading franchise offer and continued investment in innovation delivers a compelling owner proposition and strong returns.

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For further information on how we

evolve our owner proposition see our

accelerating our growth case study

on page 20.

Optimise our preferred portfolio of brands for owners and guests

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As competition intensifies, distribution channels proliferate and consumers become more demanding, actively building a strong portfolio of distinctive, preferred brands for both our owners and guests is fundamental to IHG’s success and future growth.

  We have successfully launched two new brands, avid and voco, during the last two years, and acquired Regent Hotels.

  Continuing this momentum, in February 2019 we announced the $300 million acquisition of Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spas, which will sit at the top tier of our luxury offer, and our plans to launch a new all-suites upper midscale brand into the US later this year.

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For further information on our brands

see pages 10 to 13.


IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2018  |  Strategic Report|  Our strategy for high-quality growth19


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Strategic Report

Our Strategic Model in action

In 2018, we took important steps to ensure our website

business is best placed to execute our strategy

at www.ihg.com/responsible-business under Our people.pace, and we made progress on executing

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against our strategic initiatives.

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To see our regional highlights, please go

to pages 40, 43 and 46.

 

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Our people and our culture

Our colleagues live our corporate values, and are fundamental to helping us create Great Hotels Guests Love. To attract and retain the best talent, we invest in our people – we offer our people our commitment to develop their careers, keep them involved in the business and reward and recognise them for their contributions. We call this our ‘room to be yourself’ commitment.

Accelerating our growth

We have consistently executed a clearly defined strategy and delivered market outperformance over the past 16 years, whilst returning $13.6bn to shareholders. To continue to outperform in a changing and competitive environment, we set out a series of strategic initiatives in 2018.

 

These initiatives redirected our focus and resources to areas where we can enhance our proven business model, and deliver industry-leading net rooms growth over the medium term.

To capitalise on the opportunities ahead, we initiated a comprehensive efficiency programme to realise ~$125m in annual savings by 2020, for reinvestment to drive growth.

Build and leverage scale

From January 2018, we adopted a new organisational structure, which redeployed our resources to better leverage our scale and accelerate our growth. We made these main changes:

New regional operating structure:

Our Europe and Asia, Middle East and Africa regions have merged to become Europe, Middle East, Asia and Africa (EMEAA), allowing us to leverage scale to share best practice and increase investment in markets with the highest growth potential.

Integrating Commercial and Technology:

The combination of our Commercial and Technology functions brings together our sales, channels, revenue management and technology capabilities, allowing us to maximise revenue delivery and bring new products and services to market faster.

Global Marketing organisation:

A new global function brings together our brand, loyalty and marketing capabilities to drive greater agility and efficiencies. Brands are organised globally by mainstream, upscale and luxury to drive clear accountability for brand performance and growth.

Outsourcing:

Following the outsourcing of our Central Reservation Office in the UK in 2017, we have now also completed the outsource of our call-centre capabilities in the US. IHG continues to leverage opportunities with strategic supplier relationships to accelerate our technology roadmap.

Strengthen loyalty programme

Our IHG Rewards Club loyalty programme is well positioned as one of the industry leaders but we are focused on creating a more personalised and differentiated offer, leveraging the right partnerships for our members. See page 13 for more information.

Enhance revenue delivery

To further enhance our strong digital and technology platform, we are prioritising innovations that increase direct revenues. See our IHG Concerto case study for more information.

Evolve owner proposition

IHG’s enterprise is designed to deliver an industry-leading owner proposition, and optimising owner returns remains at the heart of our strategy. To unlock further growth, we are enhancing our offer by increasing investment in development and owner support, and extending our leading franchise offer in key markets with specific brands.

Optimise our preferred portfolio of brands for owners and guests

We are focused on delivering high-impact enhancements to our existing brands and using a targeted, insight-driven approach to further broaden our portfolio for guests and owners. See our brand portfolio case study, on the next page, for more information.

Holiday Inn Express

Hong Kong Kowloon East, China

On the left, in the background: Crowne Plaza

Hong Kong Kowloon East, China

20IHG|  Annual Report and Form20-F 2018
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IHG Concerto™

IHG Concerto provides our hotels with the most sophisticated cloud-based technology platform in the industry.

A pivotal point in IHG’s ambitious technology roadmap, the global roll out of IHG Concerto was completed in 2018, with additional functionality set to be introduced in a phased launch later in 2019.

IHG Concerto brings together a comprehensive set of capabilities, including IHG’s industry-leading Guest Reservation System and an enhanced Revenue Management System, into one single, seamless hotel management tool. In turn,2018, hotel feedback has been overwhelmingly positive with regards to the simplicity and ease of navigation of the new system, the modern intuitive interface, and the ease of the General Manager’s dashboard, which enables them to better manage a hotel’s performance.

As IHG Concerto enters the next phase of its development and we askcontinue to evolve our industry-leading Guest Reservation System, we will deliver an even richer guest experience, with better presented content and attributes that guests value, such as views and room sizes, highlighted for ease.

IHG Concerto adding value:

Thanks to a more efficient management system, hotel colleagues have more time to deliver richer experiences to guests;

Owners benefit from smarter revenue management tools; and

In the future, guests will be able to customise their stay based on features they find important – made possible by new ways of classifying and selling room inventory.

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5,603hotels

Global roll out of IHG Concerto™

to all hotels

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For further information about

our Brands see pages 10 to 13.

Enhancing our brand portfolio

IHG’s continued success relies on ensuring our existing brands remain fresh and relevant to changing guest and owner needs, and that we add new brands in areas of high demand.

We made significant progress in 2018, including:

Continued roll out of new room and public space designs and service enhancements for our Holiday Inn and Holiday Inn Express brands.

Extending our franchise offer in Greater China to our Holiday Inn and Crowne Plaza brands, following the rapid success of our tailored Holiday Inn Express Franchise Plus model.

Continued international expansion of Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants in key destinations including Tokyo, Barcelona, Frankfurt and London.

Agreement to rebrand and operate a collection of UK portfolio properties – a deal which made IHG the UK’s leading luxury hotel operator.

In mainstream: our first avid property is open in Oklahoma, US; we have 171 properties in our pipeline; and we’ve signed a Multi Development Agreement in Germany.

In upscale we launched our voco brand in June, with two hotels already open and another eight in the pipeline across our EMEAA region.

In the top tier of luxury we acquired a majority stake in the Regent Hotels & Resorts brand. Following a brand repositioning, we have signed three hotels since acquisition in Kuala Lumpur, Bali and Chengdu.

Continuing this momentum, in February 2019 we announced the $300 million acquisition of Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spas, which will sit at the top tier of our luxury offer, and our plans to launch a newall-suites upper midscale brand into the US later this year.

IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2018  |  Strategic Report|  Our Strategic Model in action21


Strategic Report

Our culture, key stakeholders and doing business responsibly

Our focus on doing business responsibly and the way we

interact with our stakeholders, helps create a diverse, healthy

and inclusive culture.

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Our culture

Creating and reinforcing a culture of strong leadership, diversity and inclusion, robust business ethics and respect for the environment and society, underpins our ability to deliver our purpose and strategy. It is essential to our long-term success that we have an excellent reputation and are a trusted company.

Commitment starts at the top, with our Board focused on promoting a healthy and responsible culture across the business, and our CEO and senior executives accountable for embedding and reinforcing our unique culture. The Board receives regular updates on employee matters and culture from the Chief Human Resources Officer, whilst our CEO ensures our culture is aligned with our Company purpose.

Our growth behaviours and values

During 2018 as part of our strategic initiatives programme, we enhanced our culture by reviewing and updating our corporate behaviours. Our growth behaviours encourage our corporate employees to livebe decisive, work at pace, be collaborative, develop talent and focus on performance.

These behaviours are being brought to life through virtual learning summits, which are a chance for our Winning Ways, see boxpeople to hear from IHG leaders, peers and external thought leaders. It also brings opportunities to exchange views and ideas with others, to explore and apply tools and to enhance their understanding.

Our growth behaviours are aligned to our values, which provide a lasting strong sense of shared purpose and are critical to providing True Hospitality for everyone.

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Our Code of Conduct

The bedrock of our culture is our Code of Conduct, (Code), which sets out our commitment to operating honestly and with the highest ethical standards. The Code principles help us to act responsibly and set out the value we place on page 18.

As we prioritise recruiting, developing and building talent capability to lead growth, we are progressing key initiatives in these areas.

Attracting talent

This year, we have further embedded our employer brand identity with the ‘All of you at IHG’ campaign, which captures colleagues across our regions doing what they love best, to highlight our diverse roles, people and brands. In November, we were recognised for our achievements by Personnel Today, and presented with the award for employer branding.

Continuous learning

We are evolving our learning strategy through examining what technology we need to support the future of learning at IHG and improving our focus on priority content. In 2017, we will be launching an updated Learning Management system that will enable us to better reach colleagues with the right learning content at the right time. In 2016, we launched a new-look General Manager (GM) interactive-learning platform, providing all GMs with social learning and other online tools to connect them together and share their progress with one another. IHG’s frontline colleagues now have access to more than 50 courses globally via IHG Frontline. As a result, more than 100,000 colleagues worldwide are able to take charge of their development and complete consistent brand, service and operations training through a single channel.

Developing a strong performance culture

Our regions and functions are aligned to the internal performance measures that most effectively drive business performance across our organisation. This framework, together with our talent and leadership programmes for colleagues in our hotels and corporate offices, is designed to enhance our colleagues’ performance while allowing them to focus on what matters most. This comprises our ‘Winning Culture’.

How we measure our culture

Understanding how engaged our teams feel is a fundamental part of how we run our business, and we measure this through our Employee Engagement survey. In 2017, we will launch Colleague HeartBeat, which incorporates a new engagement survey, among other modules.

Diversity and inclusion

At IHG, we recognise we can drive innovation, sustainable growth and competitive advantage if we mirror the diverse markets in which we operate and strive to be as inclusive and diverse as our brands. IHG in The Americas was recently recognised in the list of The Best Places to Work for LGBT Equality – Corporate Equality Index Human Rights Campaign.

We are also making strong progress in attracting and retaining female leaders. The Hampton-Alexander review recently listed IHG in the top 20 of the FTSE 100 for female representation across Executive Committees and their direct reports.

As at 31 December 2016:

three of the nine Directors on the Board were female (33 per cent), however, following the appointment of Malina Ngai on 1 March 2017, four of the 10 Directors on the Board will be female (40 per cent);

34 out of the 128 senior managers employed by the Group (including directors of the subsidiaries) were female (27 per cent).

6,890 out of the 12,021 people employed by the Group and whose costs were borne by the Group or the System Fund were female (57 per cent)being trusted by our colleagues and guests, those who do business with us, and the communities we work in. The Code is an introduction to our key global policies, including anti-bribery, diversity and inclusion, environment, confidential reporting and human rights. It is reviewed annually by the Audit Committee and Board to ensure it reflects and responds to changes in the external environment, and supports our purpose and strategy. All colleagues working in IHG corporate offices, reservation centres and managed hotels must comply with the Code and the policies and procedures it refers to. The principles, spirit, and purpose of the Code are also relevant to our franchised hotels, which are independently operated.

In 2018 we launched our refreshed Code, updated oure-learning module and reminded colleagues where to go for further details. The module is for colleagues working in IHG corporate offices, reservation centres and managed hotels.

Human rights and modern slavery

Helping combat human rights abuses, including modern slavery, is an important part of our commitment to responsible business. We have procurement targets to increase ethical supplier awareness, and policies and procedures applicable to employees, suppliers, and managed hotels.

All our Board and Executive Committee, along with colleagues across the organisation, have affirmed their commitment to the Code of Conduct.

IHG Human Rights policy available in 40+ languages – all IHG hotels must adopt the policy (or an equivalent one).

 

LOGOPlease see page
Human Rightse-learning module available for corporate and hotel colleagues.

Commitment to the International Tourism Partnership’s Principles on Forced Labour.

Vendor Code of Conduct – minimum standards under which IHG suppliers are expected to operate, including human rights and modern slavery.

In 2018 we undertook a human rights impact assessment across IHG’s operations, covering our supply chains, hotels and corporate offices. The findings, presented to senior leaders in early 2019, will help us develop our human rights programme, which includes a focus on human trafficking, labour risks, forced labour and modern slavery.

Bribery and financial crime

Bribery and financial crime, including improper payments, money laundering and tax evasion, are not permitted at IHG under any circumstances. This also applies to any agents, consultants and other service providers who do work on IHG’s behalf.

Our Anti-Bribery policy sets out IHG’s zero tolerance approach and is applicable to all IHG employees, Directors and our managed hotels. It is accompanied by a mandatory anti-briberye-learning module. Our Gifts and Entertainment Policy supports our approach to anti-bribery and corruption. It sets out reporting and approval thresholds for gifts and entertainment given or received, and applies to all IHG employees, Directors and our managed hotels. The policy and guidance was updated in 2018.

As a member of the Business Integrity Forum, IHG participated in Transparency International UK’s Corporate Anti-Corruption Benchmark in 2018. IHG is using the results from this exercise to identify areas for improvement in its anti-bribery and corruption programme.

We carry out risk-based due diligence checks on new third parties with whom we enter into hotel agreements. A committee of senior management reviews any material issues identified.

Information security and data protection

It is everyone’s responsibility at IHG to safeguard information, to follow legal requirements and comply with IHG’s information security and personal data policies, standards and procedures. In 2018 we updated training for colleagues on handling information responsibly. We continue to enhance our privacy programme to address evolving privacy requirements and best practice including the EU General Data Protection Regulation. The Board and Audit Committee regularly reviews information security risk and controls, including our approach to incidents. (see pages 27, 61, for more information on Board diversity66, 157 and succession planning.

185).

 

 

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22IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2018


 

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Our people

Highlights

400,000+

Colleagues worldwide

12,812

Number of employees whose costs were borne by the Group or the System Fund. As we franchise 82% of our hotels globally, we do not employ the vast majority of people working in IHG branded hotels.

We are a business on the move, with a new organisational structure, new behaviours and a sharper focus on accelerating our growth – we can only succeed by working as one team. Our people are key to delivering our purpose of True Hospitality and our strategic initiatives and ambition to accelerate our growth. We look to employ talented people, develop and train them, and provide a diverse and inclusive culture in which they can thrive. The Board has overarching responsibility for the Company’s direct employee policies and activities, whilst senior management haveday-to-day responsibility for people issues. Both the CEO and Chief Human Resources Officer have ‘people’ goals, and whilst the CEO chairs a Diversity and Inclusion Board, the Chief Human Resources Officer updates the Board on workforce matters and culture. Our progress against our ‘people’ 2018-2020 Responsible Business Target is monitored by the Corporate Responsibility Committee. More information, along with details of our other targets, is available on our website; please find a link at the bottom of page 24. We are currently assessing the most appropriate long-term approach to enhance Board engagement with the workforce; please see page 69 for more details.

Engagement, diversity and inclusion

IHG is a global business with a global outlook. Working in hotels and offices in more than 100 countries, our colleagues represent multiple nationalities, as well as many cultures, religions, races, sexualities, backgrounds and beliefs. It makes for a diverse, innovative and inclusive culture which we are proud of, and it’s why our purpose to provide True Hospitality is for everyone. Our employee engagement is measured through abi-annual survey,

(Colleague HeartBeat); Corporate, managed hotel and customer reservations office employees take part. Available in 30+ languages, this year our overall engagement score was 86%.

In 2018 we launched our Diversity and Inclusion Board, led by the CEO and senior leaders across IHG. As part of our 2018-2020 Responsible Business targets we have committed to increasing the level of diversity among IHG’s senior leadership in terms of gender and nationality or ethnicity. We also have committed to increasing the number of females working in General Manager and operations roles within managed hotels.

Listed by the Hampton Alexander Review in the top 10 of FTSE 100 companies for female representation.

100% rating in the Human Rights Campaign’s Corporate Equality Index – making IHG a best place to work for LGBTQ equality in the US for the last four years.

Aon Hewitt Global Best Employer for two years running.

Top Employer in the UK by the Top Employers Institute for the fourth year running, for providing an exceptional environment for employees to develop.

Attracting, building and retaining talent is dependent on a diverse and inclusive culture. We are committed to rolling out programmes to areas of the business where they are needed the most. For example Rise, IHG’s mentoring initiative that supports female General Managers, will roll out in Europe, the Americas and Greater China in 2019. This scheme is already established in Australia, Japan, South East Asia and Korea.

To further strengthen our diverse and inclusive culture, we are focused on increasing our employees’ awareness of our Global Diversity and Inclusion policy through focused events and communications, colleague programmes, inclusive leadership and unconscious bias training and taking our existing employee resource groups global.

We are committed to a continual review of our practices and policies such as reducing bias at all levels in our hiring processes, and reviewing flexible working processes and policies. We have signed up to the Diversity in Hospitality, Travel and Leisure Charter, a10-point action plan that ensures diversity

and inclusion not only remain a priority but that we openly track progress towards our goals. And we support the UN LGBTI Standards for Business, which focuses on tackling discrimination against lesbian, gay, bi, trans and intersex people.

As at 31 December 2018

    Male  Female  Total 
Directors    7  4   11 
Executive Committee    7  2   9 
Executive Committee      
Direct Reports    38  26   64 
Senior Managers      
(including directors of subsidiaries)    71  23   94 
All employees      
(whose costs were borne by the Group or the System Fund)    5,467  7,345   12,812 

Attracting, rewarding and developing talent

We took steps in 2018 to evolve our talent and employee development practices. We launched our new approach to performance, and initiated frequent‘check-in conversations’, giving our people more opportunities to gather feedback on their performance, as well as discussing their development and career aspirations.

We are also establishing forums to help identify and retain top talent, and add rigour to our succession planning, ensuring we are developing a diverse pipeline of talent for the future. In 2018 we launched a new toolkit to help individuals navigate their careers. We are also investing in our leadership development programmes, including Leading Others and Career Insights, to ensure we are developing the next generation of leaders.

Case study

To support IHG’s fast expansion in Greater China, our Greater China team launched a new virtual development centre in 2018 that helps us assess and prepare c100 hotel leaders on a yearly basis, with the potential to increase that number three-fold in the future.

IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2018  |  Strategic Report  |  Our culture, key stakeholders and doing business responsibly23
Doing


Strategic Report

Our culture, key stakeholders and doing business responsibly Icontinued

IHG’s purpose and strategy go beyond a simple hotel stay and

shareholder returns; it also includes the impact we have on the

environment and the communities we work in.

We embrace our responsibility to focus on ensuring that the growth of our business contributes towards the objectives of the UN Sustainable Development Goals and we drive a positive contribution towards seven of the 17 goals, (see our website link at the bottom of the page). We recognise it is imperative that we continue to review our impact on the world and use a materiality matrix to align our responsible business priorities with IHG’s strategic approach and principal risks. Our Corporate Responsibility team lead our day-to-day activities, with the Corporate Responsibility Committee reviewing the Company’s approach and reporting to the Board. During 2018 we initiated a review of our approach to help identify a new set of targets to take us beyond 2020, building on our 2018-2020 targets.

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Community and our impact

on society

We aim to maximise the positive contribution we make by creating shared value in our communities. By working in partnerships, we look closely at issues such as skills shortages, infrastructure development, community resilience and disaster relief support, in areas where we operate.

We create real-life, career-building opportunities through the IHG® Academy. Our hotels and corporate offices partner with local education providers and community groups to train and educate local people.

Since 2016 we supported communities and charitable giving through the IHG® Foundation, an independent charity. In 2018, IHG switched its support to our newly created True Hospitality for Good programme. This new programme for communities and charitable giving, provides colleagues in our hotels and offices with a greater say in how we support important causes around the world. Our aim is to help change lives for the better through building skills and education in hospitality, and supporting communities when disasters strike.

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Environmental

sustainability

It is important to us that our corporate offices and hotels are mindful of the resources they use and opportunities to protect the environment, particularly in areas of water stress and environmental preservation. We continually work to understand our impact, taking into account our business model, as well as the markets in which we operate, to help us set targets and guidance for our partners, hotels and their owners. Our environmental policy is available in 40+ languages and sets out our approach.

Key to helping us reduce our environmental impact is our digital sustainability platform, the IHG Green Engage™ system. A global standard across the Group, it helps hotels manage and report their energy, carbon, water and waste use through more than 200 ‘Green Solutions’ and implementation plans, driving profitability for owners, whilst minimising environmental impact.

In 2018, we made good progress against our new environmental targets. Working with our hotels and owners to reduce our carbon footprint per occupied room globally, we achieved a 2.2% reduction. And building on our previous risk mapping exercise, we launched the first two of our water stewardship projects in London and Delhi, which aim to help us identify a best practice water stewardship strategy that can be implemented across our estate.

IHG is aware of the recommendations of the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) and of the need for companies to align efforts to cut greenhouse gas emissions with climate science (science based targets). We will be taking this into consideration as part of our wider strategy refresh.

As part of our broader efforts to reduce plastic waste, in 2018 IHG committed to removesingle-use plastic straws from our global estate by the end of 2019 – eliminating annually an average of 50 million straws from our hotels.

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Responsible

procurement

Supported by corporate responsibility and procurement functions, a Supply Chain Risk Council and oversight from the Chief Financial Officer, IHG seeks to work with partners and suppliers who share our commitment to responsible business. Our Vendor Code of Conduct, available in 40+ languages, sets out the requirements, principles and practices IHG has adopted to promote ethical conduct in the workplace, safe working conditions in the supply chain, treatment of persons with respect and dignity and environmentally responsible practices. They are the minimum standards by which IHG suppliers are expected to operate.

In 2018 we built a new responsible procurement function to drive our responsible business agenda across our supply chain. We also established a Strategic Supplier Management Office, who work with our strategic suppliers to maximise realised supplier value and minimise risk through effective supplier relationship management.

We previously commissioned external providers to undertake supply chain audit pilots in high-risk locations. In 2018 we partnered with the British Standards Institute (BSI) and participated in their Supplier Assurance Programme, the aim of which is to gain insight into risks associated with IHG’s supply chain.

New suppliers joining our procurement system are required to complete due diligence questions and adhere to the UN Global Compact Principles on human rights, labour, environment, and anti-corruption.

HGNon-financial information statement

Non-financial information described above and in the preceding pages, should be read together with the description of our business model on pages 14 to 17, risk descriptors and initiatives to mitigate them on pages 26 to 30, KPIs on pages 31 to 35, and Board and Committee Reports on pages 60 to 69.

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Copies of our policies, including diversity and inclusion, reports, responsible business targets,

statements, commitment to the UN Sustainable Development Goals and further information

are available on our websitewww.ihgplc.com/responsible-business

24IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2018


Stakeholders

The long-term sustainable success of IHG is determined by our ability to identify and foster relationships with our key stakeholders, not only at Board level but throughout the organisation. The following information should be read in conjunction with the description of Board activities on pages 60 to 62 and stakeholder information in our Responsible Business Report, and Form 20-F 2016            19


Risk managementavailable on our website www.ihgplc.com/responsible-business

 

 

Shareholders and investors

Our commitment to good governance means taking our shareholder and investor concerns about the environment, employee relations, executive remuneration, long-term financial performance and corporate governance seriously. We engage with shareholders and investors through a variety of mechanisms including the AGM, meetings with the Chair and Committee Chairs, Investor Relations, investor presentations and regular correspondence. We welcome their feedback and over the course of 2018 have engaged across a broad range of topics including remuneration, the environment and data privacy.

Employees

Employing and retaining talented people ensures that we can deliver against our purpose and strategy. We engage in a number of ways with our direct employees including conferences, colleague surveys, ‘Town Halls’, skip level feedback, newsletters and blogs. We are aware of the issues that concern them such as wellbeing, diversity and inclusion, training and development. During 2018 we prioritised our diverse and inclusive culture, launched a well-being programme for our leaders, announced a new Colleague Share Plan for our employees and reviewed our UK gender pay gap. In addition we held a series of engagements with employees on our new organisation design andre-designed processes and ways of working. Employee matters were a regular Board and Executive Committee agenda item.

Hotel owners

Through the IHG Owners Association, which represents the interests of more than 3,400 hotel owners and operators worldwide, we share and implement our purpose and culture. It’s important for the Company’s reputation and long-term success to have a strong relationship with our hotel owners and we ensure this through regular meetings, surveys and regional conferences. Of particular note in 2018, together we launched the Renovation Donation Initiative in the US, a programme to donate old hotel fixtures and fittings to charity. For more information on the IHG Owners Association seewww.owners.org

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Guests and corporate clients

We engage with hotel guests and corporate clients through our corporate and brand websites, IHG Rewards Club, surveys, guest relations and our social media channels. We know they value our green credentials, such as our policies on water stewardship, but also look for consistent brand service and reward for their loyalty. Over half of our corporate clients ask questions about our environmental and social governance approach before they book with us. Our shared commitment means we continually review our approach to responsible business.

Society including suppliers

We work with a broad range of NGOs, community organisations and suppliers who share our commitment to doing business responsibly and who we work with and respond to. We engage with them to ensure that we take care of the environment, support local communities, have strong payment practices, clear vendor guidelines and robust business ethics. We do this through the IHG® Academy, charitable work and procurement practices. In September 2018 we had a ‘Giving for Good month’, where 130,000 colleagues participated in fund-raising activities for 11 charity partners.

IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2018  |  Strategic Report  |  Our culture, key stakeholders and doing business responsibly25


Strategic Report

Risk management

We continue to assess our risk management system, ensuring it

remains appropriate to support our growth ambitions and decision

making in line with our appetite and tolerance for risk.

Strategy and risk

Our strategy, business model and the way we do business present a number of risks and opportunities. There are risks we are willing to take, and areas where we have less tolerance for uncertainty. The Board is ultimately accountable for the effectiveness of our risk management and internal control systems, and is supported by the Audit Committee, Executive Committee and delegated committees, who oversee our risk management system to ensure that risks and opportunities are appropriately identified and managed to an acceptable level in relation to IHG’s appetite and tolerance for risk.

Risk appetite

IHG’s risk appetite is visible through the nature and extent of risk taken by the Board in pursuit of strategic and other business objectives. This risk appetite is cascaded through the goals we set, our Code of Conduct, decisions we make and how we allocate resources and it evolves with the strategy of the organisation. Examples of how we articulate our risk appetite are included in note 22 to the Group Financial Statements, see page 144.

IHG’s appetite and tolerance for risk is further articulated and implemented through our governance committees, structures, policies and targets we select, as well as in development guidelines for new hotels. In 2018 the Board and Board Committees again reviewed many of these aspects directly through their meetings and discussions of principal risks, and through their close oversight of IHG’s organisational changes and the portfolio of growth initiatives.

 

We deliver on our commitment to responsible business practices through our robust and effective
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This section should be read together with the rest of the Strategic

Report, the Governance Report on pages 52 to 71 going concern on page 181, and Risk Factors on pages 182 to 186.

Our risk management system which continues to evolve in step with our business, and results in sustainable, long-term growth.

Our Winning Model strategy and risk

Our strategy and business model create a number of risks and opportunities for the business. The Board is ultimately accountable for the effectiveness of our risk management and internal control systems, and is supported by the Audit Committee, Executive Committee and delegated committees, who oversee our risk management system to ensure that risks are appropriately identified and managed within IHG’s risk appetite.

Risk appetite

IHG’s risk appetite reflects the nature and extent of risk that the Board is willing to take in pursuit of strategic and other business objectives. The risk appetite is then cascaded through the goals we set, the strategy we choose, decisions we make and how we allocate resources. IHG’s risk appetite is further reflected in our governance committees, structures, policies and targets we select, as well as in development guidelines for new hotels. In 2016, the Audit Committee also considered IHG’s approach to risk appetite more generally and in relation to the principal risk areas.

LOGOFor more information, see page 57.

OUR RISK MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

Our risk management system is fully integrated with the way we run the business through our culture, ourprocesses, controls and our reporting, and is reflected in our strategy. The Global Risk Managementand Assurance function is responsible for the support, enhancement and monitoring of the effectiveness of this system and includes the following key areas.focuses on culture, process, control, monitoring and reporting.

 

LOGOLOGO

 

LOGOMore information

IHG’s principal risks, uncertainties and review process

Our risk profile remains dynamic – we continue to face inherent uncertainties linked to a challenging external environment. Our efficiency programme to realise savings for reinvestment, organisational changes and focus on strategic initiatives have also required us to evaluate and evolve our risk management system is available at www.ihgplc.com/responsible-business under Our cultureto maintain an appropriate level of responsible business incontrol within our levels of risk tolerance.

Throughout 2018 the Risk management section.

IHG’s principal risks, uncertainties and review process

The external risk environment remains dynamic. However, the Group’s asset-light business model, diverse brand portfolio and wide geographical spread contribute to IHG’s resilience to events that could affect specific segmental or geographical areas. Our Risk Working Group, chaired by the General Counsel and Company Secretary and comprised of the heads of Global Risk Management, Global Strategy and Global Internal Audit, provides input on, and oversight of, the principal risk review process, which identifies and assesses risks for ongoing monitoring and review by senior management.

The Directors have carried out an assessment of the principal risks facing the Group, including those that would threaten its business model, future performance, solvency or liquidity. These risks are reviewed formally by the Directors on a biannual basis and are considered in more detail through the activities of the Board and Committees. The approach to principal risks was further strengthened in 2016 through an increased consideration of risks within the strategic-planning processes and the engagement of all Executive Committee members in the discussion of principal risks throughout the year. We have a standing risk working group who provide guidance and oversight with regard to the principal risks and risk management system.

LOGOSee pages 54 and 57 for detailsAssurance team hasco-ordinated assessments of the assessmentprincipal risks facing the Group, including those which would threaten its business model, future performance, solvency or liquidity and reputation. These risks are formally reviewed with the Group’s Directors on abi-annual basis and considered in more detail through the activities of the Board and Committees. The review of our principal risks this year again focused both on the internal and external risk environmnent. We have included factors relating to third parties across many of our risks, reflecting the increasing importance of our relationships with partners to our growth ambitions. We have also considered within our approach to financial planning, a separate risk responding to an increasingly volatile macro-economic environment (for example trade wars, environmental and climate-related matters) which creates inherent uncertainties to our performance and prospects.

The focus on executing our strategy at a faster pace emphasises the importance of the steps we take to consider risk explicitly as part of decision making. During 2018 this has been supported by the Boardcontinued development of IHG’s risk culture and governance processes, including review of the Audit Committee.

delegation of authority, and

communication of revised leadership behaviours and performance management processes, which continue to reflect the principles of our Code of Conduct. The implementation of organisation and process changes creates inherent risks of disruption to control routines and accountabilities, and these have been actively considered by management teams.

Frequent senior leadership discussions throughout the year, and our more structured strategic programme management and financial planning processes, have also included regular ‘pulse checks’ of emerging risks requiring management attention. These are considered both in the context of individual initiatives, and at an aggregated level, as part of resilience planning. The Risk and Assurance team provides support and intelligence on emerging threats and will continue to provide advice to management on procedures for risk identification and mitigation and control.

Our principal risks remain unchanged, however, reflecting the dynamic environment in which we operate, we continue to review and refine the approach we take to mitigating our risk – see the table on pages 21 and 22.

LOGOThese principal risks are supplemented byremain structurally similar to those reported in previous years. We continue to highlight uncertainties relating to our growth agenda and conclude that the potential impact of Brexit on IHG is not likely to have a broader descriptionmaterial impact on our overall strategy or operations although, as with other external factors, this is considered as part of routine operational risk factors set out on pages 164management and resilience planning. The impact of a potential movement in the value of sterling is articulated in note 22 of the Financial Statements, see page 145.

The Group’s asset-light business model, diverse brand portfolio and wide geographical spread however contribute to 167.

IHG’s resilience to events that could affect specific segmental or geographical areas.

 

26IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2018


    

20            IHG Annual Report and Form 20-F 2016        Strategic Report


 

    

    

    

 

Risk trend and speed of impact

We assess whether the risk area is stable or dynamic in its impact and/or likelihood (inherent risk trend), and the rate at which there could be a material impact on IHG if unmanaged or managed inappropriately. The trend and speed of impact are summarised in the diagram (on the right) with further detail on activities to manage each of these risks in the table below.

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RISK TRENDPrincipal risks descriptions

 

Inherent risk trend

Risk impact – Link to our strategic priorities

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Dynamic/RapidLOGOTargeted PortfolioLOGODisciplined ExecutionLOGODoing Business Responsibly

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Dynamic/GradualLOGOBuild and leverage scaleLOGOStrengthen loyalty programmeLOGOEnhance revenue delivery

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Stable/RapidLOGOEvolve owner propositionLOGOOptimise our preferred portfolio of brands for owners and guests

How the external environment for each principal

risk has changed over the past year:

Risk description

Trend

Impact

Initiatives to manage these risks

Inherent threats to cybersecurity and information governance continue to present risk to our operations. Customer and other forms of sensitive data remain valuable to various threat ‘actors’ (including organised criminals and nation states), and increasing societal, regulatory and media scrutiny of privacy arrangements mean that the potential impact of data loss to IHG financially, reputationally or operationally remains a dynamic risk factor.LOGOLOGO

  We continue to align efforts across multiple business teams to manage the risk within tolerance, and appointed a dedicated Chief Information Security Officer to facilitate this. We also monitor and update our information security policies and practices to respond to the risks we face, including those relating to evolving privacy requirements, and our third-party hosted infrastructure, systems and services. We have undertaken critical GDPR compliance activity, and have a roadmap for other activities in 2019, including policies, training and guidance. The nature of our operating model means that significant amount of IHG’s confidential information assets are also held by or shared with third-party suppliers and parties, and we review those risks as part of our broader supply chain risk management arrangements.

  We continue to evolve our monitoring capabilities in relation to our technology environment and our broader security culture, business process security and physical security. An external risk assessment was concluded in 2018, which focused on industry specific issues, our current capabilities and recent progress. Our information security programme is supported and reviewed by internal and external assurance activities, including our Internal Audit and SOX teams and PCI assessments. Regular management reporting uses a scorecard aligned with the NIST cyber security framework, and enables tracking of key risk indicators and planned initiatives. Our information security specialists have also been an integral part of our acquisition activities during 2018.

  We also recognise the need for an appropriate response to incidents, by developing our incident management capability and working closely with our insurers to review the adequacy of protection for our risks as our cybersecurity and technology environment evolves.

 

RISK IMPACT

How each principal risk links to our strategic priorities:

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Increased riskLOGONo change in riskLOGOWinning ModelLOGOTargeted Portfolio

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Disciplined Execution

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Responsible Business

 

Failure to deliverpreferredbrands and loyaltycould impact our competitive positioning, our growth ambitions and our reputation with guests and owners. Competitor and intermediation activity creates inherent risks and opportunities for the hospitality industry and is relevant to the longer-term value of IHG’s franchised/ managed proposition and our ability to deliver returns to current and potential owners of our various brands.LOGO

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  Our organisational changes in 2018 have brought focus to make IHG a stronger business partner and ensure we have appropriate business models deployed in each region to meet our owners’ needs.

 

Risk description

  This includes targeted market strategies for franchising (where scale is important) andglobally-led initiatives to increase the pace of openings/ramp up of hotel performance and tackle key pain points and systems across the hotel lifecycle and improve owner experience with IHG.

  The evolution of our marketing organisation, loyalty programme and enhancements to our brand portfolio described on page 20 is key to managing these risks and taking the opportunities for growth. Our marketing leadership has evolved during the year with increased capability in category, brand and customer insights; and the formation of a shared services organisation for guest experience.

  Trading and performance of properties and brands (signings) are reviewed as part of monthly business reviews. During 2018 this included a proactive focus on licence expirations which will continue into 2019.

 TrendImpactInitiatives to manage these risks
Failure to deliverpreferred brands and loyalty could impact our competitive positioning, our growth ambitions and our reputation with guests, owners and investors.LOGO

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  Each of the brands in our portfolio is designed, and continues to evolve, to meet specific guest needs and occasions, through distinct and complementary brand propositions informed by guest research and insights – see pages 10 and 11.

  We continue to innovate and evolve our hotel-room and public-space designs to ensure we deliver differentiated, relevant guest experiences. In 2016, we introduced several new design initiatives across our Holiday Inn and Holiday Inn Express brands – see pages 17, 31 and 34.

  We manage brand consistency through the entire hotel life cycle, supported by clear contractual terms, new hotel opening processes, brand standard requirements and compliance processes. Tools, training and guidance assist owners and those working at our hotels to deliver brand consistency.

  For further information on our brand-strengthening initiatives this year, see pages 16 and 17.

Failure to recruit and retain the right leadership and talent, and to give them the tools, guidance and support to be successful, could impact the delivery of our strategic ambition.LOGO

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  We have a comprehensive, global people strategy in place, which includes a talent leadership programme, both in hotels and at a corporate level.

  The talent development programme also reflects our culture and values. Our leadership framework, support tools, and training and development programmes help our people grow their careers – see page 19.

  Our HR strategy manages specific training programmes globally, catering to specific talent needs in local markets, such as in Greater China.

  We proactively manage succession planning at all levels and consider the diversity (more broadly than gender) of our people and leadership – see page 61.

Failure to maintain and enhance ourchannel management and technology platforms could impact on our ability to deliver revenue.LOGO

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  We recognise that technological advances, the growth of intermediaries and the sharing economy, and changing guest expectations mean that we must continually invest in, and improve, our technological systems to build lifetime relationships with our guests. Our focus is on encouraging guests to use direct booking channels. However, recognising that some travellers use intermediaries, we seek to secure improved terms with those intermediaries for our hotels.

  This year, we extended our Your Rate by IHG Rewards Club loyalty benefit (see page 16) to further markets, allowing more guests to get the best hotel rates by booking directly through IHG’s booking channels.

  We remain on track to roll out our new Guest Reservation System (see page 17) in 2017, providing easier booking interfaces for both guests and hotels, enhanced digital functionality and easier technology upgrades to better meet guest needs.

  We have a multi-award-winning mobile app, which has been downloaded over seven million times since launching. Consistent with our philosophy and focus, our app includes the most advanced loyalty functionality across the industry.

Failure to maintain strong relationships with owners, and to demonstrate attractive returns on investment, which we call ourowner proposition, could impact the retention and growth of IHG’s System and development pipeline.LOGO

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  Our franchise and managed owner offer includes tools, hotel solutions, revenue delivery systems, operational support and guidance to allow us to support our hotels and maintain relationships with owners throughout the hotel lifecycle.

  We carefully monitor net System size growth, and focus on contract renewals and renegotiations, to ensure that our owners receive the best value with IHG franchise and management agreements.

  Through the IHG Owners Association, we work with our owners to understand their key priorities and perspectives, for example, in respect of the use of the System Fund (described on page 43).

  In 2016, we reviewed and enhanced the hotel budget guidance process to provide owners with better information.

Failure to operate an appropriate risk management system which safeguards thesafety and security of our guests and employees could impact our reputation.LOGO

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  We manage this risk by promoting a strong safety culture through our values and attitudes, our ‘Winning Ways’ (see pages 18 and 19) and a strong governance system.

  In 2016, we enhanced oversight through the development of a Safe Hotel Advisory Group comprising risk and standards measurement.

  We continuously monitor and refresh our brand safety standards where necessary, and work with our hotels to ensure that brand safety standards are met throughout the hotel lifecycle across our entire portfolio.

  Our operational safety and security teams have extensive subject matter expertise and experience, and provide support to line management to equip them to plan for, and respond to, incidents across all of our regions.

 

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IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2018  |  Strategic Report  |  Risk management27


Strategic Report

 

Risk management IHG Annual Report and Form 20-F 2016            21


RISK MANAGEMENT CONTINUEDcontinued

    

    

Risk description

Trend

Impact

Initiatives to manage these risks

Leadership and talentrisk is inherent to all businesses and failure to effectively attract, develop and retain talent in key areas could impact our ability to achieve growth ambitions and execute effectively. Risks relating to our people underpin many of our objectives. Capacity, capability, motivation, clarity of role, accountability for leadership, and behaviour are all significant aspects of this risk.

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  Our approach to managing our people is outlined in detail on pages 22 to 25 and our annual business planning process includes a review of workforce risks. IHG has the ability to manage the risk directly in relation to IHG staff but relies on owners and third-party suppliers to manage the risk in related activities.

 

  We consider workforce risks when designing business initiatives and we prioritise delivery accordingly. Our Human Resources leaders partner directly with other leadership teams across IHG, and have supported and advised directly on our organisational changes during 2018 within transformation management meetings. Our Supply Chain Risk Council also considers more indirect workforce risks relating to our third-party relationships.

  Performance management systems have been enhanced and a talent acquisition programme focuses our attraction strategy, recruiting, and employer brand management.

  Several policies in our Code of Conduct (for example our Human Rights Policy) relate to the management of our people, describing our intolerance for inappropriate behaviours and appropriate adherence to those helps manage our risk.

Whilst the hotel sector is not subject to stringent industry specific regulations, the global business regulatory and contractual environment (for example relating to data privacy, human rights including modern slavery, labour laws and financial crime) and societal expectations are continuously evolving and failure to ensurelegal, regulatory and ethicalcompliancewould impact IHG operationally and reputationally. Regulators are also moving to impose significant fines fornon-compliance.LOGOLOGO

  Our dedicated ethics and compliance specialists define and oversee IHG’s global policy framework and Code of Conduct, (see page 22),and manage the compliance programmes for anti-bribery, antitrust/competition law and sanctions. During 2018, there has been focus to respond to the changing regulatory requirements around privacy and data (including GDPR, China cybersecurity and California privacy laws), and continuing compliance and contractual responsibilities. We also continue to assess our broader role in relation to, for example human rights and modern slavery.

  The Ethics and Compliance team provides training to teams across IHG and is informed of incidents that may involve a potential breach of regulations to enable advice to be provided, including on any reporting or notification requirements. The Code of Conduct is increasingly requested from various stakeholders seeking transparency and understanding of our approach. It forms a key focal point for our risk management activity.

  The Board receives regular reports on matters directly related to our responsible business agenda, and there are also different functions, (from corporate responsibility to procurement), focused on supporting the business in relation to these matters. Our Confidential Disclosure Channel allows confidential reporting of ethical, social and environmental performance issues (including those with regulatory implications).

Failure to capitalise on innovation in booking technology and to maintain and enhance the functionality and resilience of ourchannelmanagement and technologyplatforms(including those of third-parties on which we rely directly or indirectly), and to respond to changing guest and owner needs remains a dynamic risk and opportunity to IHG’s revenues and growth ambitions. This is particularly important with the emergence of both evolutionary and disruptive technologies and innovative uses of data to generate value.LOGOLOGO

  Several changes to our organisational structure were implemented in 2018 to support our ability to meet the evolving (and accelerating) technological needs of owners and guests. This includes the integration of a single commercial and technology organisation incorporating our sales, channels, revenue management and technology capabilities, allowing us to maximise revenue delivery and bring new products and services to market faster. Our new global marketing organisation will work closely with commercial and technology in relation to ourin-hotel guest experiences.

  We have also implemented the IHG Concerto platform during 2018 (see case study on page 21) and continue to seek opportunities to align systems to improve consistency and manage inherent delivery risks between IHG and our owners. Our Guest Reservation System (GRS) is hosted by a third-party vendor, Amadeus, in the cloud and supported by infrastructure which serves to decrease the likelihood of downtime. Availability of GRS and other key systems continues to be monitored on a 24/7 basis by the Network Operations Centre. Metrics are reported to Commercial and Technology leadership on a frequent basis.

  Effective and appropriate leveraging of data which we have a right to use is a key aspect of the interface between our marketing and our commercial and technology activity. We take account of regulatory and ethical factors as part of the decision making processes in relation to marketing and technological initiatives. We also rely on appropriate governance arrangements to mitigate risks that the validity of data that we use is undermined by cyber-attacks or operational failures. This risk is also impacted by strategic and operational factors relating to the location and structure of our assets – including use of third-parties and cloud computing arrangements. Several policies which form part of our Code of Conduct relate to this area of risk and adherence is monitored appropriately.

  We have an established approach to System Development Lifecycle and specific risks to delivery of the Global Reservations System have been managed throughout the programme of implementation (including those relating to technical delivery, business process testing and operation readiness testing).

Risk descriptionTrendImpactStrategic Initiatives to manage these risks

28IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2018
The threat faced from the risk ofcybersecurity and information governance is constantly evolving and, in 2016, has impacted a large number of organisations across multiple industries, including a number of cyber attacks on the hospitality industry. This threat could impact our operations, result in fines and legal actions, and undermine stakeholder trust in our business. In 2016, our Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants business in The Americas was subject to a cyber attack, and an investigation into another such attack at hotels in The Americas region is ongoing (see note 30 on page 141).LOGO

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Risk description

 

Trend

Impact

Initiatives to manage these risks

IHG’s ongoing agenda to accelerate growthand strategic initiatives give rise to inherent risks, for example as we transition systems, operating models and processes. The changes which have been made to IHG’s extended enterprise raises inherent risk levels from third parties – for example before, during and after structural sourcing changes. These risks can include short-term disruption, reputational damage and longer-term breakdown of a commercial relationship.LOGOLOGO

  Our focus on accelerating growth has included structured review (by senior management and the Board), of risks relating to offshoring and outsourcing. We have formed a strategic sourcing and management office to establish policies, support and advise on management processes, and oversee governance arrangements for IHG’s most important suppliers.

  A new Supply Chain Risk Council also reviews risks and control arrangements for IHG’s direct supply base across both corporate functions and hotel operations, for example where IHG has agreements in place and/or interacts directly with suppliers, including outsourced providers. Our legal teams review contracts and provide advice on litigation, where required, and our insurance programme also provides a degree of protection in the event of supplier failure.

Inability to realise value from ourprogramme and projectdelivery(including reinvestment initiatives and culture and process changes) may result in failure to improve commercial performance, financial loss and undermining of stakeholder confidence. Following the organisational adjustments during 2018, there is an inherent risk that changes we have made could be unsustainable or that we are unable to achieve the return envisaged through reinvestment of the savings into growth initiatives.LOGOLOGO

  Aspects of the risk relating to change have been managed explicitly by a dedicated programme management team during 2018 and we have implemented a framework for addressing risks within, and as a result of, change initiatives across IHG.

  Oversight teams, including our finance experts, have evolved governance and control frameworks to support key transformation programmes, for example in our commercial and technology operations. We also regularly review delegated approval authorities and processes to enable decisions on investments to be made quickly and efficiently with consideration of the risks involved.

Macro external factors

such as political, economic, environmental and societal could have a mass impact on our ability to perform and grow.

LOGOLOGO

  While these factors are mostly outside our direct control, we track uncertainties which may impact the hospitality industry and which need to be considered in our strategic and financial planning. These types of risks are addressed in strategy setting (including the review of our corporate responsibility approach, see page 68). They are also addressed in the annual business planning process and in regional risk management activities and reporting. We are increasingly using formal and informal scenario planning to anticipate the potential impact of these risks. The Board receives regular updates on these types of factors so that possible implications for IHG can be considered.

  Ourin-house threat intelligence capability, supplemented by third-party expertise and methodology, supports growth, hotel operations and customer facing sales teams with planning and response to macro factors, for example concerns relating to terrorism or extreme weather events. Additionally, specific elements of our risk management framework relate to these areas, such as codes of conduct in relation to trade restrictions and the environment.

IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2018  |  Strategic Report  |  Risk management29


Strategic Report  We have applied a risk-based methodology to considering the value of our information assets, including Payment Card Information (PCI), other Personally Identifiable information (PII), non-public financial information and employee data, to formulate a set of policies, processes, guidance and accountabilities with regards to information security.

 

  We monitor the evolution of this risk through our Information Security team and our Threats and Intelligence team, using forward-looking indicators and intelligence to inform our approach to managing this risk.Risk management continued

    

Risk description

Trend

Impact

Initiatives to manage these risks

Failure to maintain an effectivesafety and securitysystem and to respond appropriately in the event of disruption or incidents affecting our operations more broadly could result in an adverse impact to IHG, such as reputational and/ or financial damage and undermining stakeholder confidence. This risk relates both to our direct operations but also in relation to outsourced activities and others with whom we collaborate and trade.LOGOLOGO

  The environment in which IHG develops and operates hotels continues to evolve and impacts the safety and security risks faced by IHG. Although these risks are assessed as stable overall, our established management approach is subject to continuous review and improvement to minimise the risk of an incident relating to IHG’s management damaging the Group’s reputation.

  Our design and engineering, hotel opening and operations teams work together with our risk management experts to evaluate standards and develop capability to respond to an incident via training, advanced intelligence tracking and standard operating procedures, and also deploy crisis management procedures where required for less predictable events.

A material breakdown infinancial management andcontrol systemswould lead to increased public scrutiny, regulatory investigation and litigation. This risk includes our ongoing (and stable) operational risks relating to our financial management and control systems, and also the continuing expectations of IHG’s management decision making and financial judgements, in response to evolving accounting standards and our own business model and transactions.LOGOLOGO

  We continue to operate an established set of processes across our financial control systems, which is verified through testing relating to our Sarbanes-Oxley compliance responsibilities. See pages 50 and 125 to 129 for details of our approach to taxation, page 66 for details of our approach to internal financial control, and pages 144 to 146 for specific details on financial risk management policies. These processes and our financial planning continue to evolve to reflect the changes in our management structure and business targets.

  During 2018 we have established a centre of excellence for financial planning and accounting to drive improved reporting, accelerated decision making, process standardisation, automation and talent alignment. Our Group insurance programmes are also maintained to support financial stability.

Viability statement  We are implementing a number of initiatives to address specific elements of this risk. These include the role out of a Secure Payment System, tokenisation of key systems, the development of a revised information-management policy and increased focus on information shared with our suppliers and business partners.

 

The approachGroup’s annual planning process builds a robust three-year plan. The detailed three-year plan takes into consideration the principal risks, the Group’s strategy, and current market conditions. That plan then forms the basis for strategic actions taken across the business. The plan is reviewed annually by the Directors, and approved towards the end of the calendar year. Once approved, the plan is then cascaded to the riskbusiness and used to set performance metrics and objectives. Performance against those metrics and objectives is overseenthen regularly reviewed by an Information Security Committee, who ledthe Directors. The key assumptions included in the three-year plan relate to RevPAR, System size and sponsored a full review of all relevant policiesno change to our stated dividend policy. There are no significant debt maturities in 2016.

  Wethe period under consideration and therefore no assumptions have a clearly defined incident management capability, which we are continuously developing and embedding across the organisation. We have deployed our incident response plan to develop and implement investigation, containment and mitigation stepsbeen included in relation to both the Kimpton Security Incident and the Americas Security Incident (see note 30 on page 141).

Failure to effectively manage ourprogramme and project delivery could impact the value realised from our investments.LOGO

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  Our programme management capability is overseen by our Strategic Portfolio Governance Group and implemented by our Strategic Portfolio Management team.

  The Strategic Portfolio Management team ensure strategic alignment and prioritisation of key programmes, develop organisational capability through training and implement the Group’s project delivery approaches and tools. This team is supported by regional and functional project management teams, who manage and monitor specific programmes and projects.

  In 2016, we continue to streamline our priorities to ensure we focus on those core programmes that have a significant impact on our business, including Crowne Plaza Accelerate (see page 30) and our new Guest Reservation System (see page 17).

While the hotel sector is not subject to stringent industry-specific regulations, failure to ensure legal,regulatory and ethical compliance could impact our reputation.LOGO

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  Our regulatory compliance programme works to identify and respond to relevant regulatory requirements. These include anti-bribery and corruption, data privacy and antitrust.

  We ensure that our corporate employees conduct annual Code of Conduct training that highlights, on a rolling basis, key areas such as anti-bribery and competition law, to ensure that we consistently adhere to the highest legal and ethical standards. Our hotels across the globe also provide training to their employees to ensure they are aware of their obligations.

Increased public scrutiny, litigation and regulatory investigation highlight the need for companies to ensure that their financial management and control systems are robust.LOGO

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  The maintenance of a sound financial-reporting and control environment is achieved through an effective policy framework, training programmes, and layered performance and review processes.

  IHG has a mature, experienced and stable global finance function that includes, among others, the following teams: Group Tax; Group Treasury; Procurement and Cost Efficiency; Global BSC Operations; Global and Regional Financial Planning and Analysis; Global Financial Reporting; and Governance and Compliance (including compliance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act 2002 (SOX) – see page 57 for further details of our SOX review process).

VIABILITY STATEMENT

refinancing.

In assessing the viability of the Group, the Directors have reviewed a number of scenarios, weighting downside risks that would threaten the business model, future performance, solvency and liquidity of the Group more heavily than opportunities. The scenario-testingscenario testing focuses mostly, but not exclusively, on the impact of declining RevPAR on the viability of the Group, as most of the principal risks outlined on pages 21 and 2226 to 30 will cause a deterioration in RevPAR.

The scenarios included a severe but plausible downturn like the financial crisis that occurred from 2008 to 2009 (when the Board maintained the ordinary dividend despite the severity of the downturn in trading), a widespread cyber securitycybersecurity breach and a reverse stress test of the business starting from the presumption

of the Group having insufficient liquidity to continue trading. In the severe scenarios, the

Directors also considered actions that would be taken if such events became a reality.

These actions included a reduction in capital expenditure, salary freezes and suspension of bonus plans and the ordinary dividend. The results confirmed that the Group would be able to withstand the impact of each scenario.

The Directors have determined that the three-year period to 31 December 20192021 is an appropriate period to be covered by the viability statement. Although hospitality industry business cycles are on average longer than three years, the end of those cycles has only resulted in declining RevPAR when that has been caused by exogenous shocks, and the decline in RevPAR has only lasted two years. The Board has therefore determined that no additional insight can be gained from assessing these scenarios over a longer period, particularly as each year the Group’s planning process builds into a robust three-year plan against which to test the scenarios.

The detailed three-year plan takes into consideration the principal risks, the Group’s strategy, and current market conditions.

That plan then forms the basis for strategic actions taken across the business. The plan is reviewed annually by the Directors, and approved towards the end of the calendar year. Once approved, the plan is then cascaded to the business and used to set performance metrics and objectives. Performance against those metrics and objectives is then regularly reviewed by the Directors.

period.

The Directors have assessed the viability of the Group over a three-year period to 31 December 2019,2021, taking account of the Group’s current position, the Group’s strategy and the principal risks documented in the Strategic Report. Based on this assessment, the Directors have a reasonable expectation that the Group will be able to continue in operation and meet its liabilities as they fall due over the period to 31 December 2019.2021.

30IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2018


Key performance indicators (KPIs)

Our KPIs are carefully selected to allow us to monitor the performance of

indicators that are critical to delivering our strategy and long-term success.

Our KPIs are organised around our Strategic Model and targeted portfolio, which is underpinned by disciplined execution and doing business responsibly, (see page 18). They are reviewed annually by senior management to ensure continued alignment to our strategy and Responsible Business targets, and are included in internal reporting and regularly monitored. Measures included are those considered most relevant in assessing the performance of the business, and relate to our growth agenda and commitment to our major stakeholders including owners, guests, colleagues, shareholders and the communities in which we work. During 2018 our doing business responsibly KPIs were reviewed and changed to reflect the new Responsible Business 2018-2020 targets. The updated KPIs track IHG’s progress in creating career building opportunities, managing our environmental impact, and our success in maintaining a motivated workforce. KPIs should be read in conjunction with the other sections of the Strategic Report, and where applicable, references to specific relevant topics are noted against each KPI.

A guide to this KPI section

Link between KPIs and Director remuneration

As we continued our focus on delivering high-quality growth as in prior years, Directors’ Remuneration for 2018 was directly related to key aspects of our Strategic Model and targeted portfolio. The following indicates which KPIs have impacted Directors’ Remuneration:

LOGOThe Annual Performance Plan

70% was linked to EBIT

30% was linked to strategic measures, of which:

15% was linked to improvements in net System size growth

15% was linked to the delivery of our comprehensive efficiency programme

LOGOThe Long Term Incentive Plan

50% was linked to Total Shareholder Return

25% was linked to rooms growth

25% was linked to RevPAR growth

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For more information on Directors’

Remuneration see pages 72 to 85

Link to our Strategic Model

Our Strategic Model is at the heart of our success. The five strategic initiatives are represented as follows:

LOGO

1  Build and leverage scale

2  Strengthen loyalty programme

3  Enhance revenue delivery

4

Evolve owner proposition

5

Optimise our preferred portfolio of brands

for owners and guests

Link to Doing Business Responsibly

We consult with our stakeholders to determine the issues that are most relevant to them and IHG. Based on this feedback there are four priority areas, which are indicated by the following icons:

LOGO

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Our

people

Environmental

sustainability

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Community and

society impact

Responsible

procurement

KPIs

2018 status and 2019 priorities

Strategic Model and targeted portfolio

 

Net rooms supply

Net total number of rooms in the IHG System.

 

22            IHG Annual Report and Form 20-F 2016        Strategic Report


Key performance indicators (KPIs)

Increasing our rooms supply provides significant advantages of scale, including increasing the value of our loyalty programme. This measure is a key indicator of achievement of our growth agenda, (see page 19).

 

We measure our performance through a set of carefully selected KPIs, which monitor our success in achieving our strategy and the progress of our Group to deliver high-quality growth.

The KPIs are organised around the framework of our strategy – our Winning Model and Targeted Portfolio – underpinned by Disciplined Execution and doing business responsibly.

Signings

Gross total number of rooms added to the IHG pipeline.

Continued signings secures the future growth of our System and continued efficiencies of scale. Signings indicate our ability to deliver sustained growth (see page 19).

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2018 status

Accelerated net System size growth to 4.8%, and achieved our highest number of signings in 10 years driven by:

  Further growth of our mainstream brands with Holiday Inn and Holiday Inn Express representing nearly half of all signings.

  Expansion of our portfolio of brands:

  Mainstream – opened the first avid hotel, made 129 signings in 2018 and signed a partnership agreement to bring avid to Germany.

  Upscale – launched voco hotels with two openings in 2018.

  Luxury – acquired a majority stake in Regent Hotels & Resorts.

  Bringing our existing brands to new markets:

  Continued global expansion of Kimpton with 18 deals signed.

  Opened 13 InterContinental hotels, our highest number in 10 years.

2019 priorities

  Continue progression towards industry-leading net System size growth.

  Further scale avid hotels including more openings (see page 40).

  Scale our new upscale brand, voco hotels (see page 43).

  Build greater international scale for Kimpton.

  Launch new upper midscale USall-suites brand, and scale Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spas.

 

a

Including the acquisition of Regent Hotels & Resorts (2,006 rooms) in 2018.

 

b

Including the acquisition of Kimpton (11,325 rooms) in 2015.

KPIs

 

2016 status
IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2018  |  Strategic Report  |  Key performance indicators31

2017 specific priorities

WINNING MODEL AND TARGETED PORTFOLIO


Net rooms supplyStrategic Report

Net total number of rooms in the IHG System.

 

LOGO

Growth in underlying fee revenuesb

Group revenue excluding revenue from owned and leased hotels, managed leases and significant liquidated damages.

LOGOKey performance indicators (KPIs) continued

    

    

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87%

KPIs

of open rooms are in priority markets

89%

of pipeline rooms are in priority markets

75,812

rooms signings

 Continue to accelerate growth in our 10 priority markets (such as Germany – see page 30) and key city locations in order to achieve further scale benefits.

 Support the expansion of Holiday Inn Express’ Franchise Plus programme in Greater China (see page 30 for details) and the development of Kimpton outside the US.

 Continue to drive strong rooms supply growth, whilst ensuring that we maintain a high level of guest satisfaction across our entire portfolio of hotels with removals from the System.

 

2018 status and 2019 priorities

Strategic Model and targeted portfolio continued

Growth in underlying fee revenuesa, b

Group revenue excluding revenue from owned, leased and managed lease hotels, significant liquidated damages and current year acquisitions.

Underlying fee revenue growth demonstrates the continued attractiveness to owners and guests of IHG’s franchised and managed business (see page 14).

LOGO

2018 status

  Expansion of Holiday Inn Express Franchise Plus model in Greater China with 146 hotels open or in the pipeline.

  Combined our Commercial and Technology functions allowing us to maximise revenue delivery and bring new products and services to market faster.

  Grew digital (web and mobile) revenue, by 13% to $5.3 billion.

  Launched two new US IHG Rewards Clubco-branded credit cards (see page 13 for details).

2019 priorities

  Leverage the expansion of our franchise offer for Holiday Inn and Crowne Plaza in Greater China, alongside Holiday Inn Express Franchise Plus model.

  Continue to innovate our loyalty offering to provide greater opportunities for our members to earn and redeem IHG Rewards Club points.

  Maintain our focus on increasing contribution from IHG Rewards Club members, and through direct bookings via our website or call centres.

  Continue to grow our share of bookings through the IHG® App, whilst also increasing engagement within the App.

  Enhance our owner offer by leveraging technology and increasing investment in owner support.

Total gross revenue from hotels in IHG’s Systemb

Total rooms revenue from franchised hotels and total hotel revenue from managed, owned, leased and managed lease hotels. Other than for owned, leased and managed lease hotels, it is not revenue wholly attributable to IHG, as it is mainly derived from hotels owned by third parties.

The growth in gross revenue from IHG’s System illustrates the value of our overall System to our owners (see page 15).

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System contribution to revenue

The percentage of room revenue booked through IHG’s direct and indirect systems and channels.

System contribution is an indicator of IHGvalue-add and the success of our marketing distribution channels (see page 14).

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a

In 2018 the underlying fee revenue calculation was restated for 2016 onwards following implementation of IFRS 15. The 2015 and 2016 growth figures are not comparable and thus excluded from comparison.

b

Use ofNon-GAAP measures: In addition to performance measures directly observable in the Group Financial Statements (IFRS measures), additional financial measures (described asNon-GAAP) are presented that are used internally by management as key measures to assess performance.Non-GAAP measures are either not defined under IFRS or are adjusted IFRS figures. Further explanation in relation to these measures can be found on page 36 and reconciliations to IFRS figures, where they have been adjusted, are on pages 172 and 173. Total underlying fee revenue growth is stated at constant currency.

32IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2018


KPIs

2018 status and 2019 priorities

Strategic Model and targeted portfolio continued

Global RevPAR growth

Revenue per available room: rooms revenue divided by the number of room nights that are available.

RevPAR growth indicates the increased value guests ascribe to our brands in the markets in which we operate and is a key measure widely used in our industry (see page 8).

LOGO

2018 status

  Completed the global roll out of IHG Concerto™ (see page 21).

  Created a new global marketing function bringing together our brand, loyalty and marketing capabilities to drive greater agility and efficiencies.

  Continued roll out of new guest room designs across all regions and rapid deployment of new Holiday Inn Express breakfast offering in the US to over 1,500 hotels.

  In 2018 one third of the US Crowne Plaza estate underwent or completed renovations or property improvements as part of the Crowne Plaza Accelerate programme, a multi-year programme to transform Crowne Plaza in the Americas region.

2019 priorities

  Continue to build on IHG Concerto with phased roll out of additional functionality.

  Continue to invest in brand innovation, including room design and hotel layout to meet evolving guest needs, including refresh of our extended stay brands.

  Ensure that, whilst driving strong rooms supply growth, we maintain a high level of guest satisfaction across our entire portfolio with removals from the System.

Guest Love

IHG’s guest satisfaction measurement indicator.

Guest satisfaction is fundamental to our continued success and is a key measure to monitor the risk of failing to deliver preferred brands that meet guests’ expectations (see page 27 for details).

LOGO

a

Changes to the method for calculating IHG’s guest satisfaction scores (previously Guest HeartBeat) were introduced in 2016. The comparative for 2015 has been restated.

IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2018  |  Strategic Report  |  Key performance indicators33


Strategic Report

Key performance indicators (KPIs) continued

KPIs

2018 status and 2019 priorities

Disciplined execution

Fee marginsa,b

Operating profit as a percentage of revenue, excluding System Fund, reimbursement of costs, revenue and operating profit from owned, leased and managed lease hotels, significant liquidated damages, current year acquisitions and exceptional items.

Our fee margin progression indicates the profitability of our fee revenue growth and benefit of our asset-light business model (see page 14).

LOGO

2018 status

  Merged our Europe and Asia, Middle East and Africa regions to leverage scale and focus investment.

  On track to deliver ~$125 million in annual savings, including System Fund, by 2020 for reinvestment to drive growth.

2019 priorities

  Continuation of our strong cost and efficiency focus.

  Leverage our increasing scale in operations and systems to drive economies of scale.

  Continue to strengthen our delivery capabilities to ensure that criticalin-hotel initiatives are embedded on time and on target.

  Enhance our supplier management capabilities to drive efficiencies.

  Continue to look for further operational efficiencies through greater application of technology.

Free cash flowb,c

Cash flow from operating activities (after interest and tax paid), less purchase of shares by employee share trusts and maintenance capital expenditure, including key money paid.

Free cash flow provides funds to invest in the business, sustainably grow the dividend and return any surplus to shareholders (see page 16). It is a key component in measuring the ongoing viability of our business (see page 30).

LOGO

2018 status

  Free cash flow grew by $93 million to $609 million, due to growth in operating profit from reportable segmentsb and reduction in cash tax.

2019 priorities

  Continue to deliver consistent, sustained growth in profits and cash flow.

  Control capital deployment in line with business priorities.

  Continue programme to recycle capital invested in minor equity positions and joint ventures, over time, when conditions are favourable.

a

In 2018 the fee margin calculation was restated for 2016 onwards following implementation of IFRS 15. The 2015 figure is not comparable and is thus excluded from comparison.

b

Use of Non-GAAP measures: In addition to performance measures directly observable in the Group Financial Statements (IFRS measures), additional financial measures (described as Non-GAAP) are presented that are used internally by management as key measures to assess performance. Non-GAAP measures are either not defined under IFRS or are adjusted IFRS figures. Further explanation in relation to these measures can be found on page 36 and reconciliations to IFRS figures, where they have been adjusted, are on pages 172 to 175.

c

Cash flow was introduced as a new measure for the 2017/19 LTIP cycle. Cumulative free cash flow over the three-year performance period forms part of the measure, with some adjustments. The target for each successive cycle is determined annually, taking into account IHG’s long-range business plan, market expectations and circumstances at the time.

d

In 2016, free cash flow excluded the $95 million cash receipt from renegotiation of long-term partnership agreements.

34IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2018


KPIs

2018 status and 2019 priorities

Doing business responsibly

IHG® Academy

Number of people participating in IHG Academy programmes.

Sustained participation in the IHG Academy indicates the strength of our progress in creating career building opportunities and engagement with the communities in which we operate (see page 24).

LOGO

2018 status

  We undertook a comprehensive review of the IHG Academy programme to create a series of recommendations to help us grow in the coming years.

  We ran 2,203 IHG Academy programmes across 70 countries.

2019 priorities

  Continue to provide skills and improved employability to people through IHG Academy, ensuring a positive impact for local people, our owners and IHG.

  Build on programme review and refresh supporting materials to drive greater participation and deliver engaging candidate experience.

  Deliver a globally scaled approach to IHG Academy, utilising it as a frontline recruitment tool.

  Enhancing IHG Academy’s reputation amongst academic institutions and community partners, as being an outstanding programme for students.

  Continue to drive quality growth in the programme towards our longer-term target of 30,000–40,000 IHG Academy participants by 2020.

Carbon footprint

Carbon footprint per occupied room.

We work with our hotels to drive reductions in carbon emissions, to reduce our overall carbon footprint (see page 24).

LOGO

2018 status

  Achieved 2.2% reduction in our carbon footprint per occupied room from 2017 baseline.

2019 priorities

  Continue to reduce our carbon footprint across our entire estate.

  Partner with owners and our hotels to share best practices to help drive greater reductions.

Employee Engagement survey scores

Average of our revisedbbi-annual Colleague HeartBeat survey, completed by our corporate, customer reservations office and managed hotel employees (excluding our joint ventures).

We measure employee engagement to monitor risks relating to talent (see page 28) and to help us understand the issues that are relevant to our people as we build a diverse and inclusive culture (see page 23).

LOGO

2018 status

  Launched improved and simplified performance management process.

  Launched a new tool to help IHG assess and prepare hotel leaders in Greater China, our fastest growing region (see page 23).

2019 priorities

  Continue to refine performance management processes, in order to focus on productive development conversations.

  Further drive adoption of improvements to our human resources systems, including online colleague training, to further our ability to develop and retain talent.

  Support the recruitment and development of General Managers for our managed hotels.

  Drive adoption of our learning solutions, such as the IHG Frontline training curriculums, and branded service culture programmes across all IHG hotels.

a

In 2018 the carbon reduction measure was restated in line with a new baseline for the 2018-2020 target. The 2016 and 2015 figures could not be restated and are not comparable.

b

In 2017 the employee engagement survey was revised and relaunched as the Colleague HeartBeat survey. The 2016 and 2015 figures relate to previous survey results, which could not be restated and are not comparable.

LOGO

Please seewww.ihgplc.com/responsible-business

for our 2018-2020 Responsible Business targets.

IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2018  |  Strategic Report  |  Key performance indicators35


Strategic Report

Performance

Key performance measures (includingNon-GAAP measures)

used by management

As well as the performance measures found in the Group Financial

Statements, the following key performance measures are included

in the performance review (and IHG at a glance on pages 2 and 3).

These financial measures are either not defined under IFRS or are adjusted IFRS figures and are therefore described asNon-GAAP measures. They should be viewed as complementary to, and not as a substitute for, the measures prescribed by GAAP.Where applicable the definitions have been amended to reflect the adoption of IFRS 15 ‘Revenue from Contracts with Customers’ and the 2017 and 2016 comparatives have been restated accordingly (see pages 109 to 113 for further information).

Total gross revenue in IHG’s System

Total gross revenue provides a measure of the overall strength of the Group’s brands. It comprises total rooms revenue from franchised hotels and total hotel revenue from managed, owned, leased and managed lease hotels. Other than owned, leased and managed lease hotels, total gross revenue is not revenueattributable to IHG as it is derived from hotels owned by third parties. A reconciliation of total gross revenue to the owned, leased and managed lease revenue included in the Group Financial Statements is set out on page 38.

Revenue and operating profit measures

In each of the following measures, System Fund results are excluded as the System Fund is not managed to a profit or loss for IHG, although anin-year surplus or deficit can arise. Revenues related to the reimbursement of costs, and the related costs, are excluded as operating profit is unaffected and an increase in these does not indicate growth for the business. Exceptional items are also excluded as they can be significantly skewed by one off events, for example reorganisation costs (see note 6 on page 124).

Operating profit measures are, by their nature, before interest and tax.A pre-interest andpre-tax measure excludes the impact of the Group’s financing and external factors such as legislative changes, respectively. Apre-interest andpre-tax measure is considered more reflective of the Group’s success in executing against its strategy.

Revenue from reportable segments and operating profit from reportable segments– comprises the Group’s fee business and owned, leased and managed lease hotels. This measure is disclosed in note 2 to the Group Financial Statements.

Underlying revenue and underlying operating profit– adjusts the above to exclude the impact of owned asset disposals, significant liquidated damages, current year acquisitions, all translated at constant currency using prior year exchange rates. The presentation of these performance measures allows a better understanding of comparableyear-on-year trading and enables an assessment of the underlying trends in the Group’s financial performance.

Underlying fee revenue and fee margin– further analyses the above for the Group’s fee business only, reflecting the Group’s corefee-based business model. Underlying fee revenue is at constant currency using prior year exchange rates, fee margin is at actual exchange rates.

Operating profit from reportable segments before central overheads– used only to assist in understanding the relative contribution of IHG’s regions to the Group, and as such central overheads are excluded.

Underlying interest

This is a new measure in the year following the adoption of IFRS 15 and includes the interest payable to the System Fund on the outstanding cash balance relating to the IHG Rewards Club programme.

In addition the Group’s financial expenses are presented net of System Fund

capitalised interest (see note 7), this interest is related to the assets attributable to the System Fund. These are adjusted as the System Fund is not managed to a profit or loss for IHG therefore removing these provides a better view of the Group’s underlying interest expense.

Tax excluding the impact of exceptional items and System Fund

This is a new measure in the year following the adoption of IFRS 15 which gives a more meaningful understanding of the Group’s ongoing tax charge. Exceptional items represent distorting ornon-recurring items and therefore often skew the current year’s tax charge. The System Fund is not managed toa profit or loss for IHG and is, in general, not subject to tax either. Therefore, removing these provides a better view of the Group’s underlying tax rate on ordinary operations and aids comparabilityyear-on-year.

Adjusted earnings per ordinary share, Underlying earnings per ordinary share

Adjusted earnings per ordinary share excludes System Fund revenues and expenses, any interest and tax relating to the System Fund, exceptional items, and their related tax impacts. Adjusted earnings per ordinary share provides a per share measure that is not skewed by the result of the System Fund or exceptional items. Underlying earnings per ordinary share is calculated by dividing underlying profit for the period available for IHG equity holders bythe weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue during the period, excluding investment in own shares. The presentation of underlying earnings per ordinary share allows a better understanding of comparableyear-on-year trading and thereby allows an assessment of the underlying trends in the Group’s financial performance.

Net debt , Net capital expenditure, Free cash flow

Net debt is used in the monitoring of the Group’s liquidity and capital structure, and is used to calculate the key ratios attached to the Group’s bank covenants. Net debt comprises loans and other borrowings, derivatives hedging debt values, less cash and cash equivalents, and is reconciled to the amounts included in the Group Financial Statements in note 21 on page 143.

Net capital expenditureis defined as cash flow from investing activities less contract acquisition costs, excluding the acquisition of businesses net of cash acquired, tax paid on disposals and adjusted for System Fund depreciation and amortisation (recovery of previous System Fund capital expenditure). For internal management reporting, capital expenditure is reported as either maintenance, recyclable, or System Fund.

The disaggregation of net capital expenditure provides useful information as it enables users to distinguish between System Fund capital investments and recyclable investments (such as investments in associates and joint ventures), which are intended to be recoverable in the medium term, compared with maintenance capital expenditure (including key money paid), which represents a permanent cash outflow.

Free cash flow is defined as cash flow from operating activities (after interest and tax paid) and excluding contract acquisition costs net of repayments, less purchase of shares by employee share trusts and maintenance capital expenditure (including key money paid). Free cash flow is a useful measure for investors, as it represents the cash available to invest back into the business to drive growth, pay the ordinary dividend, with any surplus being available for additional returns to shareholders.

These measures have limitations as they omit certain components of the overall cash flow statement. They are not intended to represent IHG’s residual cash flow available for discretionary expenditures, nor do they reflect our future capital commitments. These measures are used by many companies, but there can be differences in how each company defines the terms, limiting their usefulness as a comparative measure. Therefore, it is important to view these measures only as a complement to the Group statement of cash flows.

LOGO

The performance review should be read in conjunction with theNon-GAAP reconciliations

on pages 172 to 175 and the glossary on pages 204 to 205.

36IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2018


Group

Group results

                             12 months ended 31 December 
      

                         2018

$m

                   2017 Restated
$m
                   2018 vs 2017
% change
                   2016 Restated
$m
                   2017 vs 2016
% change
 
Revenuea                              
Americas    1,051     999     5.2     969     3.1 
EMEAA    569     457     24.5     439     4.1 
Greater China    143     117     22.2     112     4.5 
Central    170     157     8.3     147     6.8 
Revenue from reportable segments    1,933     1,730     11.7     1,667     3.8 
System Fund revenues    1,233     1,242     (0.7    1,199     3.6 
Reimbursement of costs    1,171     1,103     6.2     1,046     5.4 
Total revenue    4,337     4,075     6.4     3,912     4.2 
Operating profita                              
Americas    662     637     3.9     626     1.8 
EMEAA    202     171     18.1     157     8.9 
Greater China    69     52     32.7     46     13.0 
Central    (117    (102    (14.7    (123    17.1 
Operating profit from reportable segments    816     758     7.7     706     7.4 
System Fund result    (146    (34    (329.4    35     (197.1
Operating profit before exceptional items    670     724     (7.5    741     (2.3
Exceptional items    (104    4     (2,700.0    (29    113.8 
Operating profit    566     728     (22.3    712     2.2 
Net financial expenses    (81    (72    (12.5    (80    10.0 
Profit before tax    485     656     (26.1    632     3.8 
Earnings per ordinary share                              
Basic    184.7¢     279.8¢     (34.0    215.1¢     30.1 
Adjusted    292.1¢     244.6¢     19.4     203.8¢     20.0 
Average US dollar to sterling exchange rate    

$1:

£0.75

 

 

    

$1:

£0.78

 

 

    (3.8    

$1:

£0.74

 

 

    5.4 

Highlights for the year ended

31 December 2018

During the year ended 31 December 2018, total revenue increased by $262m (6.4%) to $4,337m, whilst revenue from reportable segments increased by $203m (11.7%) to $1,933m, primarily resulting from 4.8% rooms growth, 2.5% comparable RevPAR growth and the addition of a portfolio in the UK. Operating profit and profit before tax decreased by $162m (22.3%) and $171m (26.1%) respectively, due to a $108m increase in exceptional items, largely associated with restructuring costs related to the comprehensive efficiency programme as well as a $112m higherin-year System Fund deficit. Operating profit from reportable segments increased by $58m

(7.7%) to $816m.

Underlyingb revenue and underlyingb operating profit increased by $98m (5.7%) and $47m (6.2%) respectively.

Comparable RevPAR increased by 2.5% (including an increase in average daily rate of 1.8%). IHG System size increased by 4.8% to 836,541 rooms, whilst underlying fee revenuec increased by 6.5%.

Fee marginc was 52.4%, remaining in line with 2017 (up 0.1 percentage points at constant currency, removing the impact of foreign exchange movements). Fee margin was impacted by growth investment in excess of realised savings from the comprehensive efficiency programme and aone-off marketing assessment in 2018 and would otherwise have continued to grow, benefiting from efficiency improvements and our global scale.

Basic earnings per ordinary share decreased by 34.0% to 184.7¢, whilst adjusted earnings per ordinary share increased by 19.4% to 292.1¢.

a

Americas, EMEAA and Greater China include revenue and operating profit before exceptional items from both fee business and owned, leased and managed lease hotels.

b

Underlying revenue and underlying operating profit both exclude System Fund revenue and expenses, reimbursement of costs, the impact of owned asset disposals, significant liquidated damages and current year acquisitions, all translated at constant currency using prior year exchange rates. Underlying operating profit also excludes the impact of exceptional items (see pages 172 and 173).

c

Underlying fee revenue and fee margin are defined as excluding revenue from owned, leased and managed lease hotels, System Fund revenue, reimbursement of costs, the impact of owned asset disposals, significant liquidated damages and current year acquisitions (see pages 172 and 173). Underlying fee revenue is at constant currency using prior year exchange rates, fee margin is at actual exchange rates.

Accounting principles

The Group results are prepared under International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and following the adoption of IFRS 15 ‘Revenue from Contracts with Customers’ the 2017 and 2016 comparatives have been restated. The application of IFRS requires management to make judgements, estimates and assumptions, and those considered critical to the preparation of the Group results are set out on page 108 of the Group Financial Statements.

The Group discloses certain financial information both including and excluding exceptional items. For comparability of the periods presented, some of the performance indicators in this performance review are calculated after eliminating these exceptional items. An analysis of exceptional items is included in note 6 on page 124 of the Group Financial Statements.

IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2018  |  Strategic Report  |  Performance37


Strategic Report

Performance continued

Group continued

Highlights for the year ended

31 December 2017

During the year ended 31 December 2017, total revenue increased by $163m (4.2%) to $4,075m, whilst revenue from reportable segments increased by $63m (3.8%) primarily due to 4.0% rooms growth and 2.7% comparable RevPAR growth. Operating profit and profit before tax increased by $16m (2.2%) and $24m (3.8%) respectively. Operating profit from reportable segments increased by $52m (7.4%) to $758m.

Underlyinga revenue and underlyinga operating profit increased by $74m (4.4%) and $56m (7.9%) respectively.

Comparable RevPAR increased by 2.7% (including an increase in average daily rate of 1.1%). IHG System size increased by 4.0% to 798,075 rooms, whilst underlying fee revenueb increased by 4.7%.

Fee margin was 52.4%, up 1.8 percentage points (up 1.7 percentage points at constant currency, removing the impact of foreign exchange movements) on 2016. Fee margin benefited from efficiency improvements and by leveraging our global scale.

Basic earnings per ordinary share increased by 30.1% to 279.8¢, reflecting the increase in operating profit and the impact of the share capital reduction as a result of the share consolidation in May 2017 whilst adjusted earnings per ordinary share increased by

20.0% to 244.6¢.

Group total gross revenue in IHG’s System

             12 months ended 31 December 
                                     2018
$bn
                   2017 Restated
$bn
                       % change 
Analysed by brand                  
InterContinental    5.1     4.8     6.3 
Kimpton    1.3     1.1     18.2 
Crowne Plaza    4.5     4.3     4.7 
Hotel Indigo    0.5     0.4     25.0 
EVEN Hotels    0.1     0.1      
Holiday Inn    6.5     6.3     3.2 
Holiday Inn Express    7.1     6.7     6.0 
Staybridge Suites    0.9     0.9      
Candlewood Suites    0.8     0.8      
Other    0.6     0.3     100.0 
Total    27.4     25.7     6.6 
Analysed by ownership type                  
Fee business    27.0     25.3     6.6 
Owned, leased and managed leasec    0.4     0.4      
Total    27.4     25.7     6.6 

One measure of IHG System performance is the growth in total gross revenue, defined as total rooms revenue from franchised hotels and total hotel revenue from managed, owned, leased and leasedmanaged lease hotels. Other than for owned, leased and leasedmanaged lease hotels, ittotal gross revenue is not revenue wholly attributable to IHG, as it is derived mainly derived from hotels owned by third parties.

Total gross revenue in IHG’s System increased by 6.6% (6.2% increase at constant currency) to $27.4bn, driven by IHG System size and comparable RevPAR growth.

LOGO

a

Underlying revenue and underlying operating profit both exclude System Fund revenues and expenses, reimbursement of costs, the impact of owned asset disposals, significant liquidated damages and current year acquisitions, all translated at constant currency using prior year exchange rates. Underlying operating profit growth also excludes the impact of exceptional items (see pages 172 and 173).

 

System contribution to revenue

The percentage of room revenue delivered through IHG’s direct and indirect systems and channels.
b

Underlying fee revenue is defined as Group revenue excluding revenue from owned, leased and managed lease hotels, System Fund revenues, reimbursement of costs, the impact of owned asset disposals, significant liquidated damages and current year acquisitions (see pages 172 and 173).

 

c

See note 3 of the Group Financial Statements on page 120.

LOGO

38IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2018


 

    

    

    

LOGO

$Group hotel and room count4.3bn

digital revenues delivered in 2016, up by 8%on 2015

 

             

Hotels

             Rooms 
At 31 December                        2018     Change
               over 2017
                         2018     Change
               over 2017
 
Analysed by brand                        
Regent    6     6     2,005     2,005 
InterContinental    204     10     69,281     3,283 
Kimpton    66          12,915     399 
HUALUXE    8     1     2,335     246 
Crowne Plaza    429     15     120,168     5,368 
voco    2     2     531     531 
Hotel Indigo    102     17     12,749     2,104 
EVEN Hotels    10     2     1,551     313 
Holiday Inna    1,251     9     233,852     1,159 
Holiday Inn Express    2,726     126     279,516     17,118 
avid hotels    1     1     87     87 
Staybridge Suites    276     21     30,217     2,472 
Candlewood Suites    396     20     37,210     1,786 
Other    126     25     34,124     1,595 
Total    5,603     255     836,541     38,466 
Analysed by ownership type                        
Franchised    4,615     182     576,979     24,145 
Managed    965     62     253,566     12,196 
Owned, leased and managed lease    23     11     5,996     2,125 
Total    5,603     255     836,541     38,466 

a

Includes 45 Holiday Inn Resort properties (11,301 rooms) and 27 Holiday Inn Club Vacations properties (7,927 rooms) (2017: 47 Holiday Inn Resort properties (11,954 rooms) and 26 Holiday Inn Club Vacations properties (7,676 rooms)).

49%Total number of hotels

5,603

Total number of rooms

836,541

During 2018, the global IHG System (the number of hotels adopting IHG’s revenue management serviceand rooms which are franchised, managed, owned, leased or managed lease) increased by 255 hotels (38,466 rooms) to 5,603 hotels (836,541 rooms).

Openings of 362 hotels (56,343 rooms) were 27.0% higher than in 2017. Openings in the Americas included 135 hotels (13,392 rooms) in the Holiday Inn brand family. 77 hotels (18,812 rooms) were opened in Greater China in 2018, with the EMEAA region also contributing openings of 77 hotels (15,283 rooms). 107 hotels (17,877 rooms) left the IHG System in 2018, a decrease from the previous year (111 hotels, 17,247 rooms).

Group pipeline Continue to drive adoption and impact of our revenue management tools, systems and processes amongst our owners.

 

             

Hotels

             Rooms 
At 31 December                        2018     Change
               over 2017
                         2018     Change
               over 2017
 
Analysed by brand                        
Regent    3     3     514     514 
InterContinental    60     (3    15,795     (1,558
Kimpton    27     9     4,474     1,678 
HUALUXE    21          6,099     (190
Crowne Plaza    79     (7    22,134     (913
voco    8     8     1,510     1,510 
Hotel Indigo    92     10     13,078     1,777 
EVEN Hotels    18     6     3,184     1,074 
Holiday Innb    288     11     55,651     2,095 
Holiday Inn Express    784     18     98,424     5,064 
avid hotels    171     127     15,811     11,768 
Staybridge Suites    182     22     20,849     2,908 
Candlewood Suites    102     (10    9,121     (888
Other    24     10     4,304     1,963 
Total    1,859     204     270,948     26,802 
Analysed by ownership type                        
Franchised    1,398     175     161,343     21,995 
Managed    460     28     109,450     4,652 
Owned, leased and managed lease    1     1     155     155 
Total    1,859     204     270,948     26,802 

b

Includes 19 Holiday Inn Resort properties (5,229 rooms) (2017: 13 Holiday Inn Resort properties (3,620 rooms)).

Total number of hotels in the pipeline Keep our focus

1,859

Total number of rooms in the pipeline

270,948

At the end of 2018, the global pipeline totalled 1,859 hotels (270,948 rooms), an increase of 204 hotels (26,802 rooms) on driving31 December 2017. The IHG pipeline represents hotels where a greater revenue contributioncontract has been signed and the appropriate fees paid.

Group signings increased from IHG Rewards Club members (see page 16)605 hotels in 2017 to 691 hotels and rooms increased from 83,481 rooms to 98,814 rooms. This included 314 hotels (44,649 rooms) signed for the Holiday Inn brand family, 40.2% of which were contributed by Greater China (99 hotels, 17,958 rooms).

 Our new Guest Reservation System (see page 17) is on trackActive management of the pipeline to begin roll-outremove deals that have become dormant or no longer viable reduced the pipeline by 125 hotels (15,669 rooms), compared to 135 hotels (21,224 rooms) in 2017.

 Continue to expand the language capabilities of our online channels and call centres across all regions.

 Drive greater food and beverage revenue, and support brand preference, by introducing new food and beverage concepts for our hotels to adopt.

a Including the acquisition of Kimpton (11,325 rooms).

b Use of Non-GAAP measures: In addition to performance measures directly observable in the Group Financial Statements (IFRS measures), additional financial measures (described as Non-GAAP) are presented that are used internally by management as key measures to assess performance. Non-GAAP measures are either not defined under IFRS or are adjusted IFRS figures. Further explanation in relation to these measures can be found on page 26, and reconciliations to IFRS figures, where they have been adjusted, are on pages 156 and 157.

    LINK BETWEEN KPIS AND DIRECTORS’ REMUNERATION

KPIs that could have an impact on the performance measures

for 2016 remuneration plans:

   LOGOThe Annual Performance Plan

   LOGO

The Long Term Incentive Plan

LOGO

 

 


IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2018  |  Strategic Report  |  Performance39


Strategic Report

 

Performance continued

Americas

Key performance indicators (KPIs)        IHG Annual Report and Form 20-F 2016            23


KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS (KPIs) CONTINUED

LOGO

“In 2018, we signed the highest number of rooms in 10 years. We expanded our mainstream leadership with innovations to our Holiday Inn Express, Holiday Inn and extended stay brands, and launched avid hotels. We also increased our luxury and upscale presence with the growth of InterContinental, Kimpton and Hotel Indigo and investments in Crowne Plaza.”

 

KPIs

2016 status

2017 specific priorities

Elie Maalouf

Chief Executive Officer, Americas

 

WINNING MODEL AND TARGETED PORTFOLIOCONTINUEDAmericas revenue 2018($1,051m)

 

LOGO

Global RevPAR growth

Revenue per available room: rooms revenue divided by theAmericas number of room nights that are available.rooms(510,129)

 

LOGOLOGO

Comparable RevPAR movement

on previous year

(12 months ended 31 December 2018)

 

Guest Love

IHG’s guest satisfaction
measurement indicator.

Fee business
InterContinental4.6
Kimpton1.2
Crowne Plaza0.3
Hotel Indigo4.7
EVEN Hotels9.5
Holiday Inn1.8
Holiday Inn Express1.6
Staybridge Suites3.3
Candlewood Suites1.7
All brands1.9
Owned, leased and managed lease
InterContinental1.1
EVEN Hotels5.6
Holiday Inn11.5
All brands5.2

 

LOGO

LOGO

LOGO

105Regional priorities

Expand our mainstream leadership with the continued roll out of new innovations to Holiday Inn Express hotelsand Holiday Inn, as well as the ongoing growth of avid hotels.

Continue to build our luxury presence and broaden the footprints for InterContinental Hotels & Resorts and Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants.

Capitalise on the momentum of the Crowne Plaza Accelerate programme with the continued roll out of new room design opened in 2016

and public space designs.

 

+200

external recognitions for

Solidify our brands, hotels and loyalty programme in 2016

Implemented, orstrong performance in the process of installing, IHG Connect in over

1,800

hotels in The Americas

  Continue the roll-out of our enhanced internet connectivity and wifi offer, IHG Connect, for guests across our estate (see page 31).

  Embed and drive adoption of customer relationship management systems in our hotels to help us to build lifetime relationships with guests.

  Continue to invest in brand innovation, such as theextended stay market segment. Our new room designs for Holiday Inn Express.

Staybridge Suites and Candlewood Suites will be available to the full Americas estate in 2019.

 

Building on our mainstream strength, in February 2019 we announced plans to launch into the US a newall-suites upper midscale brand, targeted at an underserved $18 billion industry segment.

Industry performance in 2018  Support

Industry RevPAR in the developmentAmericas increased by 3.4%, driven by a 2.9% average daily rate growth and 0.3ppts occupancy growth. Occupancy achieved its highest level ever recorded, topping the record set in 2017. Room demand grew 2.4%, with slower growth in the latter part of our high- performing general managers.

  Focus on driving consistency and quality across our Crowne Plaza portfolio2018 due to lapping of two hurricanes that propelled demand in the US through Crowne Plaza Accelerate (see page 30)in late 2017. Supply growth remained in line with 2017 at 1.9%.

US lodging industry room demand advanced 2.5% in 2018, its largest increase since 2014, whilst supply growth increased to 2.0%. US industry RevPAR increased by 2.9% in 2018, led by a 2.4% average daily rate growth. RevPAR in the US upper midscale chain scale, where the Holiday Inn and Holiday Inn Express brands operate, increased by 1.4%.

In Canada, industry RevPAR increased by 5.3%, driven by a 4.3% increase in average daily rate, and in Mexico, RevPAR declined by 1.9%, led by a 9.0ppt fall in occupancy.

Regional highlights

Successful launch of avid

avid was created to reach an important set of business and leisure travellers in an underserved $20 billion segment of the US midscale market. Designed with input from target consumers and an advisory board of leading IHG owners, the brand experience delivers exactly what guests have been waiting for in a mainstream hotel – the essentials done exceptionally well – while also being easy to build, operate and maintain.

We have signed more than 170 avid hotels across the US, Canada and Mexico since launch in September 2017, and opened our first hotel in Oklahoma City. This makes it the fastest new development brand to progress from concept to launch for IHG. This strong momentum firmly positions the brand as a long-term driver of Americas growth.

 

IHG’s regional performance in 2018  Drive adoption

IHG’s comparable RevPAR in the Americas increased by 1.9%, driven by 1.7% average daily rate growth. The region is predominantly represented by the US, where comparable RevPAR increased by 1.3%. In the US, we are most represented by our mainstream brands Holiday Inn and Holiday Inn Express. RevPAR in our mainstream brands increased slightly behind the market segment overall, with RevPAR for the Holiday Inn brand increasing by 1.1%, whilst the Holiday Inn Express brand increased by 1.4%, in line with the market segment.

Canada achieved strong RevPAR growth of our learning solutions, such as the IHG Frontline online training platform, and brand-orientated services training across all IHG hotels, enabling our people to deliver consistently great guest experiences and maintain brand preference.5.2%, whilst Mexico RevPAR grew 2.0%, led by rate growth.

 

  Expand the roll-out of our China Ready hotel accreditation in key Chinese outbound destinations across The Americas, Europe and AMEA to further increase the attractiveness of our hotels to Chinese travellers. Accredited hotels offer a range of services and amenities catering specifically to the Chinese traveller with frontline teams who have received cultural training to better serve Chinese guests.
40IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2018

a Changes to the method for calculating IHG’s guest satisfaction scores (previously Guest HeartBeat) were introduced in 2016. The comparatives for 2014 and 2015 have been restated on the basis that the Guest Love methodology had always applied.


 

    

    

    

Americas results

                     12 months ended 31 December 
                2018
$m
               2017
Restated
$m
               2018 vs
2017
% change
               2016
Restated
$m
               2017 vs
2016
% change
 
Revenue from the reportable segmenta                              
Fee business    853     811     5.2     796     1.9 
Owned, leased and managed lease    198     188     5.3     173     8.7 
Total    1,051     999     5.2     969     3.1 
Percentage of Group revenue from reportable segments    54.4     57.7     (3.3    58.1     (0.4
Operating profit from the reportable segmenta                              
Fee business    633     608     4.1     602     1.0 
Owned, leased and managed lease    29     29          24     20.8 
     662     637     3.9     626     1.8 
Exceptional items    (36    37     (197.3    (29    227.6 
Operating profit    626     674     (7.1    597     12.9 
Percentage of Group operating profit from reportable segments before central overheadsb    71.0     74.1     (3.1    75.5     (1.4

Highlights for the year ended

31 December 2018

With 4,161 hotels (510,129 rooms), the Americas represented 61% of the Group’s room count. The key profit generating region is the US, although the Group is also represented in Latin America, Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean. 88% of rooms in the region are operated under the franchise business model, primarily under our mainstream brands (including the Holiday Inn brand family). In the upscale market segment, Crowne Plaza is predominantly franchised whereas, in the luxury market segment, InterContinental-branded hotels are operated under both franchise and management agreements, whilst Kimpton is managed. 12 of the Group’s 15 hotel brands are represented in the Americas.

Revenue from the reportable segmenta increased by $52m (5.2%) to $1,051m, whilst operating profit decreased by $48m (7.1%) to $626m. Operating profit from the reportable segmenta increased by $25m (3.9%) to $662m. On an underlyingc basis, revenue increased by $54m (5.4%), whilst operating profit increased by $26m (4.1%), driven predominantly by RevPAR growth in the fee business and an increase in net rooms.

Revenue and operating profit from the reportable segment are further analysed by fee business and owned, leased and managed lease hotels.

Fee business revenue and operating profit increased by $42m (5.2%) to $853m and by $25m (4.1%) to $633m respectively, partly impacted by adverse foreign exchanged (revenue $2m, and operating profit $1m), as RevPAR growth and net rooms growth was partly offset by lower fees from the termination of hotels and the impact from previously disclosed Crowne Plaza Accelerate financial incentives.

Owned, leased and managed lease revenue increased by $10m (5.3%) to $198m, whilst operating profit remained flat against 2017.

Highlights for the year ended

31 December 2017

Revenue from the reportable segmenta increased by $30m (3.1%) to $999m and operating profit increased by $77m (12.9%) to $674m. Operating profit from the reportable segmenta increased by $11m (1.8%) to $637m. On an underlyingc basis, revenue increased by $35m (3.6%), whilst operating profit increased by $16m (2.6%), driven predominantly by RevPAR growth in the fee business and an increase in net rooms.

Revenue and operating profit from the reportable segment are further analysed by fee business and owned, leased and managed lease hotels.

Fee business revenue and operating profit increased by $15m (1.9%) to $811m and by $6m (1.0%) to $608m respectively, partly impacted by adverse foreign exchanged (revenue $5m, and operating profit $5m) as growth from RevPAR and net rooms growth were partly offset by a delay in the recognition of a payroll tax credit, the implementation of the previously disclosed Crowne Plaza Accelerate financial incentives, and the annualisation of our investment in the Americas development team.

Comparable RevPAR grew 1.6%, including 1.9% for Holiday Inn and 1.7% for Holiday Inn Express, whilst net rooms grew 1.9%.

Owned, leased and managed lease revenue increased by $15m (8.7%) to $188m, whilst operating profit increased by $5m (20.8%) to $29m due to North American inbound business to Holiday Inn Aruba and the ramp up of EVEN Hotels Brooklyn.

a

Americas reportable segment includes revenue and operating profit before exceptional items, excluding System Fund revenues and expenses and reimbursement of costs, for both fee business and owned, leased and managed lease hotels.

b

Operating profit from reportable segments before central overheads excludes exceptional items, System Fund revenues and expenses, reimbursement of costs, and central overheads, to assist understanding of the relative contribution of IHG’s regions to the Group.

 LINK BETWEEN KPIS AND DIRECTORS’ REMUNERATION

c

Underlying revenue and underlying operating profit both exclude System Fund revenues and expenses, reimbursement of costs, the impact of owned asset disposals, significant liquidated damages and current year acquisitions, all translated at constant currency using prior year exchange rates. Underlying operating profit growth also excludes the impact of exceptional items (see pages 172 and 173).

d

The impact of movements between the previous year’s average exchange rates and actual average exchange rates in 2018.

IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2018  |  Strategic Report  |  Performance41


Strategic Report

 

   KPIs that couldPerformance continued

Americas continued

Americas hotel and room count

             

Hotels

             Rooms 
At 31 December                            2018     Change
               over 2017
                             2018     Change
              over 2017
 
Analysed by brand                        
InterContinental    51     1     17,753     175 
Kimpton    64     (1    12,307     65 
Crowne Plaza    156          41,499     221 
Hotel Indigo    57     6     7,495     667 
EVEN Hotels    10     2     1,551     313 
Holiday Inna    774     1     134,492     (1,112
Holiday Inn Express    2,289     72     206,620     7,210 
avid hotels    1     1     87     87 
Staybridge Suites    261     17     28,032     1,876 
Candlewood Suites    396     20     37,210     1,786 
Other    102     13     23,083     1,381 
Total    4,161     132     510,129     12,669 
Analysed by ownership type                        
Franchised    3,853     126     450,102     12,810 
Managed    301     6     57,804     (141
Owned, leased and managed lease    7          2,223      
Total    4,161     132     510,129     12,669 
Percentage of Group hotel and room count    74.3     51.8     61.0     32.9 

a

Includes 23 Holiday Inn Resort properties (6,184 rooms) and 27 Holiday Inn Club Vacations properties (7,927 rooms) (2017: 25 Holiday Inn Resort properties (6,787 rooms) and 26 Holiday Inn Club Vacations properties (7,676 rooms)).

Total number of hotels

4,161

Total number of rooms

510,129

Americas System size increased by 132 hotels (12,669 rooms) to 4,161 hotels (510,129 rooms) during 2018. 208 hotels (22,248 rooms) opened in the year, compared to 190 hotels (21,615 rooms) in 2017. Openings included 135 hotels (13,392 rooms) in the Holiday Inn brand family, representing

64.9% of the region’s hotel openings.

76 hotels (9,579 rooms) were removed from the Americas System in 2018, demonstrating our continued commitment to quality, compared to 86 hotels (12,148 rooms) in 2017.

Americas pipeline

             

Hotels

             Rooms 
At 31 December                            2018     Change
               over 2017
                             2018     Change
               over 2017
 
Analysed by brand                        
InterContinental    6     (1    1,477     (416
Kimpton    16     2     2,335     97 
Crowne Plaza    6     (8    1,263     (1,456
Hotel Indigo    35     2     4,523     497 
EVEN Hotels    10     2     1,296     182 
Holiday Innb    126     (2    16,052     (323
Holiday Inn Express    499     (25    47,620     (1,987
avid hotels    171     127     15,811     11,768 
Staybridge Suites    163     17     16,902     1,470 
Candlewood Suites    102     (10    9,121     (888
Other    22     10     3,882     2,234 
Total    1,156     114     120,282     11,178 
Analysed by ownership type                        
Franchised    1,115     113     113,657     10,813 
Managed    41     1     6,625     365 
Total    1,156     114     120,282     11,178 

b

Includes one Holiday Inn Resort property (165 rooms) (2017: one Holiday Inn Resort property (165 rooms)).

Total number of hotels in the pipeline

1,156

Total number of rooms in the pipeline

120,282

At 31 December 2018, the Americas pipeline totalled 1,156 hotels (120,282 rooms), representing an increase of 114 hotels (11,178 rooms) over the prior year. Strong signings of 416 hotels (42,766 rooms) were ahead of last year by 51 hotels (5,347 rooms). The majority of 2018 signings were within our mainstream brands including the Holiday Inn brand family (156 hotels, 15,643 rooms), our extended stay brands, Staybridge Suites and Candlewood Suites (76 hotels, 7,218 rooms) and avid hotels (129 hotels, 12,057 rooms), which continues to make good progress towards becoming IHG’s next brand of scale.

94 hotels (9,340 rooms) were removed from the pipeline in 2018 compared to 78 hotels (9,151 rooms) in 2017.

42IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2018


EMEAA

LOGO

“It has been a strong year of performance for EMEAA. Through expanding our core brand portfolio, launching exciting new brands and step-changing performance, we have increased our signings by more than 20%. Our talented teams, working close to the market, have delivered richer guest experiences and enhanced owner returns.”

Kenneth Macpherson

Chief Executive Officer, EMEAA

EMEAA revenue 2018($569m)

LOGO

EMEAA number of rooms(211,099)

LOGO

Comparable RevPAR movement

on previous year

(12 months ended 31 December 2018)

Fee business
InterContinental2.6%
Crowne Plaza3.4%
Hotel Indigo4.7%
Holiday Inn3.0%
Holiday Inn Express2.0%
Staybridge Suites1.1%
All brands2.8%
Owned, leased and managed lease
InterContinental(1.6)%
Holiday Inn6.9%
All brands(0.7)%

Regional priorities

EMEAA has delivered strong growth with signings increasing by more than 20% in 2018. Through enhancing our core brand portfolio, embedding the new EMEAA operating model and focusing on operational performance, as well as continuing to enter new markets with our brands, we will concentrate on delivering growth in 2019.

We have a strategic plan in the UK and a key development in 2018 has been the integration of the UK portfolio properties which is progressing well and will be a focus for 2019. In Germany, one of the world’s largest outbound markets, we have developed strong relationships with our Multiple Development Agreement (MDA) partners who are our primary source of growth. We are building an impactempowered business with increased resource and capability.

The expansion of Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants has gathered momentum across EMEAA with key signings in Bangkok, Barcelona, Frankfurt, Paris and Tokyo, as well as the opening of our first UK property – the Kimpton Fitzroy in London. EMEAA will look to build further on this momentum in 2019.

Industry performance in 2018

Industry RevPAR in EMEAA increased by 4.3%, driven by a 3.2% average daily rate growth and 0.8ppts occupancy growth. In Europe room demand grew 1.7% and average daily rate advanced 4.3%, resulting in RevPAR growth of 5.5%. UK industry RevPAR was up 2.5%, led by a 1.7% rate increase, as room demand increased 2.6%. In Germany, industry RevPAR was up 2.4%, driven by 1.8% in average daily rate and a 2.8% increase in demand.

RevPAR grew 1.4% in the Middle East. Excluding Egypt, RevPAR declined 5.5% in the Middle East, as supply increased 5.3%. India saw RevPAR increase 2.0%.

Elsewhere in EMEAA, several major markets all saw RevPAR growth, including Japan (2.3%), Australia (1.2%), and Thailand (2.8%), driven by both demand and average daily rate.

Regional highlights

Growing our brand portfolio

An agreement to rebrand and operate a portfolio of high-quality hotels established IHG as the UK’s leading luxury hotel operator. IHG has subsequently confirmed the UK debut locations for Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants and our new upscale brand, voco, in prime city centre and destination locations around the country.

The launch of new upscale brand voco in June with an ambition to open more than 200 voco hotels over the next 10 years. This distinctive brand will offer owners the ability to drive higher returns through delivering a compelling guest experience and leveraging IHG’s powerful systems. The first voco hotels worldwide are already open, in Australia and the UK.

We announced in October a Multiple Development Agreement (MDA) to bring 15 avid hotels to the German market, where our proactive development approach has delivered exceptional growth in recent years.

IHG’s regional performance measures forin 2018

EMEAA RevPAR grew 2.7%, driven by 1.8% average daily rate growth. In the UK, where IHG has the largest regional presence, RevPAR increased 1.2%, led by growth in London (2.6%). France and Germany achieved RevPAR growth of 6.5% and 1.0% respectively driven by average daily rate growth. The rest of Europe achieved growth of 8.4%, led by recovery in markets previously impacted by terror attacks and by growth in Russia, driven by the FIFA World Cup.

India RevPAR grew 9.8%, driven by average daily rate, whilst the Middle East declined 6.3%, following oversupply.

Japan grew 3.2% driven by average daily rate whilst growth in Australia (0.8%) was dampened by supply growth in certain cities. Thailand grew by 2.4%.

IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2018  |  Strategic Report  |  Performance43


Strategic Report

 2016 remuneration plans:

Performance continued

EMEAA continued

EMEAA results

                     12 months ended 31 December 
                2018
$m
     2017
      Restated
$m
     2018 vs
2017
      % change
     2016
        Restated
$m
     2017 vs
2016
      % change
 
Revenue from the reportable segmenta                              
Fee business    320     294     8.8     274     7.3 
Owned, leased and managed lease    249     163     52.8     165     (1.2
Total    569     457     24.5     439     4.1 
Percentage of Group revenue from reportable segments    29.4     26.4     3.0     26.3     0.1 
Operating profit from the reportable segmenta                              
Fee business    200     165     21.2     148     11.5 
Owned, leased and managed lease    2     6     (66.7    9     (33.3
     202     171     18.1     157     8.9 
Exceptional items    (12    (4    (200.0          
Operating profit    190     167     13.8     157     6.4 
Percentage of Group operating profit from reportable segments before central overheadsb    21.6     19.9     1.8     18.9     1.0 

Highlights for the year ended

31 December 2018

Comprising of 1,051 hotels (211,099 rooms) at the end of 2018, EMEAA represented 25% of the Group’s room count. Revenues are primarily generated from hotels in the UK and gateway cities in continental Europe, the Middle East and Asia. The largest portion of rooms in the UK and continental Europe are operated under the franchise business model, primarily under our mainstream brands (Holiday Inn and Holiday Inn Express). Similarly, in the upscale market segment, Crowne Plaza is predominantly franchised, whereas, in the luxury market segment, the majority of InterContinental-branded hotels are operated under management agreements. The majority of hotels in markets outside of Europe are operated under the managed business model.

Revenue from the reportable segmenta increased by $112m (24.5%) to $569m and operating profit increased by $23m (13.8%) to $190m, both including the benefit of $7m significant liquidated damages recorded (2017: $nil). Operating profit from the reportable segmenta increased by $31m (18.1%) to $202m. On an underlyingc basis, revenue increased by $14m (3.1%) and operating profit increased by $25m (14.6%) driven by strong trading, net rooms growth and lower costs associated with the Group wide efficiency programme.

Overall, comparable RevPAR in EMEAA increased by 2.7%, with the UK and Germany increasing by 1.2% and 1.0% respectively.

Recovery in markets previously impacted by terror attacks continued with 6.5% growth in France. The Middle East declined by 6.3%, impacted by increased supply and political instability in certain markets.

Revenue and operating profit from the reportable segment are further analysed by fee business and owned, leased and managed lease hotels.

Fee business revenue increased by $26m (8.8%) to $320m, whilst operating profit increased by $35m (21.2%) to $200m, partly benefiting from the impact of foreign exchanged (revenue $3m, and operating profit $2m), and from cost savings associated with the Group-wide efficiency programme. Comparable RevPAR increased by 2.8%, driven by gains in both average daily rate and occupancy.

Owned, leased and managed lease revenue increased by $86m (52.8%) due to the addition of a portfolio in the UK, and partly benefiting from the impact of foreign exchanged ($2m), whilst operating profit decreased by $4m (66.7%), partly impacted by adverse foreign exchanged ($1m).

Highlights for the year ended

31 December 2017

Revenue from the reportable segmenta increased by $18m (4.1%) to $457m and operating profit increased by $10m (6.4%) to $167m. Operating profit from the reportable segmenta increased by $14m (8.9%) to $171m. On an underlyingc basis, revenue increased by $21m (4.8%) and operating profit increased by $16m (10.2%) driven by strong trading, 7.0% rooms growth and effective cost control to maintain overheads in line with the prior year.

Overall, comparable RevPAR in EMEAA increased by 4.2%, with the UK and Germany increasing by 4.5% and 2.1% respectively. Recovery in markets previously impacted by terror attacks led to RevPAR growth in the year of 7.1% in France and double digit growth in Belgium and Turkey. Performance was positive in Japan and Australia which grew by 2.7% and 4.5% respectively, however the Middle East decreased by 4.1%, impacted by low oil prices and industry-wide oversupply.

Revenue and operating profit from the reportable segment are further analysed by fee business and owned, leased and managed lease hotels.

Fee business revenue increased by $20m (7.3%) to $294m, whilst operating profit increased by $17m (11.5%) to $165m, partly impacted by adverse foreign exchanged (revenue $4m, and operating profit $2m). Comparable RevPAR increased by 4.2%, driven by gains in both average daily rate and occupancy.

Owned, leased and managed lease revenue decreased by $2m (1.2%), partly benefiting from the impact of foreign exchanged ($1m) whilst operating profit decreased by

$3m (33%).

a

EMEAA reportable segment includes revenue and operating profit before exceptional items, excluding System Fund revenues and expenses and reimbursement of costs, for both fee business and owned, leased and managed lease hotels.

   LOGOThe Annual Performance Plan

b

Operating profit from reportable segments before central overheads excludes exceptional items, System Fund revenues and expenses, reimbursement of costs, and central overheads, to assist understanding of the relative contribution of IHG’s regions to the Group.

c

Underlying revenue and underlying operating profit both exclude System Fund revenues and expenses, reimbursement of costs, the impact of owned asset disposals, significant liquidated damages and current year acquisitions, all translated at constant currency using prior year exchange rates. Underlying operating profit growth also excludes the impact of exceptional items (see pages 172 and 173).

d

The impact of movements between the previous year’s actual average exchange rates and actual average rates in 2018.

   LOGOThe Long Term Incentive Plan

44IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2018
24            IHG Annual Report and Form 20-F 2016        Strategic Report


    

 

    

    

KPIs

    

2016 status

2017 specific priorities

DISCIPLINED EXECUTION

Fee marginsa

Operating profit as a percentage of revenue, excluding revenueEMEAA hotel and operating profit from owned and leased hotels, managed leases and significant liquidated damages.

LOGO

LOGO

3.3ppt

growth in fee margin in 2016

  Leverage our increasing scale in operations and systems to drive economies of scale across our portfolio of brands.

   Continue to strengthen our delivery capabilities to ensure that critical in-hotel initiatives are embedded on time and on target.

Employee Engagement survey scores

Average of our biannual Employee Engagement survey, completed by employees and those who work in our managed hotels (excluding our joint ventures).

LOGO

LOGO

1.4ppt

increase in Employee Engagement scores in 2016

  Continue to develop our ‘Winning Culture’ (see page 19), in particular encouraging our employees to have more regular and open performance conversations, and on embedding performance-management processes.

  Drive adoption of improvements to our human resources systems to further our ability to develop and retain talent.

DOING BUSINESS RESPONSIBLY

Number of people participating in IHG® Academy programmesroom count

 

             

Hotels

             Rooms 
At 31 December                    2018     Change
          over 2017
                     2018     Change
          over 2017
 
Analysed by brand                        
Regent    3     3     769     769 
InterContinental    106     2     32,299     508 
Kimpton    2     1     608     334 
Crowne Plaza    182     6     46,259     1,685 
voco    2     2     531     531 
Hotel Indigo    35     8     3,748     954 
Holiday Inna    385     2     71,353     923 
Holiday Inn Express    304     22     43,732     4,557 
Staybridge Suites    15     4     2,185     596 
Other    17     10     9,615     1,166 
Total    1,051     60     211,099     12,023 
Analysed by ownership type                        
Franchised    726     31     118,122     6,344 
Managed    309     18     89,204     3,554 
Owned, leased and managed lease    16     11     3,773     2,125 
Total    1,051     60     211,099     12,023 
Percentage of Group hotel and room count    18.8     23.5     25.2     31.3 

LOGO

LOGO
a

Includes 16 Holiday Inn Resort properties (3,391 rooms) (2017: 16 Holiday Inn Resort properties (3,347 rooms)).

2,145Total number of hotels

IHG Academy programmes across 75 countries

  Continue to provide skills and improved employability to people through IHG Academy (see page 18), ensuring a positive impact for local people, our owners and IHG.

1,051

Total number of rooms  Continue

211,099

During 2018, EMEAA System size increased by 60 hotels (12,023 rooms) to drive quality growth1,051 hotels (211,099 rooms). 77 hotels (15,283 rooms) opened in EMEAA in 2018, compared to 52 hotels (16,002 rooms) in 2017.

17 hotels (3,260 rooms) left the EMEAA System in the programme, including by increasing engagement with our franchiseperiod, compared to 18 hotels and enabling(3,046 rooms) in the transfer of talent between regions.previous year.

Carbon footprint per occupied roomEMEAA pipeline

 

LOGO

LOGO

7.4%

reduction in carbon footprint per occupied room (to 31.21 kgCO²e), from 2013 –2016, on a 2012 baseline across our entire estate

             

Hotels

             Rooms 
At 31 December                    2018     Change
          over 2017
                     2018     Change
          over 2017
 
Analysed by brand                        
Regent    3     3     514     514 
InterContinental    29     1     6,919     439 
Kimpton    7     5     1,240     1,041 
Crowne Plaza    34     (2    9,016     361 
voco    8     8     1,510     1,510 
Hotel Indigo    40     6     5,761     1,021 
EVEN Hotels    1          200      
Holiday Inna    106     11     24,339     2,274 
Holiday Inn Express    114     6     19,154     1,058 
Staybridge Suites    19     5     3,947     1,438 
Other    1          143     (271
Total    362     43     72,743     9,385 
Analysed by ownership type                        
Franchised    159     6     25,681     853 
Managed    202     36     46,907     8,377 
Owned, leased and managed lease    1     1     155     155 
Total    362     43     72,743     9,385 

 

   Continue to reduce our carbon footprint across our entire estate.

  Continue to drive quality use of the IHG Green Engage system across our entire estate.
a

Includes 10 Holiday Inn Resort properties (2,353 rooms) (2017: five Holiday Inn Resort properties (1,075 rooms)).

Water use per occupied room in water-stressed areas

LOGO

LOGO

7.9%c

reduction in water use per occupied room (by 0.06m3), from 2013 – 2016, on a 2012 baseline in water-stressed areas

  Continue to reduce water use across our entire estate, with a particular focus onTotal number of hotels in water-stressed areas.the pipeline

362

  Implement initiatives at hotel level to improve water stewardship and enable further reductions in water use.

aUseTotal number of Non-GAAP measures: In addition to performance measures directly observablerooms in the Group Financial Statements (IFRS measures)pipeline

72,743

The EMEAA pipeline totalled 362 hotels (72,743 rooms) at 31 December 2018, representing an increase of 43 hotels (9,385 rooms) over 31 December 2017. Signings of 133 hotels (26,918 rooms), additional financial measures (described as Non- GAAP) are presented that are used internally by management as key measuresrepresented an increase of 11 hotels (5,057 rooms) from the prior year.

13 hotels (2,250 rooms) were removed from the pipeline in 2018, compared to assess performance. Non-GAAP measures are either not defined under IFRS or are adjusted IFRS figures. Further explanation37 hotels (6,098 rooms) in relation to these measures can be found on page 26, and reconciliations to IFRS figures, where they have been adjusted, are on pages 156 and 157.

bRestated.
cWe calculate water performance to 15 decimal places. Using a full decimal place calculation results in a 7.9 per cent reduction.

LOGO

For full disclosure of our carbon and water data, please see

www.ihgplc.com/responsible-business under Our performance.

LOGO2017.

 

 


IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2018  |  Strategic Report  |  Performance45


Strategic Report

 

Key performance indicators (KPIs)        IHG Annual Report and Form 20-F 2016            25


Performance

Key performance measures (including

Non-GAAP measures) used by management

Performance continued

Greater China

 

LOGO

“Greater China is our fastest growing region and has seen another record year in both new signings and openings in 2018. We continue executing our strategic plans, including a tailored franchise support model and investing in the talent that supports our growth.”

Jolyon Bulley

Chief Executive Officer, Greater China

 

 

In addition to the performance measures that are directly observable in the Group Financial Statements, the performance review (and Group highlights on page 2) include the following key performance measures.

With the exception of RevPAR, these are financial measures that are either not defined under IFRS or are adjusted IFRS figures and are therefore described as Non-GAAP measures.

Greater China revenue 2018($143m)

 

LOGOThe performance review should be read in conjunction with the Non-GAAP reconciliations on pages 156 and 157 and the glossary on pages 184 to 185.

Revenue per Available Room (RevPAR)

RevPAR is the primary metric used by management to track hotel performance across regions and brands. RevPAR is also a commonly used performance measure in the hotel industry.

RevPAR comprises IHG System rooms revenue divided by the number of room nights available and can be mathematically derived from occupancy rate multiplied by average daily rate. Occupancy rate is rooms occupied by hotel guests expressed as a percentage of rooms that are available. Average daily rate is rooms revenue divided by the number of room nights sold.

References to RevPAR, occupancy and average daily rate are presented on a comparable basis comprising groupings of hotels that have traded in all months in both the current and prior year. The principal exclusions in deriving this measure are new hotels, hotels closed for major refurbishment and hotels sold in either of the two years.

RevPAR and average daily rate are quoted at a constant US dollar conversion rate, in order to allow a better understanding of the comparable year-on-year trading performance excluding distortions created by fluctuations in exchange rates.

Total gross revenue

An important measure of IHG System performance is the growth in total gross revenue which provides a measure of the overall strength of the Group’s brands.

Total gross revenue comprises total rooms revenue from franchised hotels and total hotel revenue from managed, owned and leased hotels. Other than owned and leased hotels, total gross revenue is not revenue attributable to IHG as it is derived mainly from hotels owned by third parties. A reconciliation of total gross revenue to the owned and leased revenue included in the Group Financial Statements is set out on page 28.

Underlying revenue     Underlying operating profit growth     Underlying fee revenue     Fee margin growth

Underlying revenue and underlying operating profit both exclude the impact of owned asset disposals, managed leases, significant liquidated damages and current year acquisitions, all translated at constant currency using prior year exchange rates. Underlying operating profit growth also excludes the impact of exceptional items (see below). The presentation of these additional performance measures allows a better understanding of comparable year-on-year trading and thereby allows an assessment of the underlying trends in the Group’s financial performance. These measures also provide consistency with the Group’s internal management reporting.

Underlying fee revenue and fee margin further exclude the revenue and operating profit of the Group’s remaining owned and leased properties, thereby providing metrics which measure the underlying performance of the Group’s core fee-based business model.

The performance review should be read in conjunction with the Non-GAAP reconciliations on pages 156 and 157, which reconcile these alternative performance measures to the nearest comparable GAAP measures and also show the amounts on both an actual and constant currency basis.

Total operating profit before exceptional items and tax     Adjusted earnings per ordinary share

Total operating profit before exceptional items and tax enables a better understanding of the ongoing operational performance of the Group. For example, total operating profit including exceptional items can be significantly skewed by the profit on disposal of owned assets, as was the case in 2015 with the disposal of InterContinental Hong Kong. In addition, taxes can be influenced by external factors such as legislative changes, and a before tax measure of operating profit is therefore considered more reflective of the Group’s success in executing against its strategy.

Adjusted earnings per ordinary share excludes exceptional items, and their related tax impacts, and is reconciled to basic earnings per share in note 9 on page 117 of the Group Financial Statements. Adjusted earnings per share provides a per share measure that is not skewed by exceptional items.

An analysis of exceptional items for the periods covered by the performance review is included in note 5 on page 112 of the Group Financial Statements.

Exceptional items are identified by virtue of either their size or nature and are excluded from these measures so as to facilitate comparison with prior periods and to assess underlying trends in the financial performance of the Group and its regional operating segments. Exceptional items can include, but are not restricted to, gains and losses on the disposal of assets, impairment charges and reversals, and restructuring costs.

Total operating profit both before and after exceptional items is shown on the face of the Group income statement on page 91, as permitted under IFRS.

Net debt

Net debt is used in the monitoring of the Group’s liquidity and capital structure, and is a number used to calculate the key ratios attached to the Group’s bank covenants.

Net debt comprises loans and other borrowings less cash and cash equivalents, and is reconciled to the amounts included in the Group Financial Statements in note 21 on page 128.

These are Non-GAAP financial measures which should be viewed as complementary to, and not as a substitute for, the measures prescribed by GAAP.


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26

            IHG Annual Report and Form 20-F 2016        Strategic Report


Group

Group results

 

         

 

ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLES

 

The Group results are prepared under International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). The application of IFRS requires management to make judgements, estimates and assumptions, and those considered critical to the preparation of the Group results are set out on page 103 of the Group Financial Statements.

 

The Group discloses certain financial information both including and excluding exceptional items. For comparability of the periods presented, some of the performance indicators in this Performance review are calculated after eliminating these exceptional items. Such indicators are prefixed with ‘adjusted’. An analysis of exceptional items is included in note 5 on page 112 of the Group Financial Statements.

   12 months ended 31 December     
    

2016

$m

  

2015

$m

  2016 vs 2015
% change
  

2014

$m

  2015 vs 2014
% change
     
Revenue                        
Americas   993   955   4.0   871   9.6    
Europe   227   265   (14.3  374   (29.1   
AMEA   237   241   (1.7  242   (0.4   
Greater China   117   207   (43.5  242   (14.5   
Central   141   135   4.4   129   4.7    
Total   1,715   1,803   (4.9  1,858   (3.0   
Operating profit before exceptional items        
Americas   633   597   6.0   544   9.7    
Europe   75   78   (3.8  89   (12.4   
AMEA   82   86   (4.7  84   2.4    
Greater China   45   70   (35.7  89   (21.3   
Central   (128  (151  15.2   (155  2.6    
    707   680   4.0   651   4.5    
Exceptional items   (29  819   (103.5  29       
Operating profit   678   1,499   (54.8  680   120.4    
Net finance costs   (87  (87     (80  (8.8   
Profit before tax   591   1,412   (58.1  600   135.3    
Earnings per ordinary share                        
Basic   195.3¢   520.0¢   (62.4  158.3¢   228.5    
Adjusted   203.3¢   174.9¢   16.2   158.3¢   10.5    
Average US dollar to sterling exchange rate   

£

$1:

0.74

 

 

  

£

$1:

0.65

 

 

  13.8   

£

$1:

0.61

 

 

  6.6    
         

Highlights for the year ended

31 December 2016

During the year ended 31 December 2016, revenue decreased by $88m (4.9%) to $1,715m primarily as a result of the sale of InterContinental Paris – Le Grand and InterContinental Hong Kong. Operating profit and profit before tax both decreased by $821m to $678m and $591m, primarily due to the gain on sale of InterContinental Paris – Le Grand and InterContinental Hong Kong during the year ended 31 December 2015. Operating profit before exceptional items increased by $27m (4.0%) to $707m.

Underlyinga Group revenue and underlyinga Group operating profit increased by $69m (4.6%) and $61m (9.5%) respectively.

Comparable Group RevPAR increased by 1.8% (including an increase in average daily rate of 1.2%). IHG System size increased by 3.1% to 767,135 rooms, whilst underlying Group fee revenueb increased by 2.3% (4.4% at constant currency).

At constant currency, the net central operating loss before exceptional items decreased by $12m (7.9%) to $139m compared to 2015 (but at actual currency decreased by $23m (15.2%) to $128m).

Group fee margin was 48.8%, up 3.3 percentage points (up 2.5 percentage points at constant currency) on 2015, after adjusting for owned and leased hotels, managed leases, and significant liquidated damages. Group fee margin benefited from efficiency improvements and by leveraging our global scale.

Basic earnings per ordinary share decreased by 62.4% to 195.3¢, whilst adjusted earnings per ordinary share increased by 16.2% to 203.3¢, reflecting the increase in operating profit before exceptional items and the impact of the share consolidation in May 2016.

aUnderlying excludes the impactGreater China number of owned asset disposals, significant liquidated damages and the results from managed-lease hotels, translated at constant currency by applying prior-year exchange rates (see pages 156 and 157). Underlying operating profit growth also excludes the impact of exceptional items.
bUnderlying fee revenue is defined as Group revenue excluding revenue from owned and leased hotels, managed leases and significant liquidated damages (see pages 156 and 157).

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Performance        IHG Annual Report and Form 20-F 2016rooms            27


PERFORMANCE CONTINUED

Groupcontinued(115,313)

Highlights for the year ended

31 December 2015

During the year ended 31 December 2015, revenue decreased by $55m (3.0%) to $1,803m primarily as a result of the disposal of owned hotels in line with the Group’s asset-light strategy. Operating profit and profit before tax increased by $819m (120.4%) to $1,499m and by $812m (135.3%) to $1,412m respectively, primarily due to the gain on sale of InetrContinental Paris – Le Grand and InterContinental Hong Kong during the year. Operating profit before exceptional items increased by $29m (4.5%) to $680m.

On 16 January 2015, the Group completed the acquisition of Kimpton Holding Group LLC (Kimpton) for cash consideration of $430m before working capital adjustments and cash acquired, resulting in the addition of 62 hotels (11,325 rooms) into the IHG System.

On 20 May 2015, the Group completed the sale of InterContinental Paris – Le Grand for gross proceeds of330m and, on 30 September 2015, the Group completed the sale of InterContinental Hong Kong for proceeds of $928m after final working capital adjustments and cash tax.

Underlyinga revenue and underlyinga operating profit increased by $113m (8.0%) and $67m (11.5%) respectively. The underlying results exclude the impact of owned hotel disposals in 2015 and the prior year, the results of managed-lease hotels, Kimpton, and significant liquidated damages receipts (2015: $3m; 2014: $7m).

Comparable Group RevPAR increased by 4.4% (including an increase in average daily rate of 3.1%), with growth across all regions. IHG System size increased by 4.8% (3.2% excluding the Kimpton acquisition) to 744,368 rooms, whilst underlying Group fee revenueb increased by 7.5% (3.0% excluding Kimpton).

At constant currency, the net central operating loss before exceptional items increased by $5m (3.2%) to $160m compared to 2014 (but at actual currency decreased by $4m (2.6%) to $151m).

Group fee margin was 46.3%, up 1.6 percentage points (up 1.3 percentage points at constant currency) on 2014, after adjusting for owned and leased hotels, managed leases, Kimpton, and significant liquidated damages. Group fee margin benefited from strong growth in IHG’s scale markets, reflecting scale benefits and tight overhead control.

Basic earnings per ordinary share increased by 228.5% to 520.0¢, whilst adjusted earnings per ordinary share increased by 10.5% to 174.9¢.

Global total gross revenue

   12 months ended 31 December 
    2016 $bn   2015 $bn   % change 

Analysed by brand

               
InterContinental   4.6    4.5    2.2 
Kimpton   1.1    1.1     
Crowne Plaza   4.1    4.2    (2.4
Hotel Indigo   0.4    0.3    33.3 
Holiday Inn   6.2    6.2     
Holiday Inn Express   6.3    6.1    3.3 
Staybridge Suites   0.8    0.8     
Candlewood Suites   0.7    0.7     
Other   0.3    0.1    200.0 

Total

   24.5    24.0    2.1 

Analysed by ownership type

               
Franchised   14.3    14.1    1.4 
Managed   10.0    9.6    4.2 
Owned and leasedc   0.2    0.3    (33.3

Total

   24.5    24.0    2.1 

Total gross revenue is a Non-GAAP financial measure, see page 26 for additional information.

Total gross revenue increased by 2.1% (4.2% increase at constant currency) to $24.5bn, driven by IHG System size and comparable RevPAR growth.

aUnderlying excludes the impact of owned asset disposals, significant liquidated damages, Kimpton, and the results from managed-lease hotels, translated at constant currency by applying prior-year exchange rates (see pages 156 and 157). Underlying operating profit growth also excludes the impact of exceptional items.
bUnderlying fee revenue is defined as Group revenue excluding revenue from owned and leased hotels, managed leases and significant liquidated damages (see pages 156 and 157).
cSee note 2 of the Group Financial Statements on page 106.

28            IHG Annual Report and Form 20-F 2016        Strategic Report


Group hotel and room count

 

             

Total number of hotels

 

5,174

    

    

Total number of rooms

 

767,135

 

During 2016, the global IHG System (the number of hotels and rooms which are franchised, managed, owned or leased by the Group) increased by 142 hotels (22,767 rooms) to 5,174 hotels (767,135 rooms). Openings of 258 hotels (40,134 rooms) were 5.5% lower than in 2015.

 

Openings in The Americas included 128 hotels (15,680 rooms) in the Holiday Inn brand family. 29 hotels (7,938 rooms) were opened in Greater China in 2016, with the Europe and AMEA regions contributing openings of 24 hotels (4,188 rooms) and 17 hotels (4,473 rooms) respectively. 116 hotels (17,367 rooms) left the IHG System in 2016, a decrease from the previous year (143 hotels, 21,679 rooms).

   Hotels      Rooms       
At 31 December  2016   

Change

over 2015

       2016   

Change

over 2015

       
Analysed by brand                            
InterContinental   187    3        63,650    1,610     
Kimpton   61            11,238    262     
HUALUXE   4    1        1,096    298     
Crowne Plaza   408    2            113,803    519     
Hotel Indigo   75    10        8,905    1,241     
EVEN Hotels   6    3        1,010    564     
Holiday Inna           1,241    15        231,756    3,656     
Holiday Inn Express   2,497    72        247,009    10,603     
Staybridge Suites   236    16        25,610    1,646     
Candlewood Suites   362    21        34,192    1,864     
Other   97    (1       28,866    504     
Total   5,174    142        767,135    22,767     

 

Analysed by ownership type

                            
Franchised   4,321    102        542,650    11,902     
Managed   845    39        222,073    10,670     
Owned and leased   8    1        2,412    195     
Total   5,174    142        767,135    22,767     
             
aIncludes 46 Holiday Inn Resort properties (11,652 rooms) and 26 Holiday Inn Club Vacations properties (7,601 rooms)
(2015: 47 Holiday Inn Resort properties (11,518 rooms) and 16 Holiday Inn Club Vacations properties (5,231 rooms)).

Group pipeline

 

            

 

    

Total number of hotels in the pipeline

 

1,470

    

    

Total number of rooms in the pipeline

 

230,076

 

At the end of 2016, the global pipeline totalled 1,470 hotels (230,076 rooms), an increase of 140 hotels (16,160 rooms) on 31 December 2015. The IHG pipeline represents hotels where a contract has been signed and the appropriate fees paid. Approximately 90% of the closing pipeline at 31 December 2016 is in our 10 priority markets.

 

Group signings increased from 474 hotels in 2015 to 516 hotels whilst rooms decreased from 78,438 rooms to 75,812 rooms in 2016 due to the signing of one large hotel in the Middle East (5,154 rooms) in 2015. This included 328 hotels (47,842 rooms) signed for the Holiday Inn brand family, 28.2% of which were contributed by Greater China (63 hotels, 13,472 rooms).

 

Active management of the pipeline to remove deals that have become dormant or no longer viable reduced the pipeline by 118 hotels (19,518 rooms), compared to 108 hotels (17,004 rooms) in 2015.

   Hotels      Rooms      
At 31 December  2016   

Change

over 2015

       2016   

Change

over 2015

      
Analysed by brand                           
InterContinental   62    10        17,480    1,804    
Kimpton   18            3,098    (268   
HUALUXE   22    1        6,956    324    
Crowne Plaza   90    6        24,536    1,355    
Hotel Indigo   75    12        10,593    1,385    
EVEN Hotels   6    (2       780    (482   
Holiday Innb   261    5        52,678    474    
Holiday Inn Express   676    74        83,882    8,277    
Staybridge Suites   140    26        15,321    2,680    
Candlewood Suites   108    10        9,604    884    
Other   12    (2       5,148    (273   
Total           1,470    140            230,076    16,160    

 

Analysed by ownership type

                           
Franchised   1,039    134        117,694    15,525    
Managed   431    7        112,382    837    
Owned and leased       (1           (202   
Total   1,470    140        230,076    16,160    
            
b Includes 14 Holiday Inn Resort properties (3,531 rooms) (2015: 14 Holiday Inn Resort properties (3,548 rooms)).    
            
            
            
            
            
            
            
            
            
            

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Performance        IHG Annual Report and Form 20-F 2016                29


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30                IHG Annual Report and Form 20-F 2016        Strategic Report


The Americas

 

 

LOGO

Comparable RevPAR movement

on previous year

(12 months ended 31 December 2018)

Fee business
InterContinental6.2
HUALUXE21.5
Crowne Plaza8.2
Hotel Indigo9.3
Holiday Inn4.8
Holiday Inn Express6.9
All brands6.9
Maximise

Regional priorities

Continue to build on our scale and look forward to opening our 400th hotel. This follows strong growth momentum in 2018, when record openings and signings took our combined System size and pipeline to over 700 hotels, with 193,000 rooms.

Strengthen our owner proposition with the quality of growth and scalecontinuedroll-out of our System, by focusing on driving brand preference across our core upper midscale and upscale portfolio, over the next three years.
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PROGRESS AGAINST 2016

REGIONAL PRIORITIES

1.Grew System size by opening 188 hotels, and through key signingsfranchise model for our InterContinental brand (including Houston, Minneapolis, and San Diego). Grew our EVEN Hotels brand, including opening the first franchise in Omaha and two openings in New York City. Delivered a strong year of signings for Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants, and opened its first international hotel with the Kimpton Seafire Resort + Spa, Grand Cayman.

2.Strengthened brand preference by embedding the new Holiday Inn Express, room design (see page 17), which has delivered strong performanceHoliday Inn and penetrationCrowne Plaza brands. This model is attractive to owners and contributed to 56% of total signings in the estate. Began driving adoption of the new Holiday Inn room design (see page 17), which became a brand standardregion in the US and Canada in 2016. Launched the Crowne Plaza Accelerate programme (see page 30).
2018.

 

3.Built more meaningful relationships with
Responding to the needs of our guests, bywe will continue to innovate using digital technologies, including implementing IHG Connect, which delivers a faster, more reliable and consistent hotel internet experience. Guests benefit from a seamless, wifi log-in across our estate using theirguest digital payment solutions; launching IHG Rewards Club credentials. Hotels thatWeChat Mini Program; and testing Artificial Intelligence enabled smart rooms in InterContinental hotels.

Continue our talent development momentum to support growth.

Industry performance in 2018

Lodging industry RevPAR in Greater China increased by 3.7% via growth in both demand and average daily rate. RevPAR has now increased for the last two years, as supply growth continues to slow, whilst average daily rate has continued to rise. Supply increase in 2018 (3.8%) was the lowest in the last 19 years.

Tier 1 city RevPAR grew 5.1% for 2018, led by 5.0% increase in average daily rate. Tiers 2, 3 and 4 saw moderate RevPAR growth below 3%. Tier 2 saw the largest increase in demand (6.5%) while tier 1 saw the smallest (2.4%). Whilst supply growth slowed in Greater China overall, certain areas continued to see strong increases, including Mainland China (4.0%) and Macau (3.5%). Demand was also the strongest in those areas with Mainland China increasing 4.8% and Macau increasing 7.5%. Hong Kong RevPAR grew 10.6% led by an average daily rate increase of 9.7% for the year.

Regional highlights

Franchise growth

Adapting our America’s franchise platform, we have adoptedtailored and implemented the system have seen wifi-related scores increase by five pointsGreater China Franchise Performance Support Model. Built to support franchise hotels, it delivers a high quality guest experience and superior owner returns.

Franchise Plus has significantly accelerated Holiday Inn Express growth in China, with 71 hotels signed in 2018, taking the total signed since implementation.
launch to 143. We extended this franchise offer to Crowne Plaza and Holiday Inn with seven franchise signings under these brands in 2018.

 

4.Drove superior
We continue to evolve this franchise model, focusing on improving owner returns for our owners by refining our revenue toolkit, including expansionthrough the delivery of the newly approved standardnext generation design for revenue management, expansion of our revenue management services and embedding our operational model for hotel support.

IHG’S 2017 REGIONAL PRIORITIES

1.Grow System size by opening key properties and strengthening our upscale and luxury portfolio (including the InterContinental Los Angeles Downtown, Hotel Indigo Los Angeles Downtown, and Crowne Plaza HY36 Midtown Manhattan).

2.Drive brand preference through the Crowne Plaza Accelerate programme (see page 30), and through the continued scaling of Holiday Inn Express and Holiday Inn new designs.
brands.

 

3.Drive superior returns for our owners

IHG’s regional performance in 2018

IHG’s comparable RevPAR in Greater China increased by expanding our revenue management service, Revenue Management for Hire6.9% in 2018, ahead of the industry, driven by 3.5% average daily rate growth and 2.1% occupancy growth. Mainland China RevPAR increased by 6.3%, led by growth in particular, through the expansiontier 1 and tier 2 cities due to strong transient and meeting demand,ramp-up of our owner-centric support modelnew hotels and revenue management standard to Mexico.

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Industry performance in 2016a strong Chinese New Year. RevPAR grew in Hong Kong and Macau by 8.9% and 8.4% respectively.

Industry RevPAR in the Americas increased by 3.8%, driven by a 1.5% increase in room demand and a 4.0% increase in average daily rate. On the supply side, the number of available rooms increased by 1.6%, the highest growth since 2009. All industry segments experienced RevPAR growth, driven by average daily rate. RevPAR in the upper midscale segment, where the Holiday Inn and Holiday Inn Express brands operate, increased by 2.1%, driven by a 2.5% increase in average daily rate. In the US, lodging industry room demand increased by 1.7%, continuing to outpace GDP for the past seven years. Industry room demand set records in all months this year as it has done, except in one month, since March 2011. US supply growth continued to move upwards, reaching 1.6%, (still below the 1.9% per annum historic average). Average daily rate growth of 3.1% drove a 3.2% increase in US RevPAR. In the US, RevPAR increased by 2.3% in upper midscale, 2.1% in upscale and 1.3% in luxury. In Canada, industry RevPAR increased by 4.9%, driven by a 4.3% increase in average daily rate, and in Mexico, RevPAR increased by 17.2%, due to a 17.1% increase in average daily rate.

Source

Smith Travel Research for all of the above industry facts.

IHG’s regional performance in 2016

IHG’s comparable RevPAR in the Americas increased 2.1%, driven by 2.0% average daily rate growth. The region is predominantly represented by the US, where comparable RevPAR increased 1.8%. US RevPAR growth was impacted by our concentration in oil producing markets, where RevPAR declined by 7.5%; in the remainder of the estate RevPAR increased by 3.0%. In the US, we are most represented by our upper midscale brands Holiday Inn and Holiday Inn Express. The Holiday Inn brand increased RevPAR 2.5%, slightly ahead of the segment, whilst Holiday Inn Express brand increased by 1.5%, behind the segment. However, absolute occupancy for both brands was ahead of the industry. In Canada, our comparable RevPAR increased by 2.7% and Mexico increased by 12.9%, both led by rate growth.

Strong demand for IHG-branded hotels continued, with 37,038 rooms signed during 2016. We continued to demonstrate our commitment to quality, with 15,117 rooms leaving the IHG System.

Americas comparable RevPAR

movement on previous year

           

12 months ended

31 December 2016

 
Franchised        Managed     
Crowne Plaza   1.5%   InterContinental   2.7% 
Holiday Inn   2.6%   Kimpton   2.9% 
Holiday Inn Express   1.7%   Crowne Plaza   5.7% 
All brands   1.9%   Holiday Inn   4.9% 
    Staybridge Suites   5.3% 
    Candlewood Suites   1.2% 
    All brands   3.2% 
    Owned and leased 
    EVEN Hotels   15.5% 
    All brands   4.0% 
 

 

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Performance        IHG Annual Report and Form 20-F 2016                31


PERFORMANCE CONTINUED

The Americascontinued

46IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2018

Americas results

   12 months ended 31 December 
    

        2016

$m

  

    2015

$m

  

    2016 vs 2015 %

change

   

        2014

$m

  

    2015 vs 2014 %

change

 
Revenue                      
Franchised   685   661   3.6    630   4.9 
Managed   172   166   3.6    103   61.2 
Owned and leased   136   128   6.3    138   (7.2
Total   993   955   4.0    871   9.6 
Percentage of Group revenue   57.9   53.0   4.9    46.9   6.1 
Operating profit before exceptional items                      
Franchised   600   575   4.3    544   5.7 
Managed   64   64       47   36.2 
Owned and leased   24   24       18   33.3 
    688   663   3.8    609   8.9 
Regional overheads   (55  (66  16.7    (65  (1.5
    633   597   6.0    544   9.7 
Exceptional items   (29  (41  29.3    110   (137.3
Operating profit   604   556   8.6    654   (15.0
Percentage of Group operating profit before central overheads and exceptional items   75.8   71.9   3.9    67.5   4.4 

Highlights for the year ended

31 December 2016

With 3,925 hotels (487,993 rooms), The Americas represented 64% of the Group’s room count and 76% of the Group’s operating profit before central overheads and exceptional items for the year ended 31 December 2016. The key profit-producing region is the US, although the Group is also represented in Latin America, Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean. 88% of rooms in the region are operated under the franchise business model, primarily in the upper midscale segment (the Holiday Inn brand family). In the upscale segment, Crowne Plaza is predominantly franchised whereas, in the upper upscale segment, Kimpton is entirely managed. In the luxury segment, InterContinental-branded hotels are operated under both franchise and management agreements. 11 of the Group’s 12 hotel brands are represented in The Americas.

Revenue and operating profit increased by $38m (4.0%) to $993m and by $48m (8.6%) to $604m respectively. Operating profit before exceptional items increased by $36m (6.0%) to $633m. Underlyinga revenue increased by $53m (5.8%), while underlyinga operating profit increased by $46m (7.7%), driven predominantly by RevPAR growth in the fee business and an increase in net rooms. The underlying results exclude the impact of owned asset disposals, managed leases, and the benefit of significant liquidated damages receipts (2016: $nil; 2015: $3m).

Franchised revenue and operating profit increased by $24m (3.6%) to $685m and by $25m (4.3%) to $600m respectively. Royaltiesb growth of 2.4% was driven by comparable

RevPAR growth of 1.9%, including 2.6% for Holiday Inn and 1.7% for Holiday Inn Express, together with 2.0% rooms growth. On a constant currency basis, revenue and operating profit increased by $29m (4.4%) to $690m and by $30m (5.2%) to $605m respectively.

Managed revenue increased by $6m (3.6%) to $172m, whilst operating profit stayed flat at $64m due to costs relating to our 20% interest in InterContinental New York Barclay and the ongoing impact of new supply on RevPAR growth in New York. Revenue and operating profit included $34m (2015: $38m) and $nil (2015: $nil) respectively from one managed-lease property. Excluding results from this managed-lease hotel, the benefit of significant liquidated damages receipts (2016: $nil; 2015: $3m) and on a constant currency basis, revenue increased by $16m (12.8%) and operating profit increased by $5m (8.2%) respectively.

Owned and leased revenue increased by $8m (6.3%) to $136m, whilst operating profit stayed flat at $24m.

Regional overheads decreased by $11m (16.7%) to $55m due to a $10m year-on-year decrease in US healthcare costs.

aUnderlying excludes the impact of owned asset disposals, significant liquidated damages and the results from managed-lease hotels, translated at constant currency by applying prior-year exchange rates (see pages 156 and 157). Underlying operating profit growth also excludes the impact of exceptional items.
bRoyalties are fees, based on rooms revenue, that a franchisee pays to the brand owner for use of the brand name.
cUnderlying excludes the impact of owned asset disposals, significant liquidated damages, Kimpton and the results from managed-lease hotels, translated at constant currency by applying prior-year exchange rates (see pages 156 and 157). Underlying operating profit growth also excludes the impact of exceptional items.

Highlights for the year ended

31 December 2015

Revenue increased by $84m (9.6%) to $955m and operating profit decreased by $98m (15.0%) to $556m, primarily due to the gain on sale of InterContinental New York Barclay and InterContinental Mark Hopkins San Francisco during the year ended 31 December 2014. Operating profit before exceptional items increased by $53m (9.7%) to $597m. Underlyingc revenue increased by $71m (8.8%), while underlyinga operating profit increased by $53m (9.9%), driven predominantly by strong RevPAR growth in the fee business and an increase in net rooms. The underlying results exclude both InterContinental Mark Hopkins San Francisco and InterContinental New York Barclay whilst under IHG ownership, managed leases, Kimpton, and the benefit of significant liquidated damages receipts (2015: $3m; 2014: $7m).

Franchised revenue increased by $31m (4.9%) to $661m, including the impact of the $7m liquidated damages receipts in 2014 (7.9% excluding these liquidated damages and on a constant currency basis). Royaltiesb growth of 5.1% was driven by comparable RevPAR growth of 4.6%, including 4.6% for Holiday Inn and 4.1% for Holiday Inn Express, together with 1.2% rooms growth. Operating profit increased by $31m (5.7%) to $575m, including an $8m increase in fees associated with the initial franchising and relicensing of hotels. Excluding the benefit of significant liquidated damages (2015: $nil; 2014: $7m), and on a constant currency basis, operating profit increased by $47m (8.8%) to $584m.

Managed revenue increased by $63m (61.2%) to $166m, and operating profit increased by $17m (36.2%) to $64m. Revenue and operating profit included $38m (2014: $38m) and $nil (2014: $nil) respectively from one managed-lease property. Kimpton contributed $59m to managed estate revenue and $18m to operating profit, including $3m of significant liquidated damages. Managed operating profit was impacted by costs relating to our 20% interest in InterContinental New York Barclay during its refurbishment (2015: $4m; 2014: $5m). Excluding results for both Kimpton and managed-lease hotels and on a constant currency basis, revenue increased by $9m (13.8%) and operating profit increased by $2m (4.3%).

Owned and leased revenue decreased by $10m (7.2%) to $128m,and operating profit increased by $6m (33.3%) to $24m, following the disposal of two owned hotels (InterContinental Mark Hopkins San Francisco and an 80% interest in InterContinental New York Barclay) during 2014. Excluding these two hotels and on a constant currency basis, owned and leased revenue and operating profit increased by $13m and $5m, respectively, reflecting improved trading at InterContinental Boston and at Holiday Inn Aruba.

32                IHG Annual Report and Form 20-F 2016        Strategic Report


    

Americas hotel and room count

 

            

Total number of hotels

 

3,925

    

    

Total number of rooms

 

487,993

 

The Americas System size increased by 85 hotels (8,418 rooms) to 3,925 hotels (487,993 rooms) during 2016. 188 hotels (23,535 rooms) opened in the year, compared to 183 hotels (22,942 rooms) in 2015. Openings included 128 hotels (15,680 rooms) in the Holiday Inn brand family, representing 66.6% of the region’s openings.

 

103 hotels (15,117 rooms) were removed from The Americas System in 2016, demonstrating our continued commitment to quality, compared to 104 hotels (14,709 rooms) in 2015. 37.3% of 2016 room removals were Holiday Inn rooms in the US (30 hotels, 5,638 rooms) compared to 44.0% in 2015 (31 hotels, 6,466 rooms).

   Hotels      Rooms      
At 31 December  2016   

Change

over 2015

       2016   

Change

over 2015

      
Analysed by brand                           
InterContinental   48    (2       16,408    (701   
Kimpton   61            11,238    262    
Crowne Plaza   164    (8       44,116    (2,200   
Hotel Indigo   46    6        5,932    861    
EVEN Hotels   6    3        1,010    564    
Holiday Inna   774    2        136,744    749    
Holiday Inn Express           2,154    48            192,371    5,399    
Staybridge Suites   226    15        24,185    1,523    
Candlewood Suites   362    21        34,192    1,864    
Other   84            21,797    97    
Total   3,925    85        487,993    8,418    

 

Analysed by ownership type

                           
Franchised   3,633    85        430,866    8,636    
Managed   286    (1       55,302    (413   
Owned and leased   6    1        1,825    195    
Total   3,925    85        487,993    8,418    
Percentage of Group hotel and room count   75.9    (0.4       63.6    (0.8   
   

a   Includes 25 Holiday Inn Resort properties (6,791 rooms) and 26 Holiday Inn Club Vacations properties (7,601 rooms)

   (2015: 23 Holiday Inn Resort properties (5,902 rooms) and 16 Holiday Inn Club Vacations properties (5,231 rooms)).

    

    

   

Americas pipeline

 

            

 

    

Total number of hotels in the pipeline

 

945

    

    

Total number of rooms in the pipeline

 

102,451

 

At 31 December 2016, The Americas pipeline totalled 945 hotels (102,451 rooms), representing an increase of 80 hotels (6,067 rooms) over the prior year. Strong signings of 332 hotels (37,038 rooms) were ahead of last year by seven hotels, but lower by 617 rooms. The majority of 2016 signings were within the Holiday Inn brand family (204 hotels, 21,826 rooms) and our extended-stay brands, Staybridge Suites and Candlewood Suites (93 hotels, 9,130 rooms).

 

64 hotels (7,436 rooms) were removed from the pipeline in 2016 compared, to 69 hotels (7,661 rooms) in 2015.

   Hotels     Rooms      
At 31 December  2016   

Change

over 2015

      2016   

Change

over 2015

      
Analysed by brand                         
InterContinental   7    3      2,532    987    
Kimpton   17    (1     2,949    (417   
Crowne Plaza   17    2      3,286    796    
Hotel Indigo   32    2      3,965    (59   
EVEN Hotels   6    (2     780    (482   
Holiday Innb   128    3      17,304    (899   
Holiday Inn Express             488    39            46,796    2,851    
Staybridge Suites   131    26      13,896    2,666    
Candlewood Suites   108    10      9,604    884    
Other   11    (2     1,339    (260   
Total   945    80      102,451    6,067    

 

Analysed by ownership type

                         
Franchised   897    88      93,295    7,432    
Managed   48    (7     9,156    (1,163   
Owned and leased       (1         (202   
Total   945    80      102,451    6,067    
            

b  Includes three Holiday Inn Resort properties (455 rooms) (2015: seven Holiday Inn Resort properties (1,657 rooms)).

   

   

LOGO

Performance        IHG Annual Report and Form 20-F 2016                33


PERFORMANCE CONTINUED

Europe

 

    

    

Continue

Greater China results

                     12 months ended 31 December 
                  2018
$m
      2017
    Restated
$m
      2018 vs
2017
      % change
      2016
    Restated
$m
      2017 vs
2016
      % change
 
Revenue from the reportable segmenta                              
Fee business    143     117     22.2     112     4.5 
Total    143     117     22.2     112     4.5 
Percentage of Group revenue from reportable segments    7.4     6.8     0.6     6.7     0.1 
Operating profit from the reportable segmenta                              
Fee business    69     52     32.7     46     13.0 
Exceptional items    (1                    
Operating profit    68     52     30.8     46     13.0 
Percentage of Group operating profit from reportable segments before central overheadsb    7.4     6.0     1.4     5.5     0.5 

Highlights for the year ended

31 December 2018

Comprising 391 hotels (115,313 rooms) at 31 December 2018, Greater China represented approximately 14% of the Group’s room count. The majority of rooms in Greater China operate under the managed business model.

Revenue from the reportable segmenta increased by $26m (22.2%) to grow$143m and operating profit increased by $16m (30.8%) to $68m, both including the benefit of $6m of significant liquidated damages recorded (2017: $nil). Operating profit from the reportable segmenta increased by $17m (32.7%) to $69m. On an underlyingc basis, revenue increased by $18m (15.4%) and operating profit increased by $10m (19.2%). The region achieved comparable RevPAR growth of 6.9%, ahead of the industry, reflecting our scale and management strength in priority marketsGreater China.

These increases in fee business revenue and key cities, whilst driving brand preference, focusingoperating profit were driven by strong trading and 13.6% rooms growth and continued benefits of leveraging the scale of the operational platform we have built in Greater China. Comparable RevPAR growth of 6.9% benefited from strong transient and meetings demand in mainland tier 1 and tier 2 cities.

Highlights for the year ended

31 December 2017

Revenue from the reportable segmentaand operating profit increased by $5m (4.5%) to $117m and by $6m (13.0%) to $52m respectively and on qualityan underlyingcbasis revenue increased by $7m (6.3%) and innovationoperating profit by $6m (13.0%).

These increases in guest experience, overfee business revenue and operating profit were driven by strong trading in Mainland China and 9.2% rooms growth as well as robust cost control as we continued to leverage the next three years.

LOGOscale of the operational platform we have built in Greater China. RevPAR growth of 6.0% benefited from strong transient, corporate and meetings demand in mainland tier 1 cities.

a

Greater China reportable segment includes revenue and operating profit before exceptional items, excluding System Fund revenues and expenses and reimbursement of costs, for the fee business.

 

b

Operating profit from reportable segments before central overheads excludes exceptional items, System Fund revenues and expenses, reimbursement of costs, and central overheads, to assist understanding of the relative contribution of IHG’s regions to the Group.

 

PROGRESS AGAINST 2016
c

Underlying revenue and underlying operating profit both exclude System Fund revenues and expenses, reimbursement of costs, the impact of owned asset disposals, significant liquidated damages and current year acquisitions, all translated at constant currency using prior year exchange rates. Underlying operating profit growth also excludes the impact of exceptional items ((see pages 172 and 173).

REGIONAL PRIORITIES
IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2018  |  Strategic Report  |  Performance47


Strategic Report

 

1.Grew

Performance continued

Greater China continued

Greater China hotel and room count

             

Hotels

              Rooms 
At 31 December                    2018     Change
        over 2017
                     2018     Change
        over 2017
 
Analysed by brand                        
Regent Hotels    3     3     1,236     1,236 
InterContinental    47     7     19,229     2,600 
HUALUXE    8     1     2,335     246 
Crowne Plaza    91     9     32,410     3,462 
Hotel Indigo    10     3     1,506     483 
Holiday Inna    92     6     28,007     1,348 
Holiday Inn Express    133     32     29,164     5,351 
Other    7     2     1,426     (952
Total    391     63     115,313     13,774 
Analysed by ownership type                        
Franchised    36     25     8,755     4,991 
Managed    355     38     106,558     8,783 
Total    391     63     115,313     13,774 
Percentage of Group hotel and room count    7.0     24.7     13.8     35.8 

a

Includes six Holiday Inn Resort properties (1,726 rooms) (2017: six Holiday Inn Resort properties (1,820 rooms)).

Total number of hotels

391

Total number of rooms

115,313

The Greater China System size increased by 63 hotels (13,774 rooms) in 2018 to 391 hotels (115,313 rooms). 77 hotels (18,812 rooms) opened, our highest ever and 34 hotels (8,242 rooms) higher than 2017. Recent growth in the region has focused on tier 2 and 3 cities, which now represent approximately 67% of our open rooms. 47 Holiday Inn brand family hotels (9,090 rooms) were added in the year, compared to 33 hotels (7,184 rooms) in 2017.

14 hotels (5,038 rooms) were removed in 2018 compared to seven hotels (2,053 rooms) in 2017.

Greater China pipeline

             

Hotels

              Rooms 
At 31 December                    2018     Change
        over 2017
                     2018     Change
        over 2017
 
Analysed by brand                        
InterContinental    25     (3    7,399     (1,581
Kimpton    4     2     899     540 
HUALUXE    21          6,099     (190
Crowne Plaza    39     3     11,855     182 
Hotel Indigo    17     2     2,794     259 
EVEN Hotels    7     4     1,688     892 
Holiday Innb    56     2     15,260     144 
Holiday Inn Express    171     37     31,650     5,993 
Other    1          279      
Total    341     47     77,923     6,239 
Analysed by ownership type                        
Franchised    124     56     22,005     10,329 
Managed    217     (9    55,918     (4,090
Total    341     47     77,923     6,239 

b

Includes eight Holiday Inn Resort properties (2,711 rooms) (2017: seven Holiday Inn Resort properties (2,380 rooms)).

Total number of hotels in the pipeline

341

Total number of rooms in the pipeline

77,923

At 31 December 2018, the Greater China pipeline totalled 341 hotels (77,923 rooms) compared to 294 hotels (71,684 rooms) at 31 December 2017. Signings (142 hotels, 29,130 rooms) were the highest ever, representing an increase of 20.3% (4,929 rooms) from the prior year. 99 hotels (17,958 rooms) were signed for the Holiday Inn brand family, including 71 franchised Holiday Inn Express hotels.

18 hotels (4,079 rooms) were removed from the pipeline in 2018, compared to 20 hotels (5,975 rooms) in 2017.

48IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2018


Central

Central results

                     12 months ended 31 December 
                  2018
$m
     2017
    Restated
$m
     

2018

vs 2017
    % change

     2016
    Restated
$m
     

2017

vs 2016
    % change

 
Revenue    170     157     8.3     147     6.8 
Gross costs    (287    (259    (10.8    (270    4.1 
     (117    (102    (14.7    (123    17.1 
Exceptional items    (55    (29    (89.7          
Operating loss    (172    (131    (31.3    (123    6.5 

Highlights for the year ended

31 December 2018

Net operating loss increased by $41m (31.3%) compared to 2017. Central revenue, which mainly comprises technology fee income, increased by $13m (8.3%) to $170m (an increase of $12m (7.6%) at constant currency), driven by increases in both comparable RevPAR (2.5%) and IHG System size (4.8%).

Gross costs increased by $28m (10.8%), partly impacted by $2m of adverse foreign exchangea and driven by reinvestment of a portion of savings delivered elsewhere in the business and higher healthcare costs.

Net operating loss before exceptional items increased by $15m (14.7%) to $117m (a $14m or 13.7% increase to $116m at constant currency).

Highlights for the year ended

31 December 2017

The net operating loss increased by $8m (6.5%) compared to 2016. Central revenue, which mainly comprises technology fee income, increased by $10m (6.8%) to $157m (an increase of $11m (7.5%) at constant currency), driven by increases in both comparable RevPAR (2.7%) and IHG System size (4.0%). Gross costs decreased by $11m (4.1%), benefiting from the impact of $4m of foreign exchangea and the impact of our cost management programme.

Net operating loss before exceptional items decreased by $21m (17.1%) to $102m (an $18m or 14.6% decrease at constant currency).

a

The impact of movements between the previous year’s average exchange rates and actual average rates in 2018.

Other financial information

System Fund

In the year to 31 December 2018, System Fund revenues decreased by 0.7% from $1,242m to $1,233m (2016: $1,199m). The primary driver was a favourable adjustment in 2017 (as restated) relating to a change in the actuarial assumptions around the ultimate rate of consumption of IHG Rewards Club points (‘breakage’). This adjustment was immaterial in 2018. This is largely offset by an underlying growth of 6.3% in assessment fees and contributions from hotels, reflecting increased RevPAR and System size, and increased revenue relating toco-branding agreements.

The Group operates a System Fund to collect and administer cash assessments from hotel owners for the specific purpose of use in marketing, the Guest Reservation Systems, and hotel loyalty programme. The Fund also receives proceeds from the sale of loyalty points under third-partyco-branding arrangements. The Fund is not managed to generate a profit or loss for IHG, although anin-year surplus or deficit can arise, but is managed for the benefit of hotels in the IHG System with the objective of driving revenues for the hotels.

Reimbursement of costs

In the year to 31 December 2018, reimbursable revenue increased 6.2% from $1,103m to $1,171m (2016: $1,046m), primarily due to an increase in the number of managed hotels in the Americas driving additional payroll cost.

Cost reimbursements revenue represents reimbursements of costs incurred on behalf of managed and franchised properties and

relates, predominantly, to payroll costs at managed properties where we are the employer. As we record cost reimbursements based upon costs incurred with no added mark up, this revenue and related expenses has no impact on either our potentialoperating profit or net income.

Exceptional items

Pre-tax exceptional items are treated as exceptional by reason of their size or nature and are excluded from the calculation of adjusted earnings per ordinary share as well as otherNon-GAAP measures (see page 36) in order to provide a more meaningful comparison of performance and can include, but are not restricted to, gains and losses on the disposal of assets, impairment charges and reversals, and restructuring costs (for more information see page 124).

2018pre-tax exceptional items totalled a charge of $104m. The charge included: $18m of litigation costs primarily relating to a material settlement agreed in respect of a lawsuit filed against the Group in the Americas region, together with associated legal fees; $56m relating to reorganisation costs (see below); $15m arising from the termination of the US funded Inter-Continental Hotels Pension Plan and $15m relating to the acquisition of the Regent Hotels and Resorts brand and associated management contracts (‘Regent’), the UK portfolio and Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spas (‘Six Senses’).

On 1 July 2018, the Group completed the acquisition of a 51% controlling interest in an agreement with Formosa International Hotels Corporation (‘FIH’) to acquire Regent.

On 25 July 2018, the Group completed a deal to operate nine hotels under long-term leases from Covivio (formerly Foncière des Régions), which operated under the Principal and De Vere Hotels brands. An additional leased hotel was added to the portfolio on 13 November 2018, bringing the total to ten (‘UK portfolio’) at 31 December 2018. Two further leased hotels were added on 14 February 2019. On 12 February 2019, the Group completed the acquisition of Six Senses for $300m paid in cash.

Reorganisation costs

In September 2017, the Group launched a comprehensive efficiency programme funding a series of new strategic initiatives to drive an acceleration in IHG’s future growth, by focusing on significantly increasing ourgrowth. The programme is centred around strengthening the Group’s organisational structure to redeploy resources to leverage scale in Germany (see page 30). In 2016, 22 hotels were signed or opened.the highest opportunity markets and segments. The programme is expected to be completed in 2019.

The programme is expected to realise c.$125m in annual savings by 2020, of which c.$75m will benefit the System Fund. These savings, primarily in administrative expenses, are planned to be reinvested as they are realised to accelerate medium-term revenue growth. There will be an estimated $200m cost to achieve these savings, (of which $103m was incurred in 2018 (2017: $45m)), including amounts charged to the System Fund. The exceptional cost charged to the Group income statement in 2018 of $56m includes consultancy fees of $25m and severance costs of $18m.

IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2018  |  Strategic Report  |  Performance49


Strategic Report

 

2.Strengthened brand preference

Performance continued

Other financial information

Net financial expenses

Net financial expenses increased by embedding$9m to $81m. The increase is primarily due to the new Holiday Inn open-lobby concept – 58 per centunwind of $5m interest on deferred and contingent consideration relating to the Regent and UK portfolio acquisitions and interest on the500m bond issued in November 2018. On an underlying basis, interest increased from $85m to $100m.

Financing costs included $48m (2017: $44m) of interest costs on the public bonds and $20m (2017: $20m) in respect of the estate has implemented or committedInterContinental Boston finance lease, both of which are fixed rate debt.

Taxation

The effective rate of tax on profit before exceptional items and System Fund was 22% (2017: 29%). Excluding the impact of prior year items, the equivalent tax rate would be 23% (2017: 30%). This rate is higher than the average UK statutory rate of 19% (2017: 19.25%), due mainly to implement it, which has already resultedcertain overseas profits (particularly in an eight percentage-point increasethe US) being subject to statutory tax rates higher than the UK statutory rate, unrelieved foreign taxes and disallowable expenses.

Taxation within exceptional items totalled a credit of $27m (2017: credit of $88m). This included a current tax credit of $11m on reorganisation costs, a $5m current tax credit in Guest Love scores versus pre-refurbishment. Embeddedrespect of litigation costs, a $6m tax credit ($5m current tax and $1m deferred tax) arising from a US pension scheme settlement, a $2m current tax credit in respect of acquisition costs, a $2m prior year current tax charge on the new room design for Holiday Inn Express – 56 per centsale of the estate has implemented or committedAvendra, and a $5m exceptional prior year tax credit in respect of significant US tax reform.

Net tax paid in 2018 totalled $68m (2017: $172m). The 2018 tax paid was less than 2017 principally due to implement it, which has already resulted in a five percentage-point increase in Guest Love scores versus pre-refurbishment. Signed the first two Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants hotels in Europe’s key cities, the first to open in Amsterdam in early 2017.

3.Drove demand through our direct channels by rolling out Your Rate acrossmaterial tax repayments from the UK and Ireland, Belgium, Netherlands, FranceUS tax authorities in 2018 and Germanyexceptional tax paid on the sale of Avendra in 2017.

IHG pursues an approach to tax that is consistent with its business strategy and its overall business conduct principles. This approach seeks to ensure full compliance with all tax filing, payment and reporting obligations on the basis of communicative and transparent relationships with tax authorities. Policies and procedures related to tax risk management are subject to regular review and update and are approved by the IHG Audit Committee.

LOGO

The Group’s Approach to Tax

document is available on IHG’s website at

www.ihgplc.com/responsible-business

Tax liabilities or refunds may differ from those anticipated, in particular as a result of changes in tax law, changes in the interpretation of tax law, or clarification of uncertainties in the application of tax law. Procedures to minimise risk include the preparation of thorough tax risk assessments for all transactions carrying material tax risk and, where appropriate, material tax uncertainties are discussed and resolved with tax authorities in advance. As a result of its business profile as a hotel manager, and also as a residual legacy from prior acquisitions, IHG does have a small number of subsidiaries in jurisdictions commonly portrayed as tax havens. IHG manages such subsidiaries on a basis consistent with its business principles (for example, by making some foreign incorporated companies UK tax resident or by operating others so that local profits are commensurate with local activity).

IHG’s contribution to the jurisdictions in which it operates includes a significant contribution in the form of taxes borne and collected, including taxes on its revenues and profits and in respect of the employment its business generates. IHG earns approximately 75% of its revenues in the form of franchise, management or similar fees, with over 82%of IHG-branded hotels

being franchised. In jurisdictions in which IHG does franchise business, the prevailing tax law will generally provide for IHG to be taxed in the form of local withholding taxes based on a percentage of fees rather than based on profits. Costs to support the franchise business are normally incurred regionally or globally, and therefore profits for an individual franchise jurisdiction cannot be separately determined.

Dividends

The Board has proposed a final dividend per ordinary share of 78.1¢. With the interim dividend per ordinary share of 36.3¢, the full-year dividend per ordinary share for 2018 will total 114.4¢, an increase of 10% over 2017.

On 19 October 2018, the Group announced a $500m return of funds to shareholders by way of a special dividend and share consolidation. The special dividend ($2.621 per ordinary share) was paid on 29 January 2019.

IHG pays its dividends in pounds sterling and US dollars. The sterling amount of the final dividend will be announced on 26 April 2019 using the average of the daily exchange rates from 23 April 2019 to 25 April 2019 inclusive. See page 17 for details of IHG’s dividend policy.

Earnings per ordinary share

Basic earnings per ordinary share decreased by 34.0% to 184.7¢ from 279.8¢ in 2017 whilst adjusted earnings per ordinary share and underlying earnings per ordinary share increased by 19.4% to 292.1¢ and by 18.8% to 290.5¢ respectively.

Share price and market capitalisation

The IHG share price closed at £42.37 on 31 December 2018, down from £47.19 on 31 December 2017. The market capitalisation of the Group at theyear-end was £8.1bn.

Liquidity and capital resources

Sources of liquidity

In November 2018, the Group issued a500m, 2.125% euro bond repayable in May 2027. The bond extends the maturity profile of the Group’s debt. Currency swaps were transacted at the same time the bonds were issued in order to swap the proceeds and interest flows into pounds sterling. The currency swaps fix the bond debt at £436m, with interest payable semi-annually at a rate of 3.5%. This is in addition to £400m of public bonds which are repayable on 28 November 2022, £300m repayable on 14 August 2025 and £350m repayable on 24 August 2026.

The Group is further financed by a $1.275bn revolving syndicated bank facility (the Syndicated Facility) and a $75m revolving bilateral facility (the Bilateral Facility) which mature in March 2022, both of which were undrawn at theyear-end. The Syndicated and Bilateral Facilities contain the same terms and two financial covenants; interest cover; and net debt divided by operating profit before exceptional items, depreciation and amortisation and System Fund revenue and expenses. The Group is in compliance with all of the financial covenants in its loan documents, none of which is expected to present a material restriction on funding in the near future. Financial covenants will not be affected by the adoption of IFRS 16 ‘Leases’.

Additional funding is provided by the99-year finance lease (of which 87 years remain) on InterContinental Boston and other uncommitted bank facilities (see note 20 to the Group Financial Statements). In the Group’s opinion, the available facilities are sufficient for the Group’s present liquidity requirements. Borrowings included bank overdrafts of $104m (2017: $110m), which were matched by an equivalent amount of cash and cash equivalents under the Group’s cash pooling arrangements.

50IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2018


Liquidity and capital resources continued

Under these arrangements, each pool contains a number of bank accounts with the same financial institution, and the Group pays interest on net overdraft balances within each pool. The cash pools are used forday-to-day cash management purposes and are managed daily as closely as possible to a zero balance on a net basis for each pool. Overseas subsidiaries are typically in a cash-positive position, with the most significant balances in the US and Canada, and the matching overdrafts are held by the Group’s central treasury company in the UK.

Net debt of $1,530m (2017: $1,851m) is analysed by currency as follows:

      

2018

$m

     

2017

$m

 
Borrowings            
Sterling*    1,895     1,416 
US dollar    329     601 
Euros    8     2 
Other    2      
Cash and cash equivalents            
Sterling    (479    (13
US dollar    (91    (75
Euros    (23    (13
Canadian dollar    (12    (13
Chinese renminbi    (58    (12
Other    (41    (42
Net debt    1,530     1,851 
Average debt level    1,755     1,810 

*

2018 includes the impact of currency swaps.

Cash balances at 31 December 2018 include $502m of the proceeds from the euro bond invested in short-term deposits and repurchase agreements. Cash and cash equivalents include $2m (2017: $3m) that is not available for use by the Group due to local exchange controls. In January 2019, $500m was returned to shareholders via a special dividend.

Information on the maturity profile and interest structure of borrowings is included in notes 20 and 22 to the Group Financial Statements.

Information on the Group’s approach to allocation of capital resources can be found on pages 16 and 17.

The Group had net liabilities of $1,077m at 31 December 2018, ($1,301m, restated at 31 December 2017).

Cash from operating activities

Net cash from operating activities totalled $666m for the year ended 31 December 2018, an increase of $89m on the previous year, reflecting the benefit of lower cash tax (see page 16)50).

Cash flow from operating activities is the principal source of cash used to fund the

ongoing operating expenses, interest payments, maintenance capital expenditure and normal dividend payments of the Group. The Group believes that the requirements of its existing business and future investment can be met from cash generated internally, disposition of assets, and external finance expected to be available to it.

Cash from investing activities

Net cash outflows from investing activities decreased by $17m to $189m, reflecting a lower level of expenditure on IHG Concerto in the current year and a $43m investment in one of the Group’s associates in 2017, offset by Avendra sale proceeds of $75m received last year. In the current year, $38m was spent on the acquisition of businesses and aone-off distribution of $32m was received from a joint venture.

The Group had committed contractual capital expenditure of $136m at 31 December 2018 (2017: $104m).

Cash used in financing activities

Net cash from financing activities totalled $86m, which was $532m higher than 2017, primarily due to a $133m increase in borrowings, including the issue of a new

500m long-term bond, offset by repayment of other borrowings and the cash outflow from the $400m special dividend paid in 2017.

Off-balance sheet arrangements

At 31 December 2018, the Group had nooff-balance sheet arrangements that have or are reasonably likely to have a current or future material effect on the Group’s financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources.

Contingent liabilities

Contingent liabilities include performance guarantees with possible cash outflows totalling $42m, guarantees over the debt of equity investments of $43m and outstanding letters of credit of $29m. The Group may also be exposed to additional liabilities resulting from security incidents. See note 30 to the Group Financial Statements for further details.

Contractual obligations

The Group had the following contractual obligations outstanding as of 31 December 2018. See table below.

      

Total amounts
committed

$m

      

    Less than

1 year

$m

      1–3
    years
$m
      3–5
    years
$m
      

After

    5 years
$m

 
Long-term debt obligationsa,b    1,913                  511      1,402 
Interest payableb    359      50      112      92      105 
Derivatives    46      12      15      15      4 
Finance lease obligationsc    3,300      16      32      40      3,212 
Operating lease obligationsd    509      56      121      66      266 
Agreed pension scheme contributions    6      6                   
Capital contracts placede    136      136                   
Deferred and contingent purchase considerationf    314      7      30      15      262 
Total    6,583      283      310      739      5,251 

a

Repayment period classified according to the related facility maturity date.

 

b

Excluding bank overdrafts.

 

IHG’S 2017 REGIONAL PRIORITIES
c

Mainly represents the minimum lease payments related to the99-year lease (of which 87 years remain) on InterContinental Boston. Payments under the lease step up at regular intervals over the lease term.

1.Grow System size by driving growth in our priority markets of the UK, Germany, and Russia and CIS, and across key cities, localising our brands as necessary.

2.Drive brand preference through the adoption of our innovative design concepts, including the Holiday Inn open-lobby concept and the new room design for Holiday Inn Express, thereby continuing to improve the guest experience and increase guest satisfaction. Establish Kimpton in the region, by building on the momentum of our 2016 signings.

3.Drive demand through our direct channels by completing the roll-out of Your Rate in the whole Europe region.

LOGO

 

Industry performance in 2016

The hotel industry in Europe is influenced by the larger markets in the region, notably the UK and Germany. Slowing demand due to security concerns held back European industry RevPAR in 2016, which increased by 2.5%. Regional room demand increased 1.4% and the average daily rate increased by 2.0%. RevPAR growth in the UK was 1.4%, driven by a 1.6% increase in average daily rate and a 1.8% increase in demand. In Germany, RevPAR saw strong growth of 4.7%, driven by a 3.7% growth in average daily rate and a 1.5% increase in demand. Russia saw growth of 15.7% driven by a 7.7% increase in average daily rate.

Source

Smith Travel Research for all of the above industry facts.

IHG’s regional performance in 2016

IHG’s regional comparable RevPAR increased by 1.7%, driven by average daily rate growth of 1.4%. The UK achieved strong growth of 2.6%, ahead of the industry, led by average daily rate growth in the provinces. In Germany, a favourable trade fair calendar led to RevPAR growth of 6.8%, ahead of industry in both occupancy and average daily rate. Russia RevPAR increased by 16.4%, ahead of industry. Across the rest of Europe, RevPAR declined by 1.4%, impacted by challenging trading conditions in France, Turkey and Belgium.

Europe comparable RevPAR

movement on previous year
d

See note 28 to the Group Financial Statements for futher details.

 

           

12 months ended

31 December 2016

Franchised        Managed    
All brands   2.0%   All brands  (0.3)%
e

Includes a commitment to spend $33m on the acquired UK portfolio (see note 11 to the Group Financial Statements for further details) within two and a half years of the acquisition date.

34                IHG Annual Report and Form 20-F 2016        Strategic Report


 

f

Relates to the acquisitions of Regent and the UK portfolio (see note 11 to the Group Financial Statements for further details).

 

Europe results

   12 months ended 31 December 
    

        2016

$m

  

    2015

$m

  

    2016 vs 2015 %

change

  

        2014

$m

  

    2015 vs 2014 %

change

 
Revenue                     
Franchised   102   104   (1.9  104    
Managed   125   131   (4.6  159   (17.6
Owned and leased      30   (100.0  111   (73.0
Total   227   265   (14.3  374   (29.1
Percentage of Group revenue   13.3   14.7   (1.4  20.1   (5.4
Operating profit before exceptional items                     
Franchised   78   77   1.3   78   (1.3
Managed   22   28   (21.4  30   (6.7
Owned and leased      1   (100.0  14   (92.9
    100   106   (5.7  122   (13.1
Regional overheads   (25  (28  10.7   (33  15.2 
    75   78   (3.8  89   (12.4
Exceptional items      175   (100.0  (56  412.5 
Operating profit   75   253   (70.4  33   666.7 
Percentage of Group operating profit before central overheads and exceptional items   9.0   9.4   (0.4  11.0   (1.6

Highlights for the year ended

31 December 2016

Comprising 677 hotels (110,069 rooms) at the end of 2016, Europe represented 14% of the Group’s room count and 9% of the Group’s operating profit before central overheads and exceptional items for the year ended 31 December 2016. Revenues are primarily generated from hotels in the UK and continental European gateway cities. The largest proportion of rooms in Europe are operated under the franchise business model primarily in the upper midscale segment (Holiday Inn and Holiday Inn Express). Similarly, in the upscale segment, Crowne Plaza is predominantly franchised, whereas, in the luxury segment, the majority of InterContinental-branded hotels are operated under management agreements.

Revenue decreased by $38m (14.3%) to $227m and operating profit decreased by $178m (70.4%) to $75m, primarily due to the gain on sale of InterContinental Paris – Le Grand during the year ended 31 December 2015. Operating profit before exceptional items decreased by $3.0m (3.8%) to $75m. Underlyinga revenue increased by $1m (0.6%) and underlyinga operating profit stayed flat at $76m. Overall, comparable RevPAR in Europe increased by 1.7%, with the UK increasing by 2.6%, led by average daily rate growth in the provinces, Germany growing by 6.8% and Russia and CIS growing at 14.7%.

Franchised revenue decreased by $2m (1.9%) to $102m, whilst operating profit increased by $1m (1.3%) to $78m. On a constant currency basis, revenue and operating profit increased by $6m (5.8%) and $6m (7.8%) respectively.

Managed revenue decreased by $6m (4.6%) and operating profit decreased by $6m (21.4%). Revenue and operating profit included $77m (2015: $75m) and $2m (2015: $1m) respectively from managed leases. Excluding properties operated under this arrangement, and on a constant currency basis, revenue decreased by $5m (8.9%) and operating profit decreased by $6m (22.2%). Performance was impacted by difficult trading conditions for our hotels in Paris, and a revenue reduction in relation to three managed hotels; two of which have exited the system and one of which is undergoing a major refurbishment.

The last remaining hotel in the owned and leased estate, InterContinental Paris – Le Grand, was sold in 2015. Following this, revenue and operating profit in the estate decreased to nil.

aUnderlying excludes the impact of owned asset disposals, significant liquidated damages and the results from managed-lease hotels, translated at constant currency by applying prior year exchange rates (see pages 156 and 157). Underlying operating profit growth also excludes the impact of exceptional items.

Highlights for the year ended

31 December 2015

Revenue decreased by $109m (29.1%) to $265m and operating profit increased by $220m (666.7%) to $253m, primarily due to the gain on sale of the InterContinental Paris – Le Grand. Operating profit before exceptional items decreased by $11m (12.4%) to $78m. The decrease in revenue and operating profit before exceptional items was primarily due to InterContinental Paris – Le Grand becoming a managed property and the negative impact of significant foreign exchange translation movement. Underlyinga revenue and underlyinga operating profit increased by $13m (7.5%) and $17m (23.3%) respectively, with the transition of 61 UK managed hotels to franchise contracts driving an increase in underlying franchise fees, and cost efficiencies reducing regional overheads. Overall, comparable RevPAR in Europe increased by 5.4%, with the UK increasing by 5.1%, led by rate growth in both London and the provinces, and Germany growing by 4.4%.

Franchised revenue remained flat at $104m, whilst operating profit decreased by $1m (1.3%) to $77m. On a constant currency basis, revenue and operating profit increased by $15m (14.4%) and $11m (14.1%) respectively, following the transition of UK managed hotels to franchise contracts.

Managed revenue decreased by $28m (17.6%) and operating profit decreased by $2m (6.7%). Revenue and operating profit included $75m (2014: $90m) and $1m (2014: $2m) respectively from managed leases. Excluding properties operated under this arrangement, and on a constant currency basis, revenue decreased by $2m (2.9%) and operating profit increased by $3m (10.7%), impacted by the transition of UK managed hotels to franchise contracts.

The one remaining hotel in the owned and leased estate, InterContinental Paris – Le Grand, was sold on 20 May 2015 for gross proceeds of330m. Owned and leased revenue decreased by $81m (73.0%) to $30m and operating profit decreased by $13m (92.9%) to $1m.

LOGO

IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2018  |  Strategic Report  |  Performance51
Performance        IHG Annual Report and Form 20-F 2016                35


PERFORMANCE CONTINUED

Europecontinued


LOGO

 

    

 

Europe hotel and room count

 

            

Total number of hotels

 

677

    

    

Total number of rooms

 

110,069

 

During 2016, Europe System size increased by 17 hotels (3,358 rooms) to 677 hotels (110,069 rooms). The Group opened 24 hotels (4,188 rooms) in Europe in 2016, compared to 36 hotels (5,493 rooms) in 2015.

 

Seven hotels (830 rooms) left the Europe System in the period, compared to 23 hotels (2,990 rooms) in the previous year.

   Hotels      Rooms      
At 31 December  2016   

Change

over 2015

       2016   

Change

over 2015

      
Analysed by brand                           
InterContinental   31    (1       9,724    (162   
Crowne Plaza   92    4        20,887    618    
Hotel Indigo   21    2        1,910    120    
Holiday Inna   291    6        47,829    1,679    
Holiday Inn Express   234    6        28,578    1,053    
Staybridge Suites   7    1        1,000    123    
Other   1    (1       141    (73   
Total   677    17        110,069    3,358    

 

Analysed by ownership type

                           
Franchised   629    14        97,030    2,620    
Managed   48    3        13,039    738    
Total   677    17        110,069    3,358    
Percentage of Group hotel and room count   13.1            14.4    0.1    
            
Governance

Governance

54Chair’s overview
55Corporate Governance
55Our Board and Committee governance structure
56Our Board of Directors
58Our Executive Committee
60Board meetings
61Engagement with stakeholders
62Director induction, training and development
63Board effectiveness evaluation
64Audit Committee Report
68Corporate Responsibility Committee Report
69Nomination Committee Report
70Statement of compliance with the UK Corporate Governance Code
72Directors’ Remuneration Report
72Remuneration Committee Chair’s statement
73At a glance
74Remuneration at IHG – the wider context
78Annual Report on Directors’ RemunerationaIncludes one Holiday Inn Resort property (88 rooms) (2015: two Holiday Inn Resort properties (212 rooms)).

 

Europe pipeline

 

            

 

    

Total number of hotels in the pipeline

 

137

    

    

Total number of rooms in the pipeline

 

23,954

 

The Europe pipeline totalled 137 hotels (23,954 rooms) at 31 December 2016, representing an increase of 24 hotels (3,422 rooms) over 31 December 2015. New room signings reached their highest level since 2007 with 60 hotels (9,554 rooms), an increase of 12 hotels (728 rooms) from the prior year. Signings included 17 hotels (2,790 rooms) in Germany, a record number of signings for the third year running and 12 hotels (1,952 rooms) in the UK.

 

12 hotels (1,944 rooms) were removed from the pipeline in 2016, compared to 13 hotels (1,694 rooms) in 2015.

   Hotels      Rooms      
At 31 December  2016   

Change

over 2015

       2016   

Change

over 2015

      
Analysed by brand                           
InterContinental   6    1        813    (69   
Kimpton   1    1        149    149    
Crowne Plaza   14    3        3,185    512    
Hotel Indigo   18    7        2,264    861    
Holiday Inn   35    (2       7,511    (323   
Holiday Inn Express   58    13        9,395    2,197    
Staybridge Suites   5    1        637    126    
Other                   (31   
Total   137    24        23,954    3,422    

 

Analysed by ownership type

                           
Franchised   111    23        17,908    3,781    
Managed   26    1        6,046    (359   
Total   137    24        23,954    3,422    
            
52IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2018

 


LOGO

Holiday Inn Helsinki City Centre, Finland                

IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2018  |  Governance 53
36                


Governance

Chair’s overview

LOGOGood governance is integral to IHG’s success and ensuring long-term, sustainable value creation and our ability to create a diverse and inclusive culture built on strong values and ethics.

At IHG, we recognise the importance of maintaining the highest standards of corporate governance which supports our culture, our values and our commitment to conducting business responsibly. Good corporate governance underpins a successful business and recognises the importance of all stakeholders.

The Board oversees the long-term strategic aims of the Group and is responsible for the leadership of the Group, ensuring our actions are in keeping with the strong ethics and values that shape our culture and deliver long-term, sustainable value for our stakeholders.

Focus areas and activities

During 2018, the Board and Executive leadership team worked together in a constructive and effective collaboration to develop our shared commitment to our strategy, with growth as the central focus. Our two day Annual Strategy Meeting concentrated on the competitive landscape and dynamics, our performance and progress against our growth plans, and the potential challenges ahead.

During the year, the Board regularly reviewed progress against strategic and operational goals, ensured that risk management controls (in line with the Group’s risk appetite) were incorporated within key decisions and that the impact on key stakeholders was considered.

Culture featured prominently on the Board agenda, as the Board believes that continuing to evolve our culture (and continuing to focus on diversity and the talent pipeline) is critical for the long-term.

The increasing challenge posed by cybersecurity meant that the Board strengthened governance and oversight of cyber risk. The conclusions of an independent external assessment of vulnerabilities and cybersecurity maturity and a forward-looking action plan were presented to the Board, and regular Board updates provided.

Other key focus areas in 2018 included (i) a review of changes in corporate governance regulations; (ii) compliance with the hosting and processing of personal data requirements under GDPR; and (iii) reporting and disclosure requirements to support greater transparency, including those relating to the UK Gender Pay Gap.

Governance framework

The Board delegates certain responsibilities to the Audit, Corporate Responsibility, Nomination and Remuneration Committees (the Principal Committees) to assist in ensuring that effective corporate governance permeates throughout the business.

We have reviewed the new 2018 UK Corporate Governance Code (the 2018 Code) and The Companies (Miscellaneous Reporting) Regulations 2018, to determine how we can further enhance our governance processes. Our Principal Committees’ Terms of Reference have been amended and we are assessing processes to ensure effective Board engagement with our workforce. This work will continue into 2019 and we will report on our compliance with the 2018 Code next year.

The Audit Committee has this year been focused on risk and assurance, given changes to the organisational structure and the programme of strategic initiatives, and overseeing the external audit tender process; the Corporate Responsibility Committee has been focused on the delivery of targets for 2018-2020 and the continuing development of our responsible business approach; the Nomination Committee has been focused on the composition and diversity of the Board and the continuing development of our diversity and inclusion framework; and the Remuneration Committee has been focused on ensuring that the delivery against our strategic objectives are appropriately incentivised.

Board culture and composition

We have a disciplined approach to Board composition to ensure that the Board collectively has the appropriate skills, competencies, diversity of style, gender and perspective, as well as geographical representation to effectively contribute and add value.

Last year we identified the need to increase our US representation and appointed Elie Maalouf to the Board as a result. As Chief Executive Officer of the Americas, Elie is responsible for IHG’s largest operating region and details of the induction process for Elie can be found on page 62.

Training, development and Board performance review

The training and development needs of each Director are regularly reviewed. During 2018, Directors received training on a variety of topics, further details of which can be found on page 62.

We continue to run our three-year Board evaluation cycle and in 2018, as part of our internal Board effectiveness review, we confirmed that the Board processes were operating effectively. We also conducted anotherpeer-to-peer Chair andNon-Executive Director assessment. Further details can be found on page 63.

Compliance and our dual listing

As a dual-listed company with a premium listing on the London Stock Exchange and a secondary listing on the New York Stock Exchange, we are required to file an Annual Report in the UK and a Form20-F in the US. To ensure consistency of information provided to both UK and US investors, we have again produced a combined Annual Report and Form 20-F20-F. Our statement of compliance with the 2016        Strategic Report


Asia, Middle East and Africa (AMEA)

Focus UK Corporate Governance Code (the Code) is located on portfolio growthpages 70 and 71. I am pleased to report that, during 2018, we complied fully with all principles and provisions of the Code. A statement outlining the differences between the Group’s UK corporate governance practices and those followed by US companies can be found on page 196.

Looking forward

We recognise the importance of good corporate governance in key cities and resort destinations, while increasing our revenue share through enhanced guest satisfaction and greater loyalty contribution, overfacilitating effective management that can deliver the next three years.

LOGO

PROGRESS AGAINST 2016

REGIONAL PRIORITIES

1.Grew System size with in-year conversions of over 2,150 rooms in Japan, India, Indonesia and elsewhere. We accelerated our growth by signing over 10,500 rooms, most for full-service brands, and many in high RevPAR locations such as Japan, Australia and the Republic of Maldives.

2.Strengthened brand preference in the boutique and lifestyle segment in the AMEA region by opening the Hotel Indigo Singapore Katong, and entering into an agreement to introduce EVEN Hotels to Australia and New Zealand.

3.Supported our people strategy through the launchlong-term success of our Learning Cultureorganisation for General Managersour stakeholders. In 2019 we will continue to monitor and Corporate colleagues, to further leadership skills and business agility. Recognised by Great Places to Work as the third preferred employer in Singapore and fourth in Saudi Arabia across all industries.

IHG’S 2017 REGIONAL PRIORITIES

1.Grow System size in key cities and resort destinations through both new build and conversion signings. Particular attention to be paid to IHG’s strong portfolio of boutique and lifestyle brands to drive high-value growth.

2.Drive brand preference through relentlesssupport our strategic initiatives, continue our focus on serviceculture and enhance contribution from IHG Rewards Club, thereby continuingdiversity, risk appetite and cybersecurity, and ensure that our ways of working, structures of reporting, systems of control and commitment to improveconducting business responsibly, continue to underpin our strategic and operational goals, and align with the guest experience and increase guest satisfaction.

3.Drive superior returns for our owners through improved communication and refinement of our hotel design and opening processes, to ensure market-leading ROI.

LOGO

Industry performance in 2016

AMEA room demand growth was offset by supply growth, resulting in flat occupancy. Falling average daily rate in several key countries suppressed RevPAR growth to 0.9%. Slowing global trade and weak oil prices impacted lodging performance in Indonesia, United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Saudi Arabia. Industry RevPAR declined in all three countries by 4.0% in Indonesia, 8.5% in Saudi Arabia and 9.0% in UAE. Decreasing average daily rates were the principal driver in Indonesia and UAE, whilst both occupancy and average daily rate fell in Saudi Arabia. In contrast, Japan achieved solid RevPAR growth of 4.0% due to an increase in average daily rate. RevPAR increased in India by 5.9% and in Thailand by 3.7%, both led by occupancy growth. Australia RevPAR increased by 2.2%, driven by a 1.2% increase in average daily rate.

Source

Smith Travel Research for all of the above industry facts.

IHG’s regional performance in 2016

Across this large region, IHG is widely represented, both geographically and by brand, meaning comparisons with the industry are hard to make. IHG regional comparable RevPAR decreased by 0.2% due to a decline in average daily rate, offset by occupancy gains. Middle East RevPAR declined by 7.0%, impacted by declining oil prices. Performance outside the Middle East was strong with 3.7% RevPAR growth overall. Performance was led by strong positive trading in the mature markets of Japan, where RevPAR increased by 3.6%, and in Australia where RevPAR increased by 2.9% ahead of the industry. India outperformed the market with strong RevPAR growth of 14.1%. Total RevPAR was down 2.0% for the year impacted by the proportion of hotel openings in developing markets where RevPARs are significantly lower than developed markets.

AMEA comparable RevPAR movement on previous year

           

12 months ended

31 December 2016

Franchised        Managed    
All brands   (0.1)%   All brands  (0.2)%

LOGO

Performance        IHG Annual Report and Form 20-F 2016                37


PERFORMANCE CONTINUED

Asia, Middle East and Africa (AMEA)continued

AMEA results

   12 months ended 31 December 
    

        2016

$m

  

    2015

$m

  

    2016 vs 2015 %

change

  

        2014

$m

  

    2015 vs 2014 %

change

 
Revenue                     
Franchised   16   16      16    
Managed   184   189   (2.6  187   1.1 
Owned and leased   37   36   2.8   39   (7.7
Total   237   241   (1.7  242   (0.4
Percentage of Group revenue   13.8   13.3   0.5   13.0   0.3 
Operating profit before exceptional items                     
Franchised   12   12      12    
Managed   89   90   (1.1  88   2.3 
Owned and leased   2   3   (33.3  3    
    103   105   (1.9  103   1.9 
Regional overheads   (21  (19  (10.5  (19   
    82   86   (4.7  84   2.4 
Exceptional items      (2  100.0      (100.0
Operating profit   82   84   (2.4  84    
Percentage of Group operating profit before central overheads and exceptional items   9.8   10.4   (0.6  10.5   (0.1

Highlights for the year ended

31 December 2016

Comprising 280 hotels (76,051 rooms) at 31 December 2016, AMEA represented 10% of the Group’s room count and contributed 10% of the Group’s operating profit before central overheads and exceptional items during the year. 83% of rooms in AMEA are operated under the managed business model.

Revenue and operating profit decreased by $4m (1.7%) to $237m and by $2m (2.4%) to $82m respectively. Operating profit before exceptional items decreased by $4m (4.7%) to $82m. Underlyinga revenue and underlyingaoperating profit decreased by $8m (4.1%) and $3m (3.7%) respectively.

Comparable RevPAR decreased 0.2% primarily due to a fall in rate. Performance was positive in India, which grew by 14.1%, and Japan exhibited growth of 3.6%, however the Middle East decreased by 7.0%, impacted by declining oil prices and oversupply.

On an actual and constant currency basis franchised revenue and operating profit remained flat at $16m and $12m respectively.

Managed revenue and operating profit decreased by $5m (2.6%) to $184m and $1m (1.1%) to $89m respectively. Revenue and operating profit included $51m (2015: $46m) and $5m (2015: $5m) respectively from one managed-lease property. Excluding results from this hotel and on a constant currency basis, revenue decreased by $9m (6.3%) to $134m, whilst operating profit remained flat at $85m. Good underlying growth in our managed business was offset by a $7m revenue reduction in relation to four hotels; three long standing contracts being renewed onto standard market terms and one equity stake disposal.

In the owned and leased estate, on an actual and constant currency basis, revenue increased by $1m (2.8%) to $37m and operating profit decreased by $1m (33.3%) to $2m.

aUnderlying excludes the impact of owned asset disposals, significant liquidated damages and the results from managed-lease hotels, translated at constant currency by applying prior year exchange rates (see pages 156 and 157). Underlying operating profit growth also excludes the impact of exceptional items.

Highlights for the year ended

31 December 2015

Revenue decreased by $1m (0.4%) to $241m, whilst operating profit remained flat at $84m. Operating before exceptional items increased by $2m (2.4%) to $86m. Revenue and operating profit before exceptional items were both adversely impacted by foreign exchange translation. Underlyinga revenue and underlyinga operating profit increased by $13m (6.5%) and $7m (8.7%) respectively.

Comparable RevPAR increased 4.5%, driven by growth in both rate and occupancy. Performance was led by strong positive trading in the mature markets of Japan, which grew by 14.6%, and Australia, which increased by 4.5%. South East Asia exhibited growth of 5.7%, however the Middle East increased by 0.2%, impacted by declining oil prices.

Franchised revenue and operating profit remained flat at $16m and $12m respectively. On a constant currency basis, revenue and operating profit increased by $1m (6.3%) and $1m (8.3%) respectively.

Managed revenue increased by $2m (1.1%) to $189m and operating profit increased by $2m (2.3%) to $90m. Comparable RevPAR increased by 5.4%, with the majority of rooms opening in the last quarter of 2015. Revenue and operating profit included $46m (2014: $41m) and $5m (2014: $4m) respectively from one managed-lease property. Excluding results from this hotel and on a constant currency basis, revenue increased by $9m (6.2%), whilst operating profit increased by $6m (7.1%).

In the owned and leased estate, revenue decreased by $3m (7.7%) to $36m and operating profit remained flat at $3m. On a constant currency basis, revenue increased by $3m (7.7%) and operating profit increased by $1m (33.3%).

38                IHG Annual Report and Form 20-F 2016        Strategic Report


AMEA hotel and room count

 

            

Total number of hotels

 

280

    

    

Total number of rooms

 

76,051

 

The AMEA System size increased by 13 hotels (3,478 rooms) to 280 hotels (76,051 rooms) as at 31 December 2016. Openings decreased by five hotels (2,139 rooms) to 17 hotels (4,473 rooms) in 2016. Four hotels (995 rooms) were removed from the AMEA System in 2016, compared to eight hotels (1,915 rooms) in 2015.

   Hotels       Rooms     
At 31 December  2016   

Change

over 2015

        2016   

Change

over 2015

     
Analysed by brand                           
InterContinental   69    1         21,203    (35  
Crowne Plaza   73    2         20,749    738   
Hotel Indigo   2    1         323    131   
Holiday Inna   93    2         21,312    328   
Holiday Inn Express   34    7         7,583    1,697   
Staybridge Suites   3             425       
Other   6             4,456    619   
Total             280    13               76,051    3,478   

 

Analysed by ownership type

                           
Franchised   55    3         12,570    646   
Managed   223    10         62,894    2,832   
Owned and leased   2             587       
Total   280    13         76,051    3,478   
Percentage of Group hotel and room count   5.4    0.1         9.9    0.1   

aIncludes 14 Holiday Inn Resort properties (2,953 rooms) (2015: 15 Holiday Inn Resort properties (3,169 rooms))

AMEA pipeline

 

           

 

Total number of hotels in the pipeline

 

149

    

    

Total number of rooms in the pipeline

 

39,643

 

At 31 December 2016, the AMEA pipeline totalled 149 hotels (39,643 rooms) compared to 147 hotels (38,216 rooms) at 31 December 2015. Hotel signings in AMEA were at their highest since 2008 with 42 hotels (10,551 rooms), an increase of seven hotels although a fall in terms of rooms (1,890 rooms) from the level seen in 2015. Signings in 2016 included 23 hotels (5,934 rooms) in the Holiday Inn brand family and eight InterContinental hotels (1,737 rooms).

 

23 hotels (4,651 rooms) were removed from the pipeline in 2016, compared to eight hotels (1,959 rooms) in 2015.

   Hotels      Rooms     
At 31 December  2016   

Change

over 2015

       2016   

Change

over 2015

     
Analysed by brand                          
InterContinental   27    5        6,681    1,332   
Crowne Plaza   21    2        5,554    253   
Hotel Indigo   14    1        2,582    301   
Holiday Innb   48    3        13,022    1,493   
Holiday Inn Express   35    (8       7,486    (1,858  
Staybridge Suites   4    (1       788    (112  
Other               3,530    18   
Total               149    2              39,643    1,427   

 

Analysed by ownership type

                          
Franchised   11    3        2,406    227   
Managed   138    (1       37,237    1,200   
Total   149    2        39,643    1,427   

 

b  Includes five Holiday Inn Resort properties (1,256 rooms) (2015: four Holiday Inn Resort properties (1,071 rooms)).

   

  
           
           
           

LOGO

Performance        IHG Annual Report and Form 20-F 2016                39


PERFORMANCE CONTINUED

Greater China

Further grow System size, particularly in tier 2 and 3 cities and in the growing midscale segment, whilst developing a strong local talent pipeline for our hotels, over the next three years.LOGO

PROGRESS AGAINST 2016

REGIONAL PRIORITIES

1.Grew System size by opening five InterContinental hotels, including two flagship hotels in Beijing and Shanghai. We also signed 82 new hotels, including four HUALUXE hotels, and increased our pipeline to 239 hotels, out of which around 90 per cent are in tier 2 and 3 cities.

2.Drove superior returns for our owners through the successful introduction of the Franchise Plus business model for the Holiday Inn Express brand in May (see page 30), with a dedicated support structure to capture the growth opportunity in the midscale segment. In 2016, a total of 20 hotels under the Franchise Plus business model were signed.

3.Supported our people strategy through the resourcing and development of hotel talent. Rolled out the IHG Frontline programme to drive consistent and effective frontline training, with almost 150 hotels actively adopting the system.

IHG’S 2017 REGIONAL PRIORITIES

1.Grow System size, under both the managed and franchised business models, through a deeper penetration in tier 2 and 3 cities and a strengthened Holiday Inn and Holiday Inn Express presence to capture the growing midscale segment opportunity.

2.Maximise System size growth potential by further expanding IHG’s brand portfolio in the market. Continue to build brand awareness and drive performance of opened hotels for the HUALUXE brand.

3.Drive brand preference by focusing on the delivery of consistent guest experiences for our brands. Further tailor IHG enterprise platforms to better meet evolving market needs.

4.Support our people strategy by developing a strong local talent pipeline, particularly in tier 2 and 3 cities. Continue to develop and strengthen capabilities to support the needs of the franchise business.

LOGO

Industry performance in 2016

Lodging industry RevPAR growth in Greater China was flat in the year, an improvement on a 2.4% decline in 2015. Industry occupancy increased 1.6 points driven by a 6.4% increase in room demand. Average daily rate decreased by 2.5%. RevPAR in mainland China increased by 1.6%, driven by a 6.9% increase in room demand and an occupancy increase of 1.8 points. The average daily rate decreased by 1.3%. The country’s two largest city markets in terms of hotel rooms, Beijing and Shanghai, both increased RevPAR due to rising room demand. Shanghai RevPAR growth of 3.1% was due to an occupancy increase. Beijing RevPAR growth of 5.0% was due to both occupancy and a moderate average daily rate increase of 2.0%. RevPAR in Hong Kong and Macau declined by 2.1% and 9.1% respectively, both driven by average daily rate declines as room demand increased.

Source

Smith Travel Research for all of the above industry facts.

IHG’s regional performance in 2016

IHG’s regional comparable RevPAR increased 2.2% in 2016, significantly ahead of the industry. Our RevPAR growth was driven by better than industry occupancy, which increased by 4.4%, whilst average daily rate decreased by 2.2%. Mainland China RevPAR increased by 3.9% led by growth of 6.3% in tier 1 cities driven by strong corporate demand. The rest of mainland China grew by 2.2%. Hong Kong RevPAR declined by 2.3%, slightly below the industry. Taiwan and Macau experienced significant trading declines of 10.5% and 13.5% respectively.

Greater China comparable RevPAR

movement on previous year

12 months ended

31 December 2016

Managed
All brands3.0%

40                IHG Annual Report and Form 20-F 2016        Strategic Report


Greater China results

   12 months ended 31 December 
    

        2016

$m

  

    2015

$m

  

    2016 vs 2015 %

change

  

        2014

$m

  

    2015 vs 2014 %

change

 
Revenue                     
Franchised   3   4   (25.0  4    
Managed   114   105   8.6   99   6.1 
Owned and leased      98   (100.0  139   (29.5
Total   117   207   (43.5  242   (14.5
Percentage of Group revenue   6.8   11.5   (4.7  13.0   (1.5
Operating profit before exceptional items                     
Franchised   3   5   (40.0  5    
Managed   64   59   8.5   63   (6.3
Owned and leased      29   (100.0  42   (31.0
    67   93   (28.0  110   (15.5
Regional overheads   (22  (23  4.3   (21  (9.5
    45   70   (35.7  89   (21.3
Exceptional items      698   (100.0     100.0 
Operating profit   45   768   (94.1  89   762.9 
Percentage of Group operating profit before central overheads and exceptional items   5.4   8.4   (3.0  11.0   (2.6

Highlights for the year ended

31 December 2016

Comprising 292 hotels (93,022 rooms) at 31 December 2016, Greater China represented approximately 12% of the Group’s room count and contributed approximately 5% of the Group’s operating profit before central overheads and exceptional items for the year ended 31 December 2016. 98% of rooms in Greater China are operated under the managed business model.

Revenue decreased by $90m (43.5%) to $117m and operating profit decreased by $723m (94.1%) to $45m, primarily due to the gain on sale of InterContinental Hong Kong in 2015. Operating profit before exceptional items decreased by $25m (35.7%) to $45m. Underlyinga revenue and underlyinga operating profit increased by $14m (12.8%) and by $6m (14.6%) respectively. Overall, the region achieved comparable RevPAR growth of 2.2%. Trading in mainland tier 1 cities was particularly strong, whilst the rest of mainland China showed slower growth.

On an actual and constant currency basis, franchised revenue and operating profit decreased by $1m (25.0%) and by $2m (40.0%) respectively.

Managed revenue and operating profit increased by $9m (8.6%) to $114m and by $5m (8.5%) to $64m respectively. Comparable RevPAR increased by 3.0%, whilst the Greater China System size grew by 9.0%, driving a 7.0% increase in total gross revenue derived from rooms business. Total gross revenue derived from non-rooms business increased by 6.8%, primarily due to increased food and beverage revenue. On a constant currency basis, revenue and operating profit increased by $15m (14.3%) to $120m and by $8m (13.6%) to $67m respectively, with ongoing investment in growth initiatives more than offset by scale efficiencies and strategic cost management.

The last remaining hotel in the owned and leased estate, InterContinental Hong Kong, was sold in 2015. Following this, revenue and operating profit in the estate decreased to nil.

aUnderlying excludes the impact of owned asset disposals, significant liquidated damages and the results from managed-lease hotels, translated at constant currency by applying prior year exchange rates (see pages 156 and 157). Underlying operating profit growth also excludes the impact of exceptional items.

Highlights for the year ended

31 December 2015

Revenue decreased by $35m (14.5%) to $207m and operating profit increased by $679m to $768m due to the gain on sale of InterContinental Hong Kong. Operating profit before exceptional items decreased by $19m (21.3%) to $70m. Underlyinga revenue increased by $8m (7.8%) due to the addition of over 20,000 rooms into the managed estate over the last two years. Underlyinga operating profit decreased by $5m (10.6%), impacted by $5m of ongoing investment into building long-term people capability, as well as the year-on-year impact from $5m of previously disclosed one-off upsides in 2014. Overall, the region achieved comparable RevPAR growth of 0.3%, significantly ahead of the industry, reflecting our scale and management strength in the region. Trading in mainland tier 1 cities was particularly strong, whilst the rest of mainland China showed marginal increases. Trading in Hong Kong and Macau significantly declined. Total RevPAR in Greater China decreased by 2.3% as more hotels opened into developing markets.

Franchised revenue and operating profit remained flat at $4m and $5m respectively.

Managed revenue increased by $6m (6.1%) to $105m, whilst operating profit decreased by $4m (6.3%) to $59m, impacted by the above-mentioned investment in people capability and previously disclosed one-off upsides in 2014. Comparable RevPAR increased by 1.1%, whilst the Greater China System size grew by 10.4%, driving a 4.8% increase in total gross revenue derived from rooms business. Total gross revenue derived from non-rooms business increased by 7.9%, due primarily to increased food and beverage revenue. On a constant currency basis, revenue increased by $8m (8.1%) to $107m, whilst operating profit decreased by $3m (4.8%) to $60m.

The one remaining hotel in the owned and leased estate, InterContinental Hong Kong, was sold on 30 September 2015 for proceeds of $928m after final working capital adjustments and cash tax. Owned and leased revenue decreased by $41m (29.5%) to $98m and operating profit decreased by $13m (31.0%) to $29m.

LOGO

Performance        IHG Annual Report and Form 20-F 2016                41


PERFORMANCE CONTINUED

Greater Chinacontinued

Greater China hotel and room count

 

            

Total number of hotels

 

292

    

    

Total number of rooms

 

93,022

 

The Greater China System size increased by 27 hotels (7,513 rooms) in the year to 292 hotels (93,022 rooms). 29 hotels (7,938 rooms) opened during 2016, three hotels and 1,442 rooms lower than 2015. Recent growth in the region has focused on tier 2 and 3 cities, which now represent approximately 65% of our open rooms. 17 Holiday Inn brand family hotels (3,773 rooms) were also added in the year, compared to 19 hotels (4,567 rooms) in 2015.

 

Two hotels (425 rooms) were removed in 2016 compared to eight hotels (2,065 rooms) in 2015.

   Hotels       Rooms     
At 31 December  2016   

Change

over 2015

        2016   

Change

over 2015

     
Analysed by brand                           
InterContinental   39    5         16,315    2,508   
HUALUXE   4    1         1,096    298   
Crowne Plaza   79    4         28,051    1,363   
Hotel Indigo   6    1         740    129   
Holiday Inna   83    5             25,871    900   
Holiday Inn Express   75    11         18,477    2,454   
Other   6             2,472    (139  
Total             292    27         93,022    7,513   

 

Analysed by ownership type

                           
Franchised   4             2,184       
Managed   288    27         90,838    7,513   
Total   292    27         93,022    7,513   
Percentage of Group hotel and room count   5.6    0.3         12.1    0.6   
            
aIncludes six Holiday Inn Resort properties (1,820 rooms) (2015: seven Holiday Inn Resort properties (2,235 rooms)).

Greater China pipeline

 

           

 

    

Total number of hotels in the pipeline

 

239

    

    

Total number of rooms in the pipeline

 

64,028

 

At 31 December 2016, the Greater China pipeline totalled 239 hotels (64,028 rooms) compared to 205 hotels (58,784 rooms) at 31 December 2015. Signings (82 hotels (18,669 rooms)) were the highest since 2007 in terms of hotel count but decreased from 19,516 rooms in 2015. 63 hotels (13,472 rooms) were signed for the Holiday Inn brand family, including 20 franchised Holiday Inn Express hotels since launching the new franchise model in May. Overall, the Holiday Inn Express brand pipeline increased to 95 hotels (20,205 rooms).

 

19 hotels (5,487 rooms) were removed from the pipeline in 2016, compared to 18 hotels (5,690 rooms) in 2015.

        Hotels           Rooms     
At 31 December  2016   

Change

over 2015

       2016   

Change

over 2015

     
Analysed by brand                          
InterContinental   22    1        7,454    (446  
HUALUXE   22    1        6,956    324   
Crowne Plaza   38    (1       12,511    (206  
Hotel Indigo   11    2        1,782    282   
Holiday Innb   50    1        14,841    203   
Holiday Inn Express   95    30        20,205    5,087   
Other   1            279       
Total             239    34            64,028    5,244   

 

Analysed by ownership type

                          
Franchised   20    20        4,085    4,085   
Managed   219    14        59,943    1,159   
Total   239    34        64,028    5,244   
           

b  Includes six Holiday Inn Resort properties (1,820 rooms) (2015: three Holiday Inn Resort properties (820 rooms)).

   

  
           
           
           
           

42                IHG Annual Report and Form 20-F 2016        Strategic Report


Central

Central results

   12 months ended 31 December   
    

        2016

$m

  

    2015

$m

  

    2016 vs 2015 %

change

   

        2014

$m

  

    2015 vs 2014 %

change

                                                                                          
Revenue   141   135   4.4    129   4.7  
Gross costs   (269  (286  5.9    (284  (0.7 
Operating loss before exceptional items   (128  (151  15.2    (155  2.6  
Exceptional items      (11  100.0    (25  56.0  
Operating loss   (128  (162  21.0    (180  10.0  

Highlights for the year ended

31 December 2016

The net operating loss decreased by $34m (21.0%) compared to 2015. Central revenue, which mainly comprises technology fee income, increased by $6m (4.4%) to $141m (an increase of $9m (6.7%) at constant currency), driven by increases in both comparable RevPAR (1.8%) and IHG System size (3.1%). At constant currency, gross costs decreased by $3m (1.0%) compared to 2015 (a $17m or 5.9% decrease at actual currency) driven by a continued focus on strategic cost management. Net operating loss before exceptional items decreased by $23m (15.2%) to $128m (a $12m or 7.9% decrease to $139m at constant currency).

Highlights for the year ended

31 December 2015

The net operating loss decreased by $18m (10.0%) compared to 2014. Central revenue, which mainly comprises technology fee income, increased by $6m (4.7%) to $135m, driven by increases in both comparable RevPAR (4.4%) and IHG System size (4.8%, 3.2% excluding Kimpton). At constant currency, gross costs increased by $13m (4.6%) compared to 2014 (a $2m or 0.7% increase at actual currency). Net operating loss before exceptional items decreased by $4m (2.6%) to $151m (a $5m or 3.2% increase to $160m at constant currency).

System Fund

System Fund assessments

 

 

  

Highlights for the year ended

31 December 2015

In the year to 31 December 2015, System Fund income increased by 7.2% to $1,573m primarily as a result of a 6.3% increase in assessment fees and contributions from hotels resulting from increased hotel room revenues, reflecting increases in RevPAR and IHG System size. Continued strong performance in co-branded credit card schemes drove the 13.3% increase in proceeds from the sale of IHG Rewards Club points.

   12 months ended 31 December   
    

        2016

$m

   

    2015

$m

   

    2016 vs 2015 %

change

   

        2014

$m

   

    2015 vs 2014 %

change

   
Assessment fees and contributions received from hotels   1,439    1,351    6.5    1,271    6.3   
Proceeds from sale of IHG Rewards Club points   283    222    27.5    196    13.3   
Total   1,722    1,573    9.5    1,467    7.2   

In addition to franchise or management fees, hotels within the IHG System pay assessments and contributions (other than for Kimpton and InterContinental) which are collected by IHG for specific use within the System Fund. The System Fund also receives proceeds from the sale of IHG Rewards Club points. The System Fund is managed for the benefit of hotels in the IHG System with the objective of driving revenues for the hotels.

The System Fund is used to pay for marketing, the IHG Rewards Club loyalty programme and the Guest Reservation System. The operation of the System Fund does not result in a profit or loss for the Group and consequently the revenues and expenses of the System Fund are not included in the Group Income Statement.

Highlights for the year ended

31 December 2016

In the year to 31 December 2016, System Fund income increased by 9.5% to $1,722m primarily as a result of a 6.5% increase in assessment fees and contributions from hotels resulting from increased hotel room revenues, reflecting increases in RevPAR and IHG System size. Continued strong performance in co-branded credit card schemes drove the 27.5% increase in proceeds from the sale of IHG Rewards Club points.

LOGO

Performance        IHG Annual Report and Form 20-F 2016                43


PERFORMANCE CONTINUED

Other financial information

Exceptional items

Exceptional items totalled a loss of $29m which included $13m relating to the cost of integrating Kimpton into the operations of the Group and a $16m impairment charge relating to the Barclay associate which owns InterContinental New York Barclay, a hotel managed by the Group. The impairment charge reflects the currently depressed trading outlook for the New York market and the high cost of renovation of the hotel. See note 5 to the Group Financial Statements which provides further detail.

Exceptional items are treated as exceptional by reason of their size or nature and are excluded from the calculation of adjusted earnings per ordinary share in order to provide a more meaningful comparison of performance (for more information see page 26).

Net financial expenses

Net financial expenses were flat at $87m, reflecting the issue of £350m 2.125% public bonds in August 2016, and a full year of interest on the £300m 3.75% bonds issued in August 2015, offset by the impact of a weaker pound on translation of sterling interest expense.

Financing costs included $3m (2015: $2m) of interest costs associated with IHG Rewards Club where interest is charged on the accumulated balance of cash received in advance of the redemption of points awarded. Financing costs in 2016 also included $20m (2015: $20m) in respect of the InterContinental Boston finance lease.

Taxation

The effective rate of tax on operating profit excluding the impact of exceptional items was 30% (2015: 30%). Excluding the impact of prior-year items, the equivalent tax rate would be 31% (2015: 36%). This rate is higher than the average UK statutory rate of 20% (2015: 20.25%), due mainly to certain overseas profits (particularly in the US) being subject to statutory tax rates higher than the UK statutory rate, unrelieved foreign taxes and disallowable expenses.

Taxation within exceptional items totalled a credit of $12m (2015: charge of $8m). In 2016, the credit included a $6m deferred tax credit in respect of the impairment charge relating to the Barclay associate and a $5m deferred tax credit representing future tax relief on $13m of Kimpton integration costs. In 2015, the charge comprised $56m relating to the disposal of InterContinental Hong Kong and InterContinental Paris – Le Grand, a credit of $21m in respect of the 2014 disposal of an 80% interest in InterContinental New York Barclay reflecting the judgement that state tax law changes would now apply to the deferred gain and credits of $27m for current and deferred tax relief on other operating exceptional items of current and prior years.

Net tax paid in 2016 totalled $130m (2015: $110m, including $1m in respect of disposals). Tax paid represents an effective rate of 22% (2015: 8%) on total profits and is lower than the effective income statement tax rate of 30% (2015: 30%), primarily due to the timing of US tax payments and the impact of deferred taxes.

IHG pursues an approach to tax that is consistent with its business strategy and its overall business conduct principles. This approach seeks to ensure full compliance with all tax filing, payment and reporting obligations on the basis of communicative and transparent relationships with tax authorities. Policies and procedures related to tax risk management are subject to regular review and update and are approved by the IHG Audit Committee.

LOGOThe Group’s Approach to Tax document is available on IHG’s website at www.ihgplc. com/responsible-business under Policies.

Tax liabilities or refunds may differ from those anticipated, in particular as a result of changes in tax law, changes in the interpretation of tax law, or clarification of uncertainties in the application of tax law. Procedures to minimise risk include the preparation of thorough tax risk assessments for all transactions carrying material tax risk and, where appropriate,

material tax uncertainties are discussed and resolved with tax authorities in advance.

IHG’s contribution to the jurisdictions in which it operates includes a significant contribution in the form of taxes borne and collected, including taxes on its revenues and profits and in respect of the employment its business generates. IHG earns approximately 80% of its revenues in the form of franchise, management or similar fees, with almost 85% of IHG-branded hotels being franchised. In jurisdictions in which IHG does franchise business, the prevailing tax law will generally provide for IHG to be taxed in the form of local withholding taxes based on a percentage of fees rather than based on profits. Costs to support the franchise business are normally incurred regionally or globally, and therefore profits for an individual franchise jurisdiction cannot be separately determined.

Dividends

The Board has proposed a final dividend per ordinary share of 64.0¢. With the interim dividend per ordinary share of 30.0¢, the full-year dividend per ordinary share for 2016 will total 94.0¢, an increase of 11% over 2015.

In February 2017, the Board proposed a $400m return of funds to shareholders by way of a special dividend and share consolidation.

IHG pays its dividends in pounds sterling and US dollars. The sterling amount of the final and special dividend will be announced on 11 May 2017 using the average of the daily exchange rates from 8 May 2017 to 10 May 2017 inclusive.

Earnings per ordinary share

Basic earnings per ordinary share decreased by 62.4% to 195.3¢ from 520.0¢ in 2015. Adjusted earnings per ordinary share increased by 16.2% to 203.3¢ from 174.9¢ in 2015.

Share price and market capitalisation

The IHG share price closed at £36.38 on 31 December 2016, up from £26.58 on 31 December 2015. The market capitalisation of the Group at the year end was £7.2bn.

DIVIDEND POLICY

LOGO

The Group’s business is highly cash-generative and the Group has three primary uses for its cash; investing to drive growth, maintaining sustainable growth in the ordinary dividend and returning surplus funds to shareholders. These are kept under constant review by the Board.revised governance regime.

 

IHG has a progressive dividend policy, which means growing dividend per ordinary share each year. The Group has an excellent track record of returning funds to shareholders through ordinary and special dividends and

share buybacks, with the ordinary dividend seeing 11% CAGR since 2003. This is in addition to special returns of funds detailed on page 178.LOGO

Patrick Cescau

The Group seeks to maintain an efficient balance sheet and investment grade credit rating and aims to maintain a net debt:EBITDA ratio of 2.0 – 2.5x. The ratio at 31 December 2016 was 1.9x, however, this is before the paymentChair of the $400 return of funds to shareholders via a special dividend with share consolidation proposed by the Board in

18 February 2017.

44                IHG Annual Report and Form 20-F 2016        Strategic Report


Liquidity and capital resources

Sources of liquidity

In August 2016, the Group issued a £350m, 10-year bond at a 2.125% coupon rate, the lowest funding rate the Group has achieved in the sterling bond market. The bonds are repayable in 2026, extending the maturity profile of the Group’s debt.

This is in addition to £400m of public bonds which are repayable on 28 November 2022 and £300m of public bonds which are repayable on 14 August 2025. On 9 December 2016, the Group repaid £250m of maturing public bonds which were issued in 2009.

The Group is further financed by a $1.275bn revolving syndicated bank facility (the Syndicated Facility) and a $75m revolving bilateral facility (the Bilateral facility) which mature in March 2021, with a one-year extension option exercisable in 2017. $110m was drawn under the Syndicated Facility at the year end.

The Syndicated and Bilateral facilities contain the same terms and two financial covenants; interest cover; and net debt divided by earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA). The Group is in compliance with all of the financial covenants in its loan documents, none of which is expected to present a material restriction on funding in the near future.

Additional funding is provided by the 99-year finance lease (of which 89 years remain) on InterContinental Boston and other uncommitted bank facilities (see note 20 to the Group Financial Statements). In the Group’s opinion, the available facilities are sufficient for the Group’s present liquidity requirements.

Net debt of $1,506m (2015: $529m) is analysed by currency as follows:

    

2016

$m

  

2015

$m

 
Borrowings         
Sterling   1,289   1,405 
US dollar   418   253 
Euros   2   4 
Other   3   4 
Cash and cash equivalents         
Sterling   (27  (619
US dollar   (127  (460
Euros   (12  (15
Canadian dollar   (8  (8
Chinese renminbi   (7  (4
Other   (25  (31
Net debt   1,506   529 
Average debt level   1,235       1,420 

Borrowings included bank overdrafts of $89m (2015: $39m), which were matched by an equivalent amount of cash and cash equivalents under the Group’s cash pooling arrangements. Under these arrangements, each pool contains a number of bank accounts with the same financial institution, and the Group pays interest on net overdraft balances within each pool. The cash pools are used for day-to-day cash management purposes and are managed daily as closely as possible to a zero balance on a net basis for each pool. Overseas subsidiaries are typically in a cash-positive position, with the most significant balances in the US, Canada, and Singapore, and the matching overdrafts are held by the Group’s central treasury company in the UK.

Cash and cash equivalents include $3m (2015: $1m) that is not available for use by the Group due to local exchange controls.

Information on the maturity profile and interest structure of borrowings is included in notes 20 and 22 to the Group Financial Statements.

The Group had net liabilities of $759m at 31 December 2016, (net assets of $319m at 31 December 2015), with the decrease due to the $1.5bn special dividend paid in May 2016.

Cash from operating activities

Net cash from operating activities totalled $752m for the year ended 31 December 2016, up $124m on the previous year largely due to cash receipts on behalf of the System Fund of approximately $95m from renegotiation of long-term partnership agreements.

Cash flow from operating activities is the principal source of cash used to fund the ongoing operating expenses, interest payments, maintenance capital expenditure and normal dividend payments of the Group. The Group believes that the requirements of its existing business and future investment can be met from cash generated internally, disposition of assets, and external finance expected to be available to it.

Cash from investing activities

Net cash outflows from investing activities totalled $216m. In 2015 net cash inflows totalled $589m, including $1,277m of disposal proceeds primarily related to the disposal of InterContinental Paris – Le Grand and InterContinental Hong Kong and $438m on the acquisition of Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants. Excluding the effect of these major acquisitions and disposals, net cash outflows from investing activities decreased by $34m, primarily driven by proceeds from other financial assets in 2016.

The Group had committed contractual capital expenditure of $97m at 31 December 2016 (2015: $76m).

Cash used in financing activities

Net cash used in financing activities totalled $1,456m, which was $1,346m higher than 2015, mainly due to the $1.5bn special dividend paid in May 2016. Net cash inflows from borrowings were $150m higher than in 2015.

Overall net debt increased during the year by $977m to $1,506m as at 31 December 2016.

Off-balance sheet arrangements

At 31 December 2016, the Group had no off-balance sheet arrangements that have or are reasonably likely to have a current or future material effect on the Group’s financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources.

Contractual obligations

The Group had the following contractual obligations outstanding as of 31 December 2016.

   $m 
    

Total

amounts

committed

   

Less

than

1

year

   

1–3

years

   

3–5

years

   

After 5

years

 
Long-term debt obligationsa, b   1,402            110    1,292 
Interest payableb   320    42    84    84    110 
Derivatives   3    3             
Finance lease obligationsc   3,333    17    32    32    3,252 
Operating lease obligations   590    53    92    99    346 
Agreed pension scheme contributions   5    5             
Capital contracts placed   97    97             
Total   5,750    217    208    325    5,000 

aRepayment period classified according to the related facility maturity date.
bExcluding bank overdrafts.
cMainly represents the minimum lease payments related to the 99-year lease (of which 89 years remain) on InterContinental Boston. Payments under the lease step up at regular intervals over the lease term.

Contingent liabilities

Contingent liabilities include performance guarantees with possible cash outflows totalling $14m, guarantees over the debt of equity investments of $33m, outstanding letters of credit of $37m, and an indemnity over a $43m bank loan made to an associate. The Group may also be exposed to additional liabilities resulting from security incidents. See note 30 to the Group Financial Statements for further details.2019

 

 

LOGO

54IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2018


 

Performance        IHG Annual Report and Form 20-F 2016                45


LOGO

 

46                IHG Annual Report

We are committed to maintaining the highest standards of corporate governance. Our governance framework is led and Form 20-F 2016        Governance


LOGO

Governance        IHG Annual Reportdirected by the Board, which in turn delegates certain responsibilities to its Committees to support IHG’s culture, values and Form 20-F 2016                47


Chairman’s overviewcommitment to conducting business responsibly.

LOGO

“As a Board, we instil a culture of strong values,

  ethics and integrity in our business.”

We embrace good governance, which we see both as a product of good leadership and as key in creating long-term value.

The Board is responsible for ensuring leadership through effective oversight and review of the Group’s activities. The Board considers what we aim to deliver as a company and how we deliver it, recognising the importance of instilling a culture of strong values, ethics and integrity in our business.

Governance framework

Governance for us is about our values, our ethics, and doing the right thing. Led by the Board, and supported by its principal Committees (Audit, Corporate Responsibility, Nomination and Remuneration Committees), effective corporate governance is embedded in our corporate culture and permeates throughout the business. Together with our ways of working, rigorous structures of reporting, sound system of controls, and commitment to conducting business responsibly, our practices and policies not only ensure the smooth operation of our business but also effectively safeguard our reputation.

Board culture and composition

Good governance at IHG begins with the Board. We carefully plan our annual agenda, allowing time to consider and review strategic, operational, governance, and financial and performance-related agenda items. Effective meetings also depend on the dynamics of the Board, and we strive to create an inclusive environment, where every Director is encouraged to contribute to the discussion, and where constructive challenge is welcomed. See pages 54 and 55 for details of the items discussed by the Board during the year, and the information and support provided to the Board to ensure meetings are run effectively.

As of 31 December 2016, the Board comprised six Non-Executive Directors, myself as Chairman, and two Executive Directors, including 33 per cent female representation. In February 2017, we approved the appointment of Malina Ngai to the Board as a Non-Executive Director, with effect from 1 March 2017. Malina will bring to the Board considerable experience in consumer-facing, branded operations, and will provide significant insight into the Asian market, and her appointment will also increase the level of female representation on the Board from 33 to 40 per cent. We are proud to be a diverse company and value the benefits that this brings. By ensuring that different genders, backgrounds, ages and nationalities are appropriately represented, both in the composition of the Board and throughout the organisation as a whole, we ensure that corporate decision-making is informed by the widest possible range of knowledge, skills and experience.

In 2016, we said goodbye to Tracy Robbins, Jennifer Laing and Ying Yeh, after four, 10 and eight years on the Board respectively. Jill McDonald, a Non-Executive Director, succeeded Jennifer as Chairman of the Corporate Responsibility Committee. Details about her induction are set out on page 55.

Further details of our Board structure and composition can be found on pages 49 to 51, and details of our approach to succession planning and diversity are located in the Nomination Committee Report on page 61.

Training, development and Board performance review

The Board’s training needs are reviewed regularly as part of our agenda-setting and the annual Board effectiveness evaluation. In 2016, the Directors received training on a variety of topics, including updates on technology trends, changes in accounting regulations, and key areas of our Responsible Business ethics and compliance programme, in addition to regular briefings on legal and corporate governance developments. Further information about our ongoing training arrangements for Directors can be found on page 55.

We recognise the importance of regularly evaluating the Board and how this contributes to an effective Board that adds real value to the Group. In 2016, we engaged an independent external facilitator to lead our Board effectiveness evaluation. An evaluation plan has been devised, and will be carried out in early 2017. More information on the evaluation, including our performance against the 2015 action plan, is on pages 55 and 56.

Compliance and our dual listing

As a dual-listed company with a premium listing on the London Stock Exchange and a secondary listing on the New York Stock Exchange, we are required to file both an Annual Report in the UK and a Form 20-F in the US. Our statement of compliance with the UK Corporate Governance Code (the Code) is located on pages 62 and 63. I am pleased to report that, during 2016, we complied fully with all principles and provisions of the Code, with the exception of the provision relating to audit tendering (see page 63). However, we have established a sub-committee of the Audit Committee to oversee the audit tender process and recommend a detailed plan, to be presented to that Committee in 2017 (see page 59).

To ensure continued consistency of information provided to both UK and US investors for 2016, we have again produced a combined Annual Report and Form 20-F this year. As required by the SEC, a statement outlining the differences between the Group’s UK corporate governance practices and those followed by US companies can be found on page 176.

We recognise the importance of governance in creating long-term, sustainable value, and in 2017 we will continue to drive the execution of our strategy and enhance our governance framework.

LOGO

Patrick Cescau

Non-Executive Chairman

20 February 2017

48                IHG Annual Report and Form 20-F 2016        Governance


Corporate Governance

Our Board and Committee governance structure

The Group’s governance framework, which supports our culture and our values, and underpins our long-term performance, is directed by the Board and through the Group’s Board and Management Committees.

The Board and its Committees

The Board is accountable for the long-term success of the Group. It leads the Group’s strategic direction and long-term objectives, and monitors Group performance, and risk and internal management controls through effective oversight and review. Supported by its principal Committees (Audit, Corporate Responsibility, Nomination and Remuneration Committees), the Board sets the Group’s strategic direction, oversees how it delivers these objectives and aims to deliver sustainable shareholder valueis responsible for the long term. See page 54success of the Group, setting strategic aims and monitoring the performance of the Group and its risk management controls. A number of key decisions and matters are reserved for details on the Board and are not delegated to management. The schedule of matters reserved was reviewed at the December 2018 Board meeting and is available on our website. The Board will now be responsible for reviewing the means for the workforce to raise concerns in confidence and the reports arising from its operation, which to date had been reviewed by the Audit Committee.

The Board is supported by its Principal Committees, namely the Audit Committee, Corporate Responsibility Committee, Nomination Committee and Remuneration Committee, to assist it in carrying out its functions, overseeing the delivery of strategic objectives and driving sustainable value for shareholders and considering the impacts on, and interests of, key stakeholders. Details of how itthe Board spent its time during 2016.2018 can be found on pages 60 to 62.

Management Committees

Operational matters, routine business and information disclosure procedures are delegated by the Board to Management Committees.

The Executive Committee has responsibility for implementingis chaired by the CEO and considers and manages a range ofday-to-day strategic and operational decisions. Day-to-day managementissues facing the Group, including the development of the business is delegatedGroup’s strategy and budget for the Board’s approval, executing the strategic plan once agreed by the Board, monitoring the Group’s performance and providing assurance to the Chief Executive OfficerBoard in relation to overall performance and the Executive Committee. There is clear delegation and oversight from the Board to the Executive Committee, which strengthens decision-making across key areas of the business.risk management.

The General Purposes Committee is chaired by an Executive Committee member and attends to business of a routine nature with parameters setand to the administration of matters, the principles of which have been agreed previously by the Board or an appropriate Committee.

The Disclosure Committee is chaired by the Group’s Financial Controller and ensures that proper procedures are in place for information disclosures required pursuant to UK and US accounting, statutory and listing requirements. This Committee reports to the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Financial Officer and the Audit Committee.

 

LOGOLOGO 

More information on our Board and Committees including the schedule of matters reserved for the Board (which sets out those areas that are not delegated by the Board to its Committees), is available on our

website atwww.ihgplc.com/investorsunder Corporate governance.

 

 

BOARD AND COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP AND ATTENDANCE IN 2016Board and Committee membership and attendance in 2018

 

          Meetings                                 Meetings 
  

Appointment

date

   

Committee

    appointments

           Board   

Audit

        Committee

   

Corporate

    Responsibility

Committee

   

        Nomination

Committee

   

        Remuneration

Committee

     
Appointment
date
 
 
    
Committee
appointments
 
 
        Board     
Audit
Committee
 
 
    

Corporate
Responsibility
Committee
 
 
 
    
Nomination
Committee
 
 
    
Remuneration
Committee
 
 
Total meetings held         8    5    3    2    6             8     5     3     2     4 
Chairman                     
Patrick Cescau   01/01/13    LOGO    8          2    
Chair                            
Patrick Cescauc    01/01/13     LOGO     8/8               2/2      
Chief Executive Officer                                                 
Richard Solomons   10/02/03    LOGO    8       3       
Keith Barr    01/07/17         8/8                     
Executive Directors                                                 
Paul Edgecliffe-Johnson   01/01/14       8                 01/01/14         8/8                     
Elie Maalouf    01/01/18         8/8                     
Senior Independent Non-Executive Director                                                 
Dale Morrison   01/06/11    LOGO    8    5       2    6     01/06/11     LOGO     8/8     5/5          2/2     4/4 
Non-Executive Directors                                                 
Anne Busquet   01/03/15    LOGO    8    5    3    2        01/03/15     LOGO     8/8     5/5     3/3     2/2      
Ian Dyson   01/09/13    LOGO    8    5       2    6     01/09/13     LOGO     8/8     5/5          2/2     3/4a  
Jo Harlow   01/09/14    LOGO    8    5       2    6     01/09/14     LOGO     7/8              2/2     4/4 
Jennifer Laing   25/08/05    LOGO    2    2    1    1    
Luke Mayhew   01/07/11    LOGO    8       3    2    6     01/07/11     LOGO     8/8     5/5     3/3     2/2      
Jill McDonald   01/06/13    LOGO    8    5    3    2        01/06/13     LOGO     8/8     5/5     3/3     2/2      
Ying Yeh   01/12/07    LOGO    2       1    1    2 
Malina Ngai    01/03/17     LOGO     7/8          2/3b      2/2     3/4b  

 

a

Ian Dyson was unable to attend one Remuneration Committee meeting due to a prior commitment.

b

Malina Ngai was unable to attend one Corporate Responsibility Committee meeting and one Remuneration Committee meeting due to a prior commitment.

c

In principle the Chair attends all Committee meetings, and the full Board attends the relevant sections of the Audit Committee meetings when results and risk management processes and controls are discussed and considered.

Board Committee membership key
LOGO   
LOGOAudit Committee memberLOGO    NominationLOGORemuneration Committee member             LOGO   Chairman
LOGOCorporate Responsibility Committee memberLOGOChair of a Board Committee
LOGO   Corporate Responsibility
LOGONomination Committee memberLOGO   Remuneration Committee member
  

LOGO

 

Corporate Governance        IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2016                492018  |  Governance  |  Corporate Governance55


CORPORATE GOVERNANCE CONTINUEDGovernance

Corporate Governance continued

Our Board of Directors

LOGO

Patrick Cescau

Non-Executive Chair

Appointed to the Board: 1 January 2013

Skills and experience:From 2005 to 2008, Patrick was Group Chief Executive of Unilever Group, having previously been Chair of Unilever PLC, Vice-Chair of Unilever NV and Foods Director, following a progressive career with the company, which began in France in 1973. Prior to being appointed to the board of Unilever PLC and Unilever NV in 1999, as Finance Director, he was Chair of a number of the company’s major operating companies and divisions, including in the US, Indonesia and Portugal. He was formerly a Senior Independent Director andNon-Executive Director of Pearson plc and Tesco PLC, and a Director at INSEAD.

Board contribution:Patrick has held board positions for nearly 16 years in leading global businesses and brings

extensive international experience in strategy, brands, consumer products, and finance. As Chair, Patrick is responsible for leading the Board and ensuring it operates in an effective manner, and promoting constructive relations with shareholders and wider stakeholders. As Chair of the Nomination Committee, he is responsible for reviewing and making recommendations on the Group’s leadership needs.

Other appointments: Currently a Senior IndependentNon-Executive Director of International Airlines Group, Patrick is also a trustee of The Leverhulme Trust, Patron of the St Jude India Children’s Charity and Member of the TEMASEK European Advisory Panel.

LOGO

Keith Barr

Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

Appointed to the Board: 1 July 2017

Skills and experience:Keith has spent more than 25 years working in the hospitality industry across a wide range of roles. He started his career in hotel operations and joined IHG in 2000. Since April 2011 he has been a member of IHG’s Executive Committee. Directly before being appointed Chief Executive Officer, Keith served as Chief Commercial Officer for four years. In this role, he led IHG’s global brand, loyalty, sales and marketing functions, and oversaw IHG’s loyalty programme, IHG® Rewards Club. Prior to this, Keith was CEO of IHG’s Greater China business for four years, setting the

foundations for growth in a key market and overseeing the launch of the HUALUXE® Hotels and Resorts brand.

Board contribution: Keith is responsible for the executive management of the Group and ensuring the implementation of Board strategy and policy.

Other appointments:Keith is a graduate of Cornell University’s School of Hotel Administration and is currently a member of its Cornell SC Johnson College of Business Dean’s Advisory Board.

LOGO

Paul Edgecliffe-Johnson

Chief Financial Officer (CFO)

Appointed to the Board: 1 January 2014

Skills and experience: Paul is a chartered accountant and a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants. He was previously Chief Financial Officer of IHG’s Europe and Asia, Middle East and Africa regions, a position he held since September 2011. He joined IHG in August 2004 and has held a number of senior-level finance positions, including Head of Investor Relations, Head of Global Corporate Finance and Financial Planning and Tax, and Head of Hotel Development, Europe. Paul also acted as Interim Chief Executive

Officer of the Europe, Middle East and Africa region (prior to the reconfiguration of our operating regions).

Board contribution: Paul is responsible, together with the Board, for overseeing the financial operations of the Group and setting its financial strategy.

Other appointments:Currently aNon-Executive Director of Thomas Cook Group plc.

LOGO

Elie Maalouf

Chief Executive Officer, Americas

Appointed to the Board: 1 January 2018

Skills and experience: Elie was appointed Chief Executive Officer, Americas in February 2015, with nearly 15 years’ experience working in a major global franchise business. He joined the Group having spent six years as President and Chief Executive Officer of HMSHost Corporation, a global travel and leisure company, where he was also a member of the board of directors. Elie brings broad experience spanning hotel development, branding, finance, real estate and operations management as well as food and beverage expertise. Prior to joining IHG, Elie was Senior Advisor with McKinsey & Company from 2012 to 2014.

Board contribution: Elie is responsible for business development and performance of all hotel brands and properties in the Americas region and brings a deep understanding of the global hospitality sector to the Board.

Other appointments: Currently a member of the American Hotel & Lodging Association Executive Committee of the Board and the US Travel Association CEO Roundtable. Elie also sits on the Investment Advisory Council of the U. S. Department of Commerce. In addition, Elie serves as a member of the Global Advisory Council at the University of Virginia Darden School of Business and is a board member of the Atlanta Committee for Progress.

LOGO

Dale Morrison

Senior IndependentNon-Executive Director (SID)

Appointed to the Board: 1 June 2011

Skills and experience:Dale is a founding partner of TriPointe Capital Partners, a private equity firm. Dale was previously President and Chief Executive Officer of McCain Foods Limited and President and Chief Executive Officer of Campbell Soup Company.

Board contribution:Dale has over 10 years’ experience in sales and marketing positions, and over 25 years’ experience in general management, having held senior positions

in the branded foods sector. Dale’s role as Senior IndependentNon-Executive Director is fundamental to the successful operation of the Board.

Other appointments:Currently aNon-Executive Director of International Flavors & Fragrances Inc., andNon-Executive Chair of Marlin 1 (holding company for Young’s Seafood International Holdings Ltd.).

LOGO

Anne Busquet

IndependentNon-Executive Director

Appointed to the Board: 1 March 2015

Skills and experience:Anne began her career at Hilton International in Paris, before joining American Express in New York, where she held several executive positions and served for 23 years. Anne was also the Chief Executive Officer of Local and Media Services at InterActiveCorp.

Board contribution:Anne brings more than 20 years’ experience in senior positions in multinational companies, predominantly in the financial, branded and digital-commerce sectors.

Other appointments:Anne is currently the President of AMB Advisors, an independent consulting firm, and Managing Director at Golden Seeds LLC, an angel investment company. She also serves on the boards of Pitney Bowes, MTBC and Elior Group and on the advisory boards of JEGIand SheSpeaks.

56IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2018


    

    

    

LOGO

Patrick Cescau

Non-Executive Chairman

Appointed to the Board: 1 January 2013

Skills and experience: From 2005 to 2008, Patrick was Group Chief Executive of Unilever Group, having previously been Chairman of Unilever PLC, Vice-Chairman of Unilever NV and Foods Director, following a progressive career with the company, which began in France in 1973. He was formerly a Senior Independent Director and Non-Executive Director of Pearson plc and Tesco PLC, and a Director at INSEAD.

Board contribution: Patrick has held board positions for nearly 15 years in leading global businesses and brings extensive international experience in strategy, brands, consumer products,

and finance. As Chairman, Patrick is responsible for leading the Board and ensuring it operates in an effective manner, and promoting constructive relations with shareholders. As Chairman of the Nomination Committee, he is responsible for reviewing and making recommendations on the Group’s leadership needs.

Other appointments: Currently Senior Independent Director of International Airlines Group, Patrick is also a trustee of The Leverhulme Trust, Patron of the St Jude India Children’s Charity and Member of the Temasek European Advisory Panel.

LOGO

Richard Solomons

Chief Executive Officer

Appointed to the Board: 10 February 2003

Skills and experience: Richard has led the continued growth of IHG, including the launch of HUALUXE Hotels and Resorts and EVEN Hotels, and IHG’s acquisition of Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants. Before being appointed Chief Executive Officer, Richard served as Chief Financial Officer and Head of Commercial Development. Richard was integral in shaping and implementing IHG’s asset-light strategy, which has helped the business grow significantly since it was formed in 2003, as well as supporting the return of over $12 billion to shareholders. Richard is a member of the

Industry Real Estate Financing Advisory Council and a Governor of the Aviation and Travel Industry Group of the World Economic Forum.

Board contribution: Richard is responsible for the executive management of the Group and ensuring the implementation of Board strategy and policy.

Other appointments: Currently a Non-Executive Director of Marks and Spencer Group plc.

LOGO

Paul Edgecliffe-Johnson

Chief Financial Officer

Appointed to the Board: 1 January 2014

Skills and experience: Paul is a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants and a member of the Association of Corporate Treasurers. He was previously Chief Financial Officer of IHG’s Europe and Asia, Middle East and Africa regions, a position he held since September 2011. He joined IHG in August 2004 and has held a number of senior-level finance positions, including Head of Investor Relations, Head of Global Corporate Finance and

Financial Planning & Tax, and Head of Hotel Development, Europe. Paul also acted as Interim Chief Executive Officer of the Europe, Middle East and Africa region (prior to the reconfiguration of our operating regions).

Board contribution: Paul is responsible, together with the Board, for overseeing the financial operations of the Group and setting its financial strategy.

LOGO

Dale Morrison

Senior Independent Non-Executive Director

Appointed to the Board: 1 June 2011

Skills and experience: Dale is a founding partner of TriPointe Capital Partners, a private equity firm. Dale was previously President and Chief Executive Officer of McCain Foods Limited and President and Chief Executive Officer of Campbell Soup Company.

Board contribution: Dale has over 10 years’ experience in sales and marketing positions, and over 25 years’ experience in general management, having held senior positions in the branded foods sector. Dale’s role as Senior Independent Non-Executive Director is fundamental to the successful operation of the Board.

Other appointments: Currently a Non-Executive Director of International Flavors & Fragrances Inc., and Non-Executive Chairman of Marlin 1 (holding company for Young’s Seafood International Holdings Ltd.).

CHANGES TO THE BOARD

Tracy Robbins    Tracy resigned from the Board and her role as Executive Vice President, Human Resources on 15 January 2016.
Jennifer LaingJennifer retired from the Board following the AGM on 6 May 2016.
Jill McDonaldJill was appointed to the Chair of the Corporate Responsibility Committee on 6 May 2016.
Ying YehYing retired from the Board following the AGM on 6 May 2016.

50                IHG Annual Report and Form 20-F 2016        Governance


LOGO

Anne Busquet

Independent Non-Executive Director

Appointed to the Board: 1 March 2015

Skills and experience: Anne began her career at Hilton International in Paris, before joining American Express Company in New York, where she held several executive positions and served for 23 years. Anne was also the Chief Executive Officer of Local and Media Services at InterActiveCorp, an internet commerce conglomerate.

Board contribution: Anne brings more than 20 years’ experience in senior positions in multinational companies, predominantly in the financial, branded and digital-commerce sectors.

Other appointments: Anne is currently the President of AMB Advisors, an independent consulting firm, and Managing Director at Golden Seeds LLC, an angel investment company. She also serves on the boards of Pitney Bowes, MTBC, Elior Group and Provista Diagnostics, Inc. and on the advisory boards of JEGI and SheSpeaks.

LOGOLOGO

 

Ian Dyson

IndependentNon-Executive Director

Appointed to the Board: 1 September 2013

 

Skills and experience:Ian has held a number of senior executive and finance roles, including Group Finance &and Operations Director for Marks and Spencer Group plc for five years from 2005 to 2010, where he oversaw significant changes in the business. In addition, Ian was Chief Executive Officer of Punch Taverns plc, Finance Director for the Rank Group Plc, a leading European gaming business, and Group Financial Controller and Finance Director for the hotels division of Hilton Group plc.

 

Board contribution:Ian has gained significant experience from working in various senior finance roles, predominantly in the retail, leisure and hospitality sector.

sectors. Ian became ChairmanChair of the Audit Committee on 1 April 2014, and, as such, is responsible for leading the Committee to ensure effective internal controls and risk management systems are in place.

 

Other appointments:Currently aNon-Executive Director of Punch Taverns plc, a Non-Executive Director and ChairmanChair of the Audit Committee of SSP Group plc, Senior IndependentNon-Executive Director and ChairmanChair of the Audit Committee of ASOS plc and Senior IndependentNon-Executive Director of Paddy Power Betfair plc.

LOGOLOGO

 

Jo Harlow

IndependentNon-Executive Director

Appointed to the Board: 1 September 2014

 Skills and experience:Jo most recently held the position of Corporate Vice President of the Phones Business Unit at Microsoft Corporation. She was previously Executive Vice President of Smart Devices at Nokia Corporation, following a number of senior management roles at Nokia from 2003. Prior to that, she held marketing, sales and management roles at Reebok International Limited from 1992 to 2003 and at Procter & Gamble Company from 1984 to 1992.  

Board contribution:Jo has over 25 years’ experience working in various senior roles, predominantly in the branded and technology sectors. Jo became Chair of the Remuneration Committee on 1 October 2017, and as such she is responsible for setting the remuneration policy. Jo is also a member of the Nomination Committee.

 

Other appointments:Currently a member of the Supervisory Board of Ceconomy AG, and aNon-Executive Director of Halma plc and J Sainsbury plc.

LOGOLOGO

 

Luke Mayhew

IndependentNon-Executive Director

Appointed to the Board: 1 July 2011

 Skills and experience:Luke served for 12 years on the boardBoard of John Lewis Partnership plc, including as Managing Director of the Department Store division. Luke also spent five years at British Airways Plc and seven years at Thomas Cook Group plc in senior positions. He was also aNon-Executive Director of WHSmith PLC and Brambles Limited where he chaired the Remuneration Committee. He was ChairmanChair of Pets at Home Group Plc.  

Board contribution:Luke has over 30 years’ experience in senior roles in the branded sector and was Remuneration Committee ChairmanChair at Brambles Limited from 2006 to 2014. As Chairman of the2014 and at IHG Remuneration Committee he is responsible for setting the remuneration policy.from July 2011 to September 2017.

 

Other appointments:Currently a Senior Independent Director of DFS Furniture Holdings plc, and a trustee of BBC Children in Need.Need and a Governor of the Southbank Centre.

LOGOLOGO

 

Jill McDonald

IndependentNon-Executive Director

Appointed to the Board: 1 June 2013

 Skills and experience:Jill started her career at Colgate-Palmolive Company, spent 16 years with British Airways Plc and has held a number of senior marketing positions in the UK and overseas. Jill was previously Chief Executive Officer UK and President for the North West Europe division for McDonald’s, and held a number of other senior roles in the company from 2006. From May 2015 until September 2017, Jill becameserved as Chief Executive Officer of the Halfords Group plc in May 2015.plc.  

Board contribution:Jill has nearlyover 30 years’ experience working with high-profile international consumer-facing brands at both marketing and operational level. As ChairmanChair of the Corporate Responsibility Committee, she is responsible for corporate responsibility objectives and strategy and approach to sustainable development.

 

Other appointments:Currently Managing Director, Clothing, Home and Beauty, at Marks and Spencer plc.

LOGO

Malina Ngai

IndependentNon-Executive Director

Appointed to the Board: 1 March 2017

Skills and experience:Malina is Group Chief ExecutiveOperating Officer of HalfordsA.S. Watson Group, plc.which is part of Hong Kong-based conglomerate CK Hutchison Holdings Limited. A.S. Watson Group is the largest international health and beauty retailer in Asia and Europe with 13 brands including Watsons, Superdrug, Savers, The Perfume Shop, Kruidvat, ICI Paris XL and ParknShop. In addition, Malina is Vice Chair of the Hong Kong Retail Management Association and was previously a member of the Board of Directors of the Hong Kong Sports Institute Limited.

Board contribution:Malina has over 20 years’ experience gained from working in senior positions in global organisations across a broad range of sectors, with particular understanding of consumer-facing branded companies and the role that technology and digital commerce play in transforming the consumer experience.

Other appointments:Currently Group Chief Operating Officer of A.S.Watson Group and Vice Chair of the Hong Kong Retail Management Association.

 

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Corporate Governance        IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2016                512018  |  Governance  |  Corporate Governance57


CORPORATE GOVERNANCE CONTINUEDGovernance

Corporate Governance continued

Our Executive Committee

In addition to Keith Barr, Paul Edgecliffe-Johnson and Elie Maalouf, the Executive Committee from 1 January 2019 comprises:

 

In addition to Paul Edgecliffe-Johnson and Richard Solomons, the Executive Committee comprises:

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Keith BarrClaire Bennett

Chief CommercialMarketing Officer

Appointed to the Executive Committee:

April 2011 (JoinedOctober 2017 (joined the Group: 2000)2017)

 Skills and experience: KeithClaire joined IHG with anin-depth knowledge of the travel and tourism industry having spent 11 years at American Express in a range of senior leadership roles across marketing, consumer travel and loyalty. Most recently, Claire was General Manager (GM), Global Travel and Lifestyle, where she led a team responsible for delivering luxury lifestyle services. Prior to this, Claire held roles as GM for Consumer Loyalty, GM for US Consumer Travel, and Senior Vice President, Global Marketing and Brand Management, where she led worldwide advertising, media, sponsorship and marketing research teams.

Claire has over 20 years’ experience in the hospitality industry. He hasalso held senior appointmentsmarketing positions at IHG, including Vice President of SalesDell, as well as finance and Revenue Management; Vice President of Operations; Chief Operating Officer, Australia, New Zealandgeneral management roles at The Quaker Oats Company, building significant expertise across technology, consumer packaged goods, financial services, and South Pacific;travel and Managing Director, Greater China. He becamehospitality sectors. Claire has been an Executive Committee member in April 2011Board Member of the World Travel and prior to becoming Chief Commercial Officer, was Tourism Council (WTTC), served as a Board Member of Tumi Inc. and participated on multiple industry advisory boards. Claire is a Certified Public Accountant and holds an MBA from the J.L. Kellogg Graduate School of Management at Northwestern University.

Key responsibilities:These include all aspects of our brands, loyalty strategy and programmes, sponsorships, strategic partnerships, insights and analytics and marketing execution.

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Jolyon Bulley

Chief Executive Officer, Greater China until May 2013.

Keith is currently a member of The Leland C. and Mary M. Pillsbury Institute for Hospitality Entrepreneurship Advisory Board.

Key responsibilities: These include global sales, marketing and brand functions, to drive consistent brand strategies across all regions and leverage IHG’s scale and systems to deliver continued industry outperformance.

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Angela Brav

Chief Executive Officer, Europe

Appointed to the Executive Committee:

August 2011 (JoinedNovember 2017 (joined the Group: 1988)2001)

 Skills and experience: Angela has over 25 years’ experience in the hospitality industry, including hotel operations, franchise relations and technology solutions. She held various senior roles in IHG’s North American and European regions priorPrior to becomingJolyon’s appointment as Chief Executive Officer for Greater China, Jolyon was Chief Operating Officer North America. She was appointed Chief Executive Officer, Europe(COO) for the Americas, leading the region’s operations for franchised and managed hotels, in August 2011.addition to cultivating franchisee relationships and enhancing hotel operating performance. Jolyon has also served as COO for Greater China for almost four years, with oversight of the region’s hotel portfolio and brand performance, food and beverage brand solutions, new hotel openings and owner relations. 

Jolyon joined IHG in 2001, as Director of Operations, New South Wales in Australia, and then held roles of increasing responsibility across IHG’s Asia-Pacific region. He became Regional Director Sales and Marketing for Australia, New Zealand and South Pacific in 2003, relocated to Singapore in 2005 and held positions of Vice President Operations South East Asia and India, Vice President Resorts, and Vice President Operations, South East and South West Asia. Jolyon graduated from William Angliss institute in Melbourne with a concentration on Tourism and Hospitality.

Key responsibilities:These include business developmentthe management, growth and performanceprofitability of all the hotel brands and properties in Europe.

IHG’s fastest growing region, Greater China.

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Federico Lalatta Costerbosa

Executive Vice President, Global Strategy

and Corporate Development,

Appointed to the Executive Committee:

April 2016 (Joined the Group: 2014)

Skills and experience: Prior to IHG, Federico worked for 20 years at The Boston Consulting Group (BCG). From 2004 he was Partner and Managing Director, focusing on Consumer Practice and active across retail, consumer and luxury goods, travel and tourism sectors. Among other responsibilities, Federico was part of BCG’s global leadership teams for Retail and for Social Impact. Before joining BCG Federico developed his own business, offering high-end art-related travel services in Italy.Key responsibilities: These include shaping and overseeing the execution of corporate strategy, exploring global business development opportunities, enhancing our owner proposition and delivering IHG’s major transformation programmes.

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Yasmin Diamond

Executive Vice President,Global Corporate Affairs

Appointed to the Executive Committee:

April 2016 (Joined(joined the Group: 2012)

 

Skills and experience:Before joining IHG in April 2012, Yasmin was Director of Communications at the Home Office, where she advised the Home Secretary, Ministers and senior officials on the strategic development and daily management of all the Home Office’s external and internal communications. She was previously Director of Communications at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs andAffairs; Head of Communications for Welfare to Work and New DealDeal; and Head of Marketing at the Department for Education and Skills. Before joining government

communications, Yasmin was Publicity Commissioner for the BBC. BBC, where she led communications activity around the launch of a new digital learning channel and around the BBC’s educational output for both adults and children.

In 2011, Yasmin was awarded a Companion of the Order of the Bath (CB) in the New Year’s honours list in recognition of her career in government communications. In addition, Yasmin sits on the Board of Trustees for the British Council, the UK’s international organisation for cultural relations and educational opportunities.

 

Key responsibilities:These include all global internal and external communications activity, as well as key public affairs work, ensuring that it supports and enables IHG’s broader strategic priorities. This includes all external and internal activity, covering both corporate and brand communications, as well as leading IHG’s Corporate Responsibility strategy and key public affairs work.

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Elie MaaloufKenneth Macpherson

Chief Executive Officer, The AmericasEMEAA

Appointed to the Executive Committee:

February 2015 (JoinedApril 2013 (joined the Group: 2015)2013)

 

Skills and experience: Elie was appointedKenneth Macpherson became Chief Executive Officer, The Americas at IHGEMEAA in February 2015, with over 14 years’January 2018. Kenneth was previously IHG’s CEO for Greater China, a role he held from 2013 to 2017. Kenneth has extensive experience working in a major global franchise business. He joined the Group having spent six years as President and Chief Executive Officer of HMSHost Corporation, a global travel and leisure company, where he was also a member of the board of directors. Elie brings broad experience to IHG spanning development, branding, finance, real estate and operations management,

as well as highly relevant food and beverage expertise. He was most recently a Senior Advisor with McKinsey & Company.

Key responsibilities:These includeacross sales, marketing strategy, business development and performanceoperations. In addition to 12 years living and working in China, Kenneth’s career includes experience in Asia, the UK, France and South Africa. Before IHG, Kenneth worked for 20 years at Diageo, one of all the hotel brandsUK’s leading branded companies. His senior management positions included serving as Managing Director of Diageo Greater China, where he helped to build the company’s presence and propertiesled the landmark deal to acquire ShuiJingFang, a leading manufacturer of China’s national drink, and one of the first foreign acquisitions of a Chinese listed company.

Key responsibilities:Kenneth is responsible for the management, growth and profitability of the EMEAA region. He also manages a portfolio of hotels in The Americas region.

some of the world’s most exciting destinations, in both mature and emerging markets.

 

58 

CHANGES TO THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Federico Lalatta Costerbosa                Federico was appointed to the Executive Committee on 4 April 2016.

Yasmin DiamondYasmin was appointed to the Executive Committee on 4 April 2016.

Lori GaytanLori was Interim Executive Vice President of Human Resources from January 2016.

Ranjay RadhakrishnanRanjay was appointed to the Executive Committee on 1 December 2016.

52                IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2016        Governance2018


    

    

    

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Kenneth Macpherson

Chief Executive Officer, Greater China

Appointed to the Executive Committee:

April 2013 (Joined the Group: 2013)

Skills and experience: Kenneth joined IHG as Chief Executive Officer, Greater China in April 2013. Prior to joining the Group, he worked for Diageo plc for nearly 20 years and held senior management positions, including serving as Executive Managing Director of Diageo Greater China. Kenneth has extensive management experience, with a background in sales, marketing strategy, business development and operations.

Kenneth also brings substantial knowledge and expertise in Chinese and international business operations.

Key responsibilities: These include business development and performance of all the hotel brands and properties in the Greater China region.

   

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Eric Pearson

Executive Vice President and Chief Information Officer

Appointed to the Executive Committee:

February 2012 (Joined the Group: 1997)

Skills and experience: Eric has a background in engineering and technology and started his career with IHG 20 years ago, building IHG’s internet business. Since then, he has held various senior positions in global e-commerce, distribution marketing and global brands. Prior to being appointed Chief Information Officer, Eric most recently held the position of Chief Marketing Officer for The Americas region.Key responsibilities: These include global technology, including technology strategy, application development and global operations for IHG corporate systems and hotels around the world.

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Ranjay Radhakrishnan

Chief Human Resources Officer

Appointed to the Executive Committee:

December 2016 (Joined(joined the Group: 2016)

 

Skills and Experience:experience:Ranjay joined IHG as Chief Human Resources Officer in December 2016. He previously spent 23 years at Unilever, in a range of senior leadership roles at global, regional and country levels. At Unilever, Ranjay was most recently Executive Vice President Global HR (Categories &and Market Clusters), where he led HR for Unilever’s eight regions (Market Clusters) and four global Product Categories under a unified global HR leadership role. Ranjay has worked and lived in several countries, including the UK, Thethe Netherlands, Singapore, UAE and India.

 Key responsibilities:These include global talent management, learning and capability building, diversity, organisation development, reward and benefit programmes, employee relations, and all aspects of the people and organisation strategy for the Group.

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Jan Smits

Chief Executive Officer, Asia, Middle East and Africa

Appointed to the Executive Committee:

April 2011 (Joined the Group: 2002)

Skills and experience: Jan has more than 30 years’ experience in the hospitality industry. He held various senior positions in the Asia and Australasia region. He became Managing Director, Asia Australasia in June 2009. Following the amalgamation of our Middle East and Africa region with our Asia Australasia region, he became Chief Executive Officer, Asia, Middle East and Africa in April 2011.Key responsibilities: These include business development and performance of all the hotel brands and properties in Asia, Middle East and Africa.

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George Turner

Executive Vice President, General CounselChief Commercial and Company SecretaryTechnology Officer

Appointed to the Executive Committee:

January 2009 (Joined(joined the Group: 2008)

 

Skills and experience:George joined IHG in 2008 and spent a decade as IHG’s EVP, General Counsel and Company Secretary, with responsibility for corporate goverance, risk and assurance, corporate responsibility and information security. He is a solicitor and qualified to private practice in 1995. Prior to joining the Group, George spent over 10 years with Imperial Chemical Industries PLC, where he held a number ofvarious key positions including Deputy Company Secretary and Senior Legal Counsel. In February 2019 George was appointed as Chief Commercial and Technology Officer, continuing as Company Secretary until 1 March 2019.

 Key responsibilities:As EVP, General Counsel and Company Secretary, these included corporate governance, risk management, information security, insurance, regulatory compliance, internal audit, legal and hotel standards. As EVP, Chief Commercial and Technology Officer, these include global sales, distribution, revenue management, property systems, digital and voice, information security and technology.

Changes to the Executive Committee

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Nicolette Henfrey

Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Company Secretary

Appointed to the Executive Committee:

February 2019 (joined the Group: 2001)

Skills and experience: Nicolette joined IHG in 2001, and was appointed Deputy Company Secretary in August 2011, during which time she worked very closely with the Board, Executive Committee and wider organisation to ensurebest-in-class delivery and compliance across our legal and regulatory areas. Nicolette is a solicitor and prior to joining IHG worked for Linklaters in London and Findlay & Tait (now Bowman Gilfillan) in South Africa. She will be appointed as Company Secretary from 1 March 2019.

Key responsibilities: These include overseeing our approach to corporate governance, risk management, insurance, regulatory compliance, internal audit, legal corporate responsibility, public affairs and hotel standards.

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Eric Pearson

It is with deep sadness that we report that Eric Pearson, our Chief Commercial and Technology Officer, passed away on 26 December 2018. Eric was an incredibly unique, talented and well respected individual, both within IHG and across industries. In over 20 years with IHG, he played an integral part in our success, and his expertise, passion, leadership and friendship will be sorely missed. During his tenure, he led many key parts ofour business and helped shape and deliver our strong digital offer, launching several industry firsts and building an excellent leadership team with great strength and depth. He touched many people’s lives, and a fitting tribute to him will be the scholarships in his name with Junior Achievement of Georgia, where he was a Board member, which will ensure his legacy goes on to inspire future generations.

LOGO

 

Corporate Governance        IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2016                532018  |  Governance  |  Corporate Governance59


CORPORATE GOVERNANCE CONTINUEDGovernance

Corporate Governance continued

Board meetings

 

The Group’s performanceChair and compliance withCompany Secretary continue to operate a thoroughtwo-tiered collaborative process for setting the governance framework,Board agenda to ensure that the focus and other key matters are overseendiscussion strikes the appropriate balance between short-term needs of the business and monitored by the Board.longer-term. The Chair, CEO and Company Secretary also meet in advance of each Board and Committee meeting to finalise the agendas and ensure that sufficient time is allocated and in which order each matter is considered. The Company Secretary maintains an annual agenda schedule for Board meetings that tracks routine matters and updates on bothsets out strategic and operational matters. Meetings beginmatters to be considered. Board papers are circulated to all Board members at least one week in advance of each meeting, to ensure that Directors have sufficient time to fully prepare for the meetings and ensure that effective, focused and relevant discussions take place. Each Board meeting begins with an update from the ChairmanChair and Chief Executive Officer,CEO, and the Chief Financial OfficerCFO then provides a financial review of the Group.Group’s financial performance. Executive Committee members and other members of senior management present deep divesupdates and ‘deep dives’ on key initiatives and developments in each region and function throughout the year.year, including functional, market and brand reviews, enabling all Directors to engage with senior management, have a strong understanding of Group operations, challenges and successes and contribute to strategic discussions.

In additionThe Board continues to receive presentations in the business discussed and considered atless formal context ofpre-dinner meetings, scheduled the day before Board meetings, and invites external experts to provide‘outside-in’ perspectives. This year the Board allows time for more informal presentations

discussed technological agility and discussion at pre-dinner meetings duringinnovation, and the evenings before Board meetings.trends and competitive dynamics shaping the digital environment with external experts.

The Board held eight scheduled meetings during the year, and individual attendance is set out on page 49. 55. All Directors are expected to attend all Board meetings and relevant Committee meetings unless they are prevented from doing so by prior commitments, illness or a conflict of interest. If Directors are unable to attend Board or Committee meetings, they are sent the relevant papers and asked to provide comments to the Chair of the Board or Committee in advance of the meeting so that their comments can be duly considered.

Time is set aside at the start and end of meetingseach Board meeting for the Chief Executive OfficerCEO to meet with the ChairmanChair andNon-Executive Directors, and for the ChairmanChair to meet privately with the Senior IndependentNon-Executive Director (SID) andNon-Executive Directors. Careful agenda planning allows Directors to discuss any matters arising. The SID continues to be available to discuss concerns with shareholders, in addition to the normal channels of shareholder communication.

During 2018, the Board sufficient time to consider key matters at appropriate stages across the year.

So that the Board makes the best possible use of its time at meetings, all Directors are provided with detailed briefing papers (available electronically) at least one week in advance of every meeting to ensure that discussions are focused and relevant.

Strategic and operational matters

The Board continued to focus on matters of strategic and operational importance in 2016, which included:

our commercial strategy (see pages 14 to 17);

guest loyalty (see page 16);

informationmatters, corporate governance, investor relations and the information security landscape;

strategic portfolio management and priorities agreed at the March Board strategy day;

regional updates onrisk management. The Americas, AMEA, Europe and Greater China regions (see pages 31 to 42);

online travel agents and distribution;

an in-depth trends review (see page 9);

progress against the developmentinterests of our next-generation Guest Reservation System (see page 17);

in-depth brand reviewskey stakeholders were considered throughout all discussions. The key focus areas for Holiday Inn, Holiday Inn Express (see page 17), Kimpton and Crowne Plaza; and

finance and procurement update.

The Board also discussed the UK’s EU referendum result and the impact of Brexit on IHG. As IHG is a global business, with operations in nearly 100 countries, the Board concluded that the result would have no material impact on our strategy or operations.during 2018 are outlined below:

Governance and investor relations

The Board routinely considers shareholder relations and deals with corporate governance matters, including:

Governance:

updates from each of the Board Committees;

quarterly corporate governance and regulatory updates, including reviews of regulatory developments and any upcoming legislative changes affecting the business, our Board and/or its Committees;

the Annual Report and Form 20-F;

internal controls and risk management systems, our risk appetite and our global insurance programme;

Board effectiveness evaluation; and

the terms of reference for each Board Committee.

Investor relations and communications:

the review and approval of shareholder returns strategies for 2016;

updates on investor perceptions and shareholder relations, consideration of analysts’ reports and media updates;

preparations for the AGM; and

our share register movements during 2016, share price performance, relative share price performance and the investor road show (including investor feedback).

 

Area of discussion

Discussion topic

Strategic and
operational
matters
Accelerating our growthRegular updates were received on key milestones including organisational structures and workforce transition, progress against key strategic initiatives and risk management and culture change.
 

 

ANNUAL STRATEGY MEETING – MARCH 2016

In addition to the routine financial and operating reports and updates that the Board considers, substantial time is also spent considering Group strategy, performance and oversight, including a dedicated annual strategy meeting.

As well as reviewing and discussing our global strategy in detail, we also spent time focusing on the European market. We visited three of our priority markets in the region, UK (London), Germany (Frankfurt and Berlin) and Russia (Moscow), giving the Board the opportunity to see at first-hand the diversity of the European market and the progress we are making in cementing our foothold. More details of this, and more key trends affecting our industry, can be found on pages 8 and 9.

Each Board member received a full briefing in advance of the visit to familiarise them with the cities and hotels that they were visiting and the specifics of, and recent developments in, the European market. The briefing also included an overview of the key macroeconomic figures, trends (including technology), and our key international competitors’ business in the region.

The Board had the opportunity to meet with senior executives in the region, key-market experts and some of the owners to hear about the dynamics at play in the hospitality sector in the region and discuss more specifically IHG’s position.

54                IHG Annual Report and Form 20-F 2016        Governance


Director induction, training and development

New Director inductions

There were no new Director appointments in 2016. However, all new Directors, upon appointment, undergo a comprehensive and formal induction programme which is tailored to meet their individual needs. We believe this is crucial in ensuring our Directors have an in-depth understanding of the Group’s business and our business model, our principal activities, and our strategy, which is key to enabling all Directors to contribute to the Board effectively with their knowledge, skills, experience and expertise.

During 2016, our induction focus supported Jill McDonald upon her appointment as Chair of the Corporate Responsibility (CR) Committee following Jennifer Laing’s retirement from the Board on 6 May, 2016. An induction programme was put in place and entailed:

a detailed handover from Jennifer Laing; and

a series of meetings with the heads of Corporate Responsibility and the Company Secretary, which included planning and setting the meeting agendas and a deep dive on the CR programmes, their background and development.

Malina Ngai will receive a full induction programme during 2017, details of which will be reported in the 2017 Annual Report.

Ongoing Director training and development

At IHG, we believe that updating skills and knowledge through a progressive and continual training programme is of great importance because it facilitates a better understanding of the Group’s business and its operations. The Chairman regularly reviews and agrees any training and development needs with each Director and the Board is made aware of training opportunities.

Board and Committee meetings are regularly used to keep Directors formally up to date on developments in the environment in which the business operates, with in-depth discussion and presentations provided by senior management on key topical areas as required. The Company Secretary provides updates to the Board on regulatory, corporate

governance and legal matters, or relevant changes, as part of meetings. Individual meetings are also set up with senior management, as necessary, to enable the Board to keep up to date with, and enhance their knowledge of, the business.

Board meetings are intentionally held at IHG hotels in different locations to provide first-hand experience of the different brands across our portfolio, to broaden the Board’s exposure to the geographical markets in which we operate and to provide opportunities to meet frontline staff and other colleagues. In 2016, Board members attended Board and Committee meetings held at InterContinental London Park Lane and Crowne Plaza Gerrards Cross in the UK, and InterContinental New York Barclay in the US, in addition to meetings held at the Group’s head offices in Denham, UK. As part of our annual strategy meeting, Board members visited hotels in Frankfurt, Moscow and London prior to assembling at InterContinental Berlin. Whilst in New York, Board members visited the Hotel Indigo Lower East Side, EVEN Times Square South and Hotel Kimpton Eventi. Directors are also encouraged to visit hotels across our brands informally.

Training focus areas in 2016How we delivered the training
Audit and governance developmentsErnst & Young LLP presentation
Regulatory developments including:Quarterly Board reports
    Corporate governance
      and stewardship;
    EU Market Abuse Regulation;
    Sanctions updates; and

    General Data Protection

      Regulation.

Embedding responsible businessHuman rights eLearning;
in our practicesCompetition law eLearning
Technology trendsAccenture presentation
Data and information governancePricewaterhouseCoopers presentation

Board effectiveness evaluation

IHG continues to recognise the importance of evaluating the performance of the Board as a whole, its main Committees and its Directors, in line with the Code recommendations.

2015 EVALUATION OBSERVATIONS AND ACTION TAKEN DURING 2016
2015 observations

Action taken

during 2016

  

 

 The Board was much more focused on brands, although the Board would still benefit from regular reviews of the progress of each brand against its strategy.Strategic initiatives  Regular consideration of merger and acquisition activity, including the acquisition of the Regent brand updates were provided at Board meetings with performance reports and deep-dives held onentry into a managed lease transaction in the Holiday Inn, Holiday Inn Express, Crowne Plaza and Kimpton brands (see page 54).UK.
 

 

  

 The Board’s understanding of competitors’ strategy and performance had been achieved through enhanced analysis.Operating regions  No further enhancements toOperating performance, competitive positioning, outlook and strategy, including progress against KPIs, were considered at each Board meeting and deep-dive sessions on each region were also presented during the current practice were required.year, considering our guest and owner proposition throughout.
 

 

  

 Increased exposure to the Group’s US business was requested, including a review of the Kimpton integration.Commercial delivery  The Americas review was presented at the June Board meetingUpdates on progress against our channels and an updatesales strategy and updates on the Kimpton integration was presented atroll out of IHG Concerto, including the December Board meeting.approach to risk mitigation and future initiatives.
 

 

  

 Increase the Board’s understanding of consumer trends and behaviour.Brands  Industry reports have been provided toBrand performance and initiatives for all brands, including approving the Board as well as consumer trends reports.launch of voco, and monitoring progress following the launch of avid hotels.
 

 

  

 Our people and culture  

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Presentations from the Chief Human Resources Officer on people, and culture change, including updates on engagement scores, feedback sessions, and key learnings. The Board discussed the conclusions reached and next steps, including how the interests of the workforce had been considered and the importance of ensuring key learnings were implemented.

FinanceIn addition to approving the budget, review of the Group’s funding and liquidity position and approving a500 million bond.

Corporate
governance
Updates from each of the Board CommitteesDetails of Committee activities during 2018 can be found on pages 64 to 69 and 72 to 85.

Corporate Governance IHGCode and The Companies (Miscellaneous Reporting) RegulationsPresentations were received on corporate governance developments, including statutory duties, stakeholder engagement, workforce voice, Board composition, diversity, remuneration, culture and stewardship.

Quarterly corporate governance and regulatory updates, including reviews of regulatory developments and any upcoming legislative changes affecting the business, the Board and/or its CommitteesInternal quarterly updates are provided to the Board covering key regulatory and corporate governance developments and how the Group is responding. Further information can be obtained from the Company Secretary.

Year-end matters, including the Annual Report andForm 20-FDetails of the review process of the Annual Report and Form20-F 2016                55 can be found on page 64.

Board effectiveness evaluationDetails of the process and outcome of the internal Board effectiveness review can be found on page 63.


CORPORATE GOVERNANCE CONTINUED

Board effectiveness evaluationcontinued

Directors’ performance evaluation

During 2016, internal performance evaluations of Directors were undertaken as follows:

 

Director being appraised60 Appraiser
ChairmanNon-Executive Directors, excluding the Chairman,IHG  |  Annual Report and facilitated by the Senior Independent Non-Executive Director
Chief Executive OfficerChairman and all Non-Executive Directors
Executive DirectorChief Executive Officer
Non-Executive DirectorsChairmanForm 20-F 2018

Directors’ additional appointments and time commitments were also considered as part of the internal performance evaluations, and we concluded that all Directors continue to be able to perform their duties effectively. Particular attention was paid to Ian Dyson and Anne Busquet’s commitments, and we determined that these do not adversely impact their ability to fulfil their roles as Non-Executive Directors.


External evaluation

In 2014 and 2015, IHG conducted internal evaluations of the Board, its Committees and the performance of individual Directors, with guidance and assistance from independent external facilitators with no connection to IHG.

In accordance with our three-year cycle, Dr Tracy Long of Boardroom Review Limited, an independent external facilitator with no connection to IHG, was engaged to lead our 2016 external evaluation.

Dr Long met with the Chairman and the Company Secretary to review the previous evaluation processes and outcomes, and devised an in-depth evaluation process, comprising:

confidential one-on-one interviews with each Board member and certain attendees at meetings;

observation of a Board meeting in February 2017; and

individual feedback interviews with all Directors.

Following this process, a detailed report will be presented to the Board in May 2017. Initial observations and feedback shared with the Chairman indicate that the Board and its Committees were operating effectively, and the Board will consider the detailed recommendations at its meeting in May 2017. During 2017, the Board will focus on the key recommendations of the evaluation and will report on the observations and actions taken in the 2017 Annual Report.

Engagement with shareholders

 

    

    

Area of discussion

Discussion topic

Risk managementCybersecurityPresentations from the Chief Information Security Officer on cybersecurity, including the threat landscape, information security priorities, and updates on key initiatives and metrics.

Internal controls and risk management systems, our risk appetite and our global insurance programmeRegular updates were received on internal controls, risk management systems, our risk appetite and global insurance programme. Reports on risk topics were delivered by the Chair of each Committee.

Terms of Reference for each Board CommitteeChanges to the Terms of Reference of the Committees were approved during the year, in preparation for the implementation of the new 2018 UK Corporate Governance Code. The Terms of Reference for all Committees and the Matters Reserved for the Board can be found on our website.

Investor relations, stakeholder engagement and

communications

Updates on investor perceptions and shareholder relations, consideration of analysts’ reports and media updatesThe Board receives a regular report outlining share register movement, relative share price performance, Investor Relations activities and engagement with shareholders. The Board also considered feedback from the regular investor and analyst perception survey.

Stakeholder engagementThe Board continued to consider stakeholders throughout all Board discussions. In addition separate updates and presentations were provided on the workforce, the Group’s owners engagement strategy, and outsource suppliers.

Global communications updatesThe Board receives a regular report on global communications, including the external landscape and communications activity across key regions, our brands and our people.

Review and approval of shareholder returns strategies for 2018During the year, the Board considered and after taking into account stakeholder interests, distributable reserves and long-term success of the Company, recommended two dividends and a $500 million return to shareholders via a special dividend with share consolidation, which was approved by shareholders on 11 January 2019 and paid on 29 January 2019.

Preparations for the AGMDetails of the 2019 AGM can be found on page 62.

Annual Strategy Meeting – March 2018

The Board takes itsmaintains overall responsibility for the establishment and review of the long-term strategic aims and objectives of the Group. Substantial time is spent considering Group strategy and monitoring performance during the regular Board meetings and, in addition, the Board holds an Annual Strategy Meeting, dedicated to representreviewing and promotediscussing our global strategy in detail.

The 2018 Annual Strategy Meeting was held in London and the interestsBoard undertook a thorough review of its shareholders seriouslythe Group’s performance across all business areas, as well as completing a strategic assessment of the competitive landscape and believesthe commercial strategy and

priorities for the Group. This assessment led to a discussion regarding the priorities for the Group going forward and in particular, on all of the initiatives supporting the continuation and delivery of our continued ambition for growth.

Each Board member received a full briefing in advance of the Annual Strategy Meeting to ensure they had the time to reflect on the key information ahead of engaging in the importance of shareholder engagement. discussions at the meeting.

Engagement with stakeholders

We maintainremain committed to maintaining an active programme ofand effective dialogue with our shareholders and all of our key stakeholders. We encourage engagement with investors and other stakeholders through our planned programme of investor relations activities, as well as responding to queries from shareholders, analysts and ourother stakeholders. Our Registrar, Equiniti, has a teamand J.P. Morgan, as custodians of peopleour American Depositary Receipts (ADR) programme, have teams equipped to deal with shareholder and ADR holder queries. A formal external review of investor perceptions is presented to the Board on an annual basis and both the Executive Committee and the Board receive regular updates on shareholder relations.relations to ensure that they are made aware and understand the issues and concerns of major shareholders in order to develop a balanced understanding of any such concerns.

EngagementShareholder engagement during the year

The Board’s engagement with shareholders in 2016 included:

 

meetingMeeting shareholders and responding to any queries raised at the AGM;2018 AGM and the General Meeting in January 2019.

 

presentationsPresentations by Richard SolomonsKeith Barr and Paul Edgecliffe-Johnson to institutional investors, analysts and the media following half-year and full-year results announcements;announcements.
Investor roadshow events in the US, Canada, Europe and Edinburgh.

 

Telephone conferences after the release of the first and third-quarter telephone conferences after trading updates, including Q&A sessions with sell-side analysts;analysts.

 

hosting two capital market events focusing on The Americas regionIFRS 15 event, with Paul Edgecliffe-Johnson outlining and our commercial strategy, attended bypresenting the Executive Committee;reporting changes to investors and analysts.

 

seekingSeeking feedback via an annual investor perception survey, facilitated by our capital markets advisers;advisers.

 

attendanceAttendance at key institutional investor conferences; andconferences.

 

aA programme ofone-to-one meetings with major institutional shareholders, includingNon-Executive Director meetings hosted by the ChairmanChair.

The SID remains available to shareholders if they have concerns they wish to discuss.

In addition to the Board’s formal engagement with shareholders, Elie Maalouf attended an investor conference in the US and Remuneration Committee Chairman.

Kenneth Macpherson attended an investor conference in London. In addition, investor hotel tours took place in both China and London.

To enable as many shareholders as possible to access conferences and presentations, telephonedial-in facilities arewere made available

IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2018  |  Governance  |  Corporate Governance61


Governance

Corporate Governance continued

Engagement with stakeholders continued

in advance and live audio webcasts arewere made available after results presentations in 2018, together with associated data and documentation. These can be found atwww.ihgplc.com/investors under Results and Presentations. Around 25presentations. Details of the sell-side research analysts who publish research on the Group; their detailsGroup are available atwww.ihgplc.com/investors under Analysts’Analyst details and consensus.

AGM

The AGM is an opportunity for shareholders to vote on certain aspects of Group business. The Board valuesbusiness and to discuss matters with the AGM as it provides a useful forum for one-to-one communication with private shareholders. At each AGM, shareholders receive presentations onBoard. A presentation regarding the Group’s performance and mayfinancial results is given before the Chair deals with the formal business of the meeting. All shareholders present can ask questions of the Board, both during the meeting and more informally over lunch afterlunch. The Board considers the AGM an invaluable forum for communicating with investors and we encourage participation at this meeting.

The 20172019 AGM will be held at 11:00am00 on Friday 53 May 2017.2019. The notice convening this meeting will be sent to shareholders and will be available atwww.ihgplc.com/investors under Shareholder centre in the AGMs and meetings section.

General Meeting

A General Meeting was held on 11 January 2019 to consider the consolidation of IHG’s share capital and seek authority to purchase our own shares. Shareholders were encouraged to attend and participate in this meeting and all resolutions were passed. Further details can be found atwww.ihgplc.com/investors under Shareholder centre in the AGMs and meetings section.

Shareholder services

DuringAs a result of the third quarter of 2016, IHG ran itsspecial dividend and share consolidation, the annual share-dealing programme was postponed.

Stakeholder engagement

During the year, the Board also engaged with a number of our key stakeholders, including:

Attendance at the 2018 World Economic Forum in Davos, engaging with a wide variety of clients, owners, suppliers and various country tourism organisations and officials;

Meetings with a number of hotel owners in our Greater China region during the UK China CIIE Business Reception and Dinner;

Joining our Senior Leaders for shareholdersthe annual meeting in Miami; and

Meetings with shareholdingsthe workforce and guests during various hotel visits, including in Atlanta and London.

In addition, members of upthe Board engaged with key credit investors as part of the Group’s bond roadshow.

Director induction, training and development

New Director inductions

All new Directors, upon appointment, undergo a comprehensive and formal induction programme which is tailored to 200 shares, giving themmeet their individual needs. We believe this is crucial to ensure our Directors have anin-depth understanding of and familiarity with the optionGroup’s business model, key stakeholders, our principal activities and our strategy, which is key to sell or increase their shareholdings at a preferable set fee. Shareholders who sold their shares had the further optionenabling all Directors to donate their proceedscontribute to the Board effectively.

Elie Maalouf was appointed an Executive Director on 1 January 2018. Having been Chief Executive Officer of the Americas since February 2015, Elie already had a thorough understanding of the Group’s business model and strategies and had already participated in a number of Investor Relations events. As such, his induction was tailored to provide a thorough outline of his responsibilities and duties as a Director of a public limited company. This included:

The provision of a detailed briefing pack outlining the roles, responsibilities and duties of an Executive Director;

Board induction meetings with the Company Secretary, Deputy Company Secretary and external Corporate Legal Adviser focusing on Director’s duties under the Companies Act, key corporate governance and corporate transaction issues, compliance with Listing Rules and relevant regulations;

Induction meetings with the Group Financial Controller and Auditor to review key financial considerations and responsibilities of an Executive Director;

Meeting with Dr Tracy Long, an independent external Board evaluator, to discuss the Board review process and outcomes from past evaluations; and

One-to-one meetings with the Committee Chairs and SID to ensure a thorough understanding of the focus areas of each Committee and the SID.

Ongoing Director training and development

We believe that an ongoing and progressive training programme enables all Board members to fully understand the Group’s business and operations and how it interacts with the ever changing external landscape. The Chair continues to review the training and development needs with each Director on a regular basis and the Board is made aware of training opportunities.

Board and Committee meetings are regularly used to update Directors on developments in the environment in which the business operates andin-depth presentations are provided on key topical areas. The Company Secretary provides regular updates on regulatory, corporate governance and legal matters and individual meetings with senior management are arranged if necessary. Focus trends and areas in 2018 included corporate governance changes, consumer and technology developments and information security and cybersecurity trends and developments. In addition, Directors are encouraged to attend external training events to update their skills and knowledge.

Board meetings continue to be held at IHG Foundation.hotels around the world to provide first-hand experience of our different brands. We believe that this opportunity to meet our workforce, suppliers and owners across the business broadens the Board’s understanding of the markets in which we operate. In 2018, Board members attended Board and Committee meetings at our Ravinia offices in Atlanta, the InterContinental® London Park Lane and the Crowne Plaza, Kensington in the UK, as well as meetings at the Group’s head offices in Denham, UK. Directors are also encouraged to continue to visit hotels across our brands on an informal basis.

 

 

56                62IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2016        Governance2018


Board effectiveness evaluation

Board performance evaluation

IHG recognises the benefits of the Board undertaking a rigorous evaluation of its own performance and that of its main Committees and individual Directors on an annual basis, in line with the UK Corporate Governance Code recommendations.

In accordance with the Code, we rotate a three-year Board evaluation cycle with an external Board evaluation taking place every three years. Dr Tracy Long of Boardroom Review Limited, an external facilitator with no connection to IHG, completed our external evaluation in 2016. The intention is to complete the next external evaluation in 2019 and therefore during 2018, the Board completed an internal evaluation.

The evaluation this year was conducted by the Chair and the SID through a confidential, structured interview process. The key topics covered in the evaluation included:

Board composition and alignment with the needs of the business;

Board work processes including agenda setting, information flow, areas of engagement and use of time;

Board engagement with strategy;

Board dynamics and effectiveness of meetings, including relations with executives; and

The structure and effectiveness of our Principal Committees.

The feedback from Executive Directors about the Board’s performance was incorporated into the assessment process.

Following the analysis of the results, it was concluded that the Board operates effectively, with high levels of engagement and participation as a Board, good interaction with all members of the Executive Committee and an open and transparent relationship with management below the Executive Committee level.

The Board concluded that the topics covered in the agenda items over the year were well balanced, giving the Board an appropriate overview of the key items facing the business, supporting regular and engaged discussion and enabling the Board to monitor the progress against delivery of the Group’s strategic objectives. This is also bolstered by thetwo-tiered approach to the agenda focussing on operational and strategic objectives both for the short and longer term.

Cybersecurity, talent, diversity, consumer-facing digital trends and maintaining pace with the changing competitive landscape were identified as areas for continued focus.

The Board also concluded that the Principal Committees continued to bewell-led, highly engaged and effective.

Directors’ performance evaluation

In addition to the Board evaluation process outlined above, internal performance evaluations of Directors were undertaken during 2018 in order to enhance the accountability and effectiveness of each Director. Feedback was collected for each Director’s peer review by the Chair and SID through an interview format, with a mix of structured interview questions and a more open-ended discussion. Board members were asked to provide comments on their fellow Directors’ preparedness, contribution, strengths and weaknesses, industry and company understanding and opportunity for development.

The summary of the feedback was reviewed by the Chair and the SID before being communicated to each Director.

The assessment of the performance of the Chair was led by the SID. The Chair’s evaluation consisted of interviews with theNon-Executive Directors, discussing:

The relationship between the CEO and Chair;

Board succession;

Board culture and the Chair’s ability to promote and maintain an open, transparent and constructive atmosphere, encouragingco-operation and communication;

Managing the Board in accordance with high standards of corporate governance; and

The effectiveness of the analysis and action taken from the results of last year’s evaluation.

The CEO evaluation was led by the Chair in a process involving all Directors by means of a structured interview process. Key areas of focus included:

IHG’s performance;

Effectiveness in developing and implementing strategy, talent and culture;

Effectiveness in shaping IHG’s reputation and relationships with key stakeholders;

Value stewardship;

Leadership of the Executive Committee; and

Areas for further development.

The length of tenure ofNon-Executive Directors continues to be reviewed as part of the Directors’ performance evaluation process. Both Luke Mayhew and Dale Morrison have served on the Board for more than six years and, as such, were subject to particular review. It was concluded that both Luke and Dale continue to contribute effectively and to demonstrate commitment to the role including devoting the necessary time.

Directors’ additional appointments and time commitments also form part of the internal performance evaluation process. Any potential additional appointments are thoroughly discussed with the Chair before being accepted, with the time commitment required for each role being carefully assessed. During 2018, particular attention was paid to Ian Dyson, Anne Busquet and Jo Harlow’s commitments, as well as Paul Edgecliffe-Johnson’s time commitment to hisNon-Executive Director duties at Thomas Cook Group plc. Following a thorough review process, we determined that their additional appointments do not adversely impact their performance, but add value to their perspective and ability to constructively challenge management.

As a result, it was concluded that all Directors continue to perform their duties effectively, dedicating sufficient time to the Company to discharge their responsibilities effectively.

IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2018  |  Governance  |  Corporate Governance63


Governance

Corporate Governance continued

Audit Committee Report

 

LOGO

“We play a crucial role in ensuring that IHG maintains a strong control environment.”

LOGO
  

The Committee continues to play a key role within IHG’s corporate governance framework, supporting the Board in matters relating to internal control, risk management and financial reporting.

 

Key duties and role of the Committee

Key objectives and summary of responsibilities

The Audit Committee plays a crucial role inis responsible for ensuring that IHG maintains a strong control environment. It influencesmonitors the cultureintegrity of the organisation through itsIHG’s financial reporting, including significant financial reporting judgements, maintains oversight and reviewreviews our systems of ourinternal control and risk management, systems,monitors and reviews the processeseffectiveness and controls in place to manage risk, the Group’sperformance of internal controls, and external audit functions, as well as reviewing the behaviours expected of IHG’s employees through the Group’s Code of Conduct and other related policies.

The Committee’s role, responsibilities and responsibilitiesauthority delegated to it by the Board are set out in its Terms of Reference (ToR), which are reviewed annually and approved by the Board.

The Committee’s key responsibilities and focus over the year have been:

 

Reviewing the approach to Risk and Assurance in light of the new organisational structure;

Regular reviews of the Group’s information security controls and the information security risk landscape, including reviewing a cybersecurity risk assessment and a detailed roadmap for 2018 and beyond;

Reviewing, challenging and ensuring accurate financial and narrative reporting, including reviewing the Annual Report and Form20-F and assessing the implementation of new accounting standards, including IFRS 15 concerning revenue recognition and IFRS 16 concerning leases;

Reviewing and assessing the robustness of the Group’s internal controlscontrol and risk management systems andin-depth reviews of specific principal risk areas including the approach to outsourcing and the risk and control environment in particular, financial controls;relation to the implementation of GRS and the Group’s strategic initiatives;

 

reviewing, challenging (where necessary), and ensuring accurate financial and narrative reporting;

overseeingOverseeing the relationship with and appraisal of the Group’s external Auditor;Auditor, including regular analysis of audit andnon-audit services;

 

monitoringOverseeing the external audit tender process;

Monitoring and reviewing the role of Internal Audit; and

 

overseeingOverseeing and ensuring the effectiveness of the Group’s regulatory compliance policies, procedures and controls, including whistleblowing and fraud.assessing the Group’s approach to the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

 

LOGOLOGO 

The ToR are available on IHG’s website atwww.ihgplc.com/investors

www.ihgplc.com/investors under Corporate governance.governance in the Committees section.

Membership and attendance at meetings

Details of the Committee’s membership and attendance at meetings are set out on page 49.55. The Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Chairman of the Remuneration Committee, Head of Global Internal Audit (GIA),CFO, Group Financial Controller, Head of Global Risk Managementand Assurance and our external Auditor, Ernst & Young LLP (EY), attended all meetings in 2016. The Chairman of the Board attended four out of five meetings.2018. Other attendees are invited to meetings as appropriate. To ensure open dialogue, transparency, independenceappropriate; and feedback, the CEO and all other Directors attended Committee Chairman heldmeetings where the principal risks and risk management systems and the approval of financial reporting were considered and discussed. The Committee continues to hold private sessions (together with and separately to the Committee) with the Auditorsinternal and Head of GIAexternal Auditors without the presence of management.management to ensure that a culture of transparency is maintained. The Committee Chairman hasChair continues to have recent and relevant financial experience and all members of the Committee are independent Independent

Non-Executive Directors, Directors. In accordance with the Code, the Board also considers that the Committee as a whole possesses competence relevant to the Company’s sector, having a range of financial and commercial experience relevant to bothin the hospitality industry and the broader commercial environment in which we operate in.operate. Further details of the skills and experience of the Board can be found on pages 56 and 57.

Reporting to the Board

Following each Committee meeting, the Committee Chair updates the Board receives an update from the Committee Chairman on the key issues discussed. The papers and minutes for each meeting are circulated to all Board members, who are invited to request further information if required and to provide any challenge where considered necessary.

Effectiveness of the Committee

The effectiveness of the Committee is monitored and assessed regularly by the ChairmanChair of the Committee and the Chairman (who attended mostChair of the Board. During 2018, the Committee meetings) and willwas also be reviewed as part of the in-depth externalinternal Board evaluation process conducted by Boardroom Review Limited (see pages 55page 63). The Committee undertook an assessment against its own ToR and 56).I, as Chair, assessed the effectiveness of the Committee across a number of areas, including membership, skills and experience and the work of the Committee across its key responsibility areas. The Committee concluded that it remains effective. Minor changes were also made to the ToR to reflect the 2018 UK Corporate Governance Code, including that whistleblowing procedures and reports would now be matters reserved for the Board.

Focus areas and activities

Internal controls and risk management

The Committee supports the Board by reviewing and interrogating the effectiveness of the Group’s risk management and internal control systems, and by having oversight of the risk and control activities in operation. The Committee supports this process by regularly reviewing the principal risks, risk trends, the risk environment and the operation of the risk management systems. It seeks assurance that, in light of the Group’s risk appetite, the Group’s current and emerging risks are identified, assessed, prioritised, and appropriately managed and mitigated in day-to-day decision-making (see pages 20 to 22).

The key financial controls across the business are continually monitored and tested throughout the year. The Committee considers the Group’s treasury and tax strategy and policies annually and, to ensure that an appropriate framework exists to ensure compliance with our US obligations arising from the Sarbanes-Oxley Act 2002 (SOX), assesses the approach to SOX compliance each year, reviewing reports on the progress of the SOX programme at each meeting.

The Committee continues to conclude that the Group has in place an effective system of risk management and internal controls, and, through its review, has concluded that there are no material weaknesses in the control environment and that there are no significant failings or weaknesses.

In addition to the regular review of the Group’s risk management framework and assessment of the principal risks, the Committee has a schedule for in-depth reviews over the year, where senior management provide more detailed insight into specific risk, financial, compliance and operational areas. During 2016, the Committee met with senior risk and finance management, the Chief Information Officer and the Head of Information Security, considering, in particular:

the financial controls relating to the System Fund and significant technology projects;

the progress made against the opportunities identified to enhance the Group’s SOX control processes, following the external review conducted in 2015;

the Group’s revenue systems, and related risk-management processes and controls;

the principal risk areas, the risk review process and how this is supported by the Group’s culture and organisational governance, and the Group’s approach to risk appetite;

technology and cyber risks, IHG’s information-security strategy, processes and controls, and, with specific reference to cyber incidents, the Group’s incident response and the containment and mitigation plans, including assurance that there was no impact on the Group’s financial systems;

safety and security practices at hotels; and

the review and approval of the Group’s Approach to Tax document required to be published under the Finance Act 2016.

LOGOThe Group’s Approach to Tax document is available on IHG’s website at www.ihgplc.com/responsible-business under Policies.

LOGO

Corporate Governance        IHG Annual Report and Form 20-F 2016                57


CORPORATE GOVERNANCE CONTINUED

Audit Committee Reportcontinued

Financial and narrative reporting

During the year, the Committee reviewed and recommended approval of the interim and annual Financial Statements (considering the relevant accounting and reporting matters)matters such as impairment reviews, key judgement areas, acquisition accounting, the going concern and viability statements) and the Group’s quarterly trading updates. All members of the Board are asked to attend these meetings. The Committee also reviewed and recommended approval of the restatement of the prior year’s accounts, prepared to reflect financial reporting changes.

The Committee recognises the importance of understanding changes in accounting policies and practice, and receivescontinues to receive an annual update from EY on key changes in this area. In 2016,2018, the Committee undertook an in-depthcontinued its review of the future impact on the Group of the implementation of IFRS 16 concerning leases and IFRS 15 concerning revenue recognition, – see page 104.

It also challengedparticularly in relation to the key judgements applied in the Financial Statements as described below and considered the basis of, and assumptions underlying, the going concern statementSystem Fund revenues and the viability statement. A letter from the SEC containing comments on the Annual Report 2015 was discussed, and the Group’s proposed responsetreatment of loyalty programme accounting.

The Committee continued to the SEC agreed. As a result of this process, additional disclosures have been made (see page 26 for details of the key performance measures used by management, and pages 156 and 157 for reconciliations of the Non-GAAP measures used in this Annual Report).

Where appropriate, the Committee soughtseek input and guidance from EY and,the external Auditor where appropriate to gain further assurance over the process of preparation of the Financial Statements,Statements. In addition, the Committee also received regular reports from the ChairmanChair of the Disclosure Committee and copies of theall minutes of that Committee.Committee were duly circulated.

The Committee received early drafts of the Annual Report and Form20-F 2016 2018 (Annual Report) in order to provide timely comment,, and when providing comments considered: (i) the process for preparing and verifying the Annual Report, which included review by members of the Executive Committee and input from senior colleagues in Operations, Strategy, HR,Human Resources, Finance, GIA, Risk and Assurance and Legal; (ii) a report from the ChairmanChair of the Disclosure Committee; and (iii) the checklist prepared by the Annual Report team confirming compliance with the relevant regulatory requirements.

64IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2018


The Committee (and a sub-committee specifically convened for this purpose) also considered management’s analysis of how the content benchmarked against thetaken as a whole, was ‘fair, balanced and understandable’ communication principles,, and whether it contained the necessary information for shareholders to assess the Group’s position and performance, business model and strategy. ItIn order to reach this conclusion, a dedicated project team worked on the contents of the Annual Report and a detailed verification process to confirm the accuracy of the information contained within the Annual Report was undertaken by the Financial, Planning and Analysis

department. The Committee then considered both the structure and content of the Annual Report to ensure that the key messages were effectively and consistently communicated and that meaningful links between the business model, strategy, KPIs, principal risks and remuneration were clearly identified throughout the Annual Report.

Following a review of the contents of the Annual Report alongside the aforementioned criteria, the Committee reported its recommendation to approve the Annual Report to the Board.

 

Significant matters in the 2018 Financial Statements

The Committee discussed with management and the Auditor the key judgements applied in the Financial Statements, the exceptional items arising in the year and the impact of any accounting developments or legislative changes. The main items discussed are outlined below.

 

SIGNIFICANT MATTERS IN THE 2016 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The Committee discussed with management and the Auditors the key judgements applied in the Financial Statements, the exceptional items arising in the year and the impact

Area of any accounting developments or legislative changes. The main items discussed were:

IssueWhy it’s importantWhat we did
focus

 

Issue/Role of the Committee

 

Conclusions/Actions taken

Accounting for the System Fund

 

Given significant changes to the unique nature ofway IHG accounts for the System Fund due to the adoption of IFRS 15 in 2018, the Committee reviewsreviewed the controls, judgements and judgementsdecisions related to systemSystem Fund accounting.

 

In forming a conclusion on the appropriateness of the System Fund accounting the Committee met with senior finance management to review and evaluate the risk areas associated with the System Fund. The Committee further reviewed a paper from management outlining the accounting approach for the System Fund. The Committee concluded that good progress has beenjudgements made in strengthening the financial oversightdetermining that revenue and expenses of the System Fund should be accounted for in the income statement, and that judgements in respectderecognising the historic balance sheet surplus, as determined by management’s interpretation of IFRS 15. The Committee concluded this change was appropriate and their decision was supported by the accounting treatmentconclusions reached by the AICPA Hospitality Entities Revenue Recognition Task Force (‘the Task Force’) focused on IFRS 15, where management participated alongside other hotel companies and audit firms.

At each Committee meeting the Committee reviewed the status and results of the System Fund testing for controls required by the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. The Committee also considered EY’s procedures and related disclosures,conclusions in this area, and concluded that the controls were appropriate.

appropriate and effective.

 

 

 

Accounting for IHG Rewards Club

 

With the adoption of IFRS 15 the accounting for the IHG Rewards Club points liability

Theprogramme changed significantly in 2018. Accounting for the programme still requires significant judgement and represents a material deferred revenue balance. Accordingly, the Committee reviewed the controls, judgements and decisions related to accounting for the IHG Rewards Club points liability representsprogramme.

In forming a material liabilityconclusion on the appropriateness of the accounting for the Group and in determining the liabilityIHG Rewards Club programme, the Committee challengesmet with senior finance management to review and evaluate the judgements and estimations usedmade to determinechange the liability.

accounting for the IHG Rewards Club Points from a liability based on the future cost of redemptions to a deferred revenue balance. The Committee determined the treatment was appropriate and their decision was supported by conclusions reached by the Task Force.

The Committee further reviewed the approach to the valuation of the liabilitydeferred revenue balance and in particular, the judgements used in evaluating the points expiry policy introduced in 2015. Management was questioned on the consistency of the valuation approach, adopted, the results of the external actuarial review and judgement exercised on the increased judgement required as a resultbreakage of the expiration policy.outstanding IHG Reward Club Points. The results ofCommittee also considered EY’s audit procedures were also taken into accountand conclusions in reaching the conclusionthis area, and concluded that the liabilitydeferred revenue balance is appropriately stated.

 

 

 

Impairment testing

 Impairment testing

Impairment reviews require significant judgement and the Committee therefore scrutinises the methodologies applied and the inherent sensitivities in determining any potential asset impairment.

 

The Committee reviewed a management report outlining the approach taken on impairment testing in particular, theand key assumptions and sensitivities supporting the conclusion on the various asset categories. The Committee examined the assumptions related tonon-current assets, assets previously impaired management contract valuations resulting from asset sales, and the assets acquired as part of the Kimpton acquisition. The impairments recordedCommittee also considered EY’s procedures and conclusions in the year on a joint venture in The Americas (see note 14 on page 121this area, and page 103) were discussed in detail. The Committeeconcluded that it agreed with the conclusionsdeterminations reached on impairment.

 

 

 

Litigation

 Litigation and contingencies

From time to time, the Group is subject to legal proceedings with the ultimate outcome of each being subject to many uncertainties. The Committee reviews and evaluates the need for any provisioning on a case-by-casecase by case basis.

 

At each meeting during the year, the Committee considered a report detailing all material litigation matters, andmatters. The Committee discussed and agreed any provisioning requirements for these matters based on the factors set out in page 103. The Committee also evaluated the need for, and the amount of, a provision in respect of the Kimpton Security Incident (assessing the information currently available) and the disclosure in relation to the Americas Security Incident (see note 30 on page 141).

matters.

 

 

 

Exceptional items

 Exceptional items

The Group exercises judgement in presenting exceptional items. The Committee reviews and challenges the classification of items as exceptional based on their materiality or nature.

 

The Committee considered the consistency of the treatment and nature of items classified as exceptional over the last five years and discussed the items disclosed as exceptional. The Committee reviewed and challenged the significance, timing and nature of the exceptional items disclosed in note 5 on page 112.6, comprising reorganisation costs, acquisition and integration costs, US pension settlement and litigation. The Committee also considered EY’s audit procedures were also taken into considerationand conclusions in reaching the conclusionthis area, and concluded that the disclosures and the treatment of the items shown as exceptional were appropriate.

 

 

 

Acquisitions of Regent and UK portfolio

 Capitalisation

Acquisition accounting involves judgement in establishing the fair values of software projects

The Group is making a significant investment developing a robust technology platform.the assets and liabilities acquired. The Committee reviews the appropriateness of capitalising the investmentaccounting and the strength of the control environment.In forming a conclusion onchallenges the appropriateness of software capitalisation, the inputs and judgements to these valuations.

The Committee considered the following: a presentation from senior finance management regarding financial controls and financial oversightwork done to establish the fair value of the technology investment; a review of software assets from an impairment perspective;acquired and future consideration payable. The Committee questioned the conclusions fromassumptions underlying the SOX control testingvaluations and considered reports provided by third-party valuation experts. The Committee also considered EY’s procedures and conclusions in this area; EY’s audit proceduresarea, and GIA review. The Committee concluded that capitalisation is adequately controlled, and that the controls on impairment arefair values recognised were appropriate.

 

 

 

 

58                IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 20162018  |  Governance  |  Corporate Governance65


Governance

 

Corporate Governance continued

Audit Committee Report continued

    

Internal control and risk management

The Board is responsible for determining the nature and extent of the principal risks it is willing to take in achieving its strategic objectives and ensuring that sound risk management and internal control systems are maintained, with an appropriate culture embedded throughout the organisation. The Committee supports the Board by reviewing the effectiveness of the Group’s internal control and risk management systems, the wider risk environment, and overseeing the risk and control activities in operation.

In order to effectively review the internal control and risk management systems, the Committee:

Receives regular reports from management, Risk and Assurance and the external Auditor on the effectiveness of the systems for risk management and internal control, including financial, operational and compliance controls.

Reviews the process by which risks are identified and assessed and the timeliness and effectiveness of corrective action taken by management, including regular reports and presentations on the Company’s overall risk management system and principal risks, mitigating actions and internal controls.

Receives additional reports throughout the year relevant to internal control and risk management, both financial andnon-financial, to ensure that current and emerging risks are identified, assessed and appropriately managed (see pages 26 to 30 for further detail on our principal risks and risk management).

As part of the Committee’s review of the internal control and risk management systems, key financial, operational and compliance controls across the business continue to be monitored and tested throughout the year. The Committee assesses the approach to Sarbanes-Oxley Act 2002 (SOX) compliance in accordance with our US obligations and reviews reports on the progress of the SOX programme at each meeting. The Committee considers the Group’s treasury and tax strategy policies annually and, during 2018 approved changes to the Group Treasury Policy and the Group’s published ‘Approach to Tax’.

LOGO 

Our Approach to Tax document is available at

EXTERNAL AUDITOR – APPOINTMENT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP (EY) AND AUDIT TENDERwww.ihgplc.com/responsible-business

The Committee considered the appointment of its Auditor after assessing EY’s performance (including its independence, effectiveness and objectivity) and the requirements for putting the audit out to tender as set out in the Code and EU and Competition and Markets Authority legislation. EY has been our Auditor since IHG’s listing in April 2003.

As part of its annual review, the Committee reviewed the effectiveness of the relationship between EY and the Group’s management (including the responses to questionnaires on EY’s audit process completed by more than 52 senior IHG employees who work with EY and members of the Audit Committee), and received reports from EY on its independence.

Having reviewed the effectiveness of the external audit processes, the Committee is satisfied with the independence, objectivity and effectiveness of the relationship with EY as the external Auditor, and with the external audit process as a whole. The Committee has considered the Group’s position on its audit services contract and the process for audit tender in the context of the regulations. Although there is no immediate intention to tender the audit contract, the Group will re-tender at the latest by the end of 2020 in compliance with the regulations requiring a mandatory audit tender for the 2021 financial year. The Committee has approved the establishment of a sub-committee to oversee the audit tender process, and a detailed plan (including the applicable supplier-selection criteria), will be presented to the Committee in 2017.

To ensure the external Auditor’s independence is safeguarded, lead audit partners are required to rotate every five years. A new audit partner, Sarah Kokot, was appointed for 2016 onwards. The Committee reviewed the new audit partner’s induction and transfer plan with her, and assessed the effectiveness of the handover.

The Group confirms that it has complied with the requirements of The Competition and Market’s Authority Statutory Audit Services for Large Companies Market Investigation (Mandatory Use of Competitive Tender Processes and Audit Committee Responsibilities) Order 2014, which relates to the frequency and governance of tenders for the appointment of the external auditor and the setting of a policy on the provision of non-audit services.

Having reviewed the internal control and risk management systems throughout the year, the Committee concluded that the Group has an effective system of risk management and internal controls, and that there are no material weaknesses in the control environment and no significant failings or weaknesses.

Principal risk areas

The Committee has a schedule forin-depth reviews into specific principal risk areas over the year, in addition to the regular risk management review. During 2018, the Committee considered in particular:

The Group’s approach to risk and assurance, in the context of the a dynamic risk environment.

Information security, cybersecurity and privacy. A key focus for the Committee during the year was information security and, in particular, cybersecurity. A cybersecurity risk assessment was undertaken, highlighting the specific risks facing the hospitality industry and an assessment of the Group’s current cybersecurity capability. The Committee discussed the findings and recommendations with the Chief Information Security Officer, and agreed metrics to measure progress. The Committee also reviewed and assessed the Group’s approach to privacy regulations, in particular GDPR and China Cybersecurity Laws and recently received a report on the Group’s privacy programme from the Group’s Data Protection Officer.

Financial Management and Controls, including fraud risk awareness, and the Group’s approach to tax and treasury management.
Risk management and assurance measures, including the governance and control framework in the new organisational structure and across key strategic initiatives, focusing in particular on risks in relation to outsourcing and the implementation of IHG’s Guest Reservation System.

Safety and security in hotels including review of significant incidents reported and the Group’s process and approach for managing allegations relating to ethical issues.

Further details of our principal risks, uncertainties and review process can be found on pages 26 to 30.

Relationship with external auditor

A detailed audit plan was received from EY at the beginning of the audit cycle for the 20162018 financial year, which gave an overview of their approach to the audit, outlining the significant risk assessment,areas and in particular the auditapproach to materiality and scope, and the key areasscoping of the proposed audit approach.audit.

The Committee regularly reviewed the significant audit risks to ensure they were appropriate and regularly assessed the progress of the 2016 audit through boththroughout the Committee meetings and private meetings with the partner in charge.year.

Non-audit services

The independence and objectivity of thenon-audit services provided by EY to the Group are safeguarded by IHG’s Audit andNon-Audit ServicesPre-Approval Policy. The policy is reviewed by the Audit Committee annually, and for the 2016 financial year, the policy was updated andminor changes were approved at the December 2015 Audit Committee meeting.in 2018.

The policy requires thatpre-approval is obtained from the Audit Committee for all services provided by the external Auditor before any work can be commenced,commence, in line with US SEC requirements.requirements without any de minimis. The Committee reviewed the audit andnon-audit fees incurred with EY on a quarterly basis during 2018, noting that there had been no prohibited services (as defined by the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002) provided to the Group in each period. The Committee is prohibited from delegatingnon-audit services approval to management. Compliancemanagement and compliance with the policy is actively managedmanaged.

IHG is committed to maintainingnon-audit fees at a low level and an analysis of audit and non- audit services is reviewed by the Committee quarterly.

The Committee also considered the increased scope of prohibited services following the EU audit regulation. While the Committee was satisfied that the Group would not be materially impacted by the regulations, the Committee did consider those areas where a transition plan would be required for certain tax compliance services.

The Committee is aware of, and sensitive to investor advisory bodiesbodies’ guidelines onnon-audit fees. During 2016, 31 per cent2018, 21% of services provided to the Group werenon-audit services; these included areas such as advisory work services (2017: 23%), primarily related to SOC1 reports and corporate tax compliance. Foragreed upon procedures. Details of the fees paid to EY fornon-audit work during 2016,2018, and for fees paid for statutory audit work during 2016, see2018 can be found on page 111.123. The Committee is satisfied that the Company was compliant during the year with the FRC’s Ethical and Auditing Standards in respect of the scope and maximum permitted level of fees incurred fornon-audit services provided by EY. Wherenon-audit work is performed by EY, both the Company and EY ensure adherence to robust processes to prevent the objectivity and independence of the external auditor being compromised.

GlobalAudit Quality Review

During 2018, an Audit Quality Review Team from the FRC undertook an inspection of EY’s audit of the Group’s 2017 Financial Statements. As part of that process, the Committee Chair shared his and the Board’s view of the quality of the EY audit. The Committee considered the final inspection report, which did not raise any significant findings, and discussed the results and agreed actions with the lead audit partner. The Committee agreed with the overall assessment which was consistent with its own view of the quality and effectiveness of the external audit.

Risk and Assurance – Internal Audit (GIA)

The Committee discusses and approves the GIAInternal Audit annual plan in December.December each year, which aims to provide objective and insightful assurance over the control environment. The 20162019 plan took into account bothpresented to the Committee included the Group’s principal risks and key strategic objectivescontrols and included reviews of System Fund controls, programme and project delivery (including assurance over the development of our new Guest Reservation System),following areas: (i) risks relating to the IHG Rewards Club loyalty programme, and technology-relatedGroup’s strategic initiatives, culture, processes and controls. Thecontrols; (ii) assurance reviews and assessments of risk areas, including information security; and (iii) ongoing assurance across areas

66IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2018


such as the hotel control environment and approach to regulatory compliance. Following consideration, the Committee actively monitors progressconfirmed its agreement to the 2019 Internal Audit plan, including the key control themes identified. Progress against the GIAInternal Audit plan which is reported to the Committee on a quarterly basis and is actively monitored by the Committee. This includes reviewing the results of completed audits and the findings raised through these audits, as well as management action plans to address any unsatisfactory findings. The Committee confirmed its agreement to the key control themes identified by GIA, and the scope and extent of GIA’s activity.issues raised.

AnA functional effectiveness review of GIAInternal Audit is undertaken annuallyeach year and reported to the Committee. In 2016, GIA undertookInternal Audit has again undertaken an externally facilitatedinternal assessment, whichnoting that the actions raised by the external review two years ago were mostly implemented. Senior stakeholder feedback was gathered and the functional activities of Internal Audit were reviewed according to five categories: Purpose and Remit; Position and Organisation; Process and Technology; People and Knowledge; and Performance and Communication. As a result of the internal review, it was concluded that GIAInternal Audit continues to operate effectively. The assessment confirmed GIA’s approach to audit coveragebe effective in providing independent assurance activities.

Governance and its hotel assurance strategy, and highlighted how GIA could extend their use of data analytics as part of audit activity.

Compliance, whistleblowing and fraudcompliance

The Committee is responsible for reviewing the Group’s Code of Conduct (which is reviewed and approved annually) and related policies. In 2016,2018, the Group’s policies and processes in relation to gifts and entertainment and handling data were reviewed and the Committee considered and approved a revised antitrust policy and received the annual in-depth report onpolicies.

Whistleblowing

The Committee regularly reviewed the Group’s regulatory compliance activitieswhistleblowing arrangements and programme. In addition to competition laws, the key focus areas for review, training and awareness in 2016 included data privacy, bribery and corruption.

The Committee receives a separate report on matters raised through the Group’s confidential disclosure channel and any related investigations each year, reviewing both theits reporting and investigation process to ensure that arrangements were in place for proportionate and independent investigation of such matters. The Committee also reviewed the number and potential impact of both substantiated and unsubstantiated cases.cases and ensured that appropriatefollow-up action was taken. Any significant claims arewould be brought to the immediate attention of the Committee byand in 2018 no such claims were raised.

In preparation for the Head of GIA.

As well as monitoring incidents of fraud,Company becoming subject to the Group’s approach to fraud risk management was reviewed in 2016. The Committee approved proposals to further enhance IHG’s fraud prevention and detection programme through more formal articulation2018 UK Corporate Governance Code next year, the review of the applicabilitywhistleblowing arrangements has been removed from the Audit Committee Terms of Reference and has become a matter reserved for the Group’s existing controlsBoard. The Board will routinely review the means for the workforce to raise concerns in fraud-risk management.confidence and the reports arising from its operation. It will also ensure that arrangements are in place for the proportionate and independent investigation of such matters and forfollow-up action.

Looking forward

During 2019, the Committee will continue to focus on information security controls, including cybersecurity, the integrityaudit tender process and IHG’s control and risk management systems.

Ian Dyson

Chair of the control environment and oversee the management of the principal risk areas.

Ian Dyson

Audit Committee Chairman

2018 February 20172019

 

 

External auditor – Appointment of Ernst & Young LLP (EY) and audit tender

The Committee assessed EY’s performance during the year, including its independence, effectiveness and objectivity, and considered the appointment of its external Auditor, including the requirements for putting the audit out to tender as set out in EU and Competition and Markets Authority legislation. After due consideration, the Committee recommended there-appointment of EY as the Auditor of the Group. EY has been our Auditor since IHG’s listing in April 2003 and of the Group’s predecessor businesses dating back to 1988.

As part of its annual review, the Committee determines the independence of the external auditor, considering, among other things, its challenge to management and level of professional scepticism, the amount of time passed since a rotation of audit partner and the level ofnon-audit work that it undertakes, details of which can be found on page 66.

To ensure the external Auditor’s independence is safeguarded, lead audit partners are required to rotate every five years. Sarah Kokot, who was appointed lead audit partner in 2016, has continued her role during 2018. There was a new UK audit manager during the year.

Another part of the Committee’s annual review, completed by the Committee, is to consider the effectiveness of the relationship between EY and management. This included the completion of feedback questionnaires by the Committee members and 54 senior IHG employees. Feedback was requested on a number of topics including independence, assignment management and communication. The Committee also received reports from EY on its independence.

No significant issues were raised in the annual review of the auditor performance and effectiveness and, as a result, the Committee concluded that EY continues to provide an effective audit and maintain independence and objectivity. The Committee is satisfied with the external audit process as a whole and therefore recommended the reappointment of EY to the Board.

LOGOPursuant to regulations mandating a tender for the 2021 financial year, the Group plans to run the audit contract tender in 2019. Asub-committee has been established to manage and govern the audit tender process and is accountable to the Audit Committee, who will maintain overall ownership of the tender process and ensure that it is run in a fair and balanced manner. Thesub-committee is supported by a project team, led by the Group Financial Controller.

During 2018, tender participants have been selected, and the design of the selection criteria has been established. In addition, apre-approval process fornon-audit services provided by the participant firms has been agreed and the identification process of currentnon-audit services has been completed.

Lead partners from the participating firms have been selected and the publicly available audit quality inspection reports, in both the UK and the US, have been reviewed and the implications for the audt tender considered. The ‘Statutory audit services market study’, published by the Competition & Markets Authority, and the report issued by Sir John Kingman, have both been reviewed with adjustments made to the tender plan where appropriate.

The audit tender will launch in the second quarter of 2019. To ensure each firm has the right level of information, a data room will be established and work is already underway to determine which items are being included in the data room. Each firm will participate in a series of management meetings, with the objective that they will build their best proposition.

The tender process for strictly prohibited services will be run after the external audit tender, to allow sufficient time to select new providers and transition services to another firm. Thesub-committee will oversee the plan to manage the transition of these services.

The Group confirms that it has complied with the requirements of The Competition and Markets Authority Statutory Audit Services for Large Companies Market Investigation (Mandatory Use of Competitive Tender Processes and Audit Committee Responsibilities) Order 2014, which relates to the frequency and governance of tenders for the appointment of the external auditor and the setting of a policy on the provision ofnon-audit services.

 

 

Corporate Governance        IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2016                592018  |  Governance  |  Corporate Governance67


CORPORATE GOVERNANCE CONTINUEDGovernance

Corporate Governance continued

Corporate Responsibility Committee Report

 

LOGOLOGO 

We ensure that IHG’sunderstand how vital corporate responsibility priorities help usis in delivering our purpose of providing True Hospitality for everyone andsupporting our shared commitment to deliver our core purpose:

to create Great Hotels Guests Love.”long-term value creation.

 

 

Key duties and role of the Committee

Key objectives and summary of responsibilities

The Committee reviews and advises the Board on the Group’s corporate responsibility objectives and strategy, including its impact on the environment, social, community and human rights issues, its approach to sustainable development. It also ensures that IHG’s corporate responsibility priorities deliver our core purpose: Great Hotels Guests Love through true hospitality.

I was appointed Chair of the Committee on 6 May 2016. I would like to thank Jennifer Laing for her significant contributiondevelopment, and stakeholder engagement in relation to the Committee and the wealth of experience and skill she broughtGroup’s approach to it. Significant progress has been made over recent years, and there is clear alignment between the Group’s corporate responsibility, brand and operational strategies.responsible business.

The Committee’s role, responsibilities and responsibilitiesauthority delegated to it by the Board are set out in its Terms of Reference (ToR), which are reviewed annually and approved by the Board. In 2016, they were amended to state that the duties of the Committee do not extend to providing advice or oversight to the IHG Foundation, given the independent nature of that charitable organisation.

LOGO

The ToR are available atwww.ihgplc.com/investors

under Corporate governance in the Committees section.

The Committee’s key responsibilities and focus areas over the year have been:

 

reviewing IHG’s impactReviewing the Group’s approach to corporate responsibility, given changes in organisational structure;

Monitoring the delivery of the new Responsible Business targets for 2018-2020, with a focus on the environment;Group’s environmental, community and diversity targets;

 

monitoringReviewing the Group’s approach to responsible procurement targets and reviewing social, community and human-rightsresponsible business in the supply chain;

Reviewing the approach to human rights issues, that have a bearing onincluding the Group;Group’s Modern Slavery Statement; and

 

overseeingOverseeing responsible business stakeholder engagement.

LOGO

The ToR are available on IHG’s website at

www.ihgplc.com/investors under Corporate governance.

Membership and attendance at meetings

Details of theThe Committee’s membership and attendance at meetings are set out on page 49.55. The HeadsHead of Corporate Responsibility attended all meetings and the ChairmanChair of the Board also attended all meetings. The full Board were invited to join the Committee’s meeting in June at InterContinental New York Barclay, where memberstwo out of the hotel’s team shared their experiences of our Corporate Responsibility programmes and provided insight into how these programmes are being brought to life in hotels.three meetings held during the year.

Reporting to the Board

The Committee Chairman provides an update toChair updates the Board following each meeting on theall key issues discussedraised at the Committee meetings. The papersPapers and minutes for each meeting are also circulated to all Board members, who are invited to request further information if required and to provide any challenge where considered necessary.

Effectiveness of the Committee

The effectiveness of the Committee is monitored and assessed regularly by the ChairmanChair of the Committee and the Chairman (who attended allChair of the Board. During 2018, the Committee meetings) and willwas also be reviewed as part of the in-depth externalinternal Board evaluation process conducted by Boardroom Review Limited (see pages 55process. Further details can be found on page 63. The Committee also undertook an assessment against its own ToR and 56).across a number of areas, including the skills and experience of the Committee and the work of the Committee across its key responsibilities, highlighting additional agenda items and focus areas for 2019. The Committee concluded that it remains effective.

Focus areas and activities

Impact on the environmentApproach to corporate responsibility

The Committee regularly monitored and assessed progress against IHG’s five-year targets (2013–2017), and considered the scope and effectiveness ofdiscussed the Group’s IHG Green Engage system, progress

against the Group’s carbon and water-reduction goals,approach to corporate responsibility, given organisational changes and the Group’s water stewardship efforts. Recognisingstrategic initiatives, endorsing the impactinternal engagement plans and approach to accountability for delivery of water use,the key targets across the Executive Committee. The Committee also supported the initiation of a broader strategic review, the results of which would be considered in 2019.

Responsible Business targets for 2018-2020

During 2018 the Committee also considered sustainability concerns in this area,reviewed and discussed the learnings from the last five years’ activities and the approach to delivering the environmental targets, in particular. The Responsible Business targets for 2018-2020 were reviewed and the Committee received regular progress updates across the focus areas: environmental sustainability, community impact, our people, and responsible procurement. The Committee discussed the Group’s responsediversity and inclusion initiatives with the Chief Human Resources Officer, and the Chief Procurement Officer provided insight into the Group’s approach to such concerns, which included risk assessments, reviews of our processes,responsible procurement and targeted actions.the longer-term supply chain strategy.

Social, communityCommunity and human rights issues

We received detailed progress updates on key achievements across the Group’s social and community programmes and assessed the strategy to increase engagement in IHG Academy and the Group’s disaster relief and preparedness programme. The Humanitarian Director from Care International UK also presented on their collaboration with IHG on sharing best practice in disaster preparedness and response. Recognising the importance of responsible procurement, the Committee received a presentation from the Head of Global Procurement and Head of Global Risk Management, and evaluatedreviewed the Group’s approach to supplierscommunity giving and ethical sourcing.endorsed the True Hospitality for Good programme which seeks to deliver True Hospitality to local communities around IHG’s hotels and corporate offices, by supporting colleague fundraising and helping lives for the better through building skills and education in hospitality. The Group continues to support communities when disasters strike and in 2018 provided support to communities and colleagues impacted by natural disasters in six countries. The Board (along with 80,000 colleagues) participated in Giving for Good month by packing care kits for victims of human trafficking in the Atlanta area. The Committee also supported the Group’s human rights impact assessment, the results of which will be reviewed in 2019, and endorsed the commitment to the ITP Forced Labour Principles. The Group’s Modern Slavery Statement was reviewed and recommended for approval to the Board.

Further information on our responsible business programmes and our approach to human rights can be found on pages 22 to 25.

Stakeholder engagement

The Committee assessed the Group’s stakeholder engagement activity, focusing this year on the approach to charity partnerships and engagement with local community organisations, and also supported the recommendation to transition theon-going support of the IHG Foundation (see page 24), in favour of the True Hospitality for Good programme.

 

LOGOLOGO 

More informationInformation on our responsible business programmes,

and our approach to human rights, is on page 18.

commitments
can be found atwww.ihgplc.com/responsible-business

In supportRecognising the importance of corporate responsibility, we were pleased to be listed again on the S&P Dow Jones Sustainability Indices, having been listed as the industry leader in RobecoSAM’s Hotels, Resorts & Cruise Lines industry group for the second year in a row.

Looking forward

We continue to recognise the importance of environmental, social and governance considerations to all our stakeholders and we are committed to delivering against our Responsible Business targets through our programmes and initiatives.

Jill McDonald

Chair of the Group’s sixth annual charitable fundraising week, an event held in hotels and corporate offices across the globe, the Committee was joined by the remaining members of the Board, the members of our Corporate Responsibility team and the team from InterContinental London Park Lane for a sponsored walk in Hyde Park, London to raise funds for the IHG Foundation. In total, there were more than 726,000 acts of participation in this year’s event.Committee

Stakeholder engagement18 February 2019

The Committee assessed the 2015 communications activity and stakeholder engagement, and reviewed the 2016 communication plan, including the approach to crisis and issue management. The Committee also spent time reviewing and providing feedback on the 2016 Responsible Business Report.

 

LOGO68 

Visit www.ihgplc.com/responsible-business under Reporting

and performance to view the Responsible Business Report.

Other key issues reviewed by the Committee

On 3 February 2016, we launched the IHG Foundation, an independent charitable trust founded to help local communities address the key social, economic and environmental challenges affecting them. As part of its review of the establishment of the IHG Foundation, the Committee reviewed and challenged the Foundation’s governance systems and controls programme. It also received a report, for noting only, on the projects supported by the IHG Foundation in 2016. The IHG Foundation will continue to operate independently.

As we head into 2017 and come to the end of our five-year target period, we will consider new targets in the context of our corporate responsibility strategy and continue to monitor progress against delivery of our 2013–2017 targets.

Jill McDonald

Corporate Responsibility Committee Chairman

20 February 2017

60                IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2016        Governance2018


Nomination Committee Report

 

LOGOLOGO 

We ensure IHG’sfocus on the Board’s structure, size and composition; overseeing appointments and ensuring diversity of experience, knowledge and background in our Board and senior management retains an appropriate mix of skills, experience, knowledge and diversity, in line with our strategy.”management.

 

 

Key duties and role of the Committee

Key objectives and summary of responsibilities

The Nomination Committee considersreviews the structure, size and composition of the Board advising on succession planning and its Principal Committees, evaluating the balance of skills, experience, independence, knowledge and diversity requirements before making appropriate recommendations to ensure the Board retains an appropriate mix of skills, experience, knowledgeas to any changes. It also ensures plans are in place for orderly succession for both Directors and diversity, in line with our strategy. Itother Senior Executives and is also responsible for reviewing the Group’s senior leadership needs.

The Committee’s role, responsibilities and responsibilitiesauthority delegated to it by the Board are set out in its Terms of Reference (ToR), which are reviewed annually and approved by the Board. The Committee’s key responsibilities and focus over the year have been:

reviewing the structure, size, skill set, experience, diversity and composition required of the Board, linking the strategy to future changes in the Board;

managing the appointment process for new Directors and changes in Committees;

overseeing the executive and talent pipeline, and succession and development plans; and

induction, training, and continuous development of Directors.

 

LOGOLOGO 

The ToR are available on IHG’s website atwww.ihgplc.com/investors

www.ihgplc.com/investors under Corporate governance.governance in the Committees section.

The Committee’s key responsibilities and focus areas during the year have been:

Board and Committee composition;

Leadership development and succession planning including evaluating gender balance; and

Changes to the UK Corporate Governance Code.

Membership and attendance at meetings

Details of theThe Committee’s membership and attendance at meetings are set outavailable on page 49. The Chief Executive Officer also attended appropriate agenda items at all meetings in 2016.

55. All members haveof the experience and expertise necessary to meet the Committee’s responsibilities andCommittee are independent Non-Executive Directors (excluding myself), as required under the ToR. Directors. When the Committee considers matters relating to my position, Dale Morrison, the Senior IndependentNon-Executive Director, acts as Chairman of the Committee.Committee Chair.

Reporting to the Board

The Committee makes recommendations to the Board for all Non-Executive Director appointments, and minutes of meetingsBoard appointments. Minutes are circulated to all Board members.members and I report back to the Board on the activities of the Committee following each meeting.

Effectiveness of the Committee

The effectiveness of the Committee is monitored and assessed regularly by myself, as the ChairmanChair of the Committee and the Chairman ofBoard. During 2018, the Board, and willCommittee was also be reviewed as part of the in-depth externalinternal Board evaluation process conducted by Boardroom Review Limited (see pages 55 and 56)as Chair, together with the Company Secretary, I undertook an assessment of the work of the Committee. The Committee continues to conclude it remains effective (further details of this process can be found on page 63).

Focus areas and activities

Board and Committee composition and appointments

To ensure the Board has an appropriate mix of skills, experience, knowledge and diversity, theThe Committee keeps undercontinued to review the tenurecurrent and qualifications of the Non-Executive Directors and thefuture composition of the Board. TheBoard and Committees, particularly in light of the Group’s focus on accelerated growth. Having reviewed the skills, experience and knowledge currently on the Board, considering progressive refreshing of the Board, the Committee also concentrates on strengtheningwas satisfied that an appropriate balance is maintained and therefore no new Director appointments were recommended to the Board’s existing capabilities and matchingBoard during the right skills and experience to those required by the Board’s Committees. In particular, we plan to further strengthen diversity and regional representation (focusing on Asia) in the Board’s composition.year.

During the year, Jill McDonald, a Non-Executive Director,Elie Maalouf was appointed Chairmanto the Board on 1 January 2018 and details of the Corporate Responsibility (CR) Committee. Jill’s notable marketing and operational skills and experience, and her interest in, as well as already being an active member of, the CR Committee, made her the ideal candidate. Details of Jill’shis induction process can be found on page 55. Following62.

Leadership development and executive succession planning

During the year, the Committee continued to review the development plans for the Executive Committee and senior management positions in order to ensure the development of a diverse pipeline for succession.

An assessment of our senior leaders was completed in 2018 and presented to the Committee for discussion and consideration as part of a regular review of succession planning.

UK Corporate Governance Code changes and workforce engagement

The Committee reviewed the composition2018 UK Corporate Governance Code (the 2018 Code), considering the implications of changes introduced. The Committee discussed proposals for workforce engagement and concluded that aNon-Executive Director, with support from the Company Secretary and the Chief Human Resources Officer, should assess the most appropriate long-term approach for Board engagement, for consideration by the Committee and the Board in February 20172019. This would include attending relevant employee meetings in the UK and the US, reviewing engagement surveys and other appropriate workforce related reports and considering existing methods of employee engagement channels.

Diversity

With a presence in more than 100 countries globally, we recommendedrecognise that diversity and inclusion is essential, from the appointmentBoard and throughout all levels of Malina Ngai as a Non-Executive Director. Our search was supported by Spencer Stuart, who have no connection to IHG. Malina will bring considerable experience in consumer-facing, branded operations, and will provide significant insight into the Asian market.

Diversity

IHG recognises the value of diversity in its broadest sense and, while allour business. All appointments to the Board are based on merit, experience and performance we strongly believe that our leadership should reflectand the Board actively seeks diversity of our employees, our guestsskills, gender, social and ethnic backgrounds, cognitive and personal strengths. We regularly review how we look at diversity to ensure we represent the local communities in which we operate.operate and the guests who stay in our hotels.

The Board has made great progress in recent yearsOur Global Diversity and Inclusion Policy (D&I Policy) applies to broaden the diversity of its members and senior management,all people employed by IHG and we reviewencourage our policies regularlyfranchised operations and those managed hotels where we do not directly employ people to ensurefollow the same principles. The objective of our D&I Policy is to celebrate difference, recognising that theythis underpins external, as well as internal, relationships.

Following the establishment of the Diversity and Inclusion Board (D&I Board) last year, we continue to driveimplement our D&I framework through the benefits of having a diverseD&I Board and a diverse workforce acrosslocally driven initiatives. The Committee reviewed and discussed our commitments, the Group (see page 18). As well as continuingprogress made and the work of the D&I Board.

We continue to deliver against our D&I Policy and are committed to our 2018-2020 Responsible Business Diversity target, as noted on page 23. As of 31 December 2018, 36% of the Board were female and two of our Principal Committees are chaired by women. In addition, 41% of senior operational leaders are now women, indicating our continued commitment to maintain a minimum ofdiversity at least 25 per cent female Directors on the Board over the short to medium term (a position we have maintained since 2012), we were also recognised in the Hampton-Alexander report for the number of women who hold senior-management level positions throughout the Group.

Development and succession planning

Recognising the importance of strong and effective development and succession plans to support the continuous improvementall levels of our leadership teams, and in line with talent and development initiatives throughout the organisation, the Committee oversaw a detailed talent and development review for senior leaders. Following discussion with the Chief Executive Officer, we have finalised a tailored plan to support key senior leaders in their future development.business.

Looking forward

The Committee reviews the talent pipeline at senior levels within the organisation. Over the last 12 months, the majority of appointments to regional and functional leadership roles have been internal, and we have also attracted high performers from global, blue-chip organisations to improve the strength of our talent pipeline.

In December 2016, Ranjay Radhakrishnan joined the Group as Chief Human Resources Officer from Unilever, following the resignation of Tracy Robbins from the Board and her role as Executive Vice President, Human Resources in January 2016.

The Committee isremains satisfied that we have appropriate plans in place appropriate development andfor orderly succession plansof appointments to ensure that IHG has a strong leadership pipeline and that the Board has theand to senior management, so that an appropriate mixbalance of skills, experience, knowledge and diversity.diversity is maintained and that we are making progress against our D&I commitments.

Patrick Cescau

Chair of the Nomination Committee Chairman

2018 February 20172019

 

 

LOGO

Corporate Governance        IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2016                612018  |  Governance  |  Corporate Governance69


CORPORATE GOVERNANCE CONTINUEDGovernance

Corporate Governance continued

Statement of compliance with the UK Corporate Governance Code

 

Our statement of compliance summarises how the Group has implemented the principles and provisions of the 2016 UK Corporate Governance Code (available atwww.frc.org.uk/directors under UK Corporate Governance Code) as published in April 20142016 (the Code). As discussed on page 54, work is underway to ensure compliance with the 2018 UK Corporate Governance Code (the 2018 Code) and we will include our statement of compliance against the 2018 Code in our 2019 Annual Report and Form20-F.

This should be read in conjunction with the corporate governanceCorporate Governance statement on pages 4955 to 6369 and the Directors’ Remuneration Report, on pages 72 to 85, as a whole.

The Board considers that the Group has complied in all material respects with the Code for the year ended 31 December 2016 with the exception of Code provision C.3.7, which requires external audit contracts to be put to tender at least every 10 years.

The Group has not re-tendered within that period, but the Audit Committee monitors this in line with legislation and the current Auditor’s performance, and a sub-committee of the Audit Committee has been approved to oversee the auditor tender process and recommend a detailed plan to be presented to that Committee in 2017 (further details are provided on pages 59).2018.

 

 

A. Leadership

 

A.1

The role of the Board

The Board leadscontinues to lead IHG’s strategic direction, long-term objectives and success of the Group. Further responsibilities of the Board are set out on page 49.55.

The Board met eight times this year.year and all Directors continue to act in what they consider to be in the best interests of the Company, consistent with their statutory duties. Further details of 20162018 Board meetings are set out on page 54,pages 60 and 61, attendance information on page 4955, skills and experience and biographical information on pages 5056 and 51.57.

All Directors are covered by the Group’s directors’ and officers’ liability insurance policy (see page 160)178).

 

A.2

Divisions of responsibility

The separate roles of the ChairmanChair and Chief Executive Officer are clearly established, set out in writing and are agreed by the Board.

Chief Executive Officer

Richard SolomonsKeith Barr leads the development of the Group’s strategic direction and implementation of the agreed strategy. As well as building and leading an effective Executive Committee, he oversees IHG’s business operations and manages its risks. See page 5056 for more details.

 

A.3

The ChairmanChair

As well as building and maintaining an effective Board, Patrick Cescau leads the operation and governance of the Board and its Committees. The ChairmanChair has been in post for six years and was independent on appointment. See page 5056 for more details.

 

A.4

Non-Executive Directors

Senior Independent Non-Executive Director

Dale Morrison was appointed as Senior Independent Non-Executive Director on 31 May 2014. He is available to liaise with shareholders who have concerns that they feel have not been addressed through the normal channels of the Chairman,Chair, Chief Executive Officer and other Executive Directors. He also leads the annual performance review of the ChairmanChair with the other Non-Executive Directors (see page 56)63), and as necessary, provides advice and judgement to the Chairman,Chair, and serves as an intermediary for other Directors when necessary.

After each Board meeting, Non-Executive Directors and the ChairmanChair meet without Executive Directors being present (see page 54)60). During the year, if any Director has unresolved concerns about the running of IHG or a proposed action, these would be recorded in the minutes of the meeting.

Further information on each of these roles can be found on our website atwww.ihgplc.com/investors under Corporate governance in the Committees section.governance.

 

B. Effectiveness

 

B.1

The composition of the Board

The size and composition of the Board and its Committees is kept under review by the Nomination Committee to ensure the appropriate balance of skills, experience, independence and knowledge. Details of the skills and experience on the Board can be found on page 56 and 57.

Potential conflicts of interest are reviewed annually.annually and powers of authorisation are exercised in accordance with the 2006 Act and the Company’s Articles of Association. At least half of the Board, excluding the Chairman,Chair, are independentIndependent Non-Executive Directors (see page 49)55). Further details of the composition of the Board and its Committees are available on pages 50 and 51.55 to 57.

 

B.2

Appointments

The Nomination Committee leads the appointment of new Directors to the Board and senior executives in accordance with its Terms of Reference (available on our website atwww.ihgplc.com/investorsunder Corporate governance in the Committees section or from the Company Secretary’s office on request) and supports the Board in succession planning. Further details of the role of the Nomination Committee and what it did in 20162018 are in the Nomination Committee Report on page 61.69. The overall process of appointment and removal of Directors is overseen by the Board as a whole. Two Non-Executive Directors have served for seven years and were subject to a rigorous review during the year. All other Non-Executive Directors have served for less than six years – see pages 5056 and 51.57.

 

B.3

Commitment

Non-Executive Director terms of appointment outline IHG’s time commitment expectations required to fulfil their role. Executive Directors are not permitted to take on more than one external non-executive directorship or chairmanshipchair position in addition to their role. The commitments of each Director are included in the Directors’ biographical details on pages 5056 and 51.57. Details of Directors’ service contracts and appointment terms are set out on pages 75, 81, 84 and 167.187.

The ChairmanChair annually reviews the time each Non-Executive Director dedicates to IHG as part of the internal performance evaluation of each Director (see page 56)63) and is satisfied that their other duties and time commitments do not conflict with those as Directors.

 

B.4

Development

The ChairmanChair and Company Secretary ensure that new Directors are fully inducted and that all Directors continually update their skills and have the requisite knowledge and familiarity with the Group to fulfil their role (see page 55)62).

 

B.5

Information and support

The ChairmanChair and Company Secretary ensure that the Board and its Committees receive timely and appropriate information, and a flow of information between the Executive Committee and Non-Executive Directors. The Board and Committees also have access to the Company Secretary, and General Counsel, independent advice and necessary resources, at the Company’s expense. They receive administrative and logistical support of a full-time executive assistant. See page 5460 for more details.

 

 

 

62                70IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2016        Governance2018


    

    

    

 

B.6

Evaluation

In 2016, we engaged Dr Tracy Long of Boardroom Review Limited,The Board undertakes either an internal or external facilitator with no connection to IHG, to lead theannual Board effectiveness evaluation. In 2016-17 this was carried out externally and in 2018, it was carried out internally. More information on the evaluation including our performance against the 2015 action plan, is on pages 55 and 56.page 63.

 

B.7

Re-election

All of the Directors retire and seek election or re-election at each AGM. Performance evaluations of all Directors, including the Chair, are carried out on an annual basis. Directors’ biographies are set out on pages 5056 and 5157 and will be included in the Notice of Meeting (see paragraph E.2). Detailsdetails of their performance evaluationevaluations are on page 56.63.

C. Accountability

 

C.1

Financial and business reporting

The Statement of Directors’ Responsibilities (including the Board’s statement confirming that it considers that the Annual Report and Form 20-F, taken as a whole, is fair, balanced and understandable and provides the information necessary for shareholders to assess the Group’s position and performance, business model and strategy) is set out on page 84.88.

The status of IHG as a going concern is set out in the Directors’ Report on page 163.181. An explanation of the Group’s performance, business model, strategy and the risks and uncertainties relating to IHG’s prospects, including the viability of the Group, is set out in the Strategic Report on pages 2 to 47.51.

The statement from our Auditor, Ernst & Young LLP, about its reporting responsibilities is set out on pages 8589 to 89.94.

 

C.2

Risk management and internal control

The Board determines the nature and extent of the risk the organisation is willing to take in achieving its strategic objectives.

A robust assessment of the principal risks facing the Group was carried out, including those risks that would threaten the Group’s business model, financial performance, solvency or liquidity (see pages 2026 to 2230 for further details of the principal risks). The Board and Audit Committee monitor the Group’s risk management and internal controls systems and conduct an annual review of their effectiveness. Throughout the year, the Board has directly, and through delegated authority to the Executive Committee and the Audit Committee, overseen and reviewed all material controls, including financial, operational and compliance controls. See pages 49, 54,55, 60, and 5764 to 59.67.

The Board confirms that, in respect of the Group’s risk management and internal control systems: (i) there is an ongoing process for identifying, evaluating and managing the principal risks faced by the Group; (ii) the systems have been in place for 20162018 and up to 2118 February 2017;2019; (iii) they are regularly reviewed by the Board and Audit Committee; and (iv) the systems accord with

C.2Risk management and internal control continued

FRC guidance on risk management, internal control and related financial and business reporting. Further details are set out in the Strategic Report on pages 252 to 2751 and also in the Audit Committee Report on pages 5764 to 59.67.

Details of the Directors’ assessment of the prospects of the Group are set out on page 27.30.

 

C.3

Audit Committee and Auditor

The Audit Committee is comprised entirely of Independent Non-Executive Directors (see page 4955 for membership details). Ian Dyson, the ChairmanChair of the Committee has recent and relevant financial experience.experience and the Committee as a whole has competence relevant to the sector in which we operate. Details of the Committees’Committee’s role, responsibilities and activities are set out on pages 5764 to 59.67.

The Committee has reviewed the effectiveness and independence of Ernst & Young LLP during 20162018 and has concludedreconfirmed that it would not undertake an Auditorcomplete the audit contract tender during 2016. However, we have approved the establishment of aand transition any strictly prohibited services by 2020. A sub-committee of the Audit Committee to oversee the audit tender process has been established and recommend a detailed plan tofurther details on the progress made can be presented to that Committee in 2017. Seefound on page 56 for more details.67.

D. Remuneration

 

D.1

The level and components of remuneration

The Remuneration Committee’s activities during 20162018 are set out on pages 64 to 75page 72 and its membership details are on page 49. 55.

The proposed DirectorsDirectors’ Remuneration PolicyReport is set out on pages 7672 to 81 and an ordinary resolution85. The Annual Report on remuneration for 2018 (pages 78 to approve85) is subject to the Policy will be proposedannual advisory vote at the AGM in 2017.2019.

Information on Paul Edgecliffe-Johnson’s appointment as a Non-Executive Director of Thomas Cook Group plc is set out on page 81.

 

D.2

Procedure

The Remuneration Committee is responsible for developing policy on executive remuneration and fixing remuneration packages of Directors. Further details are set out on page 64pages 72 to 75.85.

During 2016,2018, no individual Director was present when his or her own remuneration was discussed.

E. Relations with shareholders

 

E.1

Dialogue with shareholders

The Board engage actively with both institutional and retail shareholders to promote mutual understanding of objectives and ensure that their views are communicated to the Board as a whole. The Board also strives to understand the views of other key stakeholders and these are considered in board discussions and decision-making. See page 56pages 61 and 62 for details of meetings with major institutional investors and other shareholders.key stakeholders.

 

E.2

Constructive use of the AGM

The AGM is a key opportunity for the Board to engage with Shareholders. The Notice of Meeting will be sent to shareholders and will be available atwww.ihgplc.com/investors under Shareholder centre in the AGMs and meetings section. The Board will be available to answer questions during the AGM and after the formal business has concluded. See page 5662 for more details.

 

 

LOGO

Corporate Governance        IHG Annual Report and Form 20-F 2016                63


Directors’ Remuneration Report

Remuneration Committee Chairman’s statement

 

LOGO“The updated Directors’ Remuneration Policy aims to set the right remuneration framework for delivering strong sustainable returns to shareholders while recognising the responsibility to be transparent, fair and accountable to all our stakeholders.”IHG

  
 TABLE OF CONTENTS
 64  Directors’ Remuneration Report  69  Annual Report on Directors’ Remuneration
(subject to advisory vote at 2017 AGM)
 64  Remuneration Committee Chairman’s statement    
 66  At a glance  76  Directors’ Remuneration Policy
(subject to binding vote at 2017 AGM)
 68  

Remuneration at IHG – the wider context

 

    

In 2016, IHG delivered target results for EBIT, record guest satisfaction scores and continued to deliver strong shareholder returns.

As a result, the Executive Directors received Annual Performance Plan (APP) awards of 127.7 and 124.8 per cent of salary; this is 63.9 and 62.4 per cent of their maximum potential payouts respectively. The Long Term Incentive Plan (LTIP) 2014/16 cycle, granted in 2014, vested at a level of 49.4 per cent of the maximum potential payout due to the Total Shareholder Return achievement. However, the three-year threshold targets for relative RevPAR and rooms growth were just missed. Overall, this reflects good results in a more challenging market.

While the vesting levels were lower than last year, the total remuneration increased on the back of an increase of over 71% in IHG’s share price since the LTIP shares were awarded.

Looking back over the three years that the current Directors’ Remuneration Policy (DR Policy) has been in place, IHG has returned $2,933m to shareholders and its Total Shareholder Return has been 90.6 per cent. Payouts under the APP have varied between 62.4 and 75.0 per cent of the maximum opportunity, and vesting of the LTIP between 49.4 and 56.1 per cent.

The Board has reviewed the DR Policy in depth over the past 18 months in light of the strategic priorities for the business going forward. IHG has effectively finished its major asset disposal programme. We have concluded that, while the current APP remains appropriate and effective, there should be modest changes in some of the measures in the LTIP. In particular, there needs to be even more emphasis on operational metrics to drive shareholder value-creation.

At the same time, with the industry going through a period of change, we consider that the current use of only relative measures in the LTIP will not be appropriate. We are therefore proposing a reduced weighting for the relative Total Shareholder Return measure and are introducing a mix of absolute growth and cash flow targets. Total revenue and system size are key lead indicators of business growth. Quality, organic growth in revenue and room numbers is central to IHG’s business strategy, building the strength and reach of the global brands IHG manages. We are introducing cash flow targets because cash generation and efficient capital allocation are at the heart of our business model and ensure sustainable growth. In addition, we have amended our approach to discretion underlying the LTIP payouts, to reflect the use of absolute measures and give the Committee the ability to ensure that vesting levels are not inappropriate.

We have had significant shareholding guidelines in place for many years for our Executive Directors, with the CEO’s actual shareholding being very much higher. We consider it a key element of aligning the interests of Executive Directors with shareholder returns. Although such requirements are beyond the DR Policy, we will be introducing shareholding guidelines to the rest of the senior management team. Furthermore, the Board also proposes the introduction of a requirement for Executive Directors to hold shares for a period of 12 months after leaving IHG. This contractual change will be introduced over the next 12 months.

As part of the review, the Remuneration Committee have consulted with shareholders and representative groups regarding the proposed changes to the DR Policy. We have also listened to the wide-ranging debate on executive pay and considered how best to reflect that in our arrangements. We have contributed to the consultation on the Government’s corporate governance reform green paper. We have pointed out that, for a global business based in the UK with much of its executive team based elsewhere, we need to ensure that there is a coherent remuneration approach and a clear and attractive progression path to the senior roles in the business. We also need to ensure that we do not undermine our ability to recruit good talent globally. We take our lead from the UK market and shareholder expectations in setting Executive Director remuneration levels. However, for instance, our major competitors for talent are mainly based in the US, where regulation and market practice can be different, particularly in areas such as executive share plan structure and related vesting and holding periods.

This updated policy aims to set the right remuneration framework for recruiting and retaining high-quality management across our global operations and delivering strong sustainable returns to shareholders, while recognising the responsibility to be transparent, fair and accountable to all our stakeholders and compliant with UK good practice and regulations.

The Board is very conscious that remuneration on its own does not drive good performance. It is not a substitute for strong leadership, a competitive business model and good governance. However, it is an important part of the mix and the Board recommends the revised Directors’ Remuneration Policy to shareholders.

64                IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 20162018  |  Governance  |  Corporate Governance71


Governance

 

Directors’ Remuneration Report

Remuneration Committee Chair’s statement

 

ElementLOGO Proposed changes to

We will review our Directors’ Remuneration Policy from 2017a

LTIP measures

Vesting will be subject to achievement of Total Shareholder Return (TSR) measured against a comparator group of companies (40%), total gross revenue (20%), net System size growth (20%) and cash flow targets (20%) over a three-year period.

We have reduced the TSR component to 40% and, following a robust review process, updated the comparator group of companies against which outcomes are measured. TSR remains a key measure of long-term success and aligns the interests of Executive Directors with those of shareholders. The targets for total gross revenue, net System size growth and cash flow will be absolute rather than relative to competitors as we feel that this provides the best opportunity to set challenging and meaningful objectives for quality, organic growth over a three-year period given the changing structure of the market.

We disclose the parameters of the TSR measure in this report. The targets under the cash flow measure were not available at the time of writing this report, but will be disclosed in the next Directors’ Remuneration Report. Targets under the other measures are, in the opinion of the Directors, commercially sensitive, and will therefore be disclosed retrospectively at the end of the LTIP cycle.

DiscretionWe have updated this discretion2019 in light of the introduction of absolute measures. The Remuneration Committee can therefore ensure that LTIP outcomes are aligned with shareholder considerations and, in particular, take into account the quality of financial performance and growth over the periodour renewed focus and the efficient use of capital.
Shareholding

A new shareholding requirement will be introduced from 2018 covering the 12-month period after cessation of employment.increased pace with which we are executing our strategy to deliver high-quality, sustainable growth and superior returns for shareholders.

 

The existing guideline shareholding requirements for our Executive Directors are 300% of salary for the Chief Executive Officer and 200% of salary for other Executive Directors. These requirements will continue for six months after cessation of employment and 50% of these requirements will continue for an additional six months.

 

aThe full details of the proposed changes are set out on pages 76 to 81.
 Table of Contents   
 72   Directors’ Remuneration Report  74      Remuneration at IHG – the wider context
 72   Remuneration Committee Chair’s statement  78      Annual Report on Directors’ Remuneration
 73   At a glance    (subject to an advisory vote at the 2019 AGM)

2018 results

2018 saw a year of positive performance for IHG, in which our new regional operating structure was embedded and our programme of savings and reinvestment began to deliver results. Above target performance was delivered in respect of EBIT and net system size growth and excellent progress was made on our strategic objective to deliver annual cost savings of $125m by 2020. As a result, awards for the Executive Directors under the 2018 Annual Performance Plan (APP) were 84.1% of their respective maximum potential payouts.

The 2016/18 Long Term Incentive Plan (LTIP), granted in 2016, vested at a level of 45.4% of the maximum potential award as a result of achievements in relative Total Shareholder Return and rooms growth. However, the three-year RevPAR performance fell short of threshold. As noted in last year’s report, the 2018/20 LTIP cash flow target is disclosed in this report on page 83.

Changes to the Board and Executive Director responsibilities

Elie Maalouf was appointed to the Board on 1 January 2018. The remuneration arrangements for Elie were determined in accordance with our approved Directors’ Remuneration Policy (DR Policy).

Looking forward, as we continue to embed structural changes in the business, the roles of two of our Executive Directors are being expanded to generate greater impact. In addition to his duties as Chief Financial Officer, Paul Edgecliffe-Johnson will take ownership of Strategy, including our ongoing programme of savings and reinvestment. Elie Maalouf will take accountability for Global Customer Development, providing oversight of the Global Sales organisation, as well as our owner management and services strategy, in addition to his position in our largest region as Chief Executive Officer, Americas. The additional compensation for these expanded roles is explained on page 83.

Other areas of focus for the Remuneration Committee

Matters discussed by the Remuneration Committee in 2018 included ongoing reviews of existing incentive schemes and measures; an overview of the Company’s international mobility policy; and the introduction of an employee share plan, which will extend the alignment of employee and shareholder experience throughout IHG’s corporate employee population.

Given the continued importance of growth and the reinvestment of achieved savings targets, the strategic measures which make up 30% of the short-term growth incentive plan target for Executive Directors will remain as in 2018. The annual System size growth measure in the APP focuses on key short-term growth targets and supplements the longer-term aims encompassed in the separate rooms growth target under the LTIP. LTIP measures and weightings for the 2019/21 cycle remain as per the 2018/20 cycle and details, including the prospective disclosure of the cash flow target for the 2019/21 cycle, are shown on page 83.

The Committee also commenced a detailed review of the DR Policy during 2018 in light of our renewed focus and the increased pace with which we are executing our strategy to deliver high-quality, sustainable growth and superior returns for shareholders. We must ensure that remuneration drives the right behaviours and actions; is structured to sufficiently reward the achievement of our most important and stretching strategic goals; and incentivises senior executives to stay with IHG and successfully drive our growth ambition. As a UK listed company, we must also consider Government and stakeholder engagement and a newly revised Corporate Governance Code (the new Code). As guidance and practice continue to evolve in this area, we will take all factors together as we continue our review into 2019 and put our DR Policy to shareholders in 2020.

In terms of the remuneration aspects of the 2018 Code, we explain on pages 74 to 77 how some of the new responsibilities have already been undertaken by the Committee as part of our existing approach to remuneration governance and good practice; and how we will extend our remit to embrace other important areas of change, such as the review of wider workforce remuneration policies and practices, and take these into account in setting executive remuneration.

In respect of compliance with specific provisions of the 2018 Code, we have not historically included a mandatory holding period following the three-year performance period and vesting of LTIP shares. This is in line with the practice of our main competitors in the US, where both performance and longer-term vesting conditions are also less common. However, we note that the new Code and related guidance from UK stakeholders set out an expectation of a five-year period between the grant and release of LTIP shares. As such, under the terms of the existing DR Policy, the Committee has determined that a two-year post-vest holding period will apply for Executive Directors in respect of the 2019/21 LTIP cycle. Future policy in this area will be addressed as part of our 2019 review.

Further details of our current position in relation to key aspects of the 2018 Code, including shareholding guidelines and requirements during and after employment and IHG’s UK pension benefit structure, are shown in the ‘Wider context’ section on pages 74 to 77. As mentioned last year, now that the statutory calculation is known, this section also includes the CEO Pay Ratio data for IHG in the United Kingdom.

About this report

We always aimstrive to make the remunerationthis report as clear and accessibleeasy to read as possible, given regulation. The last Report received a Highly Commended recognition at the Building Public Trust in Corporate Reporting Awards. We have tried thisThis year, to make the proposed changes to the DR Policy clear and easy to understand. The full details of the proposed changes are set out on pages 76 to 81. Wewe have again included an at-a-glancea summary of performance and remuneration outcomes in the key points from this year’s report‘At a glance’ section on page 73 and an updated ‘Wider context’ section on pages 6674 to 77 to give further insight on aspects of wider remuneration policy and 67. We have also provided an overview of the wider context of remunerationpractice at IHG in light of recent guidance.

The full DR Policy is available atwww.ihgplc.com/investorsunder Corporate governance and was approved at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) on page 68. This includes how performance-related pay works for teams across the business and wider pension arrangements.

5 May 2017. The sectionssection of this report that arewhich is subject to a formal advisory shareholder vote by shareholders areat the May 2019 AGM is the Annual Report on Directors’ Remuneration starting on page 69 and the revised Directors’ Remuneration Policy starting on page 76, which will be put to advisory and binding shareholder votes respectively at the May 2017 Annual General Meeting.78.

Luke MayhewJo Harlow

ChairmanChair of the Remuneration Committee

2018 February 20172019

 

LOGO

Directors’ Remuneration Report        IHG Annual Report and Form 20-F 2016                65


DIRECTORS’ REMUNERATION REPORT CONTINUED

At a glance

 

72IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2018


At a glance

How to use this report

Within the Directors’ Remuneration Report we have used colour coding to denote different elements of remuneration. The colours used and the corresponding remuneration elements are:

LOGO Salary

LOGO Benefits

LOGO Pension benefit

LOGO Annual Performance Plan (APP)

    50% cash and 50% deferred shares

LOGO Long Term Incentive Plan (LTIP)

LOGO Shareholding

How to use this report

Within the Directors’ Remuneration Report we have used colour coding to denote different elements of remuneration. The colours used and the corresponding remuneration elements are: AUDITED

 LOGO

Audited information

LOGO

Content contained within a tinted panel highlighted with an ‘Audited’ tab indicates that all the information within the panel is audited.

 

 

HOW WE PERFORMED IN 2016How we performed in 2018

The 20162018 outcomes reflect the progress made as a result of our focus on high-quality growth and superior value-creation through our brands, our people and our systems. We achieved our targetstarget for EBIT, and guest satisfaction and delivered strong net system size growth and exceeded our maximum target for savings to reinvest in the business for future growth. In respect of our long-term goals for 2016-18, we again delivered great shareholder returns and met our three-year threshold target for rooms but we fell just short of our three-year threshold target for rooms and RevPAR growth. These financial and business measures make up 90 per cent of our APP (with individual performance making up the final 10 per cent) and 100 per cent of our LTIP.

LOGO

 

 

LOGO

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR REMUNERATIONExecutive Director remuneration

20162018 remuneration

The table below shows the 20162018 potential remuneration opportunity and actual achievement compared to 20152017 actual achievement. Although vestingFor Keith Barr, the 2017 actual achievement relates to the period 1 July to 31 December 2017 and performance levels were slightly lower in 2016, overall remunerationno comparative data is higher than 2015 dueshown for Elie Maalouf as this was prior to an increase of over 71% in IHG’s share price sincehis appointment to the 2014/16 LTIP shares were awarded. The comparable increase last year was just under 27%.Board. The relevant figures for each of the elements that make up the single total figure of remuneration, as shown below for the current Executive Directors, can be found in the table on page 69.78.

Keith Barra,

Chief Executive Officer

Value (£000)

 

LOGO

LOGOPaul Edgecliffe-Johnson,

Current Directors’ shareholdingsChief Financial Officer

For further details of shares and awards held and guideline shareholdings, see page 72.Value (£000)

 

Director  Number of shares held outright  Number of shares held as % of salary  Guideline shareholding %
Richard Solomons  211,594  943  300
Paul Edgecliffe-Johnson  26,034  185  200

LOGO

Elie Maalouf,

Chief Executive Officer, Americas

Value (£000)

LOGO

Key for potential

LOGO

Maximum = Fixed pay and maximum award under APP and LTIP

LOGO

Target = Fixed pay and on-target award for APP (115%) and 50% of maximum LTIP vesting

LOGO

Minimum = Fixed pay

 

a
66                IHG Annual Report

The 2018 and Form 20-F 2016        Governance2017 amounts for Keith Barr exclude the localisation payments detailed on page 78


Summary of proposed Directors’ Remuneration Policy (DR Policy) and remuneration architecture from 2017 – Executive Directors

Following the completion of our major asset disposal programme, our strategic business objectives are focused on the delivery of further high-quality growth through preferred brands, strong direct channels and lifetime relationships. A sharpened focus on operational excellence informed our review of the DR Policy.

LOGO

2017 Directors’ Remuneration Policy – link to strategy

 

LOGO

See pages 14 and 15 for further

information on our strategy.

EBITGuest LoveOverall Performance Rating (OPR)TSRNet System size growthTotal gross revenueCash flow
LOGOStrengthening our portfolio
of brands
LOGOBuilding and leveraging
scale
LOGOCreating lifetime guest
relationships
LOGODelivering revenue through
direct channels
LOGODriving superior returns

Pay at risk

Malus and clawback arrangements apply to the APP and LTIP. Malus allows for awards to be reduced prior to vesting; clawback allows for awards to be reduced and applies for three years after payment of cash or vesting of shares.

LOGO

LOGO

Directors’ Remuneration Report        IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2016                672018  |  Governance  |  Directors’ Remuneration Report73


DIRECTORS’ REMUNERATION REPORT CONTINUEDGovernance

Directors’ Remuneration Report

Remuneration at IHG – the wider context

Remuneration Committee remit

The Committee has reviewed wider workforce remuneration and related policies on an ad-hoc basis. For example, given our global scale and growth agenda, the Committee reviewed IHG’s updated International Mobility policy during 2018. This is an important aspect of remuneration for our globally mobile population as we develop the skills and experience of our employees working in specialist functions around the world. During 2019, the Committee will commence a formal rolling programme of reviewing all aspects of remuneration and related policies for the wider workforce in terms of alignment with executive remuneration and IHG’s culture, values and strategy.

Remuneration Committee

The Committee has historically taken a wider view of the remuneration matters that it considers necessary to carry out its role in relation to executive pay than has been required under the 2018 Corporate Governance Code (the new Code). The new Code, issued in the summer of 2018, puts more formal obligations on the Board and its Committees in respect of remuneration and wider employee relations and employment practices. The accountability for some of these responsibilities, such as the review of workforce remuneration and related policies and the setting of remuneration for the Executive Committee, will be with the Remuneration Committee. Indeed, the Committee already has the latter responsibility at IHG. We show in this section some of the relevant remuneration governance topics already addressed by the Committee, as well as selected topics that will be addressed as we review the DR Policy this year.

Compliance with Corporate Governance Code

The existing approved DR Policy is already in line with a great majority of the new Code in relation to remuneration. Our policy on long-term incentives does not currently impose a compulsory holding period for shares which vest after the three-year performance period. As explained on page 75, the Committee has determined that a two-year holding period will apply for Executive Directors in respect of the 2019/21 plan cycle.

On pensions, our current Directors’ Remuneration Policy, supported by shareholders in 2017, provides for Executive Director pension contributions of up to 30%. The current CEO has received a company pension contribution of 25% since appointment in 2017. The CFO has volunteered to receive a pension contribution reduced from 30% to 25% of salary, effective April 2019. Following the recent guidance given in the new Code and subsequent input from other external stakeholders, the Committee will review Executive Director pension provision as part of the wider review of the Directors’ Remuneration Policy taking place in 2019.

 

 

 

Our reward philosophy

We will drive high-quality growth and financial returns for our shareholders by attracting and retaining high-quality talent through the following reward principles, making IHG a truly great place to work:

rewarding competitively within the market in which each employee is located;

providing reward opportunities which are appropriate in each location reflecting the differing legal frameworks and relevance of benefits to specific markets; and

ensuring rewards promote a ‘Winning Culture’ based on delivery, engagement and collaboration.

Reward and business strategy

IHG has a clear purpose: to create Great Hotels Guests Love. We have established our Winning Model (page 14) to maintain focus on the key areas of our strategy and our Winning Ways and Winning Culture (pages 18 and 19) to drive the right values and behaviours which will help us deliver this. Our employees are rewarded in line with these fundamental aims and principles as part of our Winning Culture:

A range of stretching and measurable core performance metrics, aligned to our strategic priorities, are set each year for our senior management and hotel teams and form a first-stage gate for our performance management process; employees’ overall performance is then measured by reference to the delivery of individual key performance objectives, aligned to our strategic priorities, and the day-to-day application of the values and behaviours expected at that employee’s level of seniority. Together, these contribute to an employee’s remuneration as part of the annual salary review process and as both a measure and a minimum performance condition of annual incentive plans.

In addition to the individual performance measure described above, the remaining measures in the annual and long-term incentive plans are also aligned with the business’ strategic approach so that employees are only rewarded under these arrangements through the successful delivery of the short and long-term objectives set by the Committee, including the delivery of superior shareholder returns and value.

Remuneration for other employees

Decisions on the remuneration of Executive Directors are taken in the context of wider remuneration at IHG. However, the composition of remuneration and annual incentives differs between employees in a number of ways, and this generally relates to measures relevant to the individual’s role and seniority. For example:

A greater proportion of performance-related variable pay and share-based incentives applies for more senior executives, including Executive Directors, who will have a greater degree of influence over performance outcomes. Incentive plans for other corporate employees are typically based on a combination of individual performance and the Group’s EBIT.

Role-specific specialist plans apply in certain areas such as corporate reservations, sales and hotel development. Incentive plans for General Managers of IHG owned, leased and managed hotels commonly include targets based on gross operating profit, guest satisfaction and employee engagement.

Eligibility for, and participation in, benefits and incentive plans differs depending on location, seniority, length of service and other factors, such as local taxation and legislative arrangements.

Fixed elementsVariable elements
All employeesMid – senior (or role
dependent) only
All employeesMid – senior (or role
dependent) only

 Base salary

 Pension

 Benefits

 Enhanced pension

 Enhanced benefits

 Car/allowance

 Short-term incentive relevant to role (APP for senior executives)

 Deferred share-based element to short-term incentive

 Long-term incentive

Pension Provision

Our global retirement benefit policy is to provide access to an appropriate defined contribution retirement savings plan where such a vehicle is typically offered, and with benefit levels in line with the local market.

The UK pension plan applies for UK-based Executive Directors and the current contribution rates differ for various employee grades within the Group, including Executive Directors. The current rates were set following a review of UK pension benefits in light of the closure of the previous defined benefit pension arrangement. Increased employer contribution rates at higher seniority levelsnew employees are prevalent in the wider market; and reflect to an extent the accelerated accrual rates in place under the old defined benefit arrangement.shown opposite. Where employees would otherwise exceed relevant tax limits on pension contribution or accrual, a cash equivalent may be offered in lieu of pension at an equivalent value to the maximum companyCompany matching contribution.

Employee grade  Employee
contribution (%)
   Matching
contribution
multiple
   Maximum
matching
contribution
(up to %)
 
Corporate band 1   3–7.5    4    30 
(Executive Directors)               
Corporate bands 2 and 3   3–5    4    20 
Corporate band 4   3–5    2.5    12.5 
Corporate band 5   3–5    2    10 
Corporate bands 6–8   3–5    1.5    7.5 
and hotel employees               

Chief Executive Officer’sWe operate a tiered pension contribution structure and maximum contributions increase with employee grade, consistent with market practice and reflecting the structure under the previous defined benefit pension. In addition, a tiered contribution structure balances the ‘income replacement ratio’ for all levels of employee, taking into account State pension provision (see example illustration opposite) and the increased levels of non-pensionable variable pay for more senior employees. For example, the pension benefit for Keith Barr in 2018 represented 6.4% of his overall earnings for the year.

We recognise that there is currently greater pressure than ever for increased clarity on executive remuneration and, in particular,Further to recent guidance in relation to the justificationnew Code and subsequent input from other external stakeholders including institutional investors, the Committee will review pension provisions for Executive Directors as part of CEO paythe wider review of the Directors’ Remuneration Policy taking place in 2019.

Employee grade    Employee
contribution
(%)
   Matching
contribution
multiple
  

Maximum

matching

contribution

(up to %)

Corporate band 1    3–7.5    4  

30

(25 for new CEO

and 25 for CFO

from April 2019)

Corporate bands 2 and 3    3–5    4  20
Corporate band 4    3–5    2.5  12.5
Corporate band 5    3–5    2  10

Corporate bands 6–8

and hotel employees

    3–5    1.5  7.5

LOGO

Figures based on a Pensions Commission study carried out in 2014. This shows that, although the recommended salary replacement ratio in retirement is lower for high earners (50% of pre-retirement salary vs 80% in the contextexample), the relative percentage of businessretirement income which is required from a Company pension is significantly higher.

74IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2018


Long term incentives – vesting and holding period

The new Code includes a provision that shares earned under long term incentive plans, such as our LTIP, should be subject to a total vesting and holding period of five years or more. Under our existing DR Policy, LTIP shares are granted subject to performance conditions measured over a period of at least three years, and the wider employee population.

In light ofCommittee has the recent Corporate Governance Reform Green Paper, we have shown below the change in total CEO remuneration, from the first full year in which the current CEO was in officeability to date, alongside the performance of the IHG PLC share price and, for comparison, that of the FTSE 100 share index. We do not think that share price alone is an ideal proxy for company performance, however, this shows the relative increases in the Company’s share price over thisimpose a further holding period to have been higher than those in respect of those shares. The Committee has determined that, following the CEO’s remuneration.three-year performance period for the 2019/21 LTIP, Executive Directors will be subject to a further two-year holding period in respect of all vested shares from that cycle. This is in addition to a number of other existing aspects of our DR Policy which match or exceed the expectations under the new Code and related guidance in respect of shareholdings and incentive arrangements:

CEO pay and share price (rebased 2012 = 100)Shareholding requirements

LOGOExecutive Directors are expected to hold all shares earned, net of any sales required to meet personal tax liabilities, until the guideline shareholding of 300% of salary for the CEO and 200% of salary for other Executive Directors is met. This shareholding can include unvested shares that are not subject to any further performance conditions;

aExcludes one-off payment in respect of pension arrangement as this related to benefits already accrued.

Use of discretionDiscretion

The Committee has the discretion under both the short and long-term incentive arrangements to override formulaic outcomes. The use of discretion enables the Committee to ensure that outcomes are consistent with business performance and the interests of shareholders. It also enables the Committee to treat Executive Directors who leave IHG in a fair and equitable manner.

The It was not considered necessary for the Committee to apply discretion applied in relation to Tracy Robbins in respect of her stepping down asremuneration outcomes in 2018;

Malus and clawback

Provisions are in place to withhold or recover sums or share awards under specific circumstances in which it would be appropriate to do so, including misconduct likely to result in significant reputational damage to the Company, a Directormaterial adverse effect on the Company’s financial position or the business opportunities and subsequentprospects, or a material misstatement or restatement in the accounts; and

Shareholding post-cessation of employment

Prior to the introduction of post-employment shareholding requirements under the new Code, we introduced a condition under our DR Policy for the full guideline minimum shareholding requirement to continue for six months after cessation of employment and 50% of the requirement to continue for an additional six months.

We will further consider our Executive Director shareholding requirements in light of the new Code and developing practice and guidelines as part of the review of our DR Policy in 2019.

Wider workforce remuneration and policies

Remuneration for all employees

The quantum and composition of remuneration and annual incentives differs between employees throughout the Group in a number of ways, most notably based on their role and position in the organisation. There is a strong alignment at all levels between remuneration and the delivery of outcomes that are key to the continued success of the business. As responsibility increases, so too does an employee’s potential total remuneration, with the most significant aspects of the remuneration in more senior roles being dependant on the successful delivery of these outcomes.

All employees are rewarded for meeting objectives aligned to our strategy, although the mix and weighting of particular objectives may differ depending on an individual’s role or grade. Our Strategic Model (pages 18 to 20) and Key Performance Indicators (pages 31 to 35) have been established to maintain focus on the key areas of our strategy for high-quality growth.

Performance conditions for annual and long-term incentive awards are aligned to the strategic priorities over the performance period, for example net system size growth is a measure under all corporate employees’ short-term incentive plans;

Stretching and measurable targets for all performance conditions reward employees for the successful delivery of the objectives set by the Committee. Details of those set in respect of Executive Directors’ 2018 remuneration are shown in the ‘At a glance’ section on page 73 and measures for 2019 incentive plans are covered on page 83;

A range of strategic metrics is set each year, which can reduce annual incentive payouts if minimum conditions are not met. For 2018, at least 4 out of 10 global metrics had to be achieved before the net system size growth achievement could be counted for short-term incentive plan purposes; and

Additional measures are in place to ensure poor performance is not rewarded, such as payout restrictions based on page 74. There have been no other cases of discretion applied within the terms of the DR Policy set out in the 2013 Annual Report.financial performance and Remuneration Committee discretions.

 

68                IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 20162018  |  Governance  |  Directors’ Remuneration Report75


Governance

Directors’ Remuneration Report

Remuneration at IHG – the wider context continued

CEO Pay Ratio disclosure

As mentioned in last year’s Annual Report, although it is not yet compulsory to include a CEO Pay Ratio in the Annual Report on Directors’ Remuneration, now that the statutory calculation method has been set out in legislation, we include this below. Whilst this information may add value to the Committee over time, ratios will differ significantly between companies, even within the same industry, depending on demographics and business model. For example, our ratio may differ from other leisure and hospitality companies which do not follow the same largely franchised UK business model under which the majority of hotel employees are not directly employed by IHG. The 2018 ratio will also be impacted by the CEO’s LTIP award, as this was originally granted in 2016 in respect of his prior role and salary.

What drives the difference in pay between our CEO and other employees?

Pay ratios reflect how remuneration arrangements differ as responsibility increases for more senior roles within the organisation, for example:

A greater proportion of performance-related variable pay and share-based incentives applies for more senior executives, including Executive Directors, who will have a greater degree of influence over performance outcomes;

Additional and enhanced benefit provision, such as company car, pension and healthcare benefits, apply as roles and responsibilities increase throughout the organisation;

Role-specific specialist plans apply in certain areas such as corporate reservations, sales, and hotel development. Incentive plans for General Managers of IHG owned, leased and managed lease and managed hotels commonly include targets based on gross operating profit, guest satisfaction and employee engagement. The target and maximum amounts that can be earned under these plans are typically a higher percentage of base salary for more senior employees, which in turn affects the pay ratio; and

Incentive plans for other corporate employees are typically based on a combination of individual performance and the Group’s EBIT.
YearMethod25th
        percentile
pay ratio
        Median pay
ratio
75th
        percentile
pay ratio

Financial year ending

31 December 2018

    Option C71:147:129:1

Identifying percentile UK employees

Option C has been selected for the identification of the percentile employees as, under this method, we are able to produce the most accurate total remuneration figure for all UK employees on a basis comparable with the statutory reporting for Executive Directors and using the data available at the time of producing the Annual Report. Specifically, this involves:

Starting with the April 2018 Gender Pay Gap salary, bonus and long term incentive data for all UK employees;

Adjusting the value of total bonus so that it reflects only the amount earned in respect of FY 2017 and does not include the value of any deferred shares from the 2014 bonus which vested in 2018;

Adding the employer pension contribution from pension plan data as at April 2018; and

Adding non-cash benefit data (e.g. company car, healthcare, etc.) from the 2017/18 tax year P11D report.

Calculating the pay ratio

Option C requires three UK employees to be identified as the equivalent of the 25th, 50th and 75th percentile. Having identified these employees, the 2018 total remuneration is calculated on the same basis as the CEO single total figure of remuneration. The only exception being that the Overall Performance element of the APP bonus applicable to the relevant employees is assumed to be the respective target value, as the actual value is not known at the time of producing the Annual Report.

The 2018 salary and benefits figures for the percentile employees included in the above ratios are:

25th Percentile: £38,437 salary and £5,242 benefits including pension and bonus (total remuneration of £43,679);

Median: £53,639 salary and £11,975 benefits including pension and bonus (total remuneration of £65,614); and

75th Percentile: £75,151 salary and £32,313 benefits including pension and bonus (total remuneration of £107,464).

76IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2018


    

Alignment of incentives with business strategy and culture

Link to strategy

Remuneration outcomes at IHG are linked to our strategic business objectives, which are focused on the delivery of high-quality, sustainable growth and value-creation through preferred brands, delivering a superior owner proposition, leveraging scale and generating revenue through the lowest cost direct channels. The ‘At a glance’ section of this report shows the outcomes for 2018 and the link between performance outcomes and pay for this year. The link to our Strategic Model for each measure linked to remuneration outcomes in 2018 is shown below:

Measures used for APPMeasures used for LTIP
Strategic Model componentsEBIT
(70%)
Net system
      size growth
(15%)

Savings for

    reinvestment
(15%)

TSR
            (40%)
Net system
      size growth
(20%)
    Total gross
revenue
(20%)
          Cash flow
(20%)
LOGOBuild and leverage scaleLOGOLOGOLOGOLOGOLOGOLOGO
LOGOStrengthen loyalty programmeLOGOLOGO
LOGOEnhance revenue deliveryLOGOLOGOLOGOLOGO

LOGO

Evolve owner propositionLOGOLOGOLOGOLOGOLOGO

LOGO

Optimise our preferred portfolio

of brands for owners and guests

LOGOLOGOLOGO

Culture and behaviours

Remuneration structures are designed to provide a link between an individual’s contribution and the organisation’s culture and values as well as its strategic aims, while providing the flexibility to keep pace with IHG’s changing priorities:

All corporate employees are eligible for a bonus and a significant proportion (up to 40%) of the target award for employees below the Executive Committee is based on an Overall Performance measure aligned to strategic goals, behaviours and personal development; and

Overall Performance achievements are also a key driver in the consideration of salary increases for all employees.

LOGO

In addition, a global employee recognition programme enables colleagues to recognise and reward each other for achievements which exemplify either our values or the cultural behaviours necessary to underpin the Company’s long-term success.

Diversity and inclusion

We have a global diversity and inclusion strategy, led by a Global Diversity and Inclusion Board (D&I Board), with specific and targeted actions to address any inequalities in the workplace, including:

Addressing hotspots of under-representation in operational and senior leadership roles;

Targeted leadership programmes aimed at accelerating the development of diverse leadership and talent;

Maintaining a culture of inclusion through support networks, resource groups, awareness campaigns and training for our people; and

Active senior leader engagement as part of the Global D&I Board.

In addition to these focused efforts to create value for IHG through increased diversity and inclusion, it is the Company’s policy to comply with international, national and local regulatory requirements and, where required, take any affirmative action as stipulated by local laws. In respect of remuneration, this includes undertaking the UK Gender Pay Gap analysis.

LOGOFurther information on this is available on IHG’s website at
www.ihgplc.com/responsible-business

IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2018  |  Governance  |  Directors’ Remuneration Report77


Governance

Directors’ Remuneration Report continued

Annual Report on Directors’ Remuneration

This Annual Report on Directors’ remunerationRemuneration explains how the

Directors’ Remuneration Policy (DR Policy) was implemented in 20162018

and the resulting payments each of the Executive Directors received.

This report is subject to an advisory vote by shareholders at the 20172019 AGM. The notes to the single-figure table provide further detail, where relevant, for each of the elements that make up the total single figure of remuneration in respect of each of the Executive Directors.

 

 

    SINGLE TOTAL FIGURE OF REMUNERATION – EXECUTIVE DIRECTORSAUDITED

 

 LOGO
   Fixed pay   Variable pay         
    LOGO Salary   LOGO Benefits   LOGO  Pension benefit   LOGO APP   LOGO LTIP   LOGO Total 
Executive Directors  2016
£000
   2015
£000
   

2016

£000

   2015
£000
   

2016

£000

   2015
£000
   2016
£000
   

2015

£000

   

2014/16
cycle
(value of
shares)

£000a

   2013/15
cycle
(value of
shares)
£000
   2016
£000
   2015
£000
 
Richard Solomons   810    785    26    31    243    236    1,042    1,187    1,329    958    3,450    3,197 
Paul Edgecliffe-Johnson   500    450    24    23    150    135    640    690    730    349    2,044    1,647 
Tracy Robbinsb   18    445    1    30    5    134    14    672    31    550    69    1,831 

 

Single total figure of remuneration – Executive Directors

 

     Fixed pay     Variable pay     Other        
      LOGO Salary     LOGO  Benefits     LOGO  Pension benefit     LOGO  APP     LOGO  LTIP            LOGO  Total 

Executive

Directors

    2018
    £000
     2017
    £000
     2018
    £000
     2017
    £000
     2018
    £000
     2017
    £000
     2018
    £000
     2017
    £000
     

2016/18

cycle

(value

of

    shares)

£000

     2015/17
cycle
  (value of
shares)
£000a
     2018
    £000
     2017
£000
     2018
    £000
     2017
    £000
 
Keith Barrb    792     388     51     17     198     97     1,343     545      559     614     150     500     3,093     2,161 
Paul Edgecliffe-Johnson    554     530     24     27     166     159     942     747      701     744                 2,387     2,207 
Elie Maaloufc,d    559           34           109           947            643                       2,292       

 

 a While vesting

Figures for this2015/17 LTIP cycle was slightly lower than the 2013/15 cycle, outcomes are higher due to a greater increase inhave been restated using actual share price over the period since shares were granted.

b2016 figures for Tracy Robbins relate to the period 1 January 2016 to 15 January 2016.

Fixed pay

LOGOSalary: salary paid for the year. The 2016 figure shown for Tracy Robbins is the actual amount earned for the portionon date of the year she remained an Executive Director before she stepped down from the Board on 15 January 2016.vesting.

 

 LOGObBenefits:

2017 figures for Executive Directors, this includes, but is not limitedKeith Barr (excluding LTIP) relate to taxable benefits such as company car, healthcare and life cover. Provision during 2016 was in line with previous years and the approved DR Policy. No extraordinary payments were made.period 1 July to 31 December 2017.

 

 LOGOcPension benefit:

There is no comparative data for current2017 as Elie Maalouf did not serve as an Executive Directors, in line with DR Policy, the value of IHG contributionsDirector prior to pension plans and any cash allowances, equalling 30% of salary,1 January 2018.

d

Elie Maalouf is paid in lieuUS dollars and the sterling equivalent is calculated using an exchange rate of pension contributions.$1 = £0.75 (page 116).

 

Richard Solomons

Notes to single figure table

Fixed pay

LOGO Salary:salary paid for the year. Elie Maalouf joined the Board on 1 January 2018.

LOGO Benefits:for Executive Directors, this includes, but is not limited to, taxable benefits such as company car and healthcare. Provision during 2018 was in line with previous years and the approved DR Policy.

LOGOPension benefit:for current Executive Directors, in line with DR Policy, the value of IHG contributions to pension plans and any cash allowances, paid in lieu of pension contributions.

Keith Barr and Paul Edgecliffe-Johnson did not participate in any IHG pension plan in 20162018 and instead received a cash allowanceallowances of 25% and 30% of salary equal to £242,946. Mr Solomons also received liferespectively. Life assurance cover of sixis provided for both Keith and Paul at four times pensionablebase salary.

Neither Paul Edgecliffe-Johnson nor Tracy RobbinsElie Maalouf participated in any IHG pensionthe US 401(k) Plan and the US Deferred Compensation Plan. The US 401(k) Plan is a tax qualified plan in 2016providing benefits on a defined contribution basis, with the member and instead theyrelevant company both receivedcontributing. The US Deferred Compensation Plan is a cash allowance of 30% of salary equal to £149,902.50non-tax qualified plan, providing benefits on a defined contribution basis, with the member and £5,419 respectively – the latter being the amount receivedrelevant company both contributing. Contributions made by, and in respect of, Elie Maalouf in these plans for the periodyear ended 31 December 2018 were:

£a
Director’s contributions to US Deferred
Compensation Plan            176,544
Director’s contributions to US 401(k) Plan18,348
Company contributions to US Deferred
Compensation Plan100,600
Company contributions to US 401(k) Plan8,200
Age at 31 December 201854

a

Sterling values have been calculated using an exchange rate of $1=0.75

Other:Keith received a lump sum of £500,000 in July 2017 and a further £150,000 in July 2018 to 15 January 2016. They both also received life assurance cover the transitional and transactional costs of four times pensionable salary.

localising to the UK. This was fully reported in the 2017 Annual Report, page 69.

Variable pay

LOGOLOGO APP (cash and deferred shares)

Operation

Award levels wereare determined based on salary as at 31 December 20162018 on a straight-line basis between threshold and target, and target and maximum, and are based on achievement vs target under each measure:

 

Thresholdis the minimum level that must be achieved for there to be an award in relation to that measure (57.5% of salary);measure; no award is made for achievement below threshold. For 2018, the Remuneration Committee set a threshold no award is made.level of 57.5% of salary.

 

Targetis the target level of achievement and results in a target award for that measure (115% of salary).measure.

 

Maximumis the level of achievement at which a maximum award for that measure is received (capped at 200% of salary).

Net system size growth was also dependent on achieving at least 4 out of 10 of the global metrics for 2018.

The threshold award was subject to a global EBIT affordability gate and Overall Performance Rating (OPR) such that:gates:

 

ifIf global EBIT achievement was belowless than 85% of target, no awards relating to the Guest Loveaward under net system size growth and OPRsavings for reinvestment would be made; and

 

ifIf global EBIT was between 85% and 90%or more, but less than 93% of target, half of any award relating to the Guest Loveunder net system size growth and OPRsavings for reinvestment would be made;made.

 

78IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2018


if OPR was 2, EBIT and Guest Love awards were reduced by 50%; and

 

if OPR was 2.5, EBIT and Guest Love awards were reduced by 25%.
    AUDITED  

Outcome for 20162018

The performance measures for the 20162018 APP were EBIT (70%), Guest Love (20%net system size growth (15%) and OPR (10%savings for reinvestment (15%) and were determined in accordance with the DR Policy. The table below shows threshold, target and maximum opportunity, as well as weighting and actual 2016 achievement for the EBIT and Guest Love performance measures:2018 achievement.

 

LOGO

LOGO

Directors’ Remuneration Report        IHG Annual Report and Form 20-F 2016                69


DIRECTORS’ REMUNERATION REPORT CONTINUED

Annual Report on Directors’ Remunerationcontinued

LOGO

 

APP

 

            
Performance              Achievement           Weighting    
Weighted
  achievement
 
 
EBIT: performance relative to target

 

Threshold     $744.0m     50%           
Target     $800.0m     100%    70%    91.7% 
Actual     $817.4m     131%     
Maximum     $856.0m     200%           
Net system size growth (k rooms)

 

Threshold     830.0     50%           
Target     834.0     100%    15%    24.6% 
Actual     836.5     164%     
Maximum     838.0     200%     
Savings for reinvestment

 

Threshold     $40.0m     50%           
Target     $44.0m     100%    15%    30.0% 
Maximum     $48.0m     200%     
Actual     $48.6m     200%a          

LOGO APPa Maximum award

Performance       Achievement  Weighting  Weighted
achievement
EBIT: performance relative to target
Threshold  $626.3m    50   
Target  $695.9m    100 70.0%  72.8%

Actual

  $698.9m    104   
Maximum  $765.5m    200   
Guest Love: improvement in guest survey score from prior year’s baseline score of 79.71%
Threshold   +0.26ppt    50 20.0%  
Target   +0.52ppt    100   23.3%

Actual

   +0.68ppt    116.3   
Maximum   +1.52ppt    200    

The remaining 10% weighting of the APP is based on a personal overall performance rating (OPR).

EBIT is operating profit before exceptional items. Budgetedfrom reportable segmentsb. However, in determining EBIT for APP purposes, budgeted exchange rates for the year are used in determining EBIT for APP purposes. However, noand certain adjustments were made to the underlyingreported 2018 operating profit before exceptional items for 2016were agreed by the Committee in order to ensure a like-for-like comparison with the APP purposes.EBIT target set at the start of the year:

 

Operating profit before exceptional items (atfrom reportable segmentsb

(at actual exchange rates)

$815.5m

Net benefit of unbudgeted items  $706.7m0.0m
Difference due to exchange rates ($7.8m$1.9m
Operating profit before exceptional itemsfrom reportable segmentsb,
after adjustments (at 20162018 budget exchange rates)
 $698.9m        $817.4m

OPR results are determined by reference to individual employee performance relating to the delivery of a range of measurable annual objectives aligned to our Winning Model. 2016 objectives included a range of financial targets, such as revenue and fee margins; strategic aims, including brand developments and growth in key markets; and targets  bSee page 36 for our Responsible Business agenda.Non-GAAP definitions.

When combined with the EBIT and Guest Love results, theThe total weighted achievement was 111.0 per cent for Richard Solomons and 108.5 per cent forKeith Barr, Paul Edgecliffe-Johnson and Elie Maalouf is 146.3% of a target bonus of 115% of salary.bonus. The APP award for 20162018 was therefore 127.7 per cent168.2% of salary for Richard Solomons and 124.8 per cent for Paul Edgecliffe-Johnson.each.

Awards for 2016 will be paid 50 per cent2018 are payable 50% in cash and 50 per cent50% in deferred shares, vesting three years after the date of grant, in February 2020.2022. The deferred share awards are made in the form of forfeitable shares that receive dividends during the three-year vesting period and include the right to vote at shareholder meetings. They are not subject to any further performance conditions.

 

Executive

Director

  

Salary as at

31 December
2016

£000

   Award as
% of salary
   Total value
of award
£000
 
Richard Solomons   816    127.7    1,042 
Paul Edgecliffe-Johnson   513    124.8    640 
Executive Director    

Salary as at
31 December
2018

£000

   

Award

as %

        of salary

   Total value
of award
£000
 
Keith Barr    798    168.2    1,343 
Paul Edgecliffe-Johnson    560    168.2    942 
Elie Maaloufa    563    168.2    947 

LOGO 2014/16 LTIP (shares)

a

Elie Maalouf is paid in US dollars and the sterling equivalent is calculated using an exchange rate of $0.75

Operation

LOGO2016/18 LTIP(shares)

Awards are made annually and eligible executives will receive shares at the end of that cycle, subject to achievement of the performance measures. Growth in net rooms supplyroom openings and RevPAR is measured on a relative basis against the comparator group. This group comprises the following major, globally branded competitors: Accor Hotels; Choice Hotels International Inc.; Hilton Worldwide; Hyatt Hotels Corporation; Marriott International Inc.; Starwood Hotels and Resorts; and Wyndham Worldwide Corp. In respect of Marriott’s acquisition of Starwood in September 2016,

Starwood was retained as a part of the comparator groupseparate entity for the period up to the dateits last independently published results. In respect of the acquisitionWyndham Worldwide’s split into two publicly traded companies in May 2018, results post-split relating to Wyndham Destinations and was removed only for the period after which the transaction had completed.Wyndham Hotels & Resorts were treated as relating to one entity. TSR measures the return to shareholders by investing in IHG relative to oura broader set of appropriate hotel and lodging competitors, in the appropriate comparator group of global hotel companies, as per the data provided by our corporate bankers sourced from Thomson Reuters Datastream.

The share price of 3,273p used to calculate the 2014/16 LTIP cycle value shown in the single-figure table is the average over the final quarter of 2016. The share price in respect of the 2013/152015/17 LTIP cycle has been restated using the volume weighted average price of 2,511p4,571p on the date of actual vesting on 2420 February 2016.2018. The corresponding values shown in the 20152017 report (prior to the actual vesting) were an estimate calculated using an average share price over the final quarter of 20152017 of 2,515p.4,317p.

Outcome for 2014/162016/18 cycle

The performance measures for the 2014/162016/18 three-year LTIP cycle were in line with the 2014 DR Policy. The table below shows threshold and maximum opportunity, as well as weighting and actual achievement, for each performance measure.

 

LOGO

IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2018  |  Governance  |  Directors’ Remuneration Report79

LOGO


LTIPGovernance

 

Performance  Achievement  Weighting  Weighted
achievement
Total Shareholder Return: three-year growth relative to average of competitors
Threshold  20%      
Actual  98.8%   50%  49.4%
Maximum  100%      
Net rooms supply: three-year growth relative to average of competitors
Actual  0%      
Threshold  20%   25%  0%
Maximum  100%      
RevPAR: three-year growth relative to average of competitors
Actual  0%      
Threshold  20%   25%  0%
Maximum  100%      
Total achievement (% of maximum opportunity vested)  49.4%

Directors’ Remuneration Report continued

Annual Report on Directors’ Remuneration continued

AUDITED  

LTIP

        
Performance                     Vesting achievement          Weighting    
Weighted
    achievement
 
 
Total Shareholder Return: three-year growth relative to average of competitors

 

Threshold             20%           
Actual     78.6%    50%    39.3% 
Maximum     100%           
Net rooms supply: three-year growth relative to average of competitors

 

Threshold     20%           
Actual     24.4%    25%    6.1% 
Maximum     100%           
RevPAR: three-year growth relative to average of competitors

 

Actual     0%           
Threshold     20%    25%    0% 
Maximum     100%           
Total achievement (% of maximum opportunity vested)

 

   45.4% 

Net rooms supply and RevPAR growth were measured by reference to the three years ending 30 September 2016;2018; TSR was measured by reference to the three years ending 31 December 2016.2018. This cycle will vest on 2220 February 20172019 and the individual outcomes for this cycle are shown below:below.

The share price of 4,193p used to calculate the 2016/18 LTIP cycle value shown in the single-figure table is the average over the final quarter of 2018.

 

Executive Director Maximum
opportunity
at grant
(number of
shares)
 % of
maximum
opportunity
vested
 Outcome
(number
of shares
awarded at
vest)
 Total value
of award
£000
Richard Solomons 82,193 49.4 40,603 1,329
Paul Edgecliffe-Johnson 45,125 49.4 22,291 730
Tracy Robbins 46,952 49.4 23,194 759

Executive

Director

      Maximum
opportunity
at grant
(number
of shares)
   % of
maximum
opportunity
vested
   Outcome
(number
of shares
awarded
at vest)
   

Total value of

award

£000

 
Keith Barra     29,367    45.4    13,332    559 
Paul Edgecliffe-          
Johnson     36,841    45.4    16,725    701 
Elie Maaloufa     33,801    45.4    15,345    643 

aGranted prior to appointment to the Board.

Other outstanding awards

During 2017, awards were granted under the 2017/19 LTIP cycle and made to each Executive Director over shares with a maximum value of 205% of salary using the closing mid-market share price in the table below. These are in the form of conditional awards over Company shares and do not carry the right to dividends or dividend equivalents during the vesting period.

Executive

Director

      

Award

date

   

Maximum

shares

      awarded

   

Market
price per
share at
grant

£

   

Face value

of award
at grant
£000

   

Number

of shares
received
if minimum
performance
achieved

 
2017/19 cycle                           
Keith Barra     

9 August

2017

 

 

   12,481    43.14    538    2,496 
Paul            
Edgecliffe-Johnson     

22 May

2017

 

 

   25,811    42.57    1,099    5,162 
Elie Maaloufb     

    22 May

2017

 

 

       21,822        42.57    929        4,364 

 

a
70                IHG Annual Report and Form 20-F 2016        Governance


Other information relating to Directors’ remuneration

Non-executive directorships of other companies

As permitted under

Keith Barr received an increased award, pro-rated from 1 July 2017, for the 2017/19 LTIP in accordance with the DR Policy Richard Solomons, Chief Executive Officer, serves as a Non-Executive Director of Marks and Spencer PLC and in 2016 received fees of £70,000 accordingly.

No other current Executive Director holds any non-executive director appointments at any other company.

Service contracts and notice periods for Executive Directors

In accordance with the UK Corporate Governance Code, all Executive Directors have rolling service contracts with a notice period of 12 months and are subject to election and annual re-election by shareholders at the AGM.

Dividends paid to Executive Directors

A final dividend for 2015 of 40.3p per ordinary share (57.5¢ per ADR) was paid on 13 May 2016 to shareholders on the Register of members at the close of business on 1 April 2016.

An interim dividend of 22.6p per ordinary share (30.0¢ per ADR) was paid on 7 October 2016 to shareholders on the Register of members at the close of business on 2 September 2016.

A special interim dividend of 438.2p per ordinary share (632.9¢ per ADR) was paid on 23 May 2016 to shareholders on the Register of members at the close of business on 6 May 2016.

The 2016 special dividend was accompanied by a share consolidation to maintain comparability (as far as possible) of the share price before and after the payment of the special dividend. LTIP award holders were not entitled to receive the special dividend. Executive Directors holding forfeitable shares under annual incentive awards received the special dividend, and their share awards were subject to the share consolidation.

LOGO

Pension entitlements

Richard Solomons built up defined benefit pension entitlements in the InterContinental Hotels UK Pension Plan (IC Plan) and IC Executive Top-Up Scheme (ICETUS) as a memberresult of both plans, during his service as an Executive Director priorappointment to the closureBoard. Prior to this, he was granted 17,822 shares and 2,160 restricted stock units on 22 May 2017 with a market price of both plans to future accrual of pension on 30 June 2013. As disclosed in the 2014 Annual Report, his ICETUS pension was cashed out and his IC Plan pension was transferred to an insurance company as part of the buy-out of that plan. Mr Solomons is no longer entitled to any Defined Benefit pension or related benefit from IHG.

£42.57 per share.

 

b

Scheme interests awarded during 2016

During 2016, awards wereThe award for Elie Maalouf was granted underprior to his appointment to the 2016/18 LTIP cycle. Awards were made to each Executive Director over sharesBoard. Elie was also granted 2,645 restricted stock units on 22 May 2017 with a maximum value of 205% of salary using the closing mid-market sharemarket price of 2,854p at the date of grant on 4 April 2016. These are in the form of conditional awards over Company shares and do not carry the right to dividends or dividend equivalents during the vesting period.£42.57 per share.


LOGO

Executive Director Award
date
  Maximum
shares
awarded
  

Market
price per
share at
grant

£

  Face
value
of award
at grant
£000
  

Number

of shares
received

if minimum
performance
achieved

 
2016/18 cycle                    
Richard  5 April   58,595   28.54   1,672   11,719 
Solomons  2016                 
Paul Edgecliffe-  5 April   36,841   28.54   1,051   7,368 
Johnson  2016                 
Tracy Robbinsa  5 April   8,480   28.54   242   1,696 
   2016                 
aPro-rated to 15 months at grant.

The vesting date for these awards is the day after the announcement of our Annual 20182019 Preliminary Results in February 2019.2020. These awards will vest and shares will be transferred to the award-holder in February 2019,2020, to the extent performance targets are met.

The performance measures are as agreed in the same as for the 2014/16 cycle as shown on page 70. Relative2017 Remuneration Policy. Total gross revenue, net system size growth, in net rooms supplycash flow and RevPARtotal shareholder return will be measured by reference to the three years ending 30 September 2018; TSR willall be measured by reference to the three years ending 31 December 2018.2019. Minimum performance is equal to 20% of the maximum award.

 

AUDITED  

Other outstanding awardsScheme interests awarded during 2018

During 2015,2018, awards were granted under the 2015/17 LTIP cycle (shown below) on the same basis as the 2016/182018/20 LTIP cycle. Share price wasAwards were made to each Executive Director over shares with a maximum value of 205% of salary using an average of the closing mid-market share price of 2,670p atfor the five days prior to grant. At the date of grant on 30 March 2015.8 May 2018, this was 4,625p. These are in the form of conditional awards will vest in February 2018over Company shares and do not carry the right to dividends or dividend equivalents during the extent performance targets are met.vesting period.

 

Executive Director Award
date
  Maximum
shares
awarded
  

Market
price per
share at
grant

£

  Face
value
of award
at grant
£000
  

Number

of shares
received

if minimum
performance
achieved

 
2015/17 cycle                    
Richard Solomons  31   60,808   26.70   1,624   12,162 
  March     
   2015                 
Paul Edgecliffe-  31   35,318   26.70   943   7,064 
Johnson  March     
   2015                 
Tracy Robbins  31   34,397   26.70   918   6,879 
  March     
   2015                 
Executive Director    Award date   Maximum
            shares awarded
   

Market price
      per share at grant

£

   

Face value of

            award at grant
£000

   Number of shares
received if minimum
  performance achieved
 
2018/20 cycle                         
Keith Barr           8 May 2018    35,381    46.25    1,636    7,076 
Paul Edgecliffe-Johnson   8 May 2018    24,830    46.25    1,148    4,966 
Elie Maalouf   8 May 2018    24,426    46.25    1,130    4,885 

The vesting date for these awards is the day after the announcement of our Annual 20172020 Preliminary Results in February 2018. 2021. These awards will vest and shares will be transferred to the award-holder in February 2021, to the extent performance targets are met.

The performance measures are as agreed in the same as for the 2014/16 cycle as shown on page 70. Relative2017 Remuneration Policy. Total gross revenue, net system size growth, in net rooms supplycash flow and RevPAR will be measured by reference to the three years ending 30 September 2017; TSR will betotal shareholder return are measured by reference to the three years ending 31 December 2017.2020. Minimum performance is equal to 20% of the maximum award.

LOGO

 

Directors’ Remuneration Report        80IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2016                712018


DIRECTORS’ REMUNERATION REPORT CONTINUED

Annual Report on Directors’ Remunerationcontinued

    

 

Current position on outstanding awards

Details of the performance measures and potential vesting outcomes for outstanding awards as at 31 December 2016 are as follows:

Performance measure Threshold
performance
 Maximum
performance
 Threshold (%)/
maximum vesting (%)
  Weighting (%)  Maximum award
(% of salary)
  Potential vesting outcome
                  2015/17 cycle 2016/18 cycle
Relative TSR Growth equal to the Growth exceeds  20/100   50   102.5  Between threshold Between threshold
 global hotels index the index by 8%    and maximum based and maximum based
  per year or more    on current on current
                  performance performance
Net rooms Average of the First in the  20/100   25   51.25  Improved Improved
supply growth comparator group comparator group    performance performance
      needed to achieve needed to achieve
                  threshold threshold
RevPAR growth Average of the First in the  20/100   25   51.25  Improved Improved
 comparator group comparator group    performance performance
      needed to achieve needed to achieve
                  threshold threshold

    AUDITED    

LOGO

Statement of Directors’ shareholdings and share interests

The Committee believes that share ownership by Executive Directors and senior executives strengthens the link between the individual’s personal interests and those of shareholders.

LOGO Guideline Executive Director shareholding requirement

Executive Directors are required to hold shares equal to 300% of salary for the Chief Executive Officer and 200% for any other Executive Directors within five years of their appointment. The number of shares held outright includes all Directors’ beneficial interests and those held by their spouses and other connected persons.

Percentages are calculated using the number of shares held outright and the 31 December 2018 share price of 4,237p.

From 2018, the full guideline shareholding requirements continued for six months, and 50% of the requirements for a further six months, post-cessation of employment.

Shares and awards held by Executive Directors

as at 31 December 2018: % of salary

LOGO

a

In line with Policy, Keith Barr’s and Elie Maalouf’s shareholding requirement are 300% and 200% of salary respectively, and they are required to meet this within five years of appointment. They are expected to hold all shares earned (net of any share sales required to meet tax liabilities), until the shareholding requirement is achieved.

b

Paul Edgecliffe-Johnson sold shares on 9 August 2018 at a share price of £47.00, and at the time held in excess of the 200% shareholding requirement. The share price at 31 December 2018, used for this calculation, has resulted in the below minimum shareholding requirements.

Current Directors’ shareholdings

The APP deferred share awards are not subject to performance conditions. Details on the performance conditions to which the unvested LTIP awards are still subject can be found on page 70. Percentages are calculated using the number of shares held outright and the 30 December 2016 share price of 3,638p.80.

Shares and awards held by Executive Directors as at

31 December 2016: %2018: number of salaryshares

 

LOGO

                                                     Total number of 
     Number of shares held outright       APP deferred share awards       LTIP share awards (unvested)       shares and awards held 
       2018      2017      2018      2017      2018      2017      2018      2017 
Keith Barr    42,782      31,116      28,262      24,586      97,211      90,987      168,255      146,689 
Paul Edgecliffe-Johnson    25,669          27,443      26,742          28,384      87,482          97,970      139,893          153,797 
Elie Maaloufa        24,773                 42,058                 82,694                 149,525        

Shares and awards held by Executive Directors as at

31 December 2016a: number of Includes 35,961 shares granted prior to appointment to the Board

 

Executive Director 

Number

of shares

held outright

  

APP

deferred

share awards

  

LTIP

share awards
(unvested)

  

Total number

of shares and

awards held

 
   2016  2015  2016  2015  2016  2015  2016  2015 
Richard  211,594   365,625   59,032   71,552   201,596   219,320   472,222   656,497 
Solomons                                
Paul  26,034   22,014   24,621   19,821   117,284   108,219   167,939   150,054 
Edgecliffe-        
Johnson                                
Tracy  37,726   37,726   41,808   41,808   125,168   125,168   204,702   204,702 
Robbinsa                                

aNumber of shares held by Tracy Robbins is as at 15 January 2016, when she stepped down as an Executive Director.

 

72                IHG Annual Report and Form 20-F 2016        Governance


Chief Executive Officer’s remuneration

The table below shows the Chief Executive Officer’s single figure of total remuneration for the eight years to 31 December 2016. For Richard Solomons, the 2014 figure includes a one-off cash payment in respect of pension entitlements which was fully explained in the 2014 report.

        Single figure
£000
   Annual incentive
received (% of
maximum)
   Shares received
under the LTIP
(% of maximum)
 
2016  Richard Solomons   3,450    63.9    49.4 
2015  Richard Solomons   3,197    75.0    50.0 
2014  Richard Solomons   6,528    74.0    56.1 
2013  Richard Solomons   3,149    74.0    59.0 
2012  Richard Solomons   4,881    68.0    100.0 
2011  Richard Solomons   4,724    83.0    73.9 
   Andrew Cosslett   3,770    43.0    61.6 
2010  Andrew Cosslett   5,430    100.0    73.8 
2009  Andrew Cosslett   1,953    0    46.0 

Percentage change in remuneration of Chief Executive Officer

The table below shows the percentage change in the remuneration of the Chief Executive Officer compared with UK employees between 2015 and 2016. We believe that a group comprised of UK-based employees is an appropriate comparator for salary and taxable benefits because the structure and composition of remuneration for that group most closely reflects that of the UK-based Chief Executive Officer. Therefore, the same UK market dynamics will apply to salary movements providing for a better like-for-like comparison.

The salary figure for the UK employee population has been calculated using the 2016 budget for the annual pay review, taking into account any promotions/marked adjustments made during the year. The taxable benefits figure is based on P11D taxable benefits for tax year ending 5 April in the relevant year.

For the annual incentive, a group of executives, who sit directly below Executive Committee level, is used as a comparator group as they are subject to the same performance measures as the Chief Executive Officer.

    Chief Executive Officer
(% change)
   UK employees
(% change)
 
Salary   +3.0    +3.0 
Taxable benefits   +5.6    +2.3 
Annual incentive   -12.2    -9.9 

Relative importance of spend on pay

The table below sets out the actual expenditure of the Group in 2016 and 2015 on corporate employee remuneration and distributions to shareholders, and shows the difference in spend between those years. For 2016, total distributions included a special and final dividend, and a share consolidation, neither of which were applicable in 2015.

LOGO

Relative performance graph

For LTIP purposes, a TSR comparator group of a global hotels index was used. InterContinental Hotels Group PLC is a member of the FTSE 100 share index, and the graph below shows the Company’s TSR performance from 31 December 2008 to 31 December 2016, assuming dividends are reinvested, compared with the TSR performance achieved by the FTSE 100 and global hotels indices. All indices are shown in sterling. This data is sourced directly from Thomson Reuters Datastream for IHG.

TSR: the Company vs FTSE 100 and global hotels index

(rebased 2008 = 100)

LOGO

Implementation of Directors’ Remuneration Policy in 2017

This section explains how the DR Policy will be applied in 2017, subject to a binding vote by shareholders at the 2017 AGM.

Salary: Executive Directors

Directors’ salaries are agreed annually in line with the DR Policy. The following salaries will apply from 1 April 2017:

Executive Director  %
increase
     2017   2016 
Richard Solomons   +2.5      836,150    815,760 
Paul Edgecliffe-Johnson   +4.5      536,000    512,900 

The 2.5 per cent increase for Richard Solomons is in line with the range of increases applying to the UK and US population.

Paul Edgecliffe-Johnson was promoted internally on 1 January 2014 on a salary significantly below the level of a proven CFO. The DR Policy provides that salary increases for newly appointed or promoted Executive Directors may be higher than that of the corporate UK or US employee population until the appropriate positioning is achieved. Following strong performance again this year, a further increment of 4.5 per cent has been agreed by the Remuneration Committee for 2017; this increase brings the salary to the appropriate level and it is not expected that further exceptional adjustments will be made in future years.

LTIP and APP performance measures and targets

From 2017, we will be limiting LTIP awards for the top levels of executives, currently 31 employees in total. A proportion of the awards for these executives, who currently receive LTIP awards, will move to smaller, restricted stock units with a three-year time vesting. The executives and awards impacted are not covered by the DR Policy. This move will bring us more in line with the market and help recruitment and retention in key markets such as the US.

Further details of the measures and targets for the 2017 APP and 2017/19 LTIP cycle are contained in the separate DR Policy section on pages 77 and 78 of this report.

LOGO

    AUDITED    
Directors’ Remuneration Report        IHG Annual Report and Form 20-F 2016                73


Payments for loss of office

DIRECTORS’ REMUNERATION REPORT CONTINUEDThere were no payments for loss of office in 2018.

Annual Report on Directors’ RemunerationcontinuedPension entitlements

No Executive Director is entitled to any Defined Benefit pension or related benefit from IHG.

LOGO

Payments to past Directors – benefits

Sir Ian Prosser

Sir Ian Prosser, who retired as a Director on 31 December 2003, had an ongoing healthcare benefit of £1,879£2,152 during the year.

Tracy Robbins

Ms Robbins stepped down as Executive Vice President, Human Resources and from the Board on 15 January 2016 due to health reasons. In line with her contract, Ms Robbins will continue employment on notice for the 12 months to 31 March 2017, when she will cease employment with the Group. As disclosed at the time of the announcement and in last year’s Annual Report, the remuneration arrangements will be as follows:

 

Ms Robbins will receive contractual sick pay (100% of annual salary to 31 March 2016 and then 50% of salary to 31 March 2017).

 

Benefits entitlements will continue in full until 31 March 2017 and, given the circumstances, healthcare cover will be extended for a further year following that.

Other information relating to Directors’ remuneration

The Remuneration Committee

Non-executive directorships of other companies

Paul Edgecliffe-Johnson has agreed that, on leaving the Group, Ms Robbins will be treatedserved as a good leaver for the purposesNon-Executive Director of the APP and LTIP under the ill-health provisions as set outThomas Cook Group plc since 26 July 2017. Paul received fees of £60,000 during 2018 in the DR Policy.

Ms Robbins will remain eligible for APP while still an employeerespect of the Group. In light of the circumstances, the Committee will exercise its discretionthis appointment.

This appointment is permitted under the rules of the APPDR Policy and the DR Policy to pay any 2015, 2016 and pro-rated 2017 APP awards in cash, and to allow any outstanding APP deferred shares to vest in full on 31 March 2017.

The grant of the 2016 LTIP award will be based on actual salary paid in that year. No LTIP award will be made in 2017.

Any LTIP awards outstanding on the date Ms Robbins ceases employment will vest in line with the terms of the plan rules on the usual vesting date, only to the extent performance conditions are fulfilled, and will be pro-rated for the time she remained employed.

Malus and clawback provisions will apply to all APP and LTIP awards.

Remuneration payments made to Ms Robbins in 2016 in respect of the period to 15 January 2016 are shownamount is not included in the single figure table of remuneration table on page 69. Remuneration paid in respect of the period 16 January 2016 to 31 December 2016 was as follows:

Fixed pay  Variable pay    

LOGO Salary

£000

  

LOGOBenefits

£000

  

LOGOPension

benefit

£000

  

LOGO APP

£000

  

LOGO LTIP

£000

  

LOGO Total

£000

265  18  129  332  728  1,472

In line with the discretion exercised by the Committee outlined above, the whole APP award of £345,586 was paid in cash.

Payments for loss of office

78. No payments were made toother current Executive Director holds any Executive Directors during 2016 for loss of office.

Single total figure of remuneration: Non-Executive Directors

       

Fees

(£000)

  Taxable
benefits
(£000)
  

Total

(£000)

 

Non-

Executive

Director

 

Committee

appointments

 Date of
original
appointment
  2016  2015  2016  2015  2016  2015 
Patrick LOGO  1 January   412   412   19   34   431   446 
Cescau   2013                         
Anne LOGOLOGOLOGO  1 March   73   61   4   5   77   66 
Busquet   2015                         
Ian LOGOLOGOLOGO  1 September   97   97   3   3   100   100 
Dyson   2013                         
Jo LOGOLOGOLOGO  1 September   73   73   3   3   76   76 
Harlow   2014                         
Jennifer 

LOGOLOGOLOGO

  25 August   30   85   1   2   31   87 
Laing   2005                         
Luke 

LOGOLOGOLOGO

  1 July   97   97   3   1   100   98 
Mayhew   2011                         
Jill 

LOGO  LOGOLOGO

  1 June   81   73   3   4   84   77 
McDonald   2013                         
Dale 

LOGOLOGOLOGO

  1 June   97   97   31   14   128   111 
Morrison   2011                         
Ying LOGOLOGOLOGO  1 December   26   73   37   83   63   156 
Yeh   2007                         

LOGO

See page 49 for Board and Committee

membership key and attendance.

Fees: The fees for Jennifer Laing and Ying Yeh are to the point of their retirement as a Non-Executive Director on 6 May 2016. The fee for Jill McDonald reflects her appointment as Chairman of the Corporate Responsibility Committee from 6 May 2016 and the related increase in responsibility.

Benefits: For Non-Executive Directors, benefits include taxable travel and accommodation expenses to attend Board meetings away from the designated home location. Under concessionary HM Revenue & Customs rules, non-UK based Non-Executive Directors are not subject to tax on travel expenses for the first five years; this is reflected in the taxable benefits for 2015 and 2016 for Anne Busquet and for the period up to 31 May 2016 for Dale Morrison.

Incentive awards: Non-Executive Directors are not eligible forappointments at any incentive awards.

Pension benefit:Non-Executive Directors are not eligible for any pension contributions or benefit.

LOGO

Further details on changes to the

Board can be found on page 50.

Shares held by Non-Executive Directors as at 31 December 2016a: number of shares

The only Non-Executive Directors who held shares are listed in the table below.

   Shares held outright 
Non-Executive Director  2016   2015 
Jennifer Lainga   2,905    2,905 
Luke Mayhew   1,435    1,722 
Dale Morrisonb   3,255    3,907 

aNumber of shares held by Jennifer Laing is as at 6 May 2016, when she retired as a Non-Executive Director.
bShares held in the form of American Depository Receipts.

74                IHG Annual Report and Form 20-F 2016        Governance


LOGO

Fees: Non-Executive Directors

The fees for Non-Executive Directors are reviewed and agreed annually in line with the DR Policy. The fee levels for 2017 will be as follows:

Non-Executive

Director

  Role  2017
£000
   2016
£000
 
Patrick Cescau  Chairman of the Board   422    412 
Anne Busquet  Non-Executive Director   74    73 
Ian Dyson  Chairman of Audit Committee   99    97 
Jo Harlow  Non-Executive Director   74    73 
Luke Mayhew  Chairman of Remuneration   99    97 
   Committee          
Jill McDonald  Chairman of Corporate   87    73a 
   Responsibility Committee          
Dale Morrison  Senior Independent Non-Executive   107    97 
   Director          

aJill McDonald’s 2016 fee relates to Non-Executive Director position prior to new role of Chairman of the Corporate Responsibility Committee.

Non-Executive Directors’ letters of appointment and notice periods

Non-Executive Directors have letters of appointment, which are available upon request from the Company Secretary’s office. Patrick Cescau, Non-Executive Chairman, is subject to 12 months’ notice. No other Non-Executive Directors are subject to notice periods. All Non-Executive Directors are subject to election and annual re-election by shareholders at the AGM.company.

Remuneration Committee details

Key objectives and summary of responsibilities

The Remuneration Committee agrees, on behalf of the Board, all aspects of the remuneration of the Executive Directors and the Executive Committee, and agrees the strategy, direction and policy for the remuneration of other senior executives who have a significant influence over the Group’s ability to meet its strategic objectives.

LOGOThe Committee’s role and responsibilities are set out in its Terms of Reference (ToR). These are reviewed annually and available on the Company’s website at www.ihgplc.com/investors under Corporate governance in the Committees section.

Membership and attendance at meetings

In addition to the Committee members, the CEO and Chairman, the Committee’s remuneration advisers and the Group’s heads of HR and Reward attended meetings.

LOGO

Details of Committee attendance

can be found on page 49.

Reporting to the board

The CEO and Chairman attend meetings and the Committee Chairman provides an update to the Board following each meeting on the key issues discussed. Meeting papers and minutes are circulated to all Board members for review and comment.

Effectiveness of the Committee

All members are independent Non-Executive Directors, as required under the ToR. All members have the necessary experience and expertise to meet the Committee’s responsibilities. The effectiveness of the Committee is monitored and assessed annually through the Board’s evaluation questionnaires and interviews and informally by the Committee’s advisers.

LOGO

Details of the Board’s effectiveness

evaluation can be found on pages 55 and 56.

Remuneration advisers

The Committee continued to retain PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (PwC) throughout 2016 as independent advisers. Fees of £159,830 were paid to PwC in respect of advice provided to the Committee on executive remuneration matters during the year. This was in the form of an agreed fee for support in preparation of papers and attendance at meetings, with work on additional items charged at hourly rates. PwC also provided tax and other consulting services to the Group during 2016. The terms of engagement for PwC are available from the Company Secretary’s office on request.

PwC was appointed following a competitive tender process. The Committee is satisfied that the advice received from PwC was objective and independent, as PwC is a member of the Remuneration Consultants Group. Members of this group adhere to a voluntary code of conduct that sets out the role of executive remuneration consultants in the UK and the professional standards to which they have committed to adhere when advising remuneration committees.

Focus areas and activities

The Committee’s main consideration in 2016 was the review of the Directors’ Remuneration Policy. This was reviewed to ensure that IHG continues to remunerate its Executive Directors in a way that is aligned with business needs, is consistent with its reward philosophy, is fair to colleagues yet competitive in the market, and rewards behaviours and outcomes that deliver shareholder value. The following key matters were also discussed: shareholding requirements and post-cessation holding, IHG’s approach to diversity and gender pay-gap reporting.

Voting at the Company’s AGMs

There was no binding vote in respect of the DR Policy at the 2016 AGM as it remained unchanged from 2014. There will be a binding vote in respect of the new DR Policy in 2017. The outcome of the binding vote in respect of the DR Policy voted on at the 2014 AGM is shown below:

AGM  Votes for     Votes against     Abstentions 
2014   155,440,907      15,483,775      906,025 
    (90.94%)      (9.06%)        

At the Company’s AGMs in 2014, 2015 and 2016, the annual advisory vote in respect of the Directors’ Remuneration Report was as follows:

AGM  Votes for     Votes against     Abstentions 
2016   167,998,487      2,427,740      5,056,017 
    (98.58%)      (1.42%)        
2015   149,415,662      4,633,208      3,642,496 
    (96.99%)      (3.01%)        
2014   158,131,479      10,076,027      3,623,200 
    (94.01%)      (5.99%)        

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Directors’ Remuneration Report        IHG Annual Report and Form 20-F 2016                75


DIRECTORS’ REMUNERATION REPORT CONTINUED

Directors’ Remuneration Policy

LOGOSubject to the approval by shareholders at the 2017 AGM, the policy for Executive Directors, as set out below, will apply from 2017 and will be available to view at www.ihgplc.com/investors under Corporate governance.

The Committee will consider the Remuneration Policy annually to ensure it remains aligned with strategic objectives. However, it is intended that the policy set out below will apply for three years from the 2017 AGM; if any amendments need to be made to the policy within that time frame, it will first be presented to be voted upon by shareholders.

Future policy table

Salary(100% cash)
Link to strategyTo attract and retain the key talent responsible for delivering our strategic objectives. Recognises the value of the role and the individual’s skill, performance and experience.
OperationBase salary is reviewed annually and fixed for 12 months from 1 April.
In reviewing salaries, the Committee may consider:

 business performance;

 personal performance;

 the average salary increases for the wider IHG workforce; and

 current remuneration assessed against comparable opportunities for an individual to ensure competitiveness.

Maximum opportunityOver the policy period, salaries for current Executive Directors will increase, subject to individual performance, in line with the range of increases applying to the corporate UK and US employee population, except where there is a change in role or responsibility or another need arises to reassess the competitiveness of salary which warrants either a lesser or a more significant increase. Any such change will be fully explained.
Newly promoted or recruited Executive Directors may, on occasion, have their salaries set below the conventional remuneration level while they become established in role. In such cases, salary increases may be higher than the corporate UK and US employee population until the target positioning is achieved.
Performance framework

The results of an individual’s annual performance appraisal give an overall personal performance rating (OPR), which is considered when reviewing salary levels.

LOGO Benefits
Link to strategyTo attract and retain the key talent responsible for delivering our strategic objectives with competitive benefits which are consistent with an individual’s role and location.
OperationIHG pays the cost of providing the benefits on a monthly basis or as required for one-off events.
Maximum opportunity

The value of benefits is dependent on location and market factors.

Benefits may include the cost of independent financial advice, car allowance/company car, private healthcare/medical assessments and other benefits provided from time to time. Benefits would be restricted to the typical level for the role and location of an Executive Director.

Benefits may also include relocation and expatriate or international assignment costs where appropriate, including for example:

 cost of living allowance;

 travel costs;

 housing allowance;

 professional advice;

 education allowances;

 tax equalisation;

 medical expenses; and

 relocation allowance.

Relocation and expatriate or international assignment costs would be restricted to the typical level for the role and location of an Executive Director.

Performance framework

None.
Pension
Link to strategyTo attract and retain the key talent responsible for delivering our strategic objectives with appropriate contribution rates to provide funding for retirement.
OperationUK Executive Directors are eligible to join the IHG UK Defined Contribution Pension Plan (IC Plan). A cash allowance in lieu of pension contributions is offered, for example, where pension contributions would be less tax efficient than cash.
Non UK Executive Directors may be eligible for an alternative local company retirement plan, for example, a DC 401(k) Plan and a DC Deferred Compensation Plan currently operating in the US.
Maximum opportunitySalary is the only element of remuneration that is pensionable, and the current maximum employer contribution level for executives in the IC Plan is 30% of salary.
Other contribution rates may apply in alternative local retirement plans and the Committee has the discretion to reduce or increase employer contribution rates for Executive Directors in exceptional circumstances where conditions so warrant.
Performance frameworkNone.

76                IHG Annual Report and Form 20-F 2016        Governance


Annual Performance Plan (APP)(50% cash and 50% IHG PLC shares deferred for three years)
Link to strategy

  Drives and rewards annual performance against both financial and non-financial metrics.

  Aligns individuals and teams with key strategic priorities.

  Aligns short-term annual performance with strategy to generate long-term returns to shareholders.

Operation

  Awards are made annually, 50% in cash after the end of the relevant financial year and 50% in the form of share awards which vest after three years subject to leaver provisions.

  The Committee has discretion to make awards wholly in cash rather than part-cash and part-shares, in exceptional circumstances.

  The share awards are made in the form of conditional awards or forfeitable shares, the latter having the right to receive dividends and vote at general meetings.

  Malus and clawback apply to the awards. See page 80 for details.

  The Committee may exercise reasonable discretion to adjust an award made under the APP upwards or downwards after application of the performance measures to take into account any relevant factors, including but not limited to, performance relative to IHG’s competitors and extent of achievement across all measures, provided that in no case will an award exceed the maximum opportunity stated.

Maximum opportunityMaximum annual award is 200% of salary.
Performance framework

  70% is based on EBIT achievement vs target.

  30% is based on a mixture of personal and strategic measures which are reviewed annually and the weighting, measures and targets determined by the Committee and set in line with key strategic priorities.

  Measures for 2017 will be as per 2016 ie EBIT (70%), Guest Love (20%) and OPR (10%) – see page 78 for further detail.

  Target award is 115% of salary; threshold is up to 50% of target award for each measure.

  Overall performance ratings of less than 3 affect the outcome of the APP award. An OPR of less than 2 results in no award being made; an OPR of 2 (threshold) reduces awards by 50%; and an OPR of 2.5 reduces awards by 25%.

LOGOLong Term Incentive Plan (LTIP)(100% IHG PLC shares)
Link to strategyDrives and rewards delivery of sustained long-term performance on measures that are aligned with the interests of shareholders.
Operation

  Annual conditional awards of shares which vest after a period of three years, or such longer period as the Committee determines, subject to the achievement of corporate performance targets.

  The Committee may also impose such post-vesting holding periods as it may, at its discretion, determine.

  The Committee also has discretion to make awards in cash rather than shares, in exceptional circumstances.

  Malus and clawback applies to awards. See page 80 for details.

Maximum opportunityThe maximum annual award is 205% of salary. The Committee has no current intention to award more than the policy maximum, but if exceptional and unforeseen circumstances arise that warrant it, the Committee has discretion to increase this to 300% of salary under the LTIP rules. Any such award will be fully explained.
Performance framework

  The measures are reviewed and may be changed by the Committee annually to ensure alignment with strategic objectives.

  Minimum performance results in 20% vesting and all targets measured over a performance period of at least three years.

  The Committee may make adjustments to targets and/or measures if a significant one-off event occurs that makes one or more of the existing targets and/or measures no longer appropriate. The Committee may also adjust awards if a significant one-off event happens that makes the original performance measures no longer appropriate. Any such adjustments would be disclosed at the first appropriate opportunity.

New for 2017 policy

  Measures for the 2017/19 cycle are Total Shareholder Return (TSR), total gross revenue, net System size growth and cash flow – see pages 78 and 79 for further detail.

  The Committee will review the vesting outcomes under the absolute measures (for the 2017/19 LTIP this will be total gross revenue, net System size growth and cash flow measures) at the end of each three-year cycle against an assessment of Group earnings, the quality of financial performance and growth over the period, including relative growth against the market, and the efficient use of capital. If the Committee determines that the vesting outcomes do not appropriately reflect the performance of the Group, it will consider reducing the number of shares that vest. The performance and vesting outcomes and any use of discretion will be fully disclosed and explained in the relevant Directors’ Remuneration Report.

Shareholding requirements

  The guideline shareholding requirement is 300% of salary for the Chief Executive Officer and 200% for other Executive Directors

  Executive Directors are expected to hold all shares earned (net of any shares sales required to meet personal tax liabilities), until the guideline shareholding requirement is achieved. See page 72 for details.

New for 2017 policy

  From 2018, the full guideline shareholding requirements will continue for six months, and 50% of the requirements for a further six months, post-cessation of employment.

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Directors’ Remuneration Report        IHG Annual Report and Form 20-F 2016                77


DIRECTORS’ REMUNERATION REPORT CONTINUED

Directors’ Remuneration Policycontinued

Illustrative scenarios

Below is an illustration of the value that could be received by each Executive Director under the Directors’ Remuneration Policy in respect of 2017, showing:

minimum, which includes salary, benefits and employer pension contributions only (total fixed pay);

on-target, which includes total fixed pay and assumes an on-target award for the APP (115% of salary) and 50% of maximum LTIP award vesting; and

maximum, which includes total fixed pay and a maximum award under the APP and LTIP.

The salaries included are those that will apply from 1 April 2017. The benefit values included are estimates. The amounts shown in relation to APP and LTIP do not take account of any potential share price appreciation.

LOGO

Notes to future policy table

Measures for 2017 APP

MeasureDefinitionWeighting (%)Performance objective
EBIT

Earnings Before Interest and Tax –

a measure of IHG’s operating profit before exceptional items for the year.

70Achievement against target.
Guest LoveGuest satisfaction rating.20Year-on-year improvement in score.
OPRPersonal performance measure of individual’s contribution to the business and the results.10Achievement against targets.

Why have we chosen these measures?

EBIT is a key measure of business performance for our shareholders and is a function of other critical measures, such as net rooms growth, RevPAR, profit margin and fee revenues. Guest Love is an important and robust measure of the strength of our brands and our ability to grow lifetime relationships with guests. OPR reflects an individual’s contribution towards the achievement of specific and measurable targets based on a range of the most important financial and strategic objectives for the year.

How are performance targets set?

Targets may be set relative to budget and/or by reference to prior results and may contain a performance range to incentivise outperformance and minimum performance levels relative to budget and/or prior experience to ensure that poor performance is not rewarded. The 2017 targets are set by the Committee and senior management, taking into account IHG’s growth ambitions, market expectations and the circumstances and relative performance at the time, with the aim of setting stretching achievement targets for senior executives which will reflect successful outcomes for the business based on its strategic objectives for the year.

Measures for 2017/19 LTIP cycle

MeasureDefinitionWeighting (%)Vesting
Total Shareholder Return (TSR)IHG’s performance against a comparator group of global hotel companies. TSR is the aggregate of share price growth and dividends paid, assuming reinvestment of dividends in the Company’s shares during the three-year performance period.40

Threshold– median of comparator group (20% of TSR element vests).

Maximum – upper quartile of comparator group (100% of TSR element vests).

Vesting will be on a straight-line basis in between the two points above.

Total gross revenueCumulative increase over three-year performance period.20The targets for these measures are, in the opinion of the Directors, commercially sensitive, and will therefore be disclosed in full retrospectively at the end of the LTIP cycle. Disclosure in advance would give IHG’s major competitors an unfair commercial advantage, providing them with access to key financial and growth targets from IHG’s three-year plan. These competitors would not be subject to the same obligation to make such information available, as they are either unlisted or listed on a stock exchange other than the London Stock Exchange. We will provide updates on an annual basis to give an indication of actual performance against targets and full disclosure of targets and performance will be provided retrospectively after the end of the performance period.
Net System size growthIncrease in number of IHG rooms over three-year performance period.20
Cash flowCumulative annual cash generation over three-year performance period.20Targets for the three years from 2017 are due to be set at the Board’s annual strategy meeting in March 2017 and are not, therefore, available at the time of writing this report. The agreed targets, which will apply in respect of the 2017–19 LTIP cycle, will be disclosed in full in the 2017 Directors’ Remuneration Report.

78                IHG Annual Report and Form 20-F 2016        Governance


Why have we chosen these measures?

We believe that TSR continues to be a key measure of long-term success and aligns the interests of Executive Directors with those of shareholders. However, there is an increased focus on ongoing operational excellence under our asset light business model and TSR will therefore reduce from a 50% to a 40% weighting in the LTIP. A rooms measure will remain in the form of net System size growth, reflecting the importance of building and leveraging our scale. Two new measures will be introduced: total gross revenue, which includes food and beverage income from owned and managed hotels and reflects our diverse income sources; and cash flow, to support our focus on delivering high-quality organic growth, which means delivering consistent, sustained growth in cash flows and profits over the long term. Together, we believe these measures represent the right balance of focus on growth and quality and position our executive remuneration in line with both our long-term strategic aims and the expectations of our shareholders.

How are performance targets set?

Targets may be set relative to the expected outcomes of IHG’s long-range business plan and other long-term strategic objectives and may contain a performance range to incentivise outperformance and minimum performance levels to ensure that poor performance is not rewarded. The targets for the 2017/19 LTIP are set by the Committee, taking into account IHG’s long-range business plan, market expectations and the circumstances and relative performance at the time, with the aim of setting stretching achievement targets for senior executives which will reflect successful outcomes for the business based on its long-term strategic objectives. After completing a robust review process, the comparator group of companies against which outcomes are measured for the 2017/19 cycle has been updated and comprises the following: Accor Hotels; Choice Hotels International Inc.; Hilton Worldwide; Hyatt Hotels Corporation; Marriott International Inc.; Melia Hotels International; Millennium & Copthorne Hotels; NH Hotel Group; and Wyndham Worldwide Corp.

Dilution of Company shares

Incentive plan rules provide that issuance of new shares or re-issued treasury shares, when aggregated with all other share schemes, must not exceed 10% of issued share capital in any rolling 10-year period.

Policy on payment for loss of office

As per the DR Policy, Executive Directors have a notice period from the Group of 12 months. However, neither notice nor a payment in lieu of notice will be given in the event of gross misconduct. In the event of an Executive Director terminating employment, any compensation payable will be determined in accordance with the terms of their service contract and the rules of any relevant incentive plan. Where possible, the Group will seek to ensure that, if a leaver mitigates their losses, for example, by finding new employment, there will be a corresponding reduction in compensation payable for loss of office. An Executive Director may have an entitlement to compensation in respect of their statutory rights under employment protection legislation in the UK or other relevant jurisdiction.

The following table sets out the basis on which payments for loss of office may be made:

Remuneration

component

Circumstances and approach taken (including but not limited to):
Salary and contractual benefits, including pension

Good leaver: Paid up to date of termination or in lieu of notice, if applicable.

Other leaver: Paid up to date of termination or in lieu of notice, if applicable.

Death: Paid up to date of death.

APP award for year of termination

Good leaver: Pro-rated award for year up to date of termination, or later date in exceptional circumstances subject to Committee discretion. No accelerated payment, other than in exceptional circumstances and where permitted under the plan rules subject to Committee discretion. Award made 50% cash and 50% in shares deferred for three years from grant, other than in exceptional circumstances and where permitted under the plan rules subject to Committee discretion.

Other leaver: No award for year of termination, other than in case of termination after end of performance period but before award date (in which case cash portion only of award will be paid); and in exceptional circumstances subject to Committee discretion.

Death: Pro-rated award for year up to date of death, paid fully in cash and accelerated, other than in exceptional circumstances subject to Committee discretion.

Unvested APP deferred share awards

Good leaver: Vest on usual vesting date, other than in exceptional circumstances subject to Committee discretion.

Other leaver: Forfeited, other than in exceptional circumstances subject to Committee discretion; and in the event of a termination in connection with a takeover or reconstitution (in which case unvested APP deferred share awards will have accelerated vesting on the date of termination, unless the Committee determines otherwise).

Death: Accelerated vesting unless Committee decides otherwise.

Unvested LTIP awards

Good leaver: Vest on usual vesting date to extent performance conditions met, other than in exceptional circumstances subject to Committee discretion. Number of shares vesting is pro-rated to date of termination, or other date subject to Committee discretion.

Other leaver: Forfeited, other than in exceptional circumstances subject to Committee discretion. No shares awarded or cash paid under any circumstances in the event of termination due to gross misconduct.

Death: Accelerated vesting: Committee has discretion to determine number of shares vesting, taking into account proportion of performance period elapsed and extent to which performance conditions are satisfied.

Good leaver status will be applied in accordance with the rules of incentive plans, where applicable, and may include retirement, ill-health, transfer of undertaking or redundancy. In the case of the LTIP rules, the Committee has discretion to apply good leaver status and, in doing so, will consider factors such as personal performance and conduct, overall Group performance and the specific circumstances of the Executive Director’s departure including, but not restricted to, whether the Executive Director is leaving by mutual agreement. The Committee would only seek to exercise this and its other discretions under the APP and LTIP plan rules in exceptional circumstances and the application of any such discretion would be disclosed in full as required in the relevant announcement and Annual Report on Directors’ Remuneration.

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Directors’ Remuneration Report        IHG Annual Report and Form 20-F 2016                79


DIRECTORS’ REMUNERATION REPORT CONTINUED

Directors’ Remuneration Policycontinued

Use of discretion by the Remuneration Committee

1. Malus and clawback in incentive plans

The APP and LTIP rules allow the Committee discretion to reduce the level of unvested share awards if circumstances occur that, in the reasonable opinion of the Committee, justify a reduction in one or more awards granted to any one or more participants. The malus provisions relate to unvested awards only. The circumstances in which the Committee may consider it appropriate to exercise its discretion include the following:

misconduct that causes significant damage or potential damage to IHG’s prospects, finances or brand reputation; and/or

actions that lead to material misstatement or restatement of accounts.

This may include, where appropriate, negligence on the part of Executive Directors.

A clawback provision applies to Executive Directors in respect of the APP cash awards and LTIP cycle awards from 2015/17 onwards. The provision applies for three years from the date of payment (for the APP cash award) and the date of vesting (for the LTIP award). Clawback may be operated in the event of gross misconduct on the part of the employee and/or material misstatement in Company or Group financial statements.

These features help ensure alignment between executive reward and shareholder returns.

2. Other uses of discretion

The Committee reserves certain discretions in relation to the outcomes for Executive Directors under the Group’s incentive plans. These operate in two main respects:

enabling the Committee to ensure that outcomes under these plans are consistent with the underlying performance of the business and the experience of shareholders, at the same time as providing a high degree of clarity for shareholders as to remuneration structure and potential quantum; and

enabling the Committee to treat leavers in a way that is fair and equitable to individuals and shareholders under the incentive plans.

The discretions that can be applied in the case of leavers under the APP and LTIP are set out in the section ‘Policy on payment for loss of office’ on page 79.

The discretions that can be applied in respect of the APP and LTIP in the event of a corporate transaction, such as a takeover or merger, include the ability to determine:

the period for which awards may be pro-rated;

whether awards are payable as cash or shares;

the vesting date for awards and whether or not they may be accelerated;

if a transaction occurs prior to the end of a performance period, the extent to which performance conditions have been met;

in the event that a transaction involves the exchange of IHG PLC shares for shares in another company, whether existing share awards may be replaced by an appropriate proportion of shares in a new company; and

any such action as it may think appropriate if other events happen which may have an effect on awards.

Any exercises of discretion by the Committee will be fully disclosed and explained in the relevant year’s Annual Report on Directors’ Remuneration.

Approach to recruitment remuneration

The remuneration of any new Executive Director will be determined in accordance with the Directors’ Remuneration Policy on pages 76 to 77 and the elements that would be considered by the Group for inclusion are:

salary and benefits, including defined contribution pension participation;

participation in the APP with 50% cash and 50% deferred share elements:

-pro-rated for the year of recruitment to reflect the proportion of the year remaining after the date of commencement of employment; and
-if commencement date is after 1 October in the year, no award would normally be made for that year; and

participation in the LTIP:

-pro-rated awards would be made in relation to LTIP cycles outstanding at the time of recruitment; but
-no pro-rated award would be made for an LTIP cycle that has less than nine months to run at the date of commencement of employment.

In addition, the Committee may, in its discretion, compensate a newly recruited Executive Director for incentives foregone from previous employment as a result of their resignation. The Committee would seek validation of the value of any potential incentives foregone. Awards made by way of compensation for incentives foregone would be made on a comparable basis, taking account of performance achieved (or likely to be achieved), the proportion of the performance period remaining and the form of the award. Compensation would, as far as possible, be in the form of LTIP or deferred share awards in order to immediately align a new Executive Director with IHG performance.

The maximum annual level of variable remuneration that may be granted to a newly-recruited Executive Director would be in line with that of the existing Executive Directors:

APP award: 200% of salary, of which 50% of any award will be paid in cash and 50% in the form of shares deferred for three years; and

LTIP award: 205% of salary for a full LTIP cycle commencing after appointment, plus pro-rated awards in relation to LTIP cycles outstanding at the time of recruitment (up to a further 205% of salary).

This excludes any remuneration that constitutes compensation for incentives foregone and any relocation and expatriate or international assignment costs.

Consideration of shareholder views

Shareholder interests are central to decisions on remuneration. Recruiting and retaining quality management is important to the generation of shareholder return. At the same time, IHG does not operate in a vacuum and remuneration decisions need to take account of the practices in the sector, the remuneration of IHG employees overall and of course business performance. We were pleased to see the substantial support for our 2015 Annual Report on Directors’ Remuneration, approved by a majority of 98.58%. As part of the review of incentive plans undertaken in 2015 and 2016, the Chairman of the Remuneration Committee met with a number of our largest shareholders, proxy voting agencies and industry bodies, such as the Investment Association, to discuss our remuneration policy design and its links to business strategy. The feedback from these meetings, while not always consistent, has helped us to refine the small number of changes proposed to DR Policy from 2017, specifically the new absolute measures in the LTIP and the related sharpening of Committee discretion designed to strengthen the focus on operational excellence.

80                IHG Annual Report and Form 20-F 2016        Governance


Consideration of employment conditions elsewhere in the Group

The Committee takes into consideration the pay and conditions of employees throughout the Group when determining remuneration for its Executive Directors. In addition to the review of DR Policy during 2015 and 2016, the Committee reviewed the remuneration structure of other senior employees and agreed changes which were designed to ensure a clear and consistent approach to remuneration that is aligned to the business needs; consistent with the Group’s reward philosophy, strategy and objectives; fair and attractive to colleagues; and rewards the behaviours and outcomes which will deliver shareholder value.

Employees’ pay across the Group is compared to cross-industry standards to ensure fair pay for each job. The Group does not consult with employees as part of the process of determining the DR Policy. However, selected senior employees were consulted as part of the remuneration review referred to above; and questions on the performance of Executive Committee members, including the Executive Directors, are included in annual employee engagement surveys. While formal internal comparison measurements are not used in determining Executive Directors’ remuneration, the Committee makes decisions in the knowledge of pay and incentive arrangements of the rest of the Group, upon which the Committee is briefed regularly.

Service contracts and notice periods for Executive Directors

The Committee’s policy is forIn accordance with the UK Corporate Governance Code, all Executive Directors to have rolling service contracts with a notice period of 12 months. All new appointments will have 12-month notice periods, unless, on an exceptional basis to complete an external recruitment successfully, a longer initial notice period reducing to 12 months is used. This is in accordance with the UK Corporate Governance Code.

All Executive Directors’ appointments and subsequentre-appointments are subject to election and annual re-election by shareholders at the AGM.

DetailsDividends paid to Executive Directors

A final dividend for 2017 of current50.2p per ordinary share (71.0¢ per ADR) was paid on 11 May 2018 to shareholders on the Register of members at the close of business on 3 April 2018.

An interim dividend of 27.7p per ordinary share (36.3¢ per ADR) was paid on 5 October 2018 to shareholders on the Register of members at the close of business on 31 August 2018.

IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2018  |  Governance  |  Directors’ Remuneration Report81


Governance

Directors’ Remuneration Report continued

Annual Report on Directors’ Remuneration continued

Relative performance graph

For LTIP purposes, a TSR comparator group of a global hotels index was used. InterContinental Hotels Group PLC is a member of the FTSE 100 share index, and the graph below shows the Company’s TSR performance from 31 December 2008 to 31 December 2018, assuming dividends are reinvested, compared with the TSR performance achieved by the FTSE 100 and global hotels indices.

All indices are shown in sterling. This data is sourced directly from Thomson Reuters Datastream by Bank of America Merrill Lynch for IHG.

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Chief Executive Directors’ contractsOfficer’s remuneration

The table below shows the Chief Executive Officer’s single figure of total remuneration for the 10 years to 31 December 2018.

Single figure   CEO     2009       2010       2011       2012       2013       2014       2015       2016       2017      2018

 

  

 

    

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

    

 

Single figure  Keith Barr                                    2,161a          3,093
  

 

    

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

    

 

of remuneration  Richard Solomons             4,724      4,881            3,131            6,611b            3,197            3,662           2,207c    
  

 

    

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

    

 

£000  Andrew Cosslett           1,953            5,430            3,770                             

 

  

 

    

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

    

 

Annual incentive  Keith Barr                                    69.7      84.1
  

 

    

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

    

 

received  Richard Solomons             83.0      68.0      74.0      74.0        75.0      63.9     66.8      
  

 

    

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

    

 

(% of maximum)  Andrew Cosslett     0.0      100.0      43.3                             

 

  

 

    

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

    

 

Shares received  Keith Barr                                    46.1      45.4
  

 

    

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

    

 

under the LTIP  Richard Solomons             73.9            100.0      59.0      56.1        50.0      49.4     46.1      
  

 

    

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

    

 

(% of maximum)  Andrew Cosslett     46.0      73.8      61.6                             

 

  

 

    

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

    

 

a

For Keith Barr, the 2017 figure, in respect of the period 1 July to 31 December 2017, includes a one-off cash payment for relocation costs in lieu of benefits received whilst on international assignment prior to CEO position, fully explained in the 2017 report.

b

For Richard Solomons, the 2014 figure includes a one-off cash payment in respect of pension entitlements which was fully explained in the 2014 report.

c

In respect of period 1 January to 30 June 2017.

Percentage change in remuneration of Chief Executive Officer

We believe that a group comprised of UK-based employees is an appropriate comparator for salary and taxable benefits because the structure and composition of remuneration for that group most closely reflects that of the UK-based Chief Executive Officer.

The table below shows the percentage change in the remuneration of the Chief Executive Officer compared with UK employees between 2017 and 2018. The salary figure for the UK employee population has been calculated using the 2018 budget for the annual pay review, taking into account any promotions/market adjustments made during the year. The taxable benefits figure is based on P11D taxable benefits for tax years ending 5 April 2017 and 2018 and therefore relates to Richard Solomons, as no comparative data is available for Keith Barr. For the annual incentive, a group of executives, who report directly to the CEO, is used as a comparator group as they are subject to the same performance measures as the CEO.

 

Executive

Director

Date of

original appointment

Notice

period

Richard Solomons10 February 2003  12 months
Paul Edgecliffe-Johnson1 January 2014Chief Executive Officer   12 months          UK employees
(% change)(% change)
Salary+3.0+2.5
Taxable benefits+3.7+4.6
Annual incentive+22.2+36.8 

Non-executive directorshipsRelative importance of spend on pay

The chart below sets out the actual expenditure of the Group in 2018 and 2017, showing the differences between those years. Further information, including where 2017 figures have been reinstated, can be found on the Group Financial Statements starting on page 96 and the accompanying notes. For 2017, the total distributions to shareholders included a special dividend of 156.4p per share.

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a

See page 36 for Non-GAAP definitions.

82IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2018


Implementation of Directors’ Remuneration Policy in 2019

This section explains how the DR Policy will be applied in 2019.

Salary: Executive Directors

Directors’ salaries are agreed annually in line with the DR Policy. The following salaries will apply from 1 April 2019.

       Increase      2019   2019       2018   2018 
Executive Director      %      £   $       £   $ 
Keith Barr    5.0     

 

   838,200           798,250      
PaulEdgecliffe-Johnsona    10.0     

 

   616,300           560,200      
Elie Maaloufb    8.0          812,200           752,000 
a

The salary increases for Paul Edgecliffe-Johnson and Elie Maalouf above are comprised of a 3% performance-related increase(which is fully in line with that applied to the wider workforce), and a 7% and 5% increase respectively in respect of additional responsibilities

b

Elie Maalouf is paid in US dollars and his annual base salary for 2018 and 2019 is shown in US dollars. The sterling equivalent values calculated using an exchange rate of $1 = £0.75 are: 2018 - £564,000; and 2019 - £609,150.

Keith Barr was appointed to the Board and the role of Chief Executive Officer effective from 1 July 2017. In line with the DR Policy for newly appointed or promoted Executive Directors, he was appointed on a salary set below benchmark policy level and, following strong performance in his first full year in role, an increase higher than that of the corporate UK and US employee population has been agreed by the Remuneration Committee for 2019.

The changes to Paul Edgecliffe-Johnson and Elie Maalouf’s salaries reflect the expanded responsibilities explained in the Remuneration Committee Chair’s Statement on page 72.

LTIP and APP performance measures and targets

LTIP

The measures for the 2019/21 LTIP cycle are as per the 2018/20 cycle and the Directors’ Remuneration Policy available on the Company website,www.ihgplc.com/investorsunder Corporate governance. The performance measures and weightings, together with the full cash flow target disclosures for the 2018/20 cycle as referenced in last year’s report, are shown below.

               Maximum     2018/20 cycle       2019/21 cycle 
       Threshold (%)/       award                       
Performance      maximum     Weighting   (% of     Threshold   Maximum       Threshold   Maximum 
measure   Definition  vesting (%)   (%)   salary)            performance       performance             performance         performance 

 

  

 

    

 

 

     

 

 

 
Relative TSR   IHG’s performance against a comparator group of global hotel companies. TSR is the aggregate of share price growth and dividends paid, assuming reinvestment of dividends in the Company’s shares during the three-year performance period.   20/100    40    82      

Median of
comparator
group
 
 
 
   

Upper quartile
of comparator
group
 
 
 
     

Median of
comparator
group
 
 
 
   

Upper quartile
of comparator
group
 
 
 

 

  

 

    

 

 

     

 

 

 
Cash flow  Cumulative annual cash generation over three-year performance period.   20/100    20    41     

USD

1.63 bn

 

 

   

USD

2.18 bn

 

 

     

USD

1.87 bn

 

 

   

USD

2.49 bn

 

 

 

  

 

    

 

 

 
Total gross revenue  Cumulative increase over three-year performance period.   20/100    20    41     


The targets for these measures are, in the opinion of the Directors,
commercially sensitive, and will therefore be disclosed in full
retrospectively at the end of the LTIP cycle. Disclosure in advance
would give IHG’s major competitors an unfair
 
 
 
 

 

  

 

    
Net system size growth  Increase in number of IHG rooms over three-year performance period.   20/100    20    41     





commercial advantage, providing them with access to key financial
and growth targets from IHG’s three-year plan. These competitors
would not be subject to the same obligation to make such information
available, as they are either unlisted or listed on a stock exchange
other than the London Stock Exchange. Full disclosure of targets and
performance will be provided retrospectively after the end of the
performance period.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

  

 

    

 

 

 

APP

The 2019 APP measures are in line with the approved DR Policy and will be 70% based on EBIT achievement vs target, 15% based on net system size growth and 15% based on other key strategic measures that are reviewed annually and set in line with business priorities. EBIT is a focal measure of business performance for our shareholders and is a function of other companiescritical measures, such as RevPAR, profit margin and fee revenues. The Committee has determined that it is particularly important to incentivise and reward management for achieving a stretching target for net system size growth over the next year, so this will make up 15% of the 2019 APP. The remaining 15% will be based on a savings target for reinvestment to support IHG’s future growth. Further detail and rationale in respect of the key strategic objectives will be disclosed in the 2019 remuneration report.

The Group recognisesCommittee has determined that its Executive Directors maythe targets under the EBIT, net system size growth and other strategic measures are commercially sensitive at this time. However, the targets set and the outcomes against those targets will be invited to become Non-Executive Directors of other companies and that such duties can broaden their experience and knowledge, and benefit the Group. IHG therefore permits its Executive Directors to accept one non-executive appointment (in addition to any positions where the Director is appointed as the Group’s representative), subject to Board approval and as long as this is not,disclosed in full in the reasonable opinion of2019 remuneration report and are in line with the Board, likely to lead to a conflict of interest. Any fees from such appointments may be retained by the individual Executive Director.DR Policy.

MeasureDefinition            Weighting (%)Performance objective

EBITEarnings Before Interest and Tax – a measure of IHG’s operating profit from reportable segmentsafor the year70

Achievement against

target

Net system size growthIncrease in absolute number of rooms15Achievement against
target

Strategic measuresKey strategic measures which are reviewed annually15Achievement against
and set in line with strategic prioritiestarget

a

See page 36 for Non-GAAP definitions.

IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2018  |     Governance  |  Directors’ Remuneration Report83


Remuneration Policy for Non-Executive DirectorsGovernance

The policy for Non-Executive Directors, set out below, will apply for three years from the date of the 2017 AGM.

Directors’ Remuneration Report continued

Annual Report on Directors’ Remuneration continued

    

LOGO    AUDITED     The policy

Single total figure of remuneration: Non-Executive Directors

       Committee      Date of
original
                 

Fees

£000

       

Taxable benefits

£000

       

Total

£000

 
Non-Executive Director      appointments      appointment                   2018                   2017                   2018                   2017                   2018               2017 
Patrick Cescau    

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     01/01/13      422      422      20      21      442      443 
Anne Busquet    LOGO     01/03/15      74      74      7      6      81      80 
Ian Dyson    LOGO     01/09/13      99      99      3      3      102      102 
Jo Harlow    LOGO     01/09/14      99      81      2      3      101      84 
Luke Mayhew    LOGO     01/07/11      74      93      2      2      76      95 
Jill McDonald    LOGO     01/06/13      87      87      4      5      91      92 
Dale Morrison    LOGO     01/06/11      107      107      66      55      173      162 
Malina Ngai    LOGO     01/03/17      74      62      4      7      78      69 

LOGOSee page 55 for Non-Executive Directors is available to view at www.ihgplc.com/investors under Corporate governance in the Committees section.Board and Committee

membership key and attendance.

If any changesFees: Fees paid are madein line with the DR Policy.

Benefits: For Non-Executive Directors, benefits include taxable travel and accommodation expenses to attend Board meetings away from the Policy within that time frame, it will be presenteddesignated home location. Under concessionary HM Revenue and Customs rules, non-UK based Non-Executive Directors are not subject to be voted upon by shareholders.tax on travel expenses for the first five years; this is reflected in the taxable benefits for Anne Busquet and Malina Ngai.

Incentive awards: Non-Executive Directors are not eligible to participatefor any incentive awards.

Pension benefit: Non-Executive Directors are not eligible for any pension contributions or benefit.

Shares held by Non-Executive Directors as at 31 December 2018: number of shares

The Non-Executive Directors who held shares are listed in the APP, LTIP nor any IHG pension plan.table below:

Non-Executive Director      2018       2017 
Patrick Cescau                 3,795       
Jo Harlowa     1,000                  1,000 
Luke Mayhew     1,373      1,373 
Dale Morrisona     3,116      3,116 

Fees and benefits (cash)
Link to strategy

  To attract Non-Executive Directors who have a broad range of skills and experience that add value to our business and help oversee and drive our strategy.

 a

  RecognisesShares held in the valueform of the role and the individual’s skill, performance and experience.

Operation

  Non-Executive Directors’ fees and benefits are set by the Chairman of the Board and Executive Directors; the Chairman’s fees are set by the Committee.

  Fees are reviewed annually and fixed for 12 months from 1 January.

  Consideration is given to business performance, current remuneration competitiveness and average salary increases for the wider IHG employee population.

  Benefits include travel and accommodation in connection with attendance at Board and Committee meetings.

  Non-Executive Directors are not eligible to participate in IHG incentive or pension plans.

  A single fee is determined for each Non-Executive Director role rather than different elements being applied to directorship, Committee and chair roles.

Maximum opportunity

  Fee increases will be in line with median FTSE 100 increases, taking into account the circumstances of the business and increases in remuneration across the Group, other than where there is a change in role or responsibility or another need arises to reassess the competitiveness of fee level that warrants either a lesser or a more significant increase. Any such change will be fully explained.

  IHG pays the cost of providing benefits as required.

Performance framework

  Non-Executive Directors are not eligible to participate in any performance-related incentive plans.American Depository Receipts.

Details ofFees: Non-Executive Directors

The fees for Non-Executive Directors are reviewed and agreed annually in line with the DR Policy. The fee levels for 2019 will be as follows:

Non-Executive Director   Role    2019
              £000
                     2018
£000
 

 

  

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 
Patrick Cescau                                  Chair of the Board    435      422 

 

  

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 
Anne Busquet  Non-Executive Director    77      74 

 

  

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 
Ian Dyson  Chair of Audit Committee    102      99 

 

  

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 
Jo Harlow  Chair of Remuneration Committee    102      99 

 

  

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 
Luke Mayhew  Non-Executive Director    77      74 

 

  

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 
Jill McDonald  Chair of Corporate Responsibility Committee    90      87 

 

  

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 
Dale Morrison  Senior Independent Non-Executive Director    110      107 

 

  

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 
Malina Ngai  Non-Executive Director    77      74 

 

  

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Non-Executive Directors’ letters of appointment and notice periods

for Non-Executive Directors

Non-Executive Directors have letters of appointment, which are available upon request from the Company Secretary’s office.

Patrick Cescau, appointedNon-Executive Chairman on 1 January 2013, Chair, is subject to 12 months’ notice. Other
No other Non-Executive Directors are not subject to notice periods.

All Non-Executive Directors’ appointments and subsequentre-appointmentsDirectors are subject to election and annual re-election by shareholders at the AGM.

 

Non-Executive

Director

84
 Committee
appointments
Date of original
appointment
Notice period
Patrick CescauLOGO1 January 201312 months
Anne BusquetLOGO  LOGO  LOGO1 March 2015n/a
Ian DysonLOGO  LOGO  LOGO1 September 2013n/a
Jo HarlowLOGO  LOGO  LOGO1 September 2014n/a
Luke MayhewLOGOLOGOLOGO1 July 2011n/a
Jill McDonaldLOGO  LOGOLOGO1 June 2013n/a
Dale MorrisonLOGO  LOGO  LOGO1 June 2011n/a

Luke Mayhew

Chairman of the Remuneration Committee

20 February 2017

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Directors’ Remuneration Report        IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2016                812018


GroupRemuneration Committee details

FinancialKey objectives and summary of responsibilities

StatementsThe Remuneration Committee agrees, on behalf of the Board, all aspects of the remuneration of the Executive Directors and the Executive Committee, and agrees the strategy, direction and policy for the remuneration of the senior executives who have a significant influence over the Group’s ability to meet its strategic objectives. The Committee’s role and responsibilities are set out in its Terms of Reference (ToR), which are reviewed annually and approved by the Board.

 

84LOGO 

The ToR are available on IHG’s website at

www.ihgplc.com/investors under Corporate governance.

The Committee’s key focus areas during the year have been:

Reviewing and approving 2017 annual and long-term incentive results for the Executive Directors and other members of the Executive Committee;

Approving and monitoring 2018 annual and ongoing long-term incentive plans; and

Changes to the UK Corporate Governance Code.

Membership and attendance at meetings

Details of the Committee’s membership and attendance at the meetings are set out on page 55.

During 2018 the Committee was supported internally by the Chair, the Group’s CEO and CFO, and the heads of Human Resources and Reward as necessary. All attend by invitation to provide further background information and context to assist the Committee in its duties. They are not present for any discussions that relate directly to their own remuneration or where their attendance would not be appropriate.

Reporting to the Board

The Committee Chair updates the Board on all key issues raised at Committee meetings. Papers and minutes for each meeting are also circulated to all Board members for review and comment.

Stakeholder engagement

The Committee participated in active dialogue with the Finance Reporting Council (FRC) prior to the publication of the 2018 Corporate Governance Code and subsequently consulted a number of major shareholders to discuss potential changes to the Company’s executive remuneration practices in the context of the revised principles outlined in the 2018 Code.

Effectiveness of the Committee

The effectiveness of the Committee is monitored and assessed regularly by myself, as Chair of the Committee, and by the Chair of the Board. The composition, qualifications and experience of the members of the Committee are compliant with the provisions of the new Corporate Governance Code and the ToR have been updated to formally document that compliance. The Committee concluded that it remains effective.

Other focus areas and activities

The focus areas and activities discussed by the Committee during 2018 were: review and approval of performance outcomes and set targets for 2018; diversity and inclusion including the UK Gender Pay disclosure; and consideration of external remuneration developments and best practice.

Remuneration advisers

The Committee continued to retain PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (PwC) throughout 2018 as independent advisers. Fees of £168,743 were paid to PwC in respect of advice provided to the Committee. This was in the form of an agreed fee for support in preparation of papers and attendance at meetings, with work on additional items charged at hourly rates. The terms of engagement for PwC are available from Company Secretary’s office upon request.

PwC is a member of the Remuneration Consultants Group and as such, voluntarily operates under the code of conduct in relation to executive remuneration consulting in the UK and the professional standards to which they have committed to adhere when advising remuneration committees. PwC was appointed following a competitive tender process and the Committee is satisfied that the advice received from PwC is objective and independent.

Looking forward

The Committee will complete a comprehensive review of the Directors’ Remuneration Policy in 2019, taking into consideration the changing strategic focus and competitive environment of the Company, as well as the additional requirements and expectations resulting from external regulation and increased shareholder scrutiny of executive remuneration arrangements.

Voting at the Company’s AGMs

There is no binding vote in respect of the DR Policy at the 2018 AGM as it remained unchanged from 2017.

The outcome of the votes in respect of the DR Policy and Report for 2014 to 2018 are shown below:

       Directors’ Remuneration Policy (binding vote)       Directors’ Remuneration Report (advisory vote) 
AGM      Votes for                     Votes  against                     Abstentions                                Votes for                            Votes against                            Abstentions 
2018                   118,770,985    25,486,193    2,664,237 
                       (82.33%)    (17.67%)      
2017                       120,328,350    5,332,320    261,819      119,155,451    4,426,549    2,340,489 
      (95.76%)    (4.24%)           (96.42%)    (3.58%)      
2016                   167,998,487    2,427,740    5,056,017 
                       (98.58%)    (1.42%)      
2015                   149,415,662    4,633,208    3,642,496 
                       (96.99%)    (3.01%)      
2014     155,440,907    15,483,775    906,025      158,131,479    10,076,027    3,623,200 
      (90.94%)    (9.06%)           (94.01%)    (5.99%)      

Jo Harlow

Chair of the Remuneration Committee

18 February 2019

IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2018  |  Governance  |  Directors’ Remuneration Report85


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Hotel Indigo – Durham, United Kingdom

82                

86

IHG| Annual Report and Form 20-F 2016        Group Financial Statements2018


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Group Financial Statements        IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2016                832018  |  Group Financial Statements87


Group Financial Statements

Statement of Directors’ Responsibilities

 

Financial Statements and accounting records

The Directors are required to prepare financial statements for the Company and the Group at the end of each financial year in accordance with all applicable laws and regulations. Under company law the Directorsdirectors must not approve the Financial Statements unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Group and the profit or loss of the Group for that period. In preparing these Financial Statements, theIHG Directors are required to:

 

selectSelect suitable accounting policies and apply them consistently;

 

makeMake judgements and accounting estimates that are reasonable;

 

stateState whether the Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB), for use in the EU and Article 4 of the EU IAS Regulation;

 

stateState for the Company Financial Statements whether applicable UK accounting standards have been followed; and

 

preparePrepare the Financial Statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the Company and the Group will continue in business.

The Directors have responsibility for ensuring that the Group keeps proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy the financial position of the Group and the Company to enable them to ensure that the Financial Statements comply with the Companies Act 2006 and, as regards the Consolidated Financial Statements, Article 4 of the EU IAS Regulation. The Directors are also responsible for the system of internal control, for safeguarding the assets of the CompanyGroup and the Group,Company, and taking reasonable steps to prevent and detect fraud and other irregularities.

Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules

The Board confirms that to the best of its knowledge:

 

theThe Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with IFRS as issued by the IASB and IFRS as adopted by the EU, give a true and fair view of the assets, liabilities, financial position and profit andor loss of the Group taken as a whole; and

 

theThe Annual Report, including the Strategic Report, includes a fair review of the development and performance of the business and the position of the Group taken as a whole, together with a description of the principal risks and uncertainties that it faces.

UK Corporate Governance Code

Having taken advice from the Audit Committee, the Board considers that this Annual Report and Form 20-F, taken as a whole, is fair, balanced and understandable and that it provides the information necessary for shareholders to assess the Company’s performance, business model and strategy.

Disclosure of information to Auditor

The Directors who held office as at the date of approval of this report confirm that they have taken steps to make themselves aware of relevant audit information (as defined by Section 418(3) of the Companies Act 2006). None of the Directors are aware of any relevant audit information which has not been disclosed to the Company’s Auditor.

Management’s report on internal control over financial reporting

Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting for the Group, as defined in Rule 13a–15(f) and 15d–15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with IFRS.

The Group’s internal control over financial reporting includes policies and procedures that:

 

pertainPertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the Group’s transactions and dispositions of assets;

 

areAre designed to provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit the preparation of the Financial Statements in accordance with IFRS as issued by the IASB and IFRS as adopted by the EU, and that receipts and expenditure are being made only in accordance with authorisation of management and the Directors of the Company; and

 

provideProvide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorised acquisition, use or disposition of the Group’s assets that could have a material effect on the Financial Statements.

Any internal control framework has inherent limitations and internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions or the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

Management has undertaken an assessment of the effectiveness of the Group’s internal control over financial reporting at 31 December 20162018 based on criteria established in the Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 Framework) (the COSO criteria).

Based on this assessment, management has concluded that as at 31 December 20162018 the Group’s internal control over financial reporting was effective.

During the period covered by this document there were no changes in the Group’s internal control over financial reporting that have materially affected or are reasonably likely to materially affect the effectiveness of the internal controls over financial reporting.

The Group’s internal control over financial reporting at 31 December 2016,2018, together with the Group’s Consolidated Financial Statements, were audited by Ernst & Young LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm. Their report on internal control over financial reporting can be found on page 90.95.

For and on behalf of the Board

 

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LOGO
 LOGOLOGO
Richard SolomonsKeith Barr Paul Edgecliffe-Johnson
Chief Executive Officer Chief Financial Officer
2018 February 20172019 2018 February 20172019
 

 

84                88IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2016        Group Financial Statements2018


 

 

 

 

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Independent Auditor’s UK Report        IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2016                852018  |  Group Financial Statements  |  Independent Auditor’s UK Report89


 

    

    

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Independent Auditor’s US Report

 

Report of independent registered public accounting firm on internal control over financial reportingIndependent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Board of Directors and the Shareholders of InterContinental Hotels Group PLC.

Opinion on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

We have audited InterContinental Hotels Group PLC’s internal control over financial reporting as of 31 December 2016,2018, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 framework), (the COSO criteria). In our opinion, InterContinental Hotels Group PLC’sPLC (the Company) maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of 31 December 2018, based on the COSO criteria.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the Group statement of financial position of the Company as of 31 December 2018 and 2017, and the related Group statements of income, comprehensive income, changes in equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended 31 December 2018, and the related notes, and our report dated 18 February 2019 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.

Basis for opinion

The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting included in the accompanying Management’s report on internal control over financial reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Group’sCompany’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States).PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects.

Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

Definition and Limitations of Internal Control over Financial Reporting

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorisations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorised acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

In our opinion, InterContinental Hotels Group PLC maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of 31 December 2016, based on the COSO criteria.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the accompanying 2016 Consolidated Financial Statements of InterContinental Hotels Group PLC, and our report dated 20 February 2017 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.

ERNST & YOUNG LLP

London, England

2018 February 20172019

Report of independent registered public accounting firmIndependent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Board of Directors and the Shareholders of InterContinental Hotels Group PLC.

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying Group statement of financial position of InterContinental Hotels Group PLC (the Company) as of 31 December 20162018 and 2015,2017, and the related Group statements of income, comprehensive income, changes in equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended 31 December 2016. These Financial Statements are2018, and the responsibility ofrelated notes (collectively referred to as the Group’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these Financial Statements based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States)“financial statements”). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the Financial Statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the Financial Statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the Financial Statements referred to abovefinancial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of InterContinental Hotels Group PLCthe Company at 31 December 20162018 and 2015,2017, and the consolidated results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended 31 December 2016,2018, in conformity with International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), InterContinental Hotels Group PLC’sthe Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of 31 December 2016,2018, based on criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 framework), and our report dated 2018 February 20172019 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.

Basis for Opinion

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

ERNST & YOUNG LLP

We have served as auditors since IHG’s listing in April 2003 and of the Company’s predecessor businesses since 1988.

London, England

2018 February 20172019

 

90                IHG Annual Report and Form 20-F 2016        Group Financial Statements


Group Financial Statements

Group income statement

               2016              2015              2014 
For the year ended 31 December 2016  Note   

Before
exceptional
items

$m

  

Exceptional
items

(note 5)

$m

  Total
$m
       

Before
exceptional
items

$m

  

Exceptional
items

(note 5)

$m

  

Total

$m

       

Before
exceptional
items

$m

  

Exceptional
items

(note 5)

$m

  

Total

$m

 
Revenue   2    1,715      1,715        1,803      1,803        1,858      1,858 
Cost of sales        (580     (580       (640     (640       (741     (741
Administrative expenses        (339  (13  (352       (395  (25  (420       (382  (101  (483
Share of losses of associates and joint ventures   2    (2     (2       (3     (3       (4     (4
Other operating income and expenses        9      9        11   880   891        16   130   146 
         803   (13  790        776   855   1,631        747   29   776 
Depreciation and amortisation   2    (96     (96       (96     (96       (96     (96
Impairment charges   2       (16  (16          (36  (36              
Operating profit   2    707   (29  678        680   819   1,499        651   29   680 
Financial income   6    6      6        5      5        3      3 
Financial expenses   6    (93     (93       (92     (92       (83     (83
Profit before tax        620   (29  591        593   819   1,412        571   29   600 
Tax   7    (186  12   (174       (180  (8  (188       (179  (29  (208
Profit for the year from continuing operations        434   (17  417        413   811   1,224        392      392 
Attributable to:                                                    
Equity holders of the parent        431   (17  414        411   811   1,222        391      391 
Non-controlling interest        3      3        2      2        1      1 
         434   (17  417        413   811   1,224        392      392 
Earnings per ordinary share   9                                                
Continuing and total operations:                                                    
Basic                195.3¢                520.0¢                158.3¢ 
Diluted                193.5¢                513.4¢                156.4¢ 

 

LOGOIHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2018  |  Group Financial Statements  |  Independent Auditor’s US Report95


Group Financial Statements

Group Financial Statements

Group income statement

                 2017     2016 
       2018           Restateda            Restateda  
For the year ended 31 December 2018                Note       $m       $m       $m 
Revenue from fee business    3           1,486     1,379     1,329 
Revenue from owned, leased and managed lease hotels    3     447     351     338 
System Fund revenues          1,233     1,242     1,199 
Reimbursement of costs          1,171     1,103     1,046 
Total revenue    2     4,337     4,075     3,912 
Cost of sales          (706    (571    (548
System Fund expenses          (1,379    (1,276    (1,164
Reimbursed costs          (1,171    (1,103    (1,046
Administrative expenses before exceptional items          (344    (337    (345
Share of (losses)/gains of associates and joint ventures    2     (1    3     (2
Other operating income          14     11     9 
Depreciation and amortisation    2     (80    (78    (75
Operating profit before exceptional items          670     724     741 
Impairment charges    6          (18    (16
Other exceptional items    6     (104    22     (13
Operating profit    2     566     728     712 
Financial income    7     5     4     6 
Financial expenses    7     (86    (76    (86
Profit before tax          485     656     632 
Tax    8     (133    (115    (173
Profit for the year from continuing operations          352     541     459 
                         
Attributable to:                        
Equity holders of the parent          351     540     456 
Non-controlling interest          1     1     3 
           352     541     459 
                         
Earnings per ordinary share:    10                   
Continuing and total operations:                        
Basic          184.7     279.8     215.1 
Diluted          182.8     278.4     213.1 

a

Restated for the adoption of IFRS 15 and other presentational changes (see pages 109 to 114).

LOGO 

Notes on pages 98103 to 145161 form an integral

part of these Financial Statements.

 

LOGO

Group Financial Statements        IHG Annual Report and Form 20-F 2016                91


GROUP FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED

Group statement of comprehensive income

For the year ended 31 December 2016    2016
$m
     2015
$m
     2014
$m
 
Profit for the year     417      1,224      392 
Other comprehensive income                     
Items that may be subsequently reclassified to profit or loss:                     

Gains on valuation of available-for-sale financial assets, net of related tax charge of $nil (2015: $nil, 2014: $1m)

     5      2      11 

Exchange gains/(losses) on retranslation of foreign operations, net of related tax charge of $3m (2015: charge of $1m, 2014: credit of $1m)

     182      (2     42 

Fair value gain reclassified to profit on disposal of available-for-sale financial asset

     (7            

Exchange losses reclassified to profit on hotel disposal

           2       
      180      2      53 
Items that will not be reclassified to profit or loss:                     

Re-measurement (losses)/gains on defined benefit plans, net of related tax credit of $4m (2015: charge of $4m, 2014: credit of $7m)

           9      (18

Tax related to pension contributions

           7      2 
            16      (16
Total other comprehensive income for the year     180      18      37 
Total comprehensive income for the year     597      1,242      429 
Attributable to:                     
Equity holders of the parent     594      1,240      428 
Non-controlling interest     3      2      1 
      597      1,242      429 

 

LOGO96 Notes on pages 98 to 145 form an integral
part of these Financial Statements.

92                IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 20162018


Group statement of comprehensive income

             2017      2016 
            2018         Restateda          Restateda  
For the year ended 31 December 2018    $m     $m     $m 
Profit for the year    352     541     459 
Other comprehensive income                  
Items that may be subsequently reclassified to profit or loss:                  

Gains on valuation of available-for-sale financial assetsb, net of related tax charge of $nil

         

(2017: $3m, 2016: $nil)

         41     5 

Fair value gains reclassified to profit on disposal of available-for-sale financial assetsb

         (73    (7

Gains on cash flow hedges, including related tax credit of $1m (2017: $nil, 2016: $nil)

    5           

Costs of hedging

    (1          

Hedging gains reclassified to financial expenses

    (8          

Exchange gains/(losses) on retranslation of foreign operations, including related tax credit of $2m

(2017: net of related tax credit of $1m, 2016: net of related tax charge of $3m)

    43     (88    190 
     39     (120    188 
Items that will not be reclassified to profit or loss:                  

Losses on equity instruments classified as fair value through other comprehensive income, including related tax charge of $2m

(2017: $nil, 2016: $nil)

    (14          

Re-measurement gains/(losses) on defined benefit plans, net of related tax charge of $4m

         

(2017: $nil, 2016: credit of $4m)

    8     (4     

Deferred tax charge on defined benefit plans arising from significant US tax reform

         (11     
     (6    (15     
Total other comprehensive income/(loss) for the year    33     (135    188 
Total comprehensive income for the year    385     406     647 
Attributable to:                  

Equity holders of the parent

    383     404     644 

Non-controlling interest

    2     2     3 
     385     406     647 

a

Restated for the adoption of IFRS 15 (see pages 109 to 113).

b

IFRS 9 has been applied from 1 January 2018. Under the transition method chosen, comparative information has not been restated.

LOGO

Notes on pages 103 to 161 form an integral

part of these Financial Statements.

IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2018  |  Group Financial Statements  |  Group Financial Statements97


Group Financial Statements

Group Financial Statements continued

Group statement of changes in equity

    

  Equity
share
capital
$m
 

Capital

redemption

reserve

$m

 

Shares
held by
employee

share trusts
$m

 Other
reserves
$m
 Unrealised
gains and
losses
reserve
$m
 Currency
translation
reserve
$m
   Retained
earnings
$m
 

IHG share-
holders’
equity

$m

 

Non-
controlling
interest

$m

 

Total equity

$m

       

Equity share
capital

$m

 

Capital
  redemption
reserve

$m

 

Shares

held by

employee

  share trusts
$m

 Other
  reserves
$m
   Fair value
reserve
$m
   Cash flow
hedging
reserve
$m
 

Currency
  translation
reserve

$m

     Retained
earnings
$m
 

  IHG share-
holders’
equity

$m

 

Non-

  controlling
interest

$m

 Total equity
$m
 
At 1 January 2016   169  11  (18 (2,888 113  269    2,653  309  10  319 
At 1 January 2018             
(restated for IFRS 15)  154  10  (5 (2,874 79     377    951  (1,308 7  (1,301
Impact of adopting IFRS 9 (page 113)              (18         18          
At 1 January 2018  154  10  (5 (2,874 61     377    969  (1,308 7  (1,301
Profit for the year                      414  414  3  417                          351  351  1  352 
Other comprehensive income                                              
Items that may be subsequently reclassified to profit or loss:                                              

Gains on valuation of available-for-sale financial assets

              5         5     5 

Gains on cash flow hedges

                 5         5     5 

Costs of hedging

                 (1        (1    (1

Hedging gains reclassified to financial expenses

                 (8        (8    (8

Exchange gains on retranslation of foreign operations

                 182      182     182                     42      42  1  43 

Fair value gain reclassified to profit on disposal of available-for-sale financial asset

              (7        (7    (7
Total other comprehensive income for the year               (2  182       180      180 
                 (4 42      38  1  39 
Items that will not be reclassified to profit or loss:                        

Losses on equity instruments classified as fair value through other comprehensive income

              (14           (14    (14

Re-measurement gains on defined benefit plans

                         8  8     8 
              (14         8  (6    (6
Total other comprehensive (loss)/income for the year              (14 (4 42    8  32  1  33 
Total comprehensive income for the year               (2  182    414   594   3   597               (14 (4 42    359  383  2  385 
Transfer of treasury shares to employee share trusts        (24            24                  (19               19          
Purchase of own shares by employee share trusts        (10              (10    (10        (3                 (3    (3
Release of own shares by employee share trusts        39             (39                 24                (24         
Equity-settled share-based cost                      23  23     23                          39  39     39 
Tax related to share schemes                      11  11     11                          3  3     3 
Equity dividends paid                      (1,693 (1,693 (5 (1,698                         (199 (199 (1 (200
Transaction costs relating to shareholder returns                      (1 (1    (1
Exchange adjustments   (28 (2 2  28                      (8    (1 9                       
At 31 December 2016   141   9   (11  (2,860  111   451    1,392   (767  8   (759
At 31 December 2018  146  10  (4 (2,865 47  (4 419    1,166  (1,085 8  (1,077

All items above are shown net of tax.

 

LOGOLOGO 

Notes on pages 98103 to 145161 form an integral

part of these Financial Statements.

LOGO

 

Group Financial Statements        98IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2016                932018


GROUP FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED

Group statement of changes in equitycontinued

 

    

    

    Equity
share
capital
$m
  

Capital

redemption

reserve

$m

  

Shares
held by
employee

share trusts
$m

  Other
reserves
$m
  Unrealised
gains and
losses
reserve
$m
   Currency
translation
reserve
$m
  Retained
earnings
$m
  

IHG share-
holders’
equity

$m

  

Non-
controlling
interest

$m

   

Total equity

$m

 
At 1 January 2015   178   12   (35  (2,896  111    269   1,636   (725  8    (717
Profit for the year                      1,222   1,222   2    1,224 
Other comprehensive income                                           
Items that may be subsequently reclassified to profit or loss:                                           

Gains on valuation of available-for-sale financial assets

               2          2       2 

Exchange losses on retranslation of foreign operations

                   (2     (2      (2

Exchange losses reclassified to profit on hotel disposal

                   2      2       2 
                2          2       2 
Items that will not be reclassified to profit or loss:                                           

Re-measurement gains on defined benefit plans

                      9   9       9 

Tax related to pension contributions

                      7   7       7 
                       16   16       16 
Total other comprehensive income for the year               2       16   18       18 
Total comprehensive income for the year               2       1,238   1,240   2    1,242 
Purchase of own shares by employee share trusts         (47               (47      (47
Release of own shares by employee share trusts         62             (62          
Equity-settled share-based cost                      24   24       24 
Tax related to share schemes                      5   5       5 
Equity dividends paid                      (188  (188      (188
Exchange adjustments   (9  (1  2   8                     
At 31 December 2015   169   11   (18  (2,888  113    269   2,653   309   10    319 

       

Equity share

capital

   Capital
  redemption
reserve
  

Shares

held by

employee

   share trusts

  Other
    reserves
      Fair value
reserve
  Currency
   translation
reserve
     Retained
earnings
     IHG share-
holders’
equity
  Non-
    controlling
interest
     Total equity 
     $m   $m  $m  $m  $m  $m  $m  $m  $m  $m 
At 1 January 2017            
(restated for IFRS 15)   141    9   (11  (2,860  111   466   990   (1,154  8   (1,146
Profit for the year                      540   540   1   541 
Other comprehensive income                                          
Items that may be subsequently reclassified to profit or loss:                                          

Gains on valuation of available-for-sale financial assets

                41         41      41 

Fair value gain reclassified to profit on disposal of available-for-sale financial asset

                (73        (73     (73

Exchange losses on retranslation of foreign operations

                   (89     (89  1   (88
                 (32  (89     (121  1   (120
Items that will not be reclassified to profit or loss:                                          

Re-measurement losses on defined benefit plans

                      (4  (4     (4

Deferred tax charge on defined benefit plans arising from significant US tax reform

                      (11  (11     (11
                       (15  (15     (15
Total other comprehensive (loss)/income for the year                (32  (89  (15  (136  1   (135
Total comprehensive income for the year                (32  (89  525   404   2   406 
Transfer of treasury shares to employee share trusts          (20           20          
Purchase of own shares by employee share trusts          (3              (3     (3
Release of own shares by employee share trusts          29            (29         
Equity-settled share-based cost                      29   29      29 
Tax related to share schemes                      9   9      9 
Equity dividends paid                      (593  (593  (3  (596
Exchange adjustments   13    1      (14                  
At 31 December 2017   154    10   (5  (2,874  79   377   951   (1,308  7   (1,301

All items above are shown net of tax.

 

LOGOLOGO 

Notes on pages 98103 to 145161 form an integral

part of these Financial Statements.

 

94                IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 20162018  |  Group Financial Statements  |  Group Financial Statements99


Group Financial Statements

 

Group Financial Statements continued

    

Equity
share

capital

$m

  

Capital

redemption

reserve

$m

   

Shares
held by
employee

share

trusts

$m

  Other
reserves
$m
  Unrealised
gains and
losses
reserve
$m
   Currency
translation
reserve
$m
   

Retained
earnings

$m

  

IHG
share-
holders’

equity
$m

  

Non-

controlling

interest

$m

  

Total
equity

$m

 
At 1 January 2014   189   12    (38  (2,906  100    227    2,334   (82  8   (74
Profit for the year                        391   391   1   392 
Other comprehensive income                                            
Items that may be subsequently reclassified to profit or loss:                                            

Gains on valuation of available-for-sale financial assets

                11           11      11 

Exchange gains on retranslation of foreign operations

                    42       42      42 
                 11    42       53      53 
Items that will not be reclassified to profit or loss:                                            

Re-measurement losses on defined benefit plans

                        (18  (18     (18

Tax related to pension contributions

                        2   2      2 
                         (16  (16     (16
Total other comprehensive income for the year                11    42    (16  37      37 
Total comprehensive income for the year                11    42    375   428   1   429 
Repurchase of shares                        (110  (110     (110
Transaction costs relating to shareholder returns                        (1  (1     (1
Purchase of own shares by employee share trusts          (58                (58     (58
Release of own shares by employee share trusts          60              (60         
Equity-settled share-based cost                        28   28      28 
Tax related to share schemes                        12   12      12 
Equity dividends paid                        (942  (942  (1  (943
Exchange adjustments   (11      1   10                     
At 31 December 2014   178   12    (35  (2,896  111    269    1,636   (725  8   (717

Group statement of changes in equity continued

       Equity share
capital
  

Capital

   redemption
reserve

  

Shares
held by
employee

   share trusts

  Other
     reserves
      Fair value
reserve
  

    Currency

translation
reserve

      Retained
earnings
      IHG share-
holders’
equity
  

Non-

controlling
     interest

    Total equity 
     $m  $m  $m  $m  $m  $m  $m  $m  $m  $m 
At 1 January 2016           
(as previously reported)   169   11   (18  (2,888  113   269   2,653   309   10   319 
Impact of adopting           
IFRS 15 (pages 109-113)                  7   (444  (437     (437
At 1 January 2016   169   11   (18  (2,888  113   276   2,209   (128  10   (118
Profit for the year                     456   456   3   459 
Other comprehensive income                                         
Items that may be subsequently reclassified to profit or loss:                                         

Gains on valuation of available-for-sale financial assets

               5         5      5 

Fair value gain reclassified to profit on disposal of available-for-sale financial assets

               (7        (7     (7

Exchange gains on retranslation of foreign operations

                  190      190      190 
Total other comprehensive (loss)/income for the year               (2  190      188      188 
Total comprehensive income for the year               (2  190   456   644   3   647 
Transfer of treasury shares to employee share trusts         (24           24          
Purchase of own shares by employee share trusts         (10              (10     (10
Release of own shares by employee share trusts         39            (39         
Equity-settled share-based cost                     23   23      23 
Tax related to share schemes                     11   11      11 
Equity dividends paid                     (1,693  (1,693  (5  (1,698
Transaction costs relating to shareholder returns                     (1  (1     (1
Exchange adjustments   (28  (2  2   28                   
At 31 December 2016   141   9   (11  (2,860  111   466   990   (1,154  8   (1,146

All items above are shown net of tax.

 

LOGOLOGO 

Notes on pages 98103 to 145161 form an integral

part of these Financial Statements.

LOGO

Group Financial Statements        IHG Annual Report and Form 20-F 2016                95


GROUP FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED

Group statement of financial position

31 December 2016    Note     

2016

$m

     

2015

$m

 
ASSETS                     
Property, plant and equipment     12      419      428 
Goodwill and other intangible assets     13      1,292      1,226 
Investment in associates and joint ventures     14      111      136 
Trade and other receivables     16      8      3 
Other financial assets     15      248      284 
Non-current tax receivable            23      37 
Deferred tax assets     7      48      49 
Total non-current assets            2,149      2,163 
Inventories            3      3 
Trade and other receivables     16      472      462 
Current tax receivable            77      4 
Other financial assets     15      20       
Cash and cash equivalents     17      206      1,137 
Total current assets            778      1,606 
Total assets     2      2,927      3,769 
LIABILITIES                     
Loans and other borrowings     20      (106     (427
Derivative financial instruments            (3     (3
Loyalty programme liability     32      (291     (223
Trade and other payables     18      (681     (616
Provisions     19      (3     (15
Current tax payable            (50     (85
Total current liabilities            (1,134     (1,369
Loans and other borrowings     20      (1,606     (1,239
Retirement benefit obligations     25      (96     (129
Loyalty programme liability     32      (394     (426
Trade and other payables     18      (200     (152
Provisions     19      (5      
Deferred tax liabilities     7      (251     (135
Total non-current liabilities            (2,552     (2,081
Total liabilities     2      (3,686     (3,450
Net (liabilities)/assets            (759     319 
EQUITY                     
Equity share capital     27      141      169 
Capital redemption reserve     27      9      11 
Shares held by employee share trusts     27      (11     (18
Other reserves     27      (2,860     (2,888
Unrealised gains and losses reserve     27      111      113 
Currency translation reserve     27      451      269 
Retained earnings            1,392      2,653 
IHG shareholders’ equity            (767     309 
Non-controlling interest     27      8      10 
Total equity            (759     319 

Signed on behalf of the Board

Paul Edgecliffe-Johnson

20 February 2017

 

LOGO100 Notes on pages 98 to 145 form an integral
part of these Financial Statements.

96                IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2016        Group Financial Statements2018


Group statement of cash flowsfinancial position

    

    

 

For the year ended 31 December 2016    Note     

2016

$m

     

2015

$m

     2014
$m
 
Profit for the year            417      1,224      392 
Adjustments reconciling profit for the year to cash flow from operations     24      536      (414     361 
Cash flow from operations     24      953      810      753 
Interest paid            (75     (75     (76
Interest received            4      2      2 
Tax paid on operating activities     7      (130     (109     (136
Net cash from operating activities            752      628      543 
Cash flow from investing activities                            
Purchase of property, plant and equipment            (32     (42     (84
Purchase of intangible assets            (175     (157     (162
Investment in associates and joint ventures            (14     (30     (15
Loan advances to associates and joint ventures            (2     (25     (3
Investment in other financial assets            (13     (28     (5
Acquisition of business, net of cash acquired     10            (438      
Capitalised interest paid            (5     (4     (2
Disposal of hotel assets, net of costs and cash disposed            (5     1,277      345 
Repayments related to intangible assets            3             
Loan repayments by associates and joint ventures                  22       
Proceeds from associates and joint ventures            2      9       
Repayments of other financial assets            25      6      49 
Tax paid on disposals     7            (1      
Net cash from investing activities            (216     589      123 
Cash flow from financing activities                            
Purchase of own shares                        (110
Purchase of own shares by employee share trusts            (10     (47     (68
Dividends paid to shareholders     8      (1,693     (188     (942
Dividend paid to non-controlling interest            (5           (1
Transaction costs relating to shareholder returns            (1           (1
Issue of long-term bonds            459      458       
Other new borrowings                  400       
Long-term bonds repaid            (315            
New borrowings repaid                  (400      
Increase/(decrease) in other borrowings            109      (355     382 
Proceeds from foreign exchange swaps                  22       
Close-out of currency swaps                        4 
Net cash from financing activities            (1,456     (110     (736
Net movement in cash and cash equivalents in the year            (920     1,107      (70
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the year     17      1,098      55      134 
Exchange rate effects            (61     (64     (9
Cash and cash equivalents at end of the year     17      117      1,098      55 
          2017     2016 
                 2018           Restateda              Restateda  
31 December 2018               Note      $m      $m     $m 
ASSETS                        
Property, plant and equipment    12     447     425     419 
Goodwill and other intangible assets    13     1,143     967     858 
Investment in associates and joint ventures    14     104     141     111 
Trade and other receivables                    8 
Retirement benefit assets    25          3      
Other financial assets    15     260     228     248 
Derivative financial instruments    22     7           
Non-current tax receivable          31     16     23 
Deferred tax assets    8     60     75     69 
Contract costs    3     55     51     45 
Contract assets    3     270     241     185 
Total non-current assets          2,377     2,147     1,966 
Inventories          5     3     3 
Trade and other receivables    16     613     551     469 
Current tax receivable          27     101     77 
Other financial assets    15     1     16     20 
Derivative financial instruments    22     1           
Cash and cash equivalents    17     704     168     206 
Contract costs    3     5     7     8 
Contract assets    3     20     17     13 
Total current assets          1,376     863     796 
Total assets    2     3,753     3,010     2,762 
LIABILITIES                        
Loans and other borrowings    20     (120    (126    (106
Derivative financial instruments                    (3
Trade and other payables    18     (618    (597    (526
Deferred revenue    3     (572    (490    (462
Provisions    19     (10    (3    (3
Current tax payable          (50    (64    (50
Total current liabilities          (1,370    (1,280    (1,150
Loans and other borrowings    20     (2,129    (1,893    (1,606
Retirement benefit obligations    25     (91    (104    (96
Trade and other payables    18     (158    (36    (29
Deferred revenue    3     (934    (867    (852
Provisions    19     (17    (5    (5
Non-current tax payable               (25     
Deferred tax liabilities    8     (131    (101    (170
Total non-current liabilities          (3,460    (3,031    (2,758
Total liabilities    2     (4,830    (4,311    (3,908
Net liabilities          (1,077    (1,301    (1,146
EQUITY                        
Equity share capital    27     146     154     141 
Capital redemption reserve    27     10     10     9 
Shares held by employee share trusts    27     (4    (5    (11
Other reserves    27     (2,865    (2,874    (2,860
Fair value reserve    27     47     79     111 
Cash flow hedging reserve    27     (4          
Currency translation reserve    27     419     377     466 
Retained earnings          1,166     951     990 
IHG shareholders’ equity          (1,085    (1,308    (1,154
Non-controlling interest    27     8     7     8 
Total equity          (1,077    (1,301    (1,146

a

Restated for the adoption of IFRS 15 (see pages 109 to 113).

Signed on behalf of the Board,

Paul Edgecliffe-Johnson

18 February 2019

LOGO

Notes on pages 103 to 161 form an integral

part of these Financial Statements.

 

LOGONotes on pages 98 to 145 form an integral
part of these Financial Statements.

LOGO

Group Financial Statements        IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 20162018  |  Group Financial Statements  97|  Group Financial Statements101


Group Financial Statements

Group Financial Statements continued

Group statement of cash flows

                    2017      2016 
             2018         Restateda          Restateda  
For the year ended 31 December 2018            Note     $m     $m     $m 
Profit for the year          352     541     459 
Adjustments reconciling profit for the year to cash flow from operations before contract acquisition costs    24     502     308     491 
Cash flow from operations before contract acquisition costs    24     854     849     950 
Contract acquisition costs, net of repayments          (54    (57    (42
Cash flow from operations          800     792     908 
Interest paid          (70    (69    (72
Interest received          2     1     4 
Tax paid on operating activities    8     (66    (147    (130
Net cash from operating activities          666     577     710 
Cash flow from investing activities                        
Purchase of property, plant and equipment          (46    (44    (32
Purchase of intangible assets          (112    (172    (130
Investment in associates and joint ventures          (1    (47    (14
Loan advances to associates and joint ventures                    (2
Investment in other financial assets          (33    (30    (13
Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired    11     (38          
Capitalised interest paid    7     (5    (6    (5
Landlord contributions to property, plant and equipment          8     14      
Disposal of hotel assets, net of costs and cash disposed                    (5
Loan repayments by associates and joint ventures               9      
Distributions from associates and joint ventures          32          2 
Repayments of other financial assets          8     20     25 
Disposal of equity securities    15          75      
Tax paid on disposals    8     (2    (25     
Net cash from investing activities          (189    (206    (174
Cash flow from financing activities                        
Purchase of own shares by employee share trusts          (3    (3    (10
Dividends paid to shareholders    9     (199    (593    (1,693
Dividend paid to non-controlling interest          (1    (3    (5
Transaction costs relating to shareholder returns                    (1
Issue of long-term bonds, including effect of currency swaps    20     554          459 
Long-term bonds repaid                    (315
(Decrease)/increase in other borrowings    20     (268    153     109 
Proceeds from currency swaps          3           
Net cash from financing activities          86     (446    (1,456
Net movement in cash and cash equivalents in the year          563     (75    (920
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the year    17     58     117     1,098 
Exchange rate effects          (21    16     (61
Cash and cash equivalents at end of the year    17     600     58     117 

a

Restated for the adoption of IFRS 15 (see pages 109 to 113).

LOGO

Notes on pages 103 to 161 form an integral

part of these Financial Statements.

102IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2018


Accounting policies

    

    

General information

This document constitutes the Annual Report and Financial Statements in accordance with UK Listing Rules requirements and the Annual Report on Form 20-F in accordance with the US Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

The Consolidated Financial Statements of InterContinental Hotels Group PLC (the Group or IHG) for the year ended 31 December 20162018 were authorised for issue in accordance with a resolution of the Directors on 2018 February 2017.2019. InterContinental Hotels Group PLC (the Company) is incorporated and domiciled in Great Britain and registered in England and Wales.

Significant accounting policies

Basis of preparation

The Consolidated Financial Statements of IHG have been prepared on a going concern basis and under the historical cost convention, except for available-for-sale equity securitiesassets classified as fair value through other comprehensive income (FVOCI) and liabilities and derivatives which are measured at fair value.value through profit or loss. The Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs) as issued by the IASB and in accordance with IFRS as adopted by the European Union (EU) and as applied in accordance with the provisions of the Companies Act 2006. IFRS as adopted by the EU differs in certain respects from IFRS as issued by the IASB. However, the differences have no impact on the Consolidated Financial Statements for the years presented.

With effect from 1 January 2016, the Group has adopted amendmentsThe impact of adopting new accounting standards is disclosed on pages 109 to existing standards arising from the Annual Improvements to IFRSs 2012–2014 cycle, Amendments to IAS 16 and IAS 38 ‘Clarification of Acceptable Methods of Depreciation and Amortisation’ and Amendments to IFRS 11 ‘Accounting for Acquisition of Interests in Joint Operations’. The adoption of these amendments has had no impact on the Group’s financial performance or position.114.

The Group also adopted Amendments to IAS 1 ‘Disclosure Initiative’ during the year, resulting in the presentation of the loyalty programme liability separately on the statement of financial position and the separate presentation of deferred revenue in note 18.

Presentational currency

The Consolidated Financial Statements are presented in millions of US dollars reflecting the profile of the Group’s revenue and operating profit which are primarily generated in US dollars or US dollar-linked currencies.

In the Consolidated Financial Statements, equity share capital, the capital redemption reserve and shares held by employee share trusts are translated into US dollars at the rates of exchange on the last day of the period; the resultant exchange differences are recorded in other reserves.

The functional currency of the parent companyParent Company is sterling since this is a non-trading holding company located in the United Kingdom that has sterling denominated share capital and whose primary activity is the payment and receipt of sterling dividends and of interest on sterling denominated external borrowings and inter-company balances.

Basis of consolidation

The Consolidated Financial Statements comprise the Financial Statements of the parent companyParent Company and entities controlled by the Group. Control exists when the Group has:

 

power over an investee (ie(i.e. existing rights that give it the current ability to direct the relevant activities of the investee);

 

exposure, or rights, to variable returns from its involvement with the investee; and

 

the ability to use its power over the investee to affect its returns.

All intra-group balances and transactions are eliminated on consolidation.

The assets, liabilities and results of those businesses acquired or disposed of are consolidated for the period during which they were under the Group’s control.

The Group operates a deferred compensation plan in the US which allows certain employees to make additional provision for retirement, through the deferral of salary with matching company contributions. Employees can draw down on the plan in certain

limited circumstances during employment. The assets of the plan are held in a company-owned trust which is not consolidated as the relevant activity of the trust, being the investment of the funds in the trust, is directed by the participating employees of the plan and the company has no exposure to the gains and losses resulting from those investment decisions. The assets of the trust are held solely for the benefit of the participating employees and to pay plan expenses, other than in the case of a company insolvency in which case they can be claimed by the general creditors of the company. At 31 December 2016,2018, the trust had assets with a fair value of $161m (2015: $148m)$193m (2017: $197m).

Foreign currencies

Transactions in foreign currencies are translated to functional currency at the exchange rates ruling on the dates of the transactions. Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are retranslated to the functional currency at the relevant rates of exchange ruling on the last day of the period. Foreign exchange differences arising on translation are recognised in the income statement except on foreign currency borrowings that provide a hedge against a net investment in a foreign operation. These are taken directly to the currency translation reserve until the disposal of the net investment, at which time they are recycled against the gain or loss on disposal.

The assets and liabilities of foreign operations, including goodwill, are translated into US dollars at the relevant rates of exchange ruling on the last day of the period. The revenues and expenses of foreign operations are translated into US dollars at average rates of exchange for the period. The exchange differences arising on retranslation are taken directly to the currency translation reserve. On disposal of a foreign operation, the cumulative amount recognised in the currency translation reserve relating to that particular foreign operation is recycled against the gain or loss on disposal.

98                IHG Annual Report and Form 20-F 2016        Group Financial Statements


Property, plant and equipment

Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost less depreciation and any impairment.

Repairs and maintenance costs are expensed as incurred.

Land is not depreciated. All other property, plant and equipment are depreciated to a residual value over their estimated useful lives, namely:

 

buildingsBuildings – lesser of 50 years and unexpired term of lease; and

 

fixtures,Fixtures, fittings and equipment – three to 25 years.

All depreciation is charged on a straight-line basis. Residual value is re-assessed annually.

Property, plant and equipment are tested for impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. Assets that do not generate independent cash flows are combined into cash-generating units. If carrying values exceed their estimated recoverable amount, the assets or cash-generating units are written down to the recoverable amount. Recoverable amount is the greater of fair value less costs of disposal and value in use. Value in use is assessed based on estimated future cash flows discounted to their present value using a pre-tax discount rate that reflects current market assessments of the time value of money and the risks specific to the asset. Impairment losses, and any subsequent reversals, are recognised in the income statement.

On adoption of IFRS, the Group retained previous revaluations of property, plant and equipment which are included at deemed cost as permitted by IFRS 1 ‘First-time Adoption of International Financial Reporting Standards’.

Business combinations and goodwill

On the acquisition of a business, identifiable assets and liabilities acquired are measured at their fair value. Contingent liabilities

IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2018  |  Group Financial Statements  |  Accounting policies103


Group Financial Statements

Accounting policies continued

assumed are measured at fair value unless this cannot be measured reliably, in which case they are not recognised but are disclosed in the same manner as other contingent liabilities. The measurement of deferred tax assets and liabilities arising on acquisition is as described in the general principles detailed within the ‘Taxes’ accounting policy note on page 101106 with the exception that no deferred tax is provided on taxable temporary differences in connection with the initial recognition of goodwill.

The cost of an acquisition is measured as the aggregate of the fair value of the consideration transferred. Contingent and deferred consideration is remeasured at fair value at each reporting date with changes in fair value recognised in profit or loss.

Goodwill is recorded at cost, being the difference between the fair value of the consideration and the fair value of net assets acquired. Following initial recognition, goodwill is measured at cost less any accumulated impairment losses and is not amortised.

Goodwill is tested for impairment at least annually by comparing carrying values of cash-generating units with their recoverable amounts. Impairment losses relating to goodwill cannot be subsequently reversed.

Transaction costs are expensed and are not included in the cost of acquisition.

Intangible assets

Brands

Externally acquired brands are initially recorded at cost if separately acquired or fair value if acquired as part of a business combination, provided the brands are controlled through contractual or other legal rights, or are separable from the rest of the business, and the fair value can be reliably measured. Brands are amortised over their estimated useful lives (and tested for impairment if there are indicators of impairment) or tested for impairment at least annually if determined to have indefinite lives.

The costs of developing internally generated brands are expensed as incurred.

Management contracts

Management contracts acquired as part of a business combination are initially recorded at the fair value attributed to those contracts on acquisition.

When hotel assets are sold and a purchaser enters into a franchise or management contract with the Group, the Group capitalises as part of the gain or loss on disposal an estimate of the fair value of the contract entered into.

The value of management contracts is amortised on a straight-line basis over the life of the contract including any extension periods at IHG’s option, up to a maximum of 50 years.

Software

Acquired and internally developed software are capitalised on the basis of the costs incurred to acquire and bring to use the specific software. Costs are generally amortised over estimated useful lives of three to five years on a straight-line basis.

Internally generated development costs are expensed unless forecast revenues exceed attributable forecast development costs, in which case they are capitalised and amortised over the estimated useful life of the asset.

Other intangible assets

Amounts paid to hotel owners to secure management contracts and franchise agreements are capitalised and amortised on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives, being the full contractual term, up to a maximum of 50 years.

Intangible assets are reviewed for impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable.

Associates and joint ventures

An associate is an entity over which the Group has significant influence. Significant influence is the power to participate in the financial and operating policy decisions of the entity, but is not control or joint control over those policies.

A joint venture exists when two or more parties have joint control over, and rights to the net assets of, the venture. Joint control is the contractually agreed sharing of control which only exists when decisions about the relevant activities require the unanimous consent of the parties sharing control.

LOGO

Accounting policies        IHG Annual Report and Form 20-F 2016                99


ACCOUNTING POLICIES CONTINUED

Associates and joint ventures are accounted for using the equity method unless the associate or joint venture is classified as held for sale. Under the equity method, the Group’s investment is recorded at cost adjusted by the Group’s share

of post-acquisition profits and losses and other movements in the investee’s reserves. When the Group’s share of losses exceeds its interest in an associate or joint venture, the Group’s carrying amount is reduced to $nil and recognition of further losses is discontinued except to the extent that the Group has incurred legal or constructive obligations or made payments on behalf of an associate or joint venture.

If there is objective evidence that an associate or joint venture is impaired, an impairment charge is recognised if the carrying amount of the investment exceeds its recoverable amount.

Upon loss of significant influence over an associate or joint control of a joint venture, any retained investment is measured at fair value with any difference to carrying value recognised in the income statement.

Financial assets

ThePolicy from 1 January 2018

On initial recognition, the Group classifies its financial assets into oneas being subsequently measured at amortised cost, fair value through other comprehensive income (FVOCI), or fair value through profit or loss.

Financial assets which are held to collect contractual cash flows and give rise to cash flows that are solely payments of principal and interest (SPPI) on the principal outstanding are subsequently measured at amortised cost. Interest on these assets is calculated using the effective interest rate method and is recognised in the income statement as interest income. The Group recognises a provision for expected credit losses for all debt instruments held at amortised cost. Where there has not been a significant increase in credit risk since initial recognition, provision is made for defaults that are possible within the next 12 months. Where there has been a significant increase in credit risk since initial recognition, provision is made for credit losses expected over the remaining life of the two following categories: loansasset.

The Group has elected to irrevocably designate equity investments as FVOCI when they meet the definition of equity under IAS 32 ‘Financial Instruments: Presentation’ and receivablesare not held for trading. Changes in the value of equity investments classified as FVOCI are recorded directly in equity within the fair value reserve and are never recycled to the income statement. Dividends from equity investments classified as FVOCI are recognised in the income statement as other operating income and expenses. Equity instruments classified as FVOCI are not subject to impairment assessment.

The Group does not currently hold any financial assets, other than derivatives, which are measured at fair value through profit or available-for-sale financial assets. loss.

Policy prior to 1 January 2018

Management determines the classification of financial assets on initial recognition and they are subsequently held at amortised cost (loans and receivables) or fair value (available-for-sale financial assets)equity investments). Interest on loans and receivables is calculated using the effective interest rate method and is recognised in the income statement as interest income. Changes in fair values of available-for-sale financial assetsequity investments are recorded directly in equity within the unrealised gains and lossesfair value reserve. On disposal, the accumulated fair value adjustments recognised in equity are recycled to the income statement. Dividends from available-for-sale financial assetsequity investments are recognised in the income statement as other operating income and expenses.

Financial assets are assessed for impairment at each period-end date. In the case of an equity investment classified as available-for-sale,measured at fair value, a significant or prolonged decline in fair value below cost is evidence that the asset is impaired. If an available-for-sale financial assetequity investment is impaired, the difference between original cost and fair value is transferred from equity to the income statement to the extent of any cumulative loss recorded in equity, with any excess charged directly to the income statement. Subsequent impairment reversals relating to previously impaired equity instruments are recorded in equity.

104IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2018


Trade receivables

Policy from 1 January 2018

Trade receivables are recorded at their original amount less provision for expected credit losses. The Group has elected to apply the simplified version of the expected credit loss model permitted by IFRS 9 in respect of trade receivables, which involves assessing lifetime expected credit losses on all balances. The Group has established a provision matrix that is based on its historical credit loss experience by region and may be adjusted for specific forward-looking factors. The carrying amount of the receivable is reduced through the use of a provision account and movements in the provision are recognised in the income statement within cost of sales.

When a previously provided trade receivable is uncollectable, it is written off against the provision. Balances which are more than 180 days past due are considered to be in default and are written off the ledgers but continue to be actively pursued. Adjustments to this policy may be made in specific circumstances.

At each reporting date, the Group assesses whether trade receivables are credit-impaired, for example if the customer is in significant financial difficulty.

Policy prior to 1 January 2018

Trade receivables are recorded at their original amount less provision for impairment. It is the Group’s policy to provide for 100% of the previous month’s aged receivables balances which are more than 180 days past due. Adjustments to the policy may be made due to specific or exceptional circumstances. The carrying amount of the receivable is reduced through the use of a provision account and movements in the provision are recognised in the income statement within cost of sales. When a previously provided trade receivable is uncollectable, it is written off against the provision.

Cash and cash equivalents

Cash comprises cash in hand and demand deposits.

Cash equivalents are short-term highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less that are readily convertible to known amounts of cash and subject to insignificant risk of changes in value.

In the statement of cash flows, cash and cash equivalents are shown net of short-term overdrafts which are repayable on demand and form an integral part of the Group’s cash management.

Assets held for sale

Assets and liabilities are classified as held for sale when their carrying amount will be recovered principally through a sale transaction rather than continuing use and a sale is highly probable and expected to complete within one year. For a sale to be highly probable, management need to be committed to a plan to sell the asset and the asset must be actively marketed for sale at a price that is reasonable in relation to its current fair value.

Assets designated as held for sale are held at the lower of carrying amount at designation and fair value less costs to sell.

Depreciation is not charged against property, plant and equipment classified as held for sale.

Offsetting of financial assets and financial liabilities

Financial assets and financial liabilities are offset and the net amount is reported in the Group statement of financial position if there is a currently enforceable legal right to offset the recognised amounts and there is an intention to settle on a net basis or to realise the assets and settle the liabilities simultaneously. To meet these criteria, the right of set-off must not be contingent on a future event and must be legally enforceable in all of the following circumstances: the normal course of business, the event of default and the event of insolvency or bankruptcy of the Group and all of the counterparties.

Bank and other borrowings

Bank and other borrowings are initially recognised at the fair value of the consideration received less directly attributable transaction costs. They are subsequently measured at amortised cost. Finance charges, including the transaction costs and any discount or premium on issue, are recognised in the income statement using the effective interest rate method.

Borrowings are classified as non-current when the repayment date is more than 12 months from the period-end date or where they are drawn on a facility with more than 12 months to expiry.

Derivative financial instruments and hedging

Derivatives are initially recognised and subsequently re-measured at fair value. The method of recognising the re-measurement depends on whether the derivative is designated as a hedging instrument, and if so, the nature of the item being hedged.

Changes in the fair value of derivatives designated as cash flow hedges are recorded in other comprehensive income and the unrealised gains and losses reserve to the extent that the hedges are effective. When the hedged item is recognised, the cumulative gains and losses on the related hedging instrument are reclassified to the income statement.

Changes in the fair value of derivatives designated as net investment hedges are recorded in other comprehensive income and the currency translation reserve to the extent that the hedges are effective. The cumulative gains and losses remain in equity until a foreign operation is sold, at which point they are reclassified to the income statement.

Changes in the fair value of derivatives which have either not been designated as hedging instruments or relate to the ineffective portion of hedges are recognised immediately in the income statement.

Documentation outlining the measurement and effectiveness of any hedging arrangement is maintained throughout the life of the hedge relationship.

Interest arising from currency derivatives and interest rate swaps is recorded in either financial income or expenses over the term of the agreement, unless the accounting treatment for the hedging relationship requires the interest to be taken to reserves.

Cash flow hedges

100                IHG Annual Report and Form 20-F 2016        Group Financial Statements


Financial instruments are classified as cash flow hedges when hedging exposure to variability in cash flows that are attributable to either a highly probable forecast transaction or a particular risk associated with a recognised asset or liability.

Changes in the fair value are recorded in other comprehensive income and the cash flow hedging reserve to the extent that the hedges are effective. When the hedged item is recognised, the cumulative gains and losses on the related hedging instrument are reclassified to the income statement.

Net investment hedges

Financial instruments are classified as net investment hedges when they hedge the Group’s net investment in foreign operations.

Changes in the fair value are recorded in other comprehensive income and the currency translation reserve to the extent that the hedges are effective. The cumulative gains and losses remain in equity until a foreign operation is sold, at which point they are reclassified to the income statement.

Self insurance

Liabilities in respect of self insured risks include projected settlements for known and incurred but not reported claims. Projected settlements are estimated based on historical trends and actuarial data.

Provisions

Provisions are recognised when the Group has a present obligation as a result of a past event, it is probable that a payment will be made and a reliable estimate of the amount payable can be made. If the effect of the time value of money is material, the provision is discounted using a current pre-tax discount rate that reflects the risks specific to the liability.

An onerous contract provision is recognised when the unavoidable costs of meeting the obligations under a contract exceed the economic benefits expected to be received under it.

In respect of litigation, provision is made when management consider it probable that payment may occur even though the defence of the related claim may still be ongoing through the court process.

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Group Financial Statements

Accounting policies continued

Taxes

Current tax

Current income tax assets and liabilities for the current and prior periods are measured at the amount expected to be recovered from, or paid to, the tax authorities, including interest. The tax rates and tax laws used to compute the amount are those that are enacted or substantively enacted at the end of the reporting period.

Deferred tax

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognised in respect of temporary differences between the tax base and carrying value of assets and liabilities including accelerated capital allowances,on fixed assets, software, application fees, contract costs, unrelieved tax losses, unremitted profits from subsidiaries, gains rolled over into replacement assets, gains on previously revalued properties and other short-term temporary differences.

Judgement is used when assessing the extent to which deferred tax assets, particularly in respect of tax losses, should be recognised. Deferred tax assets are therefore recognised to the extent that it is regarded as probable that there will be sufficient and suitable taxable profits (including the future release of deferred tax liabilities) in the relevant legal entity or tax group against which such assets can be utilised in the future. For this purpose, forecasts of future taxable profits are considered by assessing the Group’s forecast revenue and profit models, taking into account future growth predictions and operating cost assumptions. Accordingly, changes in assumptions to the Group’s forecasts may have an impact on the amount of future taxable profits and therefore the period over which any deferred tax assets might be recovered.

Deferred tax is calculated at the tax rates that are expected to apply in the periods in which the asset or liability will be settled, based on rates enacted or substantively enacted at the end of the reporting period.

Where deferred tax assets and liabilities arise in the same entity or group of entities and there would be a legal right to offset the assets and liabilities were they to reverse, the assets and liabilities are also offset on the Group statement of financial position. Similarly, if there is no legal right to offset assets against liabilities, the assets and liabilities are not offset.

Retirement benefits

Defined contribution plans

Payments to defined contribution schemes are charged to the income statement as they fall due.

Defined benefit plans

Plan assets are measured at fair value and plan liabilities are measured on an actuarial basis using the projected unit credit method, and discountingdiscounted at an interest rate equivalent to the current rate of return on a high-quality corporate bond of equivalent currency and term to the plan liabilities. The difference between the value of plan assets and liabilities at the period-end date is the amount of surplus or deficit recorded in the statement of financial position as an asset or liability. An asset is recognised when the employer has an unconditional right to use the surplus at some point during the life of the plan or on its wind-up.

The service cost of providing pension benefits to employees, together with the net interest expense or income for the year, is charged to the income statement within ‘administrative expenses’. Net interest is calculated by applying the discount rate to the net defined benefit asset or liability, after any asset restriction. Past service costs and gains, which are the change in the present value of the defined benefit obligation for employee service in prior periods resulting from plan amendments, are recognised immediately the plan amendment occurs. Settlement gains and losses, being the difference between the settlement cost and the present value of the defined benefit obligations being settled, are recognised when the settlement occurs.

Re-measurements comprise actuarial gains and losses, the return on plan assets (excluding amounts included in net interest) and changes in the amount of any asset restrictions. Actuarial gains and losses may result from: differences between the actuarial assumptions underlying the plan liabilities and actual experience during the year or changes in the actuarial assumptions used in the valuation of the plan liabilities. Re-measurement gains and losses, and taxation thereon, are recognised in other comprehensive income and are not reclassified to profit or loss in subsequent periods.

Actuarial valuations are carried out on a regular basis and are updated for material transactions and other material changes in circumstances (including changes in market prices and interest rates) up to the end of the reporting period.

Revenue recognition

Revenue arises from the sale of goods and provision of services where these activities give rise to economic benefits received and receivable by the Group on its own account and result in increases in equity.

Revenue is derived fromrecognised at an amount that reflects the following sources:consideration to which the Group expects to be entitled in exchange for transferring goods or services to a customer.

Fee business revenue

Under franchise fees; management fees; owned and leased propertiesagreements, the Group’s performance obligation is to provide a licence to use IHG’s trademarks and other revenues whichintellectual property. Franchise royalty fees are ancillary to the Group’s operations, including technology fee income.

Revenue is recorded (excluding VAT and similar taxes) net of discounts.

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ACCOUNTING POLICIES CONTINUED

The following is a description of the composition of revenues of the Group.

Franchise fees

Received in connection with the licence of the Group’s brand names, usually under long-term contracts with the hotel owner. The Group charges franchise royalty feestypically charged as a percentage of hotel gross rooms revenue. Revenuerevenues and are treated as variable consideration, recognised as the underlying hotel revenues occur.

Under management agreements, the Group’s performance obligation is recognised when the fee is earned in accordance with the terms of the contract.

Managementto provide hotel management services and a licence to use IHG’s trademarks and other intellectual property. Base and incentive management fees

Earned from hotels managed by the Group, usually under long-term contracts with the hotel owner. Management are typically charged. Base management fees include a base fee, generallyare typically a percentage of total hotel revenue, which is recognised when earned in accordance with the terms of the contractrevenues and an incentive fee,management fees are generally based on the hotel’s profitability or cash flows andflows. Both are treated as variable consideration. Like franchise fees, base management fees are recognised as the underlying hotel revenues occur. Incentive management fees are recognised over time when it is considered highly probable that the related performance criteria will be met, provided there is no expectation of a subsequent reversal of the revenue.

Application and re-licensing fees are met undernot considered to be distinct from the termsfranchise performance obligation and are recognised over the life of the related contract.

Contract assets

Amounts paid to hotel owners to secure management contracts and franchise agreements (‘key money’) are treated as consideration payable to a customer. A contract asset is initially recorded which is recognised as a deduction to revenue over the initial term of the contract.

OwnedRevenue from owned and leased hotels

Primarily derived from hotel operations, includingAt its owned, leased and managed lease hotels, the rental ofGroup’s performance obligation is to provide accommodation and other goods and services to guests. Revenue includes rooms revenue and food and beverage sales, from owned and leased hotels operated under the Group’s brand names. Revenuewhich is recognised when the rooms are occupied and food and beverages are sold.

Franchise feesCost reimbursements

In a managed property, the Group acts as employer of the general manager and other employees at the hotel and is entitled to reimbursement of these costs. The performance obligation is satisfied over time as the employees perform their duties, consistent with when reimbursement is received. Reimbursements for these services are shown as revenue with an equal matching employee cost, with no profit impact. Certain other costs relating to both managed and franchised hotels are also contractually reimbursable to IHG and, where IHG is deemed to be acting as principal in the provision of the related services, the revenue and cost are shown on a gross basis.

106IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2018


System Fund revenues

The Group operates a System Fund (the Fund) to collect and administer cash assessments from hotel owners for the specific purpose of use in marketing, the Guest Reservation Systems and hotel loyalty programme. The Fund also receives proceeds from the sale of loyalty points under third-party co-branding arrangements. The Fund is not managed to generate a profit or loss for IHG, but is managed for the benefit of hotels in the IHG System with the objective of driving revenues for the hotels.

Under both franchise and management fees include liquidated damages received fromagreements, the early termination of contracts.

Other revenuesGroup is required to provide marketing and reservations services, as well as other centrally managed programmes. These services are recognised when earnedprovided by the Fund and are funded by assessment fees. Costs are incurred and allocated to the Fund in accordance with the termsprinciples agreed with the IHG Owners Association. The Group acts as principal in the provision of the contract.services as the related expenses primarily comprise payroll and marketing expenses under contracts entered into by the Group. The assessment fees from hotel owners are generally levied as a percentage of hotel revenues and are recognised as those hotel revenues occur.

Certain travel agency commission revenues within the Fund are recognised on a net basis, where it has been determined that IHG is acting as agent.

In respect of the loyalty programme (IHG Rewards Club), the related performance obligation is to arrange for the provision of future benefits to members on consumption of previously earned reward points. Members have a choice of benefits: reward nights at an IHG hotel or other goods or services provided by third parties. Under its franchise and management contracts, IHG receives assessment fees based on total qualifying hotel revenue from IHG Rewards Club members’ hotel stays.

The Group’s performance obligation is not satisfied in full until the member has consumed the points at a participating hotel or selected a reward from a third-party. Accordingly, loyalty assessments are deferred in an amount that reflects the stand-alone selling price of the future benefit to the member. The amount of revenue ultimately recognised is impacted by a “breakage” estimate of the number of points that will never be consumed. On an annual basis, the Group engages an external actuary who uses statistical formulae to assist in formulating this estimate.

As materially all of the points will be either consumed at IHG managed or franchised hotels owned by third parties, or exchanged for awards provided by third parties, IHG is deemed to be acting as agent on consumption and therefore recognises the related revenue net of the cost of reimbursing the hotel or third-party that is providing the benefit.

Performance obligations under the Group’s co-branding arrangements comprise:

arranging for the provision of future benefits to members who have earned points or free night certificates;

marketing services; and

providing the co-brand partner with the right to access the loyalty programme.

Fees from these agreements comprise fixed amounts normally payable at the beginning of the contract, and variable amounts paid on a monthly basis. Variable amounts are typically based on the number of points and free night certificates issued to members and the marketing services performed by the Group. Total fees are allocated to the performance obligations based on their estimated stand-alone selling prices. Revenue allocated to marketing and licensing obligations is recognised on a monthly basis as the obligation is satisfied. Revenue relating to points and free night certificates is recognised when the member has consumed the points or certificates at a participating hotel or has selected a reward

from a third-party, net of the cost of reimbursing the hotel or third-party that is providing the benefit.

Judgement is required in estimating the stand-alone selling prices which are based upon generally accepted valuation methodologies regarding the value of the licence provided, and the number of points and certificates expected to be issued. However the value of revenue recognised and the deferred revenue balance at the end of the year is not materially sensitive to changes in these assumptions.

Contract costs

Certain costs incurred to secure management and franchise contracts, typically developer commissions, are capitalised and amortised over the initial term of the related contract. These costs are presented as ‘Contract costs’ in the Group statement of financial position.

Contract assets and contract costs are reviewed for impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable.

Share-based payments

The cost of equity-settled transactions with employees is measured by reference to fair value at the date at which the right to the shares is granted. Fair value is determined by an external valuer using option pricing models.

The cost of equity-settled transactions is recognised, together with a corresponding increase in equity, over the period in which any performance or service conditions are fulfilled, ending on the date on which the relevant employees become fully entitled to the award (vesting date).

The income statement charge for a period represents the movement in cumulative expense recognised at the beginning and end of that period. No expense is recognised for awards that do not ultimately vest, except for awards where vesting is conditional upon a market or non-vesting condition, which are treated as vesting irrespective of whether or not the market or non-vesting condition is satisfied, provided that all other performance and/or service conditions are satisfied.

Leases

Operating lease rentals are charged to the income statement on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease.

Assets held under finance leases, which transfer to the Group substantially all the risks and benefits incidental to ownership of the leased item, are capitalised at the inception of the lease, with a corresponding liability being recognised for the fair value of the leased asset or, if lower, the present value of the minimum lease payments. Lease payments are apportioned between the reduction of the lease liability and finance charges in the income statement so as to achieve a constant rate of interest on the remaining balance of the liability. Assets held under finance leases are depreciated over the shorter of the estimated useful life of the asset and the lease term.

Disposal of non-current assets

The Group recognises sales proceeds and any related gain or loss on disposal on completion of the sales process. In determining whether the gain or loss should be recorded, the Group considers whether it:

 

has a continuing managerial involvement to the degree associated with asset ownership;

 

has transferred the significant risks and rewards associated with asset ownership; and

 

can reliably measure and will actually receive the proceeds.

IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2018  |  Group Financial Statements  |  Accounting policies107


Group Financial Statements

Accounting policies continued

Fair value measurement

The Group measures available-for-sale equity securitiesfinancial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss, financial assets measured at FVOCI, and derivatives at fair value on a recurring basis and other assets when impaired by reference to fair value less costs of disposal. Additionally, the fair value of other financial assets and liabilities requirerequires disclosure.

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. Fair value is measured by reference to the principal market for the asset or liability assuming that market participants act in their economic best interests.

The fair value of a non-financial asset assumes the asset is used in its highest and best use, either through continuing ownership or by selling it.

The Group uses valuation techniques that maximise the use of relevant observable inputs using the following valuation hierarchy:

 

Level 1:

 quoted (unadjusted) prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

Level 2:

 other techniques for which all inputs which have a significant effect on the recorded fair value are observable, either directly or indirectly.

Level 3:

 techniques which use inputs which have a significant effect on the recorded fair value that are not based on observable market data.

For assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis, the Group determines whether transfers have occurred between levels in the hierarchy by re-assessing 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.

Further disclosures on the particular valuation techniques used by the Group are provided in note 23.

For impairment testing purposes and whereWhere significant assets (such as property) are valued by reference to fair value less costs of disposal, an external valuation will normally be obtained using professional valuers who have appropriate market knowledge, reputation and independence.

Exceptional items

The Group discloses certain financial information both including and excluding exceptional items. The presentation of information excluding exceptional items allows a better understanding of the underlying trading performance of the Group and provides consistency with the Group’s internal management reporting. Exceptional items are identified by virtue of either their size or nature so as to facilitate comparison with prior periods and to assess underlying trends in the financial performance of the Group and its regional operating segments. Exceptional items can include, but are not restricted to, gains and losses on the disposal of assets, impairment charges and reversals and restructuring costs.

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Critical accounting policies and the use of judgements, estimates and assumptions

In determining and applying the Group’s accounting policies, management are required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions. An accounting policy is considered to be critical if its selection or application could materially affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the Financial Statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Management consider accounting for the System Fund to be a critical judgement and that critical estimates and assumptions are used in impairment testing and for measuring the loyalty programme liability, and litigation provisions, as discussed in further detail below. Estimates and assumptions are evaluated by management using historical experience and other factors believed to be reasonable based on current circumstances. Actual results could differ under different policies, judgements, estimates and assumptions or due to unforeseen circumstances.

System Fund – in addition to management or franchise fees, hotels within the IHG System (other than for Kimpton and InterContinental hotels) pay cash assessments and contributions which are collected by IHG for specific use within the System Fund (the Fund). The Fund also receives proceeds from the sale of IHG Rewards Club points. IHG exerts significant influence over the operation of the Fund, however the Fund is managed for the benefit of hotels in the System with the objective of driving revenues for the hotels. The Fund is used to pay for marketing, the IHG Rewards Club loyalty programme and the Guest Reservation System. The Fund is planned to operate at breakeven with any short-term timing surplus or deficit carried in the Group statement of financial position within working capital.

As all Fund income is designated for specific purposes and does not result in a profit or loss for the Group, the revenue recognition criteria as outlined in the accounting policy above are not met and therefore the income and expenses of the Fund are not included in the Group income statement.

The assets and liabilities relating to the Fund are included in the appropriate headings in the Group statement of financial position as the related legal, but not beneficial, rights and obligations rest with the Group. These assets and liabilities include the IHG Rewards Club liability, short-term timing surpluses and deficits and any receivables and payables related to the Fund.

The cash flows relating to the Fund are reported within ‘cash flow from operations’ in the Group statement of cash flows due to the close interrelationship between the Fund and the trading operations of the Group.

LOGOFurther information on the Fund is included in note 32.

Loyalty programme – the hotel loyalty programme, IHG Rewards Club, enables members to earn points, funded through hotel assessments, during each qualifying stay at an IHG branded hotel and redeemconsume points at a later date for free accommodation or other benefits. The Group recognises deferred revenue in an amount that reflects IHG’s unsatisfied performance obligations, valued at the stand-alone selling price of the future redemption liabilitybenefit to the member. The amount of revenue recognised and deferred is calculatedimpacted by multiplying the number of points expected to be redeemed before they expire by the redemption cost per point.‘breakage’. On an annual basis the Group engages an external actuary who uses statistical formulae to assist in the estimate of the number of points that will never be redeemed (‘breakage’)consumed ‘breakage’.

Following the introduction of a points expiration policy in 2015, breakage has become more judgemental due to there being limited historical data on the impact of such a change. Actuarial gains and losses on the future redemption liability are borne by the System Fund and any resulting changes in the liability would correspondingly adjust the amount of short-term timing surplusesSystem Fund revenues recognised and deficits helddeferred revenue in the Group statement of financial position.

At 31 December 2016,2018, deferred revenue relating to the future redemption liabilityloyalty programme was $685m (2015: $649m)$1,181m (2017: $1,057m). Based on the conditions existing at the balance sheet date, a one percentage point decrease in the breakage estimate relating to outstanding points would increase this liability by approximately $9m.$14m.

Impairment testing – intangible assets with definite useful lives, and property, plant and equipment, contract assets and contract costs are tested for impairment when events or circumstances indicate that their carrying value may not be recoverable. Goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite useful lives are subject to an impairment test on an annual basis or more frequently if there are indicators of impairment. Assets that do not generate independent cash flows are combined into cash-generating units. Associates and joint ventures are tested for impairment when there is objective evidence that they might be impaired.

The impairment testing of individual assets or cash-generating units requires an assessment of the recoverable amount of the asset or cash-generating unit. If the carrying value of the asset or cash-generating unit exceeds its estimated recoverable amount, the asset or cash-generating unit is written down to its recoverable amount. Recoverable amount is the greater of fair value less costs of disposal and value in use. Value in use is assessed based on estimated future cash flows discounted to their present value using a pre-tax discount rate that is based on the Group’s weighted average cost of capital adjusted to reflect the risks specific to the business model and territory of the cash-generating unit or asset being tested. The outcome of such an assessment is subjective, and the result sensitive to the assumed future cash flows to be generated by the cash-generating units or assets and discount rates applied in calculating the value in use.

At 31 December 2016,2018, the Group had goodwill of $232m (2015: $233m)$313m (2017: $237m) and brands of $193m (2015:$250m (2017: $193m), both of which are subject to annual impairment testing. Information on the impairment tests performed is included in note 13.

At 31 December 2016,2018, the Group also had property, plant and equipment, other intangible assets (excluding goodwill and brands) and investments in associates and joint ventures with a net book value of $419m, $867m$447m, $580m and $111m (2015: $428m, $800m$104m (2017: $425m, $537m and $136m)$141m) respectively. In 2016, anNo impairment charge of $16m was recognised in relation to an associate investment as described in detail in note 14.during the year. In respect of those other assets requiring an impairment test and depending on how recoverable amount was assessed, a 10% reduction in fair value or estimated future cash flows would have resulted in a furtheran impairment charge of $18m.

Litigation – from time to time, the Group is subject to legal proceedings the ultimate outcome of each being always subject to many uncertainties inherent in litigation. A provision for litigation is made when it is considered probable that a payment will be made and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. Significant judgement is made when evaluating, amongst other factors, the probability of an unfavourable outcome and the ability to make a reasonable estimate of the amount of potential loss. Litigation provisions are reviewed at each accounting period and revisions made for changes in facts and circumstances.$10m.

 

 

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Accounting policies        IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2016                1032018


ACCOUNTING POLICIES CONTINUED

 

New accounting standards and presentational changes

    

    

New standards issued but not effective

The new and amended accounting standards discussed below are those which are expected to be relevant to the Group Financial Statements.

IFRS 15 ‘Revenue from Contracts with Customers’

With effect from 1 January 2018, the Group has adopted IFRS 15 ‘Revenue from Contracts with Customers’ which introduces a new five-step approach to measuring and recognising revenue from contracts with customers and will be adopted by the Group with effect from 1 January 2018.customers. Under IFRS 15, revenue is recognised at an amount that reflects the consideration to which an entity expects to be entitled in exchange for transferring goods or services to a customer.

Management are continuingThe Group has elected to assessapply the impactfull retrospective method in adopting IFRS 15 and has applied the following practical expedients:

the transaction price at the date of contract completion was used for contracts that had variable consideration and were completed before 1 January 2018;

for contracts modified before 1 January 2016, the aggregate effect of all modifications has been reflected when (i) identifying satisfied and unsatisfied performance obligations, (ii) determining the transaction price and (iii) allocating the transaction price to the satisfied and unsatisfied performance obligations.

Prior to adoption of IFRS 15, and have reached initial conclusions on all key implementation issues, with the exception of accounting for the Group’s loyalty programme. Basedrevenue was primarily comprised of fee-based revenue from franchise and management contracts, and hotel revenue in owned, leased and managed lease properties. The recognition of these revenue streams is largely unchanged by IFRS 15 (see accounting policy on page 106).

The key changes resulting from the work completed to date and excluding the loyalty programme, the key impactsadoption of IFRS 15 are expected to be as follows:

1. System Fund reservationManaged and marketing assessments

Under IFRS 15, an entity is a principal if it controls a service prior to transfer to the customer. As reservations and marketing expenses currently recognised in the System Fund primarily comprise payroll and marketing expenses under contracts entered into by the Group, management have determined that the Group controls these services. Assessment fees will therefore be shown as revenue with a corresponding matching expense, representing the obligation to spend funds for the benefit of the System. Whilst this will result in the reporting of significant additional revenue and costs, there will be no profit impact.

2. Employeefranchised hotel cost reimbursements

Under IFRS 15, the provision of employees to managed hotels is not considered to be a service that is distinct from the general hotel management service. Reimbursements for the costscost of IHG employees working in managed hotels willare therefore be shown as revenue with an equal matching cost, with no profit impact.

Certain other costs relating to both managed and franchised hotels are also contractually reimbursable to IHG and where IHG is deemed to be acting as principal in the provision of the related services, the revenue and cost are shown on a gross basis under IFRS 15 in the lines ‘Reimbursement of costs’ and ‘Reimbursed costs’. Under currentprevious accounting policies, no revenue is recorded in the Group income statement for either of 1 or 2.matching cost was recognised. This change increased 2017 revenue and expense by $1,103m, with no profit impact.

3. Initial franchiseapplication and re-licensing fees

Under currentprevious accounting, application and re-licensing fees arewere recognised as revenue when billed as the monies received are not refundable and IHG has no further obligations to satisfy. Under IFRS 15, there is a requirement to consider whether the payment of these fees transfers a distinct good or service to the customer that is separate from the promise to provide franchise services. As this is not the case, IFRS 15 requires initial franchiseapplication and re-licensing fees to be recognised as services are provided, over the life of the related contract. The spreading of these fees is expected to resultresults in aan initial reduction to revenue and operating profit, and the recognition of deferred revenue on the balance sheet,statement of financial position, reflecting the profile of increasingincreased amounts received in recent years. InThis change reduced 2017 revenue from fee business by $14m and increased 2017 deferred revenue by $163m, comprising $24m current and $139m non-current. There was also a period when application$40m decrease in deferred tax liabilities related to this adjustment.

Contract costs

Contract costs related to securing management and re-licensing feesfranchise contracts were previously charged to the income statement as incurred. Under IFRS 15, certain costs qualify to be capitalised as the cost of obtaining a contract and are constant from yearamortised over the initial term of the related contract. This change increased 2017 operating profit by $5m and the capitalisation of contract costs on the statement of financial position at 31 December 2017 by $58m, comprising $7m current and $51m non-current. There was also a $15m increase in deferred tax liabilities related to year, this accounting change would not be expected to have a material profit impact.adjustment.

4. AmountsAmortisation of amounts paid to hotel owners to secure management contracts and franchise agreements (‘key money’)

Under currentprevious accounting, key money payments arewere capitalised as intangible assets and amortised over the life of the related contracts. Under IFRS 15, these payments are treated as ‘consideration payable to a customer’ and therefore recorded as a contract asset and recognised as a deduction to revenue over the contract term. This change is not expectedresults in a reduction to have a material impactrevenue and depreciation and amortisation for the year ended 31 December 2017 of $17m, with no change to operating profit, and the reclassification of key money on reported results but will result in the reportingstatement of higher operating marginsfinancial position from intangible assets to contract assets at 31 December 2017 of $257m, of which $17m was classified as current and lower EBITDA.$240m was classified as non-current.

5. In the Group statement of cash flows, these contract acquisition costs are reclassified from investing activities to cash flow from operations.

Owned hotel disposals subject to a management contract

Under currentprevious accounting, when hotels arewere sold and the Group retainsretained management of the hotel, the consideration recognised includesincluded both the cash received and the fair value of the management contract which iswas capitalised as an intangible asset and subsequently amortised to the income statement. This accounting iswas governed by the ‘exchange of assets’ criteria included in IAS 16 ‘Property, Plant and Equipment’ and IAS 38 ‘Intangible Assets’. IFRS 15 specifically includes property sales in its scope and results in the sales consideration being recorded at the fair value of the encumbered hotel, which generally will be equivalent to the cash received. This change is expected to resultresulted in the de-recognitionderecognition of historic intangible asset balances at 31 December 2017 of $243m and a lower amortisation charge in the income statement.statement for the year ended 31 December 2017 of $8m. This change also resulted in an increase in deferred tax assets and reduction in deferred tax liabilities of $19m and $32m respectively at 31 December 2017.

6. PresentationOther adjustments

Other adjustments, which are immaterial, include re-assessments of IHG’s role as principal in other revenue transactions and disclosure

The presentation and disclosure requirementsthe treatment of IFRS 15 representpayments under performance guarantees as a significant change from current practice and will increase the volume of disclosures required in the notesreduction to the financial statements.transaction price within management contracts.

System Fund adjustments

The Group plansoperates a System Fund (the Fund) to applycollect and administer cash assessments from hotel owners for the full retrospective approach when transitioningspecific purpose of use in marketing, the Guest Reservation Systems and hotel loyalty programme. The Fund also receives proceeds from the sale of loyalty points under third-party co-branding arrangements. The Fund is not managed to generate a profit or loss for IHG, but is managed for the benefit of hotels in the System with the objective of driving revenues for the hotels. Consequently, under previous accounting these revenues and expenses were not recorded in the Group income statement.

Under IFRS 15, an entity is regarded as a principal if it controls a service prior to transfer to the new standard which will result in restated comparatives for 2017customer. As marketing and 2016reservations expenses primarily comprise payroll and marketing expenses under contracts entered into by the Group, management has determined that the Group controls these services. Fund revenues and expenses are therefore recognised on thea gross basis that IFRS 15 had always applied.

The Group is currently in the processGroup income statement. Assessment fees from hotel owners are generally levied as a percentage of quantifying the financial impactshotel revenues and are recognised as those hotel revenues occur.

In respect of the above adjustments which are expected to result in the reporting of significantly higher revenues (of at least $1.6bn) and an immaterial reduction in operating profit. Resolution of loyalty programme accounting could result in(IHG Rewards Club), the reporting of additional revenue butGroup has determined that the related performance obligation is not expectedsatisfied in full until the member has consumed the points at a participating hotel. Accordingly, revenue related to have any further impact on operating profit.loyalty points earned by members or sold under co-branding arrangements is deferred in an

 

 

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Group Financial Statements

New accounting standards and presentational changes continued

amount that reflects the stand-alone selling price of the future benefit to the member. As materially all of the points will be consumed at IHG managed or franchised hotels owned by third parties, IHG is deemed to be acting as agent on redemption and therefore recognises the related revenue net of the cost of reimbursing the hotel that is providing the hotel stay. The deferred revenue balance under IFRS 15 (31 December 2017: $1,057m) is higher than the points redemption cost liability that was recognised under previous accounting (31 December 2017: $760m) resulting in an increase in the Group’s net liabilities.

Management has also determined that in addition to the performance obligation for the redemption of points, co-branding arrangements contain other performance obligations including marketing services and the right to access the loyalty programme. Revenue attributable to the stand-alone selling price of these additional services is recognised as the Group performs its obligations over the term of the co-branding arrangement.

Certain travel agency commission revenues within the Fund will be recognised on a net basis, where it has been determined that IHG acts as agent under IFRS 15.

Under previous accounting, any short-term timing surplus or deficit in the Fund was carried in the Group statement of financial position within working capital. Under IFRS 15, the in-year Fund surplus or deficit is recognised in the Group income statement. Both the previous accounting treatment and the change on applying IFRS 15, (and the equivalent US GAAP standard), are consistent with other companies in the hotel industry. The Fund surplus of $158m at 31 December 2017 was derecognised resulting in a reduction in the Group’s net liabilities.

IHG also records an interest charge on the accumulated balance of cash in advance of the consumption of IHG Rewards Club points. In 2017 these interest payments totalled $7m, and were recognised as interest income for the Fund and interest expense for IHG. The System Fund also benefits from the capitalisation of interest related to the development of the next-generation Guest Reservation System, which totalled $6m in 2017. As the Fund is now included on the Group income statement, these amounts are included in the reported net Group financial expenses.

The System Fund accounting changes result in an increase in recorded revenue and expenses for the year ended 31 December 2017 of $1,217m and $1,251m respectively. However, since the Group has an agreement with the IHG Owners Association that the Fund is not managed to a gain or loss for IHG, any in-year profit or loss resulting from Fund activity is excluded from the calculation of underlying operating profit and adjusted earnings per share as the agreement is to spend these funds for the benefit of hotels in the System.

Opening total equity at 1 January 2016 decreases from $319m to $(118)m (see page 100).

The impact of adopting IFRS 15 and other presentational changes on previously reported line items in the Group Financial Statements is set out on the following pages.

110IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2018


    

 

    

Impact of IFRS 15 and other presentational changes on the Group income statement

Year ended 31 December 2017     

As previously

reported

$m

  

IFRS 15 –

Core IHG

$m

  

IFRS 15 –

System Fund

$m

  

Other

changes

(page 114)

$m

  

As

    restated

$m

 
Revenue from fee business    1,600   (33     (188  1,379 
Revenue from owned, leased and managed lease hotels    184   4      163   351 
System Fund revenues          1,217   25   1,242 
Reimbursement of costs       1,103         1,103 
Total revenue    1,784   1,074   1,217      4,075 
Cost of sales    (608  12      25   (571
System Fund expenses          (1,251  (25  (1,276
Reimbursed costs       (1,103        (1,103
Administrative expenses    (328  (9        (337
Share of gains/(losses) of associates and joint ventures    3            3 
Other operating income    11            11 
Depreciation and amortisation    (103  25         (78
Operating profit before exceptional items    759   (1  (34     724 
Impairment charges    (18           (18
Other exceptional items    22            22 
Operating profit    763   (1  (34     728 
Financial income    4            4 
Financial expenses    (89     13      (76
Tax    (85  (28  (2     (115
Profit after tax    593   (29  (23     541 

Impact of IFRS 15 on the Group statement of comprehensive income

Year ended 31 December 2017    

As previously

reported

$m

  

IFRS 15

adoption

$m

  

As

    restated

$m

 
Profit for the year    593   (52  541 
Exchange losses on retranslation of foreign operations, net of related tax credit of $1m    (77  (11  (88
Other items    (47     (47
Total comprehensive income for the year    469   (63  406 

IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2018  |  Group Financial Statements  |  New accounting standards and presentational changes111


Group Financial Statements

New accounting standards and presentational changes continued

Impact of IFRS 15 on the Group statement of financial position

       31 December 2017 
        

As previously

reported

$m

  

IFRS 15

      adoption

$m

  

As

      restated

$m

 
Goodwill and other intangible assets     1,467   (500  967 
Deferred tax assets     56   19   75 
Contract costs        51   51 
Contract assets        241   241 
Other non-current assets     813      813 
Total non-current assets     2,336   (189  2,147 
Contract costs        7   7 
Contract assets        17   17 
Other current assets     839      839 
Total current assets     839   24   863 
Total assets     3,175   (165  3,010 
Loyalty programme liability     (343  343    
Trade and other payables     (768  171   (597
Deferred revenue        (490  (490
Other current liabilities     (193     (193
Total current liabilities     (1,304  24   (1,280
Loyalty programme liability     (417  417    
Trade and other payables     (121  85   (36
Deferred revenue        (867  (867
Deferred tax liabilities     (157  56   (101
Other non-current liabilities     (2,027     (2,027
Total non-current liabilities     (2,722  (309  (3,031
Total liabilities     (4,026  (285  (4,311
Net liabilities     (851  (450  (1,301
Equity share capital     154      154 
Capital redemption reserve     10      10 
Shares held by employee share trusts     (5     (5
Other reserves     (2,874     (2,874
Fair value reserve     79      79 
Currency translation reserve     373   4   377 
Retained earnings     1,405   (454  951 
IHG shareholders’ equity     (858  (450  (1,308
Non-controlling interest     7      7 
Total equity     (851  (450  (1,301

112IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2018


Impact of IFRS 15 on the Group statement of cash flows

Year ended 31 December 2017     

As previously

reported

$m

  

IFRS 15

      adoption

$m

  

As

      restated

$m

 
Profit for the year    593   (52  541 
Adjustments reconciling profit for the year to cash flow from operations before contract acquisition costs    263   45   308 
Cash flow from operations before contract acquisition costs    856   (7  849 
Contract acquisition costs, net of repayments       (57  (57
Cash flow from operations    856   (64  792 
Interest paid    (76  7   (69
Interest received    1      1 
Tax paid on operating activities    (147     (147
Net cash from operating activities    634   (57  577 
Purchase of intangible assets    (229  57   (172
Other cash flows from investing activities    (34     (34
Net cash from investing activities    (263  57   (206
Net cash from financing activities    (446     (446
Net movement in cash and cash equivalents in the year    (75     (75
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the year    117      117 
Exchange rate effects    16      16 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of the year    58      58 

 

Impact of IFRS 15 on basic and diluted earnings per ordinary share

 

     
Year ended 31 December 2017     

As previously

reported

cents

  

IFRS 15

      adoption

cents

  

As

      restated

cents

 
Basic earnings per ordinary share    306.7   (26.9  279.8 
Diluted earnings per ordinary share    305.2   (26.8  278.4 

IFRS 9 ‘Financial Instruments’

IFRS 9, which will be adopted by the Group withWith effect from 1 January 2018, the Group has adopted IFRS 9 ‘Financial Instruments’. IFRS 9 introduces new requirements for classification and measurement of financial assets and financial liabilities, impairment and hedge accounting. Management have made good progress with their assessment of

The Group has applied the impactrequirements of IFRS 9 and currently do not expect there to be a material financial impact on the financial statements.

retrospectively, except for hedge accounting. The new rules for hedge accounting will be applied prospectively in line with the requirements of the standard.

IFRS 16 ‘Leases’

The Group plans to adopthas not applied any practical expedients available under IFRS 16 with effect from 1 January 2019.9. The standard eliminatesGroup has not restated prior periods as allowed by the transition provisions of IFRS 9 as restatement is impracticable without the use of hindsight. Accordingly, the information presented for 2017 reflects the classification of leases as either operating or finance leases and introduces a single accounting model. Lessees will be required to recognise assets and liabilities in respect of the minimum lease payment for all leases with a term of more than 12 months, and show depreciation of leased assets and interest on lease liabilities separately in the income statement.under IAS 39, not IFRS 16 will require the Group to recognise substantially all of its current operating lease commitments on the balance sheet and the financial9.

The only impact of this, together with other implications of the standard, are currently being assessed.

Other

From 1 January 2017, the Group will apply Amendments to IAS 7 ‘Disclosure Initiative’ which requires an entity to provide disclosures around the nature of changes in liabilities arising from financing activities. Application of these amendments is expected to result in additional disclosures in the notes toIFRS 9 on the Group Financial Statements is to reclassify the impact of historic impairments on equity instruments measured at fair value through other comprehensive income (FVOCI). These impairments were originally recorded in the Group income statement, but will not affectunder IFRS 9 they would have been recorded in the reported performance or financial positionfair value reserve and only transferred to retained earnings when the equity investments are derecognised. An adjustment of $18m has been made to the Group.Group statement of changes in equity at 1 January 2018 to reflect this reclassification.

Changes to the Group’s accounting policies resulting from the adoption of IFRS 9 are detailed on pages 104 and 105.

IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2018  |  Group Financial Statements  |  New accounting standards and presentational changes113


Group Financial Statements

New accounting standards and presentational changes continued

Amendments to IFRS 2

From 1 January 2018 the Group will applyhas applied Amendments to IFRS 2 ‘Classification and Measurement of Share-Based Payment Transactions’. The amendments address the effects of vesting conditions on the measurement of cash-settled share-based payment transactions; the classification of a share-based payment transaction with net settlement features for withholding tax obligationsobligations; and accounting where a modification to the terms and conditions of a share-based payment transaction changes its classification from cash-settled to equity-settled. Adoption of this amendment has had no impact on the Financial Statements.

Other changes

In addition to the adoption of IFRS 15 and IFRS 9, these Financial Statements have been restated to reflect several other changes to the presentation of the Group’s financial results.

Exceptional items

Exceptional items, which were previously shown in a separate column of the Group income statement, are now presented as a separate line item, with detailed disclosure in note 6.

New operating segments

See note 2.

Reporting of fee business results

Revenue and operating profit from management and franchise agreements, together with regional and Central overheads, have been combined into one category, ‘fee business’, to more closely reflect the way the business is now reported as a result of the ongoing reorganisation (see note 2).

Reporting of managed lease hotels

The revenue and operating profit of managed lease hotels, previously reported as part of the Group’s managed operations, are now reported with owned and leased hotels. As the full results of these hotels are consolidated into IHG’s income statement, this gives a clearer view of the reported fee business revenues and profits.

Overhead allocations

Minor changes have been made to the basis for allocating overheads to the regional and central operating segments.

InterContinental reservation fees and costs

Reservation fees and costs associated with the InterContinental brand have previously been recognised in IHG’s income statement. These fees and costs have now been moved to the System Fund to align with the treatment of IHG’s other brand programmes. As this programme is not managed to make a profit or loss for IHG, there is no operating profit impact.

Prior year comparatives have been restated to reflect these presentational changes and the impact on the Group income statement for the years ended 31 December 2017 and 31 December 2016 is as follows:

       Year ended 31 December 2017      Year ended 31 December 2016 
        

Managed

leases

$m

  InterContinental
reservations
$m
  

        Total

$m

      

Managed

leases

$m

  

InterContinental

reservations

$m

  

        Total

$m

 
Revenue from fee business     (163  (25  (188    (162  (23  (185
Revenue from owned, leased and managed lease hotels     163      163     162      162 
System Fund revenues        25   25        23   23 
Total revenue                       
Cost of sales        25   25        23   23 
System Fund expenses        (25  (25       (23  (23
Operating profit                       

114IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2018


New standards issued but not yet effective

IFRS 16 ‘Leases’

The Group will adopt IFRS 16 ‘Leases’ with effect from 1 January 2019. IFRS 16 eliminates the classification of leases as either operating or finance leases for lessees and introduces a single accounting model which is similar to the current accounting model for finance leases under IAS 17.

Lessees will be required to recognise on the balance sheet ‘right-of-use’ assets which represent the right to use underlying assets during the lease term and a lease liability representing the minimum lease payment for all leases. Depreciation of ‘right-of-use’ assets and interest on lease liabilities will be charged to the income statement, replacing the corresponding operating lease rentals.

Management’s assessment of the impact of IFRS 16 is substantially complete; 90% of the Group’s lease liability relates to nine leases; 62% relating to hotels and 28% relating to offices.

The Group will take the elections available under IFRS 16 not to apply the lease accounting model to intangible assets, leases which are considered low value or which have a term of less than 12 months. The Group will apply the full retrospective method of application.

In respect of accounting for variable leases with guaranteed amounts, the guaranteed amount has been judged to be ‘in-substance fixed‘ and will be included in the lease liability under IFRS 16.

If the results for the year ended 31 December 2018 had been reported under IFRS 16, the estimated impacts would have been as follows:

            $m
Cost of sales18
Administrative expenses33
Depreciation and amortisation(34
Interest expense(19
Tax1
Total profit impact(1
Leased assets323
Deferred tax assets3
Other assets(2
Lease liabilities(431
Deferred tax liabilities7
Other liabilities31
Net assets impact(69

These estimates are subject to further refinement as the implementation project is finalised.

Other standards

From 1 January 2019, the Group will also apply the amendments to:

IAS 28 ‘Investments in Associates and Joint Ventures’ relating to long-term interests to which the equity method is not applied;

IFRS 9 ‘Financial Instruments’ relating to prepayment features with negative compensation;

IFRIC 23 ‘Uncertainty over Income Tax Treatments’;

IAS 19 ‘Plan Amendment, Curtailment or Settlement’; and

Other existing standards arising from the Annual Improvements to IFRSs 2015–2017 cycle.

These amendments are not expected to have a material impact on the Group’s reported financial statements.performance or position.

LOGO

The effective date for IFRS 17 ‘Insurance Contracts’ has been delayed to 1 January 2022. The Group has not yet determined the impact of this standard on the Group’s reported financial performance or position.

 

Accounting policies        IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2016                1052018  |  Group Financial Statements  |  New standards issued but not yet effective115


Group Financial Statements

Notes to the Group Financial Statements

    

    

1. Exchange rates

The results of operations have been translated into US dollars at the average rates of exchange for the year. In the case of sterling, the translation rate is $1=£0.74 (2015:0.75 (2017: $1=£0.65, 2014:0.78, 2016: $1=£0.61)0.74). In the case of the euro, the translation rate is $1=0.90 (2015:0.85 (2017: $1=0.90, 2014:0.89, 2016: $1=0.75)0.90).

Assets and liabilities have been translated into US dollars at the rates of exchange on the last day of the year. In the case of sterling, the translation rate is $1=£0.81 (2015:0.78 (2017: $1=£0.68, 2014:0.74, 2016: $1=£0.64)0.81). In the case of the euro, the translation rate is $1=0.95 (2015:0.87 (2017: $1=0.92, 2014:0.83, 2016: $1=0.82)0.95).

2. Segmental information

TheWith effect from 1 January 2018, an internal reorganisation resulted in the formation of a new operating segment, Europe, Middle East, Asia and Africa (EMEAA), bringing together the former segments of Europe and Asia, Middle East and Africa (AMEA). By bringing together two strong, established regions, there will be an increased focus on growth through increased agility and effectiveness.

Following this reorganisation, the management of the Group’s operations, excluding Central functions, is organised within fourthree geographical regions:

The

Americas;

 

Europe;

EMEAA; and

 

Asia, Middle East and Africa (AMEA); and

Greater China.

These, together with Central functions, comprise the Group’s fivefour reportable segments. Each of the geographical regions is led by its own Chief Executive Officer who reports to the Group Chief Executive Officer. No operating segments have been aggregated to form these reportable segments.

Central functions include costs of global functions including technology, sales and marketing, finance, human resources and corporate services; centralCentral revenue arises principally from technology fee income. Central liabilities include the loyalty programme liability and the cumulative System Fund surplus.

Each of the geographical regions is led by its own Chief Executive Officer and derives its revenues from either franchising, managing or owning hotels and additional segmental disclosures are provided accordingly.

Management monitors the operating results of the geographical regions and Central functions separately for the purpose of making decisions about resource allocation and performance assessment. The System Fund is not viewed as being part of the Group’s core operations as IHG is unable to profit from its activities. As such, its results are not regularly reviewed by the Chief Operating Decision Maker (CODM) and it does not constitute an operating segment under IFRS 8. Similarly, reimbursements of costs are not reported to the CODM and so are not included within the reportable segments.

Segmental performance is evaluated based on operating profit or loss and is measured consistently with operating profit or loss in the Consolidated Financial Statements, excluding System Fund and exceptional items. Group financing activities and income taxes are managed on a groupGroup basis and are not allocated to reportable segments.

Year ended 31 December 2016  Americas
$m
   Europe
$m
   AMEA
$m
   Greater
China
$m
   Central
$m
   Group
$m
 
Revenue                              
Franchised   685    102    16    3        806 
Managed   172    125    184    114        595 
Owned and leased   136        37            173 
Central                   141    141 
    993    227    237    117    141    1,715 
    Americas
$m
   Europe
$m
   AMEA
$m
   Greater
China
$m
   Central
$m
   Group
$m
 
Segmental result                              
Franchised   600    78    12    3        693 
Managed   64    22    89    64        239 
Owned and leased   24        2            26 
Regional and central   (55   (25   (21   (22   (128   (251
Reportable segments’ operating profit   633    75    82    45    (128   707 
Exceptional items (note 5)   (29                   (29
Operating profit   604    75    82    45    (128   678 
                             Group
$m
 
Reportable segments’ operating profit                            707 
Exceptional items (note 5)                            (29
Operating profit                            678 
Net finance costs                            (87
Profit before tax                            591 
Tax                            (174
Profit for the year                            417 

All items above relateComparatives have been restated for IFRS 15 and presentational changes (see pages 109 to continuing operations.114) to show segmental information on a consistent basis.

Revenue

Year ended 31 December    

            2018

$m

      

2017

    Restated

$m

     

2016

    Restated

$m

 
Americas    1,051     999     969 
EMEAA    569     457     439 
Greater China    143     117     112 
Central    170     157     147 
Revenue from reportable segments    1,933     1,730     1,667 
System Fund revenues    1,233     1,242     1,199 
Reimbursement of costs    1,171     1,103     1,046 
Total revenue    4,337     4,075     3,912 

 

106                116IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2016        Group Financial Statements2018


    

 

2. Segmental informationcontinued

31 December 2016  Americas
$m
   Europe
$m
   AMEA
$m
   Greater
China
$m
   Central
$m
   Group
$m
 
Assets and liabilities                              
Segment assets   1,417    321    249    147    439    2,573 
Unallocated assets:                              

Non-current tax receivable

                            23 

Deferred tax assets

                            48 

Current tax receivable

                            77 

Cash and cash equivalents

                            206 
Total assets                            2,927 
Segment liabilities   (438   (128   (68   (39   (997   (1,670

Unallocated liabilities:

                              

Current tax payable

                            (50

Deferred tax liabilities

                            (251

Derivative financial instruments

                            (3

Loans and other borrowings

                            (1,712
Total liabilities                            (3,686
Year ended 31 December 2016  Americas
$m
   Europe
$m
   AMEA
$m
   Greater
China
$m
   Central
$m
   Group
$m
 
Other segmental information                              
Capital expenditure (see below)   67    15    7    1    148    238 
Non-cash items:                              

Depreciation and amortisationa

   25    10    5    3    53    96 

Share-based payments cost

                   17    17 

Share of losses/(profits) of associates and joint ventures

   7        (5           2 

Impairment charges

   16                    16 

 

a  Included in the $96m of depreciation and amortisation is $54m relating to administrative expenses and $42m relating to cost of sales.

 

   

  
    Americas
$m
   Europe
$m
   AMEA
$m
   Greater
China
$m
   Central
$m
   Group
$m
 
Reconciliation of capital expenditure                              
Capital expenditure per management reporting   67    15    7    1    148    238 
Timing differences and other adjustments   1        (1   (1   (7   (8
Additions per the Financial Statements   68    15    6        141    230 
Comprising additions to:                              

Property, plant and equipment

   13        2        14    29 

Intangible assets

   36    15    2        127    180 

Investment in associates and joint ventures

   14                    14 

Other financial assets

   5        2            7 
    68    15    6        141    230 

LOGO

    

Notes to the Group Financial Statements        IHG Annual Report and Form 20-F 2016                107


NOTES TO THE GROUP FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED

2. Segmental informationcontinued

Year ended 31 December 2015  Americas
$m
  Europe
$m
  AMEA
$m
  

Greater

China
$m

  Central
$m
  Group
$m
 
Revenue                         
Franchised   661   104   16   4      785 
Managed   166   131   189   105      591 
Owned and leased   128   30   36   98      292 
Central               135   135 
    955   265   241   207   135   1,803 
    Americas
$m
  Europe
$m
  AMEA
$m
  Greater
China
$m
  Central
$m
  Group
$m
 
Segmental result                         
Franchised   575   77   12   5      669 
Managed   64   28   90   59      241 
Owned and leased   24   1   3   29      57 
Regional and central   (66  (28  (19  (23  (151  (287
Reportable segments’ operating profit   597   78   86   70   (151  680 
Exceptional items (note 5)   (41  175   (2  698   (11  819 
Operating profit   556   253   84   768   (162  1,499 
                        Group
$m
 
Reportable segments’ operating profit                       680 
Exceptional items (note 5)                       819 
Operating profit                       1,499 
Net finance costs                       (87
Profit before tax                       1,412 
Tax                       (188
Profit for the year                       1,224 

 

All items above relate to continuing operations.

 

       
31 December 2015  Americas
$m
  Europe
$m
  AMEA
$m
  Greater
China
$m
  Central
$m
  Group
$m
 
Assets and liabilities                         
Segment assets   1,355   383   260   148   396   2,542 
Unallocated assets:                         

Non-current tax receivable

                       37 

Deferred tax assets

                       49 

Current tax receivable

                       4 

Cash and cash equivalents

                       1,137 
Total assets                       3,769 
Segment liabilities   (449  (156  (76  (46  (834  (1,561
Unallocated liabilities:                         

Current tax payable

                       (85

Deferred tax liabilities

                       (135

Derivative financial instruments

                       (3

Loans and other borrowings

                       (1,666
Total liabilities                       (3,450

108                IHG Annual Report and Form 20-F 2016        Group Financial Statements


2. Segmental informationcontinued

Year ended 31 December 2015  Americas
$m
   Europe
$m
   AMEA
$m
   Greater
China
$m
   Central
$m
   Group
$m
 
Other segmental information                              
Capital expenditure (see below)   87    45    8    4    118    262 
Non-cash items:                              

Depreciation and amortisationa

   23    10    6    8    49    96 

Share-based payments cost

                   19    19 

Share of losses/(profits) of associates and joint ventures

   5        (2           3 

Impairment charges

   27        9            36 

 

a  Included in the $96m of depreciation and amortisation is $50m relating to administrative expenses and $46m relating to cost of sales.

 

   

    
    Americas
$m
   Europe
$m
   AMEA
$m
   Greater
China
$m
   Central
$m
   Group
$m
 
Reconciliation of capital expenditure                              
Capital expenditure per management reporting   87    45    8    4    118    262 
Management contracts acquired on disposal of hotels       33        64        97 
Timing differences and other adjustments   (5                   (5
Additions per the Financial Statements   82    78    8    68    118    354 
Comprising additions to:                              

Property, plant and equipment

   19        1    1    21    42 

Assets classified as held for sale

               2        2 

Intangible assets

   25    64    4    65    97    255 

Investment in associates and joint ventures

   30                    30 

Other financial assets

   8    14    3            25 
    82    78    8    68    118    354 
Year ended 31 December 2014  Americas
$m
   Europe
$m
   AMEA
$m
   Greater
China
$m
   Central
$m
   Group
$m
 
Revenue                              
Franchised   630    104    16    4        754 
Managed   103    159    187    99        548 
Owned and leased   138    111    39    139        427 
Central                   129    129 
    871    374    242    242    129    1,858 
    Americas
$m
   Europe
$m
   AMEA
$m
   Greater
China
$m
   Central
$m
   Group
$m
 
Segmental result                              
Franchised   544    78    12    5        639 
Managed   47    30    88    63        228 
Owned and leased   18    14    3    42        77 
Regional and central   (65   (33   (19   (21   (155   (293
Reportable segments’ operating profit   544    89    84    89    (155   651 
Exceptional items (note 5)   110    (56           (25   29 
Operating profit   654    33    84    89    (180   680 
                             Group
$m
 
Reportable segments’ operating profit                            651 
Exceptional items (note 5)                            29 
Operating profit                            680 
Net finance costs                            (80
Profit before tax                            600 
Tax                            (208
Profit for the year                            392 

All items above relate to continuing operations.

LOGO

Notes to the Group Financial Statements        IHG Annual Report and Form 20-F 2016                109


NOTES TO THE GROUP FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED

    

 

2. Segmental informationcontinued

Profit

Year ended 31 December 2014  Americas
$m
   Europe
$m
   AMEA
$m
   Greater
China
$m
   Central
$m
   Group
$m
 
Other segmental information                              
Capital expenditure   75    37    11    6    123    252 
Non-cash items:                              

Depreciation and amortisationa

   22    18    8    15    33    96 

Share-based payments cost

                   21    21 

Share of losses/(profits) of associates and joint ventures

   6        (2           4 

Year ended 31 December    

        2018

$m

     

2017

    Restated

$m

     

2016

    Restated

$m

 
Americas    662     637     626 
EMEAA    202     171     157 
Greater China    69     52     46 
Central    (117    (102    (123
Operating profit from reportable segments    816     758     706 
System Fund    (146    (34    35 
Exceptional items (note 6)    (104    4     (29
Operating profit    566     728     712 
Net finance costs    (81    (72    (80
Profit before tax    485     656     632 
Tax    (133    (115    (173
Profit for the year    352     541     459 

All items above relate to continuing operations.      
Assets      
31 December    

        2018

$m

     

2017

    Restated
$m

 
Americas    1,568     1,500 
EMEAA    666     504 
Greater China    110     105 
Central    579     541 
Segment assets    2,923     2,650 
Unallocated assets:            

Derivative financial instruments

    8      

Tax receivable

    58     117 

Deferred tax assets

    60     75 

Cash and cash equivalents

    704     168 
Total assets    3,753     3,010 
Liabilities      
31 December    

2018

$m

     

2017

Restated
$m

 
Americas    (676    (620
EMEAA    (241    (232
Greater China    (61    (64
Segment liabilities    (978    (916
Unallocated liabilities:            

Loyalty and co-brand deferred revenue and other payables

    (1,291    (1,186

Loans and other borrowings

    (2,249    (2,019

Tax payable

    (50    (89

Deferred tax liabilities

    (131    (101

Deferred and contingent purchase consideration

    (131     
Total liabilities    (4,830    (4,311

 

IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2018  |  Group Financial Statements  |  Notes117


Group Financial Statements

Notes to the Group Financial Statements continued

2. Segmental informationcontinued

Other segmental information

Year ended 31 December 2018    

Americas

$m

   

      EMEAA

$m

  

          Greater

China

$m

   

          Central

$m

   

          Group

$m

 
Capital expenditure (page 119)   74    33   2    134    243 
Non-cash items:                        

Depreciation and amortisationa

   27    8   3    42    80 

Share-based payments cost

   8    4   3    12    27 

Share of losses/(gains) of associates and joint ventures

   6    (5          1 
Year ended 31 December 2017 (Restated)    Americas
$m
   

EMEAA

$m

  

Greater
China

$m

   

Central

$m

   

Group

$m

 
Capital expenditure (page 119)   120    26   2    188    336 
Non-cash items:                        

Depreciation and amortisationa

   23    7   1    47    78 

Share-based payments cost

   6    4   3    8    21 

Share of losses/(gains) of associates and joint ventures

   1    (4          (3

Impairment charges

   18               18 
Year ended 31 December 2016 (Restated)    Americas
$m
   

EMEAA

$m

  

Greater
China

$m

   

Central

$m

   

Group

$m

 
Capital expenditure   67    22   1    148    238 
Non-cash items:                        

Depreciation and amortisationa

   21    7   1    46    75 

Share-based payments cost

   6    4   3    4    17 

Share of losses/(gains) of associates and joint ventures

   7    (5          2 

Impairment charges

   16               16 

a

Included in the $96m$80m (2017: $78m, 2016: $75m) of depreciation and amortisation is $41m$61m (2017: $53m, 2016: $54m) relating to administrative expenses and $55m$19m (2017: $25m, 2016: $21m) relating to cost of sales. A further $45m of depreciation and amortisation was recorded within System Fund expenses (2017: $36m, 2016: $31m).

 

Geographical information  

Year ended
31 December
2016

$m

   

Year ended
31 December
2015

$m

   

Year ended
31 December
2014

$m

 
Revenue               
United Kingdom   66    67    75 
United States   923    876    786 
People’s Republic of China (including Hong Kong)   133    223    254 
Rest of World   593    637    743 
    1,715    1,803    1,858 
118IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2018


2. Segmental informationcontinued

Reconciliation of capital expenditure

Year ended 31 December 2018     

Americas

$m

  

      EMEAA

$m

  

      Greater

China

$m

   

      Central

$m

  

      Group

$m

 
Capital expenditure per management reporting    74   33   2    134   243 
Contract acquisition costs    (32  (26         (58
Landlord contributions to property, plant and equipment              8   8 
Timing differences and other adjustments    1             1 
Additions per the Financial Statements       43   7   2    142   194 
Comprising additions to:                       

Property, plant and equipment

    13   2   2    30   47 

Intangible assets

              112   112 

Investment in associates and joint ventures

    3             3 

Other financial assets

    27   5          32 
     43   7   2    142   194 
Year ended 31 December 2017 (Restated)     Americas
$m
  

EMEAA

$m

  

Greater
China

$m

   

Central

$m

  

Group

$m

 
Capital expenditure per management reporting    120   26   2    188   336 
Contract acquisition costs    (36  (21         (57
Landlord contributions to property, plant and equipment              14   14 
Timing differences and other adjustments    (12         (1  (13
Additions per the Financial Statements    72   5   2    201   280 
Comprising additions to:                       

Property, plant and equipment

    10      2    32   44 

Intangible assets

    3          169   172 

Investment in associates and joint ventures

    47             47 

Other financial assets

    12   5          17 
     72   5   2    201   280 

Geographical information         
Year ended 31 December             2018
$m
      2017
Restated
$m
      2016
Restated
$m
 
Revenue                  
United Kingdom    151     74     72 
United States    1,950     1,845     1,750 
China    222     201     192 
Rest of World    781     713     699 
     3,104     2,833     2,713 
System Fund (note 32)    1,233     1,242     1,199 
     4,337     4,075     3,912 

For the purposes of the above table, hotel revenue is determined according to the location of the hotel and other revenue is attributed to the country of origin. In addition to the United Kingdom, revenue relating to an individual country is separately disclosed when it represents 10% or more of total revenue. System Fund revenues are not included in the geographical analysis as the Group does not monitor the Fund’s revenue by location of the hotel, or in the case of the loyalty programme, according to the location where members consume their rewards.

 

    

31 December
2016

$m

   

31 December
2015

$m

 
Non-current assets          
United Kingdom   105    126 
United States   1,343    1,265 
Rest of World   382    402 
    1,830    1,793 
IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2018  |  Group Financial Statements  |  Notes119


Group Financial Statements

Notes to the Group Financial Statements continued

2. Segmental informationcontinued

31 December      

2018

$m

       

2017

    Restated

$m

 
Non-current assets              
United Kingdom     148      52 
United States     1,510      1,476 
Rest of World     361      297 
            2,019  ��   1,825 

For the purposes of the above table, non-current assets comprise property, plant and equipment, goodwill and other intangible assets, investments in associates and joint ventures, and non-current trade and other receivables.receivables, non-current contract costs and non-current contract assets. In addition to the United Kingdom, non-current assets relating to an individual country are separately disclosed when they represent 10% or more of total non-current assets, as defined above.

3. Revenue

A description of the Group’s contracts with customers and its performance obligations under those contracts is contained on pages 106-107 and 109-110.

Disaggregation of revenue

The following table presents Group revenue disaggregated by type of revenue stream and by reportable segment:

 

110                IHG Annual Report and Form 20-F 2016        Group Financial Statements


3. Staff costs and Directors’ emoluments

    

2016

$m

   

2015

$m

   

2014

$m

 
Staff               
Costs:               

Wages and salaries

   537    562    577 

Social security costs

   29    33    42 

Pension and other post-retirement benefits:

               

Defined benefit plans (note 25)

   5    5    10 

Defined contribution plans

   23    28    28 
    594    628    657 
    2016   2015   2014 
Average number of employees, including part-time employees:               

Americas

   2,121    2,082    2,191 

Europe

   782    1,041    1,557 

Asia, Middle East and Africa

   1,598    1,658    1,451 

Greater China

   299    865    1,092 

Central

   1,787    1,665    1,506 
    6,587    7,311    7,797 

The costs of the above employees are borne by IHG. Of these, 89% were employed on a full-time basis and 11% were employed on a part-time basis.

In addition to the above, the Group has employees who work directly on behalf of the System Fund and whose costs are borne by the Fund as disclosed in note 32. In line with IHG’s business model, IHG also employs General Managers and, in the US predominantly, other hotel workers who work in the managed hotels and who have contracts or letters of service with IHG. The total number of these employees is 22,002 (2015: 20,452, 2014: 12,450) and their costs of $1,002m (2015: $936m, 2014: $591m) are borne by those hotels.

    2016
$m
   2015
$m
   2014
$m
 
Directors’ emoluments               
Base salaries, fees, performance payments and benefitsa       6.1        7.9        9.0 
Pension benefits under defined contribution plans           0.2 

aIn 2014, excludes ICETUS cash-out payment of £9.4m.
Year ended 31 December 2018      

    Americas

$m

   

    EMEAA

$m

   

    Greater
China

$m

   

    Central

$m

   

    Group

$m

 
Franchise and base management fees     835    227    94        1,156 
Incentive management fees     18    93    49        160 
Central revenue                 170    170 
Revenue from fee business     853    320    143    170    1,486 
Revenue from owned, leased and managed lease hotels     198    249            447 
      1,051    569    143    170    1,933 
System Fund revenues (note 32)                         1,233 
Reimbursement of costs                         1,171 
Total revenue                         4,337 
Year ended 31 December 2017      Americas
$m
   EMEAA
$m
   

Greater
China

$m

   Central
$m
   

Group

$m

 
Franchise and base management fees     795    204    73        1,072 
Incentive management fees     16    90    44        150 
Central revenue                 157    157 
Revenue from fee business     811    294    117    157    1,379 
Revenue from owned, leased and managed lease hotels     188    163            351 
      999    457    117    157    1,730 
System Fund revenues (note 32)                         1,242 
Reimbursement of costs                         1,103 
Total revenue                         4,075 
Year ended 31 December 2016      Americas
$m
   EMEAA
$m
   

Greater
China

$m

   Central
$m
   

Group

$m

 
Franchise and base management fees     781    194    71        1,046 
Incentive management fees     15    80    41        136 
Central revenue                 147    147 
Revenue from fee business     796    274    112    147    1,329 
Revenue from owned, leased and managed lease hotels     173    165            338 
              969            439            112            147            1,667 
System Fund revenues (note 32)                         1,199 
Reimbursement of costs                         1,046 
Total revenue                         3,912 

 

LOGO120IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2018


3. Revenuecontinued

Contract balances

The following tables present information about trade receivables, contract assets, and deferred revenue:

                 2018
$m
       2017
   Restated
$m
 
Trade receivables (note 16)     474      452 
Contract assets     290      258 
Deferred revenue           1,506      1,357 

A trade receivable is recorded when the Group has issued an invoice and has an unconditional right to receive payment. In respect of franchise fees, base and incentive management fees, Central revenue and revenues from owned, leased and managed lease hotels, the invoice is typically issued as the related performance obligations are satisfied, as described on page 106.

Contract assets

Contract assets are recorded in respect of key money payments made to customers, normally at the beginning of the contract term, and payments under performance guarantees. These payments are recognised in the Group income statement as a deduction to revenue over the contract term and, in the Group statement of cash flows, key money payments are described as ‘contract acquisition costs’.

                2018
$m
              2017
$m
 
At 1 January     258     198 
Costs paid     58     73 
Recognised as a deduction to revenue     (19    (17
Repayments     (2     
Exchange and other adjustments     (5    4 
At 31 December     290     258 
Analysed as:             

Current

     20     17 

Non-current

     270     241 
      290     258 

Deferred revenue

Deferred revenue is recognised when payment is received before the related performance obligation is satisfied. The main categories of deferred revenue relate to the Loyalty programme, co-branding agreements, and franchise application and re-licensing fees.

        Loyalty
programme
$m
  

Other
co-brand
fees

$m

  

Application &
re-licensing
fees

$m

          Other
$m
          Total
$m
 
At 1 January 2018     1,057   88   163   49   1,357 
Acquisition of businesses              8   8 
Increase in deferred revenue     540      36   67   643 
Recognised as revenue     (416  (11  (23  (47  (497
Exchange and other adjustments           (1  (4  (5
At 31 December 2018     1,181   77   175   73   1,506 
Analysed as:                       

Current

     491   11   23   47   572 

Non-current

     690   66   152   26   934 
      1,181   77   175   73   1,506 
        Loyalty
programme
$m
  

Other
co-brand
fees

$m

  

Application &

re-licensing
fees

$m

  

Other

$m

  

Total

$m

 
At 1 January 2017     1,033   100   148   33   1,314 
Increase in deferred revenue     480      39   34   553 
Recognised as revenue     (456  (12  (24  (18  (510
At 31 December 2017     1,057   88   163   49   1,357 
Analysed as:                       

Current

     422   11   24   33   490 

Non-current

     635   77   139   16   867 
              1,057               88           163               49           1,357 

IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2018  |  Group Financial Statements  |  Notes121


Group Financial Statements

Notes to the Group Financial Statements continued

3. Revenuecontinued

The table on the previous page does not include amounts which were received and recognised as revenue in the year. Amounts recognised as revenue were included in deferred revenue at the beginning of the year.

Loyalty programme revenues, shown gross in the table on the previous page, are presented net of the corresponding redemption cost in the Group income statement.

Other deferred revenue includes guest deposits received by owned, leased and managed lease hotels.

Transaction price allocated to remaining performance obligations

The Group has applied the practical expedient in IFRS 15 not to disclose the aggregate amount of the transaction price allocated to the performance obligations that are unsatisfied or partially unsatisfied as at the end of the reporting period for all amounts where the Group has a right to consideration in an amount that corresponds directly with the value to the customer of the Group’s performance completed to date (including franchise and management fees).

Amounts received and not yet recognised related to performance obligations that were unsatisfied at 31 December 2018 are as follows:

     2018      2017 
Expected to be recognised in:    Loyalty and
co-brand
$m
            Other
$m
             Total
$m
      Loyalty and
co-brand
$m
             Other
$m
             Total
$m
 
Less than one year  502   70    572     433    57    490 
Between one and two years  257   31    288     221    29    250 
Between two and three years  158   26    184     137    24    161 
Between three and four years  106   22    128     95    22    117 
Between four and five years  75   20    95     69    20    89 
More than five years  160   79    239     190    60    250 
   1,258   248    1,506     1,145    212    1,357 

Contract costs

Movements in contract costs, typically developer commissions, are as follows:

        2018
$m
      2017
$m
 
At 1 January     58     53 
Costs incurred     9     12 
Amortisation     (7    (7
At 31 December     60     58 
Analysed as:             

Current

     5     7 

Non-current

     55     51 
      60     58 

122IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2018


4. Staff costs and Directors’ emoluments

               2018
$m
              2017
$m
              2016
$m
 
Staff costs                     

Wages and salaries

     1,956      1,868      1,738 

Social security costs

     127      106      106 

Pension and other post-retirement benefits:

                     

Defined benefit plans (note 25)

     19      5      5 

Defined contribution plans

     63      61      58 
      2,165      2,040      1,907 
Analysed as:                     

Costs borne by IHGa

     708      645      594 

Costs borne by the System Fundb

     347      339      311 

Costs reimbursed

     1,110      1,056      1,002 
      2,165      2,040      1,907 
       2018      2017      2016 
Average number of employees, including part-time employees                     

Employees whose costs are borne by IHG:

                     

Americas

     2,225      2,149      2,121 

EMEAA

     3,255      2,267      2,380 

Greater China

     324      294      299 

Central

     1,794      1,948      1,787 
      7,598      6,658      6,587 

Employees whose costs are borne by the System Fund

     5,214      5,555      5,434 

Employees whose costs are reimbursed

     22,518      22,577      22,002 
      35,330      34,790      34,023 

a

Includes $36m (2017: $13m, 2016: $1m) classified as exceptional relating to the comprehensive efficiency programme.

b

Includes $21m (2017: $9m, 2016: $nil) relating to the comprehensive efficiency programme.

              2018
$m
             2017
$m
             2016
$m
 
Directors’ emoluments                  
Base salaries, fees, performance payments and benefits    7.1     4.9     6.1 

LOGO 

More detailed information on the emoluments, pensions, share awards and shareholdings

for each Director is shown in the Directors’ Remuneration Report on pages 6472 to 81.85.

4.5. Auditor’s remuneration paid to Ernst & Young LLP

    2016
$m
   2015
$m
   2014
$m
 
Audit of the Financial Statements       2.4        2.5        2.4 
Audit of subsidiaries   2.2    2.1    2.0 
Audit-related assurance services   0.2    0.2    0.2 
Other assurance services   1.2    0.9    0.9 
Tax compliance   0.4    0.2    0.2 
Tax advisory   0.1    0.1    0.3 
Other non-audit services not covered by the above   0.1    0.4    0.1 
    6.6    6.4    6.1 

               2018
$m
             2017
$m
             2016
$m
 
Audit of the Financial Statementsa     3.3     3.0     2.4 
Audit of subsidiaries     2.9     2.2     2.2 
Audit-related assurance services     0.2     0.2     0.2 
Other assurance services     1.3     1.0     1.2 
Tax compliance          0.1     0.4 
Tax advisory               0.1 
Other non-audit services not covered by the above     0.1     0.2     0.1 
      7.8     6.7     6.6 

a

Includes $0.4m (2017: $0.5m, 2016: $nil) of additional fees for specific procedures performed in relation to the implementation of new accounting standards.

Audit fees in respect of the pension scheme were not material.

 

LOGO

Notes to the Group Financial Statements        IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2016                1112018  |  Group Financial Statements  |  Notes123


NOTES TO THE GROUP FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUEDGroup Financial Statements

Notes to the Group Financial Statements continued

    

    

5.6. Exceptional items

 

    Note   2016
$m
   

2015

$m

   

2014

$m

 
Exceptional items before tax                    
Administrative expenses:                    

Kimpton integration costs

   a    (13   (10    

Venezuelan currency losses

   b        (4   (14

Reorganisation costs

   c        (6   (29

Corporate development costs

   d        (5    

Kimpton acquisition costs

   e            (7

Pension settlement cost

   f            (6

UK portfolio restructuring

   g            (45
         (13   (25   (101
Other operating income and expenses:                    

Gain on disposal of hotels (note 11)

            871    130 

Gain on disposal of investment in associate (note 14)

            9     
             880    130 
Impairment charges:                    

Associates (note 14)

        (16   (9    

Property, plant and equipment (note 12)

            (27    
         (16   (36    
         (29   819    29 
Tax                    
Tax on exceptional items   h    12    (8   (29

All items above relate to continuing operations.

               2018
$m
     

2017

    Restated
$m

             2016
$m
 
Exceptional items before tax                   
Administrative expenses:                   

Acquisition and integration costsa

     (15    (15    (13

Litigationb

     (18          

Reorganisation costsc

     (56    (36     

Pension settlement costd

     (15          
      (104    (51    (13
Other operating income and expenses:                   

Gain on disposal of equity securities measured at fair value (note 15)

          73      
           73      
Impairment charges:                   

Associates (note 14)

          (18    (16
           (18    (16
      (104    4     (29
Tax                   
Tax on exceptional itemse     22     (2    12 
Exceptional taxf     5     90      
      27     88     12 
Exceptional items before tax analysed as:                   

Americas

     (36    37     (29

EMEAA

     (12    (4     

Greater China

     (1          

Central

     (55    (29     
      (104    4     (29

 

LOGOThe above items are treated as exceptional by reason of
their size or nature, as further described on page 102.

a Relates

In 2018, relates to the acquisitions of Regent (see note 11), the UK portfolio (see note 11) and Six Senses (see note 33) and, in 2017 and 2016, related to the cost of integrating Kimpton into the operations of the Group. The integration programme remains in progress and will be substantially completed in 2017.

bArose from changes to the Venezuelan exchange rate mechanisms and the adoption of the SIMADI exchange rate in 2015 and the SICAD II exchange rate in 2014, these being the most accessible exchange rates open to the Group for converting its bolivar earnings into US dollars. The exceptional losses arose from the re-measurement of the Group’s bolivar assets and liabilities to the relevant exchange rates, being approximately $1=190VEF on adoption of SIMADI and approximately $1=50VEF on adoption of SICAD II. Subsequent changes to the exchange rate mechanism have not resulted in material losses.
cRelated to the implementation of more efficient processes and procedures in the Group’s Global Technology infrastructure to help mitigate future cost increases, together with, in 2014, costs incurred in introducing a new HR operating model across the business to provide enhanced management information and more efficient processes. These restructuring programmes have now been completed.
dPrimarily legal costs related to development opportunities.
eRelated to acquisition transaction costs incurred in the period to 31 December 2014 on the acquisition of Kimpton which completedwas acquired on 16 January 2015 and the integration programme was completed in 2017.

b

Primarily relates to a material settlement agreed in respect of a lawsuit filed against the Group in the Americas region, together with associated legal fees.

c

In September 2017, the Group launched a comprehensive efficiency programme funding a series of new strategic initiatives to drive an acceleration in IHG’s future growth. The programme is centred around strengthening the Group’s organisational structure to redeploy resources to leverage scale in the highest opportunity markets and segments. The programme is expected to be completed in 2019. The cost includes consultancy fees of $25m (2017: $24m) and severance costs of $18m (2017: $8m). An additional $47m (2017: $9m) has been charged to the System Fund.

d

Arises from the termination of the US funded Inter-Continental Hotels Pension Plan (see note 10)25).

fe Resulted from a partial cash-out of the UK unfunded pension arrangements. See note 25 for further details.
gRelated to the costs of securing a restructuring of the UK hotel portfolio which resulted in the transfer of 61 managed hotels to franchise contracts.
h

In 2016,2018, comprises a current tax credit of $11m on reorganisation costs (2017: $13m), a $5m current tax credit in respect of litigation costs, a $6m tax credit ($5m current tax and $1m deferred tax) arising from the US pension settlement, a $2m current tax credit in respect of acquisition costs and a $2m prior year current tax charge on the sale of a minority investment in 2017 (2017: $28m). In 2017 there was also a $7m (2016: $6m) deferred tax credit in respect of the impairment charge relating to the InterContinental Barclay associate, investment impairment,and a $5m$6m (2016: $5m) deferred tax credit representing future tax relief on Kimpton integration costs andcosts. In 2016 there was also a $1m credit in respect of other items.

f

In 2015, comprised2018, $5m (2017: $32m current tax charge) relates to a charge of $56m relating to disposal of hotels, aprior year current tax credit of $21m in respect of the 2014 disposal“transition tax” introduced in December 2017 as a result of an 80.1% interest in InterContinental New York Barclay reflectingsignificant US tax reform. 2017 has been restated to reflect the judgement that state
re-measurement arising from the significant US tax law changes would now apply toreform on the deferred gain, and credits of $27m for current andtaxes created or eliminated by IFRS 15. The 2017 restated amounts include a $112m deferred tax relief on other operating exceptional items of current and prior periods. In 2014, the charge comprised $56m relating to the disposal of an 80.1% interest in InterContinental New York Barclay offset bycredit as a credit of $27m relating to a restructuringresult of the UK hotel portfolioUS tax reform and other reorganisation costs.a $10m deferred tax credit representing a reduction in the Group’s unremitted earnings provision.

 

112                All items above relate to continuing operations.
LOGO

The above items are treated as exceptional by reason

of their size or nature, as further described on page 108.

124IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2016        Group Financial Statements2018


    

 

6.7. Finance costs

  2016
$m
   2015
$m
   2014
$m
              2018
$m
    2017
 Restated
$m
    

2016

 Restated
$m

 
Financial income                      
Interest income on deposits   3    2    2      2     1     3 
Interest income on loans and receivables   3    3    1      3     3     3 
   6    5    3      5     4     6 
Financial expenses                      
Interest expense on borrowings   74    74    66      66     62     71 
Finance charge payable under finance leases   20    20    19      20     20     20 
Capitalised interest   (1   (2   (2     (5    (6    (5
Change in fair value of deferred and contingent purchase consideration     5           
   93    92    83      86     76     86 

Interest income and expense relate to financial assets and liabilities held at amortised cost, calculated using the effective interest rate method.

Included within interest expense is $3m (2015: $2m, 2014: $2m)During the year, $14m (2017: $7m, 2016: $3m) was payable to the IHG Rewards Club loyalty programme relating to interest on the accumulated balance of cash received in advance of the redemptionconsumption of points awarded. The expense and corresponding System Fund interest income are eliminated within financial expenses.

Included within capitalised interest is $5m (2017: $6m, 2016: $4m) relating to the System Fund. The rate used for capitalisation of interest was 3.8% (2015: 3.4%3.0% (2017: 3.0%, 2014: 4.4%2016: 3.8%).

The change in fair value relating to deferred and contingent purchase consideration relates to the acquisitions of Regent and the UK portfolio (see note 11).

7.8. Tax

Tax on profit

 

    Note   2016
$m
   2015
$m
   2014
$m
 
Income tax                    
UK corporation tax at 20.00% (2015: 20.25%, 2014: 21.50%):                    

Current period

        10    7    5 

Benefit of tax reliefs on which no deferred tax previously recognised

        (7        

Adjustments in respect of prior periods

        (1   (17   2 
         2    (10   7 
Foreign tax:                    

Current period

        151    196    156 

Benefit of tax reliefs on which no deferred tax previously recognised

            (1   (2

Adjustments in respect of prior periods

   a    (97   (27   (26
         54    168    128 
Total current tax        56    158    135 
Deferred tax:                    

Origination and reversal of temporary differences

        55    60    68 

Changes in tax rates and tax laws

   b    (2   (21   2 

Adjustments to estimated recoverable deferred tax assets

   c    (25   (13   1 

Adjustments in respect of prior periods

   a    90    4    2 
Total deferred tax        118    30    73 
Total income tax charge for the year   d    174    188    208 
Further analysed as tax relating to:                    

Profit before exceptional items

        186    180    179 

Exceptional items:

                    

Tax on exceptional items (note 5)

        (12   8    29 
         174    188    208 

All items above relate to continuing operations.

               2018
$m
     2017
 Restated
$m
     2016
 Restated
$m
 
Income tax                   
UK corporation tax at 19.00% (2017: 19.25%, 2016: 20.00%):                   

Current period

     10     10     10 

Benefit of tax reliefs on which no deferred tax previously recognised

               (7

Adjustments in respect of prior periods

     4     (2    (1
      14     8     2 
Foreign tax:                   

Current period

     95     210     151 

Benefit of tax reliefs on which no deferred tax previously recognised

     (1    (13     

Adjustments in respect of prior periodsa

     (13    2     (97
      81     199     54 
Total current tax     95     207     56 
Deferred tax:                   

Origination and reversal of temporary differences

     40     (8    54 

Changes in tax rates and tax lawsb

     1     (59    (2

Adjustments to estimated recoverable deferred tax assetsc

     (2    (9    (25

Adjustments in respect of prior periodsa

     (1    (16    90 
Total deferred tax     38     (92    117 
Total income tax charge for the year     133     115     173 
Further analysed as tax relating to:                   

Profit before exceptional itemsd

     160     203     185 

Exceptional items:

                   

Tax on exceptional items (note 6)

     (22    2     (12

Exceptional tax (note 6)

     (5    (90     
      133     115     173 
a 

In 2016, includesincluded $83m in respect of a change in tax treatment being approved by the US tax authority.

b 

In 2015,2017, predominantly reflected the judgement that statereflects a change in US tax law changes would now apply to the deferred gain from the 2014 disposal of InterContinental New York Barclay.rates following significant US tax reforms.

c In 2015 and 2016, represents

Represents a reassessmentre-assessment of the recovery of recognised and off-balance sheet deferred tax assets in line with the Group’s profit forecasts.

d This includes $156m (2015: $116m, 2014: $144m)

Includes $94m (2017: $157m, 2016: $160m) in respect of US taxes.

LOGO

All items above relate to continuing operations.

 

Notes to the Group Financial Statements        IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2016                1132018  |  Group Financial Statements  |  Notes125


NOTES TO THE GROUP FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUEDGroup Financial Statements

Notes to the Group Financial Statements continued

    

 

7.8. Taxcontinued

  Totala      Before exceptional itemsb               Totala           

Before exceptional items

and System Fundb

 

 

              2016
%
         2015
%
         2014
%
                  2016
%
         2015
%
         2014
%
          2018
%
    2017
    Restated
%
    2016
    Restated
%
            2018
%
    2017
    Restated
%
    2016
    Restated
%
 
Reconciliation of tax charge, including gain on disposal of assets                    
Reconciliation of tax charge                        
UK corporation tax at standard rate   20.0    20.3    21.5      20.0    20.3    21.5     19.0     19.3     20.0     19.0     19.3     20.0 
Tax credits   (2.4   (0.2   (0.3     (2.2   (0.4   (0.3    (0.5    (0.5    (2.2    (0.3    (0.5    (2.2
Differences in tax gains and accounting gains on asset disposals       (9.8   3.2               
System Fund resultsc    5.0     0.9     (1.2    (0.5    (0.4    (0.2
Other permanent differences   3.8    1.1    2.0      3.6    2.0    1.3     0.6     0.8     3.5     0.3     0.6     3.6 
Non-recoverable withholding taxes   0.7    0.1    0.4      0.7    0.3    0.4 
Net effect of different rates of tax in overseas businessesc   13.7    7.1    11.5      13.9    15.3    12.8 
Effect of changes in tax rates and tax lawsd   0.4    (1.5   0.3      0.3    0.1    0.1 
Non-recoverable withholding taxesd    0.7     0.3     0.7     0.5     0.3     0.7 
Net effect of different rates of tax in overseas businessese    4.6     14.6     12.6     3.8     13.7     13.4 
Effects of changes in tax rates resulting from significant US tax reform         (9.3                    
Release of provision for taxation on unremitted earnings following significant US tax reform         (7.8                    
Transition tax liability arising from significant US tax reform         4.8                     
Effect of other changes in tax rates and tax laws    0.3     0.3     0.3     0.2     0.3     0.3 
Benefit of tax reliefs on which no deferred tax previously recognised   (1.2   (0.1   (0.4     (1.1   (0.1   (0.3    (0.4    (1.9    (1.1    (0.3    (1.8    (1.1
Effect of adjustments to estimated recoverable deferred tax assets   (4.3   (0.9   0.2      (4.1   (1.7   (0.2    0.1     (1.4    (4.0    0.1     (1.3    (4.0
Adjustment to tax charge in respect of prior periods   (1.3   (2.8   (3.7     (1.1   (5.4   (3.9    (2.0    (2.6    (1.2    (1.0    (1.1    (1.1
Other       0.1                   
   29.4    13.4    34.7      30.0    30.4    31.4             27.4             17.5             27.4             21.8             29.1             29.4 

 

a 

Calculated in relation to total profits including exceptional items.

b 

Calculated in relation to profits excluding exceptional items.items and System Fund earnings.

c 

The System Fund results are, in general, not subject to taxation.

d

In 2018, IHG recognised a benefit in respect of the offset of foreign taxes arising in 2018 against its 2017 tax. The Group does not anticipate such benefit in future periods, leading to an increase in irrecoverable tax by up to 2%ppts on to the underlying rate before exceptional items and System Fund.

e

Before exceptional items and System Fund includes 12.6%pt (2015: 13.5%pt, 2014:4.2%ppts (2017: 13.3%ppts, 2016: 12.2%pt) in connection withppts) driven by the US.

dIn 2015, total of (1.5)% predominantly reflects the judgement that staterelatively high US federal tax law changes would now apply to the deferred gain from the 2014 disposal of InterContinental New York Barclay.rate.

A reconciliation between total tax rate and tax rate before exceptional items and System Fund is shown below:

                     2018                     2017
Restated
                     2016
Restated
 
      

        Profit

$m

             Tax
$m
             Rate
%
             Profit
$m
     

        Tax

$m

     

        Rate

%

             Profit
$m
             Tax
$m
     

        Rate

%

 
Group income statement    485     133     27.4     656     115     17.5     632     173     27.4 
Adjust for:                                                      

Exceptional items and tax (note 6)

    104     27           (4    88           29     12       

System Fund revenues

    (1,233               (1,242               (1,199           

System Fund expenses

    1,379                1,276                1,164            

Other

                         (3               (1      
             735             160             21.8                 686                 200             29.1             626             184             29.4 

Tax paid

Total net tax paid during the year of $130m (2015: $110m, 2014: $136m)$68m (2017: $172m, 2016: $130m) comprises $130m (2015: $109m, 2014: $136m)$66m (2017: $147m, 2016: $130m) paid in respect of operating activities and $nil (2015: $1m, 2014:$2m (2017: $25m, 2016: $nil) paid in respect of investing activities.

A reconciliation of tax paid to the total tax charge in the income statement is as follows:

 

    Note   2016
$m
  2015
$m
  2014
$m
 
Current tax charge in the income statement        56   158   135 
Current tax charge in the statement of comprehensive income        (12  (2  (3
Current tax charge taken directly to equity        (8  (8  (9
Total current tax charge        36   148   123 
Movements to tax contingencies within the income statement   a    11   (7  (18
Timing differences of cash tax paid and foreign exchange differences   b    83   (31  31 
Tax paid per cash flow        130   110   136 
Cash tax rate on total profits   c    22  8  23
              2018
$m
             2017
$m
             2016
$m
 
Current tax charge in the income statement    95     207     56 
Current tax credit in the statement of comprehensive income    (1         (12
Current tax credit taken directly to equity    (8    (12    (8
Total current tax charge    86     195     36 
Movements to tax contingencies within the income statementa    4     3     11 
Timing differences of cash tax paid and foreign exchange differencesb    (22    (26    83 
Tax paid per cash flow    68     172     130 

 

a

Tax contingency movements are included within the current tax charge but do not impact cash tax paid in the year.

b

The timing difference in 2016 iswas predominantly in respect of the US where the payment regulations have resulted in a large overpayment in the year.

cCalculated as total cash paid divided by total accounting profit.

The cash

126IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2018


8. Taxcontinued

Current tax rate of 8% for 2015 is low owing to the impact of exceptional accounting gains taxable on a deferred basis, without which the rate would have been 20% and thus broadly consistent with the cash tax rates for 2014 and 2016.

Material corporation tax liabilities did not arise in 2016 in the UK due to availability of brought forward tax losses. These losses arose principally due to employment matters, in particular additional shortfall contributions made to the UK pension plan in the years 2007 to 2013. Rules restricting UK loss usage have been announced, but are not yet enacted. These rules will likely increase the amount of UK cash tax paid in the near future, although this is not expected to be significant in the context of the Group’s cash tax payable.

Current Tax

Within current tax payable is $39m (2015: $63m) in respect of uncertain tax positions and offset against current tax receivable there is $5m (2015: $nil)$29m (2017: $42m) in respect of uncertain tax positions.

The calculation of the Group’s total tax charge involves consideration of applicable tax laws and regulations in many jurisdictions throughout the world. From time to time, the Group is subject to tax audits and uncertainties in these jurisdictions. The issues involved can be complex and disputes may take a number of years to resolve.

Where the interpretation of local tax law is not clear, management relies on judgement and accounting estimates to ensure all uncertain tax positions are adequately provided for in the Group Financial Statements. This may involve consideration of some or all of the following factors:

 

strength

Strength of technical argument, impact of case law and clarity of legislation;

 

professional

Professional advice;

 

experience

Experience of interactions, and precedents set, with the particular taxing authority; and

 

agreements

Agreements previously reached in other jurisdictions on comparable issues.

The largest single contingency item within the current tax payable balance does not exceed $8m (2015: $20m)(2017: $8m).

Deferred tax

      Property,
plant,
equipment
and
  

Other

intangible

  

Application

fees and

contract

  

Deferred

gains on

  

Deferred

gains on

     Employee    Undistributed
earnings of
  Other
short-term
temporary
    
    software   assetsa    costa    loan notes   investments       Losses   benefits   subsidiariesb    differencesa,c    Totala  
     $m   $m   $m   $m   $m   $m   $m   $m   $m   $m 
At 1 January 2017    120   (5  (36  52   78   (44  (27  59   (96  101 
Income statementd    (22  13   11   (18  (24  1   (4  (61  12   (92
Statement of comprehensive income                      10   (1  4   13 
Statement of changes in equity                            3   3 
Exchange and other adjustments       (1           3   1   3   (5  1 
At 31 December 2017    98   7   (25  34   54   (40  (20     (82  26 
Income statement    26   9   (4  1   2   4      2   (2  38 
Assets of businesses acquired    (4  11                     (10  (3
Statement of comprehensive income                      2      2   4 
Statement of changes in equity                            5   5 
Exchange and other adjustments                   1            1 
At 31 December 2018    120   27   (29  35   56   (35  (18  2   (87  71 

 

a
114                IHG Annual Report and Form 20-F 2016        Group Financial Statements

Restated for the adoption of IFRS 15 (see pages 109 to 113).


7. Taxcontinued

Deferred tax

    Property,
plant and
equipment
$m
  Deferred
gains on
  loan notes
$m
  Deferred
gains on
  investments
$m
        Losses
$m
  

    Employee
benefits

$m

  

    Intangible
assets

$m

  Undistributed
earnings of
subsidiaries
$m
  Other
short-term
temporary
differencesa
$m
            Total
$m
 
At 1 January 2015   174   105   108   (154  (41  52   44   (162  126 
Income statement   18   (50  (21  62   6   22   29   (36  30 
Statement of comprehensive income               (2           (2
Statement of changes in equity                        3   3 
Assets of business sold   (88        21   1            (66
Exchange and other adjustments   (5        4   4   (4  (3  (1  (5
At 31 December 2015   99   55   87   (67  (32  70   70   (196  86 
Income statement   22   (3  (9  19   (3  (7     99   118 
Statement of comprehensive income               12         (1  11 
Statement of changes in equity                        (3  (3
Exchange and other adjustments   (1        4   (4  (3  (11  6   (9
At 31 December 2016   120   52   78   (44  (27  60   59   (95  203 

 

ab 

In 2017, release largely as a result of the impact of the new US transition tax charge.

c

Primarily relates to provisions, accruals, amortisation and share-based payments.payments and contingent purchase consideration.

d

Movements largely reflect the impact of significant US tax reform enacted in 2017.

Deferred gains on investments represent taxable gainstax which would crystallise upon a sale of a related joint venture, associate or other equity investment. Deferred gains on loan notes includes $52m (2015: $55m)represent tax which is expected to fall due for payment in 2025 (2015:(2017: 2025). The deferred tax asset recognised in respect of losses of $44m (2015: $67m)$35m (2017: $40m) is wholly in respect of revenue losses. DeferredA deferred tax assetsasset of $nil (2015: $nil) are(2017: $2m) is recognised in relation toa legal entitiesentity which suffered a tax loss in the current or preceding period. Withinperiod in 2017; this asset was recognised based on the profit forecast of the entity in question. Offset against deferred tax liabilitiesassets is $10m (2015: $10m)$nil (2017: $5m) in respect of uncertain tax positions and offset against deferred tax assets is $2m (2015: $nil) in respect of uncertain tax positions.

IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2018  |  Group Financial Statements  |  Notes127


Group Financial Statements

Notes to the Group Financial Statements continued

8. Taxcontinued

The closing balance is further analysed by key territory as follows:

 

  Property,
plant and
equipment
$m
 Deferred
gains on
  loan notes
$m
   Deferred
gains on
  investments
$m
         Losses
$m
 

    Employee
benefits

$m

 

    Intangible
assets

$m

   Undistributed
earnings of
subsidiaries
$m
   Other
short-term
temporary
differences
$m
           Total
$m
      Property,
plant,
equipment
and
software
$m
 

Other

intangible
assets
$m

 

Application
fees and
contract
costs

$m

 Deferred
gains on
loan notes
$m
   Deferred
gains on
investments
$m
       Losses
$m
 Employee
benefits
$m
 Undistributed
earnings of
subsidiaries
$m
   Other
short-term
temporary
differences
$m
 Total
$m
 
UK   (4          (19  (5          (2  (30    (7 (4 1           (15 (4      (24 (53
US   125   52    78    (10  (21  44    59    (109  218     127  27  (34 35    56    (16 (14 2    (59 124 
Other   (1          (15  (1  16        16   15       4  4           (4         (4   
   120   52    78    (44  (27  60    59    (95  203     120  27  (29 35    56    (35 (18 2    (87 71 

The analysis of the deferred tax balance after considering the offset of assets and liabilities within entities where there is a legal right to do so is as follows:

 

  2016
$m
         2015
$m
              2018
$m
      2017
    Restated
$m
 
Analysed as:             

Deferred tax assets

   (48 (49    (60    (75

Deferred tax liabilities

   251  135     131     101 
   203  86     71     26 

The Group does not recognise deferred tax assets if it cannot anticipate being able to offset them against future profits or gains.

The total unrecognised deferred tax position is as follows:

 

       Gross      

Unrecognised

deferred tax

              Gross      Unrecognised deferred tax 
  

        2016

$m

             2015
$m
              2016
$m
   

        2015

$m

      

        2018

$m

      

        2017

$m

      

2018

$m

      

2017

$m

 
Revenue losses   518    257      94    47     448     452     67     76 
Capital losses   475    561      83    114     516     515     90     99 
Total losses   993    818      177    161     964     967     157     175 
Employee benefits       23          5 
Othera   27    153      5    28     25     35     6     9 
Total   1,020    994      182    194 
    989     1,002     163     184 

a Primarily relates to costs incurred in prior years for which relief has not been obtained.

a Primarily relates to costs incurred in prior years for which relief has not been obtained.

   

There is no expiry date to any of the above unrecognised assets other than for the losses as shown in the table below:There is no expiry date to any of the above unrecognised assets other than for the losses as shown in the table below:

 

             Gross      Unrecognised deferred tax 
     

2018

$m

      

2017

$m

      

2018

$m

      

2017

$m

 
Expiry date:                

2021

    28     21     6     5 

2022

    10     11     2     3 

2023

    1     1           

2024

    4     20          1 

2025

    92     92     21     23 

After 2025

    46     26     3     3 

aPrimarily relates to provisions, accruals, amortisation and share-based payments.

LOGO

Notes to the Group Financial Statements        IHG Annual Report and Form 20-F 2016                115


NOTES TO THE GROUP FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED

7. Taxcontinued

There is no expiry date to any of the above unrecognised assets other than for the losses as shown in the table below:

        Gross      Unrecognised
deferred tax
 
    

        2016

$m

   

          2015

$m

       

        2016

$m

   

        2015

$m

 
Expiry date:                        

2016

       38            9 

2020

   3    4        1    1 

2021

   27    28        7    7 

2022

   11    12        3    3 

2023

   3    2        1    1 

After 2023

   125            25     

The Group has provided deferred tax of $59m (2015: $70m) in relation to temporary differences associated with post-acquisition undistributed earnings of subsidiaries to the extent that it is either probable that it will reverse in the foreseeable future or where the Group cannot control the timing of the reversal. No deferred tax liability has been recognised in respect of a further $90m (2015: $70m)$0.8bn (2017: $0.5bn) of taxable temporary differences relating to subsidiaries (comprising undistributed earnings of subsidiariesand net inherent gains) because the Group is in a position to control the timing of the reversal of these temporary differences and it is probable that such differences will not reverse in the foreseeable future. The remaining unprovided liability that would arise on the reversal of these temporary differences is not expected to exceed $15m (2015: $10m).

Tax risks, policies and governance

 

LOGO128IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2018


8. Taxcontinued

Tax risks, policies and governance

LOGO 

Information concerning the Group’s tax governance can be found

found in the Taxation section of the Strategic Report on page 44.50.

Factors that may affect the future tax charge

Many factors will affect the Group’s future tax rate, the key ones being future legislative developments, future profitability of underlying subsidiaries and tax uncertainties.

There are many potential future changes to worldwide taxation systems as a result of the potential adoption by individual territories of recommendations of the OECD’s Base Erosion and Profit Shifting project, and other similar initiatives being driven by governments and tax authorities. The Group continues to monitor activity in this area.

The new US administration has indicated wide-ranging reformAt the current time, the exact detail of the taxation system including significant cuts inUnited Kingdom’s exit from the US headline rate;European Union is unknown. Based upon the Group’s profile and areas that have been publicly discussed, the Group will assessdoes not anticipate the impact of this when solid proposals are announced by the relevant US authorities.

Rules restricting UK loss usage and interest deductibility have been announced, but are not yet enacted. These rules will likely increase the amount of UK cash tax paid in the near future, although this is not expectedexit to be significant in the context of the Group’s cash tax payable. The forthcoming reductions to the UK corporation tax rate (to 19%, effective 1 April 2017 and to 17%, effective 1 April 2020) are not expected to havecause a material effectimpact on the Group.its future effective base tax rate.

8.9. Dividends

 

  2016
    cents per
share
   2015
    cents per
share
   2014
    cents per
share
   

        2016

$m

   

        2015

$m

   

        2014

$m

    2018
cents
per share
    2017
cents
per share
    2016
cents
per share
              2018
$m
              2017
$m
              2016
$m
 
Paid during the year:                                          

Final (declared for previous year)

   57.5    52.0    47.0    137    125    122     71.0     64.0     57.5     130     127     137 

Interim

   30.0    27.5    25.0    56    63    57     36.3     33.0     30.0     69     62     56 

Special (note 27)

   632.9        293.0    1,500        763          202.5     632.9          404     1,500 
   720.4    79.5    365.0    1,693    188    942     107.3     299.5     720.4     199     593     1,693 
Proposed (not recognised as a liability at 31 December):                                          

Final

   64.0    57.5    52.0    126    135    122     78.1     71.0     64.0     141     135     126 

The final dividend of 64.0¢78.1¢ per ordinary share is proposed for approval at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) on 53 May 20172019 and is payable on the shares in issue at 5 May 2017.29 March 2019.

In February 2017,October 2018, the Board proposedannounced a $400m$500m return of funds to shareholders by way of a special dividend of 202.5¢$2.621 per ordinary share, together with a share consolidation.

On 11 January 2019, shareholders approved the share consolidation on the basis of 19 new ordinary shares of 20340/399 pence per share for every 20 existing ordinary shares of 1917/21 pence, which became effective on 14 January 2019 and resulted in the consolidation of 10m shares. The special dividend was paid on 29 January 2019 at a cost of $510m. The dividend and share consolidation had the same economic effect as a share repurchase at fair value, therefore reported earnings per share has not been restated.

 

116                IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 20162018  |  Group Financial Statements  |  Notes129


Group Financial Statements

Notes to the Group Financial Statements continued

    

    

9.10. Earnings per ordinary share

Basic earnings per ordinary share is calculated by dividing the profit for the year available for IHG equity holders by the weighted average number of ordinary shares, excluding investment in own shares, in issue during the year.

Diluted earnings per ordinary share is calculated by adjusting basic earnings per ordinary share to reflect the notional exercise of the weighted average number of dilutive ordinary share awards outstanding during the year.

Adjusted earnings per ordinary share is disclosed in order to show performance undistorted by exceptional items, to give a more meaningful comparison of the Group’s performance.

Additionally, following the adoption of IFRS 15 (see pages 109 to 113), earnings attributable to the System Fund are excluded from the calculation of adjusted earnings per ordinary share, as IHG has an agreement with the IHG Owners Association to spend Fund income for the benefit of hotels in the IHG System such that the Group does not make a gain or loss from operating the Fund.

IHG also records an interest charge on the outstanding cash balance relating to the IHG Rewards Club programme. These interest payments are recognised as interest income for the Fund and interest expense for IHG. The Fund also benefits from the capitalisation of interest related to the development of the next-generation Guest Reservation System. As the Fund is included in the Group income statement, these amounts are included in reported Group net financial expenses. Given that all results related to the Fund are excluded from the calculation of adjusted earnings per ordinary share, these interest amounts are deducted from profit available for equity holders.

 

LOGOLOGO 

Information concerning non-GAAPNon-GAAP measures can

can be found in the Strategic Report on page 26.36.

 

Continuing and total operations  2016 2015 2014               2018      2017
    Restated
      2016
    Restated
 
Basic earnings per ordinary share                    
Profit available for equity holders ($m)   414  1,222  391      351     540     456 
Basic weighted average number of ordinary shares (millions)   212  235  247      190     193     212 
Basic earnings per ordinary share (cents)   195.3  520.0  158.3      184.7     279.8     215.1 
Diluted earnings per ordinary share                    
Profit available for equity holders ($m)   414  1,222  391      351     540     456 
Diluted weighted average number of ordinary shares (millions)   214  238  250      192     194     214 
Diluted earnings per ordinary share (cents)   193.5  513.4  156.4      182.8     278.4     213.1 
Adjusted earnings per ordinary share                    
Profit available for equity holders ($m)   414  1,222  391      351     540     456 
Adjusting items (note 5):       

Exceptional items before tax ($m)

   29  (819 (29

Tax on exceptional items ($m)

   (12 8  29 
Adjusting items:             

System Fund revenues and expenses ($m)

     146     34     (35

Interest attributable to the System Fund ($m) (note 7)

     (19    (13    (7

Tax attributable to the System Fund ($m)

          3     1 

Exceptional items before tax ($m) (note 6)

     104     (4    29 

Tax on exceptional items ($m) (note 6)

     (22    2     (12

Exceptional tax ($m) (note 6)

     (5    (90     
Adjusted earnings ($m)   431  411  391      555     472     432 
Basic weighted average number of ordinary shares (millions)   212  235  247      190     193     212 
Adjusted earnings per ordinary share (cents)   203.3  174.9  158.3      292.1     244.6     203.8 
Adjusted diluted earnings per ordinary share                    
Adjusted earnings ($m)   431  411  391      555     472     432 
Diluted weighted average number of ordinary shares (millions)   214  238  250      192     194     214 
Adjusted diluted earnings per ordinary share (cents)   201.4  172.7  156.4      289.1     243.3     201.9 
  2016
millions
 2015
        millions
 2014
        millions
      
2018
millions
 
 
    
2017
millions
 
 
    
2016
millions
 
 
Diluted weighted average number of ordinary shares is calculated as:                    

Basic weighted average number of ordinary shares

   212  235  247      190     193     212 

Dilutive potential ordinary shares

   2  3  3      2     1     2 
   214  238  250      192     194     214 

130IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2018


10.��   

11. Acquisition of businessbusinesses

Regent

On 16 January 2015,1 July 2018, the Group acquiredcompleted the acquisition of a 100%51% controlling interest in Kimpton Hotel & Restaurantan agreement with Formosa International Hotels Corporation (FIH) to acquire the Regent Hotels and Resorts brand and associated management contracts (Regent). The Group LLC (Kimpton)acquired 51% of the issued share capital of Regent Hospitality Worldwide, Inc (RHW), an unlisted company based100% of the issued share capital of Regent International Hotels Limited and 100% of the issued share capital of Regent Berlin GmbH.

Regent is a leading luxury hotel brand which adds to IHG’s brand portfolio at the top end of the luxury segment.

Put and call options exist over the remaining 49% shareholding in RHW which are exercisable in a phased manner from 2026. As the decision-making powers related to the remaining shares are not substantive in driving RHW’s returns and FIH do not share in any costs associated with the future development of the Regent brand, it has been determined that the Group has a present ownership interest in the US,remaining shares. As such, RHW has been accounted for cash considerationas 100% owned with no non-controlling interest recognised.

Regent contributed revenue of $438m, net$10m and operating profit of $3m cash acquired.$nil for the period between the date of acquisition and the balance sheet date. The fair valueresults of Regent are included in the net assets acquired was $441m, including goodwill of $167m, brands of $193mEMEAA and management contracts of $71m. No subsequent adjustments were madeGreater China business segments.

If the acquisition had taken place at 1 January 2018, reported Group revenue would have been $9m higher, with no material difference to the initial acquisition date fair values of the net assets acquired.

11. Assets sold and heldoperating profit for sale

Assets sold

The Group did not dispose of any hotels during 2016 but incurred $5m of costs relating to prior year disposals.

During the year ended 31 December 2015,2018.

Consideration transferred

The following table summarises the Group sold one hotelacquisition date fair value of each major class of consideration transferred:

            $m
Cash paid on acquisition13
Deferred considerationa22
Contingent considerationb53
Total purchase consideration88

a

Comprises the present value of $13m payable in 2021 and $13m payable in 2024.

b

Comprises the present value of the expected amounts payable on exercise of the put and call options, assuming $39m is paid in 2026 to acquire an additional 25% of RHW with the remaining 24% acquired in 2028 for $42m. The amount payable on exercise of the options is based on the annual trailing revenue of RHW, with a floor applied. The range of possible outcomes is $81m to $261m (undiscounted). The final put and call options are exercisable in 2033. The value of the contingent consideration is subject to periodic re-assessment as interest rates and RHW revenue expectations change.

Identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed

The fair values of the Europe region, InterContinental Paris – Le Grand on 20 May 2015 and one hotel in the Greater China region, InterContinental Hong Kong on 30 September 2015. On 30 November 2015, the Group disposed of its share ofidentifiable assets and liabilities inof Regent at the date of acquisition were as follows:

            $m
Identifiable intangible assets:

Brands

57

Management contracts

6
Property, plant and equipment1
Deferred tax liability(11
Net identifiable assets acquired53
Goodwill35
Total purchase consideration88

The goodwill is mainly attributable to the global growth opportunities identified for the acquired business. Goodwill is not expected to be deductible for income tax purposes. No contingent liabilities were recognised as a joint operationresult of the acquisition.

If new information obtained within one year of the date of acquisition about the facts and circumstances that existed at the date of acquisition identifies adjustments to the above amounts, then the accounting for the acquisition will be revised.

IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2018  |  Group Financial Statements  |  Notes131


Group Financial Statements

Notes to the Group Financial Statements continued

11. Acquisition of businessescontinued

UK portfolio

On 25 July 2018, the Group completed a deal to operate nine hotels under long-term leases from Covivio (formerly Foncière des Régions), which operated under the Principal and De Vere Hotels brands. An additional leased hotel was added to the portfolio on 13 November 2018, bringing the total to 10 (UK portfolio) at 31 December 2018. Two further leased hotels were added on 14 February 2019.

The deal establishes IHG as the leading luxury hotel operator in the AMEA region. Total consideration receivedUK. Over the next one to two years, the hotels will be rebranded to other brands in respectIHG’s luxury and upscale portfolio.

The hotels contributed revenue of these disposals amounted$75m and an operating loss of $1m for the period between the date of acquisition and the balance sheet date. The results are included in the EMEAA business segment.

If the acquisition had taken place at 1 January 2018, reported Group revenue would have been $90m higher, with no material difference to $1,276m, net of costs paid and cash and cash equivalents disposed, and total gains of $871m were recognised duringoperating profit for the year ended 31 December 2015.2018.

DuringConsideration transferred

The following table summarises the year ended 31 December 2014, the Group sold InterContinental Mark Hopkins on 27 March 2014 and disposedacquisition date fair value of 80.1%each major class of its interest in InterContinental New York Barclay on 31 March 2014. Both transactions took place in The Americas region. Total consideration received amounted to $345m, net of costs paid. Total gains on disposal of $130m were recognised during the year ended 31 December 2014. The Group’s 19.9% retained interest in InterContinental New York Barclay is accounted for as an associate as described in note 14.

Assets held for sale

There were no assets held for sale at either 31 December 2016 or 31 December 2015.

LOGO

transferred:

 

            $m 
NotesCash paid on acquisition9
Working capital settlement duea(3
Contingent considerationb56
Total purchase consideration62

a

Subject to final agreement and receivable in early 2019.

b

Comprises the present value of the above-market element of the expected lease payments over the 25 year lives of the hotel lease agreements. The undiscounted amount is $217m. The value of the contingent consideration has been assessed with the assistance of professional third party advisors and is subject to periodic re-assessment as interest rates and expected lease payments change. The above-market assessment has been determined by comparing the expected lease payments as a percentage of forecast hotel operating profit (before depreciation and rent) with market metrics, on a lease by lease basis. There is no floor to the Group Financial Statements        amount payable and no maximum amount.

Identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed

The fair values of the identifiable assets and liabilities of the UK portfolio at the date of acquisition were as follows:

            $m
Identifiable intangible assets: Brands1
Property, plant and equipment25
Inventories1
Trade and other receivables11
Cash and cash equivalents2
Trade and other payables(18
Deferred revenue(8
Stamp duty liabilitya(14
Deferred tax asset14
Net identifiable assets acquired14
Goodwill48
Total purchase consideration62

a

The stamp duty liability was settled post-acquisition.

The goodwill is attributable to the trading potential of the acquired hotel operations and growth opportunities. Goodwill is not expected to be deductible for income tax purposes. No contingent liabilities were recognised as a result of the acquisition.

Included in trade and other receivables are trade receivables with a gross contractual value of $5m, which are expected to be collectable in full. The fair value of trade receivables approximates the book value of $5m.

If new information obtained within one year of the date of acquisition about the facts and circumstances that existed at the date of acquisition identifies adjustments to the above amounts, then the accounting for the acquisition will be revised.

132IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2016                1172018


NOTES TO THE GROUP FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED

 

    

11. Acquisition of businessescontinued

Cash flows relating to acquisitions

            $m
Regent
Cash paid on acquisition13
UK portfolio
Cash paid on acquisition9
Contingent consideration paid4
Settlement of stamp duty liability14
Less: cash and cash equivalents acquired(2
25
Net cash outflow arising on acquisitions38

12. Property, plant and equipment

 

  Land and
      buildings
$m
 Fixtures,
  fittings and
equipment
$m
 

          Total

$m

    Land and
buildings
$m
 Fixtures,
fittings
and
equipment
$m
           Total
$m
 
Cost               
At 1 January 2015   700  671  1,371 
At 1 January 2017    378   429   807 
Additions   13  29  42     9   35   44 
Capitalised interest   2     2 
Acquisition of business (note 10)     3  3 
Transfers to non-current assets classified as held for sale   (329 (120 (449
Reclassification from intangible assets     7  7 
Disposals   (9 (3 (12
Exchange and other adjustments     (11 (11
At 31 December 2015   377  576  953 
Additions   2   27   29 
Capitalised interest   1      1 
Fully depreciated assets written off      (162  (162       (19  (19
Disposals      (3  (3       (4  (4
Exchange and other adjustments   (2  (9  (11    1   8   9 
At 31 December 2016   378   429   807 
Depreciation and impairment       
At 1 January 2015   (122 (508 (630
Provided   (8 (27 (35
System Fund expense     (3 (3
Transfers to non-current assets classified as held for sale   79  78  157 
Impairment charges   (27    (27
At 31 December 2017    388   449   837 
Acquisition of businesses (note 11)      26  26 
Additions    8  39  47 
Fully depreciated assets written off    (11 (167 (178
Disposals   3  3  6       (29 (29
Exchange and other adjustments   1  6  7     (3 (4 (7
At 31 December 2015   (74 (451 (525
At 31 December 2018    382  314  696 
Depreciation and impairment        
At 1 January 2017    (78  (310  (388
Provided   (5  (25  (30    (7  (28  (35
System Fund expense      (5  (5       (6  (6
Fully depreciated assets written off      162   162        19   19 
Disposals      2   2        3   3 
Exchange and other adjustments   1   7   8     (1  (4  (5
At 31 December 2016   (78  (310  (388
At 31 December 2017    (86  (326  (412
Provided    (6 (34 (40
System Fund expense      (8 (8
Fully depreciated assets written off    11  167  178 
Disposals      25  25 
Exchange and other adjustments      8  8 
At 31 December 2018    (81 (168 (249
Net book value               
At 31 December 2016   300   119   419 
At 31 December 2015   303  125  428 
At 1 January 2015   578  163  741 
At 31 December 2018    301  146  447 
At 31 December 2017    302   123   425 
At 1 January 2017    300   119   419 

The Group’s property, plant and equipment mainly comprises hotels, but also offices and computer hardware, throughout the world. 44% (2015:41% (2017: 43%) of the net book value relates to the largest owned and leased hotel, of a total of eight23 open hotels (2015: eight hotels, seven of which were open)(2017: 12 open hotels). At 31 December 2016,2018 and 31 December 2017, there were no hotels under construction (2015: one hotel with a net book value of $53m).construction.

The carrying value of property, plant and equipment held under finance leases at 31 December 20162018 was $182m (2015: $184m)$174m (2017: $181m).

25% (2015: 22%(2017: 26%) of hotel properties by net book value were directly owned, with 58% (2015: 59%53% (2017: 57%) held under leases having a term of 50 years or longer. Due

IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2018  |  Group Financial Statements  |  Notes133


Group Financial Statements

Notes to localised adverse market conditions, an impairment charge of $27m was recognised during 2015 relating to two hotels in North America following a re-assessment of their recoverable amounts to $37m, based on value in use calculations. Estimated future cash flows were discounted at a pre-tax rate of 11.75%. All impairment charges are included within ‘impairment charges’ on the face of the Group income statement.Financial Statements continued

12. Property, plant and equipmentcontinued

The table below analyses the net book value of the Group’s property, plant and equipment by operating segment at 31 December 2016:2018:

 

    Americas
$m
         Europe
$m
           AMEA
$m
   

      Greater
China

$m

             Central
$m
   

            Total

$m

 
Land and buildings   287                13    300 
Fixtures, fittings and equipment   45        11        63    119 
    332        11        76    419 

118                IHG Annual Report and Form 20-F 2016        Group Financial Statements


        Americas
$m
       EMEAA
$m
   

    Greater

China

$m

       Central
$m
   

    Total

$m

 
Land and buildings    289            12    301 
Fixtures, fittings and equipment    40    34        72    146 
                 329                  34                    –                  84                447 

13. Goodwill and other intangible assets

 

           Management Other   
           contracts intangibles   
     Goodwill      Brands      Software  Restateda   Restateda           Total 
  Goodwill
$m
     Brands
$m
     Software
$m
 Management
contracts
$m
 Other
  intangibles
$m
 

            Total

$m

      $m  $m  $m  

 

$m

 

 

 

$m

 

 $m 
Cost                             
At 1 January 2015   215       471  310  207  1,203 
Additions          94  97  64  255 
Capitalised interest          2        2 
Acquisition of business (note 10)   167  193    2  71     433 
Reclassification of property, plant and equipment          (7       (7
Disposals          (62    (4 (66
Exchange and other adjustments   (11      (2 (13 (4 (30
At 31 December 2015   371  193    498  465  263  1,790 
At 1 January 2017     370   193   583   71   10   1,227 
Additions          127      53   180            168      4   172 
Capitalised interest          4         4            6         6 
Disposals          (45     (7  (52           (14        (14
Exchange and other adjustments   (1      (1  (21  (13  (36     7      2      (1  8 
At 31 December 2016   370   193    583   444   296   1,886 
At 31 December 2017     377   193   745   71   13   1,399 
Acquisition of businesses (note 11)     83  58     6     147 
Additions          107     5  112 
Capitalised interest          5        5 
Disposals          (72       (72
Exchange and other adjustments     (5 (1 (4       (10
At 31 December 2018     455  250  781  77  18  1,581 
Amortisation and impairment                             
At 1 January 2015   (141      (207 (134 (78 (560
At 1 January 2017     (138     (223  (5  (3  (369
Provided          (40 (10 (11 (61           (40  (2  (1  (43
System Fund expense          (18       (18           (30        (30
Disposals          62     3  65            14         14 
Exchange and other adjustments   3       1  5  1  10      (2     (2        (4
At 31 December 2015   (138      (202 (139 (85 (564
At 31 December 2017     (140     (281  (7  (4  (432
Provided          (41  (11  (14  (66          (36 (3 (1 (40
System Fund expense          (26        (26          (37       (37
Disposals          45      3   48           67        67 
Exchange and other adjustments          1   9   4   14      (2    6        4 
At 31 December 2016   (138      (223  (141  (92  (594
At 31 December 2018     (142    (281 (10 (5 (438
Net book value                             
At 31 December 2016   232   193    360   303   204   1,292 
At 31 December 2015   233  193    296  326  178  1,226 
At 1 January 2015   74       264  176  129  643 
At 31 December 2018     313  250  500  67  13  1,143 
At 31 December 2017     237   193   464   64   9   967 
At 1 January 2017                 232               193               360             66                   7               858 

a

Restated for the adoption of IFRS 15 (see pages 109 to 113).

Goodwill and brands

During 2015,the year, the Group acquired KimptonRegent and the UK portfolio (see note 10)11) resulting in the recognition of goodwill of $167m$83m and brands of $193m,$58m, together with management contracts of $6m. The Kimpton acquisition in 2015 resulted in the recognition of goodwill of $167m, brands of $193m and management contracts of $71m.

The Regent and Kimpton brands are both considered to have an indefinite life given their strong brand awareness and reputation, in the upscale boutique hotel sector, and management’s commitment to continued investment in their growth. The brands are protected by trademarks and there are not believed to be any legal, regulatory or contractual provisions that limit the useful lives of the brands. In the hotel industry there are a number of brands that have existed for many years and IHG has brands that are over 60 years old.

The Group tests goodwill and indefinite life intangible assets for impairment annually, or more frequently if there are any indicators that an impairment may have arisen.

134IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2018


13. Goodwill and other intangible assetscontinued

The year-end carrying value of goodwill and indefinite life brands have been allocated to cash-generating units (CGUs) for impairment testing purposes as follows:

 

       2016           2015       2018       2017 
  

        Goodwill

$m

   

        Brands

$m

      

    Goodwill

$m

   

        Brands

$m

          Goodwill
$m
       Brands
$m
           Goodwill
$m
       Brands
$m
 
CGU                              
Americas Managed   63    193      63    193      69    203      63    193 
Americas Franchised   37          37          37          37     
Europe Managed   21          21     
Europe Franchised   10          10     
AMEA Managed and Franchised   101          102     
EMEAA – Europe Managed     29    13      21     
EMEAA – Europe Franchised     10          10     
EMEAA – rest of region     113    23      106     
Greater China     7    11           
Allocated to CGUs (including Regent)     265    250      237    193 
UK portfolio     48               
   232    193      233    193              313                250                  237                193 

LOGO

Notes to the Group Financial Statements        IHG Annual Report and Form 20-F 2016                119


NOTES TO THE GROUP FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED

13. Goodwill and other intangible assetscontinuedThe UK portfolio goodwill remained unallocated at 31 December 2018 pending completion of the portfolio acquisition in early 2019.

The goodwill relating to the Regent and UK portfolio acquisitions are included in the Group statement of financial position at their acquisition date fair value. Otherwise, the recoverable amounts of the CGUs arehave been determined from value in use calculations. These calculations coverinclude a five-yearthree-year period using pre-tax cash flow forecasts derived from the most recent financial budgets and strategic plans approved by management, incorporating growth rates based on management’s past experience and industry growth forecasts. AThe key assumptions that underpin the financial budgets are RevPAR growth and net System size growth. RevPAR is based on market forecasts provided by Oxford Economics adjusted for historical experience of how the Group has performed compared to these expectations. Cash flows beyond the three-year period are extrapolated using terminal value is added using growth rates that do not exceed the average long-term growth rates for the relevant markets. TheA 10% contingency factor is applied to reduce all cash flows areflow projections before being discounted using pre-tax rates that are based on the Group’s weighted average cost of capital adjusted to reflect the risks specific to the business model and territory of the CGU being tested.

The terminal growth rates and discount rates used, in the impairment testswhich are considered to be key assumptions, are as follows:

 

   Terminal growth rate      

Discount rate

 
    

            2016

%

   

            2015

%

       

            2016

%

   

            2015

%

 
Americas Managed   2.0    2.5        9.8    10.2 
Americas Franchised   2.0    2.5        8.8    9.2 
Europe Managed   2.0    2.5        9.3    9.9 
Europe Franchised   2.0    2.5        8.4    8.9 
AMEA Managed and Franchised   3.5    3.5        13.0    12.5 
        

2018

       

2017

 
        Terminal
growth
rate %
     Discount
rate %
       

  Terminal
growth

rate %

     Discount
rate %
 
Americas Managed     2.0    10.5      2.0    10.4 
Americas Franchised     2.0    9.6      2.0    9.4 
EMEAA – Europe Managed     2.0    11.4      2.0    10.8 
EMEAA – Europe Franchised     2.0    10.5      2.0    9.8 
EMEAA – rest of region     3.5    13.4      3.5    14.1 
Greater China                 2.5                12.3                  2.5                13.6 

Impairment was not required at either 31 December 20162018 or 31 December 2015.2017.

At 31 December 2016,Given the Americas Managedcontingency factor applied to the cash flow projections and Europe Managed CGUs hadthe significant amounts by which the recoverable amounts that exceededof the CGUs exceed their carrying amounts, by $81m and $48m respectively; this headroommanagement have determined that impairment charges would be eroded if the discount rate assumptions were increased to 10.8% and 11.7% respectively. In respect of the other CGUs, the headroom is of a magnitude thatnot arise from reasonably possible changes to key assumptions would not result in the recoverable amounts falling below their carrying amounts.key assumptions.

Software

Software includes $151m$273m relating to the development of the next-generation Guest Reservation System with Amadeus. This asset isOf this amount $109m relating to Phase 2 of the project was not yet in useamortised during the year as it has not been completed and therefore not being amortised.rolled out to hotels.

Substantially all software additions are internally developed.

Management contracts

In addition to the managementManagement contracts acquired with thecomprise $61m (2017: $64m) in respect of Kimpton acquisitionand $6m (2017: $nil) in 2015, additions to management contracts relate to contract values recognised as partrespect of the proceeds for hotels sold.Regent.

At 31 December 2016, the net book value and remaining amortisation period of the principal management contracts were as follows:

        2016           2015 
    

      Net book
value

$m

   Remaining
amortisation
period
Years
       

      Net book
value

$m

   Remaining
amortisation
period
Years
 
Hotel                        
InterContinental Hong Kong   62    36        64    37 
InterContinental New York Barclay   38    47        39    48 
InterContinental London Park Lane   29    46        36    47 
InterContinental Paris – Le Grand   31    48        32    49 

The weighted average remaining amortisation period for all management contracts is 3125 years (2015: 32(2017 restated: 27 years).

 

120                IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 20162018  |  Group Financial Statements  |  Notes135


Group Financial Statements

Notes to the Group Financial Statements continued

    

    

14. Investment in associates and joint ventures

 

    

Associates

$m

   Joint
ventures
$m
   

Total

$m

 
Cost               
At 1 January 2015   92    27    119 
Additions   29    1    30 
Share of (losses)/profits   (2   (1   (3
Capitalisation of a receivable   10        10 
Dividends   (5       (5
Exchange and other adjustments   (3       (3
At 31 December 2015   121    27    148 
Additions   14        14 
Share of (losses)/profits   (3   1    (2
Capital return       (2   (2
Transfer to financial assets   (14       (14
Dividends   (5       (5
At 31 December 2016   113    26    139 
Impairment               
At 1 January 2015   (3       (3
Charge for the year   (9       (9
At 31 December 2015   (12       (12
Charge for the year   (16       (16
At 31 December 2016   (28       (28
Net book value               
At 31 December 2016   85    26    111 
At 31 December 2015   109    27    136 
At 1 January 2015   89    27    116 
          Associates
$m
  Joint
  ventures
$m
    Total
$m
 
Cost               
At 1 January 2017     113   26   139 
Additions     47      47 
Share of profits/(losses)     2   1   3 
Disposals     (9     (9
Distributions     (4     (4
Exchange and other adjustments     2      2 
At 31 December 2017     151   27   178 
Additions     3      3 
Share of (losses)/profits     (6  5   (1
Distributions     (5  (32  (37
Exchange     (3     (3
At 31 December 2018     140      140 
Impairment               
At 1 January 2017     (28     (28
Charge for the year     (18     (18
Disposals     9      9 
At 31 December 2017     (37     (37
Exchange     1      1 
At 31 December 2018     (36     (36
Net book value               
At 31 December 2018     104      104 
At 31 December 2017     114   27   141 
At 1 January 2017     85   26   111 

All associates and joint ventures are accounted for using the equity method.

During the year, an investment for which the Group hasreceived a 30% interest was transferred to other financial assetsdistribution of $32m from a joint venture following loss of significant influence over the operating and financial policy decisionssale of the entity.hotel owned by the joint venture.

The impairment chargeImpairment charges of $18m and $16m in 2017 and 2016 relatesrespectively, related to the Barclay associate (see following page) and resultsbelow), resulted from the currently depressed trading outlook for the New York hotel market and the high costs of renovating the hotel. The recoverable amount of the investment has beenwas measured at its fair value less costs of disposal, based on the Group’s share of the market value of the hotel less debt in the associate. The hotel was appraised by a professional external valuer using an income capitalisation approach which is a discounted cash flow technique that measures the present value of projected income flows (over a 10-year period) and the reversion of the property sale. Within the fair value hierarchy, this is categorised as a Level 3 fair value measurement. In addition to the projected income flows, the key assumptions used were a discount rate of 7.3% (2016: 7.3%) and a terminal capitalisation rate of 6.3% (2016: 6.0%).

Due to localised adverse market conditions, an impairment charge of $9m was recognised during 2015 relating to an associate investment in the AMEA region following a re-assessment of its recoverable amount to $nil, based on value in use calculations. Estimated future cash flows were discounted at a pre-tax rate of 13.2%.

On 20 November 2015, the Group disposed of an associate investment in the AMEA region realising a gain on disposal of $9m. At the time of disposal, the investment had a $nil net book value.

LOGO

Notes to the Group Financial Statements        IHG Annual Report and Form 20-F 2016                121


NOTES TO THE GROUP FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED

14. Investment in associates and joint venturescontinued

Barclay associate

The Group held one material associate investment at 31 December 2016,2018, a 19.9% interest in 111 East 48th Street Holdings, LLC (the Barclay associate) which owns InterContinental New York Barclay (the hotel), a hotel managed by the Group. The hotel reopened for trading in April 2016 following a major renovation. The investment is classified as an associate and equity accounted asaccounted. Whilst the Group has the ability to exercise significant influence through certain decision rights, approval rights relating to the hotel’s operating and its involvementcapital budgets rest solely with the 80.1% majority member. The Group’s ability to receive cash dividends is dependent on the hotel generating sufficient income to satisfy specified owner returns.

In March 2017, the Group invested $43m in the hotel renovation and financingBarclay associate in conjunction with a refinancing of the entity.hotel. The cash was used to repay a $43m supplemental bank loan for which the Group had previously provided an indemnity for 100% of the related obligations. As a consequence, the indemnity has been extinguished.

136IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2018


14. Investment in associates and joint venturescontinued

Summarised financial information in respect of the Barclay associate is set out below:

 

  

31 December
2016

$m

 

31 December
2015

$m

       

            31 December

2018

$m

      

            31 December

2017

$m

 
Non-current assets   552  480      529     540 
Net current liabilities   (264 (7
Current assets     70     41 
Current liabilities     (17    (19
Non-current liabilities   (39 (226     (319    (287
Net assets   249  247      263     275 
Group share of reported net assets at 19.9%   50  49      52     55 
Adjustments to reflect capitalised costs, and additional rights and obligations under the shareholder agreement   (7 10      7     10 
Carrying amount   43  59      59     65 

 

  

12 months to
31 December
2016

$m

 

12 months to
31 December
2015

$m

       

            12 months to
31 December

2018

$m

      

            12 months to

31 December

2017

$m

 
Revenue   45         103     90 
Loss for the period   (34 (21     (13    (16
Group’s share of loss for the period   (8 (4
Group’s share of loss for the period, including the cost of funding owner returns     (8    (4

Other associates and joint ventures

The summarised aggregated financial information for individually immaterial associates and joint ventures is set out below. These are mainly investments in entities that own hotels which the Group manages.

 

   Associates      Joint ventures      Total 
                    2016
$m
                   2015
$m
                   2014
$m
                       2016
$m
                   2015
$m
                  2014
$m
                       2016
$m
                   2015
$m
                   2014
$m
 
Share of profits/(losses)                                                    
Operating profits/(losses) before exceptional items   5    3    1        1    (1          6    2    1 

        Associates       Joint ventures       Total 
              2018
$m
               2017
$m
               2016
$m
               2018
$m
               2017
$m
               2016
$m
               2018
$m
               2017
$m
               2016
$m
 
Share of profits/(losses)                                                                  
Operating profits before exceptional items     2      6      5      5      1      1      7      7      6 

 

122                IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 20162018  |  Group Financial Statements  |  Notes137


Group Financial Statements

    

 

15. Other financial assets

 

  2016
$m
                   2015
$m
                    2018
$m
                     2017
$m
 
Equity securities available-for-sale      
Equity securities measured at fair value          
Quoted equity shares   14    14      8      10 
Unquoted equity shares   142    136      108      117 
   156    150      116      127 
Loans and receivables      
Financial assets measured at amortised cost          
Trade deposits and loans   43    54      50      43 
Restricted funds   31    34      55      32 
Bank accounts pledged as security   38    46      40      42 
   112    134      145      117 
Total other financial assets   268    284      261      244 
Analysed as:                

Current

   20          1      16 

Non-current

   248    284      260      228 
   268    284      261      244 

Equity securities available-for-sale are measured at fair value (see note 23)through other comprehensive income and loans and receivables are held at amortised cost.

Equity securities available-for-sale were denominated in the following currencies: US dollars $121m (2015: $102m), Hong Kong dollars $24m (2015: $28m) and other currencies $11m (2015: $20m). Unlisted equity shares are mainly comprise strategic investments in entities that own hotels which the Group manages. DividendThe fair value of the most significant investments at 31 December 2018 together with the dividend income from available-for-sale equity securities of $7m (2015: $9m)received in 2018 is reportedas follows:

               Dividend 
             Fair value           incomea  
       2018       2018 
        $m       $m 
Investment in entity which owns:              

InterContinental The Willard Washington DC

     31       

InterContinental San Francisco

     31      6 

InterContinental Grand Stanford Hong Kong

     16      2 

Other

     38      1 
      116      9 

a

Reported as ‘other operating income and expenses’ in the Group income statement.

Equity securities were denominated in the following currencies: US dollars $91m (2017: $93m), Hong Kong dollars $16m (2017: $25m) and other currencies $9m (2017: $9m).

On 13 December 2017, the sale of Avendra, LLC (Avendra) to Aramark Services, Inc., resulted in the Group receiving cash proceeds of $75m from its 6.29% interest in Avendra and the recording of a $73m exceptional gain in the Group income statement (see note 6). Prior to the sale, the Group’s investment in Avendra was included in unquoted equity shares. Avendra is a North American hospitality procurement services provider.

Trade deposits and loans include deposits of $46m$66m made to a hotel owner in connection with a portfolio of management contracts. The deposits are non-interest-bearing and repayable at the end of the management contract terms, and are therefore held at a discounted value of $19m (2015: $14m)$30m (2017: $28m); the discount unwinds to the income statement within ‘financial income’ over the period to repayment.

Restricted funds include $25m placed in a shortfall reserve deposit which is held for the specific purpose of funding shortfalls in owner returns relating to the Barclay associate. No amounts required release from the deposit during the year. Other restricted funds largely comprise cash ring-fenced to satisfy insurance claims.

The bank accounts pledged as security (£31m) are subject to a charge in favour of the members of the UK unfunded pension arrangement (see note 25).

The movement in the provision for impairment of other financial assetsequity securities during the year is as follows:

 

    2016
$m
                  2015
$m
 
At 1 January   (28  (28
Disposals   6    
At 31 December   (22  (28

The provision is used to record impairment losses unless the Group is satisfied that no recovery of the amount is possible; at that point the amount considered irrecoverable is either written off directly to the income statement or, if previously provided, against the financial asset with no impact on the income statement.

LOGO

                      2018
$m
                  2017
$m
 
At 1 January     (18    (22
Elimination of provision on adoption of IFRS 9     18      
Disposals          4 
At 31 December          (18

 

Notes to the Group Financial Statements        138IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2016                1232018


NOTES TO THE GROUP FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED

    

 

16. Trade and other receivables

 

  2016
$m
                   2015
$m
             2018
$m
             2017
$m
 
Current                
Trade receivables   368    354      474      452 
Other receivables   25    28      27      23 
Prepayments   77    74      111      74 
Loans to and receivables from associates   2    6      1      2 
   472    462      613      551 
Non-current      
Loans to associates   8    3 

Trade and other receivables are designated as loans and receivables and are held at amortised cost.

Trade receivables are non-interest-bearing and are generally on payment terms of up to 30 days. The fair value of trade and other receivables approximates their carrying value.

The maximum exposure to credit risk for trade and other receivables, excluding prepayments, at the end of the reporting period by geographic region is:

 

  2016
$m
                   2015
$m
             2018
$m
             2017
$m
 
Americas   256    233      325      305 
Europe   43    54 
Asia, Middle East and Africa   61    66 
EMEAA     125      122 
Greater China   43    38      52      50 
   403    391      502      477 

The ageing of trade and other receivables, excluding prepayments, at the end of the reporting period is:

 

                          2016                              2015       

2018

       

2017

 
  

            Gross

$m

   

        Provision

$m

                 Net
$m
      

            Gross

$m

   

        Provision

$m

 

            Net

$m

      

Gross

$m

   

Credit loss

allowance
$m

 Net
$m
       Gross
$m
   Credit loss
allowance
$m
 Net
$m
 
Not past due   289    (1  288      280    (1 279      356    (1 355      333    (1  332 
Past due 1 to 30 days   58    (3  55      64    (3 61      71    (1 70      68    (2  66 
Past due 31 to 180 days   64    (7  57      52    (5 47      86    (9 77      82    (7  75 
Past due more than 180 days   61    (58  3      51    (47 4                   71    (67  4 
   472    (69  403      447    (56 391      513    (11 502      554    (77  477 

Trade and other receivables over 180 days past due are written off, but continue to be actively pursued. The credit risk relating to balances not past due is not deemed to be significant.

The movement in the provisionallowance for impairmentexpected lifetime credit losses of trade and other receivables during the year is as follows:

 

    2016
$m
              2015
$m
                  2014
$m
 
At 1 January   (56  (47  (43
Provided   (25  (28  (22
Amounts written back   5   12   9 
Amounts written off   5   7   9 
Exchange adjustments   2       
At 31 December   (69  (56  (47

              2018
$m
            2017
$m
            2016
$m
 
At 1 January     (77    (69    (56
Adjustment arising on adoption of IFRS 9     67           
Provided     (28    (15    (25
Amounts written back          2     5 
Amounts written off     26     6     5 
Exchange adjustments     1     (1    2 
At 31 December     (11    (77    (69

 

124                IHG|  Annual Report and Form 20-F 20162018  |Group Financial Statements|  Notes139


Group Financial Statements

Notes to the Group Financial Statements continued

    

    

17. Cash and cash equivalents

 

  2016
$m
   

                2015

$m

          2018
$m
          2017
$m
 
Cash at bank and in hand   131    145     202     164 
Short-term deposits   75    703     234     4 
Repurchase agreements       289     268      
   206    1,137     704     168 

Cash at bank and in hand includes bank balances of $91m (2015: $41m)$106m (2017: $116m) which are matched by bank overdrafts of $89m (2015: $39m)$104m (2017: $110m) under the Group’s cash pooling arrangements. Under these arrangements, each pool contains a number of bank accounts with the same financial institution and the Group pays interest on net overdraft balances within each pool. The cash pools are used for day-to-day cash management purposes and are managed as closely as possible to a zero balance on a net basis for each pool. Overseas subsidiaries are typically in a cash positivecash-positive position with the matching overdrafts held by the Group’s central treasury company in the UK.

For the purposes of the Group statement of cash flows, cash and cash equivalents comprise the following:

 

  2016
$m
 

                2015

$m

          2018
$m
          2017
$m
 
Cash at bank and in hand   131  145     202     164 
Short-term deposits   75  703     234     4 
Repurchase agreements     289     268      
   206  1,137     704     168 
Bank overdrafts (note 20)   (89 (39    (104    (110
   117  1,098     600     58 

Short-term deposits and repurchase agreements are highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less.

18. Trade and other payables

 

    2016
$m
                   2015
$m
 
Current          
Trade payables   94    87 
Other tax and social security payable   38    45 
Deferred revenue   37    39 
Other payables   206    138 
Accruals   306    307 
    681    616 
Non-current          
Deferred revenue   78    7 
Other payables   122    145 
    200    152 

LOGO

Notes to the Group Financial Statements        IHG Annual Report and Form 20-F 2016                125


NOTES TO THE GROUP FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED

            2018
$m
     2017
Restated
$m
 
Current            
Trade payables    132     81 
Other tax and social security payable    44     48 
Other payables    95     108 
Contingent purchase consideration    7      
Accruals    340     360 
     618     597 
Non-current            
Other payables    34     36 
Deferred and contingent purchase consideration    124      
     158     36 

19. Provisions

 

    Kimpton
Security
Incident
$m
       Litigation
$m
  

            Total

$m

 
At 1 January 2015       10   10 
Provided       5   5 
At 31 December 2015       15   15 
Provided   5       5 
Utilised       (12  (12
At 31 December 2016   5    3   8 
         

2016

$m

  

2015

$m

 
Analysed as:              

Current

        3   15 

Non-current

        5    
         8   15 
      Security
Incidents
$m
  Litigation
$m
  Insurance
reserves
$m
          Total
$m
 
At 1 January 2017 and 31 December 2017    5   3      8 
Reclassification from other trade and other payables          25   25 
(Released)/provided    (2  (1  7   4 
Utilised    (3     (7  (10
At 31 December 2018       2   25   27 

            2018
$m
           2017
$m
 
Analysed as:            

Current

    10     3 

Non-current

    17     5 
     27     8 

 

LOGOLOGO 

See note 30 for a description of and further information

information on the Kimpton Security IncidentIncidents provision.

The amount provided in the year

140IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2018


19. Provisionscontinued

Provisions for insurance claims are mainly in respect of the Kimpton Security Incident has been recognised within Central costsGroup’s workers compensation, employment practices liability and third-party general liability insurances. The amounts are based on reserves held in the Group income statement.

Litigation largely relates to actions brought against the Group in The Americas region. In relation to the $12m settled during the year, anGroup’s captive insurance recovery of $8m was also recorded by the System Fund.company, SCH Insurance Company, and are established using independent actuarial assessments wherever possible, or a reasonable assessment based on past claims experience.

20. Loans and other borrowings

 

            2016                2015       2018       2017 
          Current
$m
   Non-current
$m
               Total
$m
              Current
$m
   Non-current
$m
               Total
$m
      Current
$m
   Non-current
$m
   

Total

$m

       Current
$m
   Non-current
$m
   

Total

$m

 
Bank overdrafts   89        89      39        39 
Unsecured bank loans       107    107                                      262    262 
Finance lease obligations   17    210    227      17    207    224      16    219    235      16    215    231 
£250m 6% bonds 2016                 371        371 
£400m 3.875% bonds 2022       489    489          588    588          509    509          538    538 
£300m 3.75% bonds 2025       370    370          444    444          385    385          406    406 
£350m 2.125% bonds 2026       430    430                        447    447          472    472 
Total borrowings   106    1,606    1,712      427    1,239    1,666 
500m 2.125% bonds 2027         569    569               
     16    2,129    2,145      16    1,893    1,909 
Bank overdrafts     104        104      110        110 
Total loans and other borrowings     120    2,129    2,249      126    1,893    2,019 
Denominated in the following currencies:                                          

Sterling

       1,289    1,289      373    1,032    1,405          1,341    1,341          1,416    1,416 

US dollars

   101    317    418      46    207    253      110    219    329      124    477    601 

Euros

   2        2      4        4      8    569    577      2        2 

Other

   3        3      4        4      2        2               
   106    1,606    1,712      427    1,239    1,666      120    2,129    2,249      126    1,893    2,019 

Bank overdrafts

Bank overdrafts are matched by equivalent amountsLoans and other borrowings (excluding bank overdrafts) and currency swaps comprise the liabilities included in the financing activities section of the Group statement of cash flows and cash equivalents undertheir movements are analysed as follows:

        

At 1 January
2018

$m

   Cash flows
$m
  Exchange
adjustments
$m
          Other
$m
  

At 31 December
2018

$m

 
Unsecured bank loans     262    (268  3   3    
Finance lease obligations     231          4   235 
£400m 3.875% bonds 2022     538       (30  1   509 
£300m 3.75% bonds 2025     406       (23  2   385 
£350m 2.125% bonds 2026     472       (26  1   447 
500m 2.125% bonds 2027         559   9   1   569 
      1,909    291   (67  12   2,145 
Currency swaps:                        

Exchange of principal

         (5     (2  (7

Initial fee received

         3      (3   
          (2     (5  (7
      1,909    289   (67  7   2,138 
        

At 1 January
2017

$m

   Cash flows
$m
  Exchange
adjustments
$m
  Other $m  

At 31 December
2017

$m

 
Unsecured bank loans     107    153   1   1   262 
Finance lease obligations     227          4   231 
£400m 3.875% bonds 2022     489       48   1   538 
£300m 3.75% bonds 2025     370       36      406 
£350m 2.125% bonds 2026     430       42      472 
      1,623    153   127   6   1,909 

IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2018  |  Group Financial Statements  |  Notes141


Group Financial Statements

Notes to the Group’s cash pooling arrangements (see note 17 for further details).Group Financial Statements continued

20. Loans and other borrowingscontinued

Unsecured bank loans

Unsecured bank loans are borrowings under the Group’s Syndicated and Bilateral facilities.Facilities. Amounts are classified as non-current when the facilities have more than 12 months to expiry.

The Syndicated Facility comprises a $1,275m five-year revolving credit facility maturing in March 2021, with a one-year extension option exercisable in 2017.2022.

The Bilateral Facility comprises a $75m revolving credit facility maturing in March 2021, with a one-year extension option exercisable in 2017.2022. The Bilateral Facility contains the same terms and covenants as the Syndicated Facility.Facility (see note 22).

A variable rate of interest is payable on amounts drawn under both facilities, which was 1.37%were undrawn at 31 December 2016.

126                IHG Annual Report and Form 20-F 2016        Group Financial Statements


2018.

20. Loans and other borrowingscontinued

Finance lease obligations

Finance lease obligations, which relate primarily to the 99-year lease (of which 8987 years remain) on the InterContinental Boston hotel, are payable as follows:

 

     2016         2015          2018          2017 
  Minimum
lease
    payments
$m
 Present
value of
    payments
$m
      Minimum
lease
    payments
$m
 Present
value of
    payments
$m
       

Minimum

lease

payments

$m

 

Present

value of

payments

$m

       

Minimum

lease

payments

$m

 

Present

value of

payments

$m

 
Less than one year   17   17      17  17      16  16      16   16 
Between one and five years   64   48      65  49      72  53      67   49 
More than five years   3,252   162      3,268  158      3,212  166      3,234   166 
   3,333   227      3,350  224      3,300  235      3,317   231 
Less: amount representing finance charges   (3,106        (3,126        (3,065        (3,086   
   227   227      224  224      235  235      231   231 

The Group has the option to extend the term of the InterContinental Boston lease for two additional 20-year terms. Payments under the lease step up at regular intervals over the lease term. Interest is payable on the obligation at a fixed rate of 9.7%.

£250m 6% bonds 2016

The 6% fixed interest sterling bonds were issued on 9 December 2009 and were repaid in full on 9 December 2016.

£400m 3.875% bonds 2022

The 3.875% fixed interest sterling bonds were issued on 28 November 2012 and are repayable in full on 28 November 2022. Interest is payable annually on 28 November. The bonds were initially priced at 98.787% of face value and are unsecured.

£300m 3.75% bonds 2025

The 3.75% fixed interest sterling bonds were issued on 14 August 2015 and are repayable in full on 14 August 2025. Interest is payable annually on 14 August. The bonds were initially priced at 99.014% of face value and are unsecured.

£350m 2.125% bonds 2026

The 2.125% fixed interest sterling bonds were issued on 24 August 2016 and are repayable in full on 24 August 2026. Interest is payable annually on 24 August. The bonds were initially priced at 99.45% of face value and are unsecured.

€500m 2.125% bonds 2027

The 2.125% fixed interest euro bonds were issued on 15 November 2018 and are repayable in full on 15 May 2027. Interest is payable annually on 15 May. The bonds were initially priced at 99.53% of face value and are unsecured. Currency swaps were transacted at the same time the bonds were issued in order to swap the proceeds and interest flows into sterling (see note 22).

Bank overdrafts

Bank overdrafts are matched by equivalent amounts of cash and cash equivalents under the Group’s cash pooling arrangements (see note 17).

Facilities provided by banks

 

             2016                2015 
          Utilised
$m
       Unutilised
$m
   

            Total

$m

             Utilised
$m
       Unutilised
$m
   

            Total

$m

 
Committed   110    1,240    1,350            1,350    1,350 
Uncommitted       70    70            64    64 
    110    1,310    1,420            1,414    1,414 
                            

2016

$m

   

2015

$m

 
Unutilised facilities expire:                                  

Within one year

                           70    64 

After two but before five years

                           1,240    1,350 
                            1,310    1,414 
       2018       2017 
        

Utilised

$m

   

Unutilised

$m

   

Total

$m

       

Utilised

$m

   

Unutilised

$m

   

Total

$m

 
Committed         1,350    1,350      264    1,086    1,350 
Uncommitted         53    53      1    69    70 
          1,403    1,403      265    1,155    1,420 

        

      2018

$m

       

2017

$m

Unutilised facilities expire:            
    Within one year     53     69
    After two but before five years     1,350     1,086
      1,403     1,155

Utilised facilities are calculated based on actual drawings and may not agree to the carrying value of loans held at amortised cost.

 

LOGO

142
Notes to the Group Financial Statements        IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2016                1272018


NOTES TO THE GROUP FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED

    

 

21. Net debt

  

2016

$m

 

            2015

$m

      

            2018

$m

      

            2017

$m

 
Cash and cash equivalents   206  1,137     704     168 
Loans and other borrowings – current   (106 (427    (120    (126
– non-current   (1,606 (1,239    (2,129    (1,893
Derivatives hedging debt values (note 22)    15      
Net debt   (1,506 (529    (1,530    (1,851
Movement in net debt             
Net (decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents, net of overdrafts   (920 1,107 
Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents, net of overdrafts    563     (75
Add back cash flows in respect of other components of net debt:             

Issue of long-term bonds

   (459 (458

Other new borrowings

     (400

Long-term bonds repaid

   315    

New borrowings repaid

     400 

(Increase)/decrease in other borrowings

   (109 355 
(Increase)/decrease in net debt arising from cash flows   (1,173 1,004 

Issue of long-term bonds, including effect of currency swaps

    (554     

Decrease/(increase) in other borrowings

    268     (153
Decrease/(increase) in net debt arising from cash flows    277     (228
Non-cash movements:             

Finance lease obligations

   (4 (6    (4    (4

Increase in accrued interest

   (6 (7

(Increase)/decrease in accrued interest

    (3    1 

Exchange and other adjustments

   206  13     51     (114
(Increase)/decrease in net debt   (977 1,004 
Decrease/(increase) in net debt    321     (345
Net debt at beginning of the year   (529 (1,533    (1,851    (1,506
Net debt at end of the year   (1,506 (529    (1,530    (1,851

 

LOGOLOGO 

Information concerning non-GAAPNon-GAAP measures can

can be found in the Strategic Report on page 26.36.

IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2018  |  Group Financial Statements  |  Notes143


Group Financial Statements

Notes to the Group Financial Statements continued

22. Financial risk management and derivatives

Overview

The Group is exposed to financial risks that arise in relation to underlying business activities. These risks include: foreign exchange risk, liquidityinterest rate risk, interest rateliquidity risk, credit risk and capital risk. There are Board approved policies in place to manage these risks. Treasury activities to manage these risks may include money market investments, repurchase agreements, spot and forward foreign exchange instruments, currency swaps, interest rate swaps and forward rate agreements.

Market risk

Foreign exchange risk

The US dollar is the predominant currency of the Group’s revenue and cash flows. Movements in foreign exchange rates can affect the Group’s reported profit, net assetsliabilities and its interest cover. The most significant exposures of the Group are in currencies that are freely convertible. The Group’s reported debt has an exposure to borrowings held in pounds sterling.sterling and euros.

Foreign exchange hedging

The Group uses short-dated foreign exchange swaps to manage sterling surplus cash and reduce US dollar borrowings whilst maintaining operational flexibility. At 31 December 2018, the Group held short-dated foreign exchange swaps with principals of $100m (2017: $30m).

From time to time, the Group hedges a portion of forecast foreign currency income by taking out forward exchange contracts. The designated risk is the spot foreign exchange risk. There were no such contracts in place at either 31 December 20162018 or 31 December 2015.2017.

The Group also uses short-dated foreign exchange swaps to manage sterling surplus cash and reduce US dollar borrowings whilst maintaining operational flexibility. At 31 December 2016,2018, the Group held short-dated foreign exchangecurrency swaps with principalsa principal of $120m (2015: $481m).

£436m. These swaps were transacted at the same time as the500m 2.125% bonds were issued in November 2018 in order to swap the bonds‘ proceeds and interest flows into sterling. Under the terms of the swaps, £436m was borrowed and500m deposited for eight and a half years at a fixed exchange rate of £1 =1.15. The fair value of thesethe currency swap comprises two components: $15m gain relating to exchange movements on the underlying principal and $8m loss relating to other fair value movements. The fair value movement has been recorded in the cash flow hedging reserve and there was no material hedge ineffectiveness. The element relating to the underlying principal is disclosed as a component of net debt (see note 21).

These derivative financial instruments are recorded in the Group statement of financial position at 31 December 2016 was a $3m liability (2015: $3m liability).their fair values (see note 23) as follows:

                 2018 
$m 
                2017
$m
 
Currency swapsa       
Forward foreign exchange contractsb       
        
Analysed as:         
Non-current assets       
Current assets       
        

a

Designated as a cash flow hedge.

b

Designated as net investment hedges.

Hedge of net investment in foreign operations

Wherever possible, the Group matches the currency of its debt (either directly or via derivatives) to the currency of its net assets, whilst maximising the amount of US dollars borrowed to reflect the predominant trading currency. However US dollars are only borrowed to the extent that hedge accounting can be achieved.

The Group designates certain foreign currency bank borrowings and currency derivatives as net investment hedges of foreign operations. The designated risk is the spot foreign exchange risk for loans and short-dated derivatives. The interest on these financial instruments is taken through financial income or expense.

The maximum amount of foreign exchange derivatives held during the year as net investment hedges and measured at calendar quarter ends were short-dated foreign exchange swaps with principals ofnil (2015:285m) and $325m (2015: $315m) $100m (2017: $160m).

Hedge effectiveness is measured at calendar quarter ends. No ineffectiveness arose in respect of the Group’s net investment hedges during the current or prior year.

128                IHG Annual Report and Form 20-F 2016        Group Financial Statements


Cash flow hedging

22. FinancialThe currency swaps are designated as hedging instruments in cash flow hedges of the exposure to foreign exchange risk managementcontinuedon the500m 2.125% bonds. The change in value of the hedged item used as the basis for recognising hedge ineffectiveness for the period was $9m. Amounts recognised in the cash flow hedging reserve are analysed in note 27.

Interest rate risk

The Group is exposed to interest rate risk in relation to its fixed and floating rate borrowings. The Group’s policy requires a minimum of 50% fixed rate debt over the next 12 months. With the exception of overdrafts, 93%100% of borrowings were fixed rate debt at 31 December 2016 (2015: 100%2018 (2017: 86%).

Interest rate hedging

If required, the Group uses interest rate swaps to manage the exposure. The Group designates interest rate swaps as cash flow hedges. No interest rate swaps were used to manage interest rate exposure during 2016, 20152018, 2017 or 2014.2016.

144IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2018


22. Financial risk management and derivativescontinued

Interest and foreign exchange risk sensitivities

The following table shows the impact of a general strengthening in the US dollar against sterling and euro on the Group’s profit before tax and net assets,liabilities, and the impact of a rise in US dollar, euro and sterling interest rates on the Group’s profit before tax.

The impact of the strengthening in the euro against sterling on net liabilities is also shown, as this impacts the fair value of the currency swaps.

        2016
$m
              2015
$m
              2014
$m
 
Increase/(decrease) in profit before tax                
Sterling: US dollar exchange rate  5¢ fall   5.2   4.8   4.5 
Euro: US dollar exchange rate  5¢ fall   (2.2  (1.9  (2.2
US dollar interest rates  1% increase   (1.8  (0.9  (6.7
Euro interest rates  1% increase         (0.9
Sterling interest rates  1% increase   1.3   7.9   0.7 
Increase/(decrease) in net assets                
Sterling: US dollar exchange rate  5¢ fall   47.2   23.7   29.1 
Euro: US dollar exchange rate  5¢ fall   (5.5  (7.6  (10.9

                     2018
$m
                 2017
$m
                 2016
$m
 
Increase/(decrease) in profit before tax                    
Sterling: US dollar exchange rate 5¢ fall    4.1     4.0     5.2 
Euro: US dollar exchange rate 5¢ fall    (2.4    (2.1    (2.2
US dollar interest rates 1% increase    (0.9    (2.9    (1.8
Sterling interest rates 1% increase    5.5     0.3     1.3 
Decrease/(increase) in net liabilities                    
Sterling: US dollar exchange rate 5¢ fall    25.8     44.1     47.2 
Euro: US dollar exchange rate 5¢ fall    23.1     (4.1    (5.5
Sterling: euro exchange rate 5¢ fall    31.9           

The impact of a weakening in the US dollar or a fall in interest rates would be the reverse of the above values.

Interest rate sensitivities are calculated based on the year-end net debt position plus, in 2014, the $400m bilateral term loan drawn in 2015 to finance the Kimpton acquisition.position.

Liquidity risk

The Group policy ensures sufficient liquidity is maintained to meet all foreseeable medium-term cash requirements and provide headroom against unforeseen obligations.

Cash and cash equivalents is held in short-term deposits, repurchase agreements, and cash funds which allow daily withdrawals of cash. Most of the Group’s funds are held in the UK or US, although $3m (2015: $1m)$2m (2017: $3m) is held in countries where repatriation is restricted as a result of foreign exchange regulations.

Medium and long-term borrowing requirements are met through committed bank facilities and bonds as detailed in note 20. Short-term borrowing requirements may be met from drawings under uncommitted overdrafts and facilities.

The Syndicated and Bilateral facilitiesFacilities contain two financial covenants: interest cover and net debt divided by earningsoperating profit before interest, tax,exceptional items, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA).and System Fund revenues and expenses. The Group has been in compliance with all of the financial covenants in its loan documents throughout the year and expects to continue to have significant headroom for the foreseeable future.

LOGO

Notes to the Group Financial Statements        IHG Annual Report and Form 20-F 2016                129


NOTES TO THE GROUP FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED

22. Financial risk managementcontinued

The following are the undiscounted contractual cash flows of financial liabilities, including interest payments:

    

Less than
1 year

$m

   Between 1
    and 2 years
$m
   Between 2
    and 5 years
$m
   

    More than
5 years

$m

   

            Total

$m

 
31 December 2016                         
Non-derivative financial liabilities:                         

Bank overdrafts

   89                89 

Unsecured bank loans

   110                110 

£400m 3.875% bonds 2022

   19    19    57    510    605 

£300m 3.75% bonds 2025

   14    14    42    419    489 

£350m 2.125% bonds 2026

   9    9    28    473    519 

Finance lease obligations

   17    16    48    3,252    3,333 

Trade and other payables, excluding deferred revenue

   644    173    210    192    1,219 

Provisions

   3    5            8 
Derivative financial liabilities:                         

Forward foreign exchange contracts

   3                3 
31 December 2015                         
Non-derivative financial liabilities:                         

Bank overdrafts

   39                39 

£250m 6% bonds 2016

   393                393 

£400m 3.875% bonds 2022

   23    23    69    638    753 

£300m 3.75% bonds 2025

   17    17    50    521    605 

Finance lease obligations

   17    17    48    3,268    3,350 

Trade and other payables

   839    178    263    192    1,472 

Provisions

   15                15 
Derivative financial liabilities:                         

Forward foreign exchange contracts

   3                3 

Trade and other payables above includes the cash flows relating to the future redemption liabilitypayments. The payment profile of the Group’s loyalty programme. The repayment profilecontingent consideration has been determined by actuaries based on expected redemption profilesmanagement’s forecasts and could in reality be different from expectations.

     

        Less than
1 year

$m

  

        Between

1 and 2

years

$m

  

        Between

2 and 5

years

$m

  

        More than
5 years

$m

  

        Total

$m

 
31 December 2018                     
Non-derivative financial liabilities:                     

Deferred and contingent consideration

   7   8   37   262   314 

Bank overdrafts

   104            104 

£400m 3.875% bonds 2022

   20   20   550      590 

£300m 3.75% bonds 2025

   14   14   43   412   483 

£350m 2.125% bonds 2026

   10   10   28   475   523 

500m 2.125% bonds 2027

   6   12   37   621   676 

Finance lease obligations

   16   16   56   3,212   3,300 

Trade and other payables

   611   5   9   20   645 
Derivative financial liabilities:                     

Forward foreign exchange contracts

   (1           (1

Currency swaps hedging500m 2.125% bonds 2027 outflows

   20   20   58   625   723 

Currency swaps hedging500m 2.125% bonds 2027 inflows

   (6  (12  (37  (621  (676
     

Less than

1 year

$m

  

Between

1 and 2

years

$m

  

Between

2 and 5

years

$m

  

More than

5 years

$m

  

Total

$m

 
31 December 2017                     
Non-derivative financial liabilities:                     

Bank overdrafts

   110            110 

Unsecured bank loans

   264            264 

£400m 3.875% bonds 2022

   21   21   601      643 

£300m 3.75% bonds 2025

   15   15   46   445   521 

£350m 2.125% bonds 2026

   10   10   30   510   560 

Finance lease obligations

   16   16   51   3,234   3,317 

Trade and other payables

   597   5   11   20   633 

IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2018  |  Group Financial Statements  |  Notes145


Group Financial Statements

Notes to the Group Financial Statements continued

22. Financial risk managementcontinued

Credit risk

Credit risk on treasury transactions is minimised by operating a policy on the investment of surplus cash that generally restricts counterparties to those with a BBB credit rating or better or those providing adequate security. The Group uses long-term credit ratings from Standard and Poor’s, Moody’s and Fitch Ratings as a basis for setting its counterparty limits.

Short-term deposits

The table below analyses the Group’s short-term deposits at 31 December 2018 by counterparty credit rating:

                AAA           AA-           A           Total 
Short-term deposits     76    70    88    234 

Repurchase agreements

The Group invests in repurchase agreements, which are fully collateralised investments, with a maturity of three months or less. The Group accepts only government or supranational bonds where the lowest credit rating is AA- or better as collateral. In the event of default, ownership of these securities would revert to the Group. The securities held as collateral are to protect against default by the counterparty. The table below contains information about the collateral held as security at 31 December 2018:

Collateral by type                     2018
Government bonds60
Supranational bonds208
268
Collateral by credit rating2018
AAA207
AA34
AA-27
268

In order to manage the Group’s credit risk exposure, the treasury function sets counterparty exposure limits using metrics including credit ratings, the relative placing of credit default swap pricings, Tiertier 1 capital and share price volatility of the relevant counterparty.

The Group trades only with recognised, creditworthy third parties. It is the Group’s policy that all customers who wish to trade on credit terms are subject to credit verification procedures.

In respect of credit risk arising from financial assets, the Group’s exposure to credit risk arises from default of the counterparty, with a maximum exposure equal to the carrying amount of these instruments.

The carrying amount of financial assets represents the maximum exposure to credit risk.

 

    Note               2016
$m
   

            2015

$m

 
Cash and cash equivalents   17    206    1,137 
Equity securities available-for-sale   15    156    150 
Loans and receivables:               

Other financial assets

   15    112    134 

Trade and other receivables, excluding prepayments

   16    403    391 
         877    1,812 

130                IHG Annual Report and Form 20-F 2016        Group Financial Statements


             Note             2018
$m
              2017
$m
 
Cash and cash equivalents   17     704     168 
Derivative financial instruments   22     8      
Financial assets measured at amortised cost:                 

Other financial assets

   15     145     117 

Trade and other receivables, excluding prepayments

   16     502     477 
          1,359     762 

22. Financial risk managementcontinued

Capital risk management

The Group manages its capital to ensure that it will be able to continue as a going concern. The capital structure consists of net debt, issued share capital and reserves totalling $739m$445m at 31 December 2016 (2015: $838m)2018 (2017: $543m restated). The structure is managed to maintain an investment grade credit rating, to provide ongoing returns to shareholders and to service debt obligations, whilst maintaining maximum operational flexibility. A key characteristic of IHG’s managed and franchised business model is that it is highly cash generative, with a high return on capital employed. Surplus cash is either reinvested in the business, used to repay debt or returned to shareholders. The Group’s debt is monitored on the basis of a cash flow leverage ratio, being net debt divided by EBITDA, with the objective of maintaining an investment grade credit rating.

146IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2018


23. Fair value measurement

Fair values

The following table compares carrying amounts and fair values of the Group’s financial assets and liabilities:

 

            2016          2015 
    Note   

        Carrying
value

$m

  

Fair

            value

$m

       

        Carrying
value

$m

  

Fair

            value

$m

 
Financial assets                           
Cash and cash equivalents   17    206   206        1,137   1,137 
Equity securities available-for-salea   15    156   156        150   150 
Loans and receivables:                           

Other financial assets

   15    112   112        134   134 

Trade and other financial receivables, excluding prepayments

   16    403   403        391   391 
         877   877        1,812   1,812 
Financial liabilities                           
£250m 6% bonds 2016   20               (371  (386
£400m 3.875% bonds 2022   20    (489  (541       (588  (608
£300m 3.75% bonds 2025   20    (370  (408       (444  (443
£350m 2.125% bonds 2026   20    (430  (411           
Finance lease obligations   20    (227  (297       (224  (305
Unsecured bank loans   20    (107  (107           
Bank overdrafts   20    (89  (89       (39  (39
Loyalty programme liability   32    (685  (685       (649  (649
Trade and other payables   18    (881  (881       (768  (768
Derivativesa        (3  (3       (3  (3
Provisions   19    (8  (8       (15  (15
         (3,289  (3,430       (3,101  (3,216

aFinancial assets and liabilities which are measured at fair value.
           2018     2017 
              Note     

        Carrying

value

$m

      

Fair

        value

$m

     

        Carrying
value

$m

      Fair
        value
$m
 
Financial assets                                
Financial assets measured at fair value:                                

Equity securities

    15     116      116     127      127 

Derivatives

    22     8      8            
           124      124     127      127 
Financial assets measured at amortised cost:                                

Cash and cash equivalents

    17     704      704     168      168 

Loans and other receivables:

                                

Other financial assets

    15     145      145     117      117 

Trade and other receivables, excluding prepayments

    16     502      502     477      477 
           1,351      1,351     762      762 
           1,475      1,475     889      889 
Financial liabilities                                
Financial liabilities measured at fair value:                                

Deferred and contingent purchase consideration

    18     (131     (131           
Financial liabilities measured at amortised cost:                                
    £400m 3.875% bonds 2022    20     (509     (543    (538     (593
    £300m 3.75% bonds 2025    20     (385     (399    (406     (441
    £350m 2.125% bonds 2026    20     (447     (417    (472     (454
    500m 2.125% bonds 2027    20     (569     (566           

Finance lease obligations

    20     (235     (313    (231     (318

Unsecured bank loans

    20                (262     (262

Bank overdrafts

    20     (104     (104    (110     (110

Trade and other payables

    18     (645     (645    (633     (633

Provisions

    19     (27     (27    (8     (8
           (2,921     (3,014    (2,660     (2,819
           (3,052     (3,145    (2,660     (2,819

There are no other assets or liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring or non-recurring basis, or for which fair value is disclosed, other than as described in note 14.

The fair value of cash and cash equivalents and bank overdrafts approximates book value due to the short maturity of the investments and deposits, and the fair value of other financial assets approximates book value based on prevailing market rates. The fair value of the unsecured bank loans approximates book value as interest rates reset to market rates on a frequent basis. The fair value of trade and other receivables, trade and other payables the future redemption liability of the Group’s loyalty programme and current provisions approximates to their carrying value.

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Notes to the Group Financial Statements        IHG Annual Report and Form 20-F 2016                131


NOTES TO THE GROUP FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED

23. Fair value measurementcontinued

Fair value hierarchy

The following table provides the fair value measurement hierarchy of the above assets and liabilities, other than those with carrying amounts which are reasonable approximations of their fair values:

Level 1: quoted (unadjusted) prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

Level 2: other techniques for which all inputs which have a significant effect on fair value are observable, either directly or indirectly.

Level 3: techniques which use inputs which have a significant effect on the recorded fair value that are not based on observable market data.

 

                2016                             2015 
              Level 1
$m
            Level 2
$m
            Level 3
$m
             Total
$m
                 Level 1
$m
            Level 2
$m
            Level 3
$m
             Total
$m
 
Assets                                        
Equity securities available-for-sale:                                        

Quoted equity shares

   14          14        14          14 

Unquoted equity shares

         142    142              136    136 
Liabilities                                        
£250m 6% bonds 2016                     (386         (386
£400m 3.875% bonds 2022   (541         (541       (608         (608
£300m 3.75% bonds 2025   (408         (408       (443         (443
£350m 2.125% bonds 2026   (411         (411                  
Finance lease obligations      (297      (297          (305      (305
Derivatives      (3      (3          (3      (3
IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2018  |  Group Financial Statements  |  Notes147


Group Financial Statements

Notes to the Group Financial Statements continued

23. Fair value measurementcontinued

    2018          2017 
             Level 1
$m
          Level 2
$m
          Level 3
$m
          Total
$m
             Level 1
$m
          Level 2
$m
          Level 3
$m
           Total
$m
 
Assets                                   
Equity securities measured at fair value:                                   

Quoted equity shares

   8         8    10          10 

Unquoted equity shares

         108   108          117    117 
Derivatives      8      8               
Liabilities                                   
Deferred and contingent purchase consideration         (131  (131              
£400m 3.875% bonds 2022   (543        (543   (593         (593
£300m 3.75% bonds 2025   (399        (399   (441         (441
£350m 2.125% bonds 2026   (417        (417   (454         (454
500m 2.125% bonds 2027   (566        (566              
Finance lease obligations      (313     (313      (318      (318

There were no transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 fair value measurements during the year and no transfers into and out of Level 3.

The fair value of quoted equity shares and the bonds is based on their quoted market price.

Derivatives are fair valued using discounted future cash flows, taking into consideration exchange rates prevailing on the last day of the reporting period and interest rates from observable swap curves. Currency swaps are measured at the present value of future cash flows estimated and discounted back based on quoted forward exchange rates and the applicable yield curves derived from quoted interest rates. Adjustments for credit risk use observable credit default swap spreads.

Finance lease obligations relate primarily to the lease of InterContinental Boston, which is fair valued by discounting the future cash flows payable under the loan, which are fixed, at a risk adjusted long-term interest rate. The interest rate used to discount the cash flows at 31 December 20162018 was 7.2% (2015: 7.0%7.1% (2017: 6.9%).

Unquoted equity shares are fair valued using the International Private Equity and Venture Capital Valuation Guidelines either by applying an average price-earnings (P/E) ratio for a competitor group to the earnings generated by the investment or by reference to share of net assets if the investment is currently loss-making or a recent property valuation is available. The average P/E ratio for the year was 24.5 (2015: 21.9)19.9 (2017: 30.7) and a non-marketability factor of 30% (2015:(2017: 30%) is applied. A 10% increase in the average P/E ratio would result in a $2m increase (2015: $3m)(2017: $2m) in the fair value of the investments and a 10% decrease in the average P/E ratio would result in a $2m decrease (2015: $3m)(2017: $2m) in the fair value of the investments. A 10% increase in net assets would result in a $7m$8m increase (2015: $8m)(2017: $7m) in the fair value of the investments and a 10% decrease in net assets would result in a $7m$8m decrease (2015: $8m)(2017: $7m) in the fair value of the investments.

Deferred and contingent purchase consideration are fair valued using the present value of the expected future payments, discounted using a risk adjusted discount rate. A 10% decrease in the discount rate would result in a $8m increase in the fair value of the consideration payable.

The following table reconciles the movements in the fair values of investmentsfinancial instruments classified as Level 3 during the year:

 

  2016
$m
           2015
$m
    Equity
            securities
$m
   

Deferred and

contingent purchase
consideration

$m

 
At 1 January   136  128 
At 1 January 2017    142       
Additions   2  5     2       
Disposals   (15       (3      
Reclassification of associate (note 14)   14    
Valuation gains recognised in other comprehensive income   5  4     48       
Valuation gains reclassified to the income statement on disposal    (73      
Exchange and other adjustments     (1    1       
At 31 December   142  136 
At 31 December 2017    117       
Additions    4       
Acquisition of businesses (note 11)          131 
Disposals    (1      
Valuation losses recognised in other comprehensive income    (10      
Contingent consideration paid          (4
Change in fair value recorded in finance costs          5 
Exchange and other adjustments    (2     (1
At 31 December 2018    108      131 

Other than in relation to cash pooling arrangements (see note 17), there are no financial instruments subject to enforceable master netting arrangements and other similar agreements that are not offset in the Group statement of financial position.

 

132                148IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2016        Group Financial Statements2018


    

 

24. Reconciliation of profit for the year to cash flow from operations before contract acquisition costs

For the year ended 31 December 2016  Note               2016
$m
 

            2015

$m

             2014
$m
 
For the year ended 31 December 2018            Note             2018
$m
     2017
        Restated
$m
    2016
      Restated
$m
 
Profit for the year      417  1,224  392        352    541     459 
Adjustments for:                        

Net financial expenses

      87  87  80        81    72     80 

Income tax charge

   7    174  188  208    8     133    115     173 

Depreciation and amortisation

      96  96  96        80    78     75 

System Fund depreciation and amortisation

       45    36     31 

Impairment

   5    16  36       6         18     16 

Other exceptional items

   5    13  (855 (29

Other exceptional items (including System Fund)

   6     151    (13    13 

Equity-settled share-based cost

   26    17  19  21    26     38    27     23 

Dividends from associates and joint ventures

   14    5  5  2    14     5    4     5 

(Increase)/decrease in trade and other receivables

      (24 3  (18

Net change in loyalty programme liability and System Fund surplus

   32    65  42  58 

System Fund depreciation and amortisation

      31  21  20 

Increase/(decrease) in other trade and other payables

      102  (13 41 

Utilisation of provisions, net of insurance recovery

   19    (4    (2

Increase in trade and other receivables

       (44   (71    (27

Increase in contract costs

       (3   (5    (4

Increase in deferred revenue

       141    43     109 

Increase in other trade and other payables

       7    35     39 

Utilisation of provisions, net of charge (2016: net of insurance recovery)

   19     (6        (4

Retirement benefit contributions, net of costs

      (32 (4 (6       (12   (1    (32

Cash flows relating to exceptional items

      (19 (45 (114       (137   (44    (19

Contract assets deduction in revenue

       19    17     13 

Other items

      9  6  4        4    (3     
Total adjustments      536  (414 361        502    308     491 
Cash flow from operations      953  810  753 
Cash flow from operations before contract acquisition costs       854    849     950 

25. Retirement benefits

UK

Since 6 August 2014, UK retirement and death in service benefits are provided for eligible employees by the IHG UK Defined Contribution Pension Plan. Members, including those who have been auto-enrolled since 1 September 2013, are provided with defined contribution arrangements under this plan; benefits are based on each individual member’s personal account. The plan is HM Revenue &and Customs registered and governed by an independent trustee, assisted by professional advisers as and when required. The overall operation of the plan is subject to the oversight of The Pensions Regulator.

The former defined benefit plan, the InterContinental Hotels UK Pension Plan, was wound up on 21 July 2015 following the completion of the buy-out and transfer of the defined benefit obligations to Rothesay Life on 31 October 2014.

Residual defined benefit obligations remain in respect of additional benefits provided to members of an unfunded pension arrangement who were affected by lifetime or annual allowances under the former defined benefit arrangements. Accrual under this arrangement ceased with effect from 1 July 2013 and a cash-out offer in 2014 resulted in the extinguishment of approximately 70% of the unfunded pension obligations. The Company meets the benefit payment obligations of the remaining members as they fall due. A charge over certain ring-fenced bank accounts totalling £31m at 31 December 20162018 (see note 15) is currently held as security on behalf of the remaining members.

US

TheDuring the year, the Group also maintainscompleted a termination of the following US-based defined benefit plans: theUS funded Inter-Continental Hotels Pension Plan (the Plan), which involved certain qualifying members receiving lump-sum cash-out payments of $20m with the remaining pension obligations subject to a buy-out by Banner Life Insurance Company (Banner), a subsidiary of Legal & General America, through the purchase of a group annuity contract for $124m. Banner assumed responsibility for the payment of the Plan’s pension obligations on 12 June 2018. A further amount of $6m was transferred to the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation in respect of members who it had not been possible to trace. The transactions were funded using the assets of the Plan and a final Company contribution of $12m, $1.5m of which was subsequently returned to the Company as a ‘mistake-in-fact’ contribution refund.

The Group continues to maintain the unfunded Inter-Continental Hotels Non-qualified Pension Plans and unfunded Inter-Continental Hotels Corporation Postretirement Medical, Dental, Vision and Death Benefit Plan. AllPlan, both of which are defined benefit plans. Both plans are closed to new members. In respect of the Plan, an InvestmentA Retirement Committee, comprising senior Company employees and assisted by professional advisors as and when required, has responsibility for the oversight and management of the plan’s assets, which are held in a separate trust. The Committee comprises senior company employees and is assisted by professional advisers as and when required.plans.

During 2016, the Group made a funding contribution of $32m to the Plan which has enabled it to achieve full funding. The assets of the Plan have subsequently been invested 100% in liability-matching assets.

During 2015, the Group made a lump sum cash-out offer to the terminated vested members of the Inter-Continental Hotels Pension Plan. Members accepting the offer received lump sum cash payments totalling $11m on 1 November 2015.

Other

The Group also operates a number of smaller pension schemes outside the UK, the most significant of which is a defined contribution scheme in the US; there is no material difference between the pension costs of, and contributions to, these schemes.

The Group previously maintained defined benefit pension plans in Hong Kong and the Netherlands. During 2015, the Hong Kong plan was transferred to the new owner of InterContinental Hong Kong (see note 11) and the Dutch pension obligations became fully insured resulting in the cessation of defined benefit accounting.

LOGO

 

Notes to the Group Financial Statements        IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2016                1332018  |  Group Financial Statements  |  Notes149


NOTES TO THE GROUP FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUEDGroup Financial Statements

Notes to the Group Financial Statements continued

    

 

25. Retirement benefitscontinued

In respect of the defined benefit plans, the amounts recognised in the Group income statement, in ‘administrative expenses’, are:

 

  Pension plans                               Pension plans    

US Post-employment

             
  UK      US and other      

US Post-employment

benefits

      Total        UK        US        benefits        Total 
            2016
$m
             2015
$m
             2014
$m
                2016
$m
             2015
$m
           2014
$m
                2016
$m
             2015
$m
             2014
$m
                2016
$m
             2015
$m
           2014
$m
            2018
$m
            2017
$m
            2016
$m
            2018
$m
            2017
$m
            2016
$m
            2018
$m
            2017
$m
            2016
$m
            2018
$m
            2017
$m
            2016
$m
 
Current service cost                       1                          1 
Net interest expense   1    1    2      2    3  3      1    1    1      4    5  6     1     1     1     2     2     2     1     1     1     4     4     4 
Administration costs       1    3      1    1                       1    2  3                         1     1                         1     1 
Settlement gain                     (2                          (2   
Operating profit before exceptional items   1    2    5      3    2  4      1    1    1      5    5  10     1     1     1     2     3     3     1     1     1     4     5     5 
Exceptional items:                                                                                        

Settlement cost

           6                                       6 

Settlement loss including transaction costs

                   15                              15           
   1    2    11      3    2  4      1    1    1      5    5  16     1     1     1     17     3     3     1     1     1     19     5     5 

The settlement gain in 2015 resultedloss arises from the partial cash-outtermination of the US Inter-Continental Hotels Pension Plan and comprisedcomprises the difference between cash cost of the termination arrangements and the accounting value of the liabilities extinguished, and the amount of the lump sum payments.

The settlement cost in 2014 resulted from the partial cash-out of the UK unfunded pension arrangements and comprisedtogether with related transaction and related social security costs of $9m, offset by the $3m difference between the accounting value of the liabilities extinguished and the amount of the committed cash-out payments. In 2014, related cash payments of $53m are included in cash flows relating to exceptional items in the Group statement of cash flows.costs.

Re-measurement gains and losses recognised in the Group statement of comprehensive income are:

 

          2016              2015            2014    

2018

    

2017

    

2016

 
  Plan
        assets
$m
   Plan
    obligations
$m
         Total
$m
      Plan
        assets
$m
 Plan
obligations
$m
           Total
$m
      Plan
        assets
$m
 Plan
    obligations
$m
         Total
$m
    Plan
        assets
$m
 Plan
        obligations
$m
           Total
$m
    Plan
        assets
$m
 Plan
        obligations
$m
         Total
$m
    Plan
        assets
$m
   Plan
        obligations
$m
         Total
$m
 
Return on plan assets (excluding amounts included in interest)                (7      (7     88     88     (8      (8    9      9             
Actuarial gains and losses arising from changes in:                                                     

Demographic assumptions

       6   6        5    5        (3 (3                   1   1         6   6 

Financial assumptions

       (11  (11       10    10        (113 (113      14    14        (9  (9        (11  (11

Experience adjustments

       1   1        2    2        4  4       3    3        (2  (2        1   1 
Change in asset restriction (excluding amounts included in interest)                3       3      (1    (1    3       3     (3     (3            
Other comprehensive income       (4  (4     (4 17    13      87  (112 (25    (5 17    12     6   (10  (4        (4  (4

The assets and liabilities of the schemes and the amounts recognised in the Group statement of financial position are:

 

   Pension plans                     
   

UK

      US and other      US Post-employment
benefits
      Total 
            2016
$m
          2015
$m
               2016
$m
          2015
$m
       

        2016

$m

  

        2015

$m

               2016
$m
          2015
$m
 
Retirement benefit obligations                                                
Fair value of plan assets              148   121                   148   121 
Present value of benefit obligations   (27  (27       (195  (202       (22  (21       (244  (250
Total retirement benefit obligations   (27  (27       (47  (81       (22  (21       (96  (129

     Pension plans     US Post-employment             
     UK     US     benefits     Total 
              2018
$m
             2017
$m
             2018
$m
             2017
$m
             2018
$m
             2017
$m
             2018
$m
             2017
$m
 
Retirement benefit assets                                                
Fair value of plan assets                   152                    152 
Present value of benefit obligations                   (146                   (146
Surplus in schemes                   6                    6 
Asset restriction                   (3                   (3
Total retirement benefit assets                   3                    3 
Retirement benefit obligations                                                
Fair value of plan assets                                        
Present value of benefit obligations    (24    (29    (45    (51    (22    (24    (91    (104
Total retirement benefit obligations    (24    (29    (45    (51    (22    (24    (91    (104
                                                 
Total fair value of plan assets                   152                    152 
Total present value of benefit obligations    (24    (29    (45    (197    (22    (24    (91    (250

 

134                150IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2016        Group Financial Statements2018


    

    

 

25. Retirement benefitscontinued

Assumptions

The principal financial assumptions used by the actuaries to determine the benefit obligations are:

 

  Pension plans                   Pension plans    US Post-employment 
  UK      US      

US Post-employment

benefits

    UK    US        benefits 
            2016
%
             2015
%
             2014
%
                2016
%
             2015
%
             2014
%
                2016
%
             2015
%
             2014
%
            2018
%
            2017
%
            2016
%
            2018
%
            2017
%
            2016
%
    

        2018

%

            2017
%
           2016
%
 
Pensions increases   3.3    3.2    3.3                                 3.2     3.2     3.3                                
Discount rate   2.7    4.0    3.7      3.7    3.9    3.6      3.8    3.9    3.7     3.0     2.6     2.7     3.9     3.3     3.7     4.0     3.3      3.8 
Inflation rate   3.3    3.2    3.3                                 3.2     3.2     3.3                                
Healthcare cost trend rate assumed for next year:                                                                    

Pre 65 (ultimate rate reached in 2023)

                         7.0    7.5    8.0 

Post 65 (ultimate rate reached in 2025)

                         8.3    9.0    12.5 

Pre-65 (ultimate rate reached in 2025)

                            7.1     7.7      7.0 

Post-65 (ultimate rate reached in 2024)

                            7.6     8.7      8.3 
Ultimate rate that the cost trend rate trends to                         4.5    4.5    5.0                             4.5     4.5      4.5 

Mortality is the most significant demographic assumption. The current assumptions for the UK are based on the S2PA ‘light’ year of birth tables with projected mortality improvements using the CMI_2015CMI_2017 model and a 1.25% per annum long-term trend with age rated down by 0.7 and 2.3 years for pensioners and 0.5 and 2.6 years for non-pensioners, male and female respectively. In the US, the current assumptions are based on the RP-2014 Employee/Healthy Annuitant Generationally Projected with Scale MP-2016MP-2018 mortality tables.

In both the UK and US, the assumptions have been revised during the year to reflect reduced life expectancy at retirement age as follows:

 

   Pension plans    Pension plans 
   UK      US    UK    US 
             2016
Years
             2015
Years
             2014
Years
                2016
Years
             2015
Years
             2014
Years
               2018
Years
            2017
Years
            2016
Years
            2018
Years
            2017
Years
            2016
Years
 
Current pensioners at 65a  – male   24    26    26      21    21    22  – male    24     24     24     21     21     21 
 – female   26    29    29      23    23    24  – female    26     26     26     23     23     23 
Future pensioners at 65b – male   25    28    28      22    23    23  – male    25     25     25     22     22     22 
 – female   28    31    31      24    25    25  – female    28     28     28     24     24     24 

a Relates to assumptions based on longevity (in years) following retirement at the end of the reporting period.

a

Relates to assumptions based on longevity (in years) following retirement at the end of the reporting period.

b Relates to assumptions based on longevity (in years) relating to an employee retiring in 2036.

b

Relates to assumptions based on longevity (in years) relating to an employee retiring in 2038.

The assumptions allow for expected increases in longevity.

Sensitivities

Changes in assumptions used for determining retirement benefit costs and obligations may have a materialan impact on the income statement and the statement of financial position. The key assumptions are the pensionpensions increases, discount rate, the rate of inflation and the assumed mortality rate. The sensitivity analysis below is based on extrapolating reasonable changes in these assumptions, using year-end conditions and assuming no interdependency between the assumptions.assumptions:

 

        UK           US        UK        US 
  Higher/
(lower)
pension cost
$m
 Increase/
(decrease)
in liabilities
$m
      Higher/
(lower)
pension cost
$m
   Increase/
(decrease)
in liabilities
$m
          

Higher/
(lower)
        pension
cost

$m

    Increase/
        (decrease)
in liabilities
$m
    

Higher/
(lower)
        pension
cost

$m

    Increase/
        (decrease)
in liabilities
$m
 
Pensions increases   – 0.25% decrease   (0.1  (1.0           – 0.25% decrease                    (1.0          
  – 0.25% increase      1.2            – 0.25% increase      0.1     1.0           
Discount rate  – 0.25% decrease   0.1   1.4          5.6  – 0.25% decrease           1.0     (0.1    1.6 
  – 0.25% increase      (1.2         (5.3 – 0.25% increase      0.1     (1.0    0.1     (1.5
Inflation rate  – 0.25% increase      1.2            – 0.25% increase      0.1     1.0           
  – 0.25% decrease   (0.1  (1.0           – 0.25% decrease           (1.0          
Mortality rate  – one year increase      0.7      0.3    8.7  – One year increase      0.1     0.6     0.1     3.3 

A one percentage point increase in assumed healthcare costs trend rate would increase the accumulated post-employment benefit obligations as at 31 December 20162018 by $1.7m (2017: $1.9m, (2015: $2.0m, 2014: $2.4m)2016: $1.9m) and a one percentage point decrease would decrease the obligations by $1.7m (2015:$1.6m (2017: $1.8m, 2014: $2.2m)2016: $1.7m).

LOGO

 

Notes to the Group Financial Statements        IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2016                1352018  |  Group Financial Statements  |  Notes151


NOTES TO THE GROUP FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUEDGroup Financial Statements

Notes to the Group Financial Statements continued

    

 

25. Retirement benefitscontinued

Movement in benefit obligation

 

  Pension plans                     Pension plans    US Post-employment         
  

UK

      US and other      US Post-employment
benefits
         Total    UK    US    benefits    Total 
            2016
$m
           2015
$m
                2016
$m
           2015
$m
                2016
$m
           2015
$m
                2016
$m
           2015
$m
            2018
$m
            2017
$m
            2018
$m
            2017
$m
            2018
$m
            2017
$m
            2018
$m
            2017
$m
 
Benefit obligation at 1 January   27  31      202  255      21  24      250  310     29     27     197     195     24     22     250     244 
Interest expense   1  1      7  8      1  1      9  10     1     1     4     7     1     1     6     9 
Settlement gain before costs              (2                (2
Benefits paid            (13 (14     (1 (1     (14 (15    (1    (1    (9    (13    (1    (1    (11    (15
Committed cash-out payments              (11                (11
Re-measurement losses/(gains)   4  (4     (1 (10     1  (3     4  (17
Derecognised on buy-out              (11                (11
Transfers to non-current assets classified as held for sale              (12                (12
Settlement payments              (150                   (150     
Settlement loss              14                    14      
Re-measurement (gains)/losses    (4         (11    8     (2    2     (17    10 
Exchange adjustments   (5 (1       (1              (5 (2    (1    2                         (1    2 
Benefit obligation at 31 December   27  27      195  202      22  21      244  250     24     29     45     197     22     24     91     250 
Comprising:                                                          

Funded plans

            145  150               145  150                    146                    146 

Unfunded plans

   27  27      50  52      22  21      99  100     24     29     45     51     22     24     91     104 
   27  27      195  202      22  21      244  250     24     29     45     197     22     24     91     250 

Movement in plan assets

               

Movement in plan assets

 

  Pension plans                     Pension plans    US Post-employment         
  

UK

      US and other      US Post-employment
benefits
         Total    UK    US    benefits    Total 
            2016
$m
             2015
$m
                2016
$m
           2015
$m
                2016
$m
           2015
$m
                2016
$m
           2015
$m
            2018
$m
            2017
$m
            2018
$m
            2017
$m
            2018
$m
            2017
$m
            2018
$m
            2017
$m
 
Fair value of plan assets at 1 January       8      121  167               121  175               152     148               152     148 
Company contributions             36  8      1  1      37  9     1     1     14     4     1     1     16     6 
Benefits paid             (13 (14     (1 (1     (14 (15    (1    (1    (9    (13    (1    (1    (11    (15
Settlement payments              (150                   (150     
Interest income             5  5               5  5               2     5               2     5 
Re-measurement losses               (7                (7
Administration costs       (1     (1 (1              (1 (2
Derecognised on buy-out               (22                (22
Transfer to defined contribution plan       (7                         (7
Transfers to non-current assets classified as held for sale               (15                (15
Re-measurement (losses)/gains              (8    9               (8    9 
Settlement transaction costs              (1    (1              (1    (1
Fair value of plan assets at 31 December             148  121               148  121                    152                    152 

Company payments are expected to be $5m$6m in 2017.2019.

The plan assets are measured at fair value and comprise the following:

 

   US 
    2016
$m
             2015
$m
 
Investments quoted in active markets          
Investment funds:          

Global equities

       17 

Bonds

   146    101 

Property

       2 
Unquoted investments          
Cash   2    1 
    148    121 
         US 
              2018
$m
             2017
$m
 
Investments quoted in active markets            
Investment funds: fixed income securities         150 
Unquoted investments            
Cash         2 
          152 

     Pension plans     US Post-employment             
     UK     US     benefits     Total 
                2018
$m
               2017
$m
               2018
$m
               2017
$m
               2018
$m
             2017
$m
             2018
$m
             2017
$m
 
Movement in asset restriction                                                
Balance at 1 January              3                    3      
Re-measurement (losses)/gains              (3    3               (3    3 
Balance at 31 December                   3                    3 

 

136                152IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2016        Group Financial Statements2018


    

    

 

25. Retirement benefitscontinued

Estimated future benefit payments

 

  Pension plans                         Pension plans    US Post-employment         
  

UK

      US      US Post-employment
benefits
           Total    UK    US    benefits    Total 
            2016
$m
             2015
$m
                2016
$m
             2015
$m
                2016
$m
             2015
$m
                2016
$m
             2015
$m
            2018
$m
            2017
$m
            2018
$m
            2017
$m
            2018
$m
            2017
$m
            2018
$m
            2017
$m
 
Within one year             14    14      1    1      15    15               4     14     1     1     5     15 
Between one and five years   2    2      54    54      5    5      61    61     3     3     14     53     6     6     23     62 
After five years   13    16      63    65      7    7      83    88 
More than five years    16     17     15     62     7     7     38     86 
   15    18      131    133      13    13      159    164     19     20     33     129     14     14     66     163 
Average duration of obligation (years)   21.0    22.0      10.3    10.1      10.2    10.5             19.5     20.5     9.2     10.3     9.6     10.4       

The reduction in future benefit payments arises from the termination of the Plan.

26. Share-based payments

Annual Performance Plan

Under the IHG Annual Performance Plan (APP), eligible employees (including Executive Directors) can receive all or part of their bonus in the form of deferred shares and/or receive one-off awards of shares. Deferred shares are released on the third anniversary of the award date. Under the terms of awards that are referred to in this note, a fixed percentage of the award is made in the form of shares. Awards under the APP are conditional on the participants remaining in the employment of a participating company or leaving for a qualifying reason as per the plan rules. The award of deferred shares under the APP is at the discretion of the Remuneration Committee.

The number of shares is calculated by dividing a specific percentage of the participant’s annual performance-related award by the middle market quoted prices on the three consecutive dealing days immediately preceding the date of grant. A number of executives participated in the APP during the year and conditional rights over 335,775 (2015: 265,285, 2014: 305,345)175,944 (2017: 234,918, 2016: 335,775) shares were awarded to participants. In 20162018 this number included 103,071 (2015: 58,338, 2014: 58,455)48,771 (2017: 79,471, 2016: 103,071) shares awarded as part of recruitment terms or for one-off individual performance-related awards.

New plan rules for the APP were approved by shareholders at the AGM on 2 May 2014, and apply to awards made in respect of the 2015 and subsequent financial years. The new plan rules contain substantially the same terms as the superseded plan rules.

Long Term Incentive Plan

The Long Term Incentive Plan (LTIP) allows Executive Directors and eligible employees to receive conditional share awards, which normally have a vesting period of three years.

Performance-related awards: Awards to the Executive Directors, and some awards to other eligible employees, are granted subject to the achievement of performance conditions set by the Remuneration Committee, which are normally measured over the vesting period.

Restricted stock units: Awards to eligible employees are granted subject to continued employment.

Awards are normally made annually and, except in exceptional circumstances, will not exceed three times salary for eligible employees. The plan provides for the grant of ‘nil cost options’ to participants as an alternative to conditional share awards. During the year, conditional rights over 1,355,721 (2015: 1,803,308, 2014: 2,171,390)784,119 (2017: 805,045, 2016: 1,355,721) shares were awarded to employees under the plan, comprising 888,518 (2015: 1,803,308, 2014: 2,171,390)257,240 (2017: 280,458, 2016: 888,518) performance-related awards and 467,203 (2015: nil, 2014: nil)526,879 (2017: 524,587, 2016: 467,203) restricted stock units.

New plan rules for the LTIP were approved by shareholders at the AGM on 2 May 2014, and apply to awards made in respect of the 2015–172015-17 and subsequent LTIP cycles. The new plan rules contain substantially the same terms as the superseded plan rules.

 

LOGOLOGO 

More detailed information on the performance measures for awards to Executive

Executive Directors is shown in the Directors’ Remuneration Report on pages 6472 to 81.85.

 

LOGO

Notes to the Group Financial Statements        IHG|  Annual Report and Form 20-F 20162018  |Group Financial Statements  137|  Notes153


NOTES TO THE GROUP FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUEDGroup Financial Statements

Notes to the Group Financial Statements continued

    

 

26. Share-based paymentscontinued

The Group recognised a cost of $17m (2015: $19m, 2014: $21m)$27m (2017: $21m, 2016: $17m) in operating profit and $1m (2017: $2m, 2016: $nil) within exceptional administrative expenses related to equity-settled share-based payment transactions during the year, net of amounts borne by the System Fund. An additional $11m (2017: $6m, 2016: $6m) has been charged to the System Fund.

TheNo aggregate consideration was received in respect of ordinary shares issued under option schemes during the year was $nil (2015: $nil, 2014: $nil).2018, 2017 or 2016.

The Group uses separate option pricing models and assumptions depending on the plan. The following table sets out information about awards granted in 2016, 20152018, 2017 and 2014:2016:

 

  APP      LTIP    APP    LTIP 
  Binomial valuation model      

Monte Carlo Simulation and

Binomial valuation model

    Binomial valuation model    

Monte Carlo Simulation and

Binomial valuation model

 
  2016   2015   2014      2016   2015   2014            2018            2017            2016            2018            2017            2016 
Weighted average share price       2,725.0p        2,565.0p        1,925.0p          2,846.0p        2,634.0p        1,916.0p     4,645.0p     3,781.0p     2,725.0p     4,774.0p     4,300.0p     2,846.0p 
Expected dividend yield   n/a    n/a    n/a      2.55%    2.34%    2.55%     n/a     n/a     n/a     2.27%     2.05%     2.55% 
Risk-free interest rate              0.36%    0.59%    1.29%                 0.84%     0.10%     0.36% 
Volatilitya              24%    22%    28%                 25%     24%     24% 
Term (years)   3.0    3.0    3.0      3.0    3.0    3.0     3.0     3.0     3.0     3.0     3.0     3.0 

 

a

The expected volatility was determined by calculating the historical volatility of the Company’s share price corresponding to the expected life of the share award.

Movements in the awards outstanding under the schemes are as follows:

 

  APP         LTIP    APP    LTIP 
  Number
of shares
thousands
      

Performance-
related awards
Number

of shares
thousands

 

Restricted
stock units
Number

of shares
thousands

                Number of shares
thousands
    

           Performance-related
awards

Number of shares
thousands

   Restricted
        stock units
      Number of  shares
thousands
 
Outstanding at 1 January 2014   840      6,775    
Granted   305      2,171    
Vested   (310     (1,447   
Share capital consolidation   (38         
Lapsed or cancelled   (29     (1,379   
Outstanding at 31 December 2014   768      6,120    
Granted   265      1,803    
Vested   (307     (1,278   
Lapsed or cancelled   (37     (1,370   
Outstanding at 31 December 2015   689      5,275    
Outstanding at 1 January 2016    689     5,275       
Granted   336      889   467     336     889      467 
Vested   (229     (915       (229    (915      
Share capital consolidation   (104             (104           
Lapsed or cancelled   (7     (1,048  (18    (7    (1,048     (18
Outstanding at 31 December 2016   685      4,201   449     685     4,201      449 
Granted    235     280      525 
Vested    (263    (928      
Share capital consolidation    (21           
Lapsed or cancelled    (20    (1,160     (58
Outstanding at 31 December 2017    616     2,393      916 
Granted    176     257      527 
Vested    (199    (702      
Lapsed or cancelled    (2    (860     (142
Outstanding at 31 December 2018    591     1,088      1,301 
Fair value of awards granted during the year (cents)                      
2018    6,066.2     4,748.7      5,966.0 
2017    4,959.3     4,133.2      5,251.0 
2016   3,671.9      1,768.0   3,624.5     3,671.9     1,768.0      3,624.5 
2015   3,874.5      1,734.5    
2014   3,134.6      1,202.1    
Weighted average remaining contract life (years)                      
At 31 December 2018    1.0     0.8      1.2 
At 31 December 2017    1.2     0.6      1.7 
At 31 December 2016   1.2      0.9   2.2     1.2     0.9      2.2 
At 31 December 2015   1.2      1.1    
At 31 December 2014   1.1      1.1    

The above awards do not vest until the performance and service conditions have been met.

The weighted average share price at the date of exercise for share awards vested during the year was 2,511.1p (2015: 2,592.1p)4,583.8p (2017: 3,804.7p). The closing share price on 31 December 20162018 was 3,638.0p4,237.0p and the range during the year was 2,193.0p3,948.0p to 3,638.0p4,966.0p per share.

 

138                154IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2016        Group Financial Statements2018


    

    

 

27. Equity

Equity share capital

 

    Number
of shares
millions
  

    Nominal
value

$m

  Share
    premium
$m
  Equity
share
        capital
$m
 
Allotted, called up and fully paid                 
At 1 January 2014 (ordinary shares of 14194/329p each)   269   65   124   189 
Share capital consolidation   (20         
Repurchased and cancelled under repurchase programme   (1         
Exchange adjustments      (4  (7  (11
At 31 December 2014 (ordinary shares of 15265/329p each)   248   61   117   178 
Exchange adjustments      (3  (6  (9
At 31 December 2015 (ordinary shares of 15265/329p each)   248   58   111   169 
Share capital consolidation   (42         
Exchange adjustments      (10  (18  (28
At 31 December 2016 (ordinary shares of 18318/329p each)   206   48   93   141 

On 7 August 2012, the Company announced a $1bn return of funds to shareholders comprising a $500m special dividend with share consolidation and a $500m share repurchase programme. The share consolidation was approved on 8 October 2012 at a General Meeting (GM) of the Company and became effective on 9 October 2012 on the basis of 14 new ordinary shares of 14194/329p each for every 15 existing ordinary shares of 1329/47p each. The special dividend of 172.0¢ per share was paid to shareholders on 22 October 2012 at a total cost of $505m. Under the authority granted by shareholders at the GM on 8 October 2012, the share repurchase programme commenced. Between 8 October 2012 and 31 December 2014, 17.3m shares were repurchased for a consideration of $500m. Of the 17.3m shares repurchased, 12.5m were held as treasury shares and 4.8m were cancelled. The cost of treasury shares was deducted from retained earnings.

      

Number

        of shares
millions

   

        Nominal

value

$m

   

Share

        premium

$m

   

Equity

share

        capital

$m

 
Allotted, called up and fully paid                     
At 1 January 2016 (ordinary shares of 15265/329p each)    248    58    111    169 
Share capital consolidation    (42            
Exchange adjustments��       (10   (18   (28
At 31 December 2016 (ordinary shares of 18318/329p each)    206    48    93    141 
Share capital consolidation    (9            
Exchange adjustments        5    8    13 
At 31 December 2017 (ordinary shares of 1917/21p each)    197    53    101    154 
Exchange adjustments        (3   (5   (8
At 31 December 2018 (ordinary shares of 1917/21p each)    197    50    96    146 

The authority given to the Company at the AGM held on 64 May 20162018 to purchase its own shares was still valid at 31 December 2016.2018. A resolution to renew the authority will be put to shareholders at the AGM on 53 May 2017.2019.

On 6 August 2013, theThe Company announced a special dividend of 133.0¢ perno longer has an authorised share amounting to $355m which was paid to shareholders on 4 October 2013.capital.

On 2 May 2014, the Company announced a $750m return to shareholders by way of a special dividend and share consolidation. On 30 June 2014, shareholders approved the share consolidation at a GM of the Company on the basis of 12 new ordinary shares of 15265/329p per share for every 13 existing ordinary shares of 14194/329p each, which became effective on 1 July 2014. The special dividend of 293.0¢ per share was paid to shareholders on 14 July 2014, at a total cost of $763m.

As a result of the 2014 share consolidation, the number of shares held in treasury reduced from 12.5m to 11.5m.

On 23 February 2016, the Group announced a $1.5bn return of funds to shareholders by way of a special dividend and share consolidation. On 6 May 2016, shareholders approved the share consolidation on the basis of 5 new ordinary shares of 18319318/329p per share for every 6 existing ordinary shares of 15265/329p, which became effective on 9 May 2016. The special dividend was paid to shareholders on 23 May 2016, at a total cost of $1.5bn.2016. The dividend and share consolidation had the same economic effect as a share repurchase at fair value, therefore previously reported earnings per share has not been restated.

During 2016, 0.9m treasuryOn 21 February 2017, the Group announced a $400m return of funds to shareholders by way of a special dividend and share consolidation. On 5 May 2017, shareholders approved the share consolidation on the basis of 45 new ordinary shares were transferredof 1917/21p per share for every 47 existing ordinary shares of 18318/329p, which became effective on 8 May 2017. The special dividend was paid to shareholders on 22 May 2017. The dividend and share consolidation had the employeesame economic effect as a share trusts. Asrepurchase at fair value, therefore previously reported earnings per share has not been restated.

In October 2018, the Board proposed a result$500m return of funds to shareholders by way of a special dividend of $2.621 per ordinary share, together with a share consolidation. On 11 January 2019, shareholders approved the share consolidation and payment of the 2016special dividend. The dividend of $510m was paid on 29 January 2019. The dividend and share consolidation had the number of shares held in treasury reduced from 10.6m to 8.9m.same economic effect as a share repurchase at fair value, therefore reported earnings per share has not been restated.

TheAt 31 December 2018, the balance classified as equity share capital includes the total net proceeds (both nominal value and share premium) on issue of the Company’s equity share capital, comprising 181931817/32921p shares. The share premium reserve represents the amount of proceeds received for shares in excess of their nominal value.

In February 2017, the Board proposed a $400m return of funds to shareholders by way of a special dividend of 202.5¢ per ordinary share, together with a share consolidation.

The Company no longer has an authorised share capital.

LOGO

Notes to the Group Financial Statements        IHG Annual Report and Form 20-F 2016                139


NOTES TO THE GROUP FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED

27. Equitycontinued

The nature and purpose of the other reserves shown in the Group statement of changes in equity on pages 9398 to 95100 of the Group Financial Statements is as follows:

Capital redemption reserve

This reserve maintains the nominal value of the equity share capital of the Company when shares are repurchased or cancelled.

Shares held by employee share trusts

Comprises $10.5m (2015: $18.3m, 2014: $34.5m)$3.6m (2017: $5.4m, 2016: $10.5m) in respect of 0.3m (2015: 0.5m, 2014: 0.9m)0.2m (2017: 0.2m, 2016: 0.3m) InterContinental Hotels Group PLC ordinary shares held by employee share trusts, with a market value at 31 December 20162018 of $15.0m (2015: $19.8m, 2014: $38.2m)$8.3m (2017: $12.1m, 2016: $15.0m).

Other reserves

Comprises the merger and revaluation reserves previously recognised under UK GAAP, together with the reserve arising as a consequence of the Group’s capital reorganisation in June 2005. Following the change in presentational currency to the US dollar in 2008, this reserve also includes exchange differences arising on retranslation to period-end exchange rates of equity share capital, the capital redemption reserve and shares held by employee share trusts.

Unrealised gains and lossesFair value reserve

This reserve records movements in the fair value of available-for-sale financial assets measured at fair value. This reserve was previously called the unrealised gains and losses reserve. The change in name reflects that gains and losses will no longer be reflected in the income statement following adoption of IFRS 9.

IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2018  |  Group Financial Statements  |  Notes155


Group Financial Statements

Notes to the Group Financial Statements continued

27. Equitycontinued

Cash flow hedging reserve

The cash flow hedging reserve is analysed as follows:

     Cash flow hedging reserve 
      Value of
currency
swaps
$m
      Costs of
hedging
$m
      Total
$m
 
At 1 January 2018                 
Costs of hedging deferred and recognised in other comprehensive income          (1     (1
Change in fair value of currency swaps recognised in other comprehensive income    4            4 
Reclassified from other comprehensive income to profit or loss – included in financial expenses    (8           (8
Deferred tax    1            1 
At 31 December 2018    (3     (1     (4

The value of currency swaps comprises the effective portion of the cumulative net change in the fair value of thehedging instruments used in cash flow hedges pending subsequent recognition in profit or loss.

The costs of hedging instruments relatedreflects the gain or loss on the portion excluded from the designated hedging instrument that relates to hedged transactions that have not yet occurred.the value of the foreign currency basis spread of currency swaps. It is initally recognised in other comprehensive income and accounted for similarly to changes in value of currency swaps.

Amounts reclassified from other comprehensive income to financial expenses comprise $1m net interest payable on the currency swaps and an exchange gain of $9m which has been offset with a corresponding loss on the500m 2.125% bonds.

Currency translation reserve

This reserve records the movement in exchange differences arising from the translation of foreign operations and exchange differences on foreign currency borrowings and derivative instruments that provide a hedge against net investments in foreign operations. On adoption of IFRS, cumulative exchange differences were deemed to be $nil as permitted by IFRS 1.

The fair value of derivative instruments designated as hedges of net investments in foreign operations outstanding at 31 December 20162018 was a$1m net asset (2017: $nil, 2016: $3m net liability (2015: $3m net liability, 2014: $2m net asset)liability).

Treasury shares

During 2018, 0.8m (2017: 0.9m, 2016: 0.9m) treasury shares were transferred to the employee share trusts. As a result of the 2017 share consolidation, the number of shares held in treasury reduced by 0.4m during 2017 (2016: reduced by 1.7m during 2016 as a result of the 2016 share consolidation). At 31 December 2016, 8.9m2018, 6.8m shares (2015: 11.5m, 2014: 11.5m)(2017: 7.6m, 2016: 8.9m) with a nominal value of $2.1m (2015: $2.7m, 2014: $2.8m)$1.7m (2017: $2.0m, 2016: $2.1m) were held as treasury shares at cost and deducted from retained earnings.

Non-controlling interest

A non-controlling interest is equity in a subsidiary of the Group not attributable, directly or indirectly, to the Group. Non-controlling interests are not material to the Group.

28. Operating leases

During the year ended 31 December 2016, $84m (2015: $77m, 2014: $72m)2018, $101m (2017: $86m, 2016: $84m) was recognised as an expense in the Group income statement in respect of operating leases, net of amounts borne directly by the System Fund. An additional $5m (2017: $6m, 2016: $7m) has been charged to the System Fund. The expense, recorded in the Group income statement, includes contingent rents of $51m (2017: $32m, (2015: $29m, 2014: $27m)2016: $32m). $2m (2015: $3m, 2014: $4m)(2017: $2m, 2016: $2m) was recognised as income from sub-leases.

Future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases are as follows:

 

  2016
$m
               2015
$m
    

          2018

$m

    

          2017

$m

 
Due within one year   53    47     56     56 
One to two years   49    42     54     46 
Two to three years   43    42     67     45 
Three to four years   41    38     35     60 
Four to five years   58    37     31     30 
More than five years   346    402     266     297 
   590    608     509     534 

In addition, in certain circumstances the Group is committed to making additional lease payments that are contingent on the performance of the hotels that are being leased.

The average remaining term of these leases, which generally contain renewal options, is approximately 1715 years (2015: 17(2017: 15 years). No material restrictions or guarantees exist in the Group’s lease obligations.

The leases acquired with the UK portfolio acquisition (see note 11) include variable payments where rentals are linked to the performance of the hotels by way of reductions in rentals in the event that lower than target cash flows are generated by the hotels. In the event that rent reductions are not applicable, the Group’s exposure to this type of rental payment is £48m per annum over the remaining lease term of 25 years. Additional rentals, which are uncapped, are also payable calculated as a percentage of the profit earned by the hotels.

Total future minimum rentals expected to be received under non-cancellable sub-leases are $4m (2015: $5m)$3m (2017: $4m).

 

140                156IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2016        Group Financial Statements2018


    

    

 

29. Capital and other commitments

 

  2016
$m
               2015
$m
    

          2018

$m

    

          2017

$m

 
Contracts placed for expenditure not provided for in the Financial Statements:              

Property, plant and equipment

   11    29 

Property, plant and equipmenta

    46     18 

Intangible assets

   86    47     7     27 

Key money

    83     59 
   97    76     136     104 

The Group

a

Includes a commitment to spend $33m on the acquired UK portfolio (see note 11) within two and a half years of the acquisition date.

A loan facility of $5m (2017: $5m) has also committedbeen made available to a hotel owner; this was undrawn at 31 December 2018.

There were no commitments to invest in a number of its associates with an estimated outstanding commitment of $36m at 31 December 2016 (2015: $45m) based on current forecasts.2018 (2017: $33m).

30. Contingencies and guarantees

Security incidents

During the first half ofIn 2016, the Group was notified of (a) a security incident at a number of Kimpton hotels that resulted in unauthorised access to guest payment card data, (the Kimpton Security Incident). Based on the estimated number of cards affected and opinion of external advisers, an amount of $5m has been provided in the Financial Statements (see note 19) to cover the estimated cost of reimbursing the impacted payment card networks for counterfeit fraud losses and related expenses. This estimate involves significant judgement based on currently available information and is subject to change as actual claims are made and new information becomes available.

In December 2016, the Group was notified of a(b) security incidentincidents at a number of IHG branded hotels in The Americas region (the Americas Security Incident). The Group issued a Substitute Notice on 3 February 2017 notifying guests thatincluding the installation of malware was installed on servers that processed payment cards used at restaurants and bars of 12 IHG managed properties. An investigationproperties, together the Security Incidents. A provision of other properties$5m was made at 31 December 2016 (see note 19), to cover the estimated cost of reimbursing the impacted card networks for counterfeit fraud losses and related expenses. During the year, the Group has reached agreement with the card networks on the assessments payable, $3m in The Americas regiontotal, the vast majority of which have been settled under the Group’s insurance programmes, with the balance expected to be similarly recovered. As a consequence, a provision is ongoing. It is not practicable to make a reliable estimate of the possible financial effect of any claims concerning the Americas Security Incidentno longer required at this time.31 December 2018.

The Group may also be exposed to investigations regarding compliance with applicable State and Federal data security standards, although no claims have been received to date. In addition, the Group is exposed toand legal action from individuals and organisations impacted by the security incidents. ASecurity Incidents. Due to the general nature of the regulatory enquiries received and class action has been filed in the courts in relationfilings to the Kimpton Security Incident, although alleged damages have not been specified. Itdate, other than mentioned below, it is not practicable to make a reliable estimate of the possible financial effecteffects of any such claims on the Group at this time.

In respect of the $5m provided in the Financial Statements, it is expected that a proportion will be These contingent liabilities are potentially recoverable under the Group’s insurance programmes, although this, together with any potential recoveries in respect of the contingent liabilities detailed above,specific agreement will need to be subject to specific agreementreached with the relevant insurance providers.providers at the time any claim is made.

To date, four lawsuits have been filed against IHG entities relating to the Security Incidents. One of these has been withdrawn and a preliminary settlement, expected to be not more than $2m, has been agreed in respect of another lawsuit, although this is expected to be recovered from insurance.

Tax

Tax related developments during 2018 have confirmed that the Group no longer considers itself at risk of exposure to the outcome of the EU’s State Aid investigation into the UK’s Controlled Foreign Company rules.

Other

In limited cases, the Group may provide performance guarantees to third-party hotel owners to secure management contracts. At 31 December 2016,2018, the amount providedincluded within trade and other payables in the Financial Statements was $5m (2015: $1m)$3m (2017: $6m) and the maximum unprovided exposure under such guarantees was $14m (2015: $13m)$42m (2017: $31m).

At 31 December 2016,2018, the Group had outstanding letters of credit of $37m (2015: $37m)$29m (2017: $35m) mainly relating to self insurance programmes.

The Group may guarantee bank loans made to facilitate third-party ownership of hotels in which the Group has an equity interest.under IHG management or franchise contracts. At 31 December 2016,2018, there were guarantees of $33m$43m in place (2015: $30m)(2017: $54m).

In connection with the Barclay associate (see note 14), the Group has provided an indemnity to its joint venture partner for 100% of the obligations related to a $43m supplemental bank loan made to the Barclay associate on 31 December 2015.

From time to time, the Group is subject to legal proceedings the ultimate outcome of each being always subject to many uncertainties inherent in litigation. In particular, the Group is currently subject to the claims listed under ‘Legal proceedings’ on page 172.192. The Group has also given warranties in respect of the disposal of certain of its former subsidiaries. It is the view of the Directors that, other than to the extent that liabilities have been provided for in these Financial Statements, it is not possible to quantify any loss to which these proceedings or claims under these warranties may give rise, however, as at the date of reporting, the Group does not believe that the outcome of these matters will have a material effect on the Group’s financial position.

LOGO

Notes to the Group Financial Statements        IHG Annual Report and Form 20-F 2016                141


NOTES TO THE GROUP FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED

At 31 December 2018, the Group had no other contingent liabilities (2017: $nil).

31. Related party disclosures

 

    2016
$m
               2015
$m
               2014
$m
 
Total compensation of key management personnela               
Short-term employment benefits   19.2    19.5    21.5 
Contributions to defined contribution pension plans   0.8    0.7    0.7 
Equity compensation benefits   7.4    6.2    7.9 
    27.4    26.4    30.1 

aIn 2014, excludes ICETUS cash-out payment of £9.4m.
                2018
$m
               2017
$m
               2016
$m
 
Total compensation of key management personnel                  
Short-term employment benefits    18.2     21.3     19.2 
Contributions to defined contribution pension plans    0.5     0.6     0.8 
Equity compensation benefits    13.0     10.2     7.4 
Termination benefits         1.9      
     31.7     34.0     27.4 

There were no other transactions with key management personnel during the years ended 31 December 2016, 20152018, 2017 or 2014.2016.

Key management personnel comprises the Board and Executive Committee.

IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2018  |  Group Financial Statements  |  Notes157


Group Financial Statements

Notes to the Group Financial Statements continued

31. Related party disclosurescontinued

Related party disclosures for associates and joint ventures are as follows:

 

  Associates      Joint ventures      Total  Associates    Joint ventures    Total 
              2016
$m
               2015
$m
               2014
$m
                  2016
$m
           2015
$m
               2014
$m
                  2016
$m
               2015
$m
               2014
$m
            2018
$m
            2017
$m
            2016
$m
            2018
$m
            2017
$m
            2016
$m
            2018
$m
            2017
$m
            2016
$m
 
Revenue from associates and joint ventures   5    3    4      1              6    3    4     9     8     5     1     1     1     10     9     6 
Loans to associates   9    7    3                    9    7    3               9                              9 
Other amounts owed by associates and joint ventures   1    2    11                    1    2    11     1     2     1                    1     2     1 
Amounts owed to associates and joint ventures    2                              2           

In addition, loans both to and from the Barclay associate of $237m (2015:(2017: $237m) are offset in accordance with the provisions of IAS 32 and presented net in the Group statement of financial position. Interest payable and receivable under the loans is equivalent (average interest rate of 1.4%2.7% in 2016 (2015: 1.7%2018 (2017: 2.0%)) and presented net in the Group income statement.

During 2015, short-term advances of $22m were made to the Barclay associate which were repaid on 31 December 2015.

32. System Fund

The Group operates a System Fund (the Fund) to collect and administer assessments and contributions from hotel owners (other than for Kimpton and InterContinental hotels) for specific use in marketing, the IHG Rewards Club loyalty programme and the Guest Reservation System. The Fund and loyalty programme are accounted for in accordance with the accounting policies set out on page 103 of the Financial Statements.

Following the announcement on 14 April 2015 of the introduction of an expiration policy for points earned under the loyalty programme, the Group released $156m from the programme’s future redemption liability in 2015. The amount released was based on the advice of an external actuary using statistical models to estimate the impact of the programme change on members’ behaviour. The liability release resulted in a corresponding increase in the System Fund surplus which was also recorded in the Group statement of financial position.

The following information is relevant to the operation of the Fund:revenues comprise:

 

    

2016

$m

   

            2015

$m

   

            2014

$m

 
Incomea:               

Assessment fees and contributions received from hotels

   1,439    1,351    1,271 

Proceeds from sale of IHG Rewards Club points

   283    222    196 
Key elements of expenditurea:               

Marketing

   335    308    267 

IHG Rewards Club

   360    345    296 

Payroll costs

   311    295    267 
Net surplus/(deficit) for the yeara   41    118    (18
Interest payable to the Fund   3    2    2 
           2017       2016   
     

        2018

$m

 

 

    

Restateda

$m  

 

 

    

Restateda

$m  

 

 

Assessment fees and contributions received from hotels    979     934      887  
Loyalty programme revenuesb    254     308      312  
     1,233     1,242      1,199  
System Fund expenses include:         
      

2018

$m

     

2017 

$m 

     

2016 

$m 

 
Marketingc    427     405      415  
Payroll costs (note 4)    347     339      311  
Depreciation and amortisation    45     36      31  

 

a Not included in the Group income statement in accordance with the Group’s accounting policies.

Restated for IFRS 15 (see pages 109 to 113).

The payroll costs above relate to 5,434 (2015: 5,416, 2014: 4,975) employees whose costs are borne by the Fund.

The following liabilities relating to the Fund are included in the Group statement of financial position:

    2016
$m
               2015
$m
               2014
$m
 
System Fund surplusa   227    186    68 
Loyalty programme liabilityb   685    649    725 
    912    835    793 

 

aThe System Fund surplus is included in Trade and other payables.
b Comprising current liabilities

Loyalty programme revenue is shown net of $291m and non-current liabilitiesthe cost of $394m.point redemptions.

c

Restated to reflect a wider definition of marketing costs.

33. Events after the reporting period

On 12 February 2019, the Group completed the acquisition of Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spas (Six Senses), for $300m paid in cash. Six Senses is a leading operator of top tier luxury hotels, resorts and spas with a world-renowned reputation for wellness and sustainability. Six Senses will sit at the top of IHG’s luxury portfolio.

The net change inassets and liabilities acquired largely comprise intangible assets, being the loyalty programme liabilitySix Senses’ brands, management contracts and Fund surplus contributed an inflow of $65m (2015: $42m, 2014: $58m)goodwill. Due to the Group’s cash flow from operations.

close proximity of the acquisition date to the date of these financial statements, the initial accounting for the business combination is incomplete and the Group is unable to provide a quantification of the fair values of the assets and liabilities acquired. The Group will include a provisional acquisition balance sheet with its interim results for 2019.

 

142                158IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2016        Group Financial Statements2018


    

 

    

33.34. Group companies

In accordance with Section 409 of the Companies Act 2006, a full list of entities in which the Group has an interest of greater than or equal to 20%, the registered office and effective percentage of equity owned as at 31 December 20162018 are disclosed below. Unless otherwise stated the share capital disclosed comprises ordinary shares which are indirectly held by InterContinental Hotels Group PLC.

 

Fully owned subsidiaries

“IHG Management” d.o.o. Beograd (j)

24th Street Operator Sub, LLC (g) (k)

36th Street IHG Sub, LLC (g) (k)

426 Main Ave LLC (g) (k)

46 Nevins Street Associates, LLC (g) (k)

2250 Blake Street Hotel, LLC (g) (k)

Allegro Management LLC (g) (l)(k)

Alpha Kimball Hotel LLC (g) (k)

American Commonwealth Assurance Co.

Ltd. (m)

Asia Pacific Holdings Limited (n)

Barclay Operating Corp. (k)(cj)

BHMC Canada Inc. (o)

BHR Holdings B.V. (p)

BHR Luxembourg SARL (q)

BHR Pacific Holdings, Inc. (k)

BHTC Canada Inc. (o)

Blythswood Square Glasgow Hotel OpCo Ltd (n)

BOC Barclay Sub LLC (g) (k)(cj)

Bristol Oakbrook Tenant Company (k)

Café Biarritz (n)

Cambridge Lodging LLC (g) (l)(k)

Capital Lodging LLC (g) (l)(k)

CF Irving Owner, LLC (g) (k)

CF McKinney Owner, LLC (g) (k)

CF Waco Owner, LLC (g) (k)

Compañia Inter-Continental De Hoteles

El Salvador SA (n)

Crowne Plaza Amsterdam (Management)

B.V. (r)

Crowne Plaza LLC (g) (k)

Cumberland Akers Hotel LLC (g) (k)

Dunwoody Operations, Inc. (k)

Edinburgh George Street Hotel OpCo Ltd (n)

Edinburgh IC Limited (s)

EVEN Real Estate Holding LLC (g) (k)

General Innkeeping Acceptance

Corporation (b) (k)(l)

Grand Central Glasgow Hotel OpCo Limited (n)

Guangzhou SC Hotels Services Ltd. (t)

H.I. (Ireland) Limited (u)

HI Sugarloaf, LLC (g) (k)(ci)

Hale International Ltd. (v)

HC International Holdings, Inc. (w)

HH France Holdings SAS (x)

HH Hotels (EMEA) B.V. (p)

HH Hotels (Romania) SRL (y)

HIM (Aruba) NV (z)

Hoft Properties LLC (g) (k)

Holiday Hospitality Franchising, LLC (g) (k)

Holiday Inn Cairns Pty. Ltd (aa)

Holiday Inn Mexicana S.A. de C.V. (ab)

Holiday Inns (China) Ltd (ac)

Holiday Inns (Chongqing), Inc. (k)(l)

Holiday Inns (Courtalin) Holdings SAS (x)

Holiday Inns (Courtalin) SAS (b) (x)

Holiday Inns (England) Ltd.Limited (n)

Holiday Inns (Germany), LLC (g) (k)(l)

Holiday Inns (Guangzhou), Inc. (k)(l)

Holiday Inns (Jamaica) Inc. (k)

Holiday Inns (Malaysia) Ltd. (ac)(l)

Holiday Inns (Middle East) Ltd.Limited (ac)

Holiday Inns (Philippines), Inc. (k)(l)

Holiday Inns (Saudi Arabia), Inc. (k)(l)

Holiday Inns (South East Asia) Inc. (k)

Holiday Inns (Thailand) Ltd. (ac)

Holiday Inns (UK), Inc. (k)(l)

Holiday Inns Crowne Plaza (Hong Kong),

Inc. (k)(l)

Holiday Inns Holdings (Australia) Pty Ltd (aa)

Holiday Inns Inc. (k)

Holiday Inns Investment (Nepal) Ltd. (ac)

Holiday Inns of America (UK) Ltd.Limited (n)

Holiday Inns of Belgium N.V. (ad)

Holiday Pacific Equity Corporation (k)

Holiday Pacific LLC (g) (k)

Holiday Pacific Partners, LP (k)

Hotel InterContinental London (Holdings)

Limited (n)

Hotel Inter-Continental London Limited (n)

Hoteles Y Turismo HIH SRL (n)

IC Hotelbetriebsfuhrungs GmbH (ae)

IC Hotels Management (Portugal) Unipessoal,

Lda (af)

IC International Hotels Limited Liability

Company (ag)

IHC (Thailand) Limited (ah)

IHC Buckhead, LLC (g) (k)(ci)

IHC Edinburgh (Holdings) (n)

IHC Hopkins (Holdings) Corp. (k)

IHC Hotel Limited (n)

IHC Inter-Continental (Holdings) Corp. (k)

IHC London (Holdings) (n)

IHC May Fair (Holdings) Limited (n)

IHC May Fair Hotel Limited (n)

IHC M-H (Holdings) Corp.(k)

IHC Overseas (U.K.) Limited (n)

IHC UK (Holdings) Limited (n)

IHC United States (Holdings) Corp. (b) (k)

IHC Willard (Holdings) Corp. (k)

IHG (Australasia) Limited (d) (ai)

IHG (Marseille) SAS (x)

IHG (Myanmar) Ltd (ah)

IHG (Thailand) Limited (aj)

IHG Bangkok Ltd (v)

IHG Brasil Administracao de Hoteis e Servicos

Ltda (ak)

IHG Commission Services SRL (co)

IHG Community Development, LLC (g) (k)

IHG Cyprus Limited (bw)(ci)

IHG de Argentina SA (al)

IHG ECS (Barbados) SRL (am)(co)

IHG Franchising Brasil Ltda (bc)(bd)

IHG Franchising DR Corporation (k)

IHG Franchising, LLC (g) (k)

IHG Hotels (New Zealand) Limited (an)

IHG Hotels Limited (n)

IHG Hotels Management (Australia) Pty

Limited (d) (aa)

IHG Hotels Nigeria Limited (ao)

IHG Hotels South Africa (Pty) LtdLimited (ap)

IHG International Partnership (n)

IHG Istanbul Otel Yönetim Limited Sirketi (bx)

IHG IT Services (India) Private Limited (aq)

IHG Japan (Management) LLC (ar)

IHG Japan (Osaka) LLC (ar)

IHG Management (Maryland) LLC (g) (as)

IHG Management (Netherlands) B.V. (p)

IHG Management MD Barclay Sub LLC (g) (k)(cj)

IHG Management SL d.o.o (bo)

IHG Orchard Street Member, LLC (g) (k)

IHG PS Nominees Limited (n)

IHG Systems Pty Ltd (d) (aa)

IHG Szalloda Budapest Szolgaltato Kft. (at)

IND East Village SD Holdings, LLC (g) (k)

InterContinental Berlin Service Company

GmbH (au)

InterContinental (Branston) 1 Limited (c) (n)

InterContinental (PB) 1 (n)

InterContinental (PB) 2 (n)(ay)

InterContinental (PB) 3 Limited (n)

InterContinental Brasil Administracao

de Hoteis Ltda (ak)(q)

Inter-Continental D.C. Operating Corp. (k)

Inter-Continental Florida Investment Corp. (k)

Inter-Continental Florida Partner Corp. (k)

InterContinental Gestion Hotelera S.L. (by)

Inter-Continental Hospitality Corporation (k)

InterContinental Hotel Berlin GmbH (au)

InterContinental Hotel Düsseldorf GmbH

(Germany) (av)

Inter-Continental Hoteleira Limitada (aw)

Inter-Continental Hotels (Montreal) Operating

Corp. (ax)

Inter-Continental Hotels (Montreal) Owning

Corp. (ax)

Inter-Continental Hotels (Overseas) Limited (ay)

InterContinental Hotels (Puerto Rico) Inc. (az)

Inter-Continental Hotels (Singapore) Pte. Ltd. (ai)

Inter-Continental Hotels Corporation (k)

Inter-Continental Hotels Corporation de Venezuela

C.A. (ba)

Intercontinental Hotels Corporation

Limited (d) (m)

InterContinental Hotels Group (Asia Pacific)

Pte Ltd (ai)

InterContinental Hotels Group (Australia) Pty

Limited (aa)

InterContinental Hotels Group (Canada) Inc. (o)

InterContinental Hotels Group (España) SA (by)

InterContinental Hotels Group (Greater China)

Limited (ac)

InterContinental Hotels Group (India)

Pvt. Ltd (aq)

InterContinental Hotels Group (Japan) Inc. (k)(l)

InterContinental Hotels Group (New Zealand)

Limited (an)

InterContinental Hotels Group (Shanghai)

Ltd. (bb)

InterContinental Hotels Group Customer Services

Services Ltd.Limited (n)

InterContinental Hotels Group do Brasil

Limitada (bd)(bc)

InterContinental Hotels Group Healthcare Trustee

Trustee Limited (n)

InterContinental Hotels Group Operating

Corp. (e) (k)

InterContinental Hotels Group Resources

Inc. (b) (k)

InterContinental Hotels Group Services Company (n)

InterContinental Hotels Italia, S.r.L. (be)

InterContinental Hotels Limited (a) (n)

InterContinental Hotels Management GmbH (bf)

InterContinental Hotels Nevada Corporation (k)(ck)

Inter-Continental Hotels of San Francisco

Inc. (k)

Inter-Continental IOHC (Mauritius) Limited (bg)

Inter-ContinentalInterContinental Management (Australia) PtyAM LLC (cm)

Limited (aa)

LOGO

Notes to the Group Financial Statements        IHG Annual Report and Form 20-F 2016                143


NOTES TO THE GROUP FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED

33. Group companiescontinued

Fully owned subsidiaries (continued)InterContinental Management Bulgaria EOOD (bp)

InterContinental Management France SAS (x)

InterContinental Management Poland sp. z.o.o (cn)

IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2018  |  Group Financial Statements  |  Notes159


Group Financial Statements

Notes to the Group Financial Statements continued

34. Group companiescontinued

Fully owned subsidiariescontinued

InterContinental Overseas Holding Corporation (k)

KG Benefits LLC (g) (l)(k)

KG Gift Card Inc. (l)(bz)

KG Liability LLC (g) (l)(k)

KG Technology, LLC (g) (l)(k)

KHP Washington Operator LLC (g) (l)(k)

KHRG 11th Avenue Hotel LLC (g) (l)(k)

KHRG 851 LLC (g) (l)(k)

KHRG Aertson LLC (g) (l)

KHRG Alexandria LLC (g) (l)(k)

KHRG Alexis, LLC (g) (l)(k)

KHRG Allegro, LLC (g) (l)(k)

KHRG Argyle, LLC (g) (l)(k)

KHRG Austin Beverage Company, LLC (g) (l)(k)

KHRG Baltimore, LLC (g) (l)(k)

KHRG Born LLC (g) (l)(k)

KHRG Boston Hotel, LLC (g) (l)(k)

KHRG Canary LLC (g) (l)(k)

KHRG Cayman LLC (g) (l)(k)

KHRG Cayman Employer Ltd. (l)(k)

KHRG DC 1731 LLC (g) (l)(k)

KHRG DC 2505 LLC (g) (l)(k)

KHRG Donovan LLC (g) (l)(k)

KHRG Employer, LLC (g) (l)(k)

KHRG Goleta LLC (g) (l)(k)

KHRG Gray LLC (g) (l)(k)

KHRG Gray U2 LLC (g) (l)

KHRG Hillcrest, LLC (g) (l)(k)

KHRG Huntington Beach LLC (g) (l)(k)

KHRG Key West LLC (g) (k)

KHRG King Street, LLC (g) (l)(k)

KHRG La Peer LLC (g) (l)(k)

KHRG Miami Beach LLC (g) (l)(k)

KHRG Muse LLC (g) (l)(k)

KHRG NPC LLC (g) (l)(k)

KHRG Onyx LLC (g) (l)(k)

KHRG Palladian LLC (g) (l)(k)

KHRG Palomar Phoenix LLC (g) (l)(k)

KHRG Philly Monaco LLC (g) (l)(k)

KHRG Pittsburgh LLC (g) (l)(k)

KHRG Reynolds LLC (g) (l)(k)

KHRG Riverplace LLC (g) (l)(k)

KHRG Sacramento LLC (g) (l)(k)

KHRG Savannah LLC (g) (l)(k)

KHRG Schofield LLC (g) (l)(k)

KHRG Sedona LLC (g) (l)(k)

KHRG SFD LLC (g) (l)(k)

KHRG South Beach LLC (g) (k)

KHRG State Street LLC (g) (l)(k)

KHRG Sutter LLC (g) (l)(k)

KHRG Sutter Union LLC (g) (l)(k)

KHRG Taconic LLC (g) (l)(k)

KHRG Tariff LLC (g) (k)

KHRG Texas Hospitality, LLC (g) (l)(k)

KHRG Texas Operations, LLC (g) (l)(k)

KHRG Tryon LLC (g) (l)(k)

KHRG Vero Beach, LLC (g) (l)(k)

KHRG Vintage Park LLC (g) (l)(k)

KHRG VZ Austin LLC (g) (l)(k)

KHRG Wabash LLC (g) (k)

KHRG Westwood, LLC (g) (l)(k)

KHRG Wilshire LLC (g) (l)

KHRG WPB LLC (g) (l)(k)

KHRG Zamora LLC (g) (l)(k)

Kimpton Hollywood Licenses LLC (g) (l)(k)

Kimpton Hotel & Restaurant Group, LLC (g) (l)(k)

Kimpton Phoenix Licenses Holdings LLC (g) (l)(k)

Kimpton Sedona Licenses LLC (g) (l)(k)

Louisiana Acquisitions Corp. (k)

Manchester Oxford Street Hotel OpCo Limited (n)

Mercer Fairview Holdings LLC (g) (k)

Met Leeds Hotel OpCo Limited (n)

MH Lodging LLC (g) (l)(k)

PML Services LLC (g) (as)

Pollstrong Limited (n)

Powell Pine, Inc. (k)

Priscilla Holiday of Texas, Inc. (k)(cl)

PT Regent Indonesia (r)

PT SC Hotels & Resorts Indonesia (bh)

Regent Asia Pacific Hotel Management Ltd (bw)

Regent Asia Pacific Management Ltd (cp)

Regent Berlin GmbH (cq)

Regent International Hotels Ltd (bw)

Resort Services International (Cayo Largo) L.P. (k)(ci)

RM Lodging LLC (g) (l)Roxburghe Hotel Edinburgh OpCo Limited (n)

Russell London Hotel OpCo Limited (n)

SBS Maryland Beverage Company LLC (g) (as)

SC Cellars Limited (n)

SC Hotels International Services, Inc. (k)

SC Leisure Group Limited (n)

SC Luxembourg Investments SARL (q)

SC NAS 2 Limited (n)

SC NAS 3 (ay)

SC Quest Limited (n)

SC Reservations (Philippines) Inc. (k)(l)

SCH Insurance Company (bi)

SCIH Branston 3 (n)

Semiramis for training of Hotel Personnel

and Hotel

Management SAE (ci)(ch)

SF MH Acquisition LLC (g) (k)

Six Continents Corporate Services (n)(ay)

Six Continents Holdings Limited (n)

Six Continents Hotels de Colombia SA (bj)

Six Continents Hotels International Limited (n)

Six Continents Hotels, Inc. (k)

Six Continents International Holdings B.V. (p)

Six Continents Investments Limited (f) (n)

Six Continents Limited (n)

Six Continents Overseas Holdings Limited (n)

Six Continents Restaurants Limited (n)

SixCo North America, Inc. (w)

Solamar Lodging LLC (g) (l)(k)

Southern Pacific Hotel Corporation (BVI) Ltd. (v)

Southern Pacific Hotels Properties Limited (v)

SPHC Group Pty Ltd. (aa)

SPHC Management Ltd. (ch)(bq)

St David’s Cardiff Hotel OpCo Limited (n)

The Grand Central Hotel Glasgow Limited (n)

The Met Hotel Leeds Limited (n)

The Principal Edinburgh George Street Limited (n)

The Principal London Limited (n)

The Principal Manchester Limited (n)

The Principal York Limited (n)

The Roxburghe Hotel Edinburgh Limited (s)

Universal de Hoteles SA (bj)

White Shield Insurance Company Limited (bk)

Wotton House Hotel OpCo Limited (n)

York Station Road Hotel OpCo Limited (n)

Subsidiaries where the effective interest

is less than 100%

H.I. Soaltee Management Company Ltd (76.5%) (ac)

IHG ANA Hotels Group Japan LLC (74.66%) (ar)

IHG ANA Hotels Holdings Co., Ltd. (66%) (ar)

Regent Hospitality Worldwide, Inc. (51%) (bt)

World Trade Centre Montreal Hotel Corporation

(74.11%) (bl)

Associates and joint ventures

111 East 48th Street Holdings LLC (19.9%) (g) (h) (bz)(k)

Alkoer, S. de R.L. de C.V. (50%) (h) (cg)

BCRE IHG 180 Orchard Holdings LLC (49%) (g) (cf)

Beijing Orient Express Hotel Co., Ltd. (16.24%) (bm)

Blue Blood (Tianjin) Equity Investment Management

Management Co., Limited (30.05%) (bn)

Carr Clark SWW Subventure, LLC (26.67%) (g) (ca)

Carr Waterfront Hotel, LLC (11.46%) (g) (h) (ca)

China Hotel Investment Limited (30.05%) (i) (am)

Desarrollo Alkoer Irapuato S. de R.L. de C.V.

(50%) (cg)

Desarrollo Alkoer Saltillo S. de R.L. de C.V.

(50%) (cg)

Desarrollo Alkoer Silao S. de R.L. de C.V. (50%) (cg)

D.I.H. (Cyprus) SPV (No.2) Limited (24%) (bo)

D.I.H. (Cyprus) SPV (No.4) Limited (24%) (bo)

D.I.H. (Cyprus) SPV (No.6) Limited (24%) (bo)

D.I.H. (Cyprus) SPV (No.7) Limited (24%) (bo)

D.I.H. (Cyprus) SPV (No.12) Limited (24%) (bo)

Duet India Hotels (Ahmedabad) Private Ltd (24%) (bp)

Duet India Hotels (Bangalore) Private Ltd (24%) (bp)

Duet India Hotels (Chennai OMR) Private Ltd

(24%) (bp)

Duet India Hotels (Chennai) Private Ltd (24%) (bp)

Duet India Hotels (Hyderabad) Private Ltd (24%) (bp)

Duet India Hotels (Mumbai) Private Ltd (24%) (bp)

Duet India Hotels (Nagpur) Private Ltd (24%) (bp)

Duet India Hotels (Navi Mumbai) Private Ltd

(24%) (bq)

Duet Smart Hotels (India) Limited (24%) (bo)

Duet Smart Hotels (India) SPV (No. 1) Limited

(24%) (bo)

Duet Smart Hotels (India) SPV (No. 3) Limited

(24%) (bo)

Gestion Hotelera Gestel, C.A. (50%) (c) (h) (ba)

H.I. Soaltee Hotel Company Private Ltd (33.4%) (br)

Hotel JV Services LLC (16.67%(17.8%) (c) (g) (cb)

Inter-Continental Hotels Saudi Arabia Limited

(40%) (bs)

Maya Baiduri Sdn Bhd (49%) (bt)

NF III Seattle, LLC (25%) (g) (cc)

Nuevas Fronteras S.A. (23.66%) (cd)

Panacon (33.33%) (ce)

President Hotel & Tower Co Ltd. (30%) (bu)

Tianjin ICBCI IHG Equity Investment Fund

Management Co., Limited (21.04%) (bv)

 

 

144                160IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2016        Group Financial Statements2018


    

    

    

33.34. Group companiescontinued

 

  Key
(a)Directly owned by InterContinental Hotels Group PLC
(b)Ordinary shares and preference shares
(c)Ordinary A and ordinary B shares
(d)Ordinary shares and redeemable preference shares
(e)1/4 vote ordinary shares and ordinary shares
(f)Ordinary shares, 5% cumulative preference shares and 7% cumulative preference shares
(g)The entities do not have share capital and are governed by an operating agreement
(h)Accounted for as associates and joint ventures due to IHG’s decision-making rights contained in the partnership agreement
(i)

Accounted for as an other financial asset due to IHG being unable to exercise significant influence over the financial and operating policy decisions of the entity

Registered addresses

(j)Beograd, Cincar, Jankova 3, Serbia

Registered addresses
(j)Krunska 73, Beograd, 11000, Serbia
(k)Three Ravinia251 Little Falls Drive, Suite 100, Atlanta, GA 30346,Wilmington, DE 19808, USA
(l)222 Kearny Street – Suite 200, San Francisco, CA 94108,2908 Poston Avenue, Nashville, TN 37203, USA
(m)Clarendon House, 2 Church Street, West,Hamilton HM11, Bermuda
(n)Broadwater Park, Denham, Buckinghamshire, UB9 5HR, UK
(o)199 Bay Street, Suite 2800, Commerce Court West, Toronto, ON M5L 1A9, Canada
(p)Kingsfordweg 151, 1043 GR Amsterdam, The Netherlands
(q)26 Blvd. Royal, L-2449, LuxembourgAlameda Jau 536, Suite 3s-A, 01420-000 Sao Paulo, Brazil
(r)Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal 5, 1012 RC Amsterdam, The NetherlandsGedung Mega Plaza Lantai 12, JI. H. R. Rasuna Said Kav. C-3, Kelurahan Karet, Kecamtan Setiabudi, Jakarta Seltan, Indonesia
(s)Caledonian Exchange, 19a Canning Street,
Edinburgh, EH3 8HE, UK
(t)Building 4, No. 13 Xiao Gang Zhong Ma Road, Zhuhai District, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P.R.ChinaP.R. China
(u)29 Earlsfort Terrace, Dublin 2, D02 AY28,
Ireland
(v)Craigmuir Chambers, Road Town, Tortola
VG1110, British Virgin Islands
(w)Wilmington Trust SP Services, Inc. 1105
North Market Street, Suite 1300, Wilmington,
DE 19801, USA
(x)31–33 rue Mogador – 75009 Paris, France
(y)Bucharest, 1st District, 50–52 Buzesti St,
83 module, 11 floor, Romania
(z)230 J E Irausquin Boulevard, Palm Beach,
Aruba
(aa)Level 11, 20 Bond Street, Sydney NSW 2000, Australia
(ab)Ontario # 1050, Col. Providencia.
Guadalajara, Jalisco CP 44630, Mexico
(ac)Level 54, Hopewell Center, 183 Queen’s
Road East, Hong Kong
(ad)Rond Punt Schumanplein 11, 1040 Brussels,
Belgium
(ae)Johannesgasse 28, 1030 Wien,
Am Heumarkt 4, 1030 Wien, Austria
(af)Avenida da Republica, no 52 – 9, 1069 – 211, Lisbon, Portugal
(ag)24, Rusakovskaya Str., Moscow 107014, Russian Federation
(ah)967 Rama I Road, Patumwan, Bangkok, Thailand10 Bo Yar Zar Street, Kyaukkone Yankin Township, Yangon, Myanmar
(ai)230 Victoria Street, #13-00 Bugis Junction Towers, 188024, Singapore
(aj)973 President Tower, 7th Floor, Units 7A, 7B, 7C, 7D, 7I, 7F, 7G and 7H, Ploenchit Road, Khwaeng Lumpini, Khet Pathumwan, Bangkok Metropolis, 10330, Thailand
(ak)Alameda Jau 536, #3S-B,Suite 3S-B, 01420-000 Sao Paulo, Brazil
(al)Avenida Cordoba 1547, piso 8, oficina A, Buenos Aires, Argentina
(am)The Phoenix Centre, George Street, Belleville St. Michael, Barbados
(an)Floor 9, 36 Kitchener Street, Auckland Central, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
(ao)1, Murtala Muhammed Drive, Ikoyi, Lagos, Nigeria
(ap)Central Office Park Unit 4, 257 Jean Avenue,
Centurion 0157, South Africa
(aq)11th Floor, Building No. 10, Tower C, DLF
Phase-II, DLF Cyber City, Gurgaon, Haryana-122002, India
(ar)20th Floor, Toranomon Kotohira Tower, 2–8, Toranomon 1-chome, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan
(as)HIQ Corporate Services Inc., 715 St. Paul Street, Baltimore, MD 21202, USA
(at)1052 Budapest, Apáczai Csere János u. 12–14, Hungary
(au)Budapester Str. 2, D-107887,10787 Berlin, Germany
(av)Koenigsallee 59, D-40215, Dusseldorf, Germany
(aw)Av Das Americas 500, Bloco 3, Sala 316, Barra da Tijuca CEP 22640-100, Rio de Janeiro,Alameda Jau 536, Suite 3S-E, 01420-000 Sao Paulo, Brazil
(ax)InterContinental Montreal, 360 St. Antoine Street West, Montreal, Quebec H2Y 3X4, Canada
(ay)BDO LLP, Two Snowhill, Birmingham, B4 6GA, UK
(az)361 San Francisco Street Penthouse, San Juan, PR 00901, Puerto Rico
(ba)Hotel Tamanaco Inter-Continental, Final Av. Ppal, Mercedes, Caracas, Venezuela
(bb)2nd22nd Floor, Citigroup Tower, No. 33 Huayuanshiqiao Road, Pudong, Shanghai, P.R. China
(bc)Almeda Santos 1893 – 3o Andar, Cerqueira Cesar,Alameda Jau 536, Suite 3S-C, 01420-000 Sao Paulo, Brazil
(bd)Alameda Santos, 1893, 3rs Floor,Jau 536, Suite 3S-D, 01420-000 Sao Paulo, Brazil
(be)Via Settembrini 35,Bastioni di Porta Nuova 21, 20121 Milano, Italy
(bf)Am Hauptbahnhof, D-60329,Thurn-und-Taxis-Platz 6 – 60313 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
(bg)JurisTax Services Ltd, Level 12, NeXTeracom Tower II, Ebene, Mauritius
(bh)Menara Impreium 22nd Floor, Suite D, JI. HR. Rasuna Said Kav.1, Guntur Sub-district, Setiabudi District, South Jakarta 12980, Indonesia
(bi)150 South Champlain Street, Burlington, VT 05401, USA
(bj)Calle 16, No28–51, Variante las Palmas,49, Sur 45 A 300 Of 1102 Envigado Antioquia, Colombia
(bk)Suite B, Ground Floor, Regal House, Queensway, Gibraltar
(bl)Suite 2500, 1000 De La Gauchetiere St. West, Montreal QC H3B 0A2, Canada
(bm)Room 311, Building 1, No 166 East Wen Hua Yuan
Road, Beijing Economy and Technology Development Zone, Beijing, P.R.China
(bn)Room N306, 3rd Floor, Building 6, Binhai Financial Street, No. 52 West Xincheng Road, Tianjin Economy and Technology Development Zone, Tianjin, P.R.ChinaP.R. China
(bo)36, Byron Avenue,Nicosia Tower Center, 8th floor, 1096 Nicosia, CyprusCesta v Mestni log 1, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
(bp)No 1, Unitech Trade Centre, Sector-43, Gurgaon HR 122002, India51B Bulgaria Blvd, 4th Floor, District Triaditsa, Sofia, 1404, Bulgaria
(bq)146, 14th Floor, Makers Chambers 6, Nariman Point, Mumbai MH 400021, IndiaC/o Holiday Inn & Suites, Cnr Waigani Drive & Wards Road, Port Moresby, National Capital District, Papua New Guinea
(br)Tahachal, Kathmandu, Nepal
(bs)Madinah Road, Jeddah, P.O Box 9456, Post Code 21413, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
(bt)20th Floor Menara Haw Par, Jalan Sultan Ismail, Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan, 50250, MalaysiaMaples Corporate Services Ltd. – PO Box 309, Ugland House, Grand Cayman – KY-1104, Cayman Islands
(bu)971, 973 Ploenchit Road, Lumpini, Pathumwan, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
(bv)Room R316, 3rd Floor, Building 6, Binhai Financial Street, No. 52 West Xincheng Road, Tianjin Economy and Technology Development Zone, Tianjin, P.R.ChinaP.R. China
(bw)195 Arch. Markarios III Ave., Neocleous House, 3030 Limassol, Cyprus14th Floor, South China Building, 1-3 Wyndham Street, Hong Kong
(bx)Eski Büyükdere Cd. Park Plaza No:14 K:4 Maslak – Sarıyer, Istanbul, Turkey
(by)Paseo de la Castellana 49, 28046 Madrid, Spain
(bz)111 East 48th Street, New York NY 10017,2710 Gateway Oaks Drive, Suite 150N, Sacramento, CA 95833-3505, USA
(ca)Carr Hospitality, LLC, 1455 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Suite 100, Washington, DC 20004, USA
(cb)3811 Turtle Creek Blvd.,2711 Centerville Road, Suite 1450, Dallas, TX 75219,400, Wilmington, DE 19805, USA
(cc)2000 Monarch Tower, 3424 Peachtree Road, N.E., Atlanta, GA 30326, USA
(cd)Moreno 809 2 Piso, Buenos Aires, Argentina
(ce)Pan-American Life Insurance Company, 601 Poydras Street, New Orleans, LA 70130, USA
(cf)Brack Capital Real Estate Ltd., 885 Third Avenue, 24th Floor, New York, NY 10022, USA
(cg)Campos Elíseos 223, piso 7, Colonia Polanco, 11560, Mexico City,Avenida Ejercito Nacional Mexicano No. 769, Torre B Piso 8, Granada, Miguel Hidalgo, Ciudad de México, CP 11520, Mexico
(ch)Port Moresby Travelodge, Hunter Street, Section 27, Allotments 26 and 27, Granville, Port Moresby, National Capital District, Papua New Guinea
(ci)Ground Floor, Al Kamel Law Building, Plot 52-b, Banks Area, Six of October City, Egypt
(ci)40 Technology Pkwy South, #300 Norcross GA 30092, USA
(cj)80 State Street, Albany NY 12207-2543, USA
(ck)2215-B Renaissance Drive, Las Vegas, NV 89119, USA
(cl)11003 Onion Creek Court, Austin, TX 78747, USA
(cm)10 Vazgen Sargsyan, Office 114, Yerevan, RA 0010, Armenia
(cn)Al. Jerozolimskie 56C, 00-803 Warsaw, Poland
(co)Suite 1, Ground Floor, The Financial Services Centre, Bishops Court Hill, St. Michael, Barbados, BB14004
(cp)Brumby Centre, Lot 42, Jalan Muhibbah, 87000 Labuan F.T., Malaysia
(cq)Charlottenstrasse 49, Berlin, 10117, Germany
 

 

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Additional

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169Additional Information  Articles of Association
170
Additional
Information
  Working Time Regulations 1998
171
172  Material contractsOther financial information
172  Legal proceedings
172178  Exchange controls and restrictions on payment of dividendsDirectors’ Report
173  Shareholder information
173182  TaxationGroup information
175  Disclosure controls and procedures
176Summary of significant corporate governance differences from NYSE listing standards
177Selected five-year consolidated financial information
178Return of funds
178Purchases of equity securities by the Company and affiliated purchasers
179Share price information
179Dividend history
180Shareholder profiles
181Exhibits
182  History and developments
182Risk factors
187Directors’ and Executive Committee
members’ shareholdings
187Executive Directors’ benefits
upon termination of office
188Description of securities other
than equity securities
189Articles of Association
190Working Time Regulations 1998
191Material contracts
192Legal proceedings
192Exchange controls and restrictions
on payment of dividends
193Shareholder information
193Taxation
196Disclosure controls and procedures
196Summary of significant corporate
governance differences from
NYSE listing standards
197Selected five-year consolidated
financial information
198Return of funds
199Purchases of equity securities
by the Company and
affiliated purchasers
199Dividend history
200Shareholder profiles
201Exhibits
202Form 20-F cross-reference guide
184  
204Glossary
186  
206Useful information
186  
206Investor information
187  
207Financial calendars
187  Contacts
188207  Contacts
208  Forward-looking statements

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154                avid hotel Oklahama City – Qual Springs, USA
170

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Additional Information

Other financial information

    

    

Use of Non-GAAP measures

In addition to performance measures directly observable in the Group Financial Statements (IFRS measures), additional measures (described as Non-GAAP) are presented that are used internally by management as key measures to assess performance. Non-GAAP measures are either not defined under IFRS or are adjusted IFRS figures.

Further explanation in relation to these measures can be found on page 26.36.

Underlying revenue and underlying operating profit Non-GAAP reconciliations

The following tables:

 

Reconcile the GAAP measures included in the Group Financial Statements to Group underlying revenue and underlying operating profit;

 show

Show underlying revenue and underlying operating profit on both an actual and constant currency basisa;

 

reconcile

Reconcile segmental underlying revenue and underlying operating profit to Group underlying revenue and operating profit; and

 

 show

Show underlying Group fee revenue and Group fee margin on both an actual and constant currency basisa; and.

 

reconcile Group underlying revenue and underlying operating profit to the GAAP measures included in the Group Financial Statements.

Highlights for the year ended 31 December 2016

   At actual exchange rates       At constant currency 
    2016
$m
  2015
$m
   Change
$m
   Change
%
        2016
$m
   2015
$m
   Change
$m
   Change
%
 
Underlying revenue                                            
Americas   959   914     45     4.9%          967     914     53     5.8%  
Europe   150   160     (10)    (6.3)%         161     160         0.6%  
AMEA   186   195     (9)    (4.6)%         187     195     (8)    (4.1)% 
Greater China   117   109         7.3%          123     109     14     12.8%  
Central   141   135         4.4%          144     135         6.7%  
Underlying Group revenue   1,553   1,513     40     2.6%          1,582     1,513     69     4.6%  
Owned and leased revenue included above   (173  (164)    (9)    (5.5)%         (173)    (164)    (9)    (5.5)% 
Underlying Group fee revenue   1,380   1,349     31     2.3%          1,409     1,349     60     4.4%  
Underlying operating profit                                            
Americas   633   594     39     6.6%          640     594     46     7.7%  
Europe   73   76     (3)    (3.9)%         76     76     –      
AMEA   77   81     (4)    (4.9)%         78     81     (3)    (3.7)% 
Greater China   45   41         9.8%          47     41         14.6%  
Central   (128  (151)    23     15.2%          (139)    (151)    12     7.9%  
Underlying Group operating profit   700   641    59     9.2%          702     641     61     9.5%  
Owned and leased profit included above   (26  (27)        3.7%          (26)    (27)        3.7%  
Underlying Group fee profit   674   614     60     9.8%          676     614     62     10.1%  
Group fee margin   48.8%   45.5%    –     3.3ppts         48.0     45.5%    –     2.5ppts 

   Revenue         Operating profit 
    

2016

$m

     

2015

$m

          2016
$m
   2015
$m
 
Underlying at actual exchange rates   1,553      1,513           700    641 
Owned asset disposals         128               30 
Managed leases   162      159           7    6 
Liquidated damages         3               3 
Exceptional items                    (29   819 
Per Group income statement   1,715      1,803           678    1,499 

a 

IHG’s method for calculating the constant currency amounts of entities reporting in currencies other than US dollars is to translate the current period results into US dollars using the prior period’s exchange rate. For example, if a UK entity generated revenue of £100m in 20162018 and 2015,2017, the Group Financial Statements would report revenue of $135m$133m in 20162018 and $154m$128m in 2015,2017, using the respective average exchange rates for the year of $1=£0.740.75 and $1=£0.65.0.78. For constant currency reporting, 20162018 revenue would be translated at $1=£0.650.78 giving a US dollar value of $154m,$128m, thereby showing that underlying revenue was flat year-on-year. An exception to this approach is made for currencies experiencing high volatility in order to remove the distorting effect on underlying results where the average daily rate broadly keeps pace with inflation. In 2018 this exception has been applied to fees earned from hotels in Venezuela.

Highlights for the year ended 31 December 2018

     Revenue     Operating profit 
At actual exchange rates          2018
$m
           2017
Restated
$m
           Change
$m
           Change
%
           2018
$m
           2017
Restated
$m
           Change
$m
           Change
%
 
Per Group income statement    4,337     4,075     262     6.4     566     728     (162    (22.3
Significant liquidated damages   

 

(13

         (13         (13         (13     
Exceptional items                        104     (4    108     2,700.0 
Acquisition of businesses    (85         (85         1          1      
System Fund    (1,233    (1,242    9     0.7     146     34     112     329.4 
Reimbursement of costs    (1,171    (1,103    (68    (6.2                    
Underlying at actual exchange rates    1,835     1,730     105     6.1     804     758     46     6.1 
     At actual exchange rates     At constant currency 
      2018
$m
     

2017

Restated

$m

     Change
$m
     

Change

%

     2018
$m
     2017
Restated
$m
     Change
$m
     

Change

%

 
Underlying revenue                                                
Americas    1,051     999     52     5.2     1,053     999     54     5.4 
EMEAA    478     457     21     4.6     471     457     14     3.1 
Greater China    136     117     19     16.2     135     117     18     15.4 
Central    170      157      13      8.3      169      157      12      7.6 
Underlying Group revenue    1,835     1,730     105     6.1     1,828     1,730     98     5.7 
Owned, leased and managed lease revenue included above    (363     (351     (12     (3.4     (359     (351     (8     (2.3
Underlying Group fee revenue    1,472     1,379     93     6.7     1,469     1,379     90     6.5 
Underlying operating profit                                                
Americas    662     637     25     3.9     663     637     26     4.1 
EMEAA    197     171     26     15.2     196     171     25     14.6 
Greater China    62     52     10     19.2     62     52     10     19.2 
Central    (117    (102    (15    (14.7    (116    (102    (14    (13.7
Underlying Group operating profit    804     758     46     6.1     805     758     47     6.2 
Owned, leased and managed lease operating profit included above    (33    (35    2     5.7     (34    (35    1     2.9 
Underlying Group fee operating profit    771      723      48      6.6      771      723      48      6.6 
Group fee margin    52.4%     52.4%          0.0ppts     52.5%     52.4%          0.1ppts 

 

156                172IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2016        Additional Information2018


    

Highlights for the year ended 31 December 20152017

 

   At actual exchange rates        At constant currency 
    

2015

$m

  

2014

$m

  Change
$m
  Change
%
        

2015

$m

  

2014

$m

  Change
$m
  Change
%
 
Underlying revenue                                       
Americas   858   803   55   6.8%          874   803   71   8.8%  
Europe   160   173   (13  (7.5)%         186   173   13   7.5%  
AMEA   195   201   (6  (3.0)%         214   201   13   6.5%  
Greater China   109   103   6   5.8%          111   103   8   7.8%  
Central   135   129   6   4.7%          137   129   8   6.2%  
Underlying Group revenue   1,457   1,409   48   3.4%          1,522   1,409   113   8.0%  
Owned and leased revenue included above   (164  (154  (10  (6.5)%         (170  (154  (16  (10.4)% 
Underlying Group fee revenue (exc Kimpton)   1,293   1,255   38   3.0%          1,352   1,255   97   7.7%  
Kimpton   56      56   –          56      56   –  
Underlying Group fee revenue (inc Kimpton)   1,349   1,255   94   7.5%          1,408   1,255   153   12.2%  
Underlying operating profit                                       
Americas   579   538   41   7.6%          591   538   53   9.9%  
Europe   76   73   3   4.1%          90   73   17   23.3%  
AMEA   81   80   1   1.3%          87   80   7   8.7%  
Greater China   41   47   (6  (12.8)%         42   47   (5  (10.6)% 
Central   (151  (155  4   2.6%          (160  (155  (5  (3.2)% 
Underlying Group operating profit   626   583   43   7.4%          650   583   67   11.5%  
Owned and leased profit included above   (27  (22  (5  (22.7)%         (28  (22  (6  (27.3)% 
Underlying Group fee profit (exc Kimpton)   599   561   38   6.8%          622   561   61   10.9%  
Kimpton   15      15   –          15      15   –  
Underlying Group fee profit (inc Kimpton)   614   561   53   9.4%          637   561   76   13.5%  
Group fee margin (exc Kimpton)   46.3%   44.7%      1.6 ppts         46.0%   44.7%      1.3 ppts 

   Revenue         Operating profit 
    2015
$m
     

2014

$m

          2015
$m
     2014
$m
 
Underlying at actual exchange rates   1,457      1,409           626      583 
Owned asset disposals   128      273           30      55 
Managed leases   159      169           6      6 
Kimpton (excluding liquidated damages)   56                 15       
Liquidated damages   3      7           3      7 
Exceptional items                    819      29 
Per Group income statement   1,803      1,858           1,499      680 

LOGO

     Revenue     Operating profit 
At actual exchange rates    

        2017

Restated

$m

     

        2016

Restated

$m

     

   Change

$m

        Change
%
             2017
Restated
$m
             2016
Restated
$m
        Change
$m
        Change
%
 
Per Group income statement    4,075     3,912     163     4.2     728     712     16     2.2 
Exceptional items                        (4    29     (33    (113.8
System Fund    (1,242    (1,199    (43    (3.6    34     (35    69     197.1 
Reimbursement of costs    (1,103    (1,046    (57    (5.4                    
Underlying at actual exchange rates    1,730     1,667     63     3.8     758     706     52     7.4 
     At actual exchange rates     At constant currency 
      2017
Restated
$m
     2016
Restated
$m
     Change
$m
     Change
%
      2017
Restated
$m
      2016
Restated
$m
      Change
$m
      Change
%
 
Underlying revenue                                                
Americas    999     969     30     3.1     1,004     969     35     3.6 
EMEAA    457     439     18     4.1     460     439     21     4.8 
Greater China    117     112     5     4.5     119     112     7     6.3 
Central    157     147     10     6.8     158     147     11     7.5 
Underlying Group revenue    1,730     1,667     63     3.8     1,741     1,667     74 ��   4.4 
Owned, leased and managed lease revenue included above    (351    (338    (13    (3.8    (350    (338    (12    (3.6
Underlying Group fee revenue    1,379     1,329     50     3.8     1,391     1,329     62     4.7 
Underlying operating profit                                                
Americas    637     626     11     1.8     642     626     16     2.6 
EMEAA    171     157     14     8.9     173     157     16     10.2 
Greater China    52     46     6     13.0     52     46     6     13.0 
Central    (102    (123    21     17.1     (105    (123    18     14.6 
Underlying Group operating profit    758     706     52     7.4     762     706     56     7.9 
Owned, leased and managed lease revenue included above    (35    (33    (2    (6.1    (35    (33    (2    (6.1
Underlying Group fee operating profit    723     673     50     7.4     727     673     54     8.0 
Group fee margin    52.4%     50.6%          1.8ppts     52.3%     50.6%          1.7ppts 

 

Other financial information        IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2016                1572018  |  Additional Information  |  Other financial information173


OTHER FINANCIAL INFORMATION CONTINUEDAdditional Information

Other financial information continued

    

    

RevPAR,Underlying earnings per ordinary share reconciliation

The following table reconciles basic earnings per ordinary share to underlying earnings per ordinary share.

     

12 months ended

31 December

 
      

            2018

$m

     

            2017

Restated

$m

 
Basic earnings per ordinary share            
Profit available for equity holders    351     540 
Basic weighted average number of ordinary shares (millions) `   190     193 
Basic earnings per ordinary share (cents)    184.7     279.8 
Underlying earnings per ordinary share            
Profit available for equity holders    351     540 
Adjusted for:            

Significant liquidated damages

    (13     

Tax on significant liquidated damages

    3      

Acquisition of businesses

    1      

Interest relating to deferred and contingent purchase consideration on current year acquisitions

    5      

System Fund revenues and expenses

    146     34 

Interest attributable to the System Fund

    (19    (13

Tax attributable to the System Fund

         3 

Exceptional items before tax

    104     (4

Tax on exceptional items

    (22    2 

Exceptional tax

    (5    (90

Currency effect

    1      
Underlying profit available for equity holders    552     472 
Underlying earnings per ordinary share (cents)    290.5     244.6 

 

Net capital expenditure reconciliation

The following table reconciles net cash from investing activities to net capital expenditure.

 

      
     

12 months ended

31 December

 
      

2018

$m

     2017
Restated
$m
 
Net cash from investing activities    (189    (206
Adjusted for:            

Contract acquisition costs, net of repayments

    (54    (57

Tax paid on disposals

    2     25 

System Fund depreciation and amortisation

    45     36 

Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired

    38      
Net capital expenditure    (158    (202
Add back:            

Disposal receipts

    (10    (104

Distributions from associates and joint ventures

    (32     

System Fund depreciation and amortisation

    (45    (36
Gross capital expenditure    (245    (342
Analysed as:            

Capital expenditure: maintenance and key money

    (108    (115

Capital expenditure: recyclable investments

    (38    (85

Capital expenditure: System Fund investments

    (99    (142
Gross capital expenditure    (245    (342

174IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2018


Free cash flow reconciliation

The following table reconciles net cash from operating activities to free cash flow.

     12 months ended 31 December 
                  2018
$m
     2017
      Restated
$m
     2016
Restated
$m
 
Net cash from operating activities    666     577     710 
Adjusted for:                  

Contract acquisition costs, net repayments

    54     57     42 
Less:                  

Purchase of shares by employee share trusts

    (3    (3    (10

Capital expenditure: maintenance and key money

    (108    (115    (96

Cash receipt from renegotiation of long-term partnership agreement

              (95
Free cash flow    609     516     551 

Underlying interest reconciliation

The following table reconciles net financial expenses to underlying interest.

         
           12 months ended
31 December
 
              

2018

$m

                 2017
Restated
$m
 
Net financial expenses

 

            

Financial income

 

    5     4 

Financial expenses

 

    (86    (76
      (81    (72
Adjusted for:

 

            

Interest payable on balances with the System Fund

 

    (14    (7

Capitalised interest relating to System Fund assets

 

    (5    (6
Underlying interest

 

    (100    (85

IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2018  |  Additional Information  |  Other financial information175


Additional Information

Other financial information continued

Revenue per Available room (RevPAR), average daily rate and occupancy

RevPAR a key performance measureis the primary metric used by management (see page 26 for further information)to track hotel performance across regions and brands. RevPAR is also a commonly used performance measure in the hotel industry. RevPAR comprises IHG System rooms revenue divided by the number of room nights available and can be mathematically derived from occupancy rate multiplied by average daily rate.rate (ADR). Occupancy rate is rooms occupied by hotel guests expressed as a percentage of rooms that are available. Average daily rateADR is rooms revenue divided by the number of room nights sold.

References to RevPAR, isoccupancy and average daily rate are presented on a key indicatorcomparable basis comprising groupings of hotels that have traded in all months in both the current and prior year. The principal exclusions in deriving this measure are new hotels, hotels closed for major refurbishment and hotels sold in either of the two years. RevPAR and ADR are quoted at a constant US$ conversion rate, in order to allow a better understanding of the comparable year-on-year trading performance as it measures period-over-period changeexcluding distortions created by fluctuations in rooms revenue for comparable hotels.exchange rates.

The following tables present RevPAR statistics for the year ended 31 December 31, 20162018 and a comparison to 2015. Franchised,2017. Fee business and owned, leased and managed owned and leasedlease statistics are for comparable hotels, and include only those hotels in the Group’s systemSystem at 31 December 31, 20162018 and franchised, managed, owned, leased or managed leased by the Group since January 1, 2015.

2017. The comparison with 20152017 is at constant US$ exchange rates.

 

  Franchised     Managed     Owned and leased 
     Change vs        Change vs        Change vs 
Americas 2016  2015      2016  2015      2016  2015 
InterContinental                                
Occupancy  68.7%   (0.0)ppt       78.1%   (1.3)ppt       81.5%   1.0ppt 
Average daily rate  $147.42   6.3%       $232.80   4.4%       $319.06   2.2% 
RevPAR  $101.32   6.3%       $181.81   2.7%       $260.05   3.4% 
Kimpton                                
Occupancy            82.4%   1.7ppt           
Average daily rate            $233.90   0.8%           
RevPAR            $192.85   2.9%           
Crowne Plaza                                
Occupancy  68.0%   (0.2)ppt       80.7%   (0.5)ppt           
Average daily rate  $119.91   1.9%       $140.52   6.4%           
RevPAR  $81.56   1.5%       $113.46   5.7%           
Hotel Indigo                                
Occupancy  71.6%   (0.9)ppt       86.0%   (0.3)ppt           
Average daily rate  $143.44   0.4%       $192.70   (1.0)%           
RevPAR  $102.76   (0.8)%       $165.74   (1.3)%           
EVEN Hotels                                
Occupancy                      69.5%   9.0ppt 
Average daily rate                      $130.02   0.5% 
RevPAR                      $90.34   15.5% 
Holiday Inn                                
Occupancy  66.5%   0.1ppt       72.8%   1.9ppt       73.2%   2.1ppt 
Average daily rate  $111.59   2.5%       $134.89   2.1%       $155.99   (1.2)% 
RevPAR  $74.25   2.6%       $98.25   4.9%       $114.18   1.7% 
Holiday Inn Express                                
Occupancy  68.8%   0.2ppt                     
Average daily rate  $111.52   1.4%                     
RevPAR  $76.74   1.7%                     
Staybridge Suites                                
Occupancy  75.9%   (0.3)ppt       82.3%   0.8ppt           
Average daily rate  $112.37   1.7%       $137.74   4.2%           
RevPAR  $85.26   1.2%       $113.38   5.3%           
Candlewood Suites                                
Occupancy  72.4%   (0.3)ppt       80.4%   (0.6)ppt           
Average daily rate  $82.25   0.8%       $81.74   2.0%           
RevPAR  $59.53   0.3%       $65.69   1.2%           

  Franchised     Managed     Owned and leased 
     Change vs        Change vs        Change vs 
Europe 2016  2015      2016  2015      2016  2015 
InterContinental                                
Occupancy  66.4%   (4.3)ppt       69.6%   (1.0)ppt           
Average daily rate  $189.65   (0.5)%       $217.49   (0.9)%           
RevPAR  $125.93   (6.6)%       $151.33   (2.4)%           
Crowne Plaza                                
Occupancy  69.9%   (1.7)ppt       78.0%   3.7ppt           
Average daily rate  $121.67   2.2%       $142.41   1.0%           
RevPAR  $85.06   (0.2)%       $111.09   6.1%           
Hotel Indigo                                
Occupancy  78.1%   1.0ppt       75.7%   (2.5)ppt           
Average daily rate  $148.81   2.9%       $171.48   (5.5)%           
RevPAR  $116.21   4.2%       $129.77   (8.6)%           
Holiday Inn                                
Occupancy  71.5%   0.3ppt       70.3%   8.1ppt           
Average daily rate  $103.16   1.7%       $69.27   (1.4)%           
RevPAR  $73.79   2.1%       $48.71   11.5%           
Holiday Inn Express                             
Occupancy  77.3%   1.2ppt       61.9%   1.5ppt           
Average daily rate  $95.94   2.6%       $56.22   1.4%           
RevPAR  $74.14   4.3%       $34.78   4.0%           
Staybridge Suites                                
Occupancy  81.8%   (1.6)ppt                     
Average daily rate  $124.47   7.2%                     
RevPAR  $101.77   5.2%                     

     Fee business     Owned, leased and
managed lease
 
                  2018     Change vs
      2017
                 2018     Change vs
      2017
 
Americas                        
InterContinental                        
Occupancy    73.8%          80.1%     (3.9)ppt 
Average daily rate    $208.07     4.6%     $282.86     6.0% 
RevPAR    $153.66     4.6%     $226.48     1.1% 
Kimpton                        
Occupancy    79.9%     (0.2)ppt           
Average daily rate    $240.59     1.5%           
RevPAR    $192.16     1.2%           
Crowne Plaza                        
Occupancy    68.2%     (1.0)ppt           
Average daily rate    $127.32     1.7%           
RevPAR    $86.86     0.3%           
Hotel Indigo                        
Occupancy    74.3%     2.2ppt           
Average daily rate    $158.71     1.5%           
RevPAR    $117.91     4.7%           
EVEN Hotels                        
Occupancy    83.8%     8.6ppt     72.1%     1.2ppt 
Average daily rate    $203.70     (1.7)%     $156.04     3.9% 
RevPAR    $170.66     9.5%     $112.58     5.6% 
Holiday Inn                        
Occupancy    66.5%     (0.1)ppt     82.4%     2.3ppt 
Average daily rate    $113.99     2.0%     $173.78     8.4% 
RevPAR    $75.79     1.8%     $143.19     11.5% 
Holiday Inn Express                        
Occupancy    69.0%     0.4ppt           
Average daily rate    $114.33     1.0%           
RevPAR    $78.83     1.6%           
Staybridge Suites                        
Occupancy    77.4%     1.1ppt           
Average daily rate    $120.31     1.9%           
RevPAR    $93.16     3.3%           
Candlewood Suites                        
Occupancy    73.9%     0.2ppt           
Average daily rate    $85.54     1.5%           
RevPAR    $63.24     1.7%           

 

158                176IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2016        Additional Information2018


    

 

    

    

    

  Franchised   Managed   Owned and leased

Asia, Middle East

and Africa (AMEA)

 2016 Change vs
2015
    2016 Change vs
2015
    2016 Change vs
2015
InterContinental                
Occupancy 76.9% 2.4ppt   70.0% 0.4ppt   53.4% (1.3)ppt
Average daily rate $178.97 0.2%   $204.64 0.5%   $118.79 1.8%
RevPAR $137.55 3.4%   $143.20 1.0%   $63.38 (0.6)%
Crowne Plaza                
Occupancy 73.6% (2.3)ppt   72.4% (0.2)ppt    
Average daily rate $93.39 4.8%   $120.03 (1.0)%    
RevPAR $68.78 1.5%   $86.95 (1.3)%    
Holiday Inn                
Occupancy 67.6% 0.6ppt   74.0% 0.7ppt   95.5% 1.5ppt
Average daily rate $102.73 (3.2)%   $98.26 (2.8)%   $114.04 2.8%
RevPAR $69.40 (2.4)%   $72.68 (1.9)%   $108.90 4.5%
Holiday Inn Express              
Occupancy 66.8% (1.0)ppt   70.6% 5.8ppt    
Average daily rate $64.37 (6.6)%   $64.64 (6.1)ppt    
RevPAR $42.97 (7.9)%   $45.63 2.3%    
Staybridge Suites                
Occupancy     71.8% (4.2)ppt    
Average daily rate     $162.21 3.3%    
RevPAR     $116.41 (2.4)%    
Other                
Occupancy 79.5% (3.3)ppt   88.9% (1.3)ppt    
Average daily rate $68.07 0.6%   $93.69 12.3%    
RevPAR $54.12 (3.4)%   $83.28 10.7%    
  Franchised   Managed   Owned and leased
Greater China 2016 Change vs
2015
    2016 Change vs
2015
    2016 Change vs
2015
InterContinental                
Occupancy 83.6% (0.6)ppt   60.5% 1.8ppt    
Average daily rate $206.81 (4.1)%   $132.63 (1.3)%    
RevPAR $172.80 (4.7)%   $80.19 1.7%    
Crowne Plaza                
Occupancy     59.9% 3.4ppt    
Average daily rate     $84.36 (1.5)%    
RevPAR     $50.53 4.5%    
Hotel Indigo                
Occupancy     67.9% (2.3)ppt    
Average daily rate     $178.21 0.9%    
RevPAR     $120.95 (2.4)%    
Holiday Inn                
Occupancy 75.2% (5.0)ppt   66.4% 3.9ppt    
Average daily rate $111.48 (8.5)%   $73.75 (3.2)%    
RevPAR $83.82 (14.2)%   $48.93 2.9%    
Holiday Inn Express                
Occupancy 72.1% (10.5)ppt   72.7% 2.1ppt    
Average daily rate $36.15 13.5%   $51.24 0.6%    
RevPAR $26.06 (1.0)%   $37.26 3.5%    

RevPAR, average daily rate and occupancycontinued

LOGO

     

Fee business

     

Owned, leased and

managed lease

 
                  2018     Change vs
2017
                 2018     Change vs
2017
 
EMEAA                        
InterContinental                        
Occupancy    73.3%     0.7ppt     67.2%     1.4ppt 
Average daily rate    $214.04     1.6%     $212.94     (3.6)% 
RevPAR    $156.98     2.6%     $143.15     (1.6)% 
Crowne Plaza                        
Occupancy    73.0%     0.3ppt           
Average daily rate    $127.83     3.0%           
RevPAR    $93.35     3.4%           
Hotel Indigo                        
Occupancy    80.7%     2.1ppt           
Average daily rate    $152.38     2.0%           
RevPAR    $122.93     4.7%           
Holiday Inn                        
Occupancy    73.9%     0.8ppt     95.4%     (1.7)ppt 
Average daily rate    $105.03     1.9%     $141.57     8.8% 
RevPAR    $77.63     3.0%     $135.02     6.9% 
Holiday Inn Express                        
Occupancy    77.6%     0.7ppt           
Average daily rate    $92.42     1.0%           
RevPAR    $71.75     2.0%           
Staybridge Suites                        
Occupancy    77.4%     (0.6)ppt           
Average daily rate    $127.62     2.0%           
RevPAR    $98.75     1.1%           
Greater China                        
InterContinental                        
Occupancy    66.1%     2.9ppt           
Average daily rate    $135.75     1.6%           
RevPAR    $89.79     6.2%           
HUALUXE                        
Occupancy    60.3%     9.3ppt           
Average daily rate    $77.16     2.7%           
RevPAR    $46.50     21.5%           
Crowne Plaza                        
Occupancy    64.1%     2.8ppt           
Average daily rate    $85.13     3.4%       ��   
RevPAR    $54.60     8.2%           
Hotel Indigo                        
Occupancy    73.9%     4.8ppt           
Average daily rate    $176.26     2.2%           
RevPAR    $130.17     9.3%           
Holiday Inn                        
Occupancy    69.5%     1.4ppt           
Average daily rate    $75.01     2.8%           
RevPAR    $52.17     4.8%           
Holiday Inn Express                        
Occupancy    68.2%     0.6ppt           
Average daily rate    $53.42     5.9%           
RevPAR    $36.43     6.9%           

 

Other financial information        IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2016                1592018  |  Additional Information  |  Other financial information177


Additional Information

Directors’ Report

    

    

This Directors’ Report includes the information required to be given in line with the Companies Act or, where provided elsewhere, an appropriate cross reference is given. The Corporate Governance Statement approved by the Board is provided on pages 4855 to 6371 and incorporated by reference herein.

Subsidiaries, joint ventures and associated undertakings

The Group has over 300360 subsidiaries, joint ventures and associated undertakings. A complete list of these entities is provided at note 3334 of the Group Financial Statements on pages 143 and 145.159 to 161.

Directors

For biographies of the current Directors see pages 5056 and 51.57.

Directors’ and officers’ (D&O) liability insurance and existence of qualifying indemnity provisions

The Company maintains the Group’s D&O liability insurance policy, which covers Directors and officers of the Company defending civil proceedings brought against them in their capacity as Directors or officers of the Company (including those who served as Directors or officers during the year). There were no indemnity provisions relating to the UK pension plan for the benefit of the Directors during 2016.2018.

Articles of Association

The Company’s Articles of Association may only be amended by special resolution and are available on the Company’s website atwww.ihgplc.com/investors under Corporate governance. A summary is provided on pages 169189 and 170.190.

Shares

Share capital

The Company’s issued share capital at 31 December 20162018 consisted of 206,379,760197,597,600 ordinary shares of 181931817/32921 pence each, including 8,862,3806,827,020 shares held in treasury, which constitute 4.3 per centconstituted 3.5% of the total issued share capital (including treasury shares). There are no special control rights or restrictions on share transfers or limitations on the holding of any class of shares.

During 2016:

903,6002018, 780,410 shares were transferred from treasury to the employee share ownership trust; and
trust.

In January 2019, the Company’s issued shareshares capital was subject to a five19 for six20 share consolidation effective as of 9 May 201614 January 2019 (see page 153).
169) as part of which 6,827,020 treasury shares were consolidated.

As far as is known to management, IHG is not directly or indirectly owned or controlled by another company or by any government. The Board focuses on shareholder value-creation. When it decides to return capital to shareholders, it considers all of its options, including share buybacks and special dividends.

Share issues and buybacks

In 2016,At the AGM held on 4 May 2018, shareholders authorised the Directors to issue new shares and the Company did not issue any new shares, nor did itto buy back any existing shares. During 2018 these routine authorities were not exercised, save for the repurchase of 10 ordinary shares of 191721 pence in the capital of the Company for cancellation in December 2018 in connection with the $500 million special dividend.

 

Dividends

In 2016,2018, the Company announced a $1,500m$500 million return of funds to shareholders via special dividend and share consolidation on the basis of five19 ordinary shares of 1820318340/329399 pence perfor share for every six existing20 ordinary shares of 151926517/32921 pence each (effective as of 9 May 2016)14 January 2019).

 

DividendOrdinary shares  ADRs
Special dividend438.2p632.9¢
A special dividend was paid to shareholders on the register on 6 May 2016Ordinary shares                       ADRs 
Interim dividend 22.6p 30.0¢
An interim dividend was paid on 75 October 20162018 to shareholders on the register at the close of business on 2 September 201631 August 201827.7p        36.3¢
Final dividend 64.0¢a 64.0¢
Subject to shareholder approval, payable on 2214 May 2019 to shareholders on the register at the close of business on 5 May29 March 2019N/Aa        78.1¢
Special dividend
A special dividend was paid on 29 January 2019 to shareholders on the register at the close of business on 11 January 2019203.8p262.1¢

 

a 

The sterling amount of the final dividend will be announced on 11 May 201726 April 2019 using the average of the daily exchange rates from 8 May 201723 April 2019 to 10 May 201725 April 2019 inclusive.

Major institutional shareholders 31 December 2016

As at 31 December 2016,18 February 2019, the Company had been notified of the following significant holdings in its ordinary shares under the UK Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules (DTRs):

 

  

As at

31 December

2016

      

As at

22 February

2016

      

As at

16 February

2015

 
Shareholder Ordinary
shares
/ADSsa
  %a      Ordinary
shares
/ADSsa
  %a      Ordinary
shares
/ADSsa
  %a 
BlackRock,  10,930,440b   5.53    12,916,001b   5.47    n/a   n/a 
Inc.                                
Boron  11,850,000   5.02    11,850,000   5.02    7,500,000   3.18 
Investments        
BV                                
Cedar Rock  14,923,417   5.07    14,923,417   5.07    14,923,417   5.07 
Capital        
Limited                                
Fundsmith  10,222,246   5.18    n/a   n/a    n/a   n/a 
LLP                                
The Capital  n/a   n/a    n/a   n/a    8,557,888   3.30 
Group        
Companies,        
Inc.                                
     As at 18 February 2019     As at 19 February 2018     As at 20 February 2017 
     Ordinary           Ordinary           Ordinary       
Shareholder    shares/ADSsa                          %a      shares/ADSsa                          %a      shares/ADSsa                      %a  
BlackRock, Inc.    10,165,234b      5.60     11,280,241     5.92     10,930,440     5.53 
Boron Investments B.V.    11,450,000     6.01     11,850,000     5.02     11,850,000     5.02 
Cedar Rock Capital Limited    14,923,417     5.07     14,923,417     5.07     14,923,417     5.07 
Fiera Capital Corporation    9,662,767     5.07     7,707,008     4.06     n/a     n/a 
Fundsmith LLP    10,222,246     5.18     10,222,246     5.18     10,222,246     5.18 
The Capital Group Companies, Inc.    9,670,450     5.09     9,670,450     5.09     9,864,894     4.99 
FMR LLC    10,593,666c      5.84     n/a     n/a     n/a     n/a 

 

a 

The number of shares and percentage of voting rights was determined at the time of the relevant disclosures made in accordance with Rule 5 of the DTRs and doesn’t necessarily reflect the impact of any share consolidation or any changes in shareholding subsequent to the date of notification that are not required to be notified to us under the DTRs.

b 

Total shown includes 473,742 contracts for difference and 523,1271,079,442 qualifying financial instruments to which voting rights are attached.

In the period from 31 December 2016 to 20 February 2017 no further notifications have been received.

c

Total shown includes 311,085 qualifying financial instruments to which voting rights are attached.

178IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2018


The Company’s major shareholders have the same voting rights as other shareholders. The Company does not know of any arrangements the operation of which may result in a change in its control.

For further details on shareholder profiles, see page 180.

200.

160                IHG Annual Report and Form 20-F 2016        Additional Information


20162018 share awards and grants to employees

Our current policy is to settle the majority of awards or grants under the Company’s share plans with shares purchased in the market or from shares held in treasury; however, the Board continues to review this policy. The Company’s share plans incorporate the current Investment Associations’ guidelines on dilution which provide that commitments to new shares or re-issue treasury shares under executive plans should not exceed 5% of the issued ordinary share capital of the companyCompany (adjusted for share issuance and cancellation) in any 10 year10-year period. During the financial year ended 31 December 2016,2018, the Company transferred 903,600780,410 treasury shares (0.4%(0.39% of issued share capital) to satisfy obligations under its share plans.

The estimated maximum dilution from awards made under the Company’s shareplansshare plans over the last 10 years is 1.9%2.6%.

As at 31 December 2016,2018, no options were outstanding.

The Company has not utilised the authority given by shareholders at any of its AGMs to allot shares for cash without first offering such shares to existing shareholders.

Employee share ownership trust (ESOT)

IHG operates an ESOT for the benefit of employees and former employees. The ESOT receives treasury shares from the Company and purchases ordinary shares in the market and releases them to current and former employees in satisfaction of share awards. During 2016,2018, the ESOT released 1,290,4601,150,901 shares and at 31 December 20162018 it held 846,236568,786 ordinary shares in the Company. The ESOT adopts a prudent approach to purchasing shares, using funds provided by the Group, based on expectations of future requirements.

Where shares held in the ESOT have been allocated to share plan participants on terms that entitle those participants to request or require the trustee of the ESOT to exercise the voting rights relating to those shares, the trustee shall exercise those votes in accordance with the directions of the participants. In respect of shares in the ESOT that have not been allocated to share plan participants, or have not been allocated on such terms, the trustee may vote or abstain from exercising their voting rights in relation to those shares, or accept or reject any offer relating to the shares, in any way it sees fit.

Unless otherwise requested by the Company, the trustee of the ESOT waives all ordinary dividends on the shares held in the ESOT, other than shares which have been allocated to participants on terms which entitle them to the benefit of dividends, except for such amount per share as shall, when multiplied by the number of shares held by it on the relevant date, equal one pence.

Colleague Share Plan

The Company proposes to implement a Colleague Share Plan, subject to shareholder approval at the Company’s 2019 AGM. A summary of the proposed plan will be set out in the notice convening the Company’s 2019 AGM, which will be available atwww.ihgplc.com/investors under Shareholders centre in the AGMs and meetings section.

Future business developments of the Group

Further details on these are set out in the Strategic Report on pages 2 to 45.51.

Employees and Code of Conduct

Having a predominantly franchised and managed business model means that not all of those people who work at hotels operated under our brands are our employees. When the Group’s entire estate is taken into account (including those working in our franchised and managed hotels), over 350,000400,000 people worked globally across IHG’s brands as at 31 December 2016.2018.

IHG employed the following as at 31 December 2016:2018:

 

6,5877,598 people worldwide (including those in our corporate offices, central reservations offices and owned hotels (excluding those in a category below), whose costs were borne by the Group;

 

5,4345,214 people who worked directly on behalf of the System Fund and whose costs were borne by the System Fund; and

 

22,00222,518 General Managers and (in the US predominantly) other hotel workers, who work in managed hotels, who have contracts or letters of service with IHG and whose costs are borne by those hotels.

See notes 3 and 32note 4 of the Group Financial Statements on pages 111 and 162page 123 for more information.

We continue to focus on providing an inclusive environment, in which employees are valued for who they are and what they bring to the Group, and in which talented individuals are retained through all levels of the organisation – see pages 14 and 15.22 to 25.

We also look to appoint the most appropriate person for the job and are committed to providing equality of opportunity to all employees without discrimination. Every effort is made to ensure that applications for employment from disabled employees are fully and fairly considered and that disabled employees have equal opportunities to training, career development and promotion.

The Code of Conduct applies to all Directors, officers and employees and complies with the NYSE rules as set out in Section 406 of the US Sarbanes-Oxley Act 2002. Further details can be found on page 176.196.

For more information on the Group’s employment policies, including equal opportunities, employee communications and development, see pages 1822 to 25, and 19.our websitewww.ihgplc.com/responsible-business

 

 

LOGO

Directors’ Report        IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2016                1612018  |  Additional Information  |  Directors’ Report179


DIRECTORS’ REPORT CONTINUEDAdditional Information

Directors’ Report continued

    

    

Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions

By delivering more environmentally sustainable hotels, we can drive cost efficiencies for owners and meet the expectations of all our stakeholders. We recognise the importance of reducing our global GHG emissions for corporate offices and hotels – our target is to reduce our carbon footprint per occupied room by 12 per cent6-7% across our entire estate by 31 December 20172020 (against a 20122020 baseline). See page 2535 for progress.

 

Reporting

boundary

 Measure 2016a  2015a 
Global – corporate Scope 1 Direct  1,523,036.72   1,421,059.96 
offices and emissions (tCO2e)        
franchised, Scope 2 Indirect  3,965,854.95   3,802,419.31 
managed, emissions (tCO2e)        
owned and Total GHG  5,488,891.67   5,223,479.27 
leased hotelsb emissions (tCO2e)        
(a KPI and part of IHG’s chosen intensity  31.30   31.39 
our five-year targets) measurement GHG  
 emissions per occupied  
 room (kgCO2e per  
  occupied room)        
Global – corporate Scope 1 Direct  557,848.94   514,546.74 
offices and managed, emissions (tCO2e)        
owned and Scope 2 Indirect  1,922,767.88   1,817,196.67 
leased hotelsb emissions (tCO2e)        
(as required under Total GHG  2,480,616.83   2,331,743.40 
the Companies Act 2006) emissions (tCO2e)        
 IHG’s chosen intensity  52.19   53.20 
 measurement GHG  
 emissions per occupied  
 room (kgCO2e per  
  occupied room)        
Reporting boundary   Measure     2018ª       2017a 

 

  

 

    

 

 

     

 

 

 
Global – corporate offices and franchised, managed, owned, leased and managed lease hotelsb(a KPI and part of our five-year targets)  Scope 1 Direct emissions (tCO2e)     448,690.74       443, 548.52  
  

 

    

 

 

     

 

 

 
  Scope 2 Indirect emissions (tCO2e)     1,979,416.52       1,896,581.18  
  

 

    

 

 

     

 

 

 
  Scope 3 Indirect (tCO2e)     2,635,736.66       2,535,330.40  
  

 

    

 

 

     

 

 

 
  Total GHG emissions (tCO2e)     5,063,843.91       4,875,460.09  
  

 

    

 

 

     

 

 

 
  IHG’s chosen intensity measurement GHG emissions per occupied room (kgCO2e per occupied room)     26.02       26.61  

 

  

 

    

 

 

     

 

 

 
Global – corporate offices and managed, owned, leased and managed lease hotelsb(as required under the Companies Act 2006)  Scope 1 Direct emissions (tCO2e)     448,690.74       443,548.52  
  

 

    

 

 

     

 

 

 
  Scope 2 Indirect emissions (tCO2e)     1,979,416.52       1,896,581.18  
  

 

    

 

 

     

 

 

 
  Total GHG emissions (tCO2e)     2,428,107.25       2,340,129.69  
  

 

    

 

 

     

 

 

 
  IHG’s chosen intensity measurement GHG emissions per occupied room (kgCO2e per occupied room)     41.59       43.60  

 

  

 

    

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

a 

Reporting period commencing on 1 October and ending on 30 September – due to the delay in hotels receiving their energy bills it is not possible to report accurately GHG emissions from 1 January to 31 December.

b 

Includes all of our branded hotels but does not include emissions from 105339 hotels. We do not have sufficient data to estimate their emissions and believe them to be immaterial.

Scope

We report Scope 1, Scope 2 and Scope 23 emissions as defined by the GHG protocol as follows:

 

Scope 1 (Direct emissions): combustionemissions are direct emissions produced by the burning of fuel and operationfuels of facilities; andthe emitter.

 

Scope 2 (Indirect emissions):emissions are indirect emissions (generated by the electricity heat, steamconsumed and cooling purchased for own use.by the emitter).

Scope 3 emissions are indirect emissions produced by the emitter activity, but owned and controlled by a different emitter from the one who reports on the emissions (e.g. our franchise estate).

Methodology

We have worked with external consultants to give us an up-to-date picture of IHG’s carbon footprint and to assess our performance over the past few years. The external consultants use a sampling and extrapolation methodology to estimate our GHG emissions. For 2016,2018, in line with the methodology set out in the GHG Protocol Corporate Standard, the sample covered 4,2674,673 (86%) of our 4,9705,463 hotels. As IHG’s System size is continually changing and the number of hotels reporting data to the IHG Green EngageEngage™ system increases annually, we are restating the impacts for all years from the baseline year (2012) annually to enable comparisons to be made.have restated 2017 data.

Finance

Political donations

The Group made no political donations under the Companies Act during the year and proposes to maintain this policy.

Financial risk management

The Group’s financial risk management objectives and policies, including its use of financial instruments, are set out in note 2022 to the Group Financial Statements on pages 128144 to 131.146.

Significant agreements and change of control provisions

The Group is a party to the following arrangements which could be terminated upon a change of control of the Company and which are considered significant in terms of their potential impact on the business of the Group as a whole:

 

theThe 10-year £400m£400 million bond issued by the Company on 28 November 2012, under which, if the bond’s credit rating was downgraded in connection with a change of control, the bond holders would have the option to require the Company to redeem or, at the Company’s option, repurchase the outstanding notes together with interest accrued;

 

the $1.275bnThe $1.275 billion syndicated loan facility agreement dated 30 March 2015 and maturing in March 2021, under which a change of control of the Company would entitle each lender to cancel its commitment and declare all amounts due to it payable;

the
The 10-year £300m£300 million bond issued by the Company on 14 August 2015, under which, if the bond’s credit rating was downgraded in connection with a change of control, the bond holders would have the option to require the Company to redeem or, at the Company’s option, repurchase the outstanding notes together with interest accrued; and

 

theThe 10-year £350 million bond issued by the Company on 24 August 2016, under which, if the bond’s credit rating was downgraded in connection with a change of control, the bond holders would have the option to require the Company to redeem or, at the Company’s option, repurchase the outstanding notes together with interest accrued; and

The 8.5-year500 million bond issued by the Company on 15 November 2018, under which, if the bond’s credit rating was downgraded in connection with a change of control, the bond holders would have option to require the Company to redeem or, at the Company’s option, repurchase the outstanding notes together with interest accrued.

Further details on material contracts are set out on page 171 .191.

180IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2018


Business relationships

During 2012, theThe Group entered intois party to a five-year technology outsourcing agreement with International Business Machines Corporation (IBM)Amadeus Hospitality Americas, Inc. (Amadeus), pursuant to which IBM operatesfor the development and maintains the infrastructurehosting of the Group’s next generation Guest Reservation System. The initial term of 10 years will expire in 2028, and the Group has the right to extend this agreement for two additional periods of up to 10 years each on the same terms, conditions and pricing. The financial and performance obligations in this agreement are guaranteed by Amadeus IT Group S.A., the parent company of Amadeus Hospitality Americas, Inc.

Otherwise, there are no specific individual contracts or arrangements considered to be essential to the business of the Group as a whole.

Disclosure of information to Auditor

For details, see page 85.88.

Events after the reporting period

In February 2017, we proposed a further $400 million return of funds to shareholders via a special dividend with share consolidation.

Listing Rules – compliance with LR 9.8.4C

 

Section Applicable sub-paragraph within LR 9.8.4C Location

1  Interest capitalised Group Financial Statements, note 7, page 125

   Statements, note 6,

   page 113

4  Details of long-term incentive schemes Directors’ Remuneration
  Directors’ Remuneration Report, pages 72 to 85

 Report, pages 66 to 75

The above table sets out only those sections of LR 9.8.4C which are relevant. The remaining sections of LR 9.8.4 are not applicable.

162                IHG Annual Report and Form 20-F 2016        Additional Information


 

Going concern

An overview of the business activities of IHG, including a review of the key business risks that the Group faces, is given in the Strategic Report on pages 2 to 4751 and in the Group information on pages 128182 to 131.186. Information on the Group’s treasury management policies can be found in note 22 to the Group Financial Statements on pages 91144 to 97.146. In February 2016, the Group extended the maturity of its $1.275bn facility to March 2021 and a further one-year extension is exercisable in 2017. In August 2016,November 2018, the Group issued a ten-year £350m500m bond which replaces the £250m bond that maturedmatures in December 2016.May 2027.

At the end of 2016,2018, the Group was trading significantly within its banking covenants and debt facilities.

The Group’s fee-based model and wide geographic spread mean that it is well placed to manage through uncertain times, and our forecasts and sensitivity projections, based on a range of reasonably possible changes in trading performance, show that the Group should be able to operate within the level of its current facilities.

After making enquiries, the Directors have a reasonable expectation that the Company and the Group have adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future and, accordingly, they continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Please see page 2230 for the Directors’ assessment of the viability of the Group.

By order of the Board,

George Turner

Company Secretary

InterContinental Hotels Group PLC

Registered in England and Wales, Company number 5134420

2018 February 20172019

 

 

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Additional Information

Group information

History and developments

    

The Company was incorporated and registered in England and Wales with registered number 5134420 on 21 May 2004 as a limited company under the Companies Act 1985 with the name Hackremco (No. 2154) Limited. In 2004/05, as part of a scheme of arrangement to facilitate the return of capital to shareholders, the following structural changes were made to the Group: (i) on 24 March 2005, Hackremco (No. 2154) Limited changed its name to New InterContinental Hotels Group Limited; (ii) on 27 April 2005, New InterContinental Hotels Group Limited re-registered as a public limited company and changed its name to New InterContinental Hotels Group PLC; and (iii) on 27 June 2005, New InterContinental Hotels Group PLC changed its name to InterContinental Hotels Group PLC and became the holding company of the Group.

The Group formerly known as Bass, and then Six Continents, was historically a conglomerate operating as, among other things, a brewer, soft drinks manufacturer, hotelier, leisure operator, and restaurant, pub and bar owner. In 1988 Bass acquired Holiday Inn International and the remainder of the Holiday Inn brand in 1990. The InterContinental brand was acquired by Bass in 1998 and the Candlewood Suites brand was acquired by Six Continents in 2003.

On 15 April 2003, following shareholder and regulatory approval, Six Continents PLC separated into two new listed groups, InterContinental Hotels Group PLC, comprising the hotels and soft drinks businesses, and Mitchells & Butler plc, comprising the retail and standard commercial property developments business.

The Group disposed of its interests in the soft drinks business by way of an initial public offering of Britvic (Britannia Soft Drinks Limited for the period up to 18 November 2005, and thereafter, Britannia SD Holdings Limited (renamed Britvic plc on 21 November 2005), which became the holding company of the Britvic Group on 18 November 2005), a manufacturer and distributor of soft drinks in the UK, in December 2005. The Group now continues as a stand-alone hotels business.

Recent acquisitions and divestitures

The Group agreed in May 2018 to sell InterContinental Paris – Le Grand on 7 December 2014 for330 million,rebrand and operate under long-term ‘managed leases’ a portfolio of hotels in the transaction was completed on 20 May 2015.UK.

 

The Group agreedacquired a 51% interest in Regent Hotels and Resorts in July 2018 for $39 million, of which $13 million has been paid to acquire Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants on 15date. The remaining $26 million is to be paid in future years, this deferred consideration has a fair value of $22 million at 31 December 2014, and2018. Options exist over the transaction was completed on 16 January 2015 for $430 million (before working capital adjustments and cash acquired).remaining 49% interest which are exercisable in a phased manner from 2026.

 

The Group agreed to sell InterContinental Hong Kong on 10 July 2015acquired Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spas and its management business in February 2019 for $938$300 million and the transaction was completed on 30 September 2015.in cash.

 

The Group also divested a number of investments for total proceeds of $25$95 million in 2016.2017 and $8 million in 2018.

Capital expenditure

Capital expenditure in 20162018 totalled $241$245 million compared with $264$342 million in 20152017 and $271$241 million in 2014.2016 (see page 174). The lower level of expenditure in 2018 was partly attributable to costs borne in 2017 relating to the roll out of IHG Concerto. Recyclable investments in 2017 included $43 million in connection with a refinancing of the InterContinental New York Barclay hotel.

 

At 31 December 2016,2018, capital committed (being contracts placed for expenditure on property, plant and equipment, and intangible assets and key money not provided for in the Group Financial Statements) totalled $97$136 million.

The Group has also committed to invest in a number of its associates, with an estimated outstanding commitment of $36 million, based on current forecasts.
 

 

Risk factors

 

The Group is subject to a variety of inherent risks that may have an adverse impact on its business operations, financial condition, turnover, profits, brands and reputation. This section describes the main risks that could materially affect the Group’s business. The risks below are not the only ones that the Group faces. Some risks are not yet known to the Group and some risks that the Group does not currently believe to be material could later turn out to be material.

The risk factors should also be considered in connection with any financial and forward-looking information in this Annual Report and Form 20-F and the cautionary statements regarding forward-looking statements on page 188.

LOGOThe principal risks are on pages 26 to 30, the cautionary statements regarding forward-looking statements are on page 208 and financial and forward-looking information including note 8 on pages 125 to 129, and note 22 on pages 144 to 146.

The Group is exposed to the risks of political and economic developments

The Group is exposed to political, economic and financial market developments such as recession, inflation and availability of credit and currency fluctuations that could lower revenues and reduce income. The outlook for 20172019 may worsen due to continued uncertainty in relation to Brexit, (see page 26 for a statement on the materiality of this risk to the Company), Greater China, and the Eurozone, potential disruptions in the US economy, the impact of decliningfluctuating commodity prices (including oil) on economies dependent on such exports, and continued unrest in parts of the Middle East, Africa and Africa.Asia, and barriers to global trade, including unforeseeable changes in regulations, imposition of tariffs or embargoes, and other trade restrictions or controls. The interconnected nature of economies suggests any of these, or other events, could trigger a recession that

reduces leisure and business travel to and from affected countries and adversely affects room rates and/or occupancy levels and other income-generating activities. The owners or potential owners of hotels franchised or managed by the Group face similar risks that could adversely impact their solvency and the Group’s ability to secure and retain franchise or management agreements. Specifically, the Group is most exposed to the US market and, increasingly, to Greater China.

Accordingly, the Group is particularly susceptible to adverse changes in these economies as well as changes in their currencies. In addition to trading conditions, the economic outlook also affects the availability of capital to current and potential owners, which could impact existing operations and the health of the pipeline.

164                IHG Annual Report and Form 20-F 2016        Additional Information


The Group is exposed to the risk of events that adversely impact domestic or international travel

The room rates and occupancy levels of the Group could be adversely impacted by events that reduce domestic or international travel, such as actual or threatened acts of terrorism or war, political or civil unrest, epidemics or threats thereof, travel-related accidents or industrial action, natural disasters, or other local factors impacting specific countries, cities or individual hotels, as well as increased transportation and fuel costs. Additionally, the Group may be adversely impacted by increasing stakeholder expectations of corporate performance in relation to waste, water, climate change, or support to local communities. A decrease in the demand for business and/or leisure hotel rooms as a result of such events may have an

182IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2018


adverse impact on the Group’s operations and financial results. In addition, inadequate planning, preparation, response or recovery in relation to a major incident or crisis may cause loss of life, prevent operational continuity, or result in financial loss, and consequently impact the value of our brands and/or the reputation of the Group.

The Group is exposed to the risks of the hotel industry supply-and-demand cycle

The future operating results of the Group could be adversely affected by industry overcapacity (by number of rooms) and weak demand due, in part, to the cyclical nature of the hotel industry, or other differences between planning assumptions and actual operating conditions. These conditions could result in reductions in room rates and occupancy levels, which would adversely impact the financial performance of the Group.

The Group is subject to a competitive and changing industry

The Group operates in a competitive industry and must compete effectively against traditional competitors such as other global hotel chains, local hotel companies and independent hotels to win the loyalty of guests, employees and owners. The competitive landscape also includes other types of businesses, both global and specific to certain markets, such as web-based booking channels (which include online travel agents and intermediaries), and alternative sources of accommodation such as short-term lets of private property. Failure to compete effectively in traditional and emerging areas of the business could impact the Group’s market share, System size, profitability and relationships with owners and guests. The hospitality industry has experienced recent consolidation and is likely to see this trend continue as companies seek to maintain or increase competitive advantage. Further consolidation by competitors may result in such competitors having access to increased resources, capabilities or capacity and provide advantages from scale of revenues and/or cost structures.

The Group is exposed to risks related to executing and realising benefits from strategic transactions, including acquisitions and restructuring

The Group completed the acquisition of Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants in January 2015 and may seek to make other strategic transactions, including acquisitions, in the future. The Group may not be able to identify opportunities or complete transactions on commercially reasonable terms, or at all, and may not realise the anticipated benefits from such transactions. Strategic transactions come with inherent valuation, financial and commercial risks, and regulatory and insider information risks during the execution of the transactions. The Group may also continue to make organisational adjustments to support delivery of our growth ambitions, including the integration of acquisitions into the Group’s operating processes and systems. This creates inherent risks of complexity and that any changes made could be unsustainable or that we are unable to achieve the return envisaged through reinvestment. In addition, the Group may face unforeseen costs and liabilities, diversion of management attention, as well as longer-term integration and operational risks, which could result in a failure to realise benefits, financial losses, lower employee morale and loss of talent.

The Group is dependent upon a wide range of external stakeholders and business partners

The Group relies on the performance, behaviours and reputation of a wide range of business partners and external stakeholders, including, but not limited to, owners, contractors, lenders, suppliers, vendors, joint-venture partners, online travel agents, third-party intermediaries and other business partners which may have different ethical values, interests and priorities. Further, the number and complexity of interdependencies with stakeholders is evolving. Breakdowns in relationships, contractual disputes, poor vendor performance, insolvency, stakeholder behaviours or adverse reputations, which may be outside of the Group’s control, could adversely impact on the Group’s performance and competitiveness, delivery of projects, guest experiences or the reputation of the Group or its brands.

The Group is exposed to increasing competition from online travel agents and intermediaries

A proportion of the Group’s bookings originate from large multinational, regional and local online travel agents and intermediaries with which the Group has contractual arrangements and to which it pays commissions. These platforms offer a wide breadthrange of products, often across multiple brands, have growing booking and review capabilities, and may create the perception that they offer the lowest prices. Some of these online travel agents and intermediaries have strong marketing budgets and aim to create brand awareness and brand loyalty among consumers and may seek to commoditise hotel brands through price and attribute comparison. Further, if these companies continue to gain market share, they may impact the Group’s profitability, undermine the Group’s own booking channels and value to its hotel owners, and may be able to increase commission rates and negotiate other favourable contract terms.

The Group is exposed to a variety of risks related to identifying, securing and retaining franchise and management agreements

The Group’s growth strategy depends on its success in identifying, securing and retaining franchise and management agreements. This is an inherent risk for the hotel industry and the franchise business model. Competition with other hotel companies may generally reduce the number of suitable franchise, management and investment opportunities offered to the Group and increase the bargaining position of property owners seeking to become a franchisee or engage a manager. The terms of new franchise or management agreements may not be as favourable as current arrangements; the Group may not be able to renew existing arrangements on similarly favourable terms, or at all.

There can also be no assurance that the Group will be able to identify, retain or add franchisees to the IHG System, or to secure management contracts.contracts or open hotels in our development pipeline. For example, the availability of suitable sites, market saturation, planning and other local regulations or the availability and affordability of finance may restrict the supply of suitable hotel development opportunities under franchise or management agreements.agreements and mean that not every hotel in our development pipeline may develop into a new hotel that enters our system. In connection with entering into franchise or management agreements, the Group may be required to make investments in, or guarantee the obligations of, third parties or guarantee minimum income to third parties. There are also risks that significant franchisees or groups of franchisees may have interests that conflict, or are not aligned, with those of the Group, including, for example, the unwillingness of franchisees to support brand improvement initiatives. This could result in franchisees prematurely terminating contracts which would adversely impact the overall IHG System size and the Group’s financial performance.

The Group is exposed to inherent risks in relation to changing technology and systems

As the use of the internet, artificial intelligence, mobile and mobiledata technology grows, and new and disruptive technology solutions are developed, customer needs evolve at pace, thepace. The Group may find that its evolving technology capability is not sufficient and may have to make substantial additional investments in new technologies or systems to remain competitive. Failure to keep pace with developments in technologies or systems, and also with regulatory, risk and ethical considerations of how these developments are used, may put the Group at a competitive disadvantage. In addition, the technologies or systems that the Group chooses to deploy may not be commercially successful or the technology or system strategy may not be sufficiently aligned with the needs of the business. Any

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Additional Information

Group information continued

Risk factors continued

such failure could adversely affect guest experiences, and the Group may lose customers, fail to attract new customers, incur substantial costs or face other losses. This could further impact the Group’s reputation in regards to innovation. (See also information security and data privacy risk factor.)

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Group information        IHG Annual Report and Form 20-F 2016                165


GROUP INFORMATION CONTINUED

Risk factorscontinued

The Group is reliant on the reputation of its existing brands and is exposed to inherent reputation risks

Any event that materially damages the reputation of one or more of the Group’s brands and/or fails to sustain the appeal of the Group’s brands to its customers and owners may have an adverse impact on the value of that brand and subsequent revenues from that brand or business. In particular, if the Group is unable to create consistent, valued, and quality products and guest experiences across the owned, leased and managed lease, managed and franchised estates, or if the Group, its franchisees or business partners fail to act responsibly, this could result in an adverse impact on its brand reputation. In addition, the value of the Group’s brands could be influenced by a number of external factors outside the Group’s control, such as, but not limited to, changes in sentiments against global brands, changes in applicable regulations related to the hotel industry or to franchising, successful commoditisation of hotel brands by online travel agents and intermediaries, or changes in owners’ perceptions of the value of the Group.

The Group is exposed to risks associated with its intellectual property

Given the importance of brand recognition to the Group’s business, the protection of its intellectual property poses a risk due to the variability and changes in controls, laws and effectiveness of enforcement globally. Any widespread infringement, misappropriation or weakening of the control environment could materially harm the value of the Group’s brands and its ability to develop the business.

The Group is reliant upon the resilience of its reservation system and other key technology platforms and is exposed to risks that could cause the failure of these systemsdisrupt their operation and/or integrity

The value of the Group is partly derived from the ability to drive reservations through its reservation system and technology platforms which are highly integrated with internalother processes and systems and linked to multiple sales channels, including the Group’s own websites, in-house and third-party managed call centres, hotels, third-party intermediaries and travel agents.

The scope and complexity of our technology infrastructure, including increasing reliance on third-party suppliers to support and protect our systems and information, as well as the rapidly evolving cyber threats, means that we are inherently vulnerable to physical damage, failures, disruptions, denial of service, phishing or other malware attacks, cyber terrorism and fraud, as well as human error, negligence and wilful misuse. Our franchisees and suppliers are also inherently vulnerable to the same risks.

Lack of resilience and operational availability of these systems provided by the Group or third-party technology providers could lead to prolonged service disruption and might result in significant business interruption, impact the guest booking experience, loss of or theft of data, and subsequently adversely impact Group revenues, incur financial costs to remediate or investigate, lead to regulatory and/or contractual enforcement actions or lawsuits, and damage the Group’s reputation and relationships with hotel owners.

The Group is exposed to a variety of risks associated with safety, security and crisis management

There is a constant need to protect the safety and security of our guests, employees and assets against natural and man-made threats. These include, but are not limited to, exceptional events such as extreme weather, civil or political unrest, violence and terrorism, serious and organised crime, fraud, employee

dishonesty, cyber crime, pandemics, fire, and day-to-day accidents, incidents and petty crime which impact the guest or employee experience, could cause loss of life, sickness or injury and result in compensation claims, fines from regulatory bodies, litigation, and impact reputation. Serious incidents or a combination of events could escalate into a crisis which, if managed poorly, could further expose the Group and its brands to significant reputational damage.

The Group requires the right people, skills and capability to manage growth and change

In order to remain competitive, the Group must employ the right people. This includes hiring and retaining highly skilled employees with particular expertise or leadership capability. The implementation of the Group’s strategic business plans could be undermined by failure to build and sustain a resilient corporate culture, failure to recruit or retain key personnel, unexpected loss of key senior employees, failures in the Group’s succession planning and incentive plans, or failure to invest in the development of key skills.

Some of the markets in which the Group operates are experiencing economic growth and/or low levels of unemployment, and the Group must compete against other companies inside and outside the hospitality industry for suitably qualified or experienced employees. Some emerging markets may not have the required local expertise to operate a hotel and may not be able to attract the right talent. Failure to attract and retain employees and increasing labour costs may threaten the successability to operate hotels and our corporate support functions, achieve business growth targets or impact the profitability of the Group’s operations in these markets.our operations. Additionally, unless skills are supported by a sufficient infrastructure to enable knowledge and skills to be passed on, the Group risks losing accumulated knowledge if key employees leave the Group.

The Group is exposedCollective bargaining activity could disrupt operations, increase our labour costs or interfere with the ability of our management to focus on executing our business strategies.

A significant number of colleagues at our managed, owned, leased and managed lease hotels (approximately 23% in the US) are covered by collective bargaining agreements and similar agreements. If relationships with those colleagues or the unions that represent them become adverse, the properties we own, lease or manage could experience labour disruptions such as strikes, lockouts, boycotts and public demonstrations. Collective bargaining agreements representing approximately half of our organised colleagues in the US expired and were renegotiated in 2018 and we may be required to negotiate additional collective bargaining agreements in the future if more employees become unionised. Labour disputes, which are generally more likely when collective bargaining agreements are being renegotiated, could harm our relationship with our colleagues, result in increased regulatory inquiries and enforcement by governmental authorities and deter guests. Further, adverse publicity related to a varietylabour dispute could harm our reputation and reduce customer demand for our services.

Labour regulation and the negotiation of risks associated with its financial stabilitynew or existing collective bargaining agreements could lead to higher wage and benefit costs, changes in work rules that raise operating expenses, legal costs and limitations on our ability or the ability of our third-party property owners to take cost saving measures during economic downturns. We do not have the ability to borrowcontrol the negotiations of collective bargaining agreements covering unionised labour employed by our third-party property owners and satisfy debt covenantsfranchisees. Increased unionisation of our workforce, new labour legislation or changes in regulations could disrupt our operations, reduce our profitability or interfere with the ability of our management to focus on executing our business strategies.

184IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2018

While the strategy of the Group is to extend the IHG System through activities that do not involve significant amounts of its own capital, the Group does require capital to fund some development opportunities, technological innovations and strategic acquisitions; and to maintain and improve owned hotels. The Group is reliant upon having financial strength and access to borrowing facilities to meet these expected capital requirements. The majority of the Group’s borrowing facilities are only available if the financial covenants in the facilities are complied with. Non-compliance with covenants could result in the Group’s lenders demanding repayment of the funds advanced. If the Group’s financial performance does not meet market expectations, it may not be able to refinance existing facilities on terms considered favourable.


The Group is exposed to the risk of litigation

Certain companies in the Group are the subject of various claims and proceedings. The ultimate outcome of these matters is subject to many uncertainties, including future events and uncertainties inherent in litigation. In addition, the Group could be at risk of litigation claims made by many parties, including but not limited to: guests, customers, joint-venture partners, suppliers, employees, regulatory authorities, franchisees and/or the owners of the hotels it manages. Claims filed in the US may include requests for punitive damages as well as compensatory damages. Unfavourable outcomes of claims or proceedings could have a material adverse impact on the Group’s results of operations, cash flow and/or financial position. Exposure to significant litigation or fines may also affect the reputation of the Group and its brands. (See also legal proceedings on page 192.)

The Group is exposed to the risks related to information securitycybersecurity and data privacy

The Group is increasingly dependent upon the collection, usage, retention, availability, integrity and confidentiality of information, including, but not limited to: guest and employee credit card, financial and personal data, and business performance, financial reporting and commercial development. The information is sometimes held in different formats such as digital, paper, voice recordings and video and could be stored in many places, including facilities managed by third-party service providers.providers, in our company managed hotels, and by our franchisees, who are subject to the same or similar risks.

Cyber breaches increasingly appear to be an unfortunate reality for most firms and we therefore invest in trying to avoid them where reasonable and practical to do so – in recognition of the possible impact of cybersecurity breaches beyond data loss on operational performance, ransomware and regulatory actions/ fines, as well as the potential impact on our reputation. The threats towards the hospitality industry and the Group’s information are dynamic, and include cyber attacks,cyber-attacks, fraudulent use, loss or misuse by employees and breaches of our vendors’ security arrangements, amongst others.

The Group experienced cybersecurity incidents including; (a) at a number of Kimpton hotels that resulted in unauthorised access to guest payment card data (the Kimpton Security Incident); and (b) an incident that involved malware being installed on servers that processed payment cards used at restaurants and bars of 12 IHG managed properties (the Americas Security Incident), that the Group become aware of in 2016. These incidents resulted in the Group reimbursing the impacted card networks for counterfeit fraud losses and related expenses and becoming subject to investigations regarding compliance with applicable State and Federal data security standards, and legal action from individuals and organisations impacted by the Security Incidents. To date, four lawsuits have been filed against IHG entities relating to the Security Incidents.

The legal and regulatory environment around data privacy and requirements set out by the payment-cardpayment card industry surrounding information security across the many jurisdictions in which the Group operates are constantly evolving.evolving, (such as the EU GDPR, China cybersecurity law, and California privacy law). If the Group fails to appropriately protect information and ensure relevant controls are in place to enable the appropriate use and release of information through the appropriate channels in a timely and accurate manner, IHG System performance, guest experience and the reputation of the Group may be adversely affected. This could lead to revenue losses, fines, penalties, litigation and other additional costs.

DuringWe are also required to comply with marketing and advertising laws relating to our direct marketing practices, including email marketing, online advertising, and postal mailings. Further restrictions to the first halfcontent or interpretations of 2016,these laws could adversely impact our current and planned activities and the Group was notifiedeffectiveness or viability of a security incident at a numberour marketing strategies to maintain, extend and acquire relationships with customers, and impact the amount and timing of Kimpton hotels that resulted in unauthorised access to guest payment card data (the Kimpton Security Incident) and

our sales of certain products.

 

166                IHG Annual Report LOGO

For information of incidents relating to cybersecurity

and Form 20-F 2016        Additional informationdata privacy during 2018, see pages 157 and 192.


in December 2016 the Group was notified of a security incident at a number of hotels in the Americas region (the Americas Security Incident). In both instances, we launched an investigation and engaged third-party cyber security experts. The investigation concerning the Kimpton Security Incident identified unauthorised access to payment card information and is now closed. A class action has been filed in the courts in relation to the Kimpton Security Incident, although alleged damages have not been specified. The Americas Security Incident investigation is on-going. The Group may be exposed to investigations and fines for non-compliance with applicable data security standards and State and Federal regulatory fines and to legal action from individuals and organisations impacted by the incidents. We may be subject to future cyber threats including attempts to breach our systems and other similar incidents. Because of the dynamic nature of cyber threats, the scope and complexity of our information technology infrastructure and our reliance on third parties to support and protect our infrastructure and our data, we may be vulnerable to cyber threats. In addition, although we carry insurance that is designed to protect us against certain losses related to cyber risks, such insurance coverage may be insufficient to cover the Group in respect of all losses or all types of claims that may arise in connection with cyber attacks, security breaches and other related breaches.

The Group is required to comply with existing and changing regulations and act in accordance with societal expectations across numerous countries, territories and jurisdictions

Government regulations affect countless aspects of the Group’s business ranging from corporate governance, health and safety, the environment, bribery and corruption, employment law and diversity,

disability access, data privacy and information protection, financial, accounting and tax. Regulatory changes may require significant changes in the way the business operates and may inhibit the Group’s strategy, including the markets the Group operates in, brand protection, and use or transmittal of personal data. If the Group fails to comply with existing or changing regulations, the Group may be subject to fines, prosecution, loss of licence to operate or reputational damage.

The reputation of the Group and the value of its brands are influenced by a wide variety of factors, including the perception of stakeholder groups such as guests, owners, suppliers and communities in which the Group operates. The social and environmental impacts of its business are under increasing scrutiny, and the Group is exposed to the risk of damage to its reputation if it fails to (or fails to influence its business partners to) undertake responsible practices and engage in ethical behaviour, or fails to comply with relevant regulatory requirements.

The Group may face difficulties insuring its business

Historically, the Group has maintained insurance at levels determined to be appropriate in light of the cost of cover and the risk profile of the business. However, forces beyond the Group’s control, including market forces, may limit the scope of coverage the Group can obtain and the Group’s ability to obtain coverage at reasonable rates. Other forces beyond the Group’s control, such as terrorist attacks or natural disasters, may be uninsurable or simply too expensive to insure. Inadequate or insufficient insurance could expose the Group to large claims or could result in the loss of capital invested in properties,properties.

The Group is exposed to inherent uncertainties associated with brand development and expansion

The Group has recently launched or acquired a number of new brands, such as wellEVEN Hotels, HUALUXE, avid Hotels, voco, Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants, Regent Hotels, and entered into co-branded credit card relationships to support the IHG Rewards Club programme. As the roll out, integration and growth of these brands (including associated loyalty programmes) is dependent on market conditions, guest preference and owner investment, and also continued cooperation with third parties, there are inherent risks that we will be unable to recover costs incurred in developing or acquiring the brands or any new programmes or products, or those brands, programmes, or products will not succeed as we intend. The Group’s ongoing agenda to accelerate growth and strategic initiatives creates risks relating to the anticipated future revenue from properties.transition of systems, operating models and processes, and may result in failures to improve commercial performance, leading to financial loss and undermining stakeholder confidence.

 

 

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Additional Information

Group information continued

Risk factors continued

The Group is exposed to an impairment of the carrying value of our brands, goodwill or other tangible and intangible assets negatively affecting our consolidated operating results

We hold significant amounts of goodwill, intangible assets, property and equipment, and investments. We review the value of our goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment annually (or whenever events or circumstances indicate impairment may have occurred). Changes to estimated fair values could result from shifts in the business climate, the competitive environment, the perceived reputation of our brands (by guests or owners), or changes in interest rates, operating cash flows, market capitalisation, or developments in the legal or regulatory environment. Because of the significance of our goodwill and other intangible assets, we have previously incurred and may incur future impairment charges for these assets, which may require material non-cash charges to our results of operations, which could have an adverse effect on our financial results.

The Group is exposed to fluctuations in exchange rates, currency devaluations or restructurings and to interest rate risk in relation to its borrowings

The US dollar is the predominant currency of the Group’s revenue and cash flows. Movements in foreign exchange rates can affect the Group’s reported profit, net liabilities and interest cover. The most significant exposures of the Group are in currencies that are freely convertible. The Group’s reported debt has an exposure to borrowings held in pounds sterling. Conducting business in currencies other than US dollars exposes us to fluctuations in exchange rates, currency devaluations, or restructurings. This could potentially lower our reported revenues, increase our costs, reduce our profits or disrupt our operations. Our exposure to these factors is linked to the pace of our growth in territories outside the US and, if the proportion of our revenues grows, this may increase the potential sensitivity to currency movements having an adverse impact on our results.

From time to time, the Group hedges a portion of forecast foreign currency income by taking out forward exchange contracts and also uses short-dated foreign exchange swaps to manage sterling surplus cash and reduce US dollar borrowings whilst maintaining operational flexibility. However, these arrangements may not eliminate foreign exchange risk exposures entirely, and involve inherent risks of their own, including management time, expertise and external costs.

The Group is also exposed to interest rate risk in relation to its fixed and floating rate borrowings and may use interest rate swaps to manage the exposure.

The Group’s operations are dependent on maintaining sufficient liquidity to meet all foreseeable medium-term requirements and provide headroom against unforeseen obligations

Cash and cash equivalents is held in short-term deposits and cash funds which allow daily withdrawals of cash. Most of the Group’s funds are held in the UK or US, although $2m (2017: $3m) is held in countries where repatriation is restricted as a result of foreign exchange regulations. Medium and long-term borrowing requirements are met through committed bank facilities and bonds. Short-term borrowing requirements may be met from drawings under uncommitted overdrafts and facilities.

The Group could be affected by credit risk on treasury transactions

The Group uses long-term credit ratings from Standard and Poor’s, Moody’s and Fitch Ratings as a basis for setting its counterparty limits. In order to manage the Group’s credit risk exposure, the treasury function sets counterparty exposure limits using metrics including credit ratings, the relative placing of credit default swap pricings, tier 1 capital and share price volatility of the relevant counterparty. The Group trades only with recognised, creditworthy third parties. It is the Group’s policy that all customers who wish to trade on credit terms are subject to credit verification procedures. In respect of credit risk arising from financial assets, the Group’s exposure to credit risk arises from default of the counterparty, with a maximum exposure equal to the carrying amount of these instruments. The carrying amount of financial assets represents the maximum exposure to credit risk.

The Group is exposed to a variety of risks associated with its financial stability and ability to borrow and satisfy debt covenants

While the strategy of the Group is to grow through activities that do not involve significant amounts of its own capital, the Group does require capital to fund some development opportunities, technological innovations and strategic acquisitions; and to maintain and improve owned hotels. The Group is reliant upon having financial strength and access to borrowing facilities to meet these expected capital requirements. The majority of the Group’s borrowing facilities are only available if the financial covenants in the facilities are complied with. Non-compliance with covenants could result in the Group’s lenders demanding repayment of the funds advanced. If the Group’s financial performance does not meet market expectations, it may not be able to refinance existing facilities on terms considered favourable.

The Group’s financial performance may be affected by changes in tax rates

The Group’s financial performance may be affected by changes in taxes, including as a result of US federal income tax reform and taxation and/or repatriation of income earned abroad, and governmental regulations that influence or set wages, prices, interest rates or construction and maintenance procedures and costs. Many factors will affect the Group’s future tax rate, the key ones being future legislative developments, future profitability of underlying subsidiaries and tax uncertainties.

There are many potential future changes to worldwide taxation systems as a result of the potential adoption by individual territories of recommendations of the OECD’s Base Erosion and Profit Shifting project, and other similar initiatives being driven by governments and tax authorities. The Group continues to monitor activity in this area.

Tax liabilities or refunds may also differ from those anticipated, in particular as a result of changes in tax law, changes in the interpretation of tax law, or clarification of uncertainties in the application of tax law.

186IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2018


Directors’ and Executive Committee members’ shareholdings

As at 2018 February 2017:2019: (i) Executive Directors had the number of beneficial interests in shares (including Directors’ share awards under IHG’s share plans) set out in the table on page 72;81; (ii) Non-Executive Directors had the number of beneficial interests in shares set out in the table on page 74;84; and (iii) Executive Committee members had the number of beneficial interests in shares (including members’ share awards under IHG’s share plans) set out in the table below. These shareholdings indicate all Directors’ or Executive Committee members’ beneficial interests and those held by their spouses and other connected persons. As at 2018 February 2017,2019, no Director or Executive Committee member held more than 0.3 per cent1.0% of the total issued share capital. None of the Directors have a beneficial interest in the shares of any subsidiary.

 

  

Number of shares

held outright

     

APP

deferred share awards

     

LTIP

share awards (unvested)

     

Total

number of shares held

 
Executive Committee member 20 Feb
2017
  31 Dec
2016
  31 Dec
2015
      20 Feb
2017
  31 Dec
2016
  31 Dec
2015
      20 Feb
2017
  31 Dec
2016
  31 Dec
2015
      20 Feb
2017
  31 Dec
2016
  31 Dec
2015
 
Keith Barr  18,767   18,767   22,522       26,876   26,876   29,557       92,902   92,902   96,044       138,545   138,545   148,123 
Angela Brav  27,270   27,270   32,724       23,996   23,996   25,569       80,709   80,709   86,969       131,975   131,975   145,262 
Federico Lalatta Costerbosa        n/a       18,401   18,401   n/a       59,202   59,202   n/a       77,603   77,603   n/a 
Yasmin Diamond        n/a       6,351   6,351   n/a       38,363   38,363   n/a       44,714   44,714   n/a 
Elie Maalouf  2,481   2,481          10,810   10,810          96,052   96,052   73,662       109,343   109,343   73,622 
Kenneth Macpherson  7,600   7,600   7,472       24,569   24,569   31,279       74,344   74,344   73,861       106,513   106,513   112,612 
Eric Pearson               24,636   24,636   28,748       86,264   86,264   90,087       110,900   110,900   118,835 
Ranjay Radhakrishnan        n/a       25,061   25,061   n/a       31,836   31,836   n/a       56,897   56,897   n/a 
Jan Smits        30,476       23,724   23,724   28,742       71,755   71,755   86,177       95,479   95,479   145,395 
George Turner     18,000   17,975       21,815   21,815   26,047       76,744   76,744   80,914       98,559   116,559   124,936 

LOGO

Group information        IHG Annual Report and Form 20-F 2016                167


GROUP INFORMATION CONTINUED

     Number of shares held outright     APP deferred share awards     LTIP share awards (unvested)     Total number of shares held 

Executive

Committee

member

    18 Feb
2019
     31 Dec
2018
     31 Dec
2017
     18 Feb
2019
     31 Dec
2018
     31 Dec
2017
     18 Feb
2019
     31 Dec
2018
     31 Dec
2017
     18 Feb
2019
     31 Dec
2018
     31 Dec
2017
 
Keith Barr    40,642     42,782     31,116     26,847     28,262     24,586     97,211     97,211     90,987     164,700     168,255     146,689 
Paul Edgecliffe-Johnson    24,385     25,669     27,443     25,404     26,742     28,384     87,482     87,482     97,970     137,271     139,893     153,797 
Elie Maalouf    23,534     24,773          41,753     42,058          82,694     82,694          147,981     149,525      
Claire Bennett                   14,340     14,406     13,105     28,788     28,788     13,019     43,128     43,194     26,124 
Jolyon Bulley    52,164     54,910     50,275     6,022     6,341     8,180     38,087     38,087     38,413     96,273     99,338     96,868 
Yasmin Diamond    1,351     1,423          6,876     7,239     6,561     33,521     33,521     35,209     41,748     42,183     41,770 
Nicolette Henfrey                   5,678               18,675                 24,353             
Kenneth Macpherson    7,296     7,681          30,535     31,468     29,057     53,121     53,121      59,675      90,952      92,270      88,732 
Eric Pearson    10,295     10,837          20,531     21,613     22,979     63,635     63,635      72,633      94,461      96,085      95,612 
Ranjay Radhakrishnan    7,902     8,318          24,983     25,258     31,836     49,101     49,101      41,851      81,986      82,677      73,687 
George Turner    18,815     19,806     11,507     16,878     17,768     18,683     54,341     54,341     61,511     90,034     91,915     91,701 

Executive Directors’ benefits upon termination of office

All current Executive Directors have a rolling service contract with a notice period from the Group of 12 months. As an alternative, the Group may, at its discretion, pay in lieu of that notice. Neither notice nor a payment in lieu of notice will be given in the event of gross misconduct.

Payment in lieu of notice could potentially include up to 12 months’ salary and the cash equivalent of 12 months’ pension contributions, and other contractual benefits. Where possible, the Group will seek to ensure that, where a leaver mitigates their losses by, for example, finding new employment, there will accordingly be a corresponding reduction in compensation payable for loss of office.

 

LOGOLOGO 

Further details on the policy for determination of termination payments are included in the Directors’ Remuneration Policy, which

is available on IHG’s website atwww.ihgplc.com/investorsunder Corporate governance in the Directors’ Remuneration Policy section.

IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2018  |  Additional Information  |  Group information187


Additional Information

Group information continued

Description of securities other than equity securities

Fees and charges payable to a depositary

 

Category (as

(as defined by SEC)

 Depositary actions Depositary actionsAssociated fee
Depositing or substituting the underlying shares 

Each person to whom ADRs are issued against deposits of shares, including deposits and issuances in respect of:

$5 for each 100 ADSs (or portion thereof)

  shareShare distributions, stock splits, rights, mergers; andmergers

  exchangeExchange of securities or any other transactions or event or other distribution affecting the ADSs or the deposited securities

 $5 for each 100 ADSs (or portion thereof)
Receiving or distributing dividends Distribution of stock dividends $5 for each 100 ADSs
(or (or portion thereof)
 Distribution of cash $0.02 or less per ADS
(or (or portion thereof)
Selling or exercising rights Distribution or sale of securities, the fee being in an amount equal to the fee for the execution and delivery of ADSs which would have been charged as a result of the deposit of such securities 

$5 for each 100 ADSs

(or (or portion thereof)

Withdrawing an underlying security Acceptance of ADRs surrendered for withdrawal of deposited securities 

$5 for each 100 ADSs

(or (or portion thereof)

Transferring, splitting or grouping receipts Transfers, combining or grouping of depositary receipts $1.50 per ADS
General depositary services, particularly those charged on an annual basis Other services performed by the depositary in administering the ADRs $0.02 per ADS (or portion thereof)anot more than once each calendar year and payable at the sole discretion of the ADR Depositary by billing ADR holders or by deducting such charge from one or more cash dividends or other cash distributionsa
Expenses of the depositary 

Expenses incurred on behalf of ADR holders in connection with:

Expenses payable at the sole discretion of

the ADR Depositary by billing ADR holders or by deducting charges from one or

more cash dividends or other cash distributions are $20 per transaction

  complianceCompliance with foreign exchange control regulations or any law or regulation relating to foreign investment;investment.

  theThe ADR Depositary’s or its custodian’s compliance with applicable laws, rules or regulations;regulations

  stockStock transfer or other taxes and other governmental charges;charges

  cable,Cable, telex, facsimile transmission/delivery;delivery

  transferTransfer or registration fees in connection with the deposit and withdrawal of deposited securities;securities

  expensesExpenses of the ADR Depositary in connection with the conversion of foreign currency into US dollars (which are paid out of such foreign currency); and

  anyAny other charge payable by the ADR Depositary or its agents

 Expenses payable at the sole discretion of the ADR Depositary by billing ADR holders or by deducting charges from one or more cash dividends or other cash distributions are $20 per transaction

 

a

These fees are not currently being charged by the ADR Depositary.

 

Fees and charges payable by a depositary

JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A. (JPMorgan or the ADR Depositary) is the depositary for IHG’s ADR programme. The ADR Depositary’s principal executive office is at: J.P. Morgan Depositary Receipts, 4 New York Plaza, 12th Floor, New York, NY 10004, US. The ADR Depositary has agreed to reimburse certain reasonable Company expenses related to the Company’s ADR programme and incurred by the Company in

connection with the ADR programme. During the year ended

31 December 2016,2018, the Company received $300,000$376,007.95 from the ADR Depositary in respect of legal, accounting and other fees incurred in connection with the preparation of the Annual Report and Form 20-F, ongoing SEC compliance and listing requirements, investor relations programmes, and advertising and public relations expenditure.

 

 

168                188IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2016        Additional Information2018


Articles of Association

    

 

The Company’s Articles of Association (the Articles) were first adopted with effect from 27 June 2005 and were most recently amended at the AGM held on 284 May 20102018 and are available on the Company’s website atwww.ihgplc.com/investorsunder Corporate governance. The following summarises material rights of holders of the Company’s ordinary shares under the material provisions of the Articles and English law. This summary is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Companies Act and the Articles.

The Company’s shares may be held in certificated or uncertificated form. No holder of the Company’s shares will be required to make additional contributions of capital in respect of the Company’s shares in the future.

In the following description, a ‘shareholder’ is the person registered in the Company’s register of members as the holder of the relevant share.

Principal objects

The Company is incorporated under the name InterContinental Hotels Group PLC and is registered in England and Wales with registered number 5134420. The Articles do not restrict its objects or purposes.

Directors

Under the Articles, a Director may have an interest in certain matters (Permitted Interest) without the prior approval of the Board, provided he hasthey have declared the nature and extent of such Permitted Interest at a meeting of the Directors or in the manner set out in Section 184 or Section 185 of the Companies Act.

Any matter in which a Director has a material interest, and which does not comprise a Permitted Interest, must be authorised by the Board in accordance with the procedure and requirements contained in the Articles. In particular, this includes the requirement that a Director may not vote on a resolution to authorise a matter in which he isthey are interested, nor may hethey count in the quorum of the meeting at which such business is transacted.

Further, a Director may not vote in respect of any proposal in which he,they, or any person connected with him,them, has any material interest other than by virtue of histheir interests in securities of, or otherwise in or through, the Company, nor may hethey count in the quorum of the meeting at which such business is transacted. This is subject to certain exceptions, including in relation to proposals: (a) indemnifying himthem in respect of obligations incurred on behalf of the Company; (b) indemnifying a third party in respect of obligations of the Company for which the Director has assumed responsibility under an indemnity or guarantee; (c) relating to an offer of securities in which hethey will be interested as an underwriter; (d) concerning another body corporate in which the Director is beneficially interested in less than one per cent of the issued shares of any class of shares of such a body corporate; (e) relating to an employee benefit in which the Director will share equally with other employees; and (f) relating to liability insurance that the Company is empowered to purchase for the benefit of Directors of the Company in respect of actions undertaken as Directors (or officers) of the Company.

The Directors have authority under the Articles to set their own remuneration (provided certain criteria are met). While an agreement to award remuneration to a Director is an arrangement with the Company that comprises a Permitted Interest (and therefore does not require authorisation by the Board in that respect), it is nevertheless a matter that would be expected to give rise to a conflict of interest between the Director concerned and the Company, and such conflict must be

authorised by a resolution of the Board. The Director that is interested in such a matter may neither vote on the resolution to authorise such conflict, nor count in the quorum of the meeting at which it was passed. Furthermore, as noted above, the interested Director is not permitted to vote in respect of any proposal in which he hasthey have any material interest (except in respect of the limited

exceptions outlined above) nor may hethey count in the quorum of the meeting at which such business is transacted.

As such, a Director has no power, in the absence of an independent quorum, to vote on compensation to himself,themselves, but may vote on a resolution (and may count in the quorum of the meeting at which it was passed) to award compensation to Directors provided those arrangements do not confer a benefit solely on him.them.

The Directors are empowered to exercise all the powers of the Company to borrow money, subject to the limitation that the aggregate amount of all monies borrowed by the Company and its subsidiaries shall not exceed an amount equal to three times the Company’s share capital and consolidated reserves, unless sanctioned by an ordinary resolution of the Company.

Under the Articles, there are no age-limit requirements relating to a person’s qualification to hold office as a Director of the Company.

Directors are not required to hold any shares of the Company by way of qualification.

The Articles require annual retirement and re-election of all Directors at the AGM.

Rights attaching to shares

Dividend rights and rights to share in the Company’s profits

Under English law, dividends are payable on the Company’s ordinary shares only out of profits available for distribution, as determined in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the UK and by the Companies Act. No dividend will bear interest as against the Company.

Holders of the Company’s ordinary shares are entitled to receive such dividends as may be declared by the shareholders in general meeting, rateably according to the amounts paid up on such shares, provided that the dividend cannot exceed the amount recommended by the Directors.

The Company’s Board of Directors may declare and pay to shareholders such interim dividends as appear to them to be justified by the Company’s financial position. If authorised by an ordinary resolution of the shareholders, the Board of Directors may also direct payment of a dividend in whole or in part by the distribution of specific assets (and in particular of paid-up shares or debentures of any other company).

Any dividend unclaimed by a member (or by a person entitled by virtue of transmission on death or bankruptcy or otherwise by operation of law) after six years from the date the dividend was declared, or became due for payment, will be forfeited and will revert to the Company.

Voting rights

The holders of ordinary shares are entitled, in respect of their holdings of such shares, to receive notice of general meetings and to attend, speak and vote at such meetings in accordance with the Articles.

Voting at any general meeting of shareholders is by a show of hands unless a poll, which is a written vote, is duly demanded. On a show of hands, every shareholder who is present in person or by proxy at a general meeting has one vote regardless of the number of shares held.

IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2018  |  Additional Information  |  Group information189


Additional Information

Group information continued

Articles of Association continued

On a poll, every shareholder who is present in person or by proxy has one vote for every share held by that shareholder. A poll may be demanded by any of the following:

 

the chairmanThe Chair of the meeting;

 

atAt least five shareholders present in person or by proxy and entitled to vote at the meeting;

��

anyAny shareholder or shareholders present in person or by proxy representing in the aggregate not less than one-tenth of the total voting rights of all shareholders entitled to vote at the meeting; or

 

anyAny shareholder or shareholders present in person or by proxy holding shares conferring a right to vote at the meeting and on which there have been paid up sums in the aggregate at least equal to one-tenth of the total sum paid up on all the shares conferring that right.

LOGO

Group information    IHG Annual Report and Form 20-F 2016                169


GROUP INFORMATION CONTINUED

Articles of Associationcontinued

A proxy form will be treated as giving the proxy the authority to demand a poll, or to join others in demanding one.

The necessary quorum for a general meeting is three persons carrying a right to vote upon the business to be transacted, whether present in person or by proxy.

Matters are transacted at general meetings of the Company by the proposing and passing of resolutions, of which there are two kinds:

 

anAn ordinary resolution, which includes resolutions for the election of Directors, the approval of financial statements, the cumulative annual payment of dividends, the appointment of the Auditor, the increase of share capital or the grant of authority to allot shares; andshares.

 

aA special resolution, which includes resolutions amending the Articles, disapplying statutory pre-emption rights, modifying the rights of any class of the Company’s shares at a meeting of the holders of such class or relating to certain matters concerning the Company’s winding up or changing the Company’s name.

An ordinary resolution requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes of those persons present and entitled to vote at a meeting at which there is a quorum.

Special resolutions require the affirmative vote of not less than three quarters of the persons present and entitled to vote at a meeting at which there is a quorum.

AGMs must be convened upon advance written notice of 21 days. Other meetings must be convened upon advance written notice of 14 days. The days of delivery or receipt of the notice are not included. The notice must specify the nature of the business to be transacted. The Board of Directors may, if they choose, make arrangements for shareholders, who are unable to attend the place of the meeting, to participate at other places.

The Articles specify that each Director shall retire every three years at the AGM and, unless otherwise decided by the Directors, shall be eligible for re-election. However, the Code recommends that all directors of FTSE 350 companies submit themselves for election or

re-election (as appropriate) by shareholders every year. Therefore, all Directors will retire and offer themselves for election or re-election at the 2017 AGM.

Variation of rights

If, at any time, the Company’s share capital is divided into different classes of shares, the rights attached to any class may be varied, subject to the provisions of the Companies Act, with the consent in writing of holders of three-quarters in nominal value of the issued shares of that class or upon the adoption of a special resolution passed at a separate meeting of the holders of the shares of that class. At every such separate meeting, all of the provisions of the Articles relating to proceedings at a general meeting apply, except that the quorum is to be the number of persons (which must be two or more) who hold or represent by proxy not less than one-third in nominal value of the issued shares of that class.

Rights in a winding-up

Except as the Company’s shareholders have agreed or may otherwise agree, upon the Company’s winding up, the balance of assets available for distribution is to be distributed among the holders of ordinary shares according to the amounts paid up on the shares held by them:

 

afterAfter the payment of all creditors including certain preferential creditors, whether statutorily preferred creditors or normal creditors; and

 

subjectSubject to any special rights attaching to any class of shares.

This distribution is generally to be made in cash. A liquidator may, however, upon the adoption of a special resolution of the shareholders, divide among the shareholders the whole or any part of the Company’s assets in kind.

Limitations on voting and shareholding

There are no limitations imposed by English law or the Articles on the right of non-residents or foreign persons to hold or vote the Company’s ordinary shares or ADSs, other than the limitations that would generally apply to all of the Company’s shareholders.

 

 

Working Time Regulations 1998

 

Under EU law, many employees of Group companies are now covered by the Working Time Regulations which came into force in the UK on 1 October 1998. These regulations implemented the European Working Time Directive and parts of the Young Workers Directive, and lay down rights and protections for employees in areas such as maximum working hours, minimum rest time, minimum days off and paid leave.

In the UK, there is in place a national minimum wage under the National Minimum Wage Act 1998, as amended. At 31 December 2016,2018, the minimum wage for individuals aged 18 to 20 was £5.55£5.90 per hour, aged 21 to 24 was £6.95£7.38 per hour and for those aged 25 or over was £7.20£7.83 per hour in each case, excluding apprentices aged under 19 years or,

otherwise, in the first year of their apprenticeships.

This particularly impacts businesses in the hospitality and retailing sectors. Compliance with the National Minimum Wage Act is being monitored by the Low Pay Commission, an independent statutory body established by the UK government.Government.

None of the Group’s UK employees are covered by collective bargaining agreements with trade unions.

Continual attention is paid to the external market in order to ensure that terms of employment are appropriate. The Group believes the Group companies will be able to conduct their relationships with trade unions and employees in a satisfactory manner.

 

 

170                190IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2016        Additional Information2018


Material contracts

    

 

The following contracts have been entered into otherwise than in the course of ordinary business by members of the Group: (i) in the two years immediately preceding the date of this document in the case of contracts which are or may be material; or (ii) that contain provisions under which any Group member has any obligation or entitlement that is material to the Group as at the date of this document. To the extent that these agreements include representations, warranties and indemnities, such provisions are considered standard in an agreement of that nature, save to the extent identified below.

Syndicated Facility

On 30 March 2015, the Company signed a five-year $1.275 billion bank facility agreement (Syndicated Facility) with Bank of America Merrill Lynch International Limited, Barclays Bank plc, HSBC Bank PLC, SunTrust Robinson Humphrey, The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ, Ltd and The Royal Bank of Scotland plc, all acting as joint bookrunners and The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ, Ltd as facility agent. The Company may requesthas exercised its ability to extend the term of the Syndicated Facility by up to two additional periods of 12 months, and exercisedtaking the first extension option in February 2016.term of the Syndicated Facility to 2022. The interest margin payable on borrowings under the Syndicated Facility is linked to IHG’s consolidated net debt to consolidated EBITDA ratio. The margin can vary between LIBOR + 0.40% and LIBOR + 1.00% depending on the level of the ratio. The Syndicated Facility was drawn as to $110mundrawn as at 31 December 2016.

Disposal of InterContinental Hong Kong

On 10 July 2015, a share sale and purchase agreement was entered into between Hotel InterContinental London (Holdings) Limited (a Group company) and Supreme Key Limited. Under the agreement, Hotel InterContinental London (Holdings) Limited agreed to sell Trifaith Investments Limited, the owner of InterContinental Hong Kong Limited, which in turn is the owner of InterContinental Hong Kong, to Supreme Key Limited. The gross sale proceeds agreed were $938 million in cash. The disposal completed on 30 September 2015.

In connection with the sale, IHG secured a 37-year management contract on the hotel, with three 10-year extension rights at IHG’s discretion, giving an expected contract length of 67 years.

Under the agreement, Hotel InterContinental London (Holdings) Limited gave certain customary warranties and indemnities to Supreme Key Limited.2018.

£2 billion Euro Medium Term Note programme

In 2016,2018, the Group updated its Euro Medium Term Note programme (Programme) and issued a tranche of £350500 million 2.125% notes due 24 August 2026 (201615 May 2027 (2018 Issuance).

On 11 August 2016, an amended and restated trust deed (Trust Deed) was executed by InterContinental Hotels Group PLC as issuer (Issuer), Six Continents Limited and InterContinental Hotels Limited as guarantors (Guarantors) and HSBC Corporate Trustee Company (UK) Limited as trustee (Trustee), pursuant to which the trust deed dated 27 November 2009, as supplemented by three supplemental trust deeds dated 7 July 2011, 9 November 2012 and 16 June 2015 between the same parties relating to the Programme, were amended and restated. Under the Trust Deed, the Issuer may issue notes (Notes) unconditionally and irrevocably guaranteed by the Guarantors, up to a maximum nominal amount from time to time outstanding of £2 billion (or its equivalent in other currencies). Notes are to be issued in series (each a Series) in bearer form. Each Series may comprise one or more tranches (each a Tranche) issued on different issue dates. EachA Tranche of Notes willmay be issued on the terms and conditions set out in the updateda base prospectus dated 11 August 2016 (Base Prospectus) as amended and/or supplemented by a document setting out the final terms (Final Terms) of such Tranche or in a separate prospectus specific to such Tranche.

Under the Trust Deed, each of the Issuer and the Guarantors has given certain customary covenants in favour of the Trustee.

Final Terms were issued (pursuant to a previous base prospectus dated 9 November)November 2012) on 26 November 2012, in respect of the issue of a Tranche of £400 million 3.875% Notes due 28 November 2022 (2012 Issuance). Final Terms were issued pursuant(pursuant to the Base Prospectusa base prospectus dated 16 June 2015) on 12 August 2015 in respect of the 2015 Issuance.issue of a Tranche of £300 million 3.75% Notes due 14 August 2025 (2015 Issuance). Final Terms were issued pursuant(pursuant to the Base Prospectusbase prospectus dated 11 August 2016) on 22 August 2016 in respect of the 2016issue of a Tranche of £350 million 2.125% Notes due 24 August 2026 (2016 Issuance). Final Terms were issued (pursuant to the base prospectus dated 13 August 2018) on 13 November 2018 in respect of the 2018 Issuance.

The Final Terms issued under each of the 2012 Issuance, the 2015 Issuance, the 2016 Issuance and 20162018 Issuance provide that the holders of the Notes have the right to repayment if the Notes (a) become non-investment grade within the period commencing on the date of announcement of a change of control and ending 90 days after the change of control (Change of Control Period) and are not subsequently, within the Change of Control Period, reinstated to investment grade; (b) are downgraded from a non-investment grade and are not reinstated to its earlier credit rating or better within the Change of Control Period; or (c) are not credit rated and do not become investment-gradeinvestment grade credit rated by the end of the Change of Control Period.

Further details of the Programme and the Notes are set out in the Base Prospectus,base prospectus, dated 13 August 2018, a copy of which is available (as is a copy of each of the Final Terms dated 26 November 2012 relating to the 2012 Issuance, the Final Terms dated 12 August 2015 relating to the 2015 Issuance, and the Final Terms dated 22 August 2016 relating to the 2016 Issuance)Issuance and the Final Terms dated 13 November 2018 relating to the 2018 issuance) on the Company’s website atwww.ihgplc.com. The Notes issued pursuant to the 2012 Issuance, the Notes issued pursuant to the 2015 Issuance, the Notes issued pursuant to the 2016 Issuance and the Notes issued pursuant to the 20162018 Issuance are referred to as ‘£400 million 3.875% bonds’bonds 2022’, ‘£300 million 3.750% bonds’ andbonds 2025’, ‘£350 million 2.125% bonds’bonds 2026’, and ‘500 million 2.125% bonds 2027’ respectively in the Group Financial Statements.

On 11 August 2016, the Issuer and the Guarantors entered into an amended and restated agency agreement (Agency Agreement) with HSBC Bank plc as principal paying agent and the Trustee, pursuant to which the Issuer and the Guarantors appointed paying agents and calculation agents in connection with the Programme and the Notes.

Under the Agency Agreement, each of the Issuer and the Guarantors has given a customary indemnity in favour of the paying agents and the calculation agents.

On 1113 August 2016,2018, the Issuer and the Guarantors entered into aan amended and restated dealer agreement (Dealer Agreement) with HSBC Bank plc as arranger and Barclays Bank PLC, Commerzbank Aktieengesel, HSBC Bank plc, SunTrust Robinson Humphrey, Inc., Merrill Lynch International, MUFG Securities EMEA plc, SunTrust Robinson Humphrey, Inc. and The Royal Bank of Scotland plcWells Fargo Securities international Limited as dealers (Dealers), pursuant to which the Dealers were appointed in connection with the Programme and the Notes.

Under the Dealer Agreement, each of the Issuer and the Guarantors has given customary warranties and indemnities in favour of the Dealers.

Acquisition of Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spas

On 12 February 2019, a share purchase agreement (SPA) was entered into between Sustainable Luxury (BVI) Limited Partnership (acting through Sustainable Luxury (BVI) Limited as its general partner), Sustainable Luxury Holdings (BVI) Limited, and Inter-Continental Hotels Corporation. Under the SPA, Inter-Continental Hotels Corporation agreed to buy the entire issued share capital of Sustainable Luxury Holdings (BVI) Limited, the principal trading company of the Six Senses group, from Sustainable Luxury (BVI) Limited Partnership. The purchase completed on 12 February 2019.

Under the SPA, Inter-Continental Hotels Corporation gave certain customary warranties and indemnities to the seller.

The consideration paid in respect of the acquisition was $300 million in cash, before adjustments.

 

 

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GROUP INFORMATION CONTINUED

Legal proceedingsAdditional Information

 

Group information continued

Legal proceedings

 

Group companies have extensive operations in the UK, as well as internationally, and are involved in a number of legal claims and proceedings incidental to those operations. It is the Company’s view that such proceedings, either individually or in the aggregate, have not in the recent past and are not likely to have a significant effect on the Group’s financial position or profitability. Notwithstanding the above, the Company notes the matters set out below. Litigation is inherently unpredictable and, as of 2018 February 2017,2019, the outcome of these matters cannot be reasonably determined.

A claim was filed on 9 July 2013 by Pan-American Life Insurance Company against Louisiana Acquisitions Corp. and InterContinentalInter-Continental Hotels Corporation. The claimant originally identified eight causes of action with the respect to the management and sale of the InterContinental New Orleans. The following claims remain pending: claims for breach of fiduciary duty, fraud, civil conspiracy, alter ego, and unfair trade practices. As of 20 FebruaryOn 21 August 2017, the likelihoodcourt granted summary judgment to the defendants on all of the claimant’s remaining claims. The claimant appealed the ruling. On 12 December 2018, the appellate court affirmed the lower court ruling that granted summary judgment to both IHG defendants. The claimant did not pursue a favourable or unfavourable result cannot be reasonably determined and it is not possible to determine whether any loss is probable or to estimatefurther appeal, concluding the amount of any loss.claims against IHG in this matter.

A claim was filed on 5 July 2016 by CPTS Hotel Lessee, LLC against Holiday Hospitality Franchising, LLC (HHF). The claimant alleges breach of the licenselicence agreement and seeks a declaratory judgment from the court that it has the right to terminate its licenselicence with HHF. HHF and InterContinental Hotels Group Resources, Inc. filed a claim against CPTS Hotel Lessee, LLC also seeking a declaratory judgment and alleging breach of contract and fraud. On 1 May 2018, the court granted IHG’s motion for preliminary injunction and ruled that the license agreement at issue is not terminable at will by CPTS. As of 2018 February 2017,2019, the likelihood of a favourable or unfavourable result cannot be reasonably determined and it is not possible to determine whether any loss is probablelikely or to estimate the amount of any loss.

A claim was filed on 20 September 2016 against Kimpton Hotel and Restaurant Group, LLC, seeking class action status and alleging breach of implied contract, negligence, and deceptive business practices related to an alleged data breach. The claimant alleged that Kimpton failed to secure and safeguard its customers’ payment card data and personally identifiable information. The parties reached agreement on a resolution of this matter and on 9 January 2019, the court granted the parties’ motion for preliminary approval of the class action settlement.

A claim was filed on 5 May 2017 against InterContinental Hotels Group PLC, Inter-Continental Hotels Corporation, and InterContinental Hotels Group Resources, Inc. seeking class action status and alleging breach of implied contract, negligence, and unjust enrichment regarding an alleged data breach. The claimant alleges that IHG failed to secure and safeguard customers’ personal financial data. As of 2018 February 2017,2019, the likelihood of a favourable or unfavourable result cannot be reasonably determined and it is not possible to determine whether any loss is likely or to make a reliable estimate of the possible financial effectamount of any claims.loss.

A claim was filed on 26 June 2017 against Inter-Continental Hotels Corporation, InterContinental Hotels Group Resources, Inc., and InterContinental Hotels Group (Canada), Inc. seeking class action status and alleging breach of fiduciary duty, negligence, breach of confidence, intrusion upon seclusion, breach of contract, breach of privacy legislation, and unjust enrichment regarding an alleged data breach. The claim was amended in March 2018 to name Six Continents Hotels, Inc. as the sole defendant. The claimant alleges that security failures allowed customers’ financial information to be compromised. As of 18 February 2019, the likelihood of a favourable or unfavourable result cannot be reasonably determined and it is not possible to determine whether any loss is likely or to estimate the amount of any loss.

A claim was filed on 26 January 2018 against InterContinental Hotels Group PLC, Inter-Continental Hotels Corporation and InterContinental Hotels Group Resources, Inc., alleging negligence and seeking class action status, declaratory judgment, injunctive relief and unspecified damages regarding an alleged data breach. On 29 May 2018, the claimants dismissed the complaint without prejudice.

Two class action claims were filed on 19 March 2018 and 6 December 2018 against Six Continents Hotels, Inc. and other hotel companies, alleging violations of anti-trust regulations. Both suits allege that the defendant hotel companies conspired to eliminate competitive branded keyword search advertising in the hotel industry, which raised prices for hotel rooms in violation of applicable law. As of 18 February 2019, the likelihood of a favourable or unfavourable result cannot be reasonably determined and it is not possible to determine whether any loss is likely or to estimate the amount of any loss.

 

 

Exchange controls and restrictions on payment of dividends

 

There are no restrictions on dividend payments to US citizens.

Although there are currently no UK foreign exchange control restrictions on the export or import of capital or the payment of dividends on the ordinary shares or the ADSs, economic sanctions which may be in force in the UK from time to time impose restrictions on the payment of dividends to persons resident (or treated as so resident) in or governments of (or persons exercising public functions in) certain countries.

Other than economic sanctions which may be in force in the UK from time to time, there are no restrictions under the Articles or under English law that limit the right of non-resident or foreign owners to hold or vote the ordinary shares or the ADSs. In addition, the Articles contain certain limitations on the voting and other rights of any holder of ordinary shares whose holding may, in the opinion of the Directors, result in the loss or failure to secure the reinstatement of any licence or franchise from any US governmental agency held by Six Continents Hotels, Inc. or any subsidiary thereof.

 

 

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Shareholder information

Taxation

 

This section provides a summary of material US federal income tax and UK tax consequences to the US holders, described below, of owning and disposing of ordinary shares or ADSs of the Company. This section addresses only the tax position of a US holder who holds ordinary shares or ADSs as capital assets. This section does not, however, discuss all of the tax considerations that may be relevant to any particular US holder, such as the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (IR Code) known as the Medicare Contribution tax or tax consequences to US holders subject to special rules, such as:

 

certainCertain financial institutions;institutions.

 

insurance companies;Insurance companies.

 

dealersDealers and traders in securities who use a mark-to-market method of tax accounting;accounting.

 

personsPersons holding ordinary shares or ADSs as part of a straddle, conversion transaction, integrated transaction or wash sale, or persons entering into a constructive sale with respect to the ordinary shares or ADSs;ADSs.

 

personsPersons whose functional currency for US federal income tax purposes is not the US dollar;dollar.

 

partnershipsPartnerships or other entities classified as partnerships for US federal income tax purposes;purposes.

 

personsPersons liable for the alternative minimum tax;tax.

 

tax-exempt organisations;Tax-exempt organisations.

 

personsPersons who acquired the Company’s ADSs or ordinary shares pursuant to the exercise of any employee stock option or otherwise in connection with employment; oremployment.

 

personsPersons who, directly or indirectly, own 10 per centordinary shares or ADSs representing 10% or more of the Company’s voting stock.power or value.

This section does not generally deal with the position of a US holder who is resident in the UK for UK tax purposes or who is subject to UK taxation on capital gains or income by virtue of carrying on a trade, profession or vocation in the UK through a branch, agency or permanent establishment to which such ADSs or ordinary shares are attributable (‘trading in the UK’).

As used herein, a ‘US holder’ is a person who, for US federal income tax purposes, is a beneficial owner of ordinary shares or ADSs and is: (i) a citizen or individual resident of the US; (ii) a corporation, or other entity taxable as a corporation, created or organised in or under the laws of the US, any state therein or the District of Columbia; (iii) an estate whose income is subject to US federal income tax regardless of its source; or (iv) a trust, if a US court can exercise primary supervision over the trust’s administration and one or more US persons are authorised to control all substantial decisions of the trust.

This section is based on the IR Code, its legislative history, existing and proposed regulations, published rulings and court decisions, and on UK tax laws and the published practice of HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC), all as of the date hereof. These laws, and that practice, are subject to change, possibly on a retroactive basis.

This section is further based in part upon the representations of the ADR Depositary and assumes that each obligation in the deposit agreement and any related agreement will be performed in accordance with its terms. For US federal income tax purposes, an owner of ADRs evidencing ADSs will generally be treated as the owner of the underlying shares represented by those ADSs. For UK tax purposes, in practice, HMRC will also regard holders of ADSs as the beneficial owners of the ordinary shares represented by those ADSs (although case law has cast some doubt on this). The discussion below assumes that HMRC’s position is followed.

Generally, exchanges of ordinary shares for ADSs, and ADSs for ordinary shares, will not be subject to US federal income tax or UK taxation on capital gains, although UK stamp duty reserve tax (SDRT) may arise as described below.

The US Treasury has expressed concerns that parties to whom ADSs are pre-released before shares are delivered to the depositary, or intermediaries in the chain of ownership between holders and the issuer of the securities underlying the ADSs, may be taking actions that are inconsistent with the claiming of foreign tax credits by US holders of ADSs. Such actions would also be inconsistent with the claiming of the preferential rates of tax, described below, for qualified dividend income. Accordingly, the availability of the preferential rates of tax for qualified dividend income described below could be affected by actions taken by parties to whom the ADSs are pre-released.

Investors should consult their own tax advisorsadvisers regarding the US federal, state and local, the UK and other tax consequences of owning and disposing of ordinary shares or ADSs in their particular circumstances.

The following disclosures assumes that the Company is not, and will not become, a positive foreign investment company (PFIC), as described below.

Taxation of dividends

UK taxation

Under current UK tax law, the Company will not be required to withhold tax at source from dividend payments it makes.

A US holder who is not resident for UK tax purposes in the UK and who is not trading in the UK will generally not be liable for UK taxation on dividends received in respect of the ADSs or ordinary shares.

US federal income taxation

A US holder is generally subject to US federal income taxation on the gross amount of any dividend paid by the Company out of its current or accumulated earnings and profits (as determined for US federal income tax purposes). Distributions in excess of the Company’s current and accumulated earnings and profits, as determined for US federal income tax purposes, will be treated as a return of capital to the extent of the US holder’s basis in the shares or ADSs and thereafter as capital gain. Because the Company has not historically maintained, and does not currently maintain, books in accordance with US tax principles, the Company does not expect to be in a position to determine whether any distribution will be in excess of the Company’s current and accumulated earnings and profits as computed for US federal income tax purposes. As a result, it is expected that amounts distributed will be reported to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) as dividends.

Subject to applicable limitations and the discussion above regarding concerns expressed by the US Treasury, dividends paid to certain non-corporate US holders will be taxable at the preferential rates applicable to long-term capital gain if the dividends constitute ‘qualified dividend income’. The Company expects that dividends paid by the Company with respect to the ADSs will constitute qualified dividend income. US holders should consult their own tax advisors to determine whether they are subject to any special rules that limit their ability to be taxed at these preferential rates.

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Additional Information

Shareholder information continued

Taxation continued

Dividends must be included in income when the US holder, in the case of shares, or the ADR Depositary, in the case of ADSs, actually or constructively receives the dividend, and will not be eligible for the dividends-received deduction generally allowed to US corporations in respect of dividends received from other US corporations. For foreign tax credit limitation purposes, dividends will generally be income from sources outside the US.

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SHAREHOLDER INFORMATION CONTINUED

Taxationcontinued

The amount of any dividend paid in pounds sterling will be the US dollar value of the sterling payments made, determined at the spot sterling/US dollar rate on the date the dividend distribution is includible in income, regardless of whether the payment is in fact converted into US dollars. If the dividend is converted into US dollars on that date, a US holder should not be required to recognise foreign currency gain or loss in respect of the dividend income. Generally, any gain or loss resulting from currency exchange fluctuations during the period from the date the dividend payment is includible in income to the date the payment is converted into US dollars will be treated as ordinary income or loss from sources within the US.

Taxation of capital gains

UK taxation

A US holder who is not resident for UK tax purposes in the UK and who is not trading in the UK will not generally be liable for UK taxation on capital gains, or eligible for relief for allowable losses, realised or accrued on the sale or other disposal of ADSs or ordinary shares. A US holder of ADSs or ordinary shares who is an individual and who, broadly, has temporarily ceased to be resident in the UK or has become temporarily treated as non-resident for UK tax purposes for a period of not more than five years (or, for departures before 6 April 2013, ceases to be resident or ordinarily resident or becomes treated as non-resident for less than five years of assessment) and who disposes of ordinary shares or ADSs during that period may, for the year of assessment when that individual becomes resident again in the UK, be liable to UK tax on capital gains (subject to any available exemption or relief), notwithstanding the fact that such US holder was not treated as resident in the UK at the time of the sale or other disposal.

US federal income taxation

A US holder who sells or otherwise disposes of ordinary shares or ADSs will recognise a capital gain or loss for US federal income tax purposes equal to the difference between the amount realised and its tax basis in the ordinary shares or ADSs, each determined in US dollars. Such capital gain or loss will be long-term capital gain or loss where the US holder has a holding period greater than one year. Losses may also be treated as long-term capital losses to the extent of certain ‘extraordinary dividends’ that qualified for the preferential tax rates on qualified dividend income described above. The capital gain or loss will generally be income or loss from sources within the US for foreign tax credit limitation purposes. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to limitations.

PFIC rules

Based on the manner in which the Group operates its business and estimates of the value of its assets (which estimates are based, in part, on the market value of the Company’s ADSs) the Company believes that it was not a PFIC for US federal income tax purposes for its 20162018 taxable year. However, this conclusion is an annual factual determination and thus may be subject to change. If the Company were a PFIC for any taxable year during which a US holder owned ordinary shares or ADSs, gain realised on the sale or other disposition of ordinary shares or ADSs would, in general, not be treated as capital gain. Instead, gain would be treated as if the US holder had realised such gain rateably over the holding period for the ordinary shares or ADSs and, to the extent allocated to the taxable year of the sale or other disposition and to any year before the Company became a PFIC, would be taxed as ordinary income. The amount allocated to each other taxable year would be taxed at the highest tax rate in effect (for individuals or corporations, as applicable) for each such year to which the gain was allocated, together with an interest charge in respect of the tax attributable to each such year. In addition, similar rules would apply to any ‘excess distribution’ received on the ordinary shares or ADSs (generally, the excess of any distribution received on the ordinary shares or ADSs during the taxable year over 125 per cent125% of the average amount of distributions received during a specified prior period), and the. The preferential rates for qualified dividend income described above would not apply.apply if the Company were a PFIC in the taxable year of the distribution or the preceding taxable year.

Certain elections may be available (including a market-to-market election) to US holders that would result in alternative treatments of the ordinary shares or ADSs. If the Company were a PFIC for any taxable year in which a US holder held ordinary shares or ADSs, a US holder would generally be required to file IRS Form 8621 with their annual US federal income tax returns, subject to certain exceptions.

Additional tax considerations

UK inheritance tax

An individual who is neither domiciled nor deemed domiciled in the UK (under certain existing UK rules relating to previous domicile or long residence, or under proposed expanded UK rules expected to take effect from 6 April 2017) is only chargeable to UK inheritance tax to the extent the individual owns assets situated in the UK. As a matter of UK law, it is not clear whether the situs of an ADS for UK inheritance tax purposes is determined by the place where the depositary is established and records the entitlements of the deposit holders, or by the situs of the underlying share which the ADS represents, but the UK tax authorities may take the view that the ADSs, as well as the ordinary shares, are or represent UK-situs assets.

194IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2018


However, an individual who is domiciled in the US (for the purposes of the Estate and Gift Tax Convention (the Convention), and is not a UK national as defined in the Convention, will not be subject to UK inheritance tax (to the extent UK inheritance tax applies) in respect of the ordinary shares or ADSs on the individual’s death or on a transfer of the ordinary shares or ADSs during their lifetime, provided that any applicable US federal gift or estate tax is paid, unless the ordinary shares or ADSs are part of the business property of a UK permanent establishment or pertain to a UK fixed base of an individual used for the performance of independent personal services. Where the ordinary shares or ADSs have been placed in trust by a settlor, they may be subject to UK inheritance tax unless, when the trust was created, the settlor was domiciled in the US and was not a UK national. If no relief is given under the Convention, inheritance tax may be charged on death and also on the amount by which the value of an individual’s estate is reduced as a result of any transfer made by way of gift or other undervalue transfer, broadly within seven years of death, and in certain other circumstances. Where the ordinary shares or ADSs are subject to both UK inheritance tax and to US federal gift or estate tax, the Convention generally provides for either a credit against US federal tax liabilities for UK inheritance tax paid or for a credit against UK inheritance tax liabilities for US federal tax paid, as the case may be.

UK stamp duty and SDRT

Neither stamp duty nor SDRT will generally be payable in the UK on the purchase or transfer of an ADS, provided that the ADS and any separate instrument or written agreement of transfer are executed and remain at all times outside the UK. UK legislation does however provide for stamp duty (in the case of transfers) or SDRT to be payable at the rate of 1.5 per cent1.5% on the amount or value of the consideration (or, in some cases, the value of the ordinary shares) where ordinary shares are issued or transferred to a person (or a nominee or agent of a person) whose business is or includes issuing depositary receipts or the provision of clearance services. In accordance with the terms of the deposit agreement, any tax or duty payable on deposits of ordinary shares by the depositary or by the custodian of the depositary will typically be charged to the party to whom ADSs are delivered against such deposits.

Following litigation on the subject, HMRC has accepted that it will no longer seek to apply the 1.5 per cent1.5% SDRT charge when new shares are issued to a clearance service or depositary receipt system on the basis that the charge is not compatible with EU law. The Government has confirmed that it will not reintroduce the 1.5% charge on the issue of shares (and transfers integral to the raising of capital) into clearance service or depositary receipt systems following the UK’s exit from the EU. In HMRC’s view, the 1.5 per cent1.5% SDRT or stamp duty charge will continue to apply to transfers of shares into a clearance service or depositary receipt system unless they are an integral part of an issue of share capital.

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This view is currently being challenged in further litigation. Accordingly, specific Specific professional advice should be sought before paying the 1.5 per cent1.5% SDRT or stamp duty charge in any circumstances.

A transfer of the underlying ordinary shares will generally be subject to stamp duty or SDRT, normally at the rate of 0.5 per cent0.5% of the amount ofor value of the consideration (rounded up to the next multiple of £5 in the case of stamp duty). A transfer of ordinary shares from a nominee to its beneficial owner, including the transfer of underlying ordinary shares from the depositary to an ADS holder, under which no beneficial interest passes, will not be subject to stamp duty or SDRT.

US backup withholding and information reporting

Payments of dividends and sales proceeds with respect to ADSs and ordinary shares may be reported to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS)IRS and to the US holder. Backup withholding may apply to these reportable payments if the US holder fails to provide an accurate taxpayer identification number or certification of exempt status or fails to report all interest and dividends required to be shown on its

US federal income tax returns. Certain US holders (including, among others, corporations) are not subject to information reporting and backup withholding. The amount of any backup withholding from a payment to a US holder will be allowed as a credit against the holder’s US federal income tax liability and may entitle the holder to a refund, provided that the required information is timely furnished to the IRS. US holders should consult their tax advisors as to their qualification for exemption from backup withholding and the procedure for obtaining an exemption.

Certain US holders who are individuals or entities closely held by individuals,(and certain specified entities), may be required to report information relating to their ownership of non-US securities unless the securities are held in accounts at financial institutions (in which case the accounts may be reportable if maintained by non-US financial institutions). US holders should consult their tax advisers regarding any reporting obligations they may have with respect to the Company’s ordinary shares or ADSs.

 

 

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Additional Information

Shareholder information continued

Disclosure controls and procedures

 

As of the end of the period covered by this report, the Group carried out an evaluation under the supervision and with the participation of the Group’s management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Group’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a–15(e) and 15d–15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act 1934).

These are defined as those controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in reports filed under the Securities Exchange Act 1934 is recorded, processed, summarised and reported within the specified periods. Based on that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Group’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective.

 

 

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Summary of significant corporate governance

differences from NYSE listing standards

 

The Group’s statement of compliance with the principles and provisions specified in the UK Corporate Governance Code issued in September 2014April 2016 by the Financial Reporting Council (the Code) is set out on pages 6270 and 63.71.

IHG has also adopted the corporate governance requirements of the US Sarbanes-Oxley Act and related rules and of the NYSE, to the extent that they are applicable to it as a foreign private issuer. As a foreign private issuer, IHG is required to disclose any significant ways in which its corporate governance practices differ from those followed by US companies. These are as follows:

Basis of regulation

The Code contains a series of principles and provisions. It is not, however, mandatory for companies to follow these principles. Instead, companies must disclose how they have applied them and disclose, if applicable, any areas of non-compliance along with an explanation for the non-compliance.

In contrast, US companies listed on the NYSE are required to adopt and disclose corporate governance guidelines adopted by the NYSE.

Independent Directors

The Code’s principles recommend that at least half the board,Board, excluding the Chairman,Chair, should consist of independentIndependent Non-Executive directors.Directors. As at 2018 February 2017,2019, the Board consisted of the Chairman,Chair, independent at the time of his appointment, twothree Executive Directors and sixseven Independent Non-Executive Directors. NYSE listing rules applicable to US companies state that companies must have a majority of independent directors. The NYSE set out five bright line tests for director independence. The Board’s judgement is that all of its Non-Executive Directors are independent. However, it did not explicitly take into consideration the NYSE’s tests in reaching this determination.

ChairmanChair and Chief Executive Officer

The Code recommends that the chairmanChair and chief executive officerChief Executive Officer should not be the same individual to ensure that there is a clear division of responsibility for the running of the Company’s business. There is no corresponding requirement for US companies. The roles of ChairmanChair and Chief Executive Officer were, as at 2018 February 20172019 and throughout 2016,2018, fulfilled by separate individuals.

Committees

The Company has a number of Board Committees which are similar in purpose and constitution to those required for domestic companies under NYSE rules. The NYSE requires US companies to have audit, remuneration and nominating/corporate governance committees composed entirely of independent directors, as defined under the NYSE rules. The Company’s Nomination Committee consists only of Non-Executive Directors and the Company’s Audit and Remuneration Committees consists entirely of Non-Executive Directors who are independent under the standards of the Code, which may not necessarily be the same as the NYSE independence standards. The nominating/governance committee is responsible for identifying individuals qualified to become Board

members and to recommend to the Board a set of corporate governance principles. As the Company is subject to the Code, the Company’s Nomination Committee is only responsible for nominating, for approval by the Board, candidates for appointment to the Board, although it also assists in developing the role of the Senior Independent Non-Executive Director. The Company’s Nomination Committee consists of the ChairmanChair and all the Independent Non-Executive Directors.

The ChairmanChair of the Company is not a member of either the Remuneration or the Audit Committee. As set out on page 57,64, the Audit Committee is chaired by an Independent Non-Executive Director who, in the Board’s view, has the experience and qualifications to satisfy the criterion under US rules for an ‘audit committee financial expert’.

Non-Executive Director meetings

NYSE rules require that non-management directors of US companies must meet on a regular basis without management present, and independent directors must meet separately at least once per year. The Code requires: (i) the Board ChairmanChair to hold meetings with the Non-Executive Directors without the Executive Directors present; and (ii) the Non-Executive Directors to meet at least annually without the ChairmanChair present to appraise the Chairman’sChair’s performance. The Company’s Non-Executive Directors have met frequently without Executive Directors being present, and intend to continue this practice, after every Board meeting if possible.

Shareholder approval of equity compensation plans

The NYSE rules require that shareholders must be given the opportunity to vote on all equity compensation plans and material revisions to those plans. The Company complies with UK requirements which are similar to the NYSE rules. The Board does not, however, explicitly take into consideration the NYSE’s detailed definition of ‘material revisions’.

Code of Conduct

The NYSE requires companies to adopt a code of business conduct and ethics, applicable to directors, officers and employees. Any waivers granted to directors or officers under such a code must be promptly disclosed. As set out on page 161,179, IHG’s Code of Conduct is applicable to all Directors, officers and employees, and further information on the Code of Conduct is available on the Company’s website atwww.ihgplc.com/investorsunder Corporate governance. No waivers have been granted under the Code of Conduct.

Compliance certification

Each chief executive of a US company must certify to the NYSE each year that he or she is not aware of any violation by the Company of any NYSE corporate governance listing standard. As the Company is a foreign private issuer, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer is not required to make this certification. However, he is required to notify the NYSE promptly in writing after any of the Company’s executive officers become aware of any non-compliance with those NYSE corporate governance rules applicable to the Company.

 

 

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Selected five-year consolidated financial information

    

    

The selected consolidated financial data set forth in the table below for the years ended 31 December 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 and 20162018 have been prepared in accordance with IFRS as issued by the IASB and in accordance with IFRS as adopted by the EU, and is derived from the audited Group Financial Statements, which have been audited by its independent registered public accounting firm, Ernst & Young LLP.Statements.

IFRS as adopted by the EU differs in certain respects from IFRS as issued by the IASB. However, the differences have no impact on the Group Financial Statements for the years presented. The selected consolidated financial data set forth below should be read in conjunction with, and is qualified in its entirety by reference to, the Group Financial Statements and notes thereto included elsewhere in this Annual Report and Form 20-F.

Group income statement data

 

                                                  
   $m, except earnings per ordinary share 
For the year ended 31 December  2016   2015   2014   2013   2012 
Revenue   1,715    1,803    1,858    1,903    1,835 
Total operating profit before exceptional items   707    680    651    668    605 
Exceptional items   (29   819    29    5    (4
Total operating profit   678    1,499    680    673    601 
Financial income   6    5    3    5    3 
Financial expenses   (93   (92   (83   (78   (57
Profit before tax   591    1,412    600    600    547 
Tax:                         
On profit before exceptional items   (186   (180   (179   (175   (151
On exceptional items   12    (8   (29   (6   1 
Exceptional tax               (45   141 
    (174   (188   (208   (226   (9
Profit for the year from continuing operations:   417    1,224    392    374    538 
Attributable to:                         
Equity holders of the parent   414    1,222    391    372    537 
Non-controlling interest   3    2    1    2    1 
Earnings per ordinary share (continuing and total operations):                         
Basic   195.3   ¢520.0¢    158.3¢    140.9¢    187.1¢ 
Diluted   193.5   ¢513.4¢    156.4¢    139.3¢    183.9¢ 

Group statement of financial position data

     $m, except earnings per ordinary share 
           2017     2016             
For the year ended 31 December              2018         Restateda          Restateda                2015               2014 
Total revenue    4,337     4,075     3,912     1,803     1,858 
Operating profit before exceptional items    670     724     741     680     651 
Exceptional items    (104    4     (29    819     29 
Operating profit    566     728     712     1,499     680 
Financial income    5     4     6     5     3 
Financial expenses    (86    (76    (86    (92 ��  (83
Profit before tax    485     656     632     1,412     600 
Tax:                              

On profit before exceptional items

    (160    (203    (185    (180    (179

On exceptional items

    22     (2    12     (8    (29

Exceptional tax

    5     90                
     (133    (115    (173    (188    (208
Profit for the year from continuing operations:    352     541     459     1,224     392 

Attributable to:

                              

Equity holders of the parent

    351     540     456     1,222     391 

Non-controlling interest

    1     1     3     2     1 
Earnings per ordinary share (continuing and total operations):                              

Basic

    184.7¢     279.8¢     215.1¢     520.0¢     158.3¢ 

Diluted

    182.8¢     278.4¢     213.1¢     513.4¢     156.4¢ 

 

Group statement of financial position data

 

               
     $m, except number of shares 
           2017     2016             
For the year ended 31 December    2018     Restateda      Restateda      2015     2014 
Goodwill and other intangible assets    1,143     967     858     1,226     643 
Property, plant and equipment    447     425     419     428     741 
Investments and other financial assets    364     369     359     420     368 
Non-current trade and other receivables              8     3     3 
Retirement benefit assets         3               8 
Non-current derivative financial instruments    7                     
Non-current tax receivable    31     16     23     37     34 
Deferred tax assets    60     75     69     49     87 
Non-current contract costs    55     51     45           
Non-current contract assets    270     241     185           
Current assets    1,376     863     796     1,606     624 
Assets classified as held for sale                        310 
Total assets    3,753     3,010     2,762     3,769     2,818 
Current liabilities    1,370     1,280     1,150     1,369     943 
Long-term debt    2,129     1,893     1,606     1,239     1,569 
Net (liabilities)/assets    (1,077    (1,301    (1,146    319     (717
Equity share capital    146     154     141     169     178 
IHG shareholders’ equity    (1,085    (1,308    (1,154    309     (725
Number of shares in issue at end of the year (millions)    197     197     206     248     248 

 

                                                            
           $m, except number of shares         
31 December  2016   2015   2014   2013   2012 
Goodwill and other intangible assets   1,292    1,226    643    518    447 
Property, plant and equipment   419    428    741    1,169    1,056 
Investments and other financial assets   359    420    368    321    239 
Non-current trade and other receivables   8    3    3         
Retirement benefit assets           8    7    99 
Non-current tax receivable   23    37    34    16    24 
Deferred tax assets   48    49    87    108    204 
Current assets   778    1,606    624    700    852 
Assets classified as held for sale           310    228    534 
Total assets   2,927    3,769    2,818    3,067    3,455 
Current liabilities   1,134    1,369    943    928    972 
Long-term debt   1,606    1,239    1,569    1,269    1,242 
Net (liabilities)/assets   (759   319    (717   (74   317 
Equity share capital   141    169    178    189    179 
IHG shareholders’ equity   (767   309    (725   (82   308 
Number of shares in issue at end of the year (millions)   206    248    248    269    268 

LOGO

a

Restated for the adoption of IFRS 15 and other presentational changes (see pages 109 to 114 of the Group Financial Statements for further details)

 

Shareholder information        IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2016                1772018  |  Additional Information    |  Shareholderinformation197


SHAREHOLDER INFORMATION CONTINUEDAdditional Information

Shareholder information continued

Return of funds

Since March 2004,2003, the Group has returned over £5.9bn£6.6 billion of funds to shareholders by way of special dividends, capital returns and share repurchase programmes. On 23 February 2016,19 October 2018, the Company announced a $1,500m$500 million return of funds to shareholders via special dividend with share consolidation. The special dividend was paid on 23 May 2016.in January 2019.

 

Return of funds programmeTimingTotal return  Timing                    Total  returnReturned to date 
£501m special dividenda Paid in December 2004  £501m    £501m 
£250m share buyback Completed in 2004   £250m   £250m 
£996m capital returna Paid in July 2005  £996m    £996m 
£250m share buyback Completed in 2006   £250m   £250m 
£497m special dividenda Paid in June 2006  £497m    £497m 
£250m share buyback Completed in 2007   £250m   £250m 
£709m special dividenda Paid in June 2007  £709m    £709m 
£150m share buyback n/ab   £150m   £120m 
$500m special dividenda,c Paid in October 2012  £315md   £315me 
      ($500m   ($505m
$500m share buyback Completed in 2014  £315md    £315m 
     ($500m  ($500m)f 
$350m special dividend Paid in October 2013  £229mg    £228m 
     ($350m  ($355m)h 
$750m special dividenda Paid in July 2014  £447mi    £446m 
     ($750m  ($763m)j 
$1,500m special dividenda Paid in May 2016  £1,038mk   £1,036m1,038mk£1,038m 
     ($1,500m  ($1,500m
Total$400m special dividendaPaid in May 2017£309ml£310m
     ($400m($404m
$500m special dividendaPaid in January 2019£5,947m389mm£388m
    ($500m($510m
Total£5,913m6,645m£6,613m 

 

a 

Accompanied by a share consolidation.

b 

This programme was superseded by the share buyback programme announced on 7 August 2012.

c 

IHG changed the reporting currency of its Consolidated Financial Statements from sterling to US dollars effective from the Half-Year Results as at 30 June 2008.

d 

The dividend was first determined in US dollars and converted to sterling immediately before announcement at the rate of $1=£0.63, as set out in the circular detailing the special dividend and share buyback programme published on 14 September 2012.

e 

Sterling dividend translated at $1=£0.624.

f 

Translated into US dollars at the average rates of exchange for the relevant years (2014 $1=£0.61; 2013 $1=£0.64; 2012 $1 = £0.63).

g 

The dividend was first determined in US dollars and converted to sterling immediately before announcement at the rate of $1=£0.65, as announced in the Half-Year Results to 30 June 2013.

h 

Sterling dividend translated at $1=£0.644.

iI 

The dividend was first determined in US dollars and converted to sterling immediately before announcement at the rate translated at $1=£0.597.

j 

Sterling dividend translated at $1=£0.5845.

k 

The dividend was first determined in US dollars and converted to sterling at the rate of $1 =£0.6923,= £0.6923, as announced on 12 May 2016.

l

The dividend was first determined in US dollars and converted to sterling at the rate of $1 = £0.7724, as announced on 11 May 2017.

m

The dividend was first determined in US dollars and converted to sterling at the rate of £1 = $1.2860, as announced on 17 January 2019.

198IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2018


Purchases of equity securities by the Company and affiliated purchasers

    

During the financial year ended 31 December 2016, 269,9352018, 10 ordinary shares were purchased by the Company’s employee share ownership trust,Company at prices ranging from 2,577 pence4,159 to 2,5934,176 pence per share forunder the purpose of satisfying future share awards to employees.purchase announced by the Company on 18 December 2018 in connection with the $500 million special dividend and consolidation.

 

          Total number of shares   Maximum number    Total number of shares
(or units) purchased
               Average price paid
per share (or unit)
    Total number of shares
(or units) purchased as part
of publicly announced  plans
or programmes
    

Maximum number

of shares (or units) that may

be purchased under the
plans or programmes

 
          (or units) purchased as   of shares (or units) that may 
  Total number of shares   Average price paid   part of publicly announced plans   be purchased under the plans or 
  (or units) purchased   per share (or unit)   or programmes   programmes 
Month 1   200,000    2,593.0763    nil    23,611,725a 
Month 2   69,935    2,576.8975    nil    23,611,725a 
Month 1 (no purchases this month)    nil      nil      nil      18.999.018a  
Month 2 (no purchases this month)    nil      nil      nil      18.999.018a  
Month 3 (no purchases this month)   nil    nil    nil    23,611,725a     nil      nil      nil      18.999.018a  
Month 4 (no purchases this month)   nil    nil    nil    23,611,725a     nil      nil      nil      18.999.018a  
Month 5 (no purchases this month)   nil    nil    nil    19,751,738b     nil      nil      nil      18,999,018b  
Month 6 (no purchases this month)   nil    nil    nil    19,751,738b     nil      nil      nil      18,999,018b  
Month 7 (no purchases this month)   nil    nil    nil    19,751,738b     nil      nil      nil      18,999,018b  
Month 8 (no purchases this month)   nil    nil    nil    19,751,738b     nil      nil      nil      18,999,018b  
Month 9 (no purchases this month)   nil    nil    nil    19,751,738b     nil      nil      nil      18,999,018b  
Month 10 (no purchases this month)   nil    nil    nil    19,751,738b     nil      nil      nil      18,999,018b  
Month 11 (no purchases this month)   nil    nil    nil    19,751,738b     nil      nil      nil      18,999,018b  
Month 12 (no purchases this month)   nil    nil    nil    19,751,738b 
Month 12    10      4.166      10      18,999,018b  

 

a

Reflects the resolution passed at the Company’s AGM held on 85 May 2015.2017.

b

Reflects the resolution passed at the Company’s AGM held on 64 May 2016.

2018.

178                IHG Annual Report and Form 20-F 2016        Additional Information


Share price information

The principal trading market for the Company’s ordinary shares is the London Stock Exchange (LSE). The ordinary shares are also listed on the NYSE, trading in the form of ADSs evidenced by ADRs. Each ADS represents one ordinary share. The Company has a sponsored ADR facility with JPMorgan as ADR Depositary. The following table shows, for the financial periods indicated, the reported high and low middle market quotations (which represent an average of closing bid and ask prices) for the ordinary shares on the LSE, as derived from the Official List of the UK Listing Authority, and the highest and lowest sales prices of the ADSs as reported on the NYSE composite tape.

   £ per ordinary share       $ per ADSa 
Year ended 31 December  high   low        high   low 
2012   17.25    11.60         27.82    18.25 
2013   20.39    17.37         33.54    26.90 
2014   27.10    18.66         42.51    30.88 
2015   28.80    22.09         43.55    33.52 
2016   36.38    21.84         44.67    32.11 
Quarters in the year ended 31 December                         
2015                         
First quarter   27.56    25.33         41.59    38.32 
Second quarter   28.80    25.66         43.55    38.90 
Third quarter   27.43    22.09         42.68    33.52 
Fourth quarter   27.74    22.87         40.41    34.91 
2016                         
First quarter   28.71    21.84         41.27    32.11 
Second quarter   29.28    25.25         41.86    35.14 
Third quarter   33.65    27.59         44.67    36.81 
Fourth quarter   36.38    30.21         44.33    38.16 
2017                         
First quarter (to 20 February)   38.89    36.66         48.33    44.96 
Month ended                         
August 2016   33.65    30.14         44.67    40.31 
September 2016   32.85    30.98         43.95    40.66 
October 2016   33.22    31.30         42.47    38.81 
November 2016   33.31    30.21         41.94    38.16 
December 2016   36.38    32.17         44.33    41.14 
January 2017   37.85    36.66         47.43    44.96 
February 2017 (to 20 February)   38.89        36.81         48.33        46.45 

aFluctuations in the exchange rates between sterling and the US dollar will affect the dollar equivalent of the sterling price of the ordinary shares on the LSE and, as a result, are likely to affect the market price of ADSs.

Dividend history

The table below sets forth the amounts of ordinary dividends on each ordinary share and special dividends, in respect of each financial year indicated.

 

  Interim dividend       Final dividend       Total dividend       Special dividend       Interim dividend       Final dividend       Total dividend       Special dividend 
  pence   cents        pence   cents        pence   cents        pence cents             pence              cents             pence            cents             pence            cents             pence            cents 
2018     27.7      36.3      N/Aa      78.1      N/Aa      114.4      203.8d      262.1d  
2017     24.4      33.0      50.2     71.0      74.6     104.0      156.4b      202.5b  
2016   22.6    30.0       N/Aa    64.0       N/Aa    94.0       438.2b   632.9b      22.6      30.0      49.4     64.0      72.0     94.0      438.2b      632.9b  
2015   17.7    27.5       40.3    57.5       58.0    85.0              17.7      27.5      40.3     57.5      58.0     85.0            
2014   14.8    25.0       33.8    52.0       48.6    77.0       174.9b   293.0b      14.8      25.0      33.8     52.0      48.6     77.0      174.9b      293.0b  
2013   15.1    23.0       28.1    47.0       43.2    70.0       87.1  133.0      15.1      23.0      28.1     47.0      43.2     70.0      87.1     133.0 
2012   13.5    21.0       27.7    43.0       41.2    64.0       108.4b   172.0b      13.5      21.0      27.7     43.0      41.2     64.0      108.4b      172.0b  
2011   9.8    16.0       24.7    39.0       34.5    55.0                9.8      16.0      24.7     39.0      34.5     55.0            
2010   8.0    12.8       22.0    35.2       30.0    48.0                8.0      12.8      22.0     35.2      30.0     48.0            
2009   7.3    12.2       18.7    29.2       26.0    41.4                7.3      12.2      18.7     29.2      26.0     41.4            
2008b   6.4    12.2       20.2    29.2       26.6    41.4           
2008c     6.4      12.2      20.2     29.2      26.6     41.4            
2007   5.7    11.5       14.9    29.2       20.6    40.7       200b         5.7      11.5      14.9     29.2      20.6     40.7      200b       
2006   5.1    9.6       13.3    25.9       18.4    35.5       118b         5.1      9.6      13.3     25.9      18.4     35.5      118b       
2005   4.6    8.1       10.7    18.7       15.3    26.8                4.6      8.1      10.7     18.7      15.3     26.8            
2004   4.3    7.7       10.0    19.1       14.3    26.8       72.0b    

 

a

The sterling amount of the final dividend will be announced on 11 May 201726 April 2019 using the average of the daily exchange rates from 8 May 201723 April 2019 to 10 May 201725 April 2019 inclusive.

b

Accompanied by a share consolidation.

c

IHG changed the reporting currency of its Consolidated Financial Statements from sterling to US dollars effective from the Half-Year Results as at 30 June 2008. Starting with the interim dividend for 2008, all dividends have first been determined in US dollars and converted into sterling prior to payment.

 

LOGO

d

This special dividend was announced on 19 October 2018 and paid on 29 January 2019

 

Sharefolder information        IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2016                1792018  |  Additional Information  |  Shareholder information199


SHAREHOLDER INFORMATION CONTINUED

Shareholder profilesAdditional Information

 

Shareholder information continued

Shareholder profiles

Shareholder profile by type as at 31 December 20162018

Category of shareholder    Number of
                    shareholders
      

Percentage of

            total shareholders

      Number of
            ordinary shares
      Percentage of
          issued share capital
 
Private individuals    33,811      93.62      9,062,327      4.58 
Nominee companies    1,421      3.93      159,881,084      80.91 
Limited and public limited companies    782      2.17      14,993,201      7.59 
Other corporate bodies    92      0.25      13,547,738      6.86 
Pension funds, insurance companies and banks    10      0.03      113,250      0.06 
Total    36,116      100      197,597,600      100 
Shareholder profile by size as at 31 December 2018

 

   
Range of shareholdings    Number of
                    shareholders
      Percentage of
            total shareholders
      Number of
            ordinary shares
      Percentage of
          issued share capital
 
1–199    24,346      67.41      1,463,101      0.74 
200–499    6,493      17.98      2,030,722      1.03 
500–999    2,687      7.44      1,863, 709      0.94 
1,000–4,999    1,816      5.03      3,480,091      1.76 
5,000–9,999    225      0.62      1,588,042      0.80 
10,000–49,999    294      0.81      6,748,648      3.42 
50,000–99,999    77      0.21      5,560,335      2.81 
100,000–499,999    121      0.34      25,665,203      12.99 
500,000–999,999    30      0.08      20,451,816      10.35 
1,000,000 and above    27      0.07      128,745,897      65.16 
Total    36,116      100      197,597,600      100 
Shareholder profile by geographical location as at 31 December 2018

 

   
Country/Jurisdiction

 

    

Percentage of

issued share capital

 

 

UK

 

    46.0 
Rest of Europe

 

    17.5 
US (including ADRs)

 

    34.3 
Rest of world

 

    2.2 
Total

 

    100 

Category of shareholder  Number of
shareholders
     Percentage
of total
shareholders
     Number of
ordinary
shares
     Percentage
of issued
share capital
 
Private individuals   37,186          94.29          10,731,170      5.43 
Nominee companies   1,322      3.35      171,537,462          86.85 
Limited and public limited companies   771      1.95      12,399,108      6.28 
Other corporate bodies   154      0.39      2,787,306      1.41 
Pension funds, insurance companies and banks   7      0.02      62,334      0.03 
Total   39,440      100      197,517,380      100 

ShareholderThe geographical profile presented is based on an analysis of shareholders (by manager) of 40,000 shares or above where geographical ownership is known. This analysis only captures 90.7% of total issued share capital. Therefore, the known percentage distributions have been multiplied by size as at 31 December 2016100/90.7 (1.102) to achieve the figures shown in the table above.

Range of shareholdings  Number of
shareholders
   Percentage
of total
shareholders
   Number
of ordinary
shares
   Percentage
of issued
share capital
 
1 – 199   26,328    66.75    1,600,862    0.81 
200 – 499   7,255    18.40    2,263,937    1.15 
500 – 999   3,093    7.84    2,136,043    1.08 
1,000 – 4,999   2,037    5.16    3,903,056    1.98 
5,000 – 9,999   200    0.51    1,401,141    0.71 
10,000 – 49,999   273    0.69    6,049,459    3.06 
50,000 – 99,999   80    0.20    5,868,279    2.97 
100,000 – 499,999   112    0.28    25,611,958    12.97 
500,000 – 999,999   32    0.08    22,940,558    11.61 
1,000,000 and above   30    0.08    125,742,087    63.66 
Total   39,440    100    197,517,380    100 

Shareholder profile by geographical location as at 31 December 2016

Country/JurisdictionPercentage
of issued
share capitala
UK53.0
Rest of Europe15.2
US (including ADRs)29.4
Rest of world2.4
Total100

aThe geographical profile presented is based on an analysis of shareholders (by manager) of 40,000 shares or above where geographical ownership is known. This analysis only captures 90.3% of total issued share capital. Therefore, the known percentage distributions have been multiplied by 100/90.3 (1.107) to achieve the figures shown in the table above.

As of 2018 February 2017, 14,821,0772019, 14,213,048 ADSs equivalent to 14,821,07714,213,048 ordinary shares, or approximately 7.18 per cent7.84% of the total issued share capital, were outstanding and were held by 573438 holders. Since certain ordinary shares are registered in the names of nominees, the number of shareholders on record may not be representative of the number of beneficial owners.

As of 2018 February 2017,2019, there were a total of 39,26835,179 recorded holders of ordinary shares, of whom 261 had registered addresses in the US and held a total of 427,456383,344 ordinary shares (0.21 per cent(0.2% of the total issued share capital).

 

180                200IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2016        Additional Information2018


Exhibits

    

    

The following exhibits are filed as part of this Annual Report on Form 20-F with the SEC.SEC, and are publicly available through the SEC’s website atwww.sec.gov

 

Exhibit1a

 

Exhibit 1Articles of Association of the Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1 of the InterContinental Hotels Group PLC Annual Report on Form 20-F (File No. 1-10409) dated 11 April 2011)
Exhibit 4(a)(i)4 May 2018 

Exhibit 4(a)(i)aAmended and restated trust deed dated 11 August 2016 relating to a £2 billion Euro Medium Term Note Programme, among InterContinental Hotels Group PLC, Six Continents Limited, InterContinental Hotels Limited and HSBC Corporate Trustee Company (UK) Limited.
Exhibit 4(a)(ii)aShare sale and purchase agreement relating to InterContinental Hong Kong, between Hotel InterContinental London (Holdings) Limited and Supreme Key Limited dated 10 July 2015 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4a(i)4(a)(i) of the InterContinental Hotels Group plcPLC Annual Report on Form 20-F (File No. 1 – 1040.9) dated 310409) date 2 March 2016)
Exhibit 4(a)(iii)a2017) 

Exhibit 4(a)(ii)aFive-year $1.275 billion bank facility agreement dated 30 March 2015, among InterContinental Hotels Group PLC and certain of its subsidiaries, and Bank of America Merrill Lynch International Limited, Barclays Bank PLC, Citibank, N.A. London Branch, Commerzbank Aktiengesellschaft, London Branch, DBS Bank Ltd., London Branch, HSBC Bank plc, SunTrust Bank, The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ, Ltd., The Royal Bank Of Scotland plc, U.S. Bank National Association and Wells Fargo Bank N.A., London Branch (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4a(iii) of the InterContinental Hotels Group plcPLC Annual Report on Form 20-F (File No. 1 – 1040.9)10409) dated 3 March 2016)

Exhibit 4(a)(iv)a(iii) $400 million bank facilityShare purchase agreement between Sustainable Luxury (BVI ) Limited Partnership (acting by its General Partner, Sustainable Luxury (BVI) Limited), Sustainable Luxury Holdings (BVI) Limited and Inter-Continental Hotels Corporation dated 13 January 2015, among InterContinental Hotels Group PLC and certain of its subsidiaries, and Bank of America Merrill Lynch International Limited (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4(a)(i) of the InterContinental Hotels Group PLC Annual Report on Form 20-F (File No. 1-10409) dated 2612 February 2015)2019

Exhibit 4(c)(i)a Paul Edgecliffe-Johnson’s service contract dated 6 December 2013, commencing on 1 January 2014 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4(c) (i) of the InterContinental Hotels Group PLC Annual Report on Form 20-F (File No. 1-10409) dated 26 February 2014)
Exhibit 4(c)(ii)aTracy Robbins’ service contract dated 9 August 2011 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4(c)(i) of the InterContinental Hotels Group PLC Annual Report on Form 20-F (File No. 1-10409) dated 29 March 2012)
Exhibit 4(c)(iii)a26 February 2014) Richard Solomons’ service contract dated 16 March 2011, commencing on 1 July 2011 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4(c)(iii) of the InterContinental Hotels Group PLC Annual Report on Form 20-F (File No. 1-10409) dated 11 April 2011)
Exhibit 4(c)(iv)a

 

Exhibit 4(c)(ii)aRules of the InterContinental Hotels Group Long Term Incentive Plan as amended on 2 May 2014 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4(c)(ix) of the InterContinental Hotels Group PLC Annual Report on Form 20-F (File No. 1-10409) dated 26 February 2015)
Exhibit 4(c)(v)a 

Exhibit 4(c)(iii)aRules of the InterContinental Hotels Group Annual Performance Plan as amended on 2 May 2014 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4(c)(x) of the InterContinental Hotels Group PLC Annual Report on Form 20-F (File No. 1-10409) dated 26 February 2015)

Exhibit 4(c)(iv)aKeith Barr’s service contract dated 5 May 2017, commencing on 1 July 2017(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4(c)(v) of the InterContinental Hotels Group Annual Report on Form 20-F (File No. 1-10409) dated 1 March 2018)

Exhibit 4(c)(v)aElie Maalouf’s service contract dated 19 October 2017, commencing on 1 January 2018(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4(c)(vi) of the InterContinental Hotels Group Annual Report on Form 20-F (File No. 1-10409) dated 1 March 2018)

Exhibit 8 List of subsidiaries as at 31 December 20162018 (can be found on pages 143159 to 145)161)

Exhibit 12(a) Certification of Richard SolomonsKeith Barr filed pursuant to 17 CFR 240.13a–14(a)

Exhibit 12(b) Certification of Paul Edgecliffe-Johnson filed pursuant to 17 CFR 240.13a–14(a)

Exhibit 13(a) Certification of Richard SolomonsKeith Barr and Paul Edgecliffe-Johnson furnished pursuant to 17 CFR 240.13a–14(b) and 18 U.S.C.1350

Exhibit 15(a) Consent of independent registered public accounting firm, Ernst & Young LLP

Exhibit 101XBRL Instance Document and related items

 

a

Incorporated by reference.

LOGO

 

Exhibits        IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2016                1812018  |  Additional Information  |  Exhibits201


Additional Information

Form 20-F cross-reference guide

Item  Form 20-F caption  Location in this document  Page

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

1  Identity of directors, senior management and advisers  Not applicable  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

2  Offer statistics and expected timetable  Not applicable  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

3  Key information    
  

 

  

 

  

 

  3A – Selected financial data  Shareholder information: Selected five-year consolidated financial information  197
    

 

  

 

    Shareholder information: Dividend history  199
  

 

  

 

  

 

  3B – Capitalisation and indebtedness  Not applicable  
  

 

  

 

  

 

  3C – Reason for the offer and use of proceeds  Not applicable  
  

 

  

 

  

 

  3D – Risk factors  Group information: Risk factors  182-186

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

4  Information on the Company    
  

 

  

 

  

 

  4A – History and development of the Company  Group information: History and developments  182
    

 

  

 

    Shareholder information: Return of funds  198
    

 

  

 

    Useful information: Contacts  207
  

 

  

 

  

 

  4B – Business overview  Strategic Report  2-51
    

 

  

 

    Group information: Working Time Regulations 1998  190
    

 

  

 

    Group Information: Risk factors  182-186
  

 

  

 

  

 

  4C – Organisational structure  Group Financial Statements: Note 34 – Group companies  159-161
    

 

  

 

    Group Information – history and development  182
  

 

  

 

  

 

  4D – Property, plants and equipment  Strategic Report: Key performance indicators  31-35
    

 

  

 

    Directors’ Report: Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions  180
    

 

  

 

    Group Financial Statements: Note 12 – Property, plant and equipment  133-134

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

4A  Unresolved staff comments  None  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

5  Operating and financial review and prospects    
  

 

  

 

  

 

  5A – Operating results  Strategic Report: Performance  36-51
    

 

  

 

    Group Financial Statements: Accounting policies  103-108
    

 

  

 

    Group Financial Statements: New accounting standards and presentational changes  109-114
    

 

  

 

    Viability statement  30
  

 

  

 

  

 

  5B – Liquidity and capital resources  Strategic Report: Performance – Liquidity and capital resources  50-51
    

 

  

 

    Group Financial Statements: Note 17 – Cash and cash equivalents  140
    

 

  

 

    Group Financial Statements: Note 20 – Loans and other borrowings  141-142
    

 

  

 

    Group Financial Statements: Note 22 – Financial risk management  144-146
    

 

  

 

    Group Financial Statements: Note 23 – Fair value measurement  147-148
    

 

  

 

    Group Financial Statements: Note 24 – Reconciliation of profit for the year  149
    to cash flow from operations before contract acquisition costs  
  

 

  

 

  

 

  5C – Research and development; intellectual property  Not applicable  
  

 

  

 

  

 

  5D – Trend information  Strategic Report: Performance  36-51
  

 

  

 

  

 

  5E – Off-balance sheet arrangements  Strategic Report: Performance – Liquidity and capital resources  51
    – Off-balance sheet arrangements  
  

 

  

 

  

 

  5F – Tabular disclosure of contractual obligations  Strategic Report: Performance – Liquidity and capital resources  50-51
  

 

  

 

  

 

  5G – Safe harbour  Additional Information: Forward-looking statements  208
  

 

  

 

  

 

  5H – Non-GAAP financial measures  Strategic Report: Performance  36
    

 

  

 

    Other financial information  172-177
    

 

  

 

    Group Financial Statements: Note 6 – Exceptionals  124
    

 

  

 

    Group Financial Statements: Note 10 – Earnings per ordinary share  130
    

 

  

 

    Group Financial Statements: Note 21 – Net debt  143

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

6  Directors, senior management and employees    
  

 

  

 

  

 

  6A – Directors and senior management  Corporate Governance: Our Board of Directors and Our Executive Committee  56-59
  

 

  

 

  

 

  6B – Compensation  Directors’ Remuneration Report  72-85
    

 

  

 

    Group Financial Statements: Note 25 – Retirement benefits  149-153
    

 

  

 

    Group Financial Statements: Note 31 – Related party disclosures  157-158
    

 

  

 

    Group Financial Statements: Note 26 – Share-based payments  153-154
  

 

  

 

  

 

  6C – Board practices  Corporate Governance  52-71
    

 

  

 

    Service contracts and notice periods  81,84
  

 

  

 

  

 

  6D – Employees  Group Financial Statements: Note 4 – Staff costs and Directors’ emoluments  123
    

 

  

 

    Group information: Working Time Regulations 1998  190
    

 

  

 

    Directors’ Report: Employees and Code of Conduct  179
  

 

  

 

  

 

  6E – Share ownership  Directors’ Remuneration Report: Annual Report on Directors’ Remuneration – Scheme interests awarded during 2018  80
    

 

  

 

    Directors’ Remuneration Report: Annual Report on Directors’ Remuneration – Statement of Directors’ shareholdings and share interests  81,84
    

 

  

 

    Group Financial Statements: Note 26 – Share-based payments  153-154
    

 

  

 

    Group information: Directors and Executive Committee members’ shareholdings  187

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

7  Major shareholders and related party transactions    
  

 

  

 

  

 

  7A – Major shareholders  Directors’ Report: Major institutional shareholders  178
    

 

  

 

    Shareholder information: Shareholder profiles  200
  

 

  

 

  

 

  7B – Related party transactions  Group Financial Statements: Note 14 – Investment in associates and joint ventures  136-137
    

 

  

 

    Group Financial Statements: Note 31 – Related party disclosures  157-158
  

 

  

 

  

 

      7C – Interests of experts and counsel  Not applicable  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

202IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2018


 

    

    

Item Form 20-F caption Location in this document Page
1 Identity of directors, senior management and advisers Not applicable 
2 Offer statistics and expected timetable Not applicable 
3 Key information    
 3A – Selected financial data Shareholder information: Selected five-year consolidated financial information 177
    Shareholder information: Dividend history 179
  3B – Capitalisation and indebtedness Not applicable 
  3C – Reason for the offer and use of proceeds Not applicable 
  3D – Risk factors Group information: Risk factors 164 – 167
4 Information on the Company    
 4A – History and development of the Company Group information: History and developments 164
  Shareholder information: Return of funds 178
    Useful information: Contacts 187
 4B – Business overview Strategic Report 2 – 45
  Group information: Working Time Regulations 1998 170
    Group Information: Risk factors 164 – 167
  4C – Organisational structure Group Financial Statements: Note 33 – Group companies 143 – 145
 4D – Property, plants and equipment Strategic Report: Key performance indicators 23-25
  Directors’ Report: Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions 162
    Group Financial Statements: Note 12 – Property, plant and equipment 118
4A Unresolved staff comments None 
5 Operating and financial review and prospects    
 5A – Operating results Strategic Report: Performance 26 – 45
    Group Financial Statements: Accounting policies 98 – 105
 5B – Liquidity and capital resources Strategic Report: Performance – Liquidity and capital resources 22, 45
  Group Financial Statements: Note 17 – Cash and cash equivalents 125
  Group Financial Statements: Note 20 – Loans and other borrowings 126 – 127
  Group Financial Statements: Note 22 – Financial risk management 128 – 131
  Group Financial Statements: Note 23 – Fair value measurement 131 – 132
    Group Financial Statements: Note 24 – Reconciliation of profit for the year to cash flow from operations 133
  

5C – Research and development; intellectual

         property

 Not applicable 
  5D – Trend information Strategic Report: Performance 26 – 45
  5E – Off-balance sheet arrangements Strategic Report: Performance – Liquidity and capital resources 45
  5F – Tabular disclosure of contractual obligations Strategic Report: Performance – Liquidity and capital resources 45
  5G – Safe harbour Additional Information: Forward-looking statements 188
  5H – Non-GAAP financial measures Strategic Report: Performance 26
    Other financial information 156 – 157
    Group Financial Statements: Note 9 – Earnings per ordinary share 117
    Group Financial Statements: Note 21 – Net debt 128
6 Directors, senior management and employees    
  6A – Directors and senior management Corporate Governance: Our Board of Directors and Our Executive Committee 50 – 53
 6B – Compensation Directors’ Remuneration Report 64 – 81
  Group Financial Statements: Note 25 – Retirement benefits 133 – 137
  Group Financial Statements: Note 31 – Related Party Disclosures 142
    Group Financial Statements: Note 26 – Share-based payments 137 – 138
  6C – Board practices Corporate Governance 49 – 63
 6D – Employees Executive Directors’ benefits upon termination of office 168
  Group Financial Statements: Note 3 – Staff costs and Directors’ emoluments 111
  Group information: Working Time Regulations 1998 170
    Directors’ Report: Employees and Code of Conduct 161
 6E – Share ownership Directors’ Remuneration Report: Annual Report on Directors’ Remuneration – Scheme interests 71
  awarded during 2016  
  Directors’ Remuneration Report: Annual Report on Directors’ Remuneration – Statement of Directors’ 72
  shareholdings and share interests  
  Group Financial Statements: Note 26 – Share-based payments 137 – 138
    Group information: Directors and Executive Committee members’ shareholdings 167
7 Major shareholders and related party transactions  
 7A – Major shareholders Directors’ Report: Major institutional shareholders 160
    Shareholder information: Shareholder profiles 180
 7B – Related party transactions Group Financial Statements: Note 14 – Investment in associates and joint ventures 121 – 122
    Group Financial Statements: Note 31 – Related party disclosures 142
  7C – Interests of experts and counsel Not applicable 

Item  Form 20-F caption  Location in this document  Page

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

8  Financial Information    
  

 

  

 

  

 

  8A – Consolidated statements and  Directors’ Report: Dividends  178
    

 

  

 

  

 other financial information

  Group Financial Statements  86-161
    

 

  

 

    Group Information: Legal proceedings  192
    

 

  

 

    Strategic Report: Performance – Other financial information  49-50
  

 

  

 

  

 

  8B – Significant changes  None  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

9  The offer and listing    
  

 

  

 

  

 

  9A – Offer and listing details  Useful information: Trading markets  206
  

 

  

 

  

 

  9B – Plan of distribution  Not applicable  
  

 

  

 

  

 

  9C – Markets  Useful information: Trading markets  206
  

 

  

 

  

 

  9D – Selling shareholders  Not applicable  
  

 

  

 

  

 

  9E – Dilution  Not applicable  
  

 

  

 

  

 

  9F – Expenses of the issue  Not applicable  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

10  Additional information    
  

 

  

 

  

 

  10A – Share capital  Not applicable  
  

 

  

 

  

 

  10B – Memorandum and articles of association  Group information: Articles of Association  189-190
    

 

  

 

    Group information: Rights attaching to shares  189-190
  

 

  

 

  

 

  10C – Material contracts  Group information: Material contracts  191
  

 

  

 

  

 

  10D – Exchange controls  Shareholder information: Exchange controls and restrictions on payment of dividends  192
  

 

  

 

  

 

  10E – Taxation  Shareholder information: Taxation  193-195
  

 

  

 

  

 

  10F – Dividends and paying agents  Not applicable  
  

 

  

 

  

 

  10G – Statement by experts  Not applicable  
  

 

  

 

  

 

  10H – Documents on display  Useful information: Investor information – Documents on display  206
  

 

  

 

  

 

  10I – Subsidiary information  Not applicable�� 

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

11  Quantitative and qualitative disclosures about market risk  Group Financial Statements: Note 22 – Financial risk management and derivatives  144-146

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

12  Description of securities other than equity securities    
  

 

  

 

  

 

  12A – Debt securities  Not applicable  
  

 

  

 

  

 

  12B – Warrants and rights  Not applicable  
  

 

  

 

  

 

  12C – Other securities  Not applicable  
  

 

  

 

  

 

  12D – American depositary shares  Group information: Description of securities other than equity securities  188

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

13  Defaults, dividend arrearages and delinquencies  Not applicable  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

14  Material modifications to the rights of security holders and use of proceeds  Not applicable  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

15  Controls and Procedures    
    

 

  

 

    Disclosure controls and procedures  196
    

 

  

 

    

Statement of Directors’ Responsibilities

Management’s report on internal control over financial reporting

  88
    

 

  

 

    Independent Auditor’s US Report  95

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

16A  16A – Audit committee financial expert  Corporate Governance: Audit Committee Report  64-67
    

 

  

 

    Shareholder information: Summary of significant corporate governance  196
    differences from NYSE listing standards – Committees  
  

 

  

 

  

 

  16B – Code of ethics  Directors’ Report: Employees and Code of Conduct  179
    

 

  

 

    Strategic Report: Our culture, key stakeholders and doing business responsibly  22-25
    

 

  

 

    Shareholder information: Summary of significant corporate governance  196
    differences from NYSE listing standards  
  

 

  

 

  

 

  16C – Principal accountant fees and services  Corporate Governance: Audit Committee Report – External auditor  66-67
    

 

  

 

    Corporate Governance: Audit Committee Report – Non-audit services  66
    

 

  

 

    Group Financial Statements: Note 5 – Auditor’s remuneration paid  123
    to Ernst & Young LLP  
  

 

  

 

  

 

  16D – Exemptions from the listing standards  Not applicable  
            for audit committees    
  

 

  

 

  

 

  16E – Purchase of equity securities by the issuer and           affiliated purchasers  Shareholder information: Purchases equity securities by the Company and affiliated purchasers  199
  

 

  

 

  

 

  16F – Change in registrant’s certifying accountant  Not applicable  
  

 

  

 

  

 

  16G – Corporate Governance  Shareholder information: Summary of significant corporate governance differences from NYSE listing standards  196
  

 

  

 

  

 

  16H – Mine safety disclosure  Not applicable  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

17  Financial statements  Not applicable  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

18  Financial statements  Group Financial Statements  86-161

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

19  Exhibits  Additional Information: Exhibits  201

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

182                IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 20162018  |  Additional information


Item Form 20-F caption Location in this document Page
8 Financial Information    
 8A – Consolidated statements and Directors’ Report: Dividends 160
          other financial information Group Financial Statements 91 – 145
  Group Information: Legal proceedings 172
    Strategic Report: Performance – other financial information 44
  8B – Significant changes None 
9 The offer and listing    
  9A – Offer and listing details Shareholder information: Share price information 179
  9B – Plan of distribution Not applicable 
  9C – Markets Shareholder information: Share price information 179
  9D – Selling shareholders Not applicable 
  9E – Dilution Not applicable 
  9F – Expenses of the issue Not applicable 
10 Additional information    
  10A – Share capital Not applicable 
  10B – Memorandum and articles of association Group information: Articles of Association 169 – 170
    Group information: Rights attaching to shares 169
  10C – Material contracts Group information: Material contracts 171
  10D – Exchange controls Shareholder information: Exchange controls and restrictions on payment of dividends 172
  10E – Taxation Shareholder information: Taxation 173 – 175
  10F – Dividends and paying agents Not applicable 
  10G – Statement by experts Not applicable 
  10H – Documents on display Useful information: Investor information – Documents on display 186
  10I – Subsidiary information Not applicable 
11 Quantitative and qualitative disclosures about Group Financial Statements: Note 22 – Financial risk management 128 – 131
  market risk    
12 Description of securities other than equity securities    
  12A – Debt securities Not applicable 
  12B – Warrants and rights Not applicable 
  12C – Other securities Not applicable 
  12D – American depositary shares Group information: Description of securities other than equity securities 168
13 Defaults, dividend arrearages and delinquencies Not applicable 
14 Material modifications to the rights of security Not applicable 
  holders and use of proceeds    
15 Controls and Procedures Shareholder information: Disclosure controls and procedures 175
  Group Financial Statements: Statement of Directors’ Responsibilities – Management’s report 84
  on internal control over financial reporting  
    Group Financial Statements: Independent Auditor’s US Report 90
16 16A – Audit committee financial expert Corporate Governance: Audit Committee Report 57
  Shareholder information: Summary of significant corporate governance differences from NYSE listing 176
    standards – Committees  
 16B – Code of ethics Directors’ Report: Employees and Code of Conduct 161
  Strategic Report: Doing business responsibly 18 – 19
  Shareholder information: Summary of significant corporate governance differences from NYSE 176
  listing standards  
 16C – Principal accountant fees and services Corporate Governance: Audit Committee Report – External Auditor 59
  Corporate Governance: Audit Committee Report – Non-audit services 59
    Group Financial Statements: Note 4 – Auditor’s remuneration paid to Ernst & Young LLP 111
  

16D – Exemptions from the listing standards for

           audit committees

 Not applicable 
  16E – Purchase of equity securities by the issuer
           and affiliated purchasers
 Shareholder information: Purchases of equity securities by the Company and affiliated purchasers 178
  16F – Change in registrant’s certifying accountant Not applicable 
  16G – Corporate governance Shareholder information: Summary of significant corporate governance differences from NYSE listing standards 176
  16H – Mine safety disclosure Not applicable 
17 Financial statements Not applicable 
18 Financial statements Group Financial Statements 91 – 145
19 Exhibits Additional Information: Exhibits 181

LOGO

Information  |  Form 20-F cross-reference guideIHG Annual Report and Form 20-F 2016                183203


GlossaryAdditional Information

 

Glossary

 

adjusted

excluding the effect of exceptional items and any relevant tax.

ADR

an American Depositary Receipt, being a receipt evidencing title to an ADS.

ADR Depositary (JPMorgan)(J.P. Morgan)

JPMorganJ.P. Morgan Chase Bank N.A.

ADS

an American Depositary Share as evidenced by an ADR, being a registered negotiable security, listed on the New York Stock Exchange, representing one ordinary share of 1820318340/329299pence each of the Company.

AGM

Annual General Meeting of InterContinental Hotels Group PLC.

AMEAEMEAA

Asia,Europe, Middle East, Asia and Africa.

Annual Report

The Annual Report and Form 20–F20-F in relation to the years ending 31 December 20152017 or 20162018 as relevant.

APP

Annual Performance Plan.

Articles

the Articles of Association of the Company for the time being in force.

average daily rate

rooms revenue divided by the number of room nights sold.

basic earnings per ordinary share

profit available for IHG equity holders divided by the weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue during the year.

Board

The Board of Directors of InterContinental Hotels Group plc.PLC.

capital expenditure

purchases of property, plant and equipment, intangible assets, associate and joint venture investments, and other financial assets.

cash-generating units (CGUs)

the smallest identifiable groups of assets that generate cash inflows that are largely independent of the cash inflows from other assets or groups of assets.

Code

UK Corporate Governance Code issued in September 2014April 2016 by the Financial Reporting Council in the UK. The Code was revised in 2018; references to the revised Code are indicated as the ‘new Code’ or ‘2018 Code’.

Companies Act

the Companies Act 2006, as amended from time to time.

Companyor Parent Company

InterContinental Hotels Group PLC.

comparable RevPAR

a comparison for a grouping of hotels that have traded in all months in financial years being compared. Principally excludes new hotels, hotels closed for major refurbishment and hotels sold in either of the two years.

Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR)

the annual growth rate over a period of years, calculated on the basis that each year’s growth is compounded, that is, the amount of growth in each year is included in the following year’s number, which in turn grows further.

constant currency

a current-year value translated using the previous year’s exchangeaverage xchange rates.

contingencies

liabilities that are contingent upon the occurrence of one or more uncertain future events.

continuing operations

operations not classified as discontinued.

currency swap

an exchange of a deposit and a borrowing, each denominated in a different currency, for an agreed period of time.

Deferred Compensation Plan

the Defined Contribution Deferred Compensation PlanPlan.

derivatives

financial instruments used to reduce risk, the price of which is derived from an underlying asset, index or rate.

direct channels

methods of booking hotel rooms (both digital and voice) not involving third partythird-party intermediaries.

Director

a director of InterContinental Hotels Group PLC.

DR Policy

Directors’ Remuneration Policy. The revised DR Policy is on pages 76 to 81 of this Report.

EBIT

earnings before interest and tax.

EBITDA

earningearnings excluding exceptional items and the impact of the System Fund, before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation.

Employee Engagement survey

we ask our employees and those who work in our managed hotels (excluding our joint venture hotels) to participate in a survey to measure employee engagement.

EU

the European Union.

euroor

the currency of the European Economic and Monetary Union.Union.

exceptional items

items that are disclosed separately because of their size or nature.

extended-stay

hotels designed for guests staying for periods of time longer than a few nights and tending to have a higher proportion of suites than normal hotels (Staybridge Suites and Candlewood Suites).

fee business

IHG’s franchise and managed businesses combined.

fee marginor fee-based margin

operating profit as a percentage of revenue, excluding revenue and operating profit from owned, leased and leasedmanaged lease hotels, managed leases, Kimpton in 2015 only, and significant liquidated damages.

franchisee

an owner who uses a brand under licence from IHG.

goodwill

the difference between the consideration given for a business and the total of the fair values of the separable assets and liabilities comprising that business.

Groupor IHG

the Company and its subsidiaries.

Guest Love

IHG’s guest satisfaction measurement tool used to measure brand preference and guest satisfaction.

Guest Reservation Systemor GRS

our global electronic guest reservation system, currently HOLIDEX, IHG’s proprietary system.

hedging

the reduction of risk, normally in relation to foreign currency or interest rate movements, by making offsetting commitments.

hotel revenue

revenue from all revenue-generating activity undertaken by managed and owned, leased and leasedmanaged lease hotels, including room nights, food and beverage sales.

IASB

International Accounting Standards Board.

ICETUS

InterContinental Executive Top-Up Scheme.

IC Plan

InterContinental Hotels UK Pension Plan.

IFRS

International Financial Reporting Standards as adopted by the EU and issued by the IASB.

204IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2018


IHG PLC

InterContinental Hotels Group PLC.

indirect channels

online travel intermediaries and business and leisure travel agents.

184                IHG Annual Report and Form 20-F 2016        Additional Information


interest rate swap

an agreement to exchange fixed for floating interest rate streams (or vice versa) on a notional principal.

liquidated damages

payments received in respect of the early termination of franchise and management contracts.

LTIP

Long Term Incentive Plan.

managed leases

properties structured as operating leases but with the same characteristics as management contracts.

management contract

a contract to operate a hotel on behalf of the hotel owner.

market capitalisation

the value attributed to a listed company by multiplying its share price by the number of shares in issue.

net debt

borrowings less cash and cash equivalents, including the exchange element of the fair value of currency swaps hedging the borrowings.

net rooms supply

net total number of IHG system hotel rooms.

NYSE

New York Stock Exchange.

occupancy rate

rooms occupied by hotel guests, expressed as a percentage of rooms that are available.

ordinary share

from 9 October 2012 until 30 June 2014, the ordinary shares of 14194/329 pence each in the Company; from 1 July 2014, the ordinary shares of 15265/329 pence each in the Company; and from 69 May 2016 the ordinary shares of 18318/329 pence each in the Company; from 8 May 2017 the ordinary shares of 1917/21 pence each in the Company; and from 14 January 2019 the ordinary shares of 20340/399 pence each in the Company.

owner

the ultimate owner of a hotel property.

pipeline

hotels/rooms that will enter the IHG System at a future date. A new hotel only enters the pipeline once a contract has been signed and the appropriate fees paid.

In rare circumstances, a hotel will not open for reasons such as the financing being withdrawn.

ppt

a percentage point is the unit for the arithmetic difference of two percentages.

reimbursable revenues

reimbursements from managed and franchised hotels for costs incurred by IHG, for example the cost of IHG employees working in managed hotels. The related revenues and costs are presented gross in the Group income statement and there is no impact to profit.

revenue management

the employment of pricing and segment strategies to optimise the revenue generated from the sale of room nights.

revenue per available roomorRevPAR

rooms revenue divided by the number of room nights that are available (can be mathematically derived from occupancy rate multiplied by average daily rate).

room count

number of rooms franchised, managed, owned, leased or leasedmanaged lease by IHG.

rooms revenue

revenue generated from the sale of room nights.

royalties

fees, based on rooms revenue, that a franchisee pays to the Group.

SEC

US Securities and Exchange Commission.

Six Continents

Six Continents Limited; previously Six Continents PLC and re-registered as a private limited company on 6 June 2005.

sterlingor pounds sterling, £, penceor p

the pound sterling, the currency of the United Kingdom.

subsidiary

a company over which the Group exercises control.

System

hotels/rooms operating under franchise and management agreements together with IHG owned, leased and leasedmanaged lease hotels/rooms, globally (the IHG System) or on a regional basis, as the context requires.

System contribution to revenue

per centpercentage of rooms revenue delivered through IHG’s direct and indirect systems and channels.

System Fundor Fund

assessment fees and contributions collected from hotels within the IHG System which fund specificallyactivities that drive revenue to our hotels including marketing, the IHG Rewards Club loyalty programme and the global reservation system.our distribution channels.

technology fee income

income received from hotels under franchise and management agreements for the use of IHG’s Guest Reservation System.

total gross revenue

total rooms revenue from franchised hotels and total hotel revenue from managed, owned, leased and leasedmanaged lease hotels. Other than owned, leased and leasedmanaged lease hotels, it is not revenue wholly attributable to IHG, as it is mainly derived from hotels owned by third parties.

Total Shareholder ReturnorTSR

the theoretical growth in value of a shareholding over a period, by reference to the beginning and ending share price, and assuming that dividends, including special dividends, are reinvested to purchase additional units of the equity.

UK

the United Kingdom.

UK GAAP

United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice.

underlying fee revenue

Group revenue excluding revenue from owned and leased hotels, managed leases, and significant liquidated damages.

US

the United States of America.

US 401(k) Plan

the Defined Contribution 401(k) plan.

US dollars, US$, $or ¢

the currency of the United States of America.

working capital

the sum of inventories, receivables and payables of a trading nature, excluding financing and taxation items.

 

 

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Glossary        IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2016                1852018  |  Additional Information  |  Glossary205


Additional Information

Useful information

Investor information

    

 

Website and electronic communication

As part of IHG’s commitment to reduce the cost and environmental impact of producing and distributing printed documents in large quantities, this Annual Report and Form 20-F 20162018 has been made available to shareholders through our website atwww.ihgplc.com/investors under Annual Report.

Shareholders may electronically appoint a proxy to vote on their behalf at the 20172019 AGM. Shareholders who hold their shares through CREST may appoint proxies through the CREST electronic proxy appointment service, by using the procedures described in the CREST Manual.

Shareholder hotel discount

IHG offers discounted hotel stays (subject to availability) for registered shareholders only, through a controlled-access website. This is not available to shareholders who hold shares through nominee companies, ISAs or ADRs. For further details please contact the Company Secretary’s office (see page 187)the opposite page).

Responsible Business Report

In line with our commitment to responsible business practices, this year we have produced a Responsible Business Report showcasing our approach to responsible business and progress against our corporate responsibility targets. Visit www.ihgplc.com/responsible-business for details.

The IHG® Foundation

Launched in 2016, the IHG Foundation is an independent charitable trust that sets the foundations for stronger, healthier and more prosperous communities around the world. Visit www.ihgfoundation. com to learn more.
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Visitwww.ihgplc.com/responsible-business

for details.

Registrar

For information on a range of shareholder services, including enquiries concerning individual shareholdings, notification of a shareholder’s change of address and amalgamation of shareholder accounts (in order to avoid duplicate mailing of shareholder communications), shareholders should contact the Company’s Registrar, Equiniti, on 0371 384 2132a2132a (calls from within the UK) or +44 (0) 121 415 7034 (calls from outside the UK).

Dividend services

Dividend Reinvestment Plan (DRIP)

The Company offers a DRIP for shareholders to purchase additional IHG shares with their cash dividends. For further information about the DRIP, please contact our Registrar helpline on 0371 384 2268a. See www.shareview.co.uk/info/drip for 2268a DRIP application form and information booklet..

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Seewww.shareview.co.uk/info/drip for a

DRIP application form and information booklet.

Bank mandate

We encourage shareholders to have their dividends paid directly into their UK bank or building society accounts, to ensure efficient payment and clearance of funds on the payment date. For further information, please contact our Registrar (see page 187)opposite).

Overseas payment service

It is also possible for shareholders to have their dividends paid directly to their bank accounts in a local currency. Charges are payable for this service.

Go to www.shareview.co.uk/info/ops for further information.

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Go towww.shareview.co.uk/info/ops

for further information.

Out-of-date/unclaimed dividends

If you think that you have out-of-date dividend cheques or unclaimed dividend payments, please contact our Registrar (see page 187)the opposite page).

Individual Savings Account (ISA)

Equiniti offers a Stocks and Shares ISA that can invest in IHG shares. For further information, please contact Equiniti on 0371 384 2244a.0345 300 0430a.

Share dealing services

Equiniti offers the following share-dealing facilities.

Postal dealing

For more information, call 0371 384 2248a.

Telephone dealing

For more information, call 0345 603 7037b.

Internet dealing

Visitwww.shareview.co.uk for more information.

Changes to the base cost of IHG shares

Details of all the changes to the base cost of IHG shares held from April 20032004 to December 2016,January 2019, for UK Capital Gains Tax purposes, may be found on our website atwww.ihgplc.com/investors under Shareholder centre in the Tax information section.

‘Gone away’ shareholders

Working with ProSearch (an asset reunification company), we continue to look for shareholders who have not kept their contact details up to date. We have funds waiting to be claimed and are committed to doing what we can to pay these to their rightful owners. Please contact ProSearch on +44 (0) 800 612 36648671 or email info@prosearchassets.com for further details.

Shareholder security

Many companies have become aware that their shareholders have received unsolicited telephone calls or correspondence concerning investment matters. These are typically from ‘brokers’ who target UK shareholders, offering to sell them what often turn out to be worthless or high-risk shares in US or UK investments. These operations are commonly known as ‘boiler rooms’. More detailed information on this or similar activity can be found atwww.fca.org.uk/consumers/consumers on the Financial Conduct Authority website.

Details of any share dealing facilities that the Company endorses will be included in Company mailings.

Trading markets

The principal trading market for the Company’s ordinary shares is the London Stock Exchange (LSE). The ordinary shares are also listed on the NYSE, trading in the form of ADSs evidenced by ADRs. Each ADS represents one ordinary share. The Company has a sponsored ADR facility with J.P. Morgan as ADR Depositary.

American Depositary Receipts (ADRs)

The Company’s shares are listed on the NYSE in the form of American Depositary Shares, evidenced by ADRs and traded under the symbol ‘IHG’. Each ADR represents one ordinary share. All enquiries regarding ADR holder accounts and payment of dividends should be directed to JPMorganJ.P. Morgan Chase Bank, N.A., our ADR Depositary bank (contact details shown on page 187)the opposite page).

Documents on display

Documents referred to in this Annual Report and Form 20-F that are filed with the SEC can be found at the SEC’s public reference room located at 100 F Street, NE Washington, D.C.DC 20549. For further information and copy charges please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. The Company’s SEC filings since 22 May 2002 are also publicly available through the SEC’s website atwww.sec.gov Copies of the Company’s Articles can be obtained via the website at www.ihgplc. com/www.ihgplc.com/investors under corporateCorporate governance or from the Company’s registered office on request.

 

a 

Lines are open from 8.30am08:30 to 5.30pm17:30 Monday to Friday, excluding UK public holidays.

b 

Lines are open from 8.00am08:00 to 4.30pm16:30 Monday to Friday, excluding UK public holidays.

 

186                IHG Annual Report and Form 20-F 2016        Additional Information


Financial calendars

Dividends

 

206 2016
2016 Special dividend of 438.2p per ordinary share
(632.9¢ per ADR)
Record date6 May
Ex-dividend date9 May
Payment date23 May
2016 Interim dividend of 22.6p per share
(30.0¢ per ADR)
Payment date7 October
2017
2016 Final dividend of 64.0¢ per ordinary sharea
Ex-dividend date4 May
Record date5 May
Payment date22 MayIHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2018


 

Other datesFinancial calendars

Dividends    Other dates  

 

   

2018

   

 

   

2018

2018 Interim dividend of 27.7p per share    

Financial year end

  

31 December

(36.3¢ per ADR)

  

 

    

Payment date

  

5 October

  

 

  

2019

    

Announcement of Preliminary Results for 2018

  

19 February

 

  

2019

  Announcement of 2019 First Quarter Interim  3 May
Special dividend of 203.8p per ordinary share    

Management Statement

  

 

(262.1¢ per ADR)

  

 

  

Annual General Meeting

  

3 May

    Record date

  

11 January

  

Announcement of Half-Year Results for 2019

  

6 August

    Ex-dividend date

  

14 January

  Announcement of 2019 Third Quarter Interim  18 October

    Payment date

  

29 January

  

Management Statement

  

 

    

Financial year end

  

31 December

 

  

2019

    

2018 Final dividend of 78.1¢ per ordinary sharea

  

 

  

 

  

2020

    Ex-dividend date

  

28 March

  

Announcement of Preliminary Results for 2019

  

February

    Record date

  

29 March

    

    Payment date

  

14 May

    

 

2016
Financial year end31 December
2017
Announcement of Preliminary Results for 201621 February
Announcement of 2017 First Quarter5 May
Interim Management Statement
Annual General Meeting5 May
Announcement of Half-Year Results for 20178 August
Announcement of 2017 Third Quarter20 October
Interim Management Statement
Financial year end31 December
2018
Announcement of Preliminary Results for 2017February

a

The sterling amount of the final dividend will be announced on 11 May 201726 April 2019 using the average of the daily exchange rates from 8 May 201723, April 2019 to 10 May 201725 April 2019 inclusive.

Contacts

 

Registered office

Broadwater Park, Denham, Buckinghamshire, UB9 5HR,

United Kingdom

Telephone:

+44 (0) 1895 512 000

Fax:

+44 (0) 1895 512 101

www.ihgplc.com

For general information about the Group’s business,

please contact the Corporate Affairs department at the above

address. For all other enquiries, please contact the Company

Secretary’s office at the above address.

Registrar

Equiniti, Aspect House, Spencer Road, Lancing,

West Sussex, BN99 6DA, United Kingdom

Telephone:

0371 384 2132 (UK calls)

+44 (0) 121 415 7034 (non-UK calls)

For those with hearing difficulties a text phone is available on

0371 384 2255 for UK callers with compatible equipment.

www.shareview.co.uk

ADR Depositary

JPMorganJ.P. Morgan Chase Bank N.A., PO Box 64504,

St. Paul, MN 55120-0854,55164-0504, United States of America

Telephone:

+1 800 990 1135 (US calls) (toll-free)

+1 651 453 2128 (non-US calls)

Email: jpmorgan.adr@wellsfargo.comjpmorgan.adr@eg-us.com

www.adr.com

Auditor

Ernst & Young LLP

Investment bankers

Bank of America Merrill Lynch

Goldman Sachs

Solicitors

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP

Stockbrokers

Bank of America Merrill Lynch

Goldman Sachs

IHG® Rewards Club

If you wish to enquire about, or join, IHG Rewards Club,

visitwww.ihg.com/rewardsclub or telephone:

0871 226 1111+44 (0) 2033 499 033a (UK)

+44 20 3349 9033b (Europe(UK and other countries inside Europe and Africa)

+1 888 211 9874cb (US and Canada)

+1 800 272 9273cb (Mexico)

+1 801 975 3063d (English) (Central and South America)

+1 801 975 3013dc (Spanish) (Central and South America)

+971 4 429 0530dc (Middle East)

+0261 2 9935 8362dc (Australia)

+86 21 2033 4848dc (Mandarin and Cantonese) (China and Hong Kong)(China)

+81 3 5767 9325dc (Japan)

+63 2 857 8778dc (Korea)

+63 2 857 8788dc (all other countries in Asia Pacific)

 

a Telephone calls to this number are charged at 13p per minute. Standard network rates apply. Calls from mobiles will be higher.
b

International calling rates apply.

b

Toll-free.

c Toll-free.
d

Toll charges apply.

 

 

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Useful information        IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2016                1872018  |  Additional Information  |  Useful information207


Additional Information

Forward-looking statements

 

The Annual Report and Form 20-F 20162018 contains certain forward-looking statements as defined under US legislation (Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) with respect to the financial condition, results of operations and business of InterContinental Hotels Group and certain plans and objectives of the Board of Directors of InterContinental Hotels Group PLC with respect thereto. Such statements include, but are not limited to, statements made in the Chairman’sChair’s statement and in the Chief Executive Officer’s review. These forward-looking statements can be identified by the fact that they do not relate only to historical or current facts. Forward-looking statements often use words such as ‘anticipate’, ‘target’, ‘expect’, ‘estimate’, ‘intend’, ‘plan’, ‘goal’, ‘believe’, or other words of similar meaning. These statements are based on assumptions and assessments made by InterContinental Hotels Group’s management in light of their experience and their perception of historical trends, current conditions, expected future developments and other factors they believe to be appropriate.

By their nature, forward-looking statements are inherently predictive, speculative and involve risk and uncertainty. There are a number of factors that could cause actual results and developments to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, such forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to: the risks of political and economic developments; the risk of events that adversely impact domestic or international travel; the risks of the hotel industry supply-and-demand cycle; the Group being subject to a competitive and changing industry;

the Group’s exposure to risks related to executing and realising benefits from strategic transactions, including acquisitions;acquisitions and restructuring; the Group’s dependence upon a wide range of external stakeholders and business partners; the Group’s exposure to increasing competition from online travel agents and intermediaries; the risks related to identifying, securing

and retaining franchise and management agreements; the risks in relation to changing technology and systems; the Group’s reliance on the reputation of its brands and is exposedexposure to inherent reputation risks; the Group’s exposure to risks associated with its intellectual property; the risks involved in the Group’s reliance upon its reservation system and other key technology platforms, and the risks that could causedisrupt the failureoperation and/or integrity of these systems; the risks associated with safety, security and crisis management; the ability to acquire and retain the right people, skills and capability to manage growth and change; the risks associated with collective bargaining activity which could disrupt operations, increase labour costs or interfere with the ability of management to focus on executing business strategies; the risks associated with the Group’s financial stability and its ability to borrow and satisfy debt covenants; the risk of litigation; the risks related to information securitycybersecurity and data privacy; compliance with existing and changing regulations and societal expectations across numerous countries, territories and jurisdictions; and the risks associated with insuring its business.business; the risks associated with uncertainties associated with brand development and expansion; the Group’s exposure to an impairment of the carrying value of its brands, goodwill or other tangible and intangible assets negatively affecting its consolidated operating results; the risk associated with the Group’s operations being dependent on maintaining sufficient liquidity to meet all foreseeable medium-term requirements and provide headroom against unforeseen obligations; the risks associated with credit risk on treasury transactions; and the risks associated with changes in tax rates.

The main factors that could affect the business and financial results are described in the Strategic Report of the Annual Report and Form 20-F 2016.2018.

 

 

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InterContinental Hotels Group PLC’s commitment to environmental issues is reflected in this Annual Report.

This report has been printed on Symbol Matt Plus. Environmental friendly ECF (Elemental Chlorine Free Guaranteed) paper, certified by the FSC® (Forest Stewardship Council). Containing a High content of selected recycled materials (minimum 25% guaranteed).

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208
188                IHG  |  Annual Report and Form 20-F 2016        Additional Information2018


 

 

 

 

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Designed and produced bySuperunion, London.

www.superunion.com

Managed byDonnelley Financial Solutions

InterContinental Hotels Group PLC’s commitment to environmental issues is reflected in this Annual Report.

This report has been printed on Symbol Matt Plus. Environmental friendly ECF (Elemental Chlorine Free Guaranteed) paper, certified by the FSC®(Forest Stewardship Council Containing a high content of selected recycled materials (minimum 25% guaranteed).

The FSC® (Forest Stewardship Council) is a worldwide label which identifies products obtained from sustainable and responsible forest management.

Printed by CPI Colour in the UK, using the latest environmental printing technology and vegetable-based inks.

CPI Colour is a CarbonNeutral® company. Registered with the Environmental Management System ISO14001 and are Forest Stewardship Council (FSC®) chain-of-custody certified.

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InterContinental Hotels Group PLC

Broadwater Park, Denham

Buckinghamshire UB9 5HR

United Kingdom

Tel +44 (0) 1895 512 000

Webwww.ihgplc.com

Make a booking atwww.ihg.com

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InterContinental Hotels Group PLC

Broadwater Park, Denham,

Buckinghamshire UB9 5HR

United Kingdom

Tel +44 (0) 1895 512 000

Fax +44 (0) 1895 512 101

Web www.ihgplc.com

Make a booking at www.ihg.com

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InterContinental Lijiang Ancient Town Resort,

People’s Republic of China

InterContinental Hotels & Resorts

The world’s largest luxury hotel brand,

celebrated its 70th anniversary in 2016.

With more than 185 InterContinental

hotels worldwide, we have the international

know-how and local cultural wisdom to

deliver ‘The InterContinental Life’.


SIGNATURESSIGNATURE

The registrant hereby certifies that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form 20-F and that it has duly caused and authorized the undersigned to sign this Annual Report on Form 20-F on its behalf.

 

 

INTERCONTINENTAL HOTELS GROUP PLC

(Registrant)

(Registrant)
By: /s/ Paul Edgecliffe-Johnson
 

 

 Name: Paul Edgecliffe-Johnson
 Title:  Chief Financial Officer

Date: 2 March 2017February 28, 2019