WPP (WPP) 20-F2020 FY Annual report (foreign)

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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 20-F

(Mark One)

OR

For the fiscal year ended 31 December 2020

OR

OR

Date of event requiring this shell company report                 

For the transition period from                  to                 

Commission file number 001-38303

WPP plc

(Exact Name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

Jersey

(Jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)

Sea Containers, 18 Upper Ground

London, United Kingdom, SE1 9GL

(Address of principal executive offices)

Andrea Harris

Group Chief Counsel

Sea Containers, 18 Upper Ground, London, United Kingdom, SE1 9GL

Telephone: +44(0) 20 7282 4600

E-mail: andrea.harris@wpp.com

(Name, Telephone, E-mail and/or Facsimile number and Address of Company Contact Person)

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

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

Not applicable

(Title of Class)

Not applicable

(Title of Class)

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

None

(Title of Class)

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.

At December 31, 2020, the number of outstanding ordinary shares was 1,225,332,142 which included at such date ordinary shares represented by 13,240,935 ADSs.

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  ☒

Note – Checking the box above will not relieve any registrant required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 from their obligations under those Sections.

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 every Interactive Data File required to be submitted 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, or a non-accelerated filer, or an emerging growth company. See definition of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

If an emerging growth company that prepares its financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards† provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed a report on and attestation to its management’s assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C. 7262(b)) by the registered public accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit report.

☒

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

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  ☒

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

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Forward-Looking Statements

In connection with the provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the ‘Reform Act’), the Company may include forward-looking statements (as defined in the Reform Act) in oral or written public statements issued by or on behalf of the Company. These forward-looking statements may include, among other things, plans, objectives, beliefs, intentions, strategies, projections and anticipated future economic performance based on assumptions and the like that are subject to risks and uncertainties. These statements can be identified by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. They use words such as ‘anticipate’, ‘estimate’, ‘expect’, ‘intend’, ‘will’, ‘project’, ‘plan’, ‘believe’, ‘target’, and other words and similar references to future periods but are not the exclusive means of identifying such statements. As such, all forward-looking statements involve risk and uncertainty because they relate to future events and circumstances that are beyond the control of the Company. Actual results or outcomes may differ materially from those discussed or implied in the forward-looking statements. Therefore, you should not rely on such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date they are made, as a prediction of actual results or otherwise. Important factors which may cause actual results to differ include but are not limited to: the impact of outbreaks, epidemics or pandemics, such as the Covid-19 pandemic and ongoing challenges and uncertainties posed by the Covid-19 pandemic for businesses and governments around the world; the unanticipated loss of a material client or key personnel; delays or reductions in client advertising budgets; shifts in industry rates of compensation; regulatory compliance costs or litigation; changes in competitive factors in the industries in which we operate and demand for our products and services; our inability to realise the future anticipated benefits of acquisitions; failure to realise our assumptions regarding goodwill and indefinite lived intangible assets; natural disasters or acts of terrorism; the Company’s ability to attract new clients; the UK’s exit from the EU; the risk of global economic downturn; technological changes and risks to the security of IT and operational infrastructure, systems, data and information resulting from increased threat of cyber and other attacks; the Company’s exposure to changes in the values of other major currencies (because a substantial portion of its revenues are derived and costs incurred outside of the UK); and the overall level of economic activity in the Company’s major markets (which varies depending on, among other things, regional, national and international political and economic conditions and government regulations in the world’s advertising markets). In addition, you should consider the risks described in Item 3D, captioned “Risk Factors,” which could also cause actual results to differ from forward-looking information. In light of these and other uncertainties, the forward-looking statements included in this document should not be regarded as a representation by the Company that the Company’s plans and objectives will be achieved. Neither the Company, nor any its directors, officers or employees, provides any representation, assurance or guarantee that the occurrence of any events anticipated, expressed or implied in any forward-looking statements will actually occur. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any such forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

PART I

Not applicable.

Not applicable.

Overview

WPP plc and its subsidiaries (WPP) is a leading worldwide creative transformation organisation offering national and multinational clients a comprehensive range of communications, experience, commerce and technology services. At 31 December 2020, the Group, excluding associates, had 99,830 employees. For the year ended 31 December 2020, the Group had revenue of £12,002.8 million and operating loss of £2,278.1 million.

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Unless the context otherwise requires, the terms “Company”, “Group” and “Registrant” as used herein shall also mean WPP.

A. Selected Financial Data

[Reserved]

B. Capitalization and Indebtedness

Not applicable.

C. Reasons for the Offer and Use of Proceeds

Not applicable.

D. Risk Factors

The Company is subject to a variety of possible risks that could adversely impact its revenues, results of operations, reputation or financial condition. Some of these risks relate to the industries in which the Company operates while others are more specific to the Company. The table below sets out principal risks the Company has identified that could adversely affect it. See also the discussion of Forward-Looking Statements preceding Item 1.

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WPP is a leading worldwide creative transformation company offering national and multinational clients a comprehensive range of communications, experience, commerce and technology services. The Company provides these services through a number of established global, multinational and national operating companies that are organised into three reportable segments. The largest reportable segment is Global Integrated Agencies, which accounted for approximately 78% of the Company’s revenues in 2020. The remaining 22% of our revenues were derived from the reportable segments of Public Relations and Specialist Agencies. Excluding associates, the Company currently employs 100,000 people in 111 countries.

The Company’s ordinary shares are admitted to the Official List of the UK Listing Authority and trade on the London Stock Exchange and American Depositary Shares (which are evidenced by American Depository Receipts (ADRs) or held in book-entry form) representing deposited ordinary shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). At 31 December 2020 the Company had a market capitalisation of approximately £9.803 billion.

The Company’s executive office is located at Sea Containers, 18 Upper Ground, London, United Kingdom, SE1 9GL, Tel:+44 (0)20 7282 4600 and its registered office is located at 13 Castle Street, St Helier, Jersey, JE1 1ES.

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A. History and Development of the Company

WPP plc was incorporated in Jersey on 25 October 2012 under the name WPP 2012 plc.

On 2 January 2013, under a scheme of arrangement between WPP 2012 Limited (formerly known as WPP plc), (Old WPP), the former holding company of the Group, and its share owners pursuant to Article 125 of the Companies (Jersey) Law 1991, and as sanctioned by the Royal Court of Jersey (the Jersey Court), a Jersey incorporated and United Kingdom tax resident company, WPP 2012 plc became the new parent company of the WPP Group and adopted the name WPP plc. Under the scheme of arrangement, all the issued shares in Old WPP were cancelled and the same number of new shares were issued to WPP plc in consideration for the allotment to share owners of one share in WPP plc for each share in Old WPP held on the record date, 31 December 2012. Citibank, N.A., depositary for the ADSs representing Old WPP shares, cancelled Old WPP ADSs held in book-entry uncertificated form in the direct registration system maintained by it and issued ADSs representing shares of WPP plc in book entry uncertificated form in the direct registration system maintained by it to the holders. Holders of certificated ADSs, or ADRs, of Old WPP were entitled to receive ADSs of WPP plc upon surrender of the Old WPP ADSs, or ADRs, to the Depositary. Each Old WPP ADS represented five shares of Old WPP and each WPP plc ADS represents five shares of WPP plc.

Pursuant to Rule 12g-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act), WPP plc succeeded to Old WPP’s registration and periodic reporting obligations under the Exchange Act.

Old WPP was incorporated in Jersey on 12 September 2008 and became the holding company of the WPP Group on 19 November 2008 when the company now known as WPP 2008 Limited, the prior holding company of the WPP Group which was incorporated in England and Wales, completed a reorganisation of its capital and corporate structure. WPP 2008 Limited had become the holding company of the Group on 25 October 2005 when the company now known as WPP 2005 Limited, the original holding company of the WPP Group, completed a reorganisation of its capital and corporate structure. WPP 2005 Limited was incorporated and registered in England and Wales in 1971 and is a private limited company under the Companies Act 1985, and until 1985 operated as a manufacturer and distributor of wire and plastic products. In 1985, new investors acquired a significant interest in WPP and changed the strategic direction of the Company from being a wire and plastic products manufacturer and distributor to being a multinational communications services organisation. Since then, the Company has grown both organically and by the acquisition of companies, most significantly the acquisitions of J. Walter Thompson Group, Inc. (now known as Wunderman Thompson LLC) in 1987, The Ogilvy Group, Inc. (now known as The Ogilvy Group LLC) in 1989, Young & Rubicam Inc. (now known as Young & Rubicam LLC) in 2000, Tempus Group plc (Tempus) in 2001, Cordiant Communications Group plc (Cordiant) in 2003, Grey Global Group, LLC (Grey) in 2005, 24/7 Real Media Inc (now known as Xaxis LLC) in 2007, Taylor Nelson Sofres plc (TNS) in 2008, AKQA Holdings, Inc. (AKQA) in 2012, IBOPE Participações Ltda (IBOPE) in 2015, Triad Digital Media, LLC and the merger of most of the Group’s Australian and New Zealand assets with STW Communications Group Limited in Australia (re-named WPP AUNZ Limited) in 2016. During 2018, the Company focused on simplifying its organisation with the completion of the merger of VML and Y&R to create VMLY&R as well as the merger of Burson-Marsteller and Cohn & Wolfe to create Burson Cohn & Wolfe. The merger of Wunderman and J. Walter Thompson to create Wunderman Thompson began at the end of 2018 and was finalized in 2019. In July 2019, the Company entered into an agreement to sell 60% of the Kantar group to Bain Capital Private Equity. The transaction was completed with respect to the sale of approximately 90% of the Kantar group in December 2019. Completion of the sale of the remaining approximately 10% of the Kantar group occurred in 2020. In November 2020, the Company submitted a proposal to the Board of WPP AUNZ to pursue an acquisition of the remaining shares in WPP AUNZ. WPP currently holds a stake of approximately 61.5% of the share capital of WPP AUNZ, which is listed on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX:WPP). The proposed acquisition is in line with WPP’s global strategy of simplifying its structure and will move WPP to 100% ownership and control of its Australian and New Zealand operations. The proposal of A$0.70 per share in cash, which was accepted by WPP AUNZ in December 2020 and approved by shareholders of WPP AUNZ in April 2021, is subject to customary conditions (including regulatory approvals) and, if implemented, is expected to be completed in 2021.

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The Company received £13.3 million, £1,917.0 million and £440.3 million related to acquisitions and disposals in 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively, including proceeds on disposal of investments and subsidiaries, payments in respect of earnout payments resulting from acquisitions in prior years and net of cash and cash equivalents disposed. For the same periods, cash spent on purchases of property, plant and equipment and other intangible assets was £272.7 million, £394.1 million and £375.2 million, respectively, and cash spent on share repurchases and buybacks was £290.2 million, £43.8 million and £207.1 million, respectively.

The Company is subject to the informational requirements of the Exchange Act. In accordance with these requirements, the Company files reports and other information with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. You may read and copy any materials filed with the SEC at www.sec.gov that contains reports, proxy statements and other information regarding registrants that file electronically with the SEC. The Company’s Form 20-F is also available on the Company’s website, www.wpp.com.

B. Business Overview

Introduction

Certain Non-GAAP measures included in this business overview and in the operating and financial review and prospects have been derived from amounts calculated in accordance with IFRS but are not themselves IFRS measures. They should not be viewed in isolation as alternatives to the equivalent IFRS measure, rather they should be read in conjunction with the equivalent IFRS measure. These include constant currency, pro-forma (‘like-for-like’), headline operating profit, headline PBIT (Profit Before Interest and Taxation), headline PBT (Profit Before Taxation), billings and estimated net new business/billings, free cash flow and net debt and average net debt, which we define, explain the use of and reconcile to the nearest IFRS measure on pages 25 to 29.

Management believes that these measures are both useful and necessary to present herein because they are used by management for internal performance analyses; the presentation of these measures facilitates comparability with other companies, although management’s measures may not be calculated in the same way as similarly titled measures reported by other companies; and these measures are useful in connection with discussions with the investment community.

The Company is a leading worldwide creative transformation organisation offering national and multinational clients a comprehensive range of communications, experience, commerce and technology services.

A key element of our strategy is to align our technology capabilities more closely with our creative expertise, and to simplify WPP through the creation of fewer, stronger, integrated agencies. In 2020, we announced we would bring AKQA and Grey together within AKQA Group, and move Geometry into VMLY&R to create VMLY&R Commerce, a new end-to-end creative commerce agency. These moves follow the creation of Wunderman Thompson and VMLY&R in prior years. In 2020 we also announced changes within our public relations business, bringing together three of our agencies to form Finsbury Glover Hering, a leading global strategic communications and public affairs firm.

Global Integrated Agencies

The principal functions of integrated agencies are the planning and creation of marketing, branding campaigns, design and production of advertisements across all media, and media buying services including strategy & business development, media investment, data & technology and content. In 2020, WPP’s integrated agency networks included Ogilvy, VMLY&R, Wunderman Thompson, Grey, GroupM and Hogarth. Following the alignment of AKQA and Grey and the creation of VMLY&R Commerce, from January 2021 AKQA and VMLY&R Commerce will be reported within Global Integrated Agencies.

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Public Relations

WPP’s public relations companies advise clients who are seeking to communicate with a range of stakeholders from consumers to governments and the business and financial communities. They include Burson Cohn & Wolfe (BCW), Hill+Knowlton Strategies, as well as Finsbury Glover Hering.

Specialist Agencies

Our specialist agencies provide services by region or type. In 2020, they included AKQA, GTB, Landor & Fitch and Superunion. From January 2021, AKQA will be reported within Global Integrated Agencies.

The following tables show, for the last three fiscal years, reported revenue and revenue less pass-through costs from continuing operations attributable to each reportable segment in which the Company operates.

The following tables show, for the last three fiscal years, reported revenue and revenue less pass-through costs from continuing operations attributable to each geographic area in which the Company operates and demonstrates the Company’s regional diversity.

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WPP Head Office

The central functions of WPP, with principal offices in London and New York, are to develop the strategy of the Company, coordinate the provision of services to cross-Company clients, perform a range of cross-Company functions in areas such as new business, talent recruitment and development, training, IT, finance, audit, legal affairs, mergers & acquisitions (M&A), property, sustainability, investor relations and communications, promote best practice in areas such as our agencies’ approach to diversity and inclusion, drive operating efficiencies and monitor the financial performance of WPP’s operating companies.

Our strategy

It has been two years since we set out our strategy to return WPP to growth. We have made significant progress, with stronger agency brands, new leadership, a simpler structure and a strong balance sheet. The results were evident in our industry-leading new business performance in 2020.

The events of 2020 have only accelerated the structural changes in our industry, from the expansion of digital channels to growing demand for ecommerce solutions. The actions that we have taken have positioned us well, and we are already working with 76 of our top 100 clients on ecommerce. There are significant new growth opportunities for WPP as clients demand simple, integrated solutions that combine creativity with technology and data expertise. Clients need trusted partners more than ever to help them transform and succeed.

In December 2020, we held a Capital Markets Day to provide an update on progress and to outline our plans to accelerate our growth. We aim to return our communications business to sustainable growth and invest further in the high-growth areas of commerce, experience and technology. A new transformation programme will make us more effective and efficient as we share expertise across a simpler company of stronger agency brands. We are targeting approximately £600 million of cost savings by 2025, of which £400 million will be used to fund investment in the capabilities and technology that will drive future growth for our people, our clients, our agencies, and our shareholders.

The five elements of our corporate strategy are:

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Sustainability

We have set a new sustainability strategy that directs us to use the power of creativity to build better futures for our people, planet, clients and communities. It sets out the action we are taking to make sure we are the employer of choice for all people – a company where a sense of belonging is felt by everyone, and our differences are celebrated. And it shows how we are tackling the greatest environmental challenges we face, committing to reach net zero carbon emissions across our value chain by 2030.

We know our clients also recognise these challenges and are looking for support and advice. That is why we are increasing our skills and capacity to assist them to make the transition to a sustainable and inclusive world. As an employer of 100,000 people in more than 100 countries, we are using our unique convening power and global partnerships to effect positive change for society as a whole. That is why we are proud to partner with the United Nations, especially the World Health Organization and UN Women, to provide our skills in creativity, communications, data and technology to support them as they support the world.

There has never been a better time to seize the opportunities before us. We are determined to do our very best to realise this potential.

Our sustainability strategy is aligned to all five elements of our corporate strategy:

Sustainability at the heart of our offer for clients: A growing number of clients are embracing inclusion, diversity and sustainability and looking to articulate the purpose of their brands. They look for partners who share their sustainability values and aspirations. Our commitment to responsible and sustainable business practices helps us to broaden and deepen these partnerships, and to meet the growing expectations and sustainability requirements in client procurement processes.

Social investment: Our pro bono work can make a significant difference to charities and non-governmental organisations (NGOs), enabling our partners to raise awareness and funds, recruit members, and achieve campaign objectives. Pro bono work benefits our business too, providing rewarding creative opportunities for our people that often result in award-winning campaigns that raise the profile of our companies.

Diverse, equitable and inclusive teams: Diversity and difference powers creativity. We foster an inclusive culture across WPP: one that is equitable, tolerant and respectful of diverse thoughts and individual expression. We want all of our people to feel valued and able to fulfil their potential, regardless of background, lived experience, sex, gender, race and ethnicity, thinking style, sexual orientation, age, religion, disability, family status and so much more.

Privacy and data ethics: Data – including consumer data – can play an essential role in our work for clients. Data security and privacy are increasingly high-profile topics for regulators, consumers and our clients. We have a responsibility to look after this data carefully, to collect data only when needed and with consent where required, and to store and transfer data securely.

Greener office space: Our work to simplify our structure and consolidate our office space is driving a positive impact on our energy use and carbon footprint. We continue to move employees into Campuses, closing multiple smaller sites and replacing them with fewer, larger, more environmentally friendly buildings that offer modern, world-class workspaces.

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Shared values across our business and supply chain: Strong employment policies, investment in skills and inclusive working practices help us recruit, motivate and develop the talented people we need to serve our clients in all disciplines across our locations. Selecting suppliers and partners who adopt standards consistent with our own can reduce costs, improve efficiency and protect our reputation.

Clients

People

Environment

Social investment

Clients

The Group works with 325 of the Fortune Global 500, all 30 of the Dow Jones 30, 62 of the NASDAQ 100, and 61 of the FTSE 100.

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The Company’s 10 largest clients accounted for 16% of the Company’s revenues in the year ended 31 December 2020. No client of the Company represented more than 5% of the Company’s aggregate revenues in 2020. The Group’s companies have maintained long-standing relationships with many of their clients, with an average length of relationship for the top 10 clients of approximately 50 years.

Government Regulation

From time to time, governments, government agencies and industry self-regulatory bodies in the United States, European Union and other countries in which the Company operates have adopted statutes, regulations, and rulings that directly or indirectly affect the form, content, and scheduling of advertising, public relations and public affairs, and market research, or otherwise limit the scope of the activities of the Company and its clients. Some of the foregoing relate to privacy and data protection and general considerations such as truthfulness, substantiation and interpretation of claims made, comparative advertising, relative responsibilities of clients and advertising, public relations and public affairs firms, and registration of public relations and public affairs firms’ representation of foreign governments.

There has been a trend towards expansion of specific rules, prohibitions, media restrictions, labeling disclosures and warning requirements with respect to advertising for certain products, such as over-the-counter drugs and pharmaceuticals, cigarettes, food and certain alcoholic beverages, and to certain groups, such as children. Though the Company does not expect any existing or proposed regulations to have a material adverse impact on the Company’s business, the Company is unable to estimate the effect on its future operations of the application of existing statutes or regulations or the extent or nature of future regulatory action.

IT

We have established the WPP Risk Sub-committee focusing on data privacy, security and ethics. Co-chaired by WPP’s Chief Privacy Officer and Chief Information Officer, the Sub-committee consists of representation from across the security, technology and data leadership. The Sub-committee is responsible for reviewing and monitoring the Group’s approach to regulatory and legal compliance, as well as monitoring data privacy, ethics and security risk. This Sub-committee is pivotal in our approach to our own and our clients’ data, as well as contributing to our overall strategy.

2020 saw the first full-increment version of the WPP Data Privacy & Security Charter. Bringing together our related policies, the Charter communicates our approach to data, setting out core principles for responsible data management through our Data Code of Conduct, our technology, privacy and social media policies, and our security standards (based on ISO 27001).

In 2019, we launched the revised data protection and privacy “Safer Data” training as part of the relaunch of the WPP How We Behave training. Completed by all staff, the new training completely overhauls the content and delivery. This training is augmented by subject-focused training, where required, covering specific regulations, regional laws or activities undertaken by our agencies.

Our annual Data Health Checker provides us with insight into how data is used, stored and transferred and helps to identify any parts of the business that need further support on data practices. The results show us that the majority of our agencies continue to have mitigation measures that match or exceed their level of privacy risk, with the average risk score being 1.6 out of five, where five is the maximum score possible and indicates maximum risk.

C. Organizational Structure

The Company’s business comprises the provision of creative transformation services on a national, multinational and global basis. It operates in 111 countries (including associates). For a list of the Company’s subsidiary undertakings and their country of incorporation see Exhibit 8.1 to this Form 20-F.

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D. Property, Plant and Equipment

The majority of the Company’s properties are leased, although certain properties which are used mainly for office space are owned. Owned properties are in Latin America (principally in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Mexico, Peru and Puerto Rico), Asia (India and China) and in Europe (Spain and UK). Principal leased properties, which include office space at the following locations:

The Company considers its properties, owned or leased, to be in good condition and generally suitable and adequate for the purposes for which they are used. At 31 December 2020, the fixed asset value (cost less depreciation) representing land, freehold buildings and leasehold buildings as reflected in the Company’s consolidated financial statements was £613.7 million.

In 2020, we added three new Campuses in Chicago, Hong Kong and Rome, taking the total to 20. Before the end of 2021 we expect to open a further 11 sites. Under our simplification strategy, we expect to locate 85% of our people in Campuses by 2025, compared to 33% today, and a reduction in our office space requirements of between 15% and 20%.

See note 13 to the consolidated financial statements for a schedule by years of lease payments as at 31 December 2020.

Not applicable.

As introduced on page 7, certain Non-GAAP measures are included in the operating and financial review and prospects.

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A. Operating Results

Overview

WPP is a creative transformation company with a service offering that allows us to meet the present and future needs of our clients. Our business model is client-centric, and we leverage resource and skills across our internal structures to provide the best possible service. The Company offers services in three reportable segments:

In 2020, approximately 78% of the Company’s consolidated revenues from continuing operations were derived from Global Integrated Agencies, with the remaining 22% of its revenues being derived from the remaining two segments.

The following discussion is based on the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements beginning on page F-1 of this report. The Group’s consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with IFRS as issued by the IASB.

2020 was a tough year for everyone, including our people as they faced the personal and professional challenges of Covid-19. Since March 16 last year, most of them have been working, for most of the time, from their homes – and dealing with all the difficulties this brings. Their commitment to our clients, support for one another and contribution to the communities we serve have been a constant source of inspiration and pride.

Our Company’s performance has been remarkably resilient, thanks to the efforts of our people and the demonstrable value of what we do for our clients. While revenues were significantly impacted as clients reduced spending, particularly in the second quarter, our performance exceeded our own expectations and those of the market throughout the year.

The actions taken during 2018 and 2019 to streamline and simplify WPP, and the reduction in our debt to sustainable levels meant that we entered 2020 in a strong financial position. In March 2020 we took action to strengthen our business further, including the suspension of the Kantar share buyback scheme and final dividend for 2019, and a comprehensive programme of cost reduction and cash conservation initiatives, with the aim of protecting as many jobs as possible. More than 3,000 senior executives, beginning with the Board and Executive Committee, volunteered to take a 20% cut in their fees or salary for a three-month period.

We saw five years’ worth of innovation in five weeks as society and the economy were digitised at amazing speed. Platforms like TikTok – with whom we signed an exclusive global partnership at the beginning of 2021 – saw record growth. It quickly became clear that the pandemic was accelerating the trends on which we based our vision for WPP, from the explosion of ecommerce and digital experiences as people’s lives went online, to growing demand from clients for simple, integrated solutions that combine outstanding creativity with sophisticated data and technology skills.

Having modernised our client offer, simplified our structure and strengthened our agency brands in the 18 months before the pandemic began, we saw the benefits of this acceleration in parts of our business. And because we have such close relationships with the world’s leading companies, we could understand their requirements, react quickly to changing consumer behaviour and deliver what clients need. Being fast was vital, and work that might have taken weeks or months to conceive and produce before the pandemic was turned around in days or even hours.

We had a very positive year in terms of client retention and business development, winning an industry-leading $4.4 billion in net new business during 2020 with clients including Alibaba, HSBC, Intel, Uber and Unilever.

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Our client satisfaction scores continued to improve as we were recognized for our capabilities in experience, commerce and technology, alongside our classic strengths in communications. During 2020 we worked with 76 of our top 100 clients on ecommerce assignments.

The share price decreased by 25% in 2020 as compared to 2019, closing at 800.0 pence at year end. Since then it has increased to 967.8 pence, up 21%, at 23 April 2021. Dividends in respect of 2020 are 24.0 pence, an increase from 22.7 pence in respect of 2019.

2020 compared with 2019

The financial results for 2020 are based on the Group’s continuing operations and the results of Kantar are presented separately as discontinued operations.

Revenues

Revenue was down 9.3% at £12.003 billion in 2020 compared to £13.234 billion in 2019. Revenue on a constant currency basis was down 8.1% compared with last year. Net changes from acquisitions and disposals had a negative impact of 0.8% on growth, leading to a like-for-like performance, excluding the impact of currency and acquisitions, of -7.3%, as compared to 2019. Billings were £46.918 billion in 2020, down 11.6% from £53.059 billion in 2019, and down 9.6% on a like-for-like basis compared to last year.

Costs of services, general and administrative costs

Costs of services decreased by 7.7% in 2020 to £9,987.9 million from £10,825.1 million in 2019.

General and administrative costs increased by 285.7% in 2020 to £4,293.0 million from £1,113.1 million in 2019, principally in relation to an increase in goodwill impairment, an increase in investment write-downs, and an increase in restructuring and transformation costs. Restructuring and transformation costs mainly comprise severance and property-related costs arising from the continuing structural review of parts of the Group’s operations and our response to the Covid-19 situation.

Staff costs decreased by 7.5% in 2020 to £6,556.5 million from £7,090.6 million in 2019. Staff costs, excluding incentives (short- and long-term incentives and cost of share-based incentives), decreased by 6.3%. Incentive payments were £185 million compared to £294 million in 2019.

On a like-for-like basis, the average number of people in the Group in 2020 was 102,822 compared to 106,185 in 2019. On the same basis, the total number of people at 31 December 2020 was 99,830 compared to 106,478 at 31 December 2019.

Impairments of £3.119 billion (including £2.823 billion of goodwill impairments and £0.296 billion of investment and other write-downs) were recognised in 2020. The goodwill impairments relate to historical acquisitions whose carrying values have been reassessed in light of the impact of Covid-19. The impairments are driven by a combination of higher discount rates used to value future cash flows, a lower profit base in 2020 and lower industry growth rates. The majority of the impairments relate to businesses acquired as part of the Y&R acquisition in 2000.

In addition to the impairments outlined above, the Group incurred net exceptional losses of £477 million in 2020. This comprises the Group’s share of associate company exceptional losses (£146 million), restructuring and transformation costs (£313 million) and other net exceptional losses (£18 million). Restructuring and transformation costs mainly comprise severance and property-related costs arising from the continuing structural review of parts of the Group’s operations and our response to the Covid-19 situation. This compares with net exceptional losses in 2019 of £136 million.

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Operating loss/profit

Operating loss was £2.278 billion in 2020 compared to a profit of £1.296 billion in 2019, reflecting principally the impairments of £3.119 billion (including £2.823 billion goodwill impairments and £0.296 billion of investment and other write-downs) that were recognized in 2020. Headline operating profit was down 19.2% to £1.261 billion in 2020 compared to £1.561 billion in 2019, and down 17.2% on a like-for-like basis compared to 2019. The sharp decline in profitability year-on-year reflects the sudden and significant impact of Covid-19 on revenue.

Loss/profit before interest and tax

Loss before interest and tax was £2.414 billion in 2020, compared to a profit of £1.311 billion in 2019. Headline PBIT for 2020 was down 21.7% to £1.271 billion from £1.623 billion for 2019.

Finance and investment income, finance costs and revaluation and retranslation of financial instruments

Net finance costs, finance and investment income less finance costs (excluding the revaluation and retranslation of financial instruments), were £229.3 million compared with £260.0 million in 2019, a decrease of £30.7 million year-on-year, primarily as a result of lower average net debt. Revaluation and retranslation of financial instruments resulted in a loss of £147.2 million in 2020, a decrease of £311.0 million from a gain of £163.8 million in 2019 primarily as a result of £196.3 million of retranslation losses for the year ended 31 December 2020.

Loss/profit before taxation

Loss before tax was £2.791 billion in 2020, compared to a profit of £1.214 billion in 2019, reflecting principally the £3.119 billion of impairment charges and investment write-downs and £313 million of restructuring and transformation costs. Headline PBT was down 23.6% to £1.041 billion in 2020 from £1.363 billion in 2019, and down 24.6% on a like-for-like basis compared to 2019.

Taxation

The Group’s effective tax rate on loss/profit before tax was -4.6% in 2020 against 22.6% in 2019.

The difference in the rate in 2020 was principally due to non-deductible goodwill impairment. Given the Group’s geographic mix of profits and the changing international tax environment, the tax rate is expected to increase slightly over the next few years.

Loss/profit for the year

Loss after tax was £2.920 billion, compared to a profit of £0.939 billion in 2019. Losses attributable to shareholders was £2.974 billion, compared to a profit of £0.860 billion, again reflecting principally the £3.119 billion of impairments, £313 million of restructuring and transformation losses and £146 million of the Group’s share of associate company exceptional losses. See note 4 to the consolidated financial statements for more details of share of associate company exceptional losses.

Diluted loss per share was 243.2p, compared to earnings per share of 68.2p in the prior period.

Segment performance

Performance of the Group’s businesses is reviewed by management based on headline operating profit. A table showing these amounts by reportable segment and geographical area for each of the three years ended 31 December 2020, 2019 and 2018 is presented in note 2 to the consolidated financial statements. To supplement

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the reportable segment information presented in note 2 to the consolidated financial statements, the following tables give details of revenue change and revenue less pass-through costs change by geographical area and reportable segment on a reported and like-for-like basis. Headline operating profit and headline operating profit margin by reportable segment are also provided below.

Geographical area

North America like-for-like revenue less pass-through costs was down 5.7% in the final quarter. The United States continued its trend of relative resilience compared to other markets, with VMLY&R and BCW both growing in the fourth quarter. This was offset by GroupM, which saw a slight deterioration compared to the third quarter. Canada finished the year strongly, on the back of new business wins. On a full-year basis, like-for-like revenue less pass-through costs in North America was -5.8%.

United Kingdom like-for-like revenue less pass-through costs was down 7.4% in the final quarter, a slight deterioration on the third quarter. AKQA and BCW were the best performers in the fourth quarter, both growing year-on-year. The lockdown in the UK limited the recovery in the larger integrated agencies. On a full year basis, like-for-like revenue less pass-through costs was -10.5%.

Western Continental Europe like-for-like revenue less pass-through costs was down 3.9% in the final quarter, an improvement on the third quarter performance. The recovery was led by Germany, the Netherlands, Denmark and Sweden. France, Spain and Italy continued to experience Covid-related headwinds. On a full-year basis, like-for-like revenue less pass-through costs was -8.1%.

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In Asia Pacific, Latin America, Africa & the Middle East and Central & Eastern Europe, like-for-like revenue less pass-through costs was down 8.8% in the final quarter, the best quarter-on-quarter improvement of all the regions. The sequential improvement from the third quarter was driven by Asia Pacific and Latin America, with performance in the other regions slightly deteriorating in the fourth quarter. On a full-year basis, like-for-like revenue less pass-through costs was -10.3%.

Reportable Segments

Global Integrated Agencies like-for-like revenue less pass-through costs was down 6.3% in the final quarter, a small improvement on the third quarter performance. VMLY&R was the best performing integrated agency, returning to growth in the fourth quarter and demonstrating its improving business momentum since the merger. GroupM like-for-like revenue less pass-through costs was down 4.1% in the fourth quarter, similar to the third quarter. Of the other agencies, Wunderman Thompson improved slightly quarter-on-quarter, while trends at Ogilvy and Grey marginally deteriorated. From 2021, AKQA and Grey will come together within the AKQA Group, and Geometry will be incorporated within VMLY&R. For the full year, like-for-like revenue less pass-through costs for the segment was -7.9%. Headline operating profit was down £251.7 million from £1,219.5 million for the year ended 31 December 2019 to £967.8 million for the year ended 31 December 2020.

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Public Relations like-for-like revenue less pass-through costs was -4.1% in the final quarter. The trend at BCW, our largest agency within Public Relations, continued to improve, but H+K Strategies and Specialist PR were weaker in the fourth quarter as a result of a strong comparative period. In July, we announced the merger of Finsbury, Glover Park and Hering Schuppener to form Finsbury Glover Hering, to create a leading global strategic communications and public affairs business. Since the transaction, the business has achieved strong traction both with clients and in attracting new talent. For the full year, like-for-like revenue less pass-through costs for the segment was -4.0%. Headline operating profit was up £0.7 million from £140.6 million for the year ended 31 December 2019 to £141.3 million for the year ended 31 December 2020.

Specialist Agencies like-for-like revenue less pass-through costs was down 8.6% in the final quarter. All of our main agencies improved performance over the third quarter, with AKQA, Superunion and Landor & Fitch showing the biggest sequential improvements. For the full year, like-for-like revenue less pass-through costs for the segment was -11.5%. Headline operating profit was down £49.1 million from £200.5 million for the year ended 31 December 2019 to £151.4 million for the year ended 31 December 2020.

Adjustment of 30 June 2020 Impairment

The goodwill impairment charge recognised for the year ended 31 December 2020 includes £2,812.9 million related to the six-month period ended 30 June 2020. This figure is £328.2 million higher than the £2,484.7 million previously reported in the 30 June 2020 interim financial statements as a result of an adjustment to appropriately reflect the working capital cash flow assumptions in the impairment model.

The table below reflects the impact of the adjustment on key income statement and balance sheet line items. The £333.3 million adjustment reflects the £328.2 million increase in the goodwill impairment charge and a £5.1 million increase primarily in impairment of right-of-use assets with a related increase in the deferred tax credit of £13.1 million and a corresponding decrease in deferred tax liabilities.

We will reflect these adjustments in the comparatives included in the 2021 interim financial statements.

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The following table presents the CGUs with significant goodwill impairments that were recognised as at 30 June 2020, both as previously reported and as adjusted for the identified adjustment.

2019 compared with 2018

For a discussion of the year ended 31 December 2019 compared to the year ended 31 December 2018, please refer to “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects” in our Annual Report on Form 20-F/A for the year ended 31 December 2019.

B. Liquidity and Capital Resources

General—The primary sources of funds for the Group are cash generated from operations and funds available under its credit facilities. The primary uses of cash funds in recent years have been for debt service and repayment, capital expenditures, acquisitions, share repurchases and cancellations and dividends. For a breakdown of the Company’s sources and uses of cash and for the Company’s liquidity risk management see the “Consolidated Cash Flow Statement” and note 25, which are included as part of the Company’s consolidated financial statements in Item 18 of this Report.

In 2020 the attractiveness of our investment proposition was demonstrated by our performance, which exceeded both our own expectations and those of the market. We believe we are in a strong financial position with diverse revenue streams from a balanced global portfolio, resilient revenue streams from a varied client base that covers all sectors, a predominantly variable cost structure which protects profitability during a downturn. We have a strong balance sheet and ample liquidity due to strong cash generation and over 60 disposals. As at 31 December 2020 we had cash and cash equivalents of £4.3 billion comprised of £12.9 billion of cash and short-term deposits and £8.6 billion of bank overdrafts. Total liquidity, including undrawn credit facilities, was £6.4 billion.

Funds returned to shareholders in 2020 totaled £412 million, including dividends and share buybacks. In 2020, 32.8 million shares, or 2.5% of the issued share capital, were purchased at a cost of £290 million.

The Group’s liquidity is affected primarily by the working capital flows associated with its media buying activities on behalf of clients. The working capital movements relate primarily to the Group’s billings. Billings comprise the gross amounts billed to clients in respect of commission-based/fee-based income together with the total of other fees earned. In 2020, billings were £46.9 billion, or 3.9 times the revenue of the Group. The inflows and outflows associated with media buying activity therefore represent significant cash flow within each month of the year and are forecast and re-forecast on a regular basis throughout the year by the Group’s treasury staff so as to ensure that there is continuing coverage of peak requirements through committed borrowing facilities from the Group’s bankers and other sources.

Liquidity risk management—The Group manages liquidity risk by ensuring continuity and flexibility of funding even in difficult market conditions. Undrawn committed borrowing facilities are maintained in excess of peak

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net-borrowing levels and debt maturities are closely monitored. Targets for debt less cash position are set on an annual basis and, to assist in meeting this, working capital targets are set for all the Group’s major operations. See additional discussion on liquidity risk in note 25 to the consolidated financial statements.

Debt

The Company’s borrowings consist of bonds and revolving credit facilities; details on the Company’s borrowings are provided in note 10 to the consolidated financial statements.

The Group has a five-year Revolving Credit Facility of $2.5 billion due March 2026 (extended from March 2025 in February 2021). Borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility are governed by certain financial covenants based on the results and financial position of the Group, including requirements that (i) the interest coverage ratio for each financial period equal or exceed 5.0 to 1 and (ii) the ratio of borrowed funds to earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation at 30 June and 31 December in each year shall not exceed 3.5 to 1, both covenants are defined in the relevant agreement. The Group is in compliance with both covenants.

The Group also has a one-year Revolving Credit Facility of A$150 million due August 2021 and a three-year Revolving Credit Facility of A$270 million due August 2023. Borrowings under these facilities are governed by certain financial covenants based on the results and financial position of WPP AUNZ, including requirements that (i) the interest coverage ratio for each financial period equal or exceed 4.0 to 1 and (ii) the ratio of borrowed funds to earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation at 30 June and 31 December in each year shall not exceed 3.0 to 1, both covenants are defined in the relevant agreement. The Group is in compliance with both covenants.

Hedging of financial instruments—The Group’s policy on interest rate and foreign exchange rate management sets out the instruments and methods available to hedge interest and currency risk exposures and the control procedures in place to ensure effectiveness. The Group uses derivative financial instruments to reduce exposure to foreign exchange risk and interest rate movements. The Group does not hold or issue derivative financial instruments for speculative purposes.

Cash flow and balance sheet

Net cash inflow from operating activities increased to £2.055 billion in 2020 from £1.851 billion in 2019. Operating loss from continuing and discontinued operations was £2.267 billion, depreciation and amortisation

£631 million, impairments and investment and other write downs £3,316 million, non-cash share-based incentive charges £74 million, working capital and provisions inflow £838 million, earnout payments £115 million, net interest paid £100 million, tax paid £372 million, lease liabilities (including interest) paid £399 million, capital expenditure £273 million and other net cash outflows £50 million. Free cash flow was, therefore, an inflow of £1,283 million.

Free cash flow inflow was enhanced by £284 million disposal proceeds (of which £272 million was disposals of investments and subsidiaries net of cash disposed and £11 million was disposal of property, plant and equipment) and reduced by £144 million in net initial acquisition payments, £122 million in dividend payments and

£290 million of share repurchases and buybacks, which resulted in a cash inflow of £1.0 billion compared to £2.5 billion in 2019.

The main drivers of the cash flow performance year-on-year were the lower operating profit as a result of the impact of the pandemic, lower net disposal proceeds, and the share buybacks, offset by the very strong working capital performance and a reduction in the dividend.

As at 31 December 2020 we had cash and cash equivalents of £4.3 billion and total liquidity, including undrawn credit facilities, of £6.4 billion. Debt financing was £13.6 billion at 31 December 2020, compared to £12.8 billion at 31 December 2019, an increase of £0.7 billion. Average net debt in 2020 was £2.3 billion, compared to £4.4 billion in 2019, at 2020 exchange rates. On 31 December 2020, net debt was £0.7 billion, against £1.5 billion on

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31 December 2019, a reduction of £1.0 billion at 2020 exchange rates. The reduced net debt figure year-on-year mainly reflects the benefit of the improved working capital performance and the reduced outflow from dividend payments.

In May 2020, we issued bonds of €750 million and £250 million. Our bond portfolio at 31 December 2020 had an average maturity of 7.4 years, with no maturities until 2022.

Refer to Item 5F for details on the Company’s material commitments for capital expenditures at 31 December 2020.

Going concern

The Group’s business activities, together with the factors likely to affect its future development, performance and position are set out in the Operating Results on pages 14 to 20 and Risk Factors on pages 2 to 5. The financial position of the Group, its cash flows, liquidity position and borrowing facilities are described in the financial statements and the notes to the financial statements include the company’s objectives, policies and processes for managing its capital; its financial risk management objectives; details of its financial instruments and hedging activities; and its exposures to credit risk and liquidity risk. The Company’s forecasts and projections, taking account of (i) reasonably possible declines in revenue less pass through costs; and (ii) remote declines in revenue less pass-through costs for stress-testing purposes as a consequence of the Covid-19 pandemic compared to 2020, considering the Group’s bank covenant and liquidity headroom taking into account the suspension of share buybacks, dividends and acquisitions, and cost mitigation actions which are and which could be implemented, show that the Company and the Group would be able to operate with appropriate liquidity and within its banking covenants and be able to meet its liabilities as they fall due. The Company modelled a range of revenue less pass through cost declines up to 30% compared with the year ended 31 December 2020. The Directors therefore have a reasonable expectation that the Company and the Group have adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus they continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements.

This section is included in the 2020 WPP Annual Report posted on the Company’s website at www.wpp.com/investors pursuant to UK requirements and is provided in this Form 20-F as supplemental information. This Annual Report on Form 20-F does not incorporate by reference information on the Company’s website. The 2020 WPP Annual Report will be furnished to the SEC on Form 6-K.

Summarised financial information about Guarantors and Issuers of Guaranteed Securities

WPP Finance 2010 has in issue $500 million of 3.625% bonds due September 2022 and $93 million ($28 million was repaid in 2018 and $179 million was repaid in 2019 from the $300 million initially issued) of 5.125% bonds due September 2042 with WPP plc as parent guarantor and WPP Air 1, WPP 2008 Limited, WPP 2005 Limited, WPP 2012 Limited and WPP Jubilee Limited as subsidiary guarantors. WPP Finance 2010 repaid in full $812 million of 4.75% bonds due November 2021 on December 27, 2019.

In the event that WPP Finance 2010 fails to pay the holders of the securities, thereby requiring WPP plc, WPP Air 1, WPP 2008 Limited, WPP 2005 Limited, WPP 2012 Limited or WPP Jubilee Limited to make payment pursuant to the terms of their full and unconditional, and joint and several guarantee of those securities, there is no impediment to WPP plc, WPP Air 1, WPP 2008 Limited, WPP 2005 Limited, WPP 2012 Limited or WPP Jubilee Limited obtaining reimbursement for any such payments from WPP Finance 2010.

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For the year ended 31 December 2020, £m

WPP Finance 2010 has in issue $750 million of 3.750% bonds due September 2024 and $220 million ($50 million was repaid in 2018 and $230 million was repaid in 2019 from the $500 million initially issued) of 5.625% bonds due November 2043, with WPP plc as parent guarantor and WPP Jubilee Limited and WPP 2005 Limited as subsidiary guarantors.

In the event that WPP Finance 2010 fails to pay the holders of the securities, thereby requiring WPP plc, WPP Jubilee Limited or WPP 2005 Limited to make payment pursuant to the terms of their full and unconditional, and joint and several guarantee of those securities, there is no impediment to WPP plc, WPP Jubilee Limited or WPP 2005 Limited obtaining reimbursement for any such payments from WPP Finance 2010.

For the year ended 31 December 2020, £m

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The issuer and guarantors of the bonds (issuer and subsidiary guarantors are 100% owned by WPP plc) are consolidated subsidiaries of WPP plc and are each subject to the reporting requirements under section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The summarized financial information for WPP Finance 2010 and the guarantors is presented on a combined basis with intercompany balances and transactions between the entities in the issuer and guarantors group eliminated. The summarised financial information is prepared in accordance with IFRS as issued by the IASB and is intended to provide investors with meaningful financial information, and is provided pursuant to the adoption of Rule 13-01 of Regulation S-X which allows for alternative financial disclosures or narrative disclosures in lieu of the separate financial statements of WPP Finance 2010 and the guarantors. The financial information presented is that of the issuers and guarantors of the guaranteed security, and the financial information of non-issuer and non-guarantor subsidiaries has been excluded.

C. Research and Development, Patents and Licenses, etc.

Not applicable.

D. Trend Information

The discussion below and in the rest of this Item 5 includes forward-looking statements regarding plans, objectives, projections and anticipated future performance based on assumptions that are subject to risks and uncertainties. As such, actual results or outcomes may differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements. See “Forward-Looking Statements” preceding Item 1 in this annual report.

As the global economy starts to recover from Covid-19, having simplified our business and reduced debt, we believe WPP is well positioned to support our clients in achieving their growth aspirations. First quarter revenue was strong and we continue to exercise tight cost control. While these are encouraging trends, there remains continued uncertainty across a number of our markets.

For additional information regarding the trends in our business, see Item 5A Operating Results and Item 5B Liquidity and Capital Resources above.

E. Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

None.

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F. Tabular Disclosure of Contractual Obligations

The following summarises the Company’s estimated contractual obligations at 31 December 2020, and the effect such obligations are expected to have on its liquidity and cash flows in the future periods. Certain obligations presented below held by one subsidiary of the Company may be guaranteed by another subsidiary in the ordinary course of business.

Contributions to funded plans are determined in line with local conditions and practices. Contributions in respect of unfunded plans are paid as they fall due. The total contributions (for funded plans) and benefit payments (for unfunded plans) paid for 2020 amounted to £20.3 million (2019: £37.1 million. 2018: £44.9 million). Employer contributions and benefit payments in 2021 are expected to be approximately £25 million. Projections for years after 2021 are subject to a number of factors, including future asset performance and changes in assumptions which mean the Company is unable to make sufficiently reliable estimations of future contributions.

Non-GAAP Information

As introduced on page 7, the following metrics are the Group’s Non-GAAP measures.

Constant currency

These consolidated financial statements are presented in pounds sterling. However, the Company’s significant international operations give rise to fluctuations in foreign exchange rates. To neutralize foreign exchange impact and illustrate the underlying change in revenue, profit and other relevant financial statement line items from one year to the next, the Company has adopted the practice of discussing results in both reportable currency (local currency results translated into pounds sterling at the prevailing foreign exchange rate) and constant currency.

The Group uses US dollar-based, constant currency models to measure performance. These are calculated by applying budgeted 2020 exchange rates to local currency reported results for the current and prior year. This gives a US dollar-denominated income statement which excludes any variances attributable to foreign exchange rate movements.

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Pro-forma (‘like-for-like’)

Management believes that discussing like-for-like contributes to the understanding of the Company’s performance and trends because it allows for meaningful comparisons of current year to that of prior years.

Pro-forma comparisons are calculated as follows: current year, constant currency actual results (which include acquisitions from the relevant date of completion) are compared with prior year, constant currency actual results, adjusted to include the results of acquisitions for the commensurate period in the prior year. The Group uses the terms ‘pro-forma’ and ‘like-for-like’ interchangeably.

The following table reconciles reported revenue growth for 2020 and 2019 to like-for-like revenue for the same period.

Headline operating profit

Headline operating profit is one of the measures that management uses to assess the performance of the business.

Headline operating profit is calculated as operating profit before gains/losses on disposal of investments and subsidiaries, investment and other write-downs, goodwill impairment and other goodwill write-downs, amortisation and impairment of acquired intangible assets, restructuring and transformation costs, restructuring costs in relation to Covid-19, litigation settlement, gain on sale of freehold property in New York and gains/losses on remeasurement of equity interests arising from a change in scope of ownership.

A tabular reconciliation of operating profit to headline operating profit is provided in note 31 to the consolidated financial statements.

Headline PBIT

Headline PBIT is one of the metrics that management uses to assess the performance of the business.

Headline PBIT is calculated as profit before finance and investment income/costs and revaluation and retranslation of financial instruments, taxation, gains/losses on disposal of investments and subsidiaries, investment and other write-downs, goodwill impairment and other goodwill write-downs, amortisation and impairment of acquired intangible assets, restructuring and transformation costs, restructuring costs in relation to Covid-19, litigation settlement, gain on sale of freehold property in New York, share of exceptional gains/losses of associates and gains/losses on remeasurement of equity interests arising from a change in scope of ownership.

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A tabular reconciliation of profit before interest and taxation to headline PBIT is shown below.

Headline PBT

Headline PBT is one of the metrics that management uses to assess the performance of the business.

Headline PBT is calculated as profit before taxation, gains/losses on disposal of investments and subsidiaries, investment and other write-downs, goodwill impairment and other goodwill write-downs, amortisation and impairment of acquired intangible assets, restructuring and transformation costs, restructuring costs in relation to Covid-19, litigation settlement, gain on sale of freehold property in New York, share of exceptional gains/losses of associates, gains/losses arising from the revaluation and retranslation of financial instruments and gains/losses on remeasurement of equity interests arising from a change in scope of ownership.

A tabular reconciliation of profit before taxation to headline PBT is shown below.

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Billings and estimated net new business/billings

Billings and estimated net new business/billings are metrics that management uses to assess the performance of the business.

Billings comprise the gross amounts billed to clients in respect of commission-based/fee-based income together with the total of other fees earned. Net new business/billings represent the estimated annualized impact on billings of new business gained from both existing and new clients, net of existing client business lost. The estimated impact is based upon initial assessments of the clients’ marketing budgets, which may not necessarily result in actual billings of the same amount.

Free cash flow

The Group bases its internal cash flow objectives on free cash flow. Management believes free cash flow is meaningful to investors because it is the measure of the Company’s funds available for acquisition related payments, dividends to shareholders, share repurchases and debt repayment. The purpose of presenting free cash flow is to indicate the ongoing cash generation within the control of the Group after taking account of the necessary cash expenditures of maintaining the capital and operating structure of the Group (in the form of payments of interest, corporate taxation and capital expenditure). This computation may not be comparable to that of similarly titled measures presented by other companies.

Free cash flow is calculated as net cash inflow from operating activities plus payment on early settlement of bonds and proceeds from the issue of shares, less earnout payments, purchases of property, plant and equipment, purchases of other intangible assets, repayment of lease liabilities, and dividends paid to non-controlling interests in subsidiary undertakings.

A tabular reconciliation of net cash inflow from operating activities to free cash flow is shown below.

Net debt and average net debt

Management believes that net debt and average net debt are appropriate and meaningful measures of the debt levels within the Group. This is because of the seasonal swings in our working capital generally, and those resulting from our media buying activities on behalf of our clients in particular, together with the fact that we choose for commercial reasons to locate the debt of the Group in particular countries and leave cash resources in others—though our cash resources could be used to repay the debt concerned.

Net debt at a period end is calculated as the sum of the net borrowings of the Group, derived from the cash ledgers and accounts in the balance sheet. Average net debt is calculated as the average daily net borrowings of the Group. Net debt excludes lease liabilities.

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The following table is an analysis of net debt: