UNITED STATES

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 31 December 2018

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

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.

Title of each class	Name of each exchange on which registered
Ordinary Shares of 10p each American Depositary Shares, each representing five Ordinary Shares (ADSs)	New York Stock Exchange

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

Not applicable

(Title of Class)

Not applicable

(Title of Class)

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, 2018, the number of outstanding ordinary shares was 1,332,678,227 which included at such date ordinary shares represented by 13,929,272 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. (Check one):

Large accelerated filer	☒	Accelerated filer	☐
Non-accelerated filer	☐	Emerging growth company	☐

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.    ☐

† The term “new or revised financial accounting standard” refers to any update issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board to its Accounting Standards Codification after April 5, 2012.

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

U.S. GAAP  ☐ International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the
International Accounting Standards 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  ☒

TABLE OF CONTENTS

			Page
FORWARD – LOOKING STATEMENTS				1
Part I				1
Item 1	IDENTITY OF DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND ADVISERS			1
Item 2	OFFER STATISTICS AND EXPECTED TIMETABLE			1
Item 3	KEY INFORMATION			1
	A	Selected Financial Data		1
	B	Capitalization and Indebtedness		3
	C	Reasons for the Offer and Use of Proceeds		3
	D	Risk Factors		3
Item 4	INFORMATION ON THE COMPANY			5
	A	History and Development of the Company		5
	B	Business Overview		7
	C	Organizational Structure		12
	D	Property, Plant and Equipment		13
Item 4A	UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS			14
Item 5	OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW AND PROSPECTS			14
	A	Operating Results		14
	B	Liquidity and Capital Resources		22
	C	Research and Development, Patents and Licenses, etc.		23
	D	Trend Information		24
	E	Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements		24
	F	Tabular Disclosure of Contractual Obligations		24
Item 6	DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND EMPLOYEES			34
	A	Directors and Senior Management		34
	B	Compensation		36
	C	Board Practices		40
	D	Employees		48
	E	Share Ownership		49
Item 7	MAJOR SHAREHOLDERS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS			50
	A	Major Shareholders		50
	B	Related Party Transactions		51
	C	Interests of Experts and Counsel		51
Item 8	FINANCIAL INFORMATION			51
	A	Consolidated Statements and Other Financial Information		51
	B	Significant Changes		51
Item 9	THE OFFER AND LISTING			52
	A	Offer and Listing Details		52
	B	Plan of Distribution		52
	C	Markets		52
	D	Selling Shareholders		52
	E	Dilution		52
	F	Expenses of the Issue		52

			Page
Item 10	ADDITIONAL INFORMATION			53
	A	Share Capital		53
	B	Memorandum and Articles of Association		53
	C	Material Contracts		61
	D	Exchange Controls		65
	E	Taxation		65
	F	Dividends and Paying Agents		70
	G	Statements by Experts		70
	H	Documents on Display		70
	I	Subsidiary Information		70
Item 11	QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK			71
Item 12	DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES OTHER THAN EQUITY SECURITIES			71
	A	Debt Securities		71
	B	Warrants and Rights		71
	C	Other Securities		71
	D	American Depositary Shares		72
Part II				74
Item 13	DEFAULTS, DIVIDEND ARREARAGES AND DELINQUENCIES			74
Item 14	MATERIAL MODIFICATIONS TO THE RIGHTS OF SECURITY HOLDERS AND USE OF PROCEEDS			74
Item 15	CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES			74
Item 16A	AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT			76
Item 16B	CODE OF ETHICS			76
Item 16C	PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES			76
Item 16D	EXEMPTIONS FROM THE LISTING STANDARDS FOR AUDIT COMMITTEES			77
Item 16E	PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES BY THE ISSUER AND AFFILIATED PURCHASERS			77
Item 16F	CHANGE IN REGISTRANT’S CERTIFYING ACCOUNTANT			77
Item 16G	CORPORATE GOVERNANCE			77
Item 16H	MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURE			78
Part III				79
Item 17	FINANCIAL STATEMENTS			79
Item 18	FINANCIAL STATEMENTS			79
Item 19	EXHIBITS			79

Forward-Looking Statements

In connection with the provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the Reform Act), the Company (as defined below) 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, projections and anticipated future economic performance based on assumptions and the like that are subject to risks and uncertainties. As such, actual results or outcomes may differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements. Important factors which may cause actual results to differ include but are not limited to: 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, natural disasters or acts of terrorism, the Company’s exposure to changes in the values of major currencies other than the UK pound sterling (because a substantial portion of its revenues are derived and costs incurred outside of the United Kingdom) 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.

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

ITEM 1. IDENTITY OF DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND ADVISERS

Not applicable.

ITEM 2. OFFER STATISTICS AND EXPECTED TIMETABLE

Not applicable.

ITEM 3. KEY INFORMATION

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 2018, the Group, excluding associates, had 134,281 employees. For the year ended 31 December 2018, the Group had revenue of £15,602.4 million and operating profit of £1,431.4 million.

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

A. Selected Financial Data

The selected financial data should be read in conjunction with, and is qualified in its entirety by reference to, the consolidated financial statements of the Company, including the notes thereto.

The selected income statement data for each of the years ended 31 December 2018, 2017 and 2016 and the selected balance sheet data as at 31 December 2018 and 2017 are derived from the consolidated financial statements of the Company that appear elsewhere in this Form 20-F. The selected financial data for prior periods

1

is derived from the consolidated financial statements of the Company previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) as part of the Company’s Annual Reports on Form 20-F. The consolidated financial statements were prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB).

The reporting currency of the Group is the UK pound sterling and the selected financial data has been prepared on this basis.

Selected Consolidated Income Statement Data

	Year ended 31 December
	2018 £m			20171 £m			20161 £m			2015 £m			2014 £m
Revenue		15,602.4			15,804.2			14,887.3			12,235.2			11,528.9
Operating profit		1,431.4			1,908.2			2,063.1			1,632.0			1,507.3
Profit for the year		1,139.4			1,912.3			1,501.6			1,245.1			1,151.5
Profit attributable to equity holders of the parent		1,062.9			1,816.6			1,400.1			1,160.2			1,077.2
Earnings per ordinary share:
Basic		85.2	p		144.0	p		109.6	p		90.0	p		82.4	p
Diluted		84.3	p		142.4	p		108.0	p		88.4	p		80.5	p
Earnings per ADS2:
Basic		426.0	p		720.0	p		548.0	p		450.0	p		412.0	p
Diluted		421.5	p		712.0	p		540.0	p		442.0	p		402.5	p
Dividends per ordinary share		60.00	p		59.75	p		48.33	p		42.49	p		35.27	p
Dividends per ADS (US dollars)3		391.87	¢		397.23	¢		352.41	¢		340.57	¢		280.73	¢
1    Prior year figures have been restated for the impact of the adoption of IFRS 15 Revenue from Contracts with Customers, as described in the accounting policies section of the consolidated financial statements. No restatement has been made in 2015 or 2014. 2    Basic and diluted earnings per American Depositary Share (ADS) have been calculated using the same method as earnings per share, multiplied by a factor of five. 3    These figures have been translated for convenience purposes only, using the approximate average exchange rates of US$1.3351 to pound sterling for the year 2018 (2017: US$1.2887, 2016: US$1.3547, 2015: US$1.5288, 2014: US$1.6475). This conversion should not be construed as a representation that the pound sterling amounts actually represent, or could be converted into, US dollars at the rates indicated.

Selected Consolidated Balance Sheet Data

	At 31 December
	20181 £m		20172 £m		20162 £m		2015 £m		2014 £m
Total assets		33,867.7		33,662.8		34,562.4		28,749.2		26,622.9
Net assets		9,806.6		9,956.1		9,761.7		8,015.8		7,826.8
Called-up share capital		133.3		133.3		133.2		132.9		132.6
Number of shares (in millions)		1,332.7		1,332.5		1,331.9		1,329.4		1,325.7
1   IFRS 9 Financial Instruments has been adopted from 1 January 2018 as described in the accounting policies section of the consolidated financial statements. No restatement has been made for years prior to 2018. 2    Prior year figures have been restated for the impact of the adoption of IFRS 15 Revenue from Contracts with Customers, as described in the accounting policies section of the consolidated financial statements. No restatement has been made in 2015 or 2014.

Dividends

Dividends on the Company’s ordinary shares, when paid, are paid to share owners as of a record date, which is fixed by the Company. The following table sets forth the amounts of interim or first interim, final or second interim and total dividends paid on the Company’s ordinary shares in respect of each fiscal year indicated. In the United States, the Company’s ordinary shares are represented by ADSs, which are evidenced by American

2

Depositary Receipts (ADRs) or held in book-entry form. The Group uses the terms ‘ADS’ and ‘ADR’ interchangeably. The dividends are also shown translated into US cents per ADS using the approximate average rates as shown on page 2, for each year presented.

	Pence per ordinary share						US cents per ADS
In respect of the year ended 31 December:	Interim or First Interim		Final or Second Interim		Total		Interim or First Interim		Final or Second Interim		Total
2014		11.62		26.58		38.20		95.72		218.95		314.67
2015		15.91		28.78		44.69		121.62		219.99		341.61
2016		19.55		37.05		56.60		132.42		250.96		383.38
2017		22.70		37.30		60.00		146.27		240.34		386.61
2018		22.70		37.30		60.00		151.53		249.00		400.53

The 2018 interim dividend was paid on 5 November 2018 to share owners on the register at 5 October 2018. The 2018 final dividend will be paid on 8 July 2019 to share owners on the register at 14 June 2019.

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.

Principal risk	Potential impact
Clients
The Group competes for clients in a highly-competitive and evolving industry which is undergoing structural change. Client loss to competitors or as a consequence of client consolidation or a reduction in marketing budgets due to economic conditions or a shift in client spending may have a material adverse effect on our market share, business, revenues, results of operations, financial condition or prospects.	The competitive landscape in our industry is constantly evolving and the role of traditional agencies is being challenged. Competitors include multinational advertising and marketing communication groups, regional and national marketing services companies, database marketing information and measurement, social media and professional services and consultants and consulting internet companies. Client contracts can generally be terminated on 90 days’ notice or are on an assignment basis and clients put their business up for competitive review from time to time. The ability to attract new clients and to retain or increase the amount of work from existing clients may be impacted if we fail to react quickly enough to changes in the market and to evolve our structure and by loss of reputation and may be limited by clients’ policies on conflicts of interest. The global economy continues to be volatile with uncertainties such as those caused by Brexit in the UK and Europe and technological disruption from disintermediators. In the past clients have responded to weak economic and financial conditions by reducing or shifting their marketing budgets which are easier to reduce in the short term than their other operating expenses.

3

Principal risk	Potential impact
The Group receives a significant portion of our revenues from a limited number of large clients and the net loss of one or more of these clients could have a material adverse effect on our prospects, business, financial condition and results of operations.	A relatively small number of clients contribute a significant percentage of our consolidated revenues. Our 10 largest clients accounted for 14.4% of revenues in the year ended 31 December 2018. Clients can reduce their marketing spend, terminate contracts, or cancel projects on short notice. The loss of one or more of our largest clients, if not replaced by new accounts or an increase in business from existing clients, would adversely affect our financial condition.
Cyber and data security
The Group is subject to strict data protection and privacy legislation in the jurisdictions in which we operate and relies extensively on information technology systems. We store, transmit and rely on critical and sensitive data such as strategic plans, personally identifiable information and trade secrets. Security of this type of data is exposed to escalating external threats that are increasing in sophistication, as well as internal data breaches. Existing and new data protection laws, General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and e-privacy regulation in the EU concerning user privacy, use of personal information, consent and online tracking may restrict some of our activities and increase costs. The Group is part way through an IT Transformation project and relies on third parties for the performance of a significant portion of our worldwide information technology and operations functions. A failure to provide these functions could have an adverse effect on our business. During the transformation, we are still reliant on legacy systems which could restrict our ability to change rapidly.	The Group may be subject to investigative or enforcement action or legal claims or incur fines, damages, or costs and client loss if we fail to adequately protect data or observe privacy legislation in every instance. A system breakdown or intrusion could have a material adverse effect on our business, revenues, results of operations, financial condition or prospects.
Financial
The Group is subject to credit risk through the default of a client or other counterparty.	The Group is generally paid in arrears for its services. Invoices are typically payable within 30 to 60 days. The Group commits to media and production purchases on behalf of some of our clients as principal or agent depending on the client and market circumstances. If a client is unable to pay sums due, media and production companies may look to us to pay those amounts.
Operational
The Group’s performance could be adversely impacted if it failed to ensure adequate internal control procedures are in place in relation to media trading.	Failure to ensure that trading activities are compliant with client obligations where relevant could adversely impact client relationships and business volumes.
The Group has commenced a three-year strategic plan to return the business to growth by the end of 2021 which includes the merger of some operations, disposals and the simplification of our structure.	A failure or delay in implementing the transformation plan may have a material adverse effect on our market share and our business, revenues, results of operations, financial condition or prospects.
People and succession
The Group’s performance could be adversely affected if it does not react quickly enough to changes in our market and fails to attract, develop and retain key creative, commercial and management talent.	The Group is highly dependent on the talent, creative abilities and technical skills of our personnel as well as their relationships with clients. We are vulnerable to the loss of personnel to competitors (traditional and emerging) and clients, leading to disruption to the business.

4

Principal risk	Potential impact
Regulatory, sanctions, anti-trust and taxation
The Group may be subject to regulations restricting its activities or effecting changes in taxation.	Changes in local or international tax rules, for example prompted by the OECD’s Base Erosion and Profit Shifting project (a global initiative to improve the fairness and integrity of tax systems), changes arising from the application of existing rules, or new challenges by tax or competition authorities, for example, the European Commission’s State Aid investigation into the UK CFC rules, may expose us to significant additional tax liabilities or impact the carrying value of our deferred tax assets, which would affect the future tax charge.
The Group is subject to strict anti-corruption, anti-bribery and anti-trust legislation and enforcement in the countries in which it operates.	The Group operates in a number of markets where the corruption risk has been identified as high by groups such as Transparency International. Failure to comply or to create a culture opposed to corruption or failing to instil business practices that prevent corruption could expose us to civil and criminal sanctions.
The Group is subject to the laws of the US, the EU and other jurisdictions that impose sanctions and regulate the supply of services to certain countries.	Failure to comply with these laws could expose the Group to civil and criminal penalties including fines and the imposition of economic sanctions against the Group and reputational damage and withdrawal of banking facilities which could materially impact the Group’s results.
Civil liabilities or judgements against the Company or its directors or officers based on United States federal or state securities laws may not be enforceable in the United States or in England and Wales or in Jersey.	The Company is a public limited company incorporated under the laws of Jersey. Some of the Company’s directors and officers reside outside of the United States. In addition, a substantial portion of the directly owned assets of the Company are located outside of the United States. As a result, it may be difficult or impossible for investors to effect service of process within the United States against the Company or its directors and officers or to enforce against them any of the judgements, including those obtained in original actions or in actions to enforce judgements of the U.S. courts, predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the federal or state securities laws of the United States.

ITEM 4. INFORMATION ON THE COMPANY

WPP’s offer to clients encompasses communications, experience, commerce and technology. The Company provides these services through a number of established global, multinational and national operating companies that are organised into four business segments. Our largest segment is Advertising and Media Investment Management, which accounted for approximately 46% of the Company’s revenues in 2018. The remaining 54% of our revenues were derived from the business segments of Data Investment Management; Public Relations & Public Affairs; and Brand Consulting, Health & Wellness and Specialist Communications (including direct, interactive and ecommerce). Excluding associates, the Company currently employs over 130,000 full-time people in 112 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 ADRs or held in book-entry form) representing deposited ordinary shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). At 23 April 2019 the Company had a market capitalisation of approximately £11.814 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 Queensway House, Hilgrove Street, St Helier, Jersey JE1 IES.

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

5

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 J. Walter Thompson Company 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) 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 and the merger of Burson-Marsteller and Cohn & Wolfe to create Burson Cohn & Wolfe, and the beginning of the merger of Wunderman and J. Walter Thompson to create Wunderman Thompson.

The Company received £440.3 million and spent £228.8 million and £697.1 million related to acquisitions and investments in 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively, including payments in respect of earnout payments resulting from acquisitions in prior years, net of cash and cash equivalents acquired (net) and proceeds on disposal of investments. For the same periods, cash spent on purchases of property, plant and equipment and other intangible assets was £375.2 million, £326.2 million and £285.1 million, respectively, and cash spent on share repurchases and buy-backs was £207.1 million, £504.2 million and £427.4 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.

6

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 PBIT (Profit Before Interest and Taxation), headline PBT (Profit Before Taxation), headline EBITDA (Earnings before Interest, Taxation, Depreciation and Amortisation), billings, estimated net new 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 28.

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

Revenue1	2018				20172				20162
	£m		% of total		£m		% of total		£m		% of total
Advertising and Media Investment Management		7,132.4		45.6		7,368.7		46.6		6,709.4		45.1
Data Investment Management		2,582.5		16.6		2,703.4		17.1		2,672.4		17.9
Public Relations & Public Affairs		1,210.7		7.8		1,204.0		7.6		1,130.6		7.6
Brand Consulting, Health & Wellness and Specialist Communications		4,676.8		30.0		4,528.1		28.7		4,374.9		29.4
Total		15,602.4		100.0		15,804.2		100.0		14,887.3		100.0

¹   Intersegment sales have not been separately disclosed as they are not material.

²  Prior year figures have been restated for the impact of the adoption of IFRS 15 Revenue from Contracts with Customers, as described in the accounting policies section of the consolidated financial statements.

Revenue less pass-through costs1	2018				20172				20162
	£m		% of total		£m		% of total		£m		% of total
Advertising and Media Investment Management		5,529.7		43.1		5,889.3		44.7		5,450.9		43.9
Data Investment Management		1,965.4		15.3		2,052.1		15.6		1,994.0		16.0
Public Relations & Public Affairs		1,136.3		8.9		1,140.6		8.7		1,078.5		8.7
Brand Consulting, Health & Wellness and Specialist Communications		4,195.2		32.7		4,087.6		31.0		3,905.2		31.4

¹   Revenue less pass-through costs is revenue less media, data collection and other pass-through costs. Pass-through costs comprise fees paid to external suppliers where they are engaged to perform part or all of a specific project and are charged directly to clients, predominantly media and data collection costs. See note 3 to the consolidated financial statements for more details of the pass-through costs.

²  Prior year figures have been restated for the impact of the adoption of IFRS 15 Revenue from Contracts with Customers, as described in the accounting policies section of the consolidated financial statements.

7

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

Revenue1	2018				20173				20163
	£m		% of total		£m		% of total		£m		% of total
North America2		5,371.0		34.4		5,659.2		35.8		5,400.9		36.3
United Kingdom		2,189.4		14.0		2,133.4		13.5		1,970.7		13.2
Western Continental Europe		3,335.3		21.4		3,230.6		20.4		3,008.5		20.2
Asia Pacific, Latin America, Africa & Middle East and Central & Eastern Europe		4,706.7		30.2		4,781.0		30.3		4,507.2		30.3
Total		15,602.4		100.0		15,804.2		100.0		14,887.3		100.0

¹   Intersegment sales have not been separately disclosed as they are not material.

²  North America includes the US with revenue of £5,074.1 million (2017: £5,336.3 million, 2016: £5,107.2 million).

³  Prior year figures have been restated for the impact of the adoption of IFRS 15 Revenue from Contracts with Customers, as described in the accounting policies section of the consolidated financial statements.

Revenue less pass-through costs1	2018				20173				20163
	£m		% of total		£m		% of total		£m		% of total
North America2		4,474.2		34.9		4,793.9		36.4		4,598.4		37.0
United Kingdom		1,691.3		13.2		1,688.0		12.8		1,590.2		12.8
Western Continental Europe		2,735.4		21.3		2,630.6		20.0		2,438.3		19.6
Asia Pacific, Latin America, Africa & Middle East and Central & Eastern Europe		3,925.7		30.6		4,057.1		30.8		3,801.7		30.6

¹   Revenue less pass-through costs is revenue less media, data collection and other pass-through costs. Pass-through costs comprise fees paid to external suppliers where they are engaged to perform part or all of a specific project and are charged directly to clients, predominantly media and data collection costs. See note 3 to the consolidated financial statements for more details of the pass-through costs.

²  North America includes the US with revenue less pass-through costs of £4,236.7 million (2017: £4,535.3 million, 2016: £4,359.7 million).

³  Prior year figures have been restated for the impact of the adoption of IFRS 15 Revenue from Contracts with Customers, as described in the accounting policies section of the consolidated financial statements.

The Company’s principal disciplines and operating companies within each of its business segments are described below.

Advertising and Media Investment Management

Advertising – WPP’s creative advertising services are delivered through our integrated agency networks, which include Ogilvy, Wunderman Thompson, VMLY&R and Grey. Among the principal functions of these agencies are the planning and creation of marketing and branding campaigns and the design and production of advertisements across all media.

Media Investment Management – GroupM is the world’s leading media investment company responsible for more than $45 billion in annual media investment through agencies including Mindshare, MediaCom, Wavemaker, Essence and m/SIX, as well as the outcomes-driven programmatic audience company, Xaxis.

Data Investment Management

WPP’s data investment management services are delivered through Kantar, one of the world’s leading data, insights and consulting company.

8

Public Relations & Public Affairs

WPP’s public relations and public affairs 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 and Hill+Knowlton Strategies.

Brand Consulting, Health & Wellness and Specialist Communications

Brand Consulting – Our consumer, corporate and employee brand consulting and design services, covering areas such as brand strategy, creative services, digital corporate communications, identity, motion graphics and packaging, are delivered through firms such as Landor and Superunion.

Health & Wellness – WPP provides integrated health marketing solutions through its main agency networks in the US and, internationally, specialist firms such as ghg, Sudler and Ogilvy Healthworld.

Specialist Communications (including direct, interactive and ecommerce) – WPP provides a full range of specialist communications services, including digital marketing, production, ecommerce, shopper, direct, field, retail, promotional, point-of-sale, sports marketing and events.

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 new strategy in 2018

We describe our new strategy as a radical evolution. It’s radical because we are making tough decisions and taking decisive action – having restructured a large proportion of our revenue base in 2018 – but an evolution because we are changing our business in a way that respects the people and things that make WPP such a great organisation. WPP has substantial assets, the most important of which is our people. As a talent business we need to transform at the right pace, and bring our people with us on the journey.

Our strategy focuses on growth. The restructuring of our business and associated cost savings will enable increased investment in creativity, technology and talent, so that we are well positioned for top-line growth in the future.

We aim to deliver this strategy over the next three years, incurring cash costs for restructuring of £300 million. The annual savings are anticipated to be £275 million by the end of 2021, approximately half of which will be reinvested in the business.

Our five elements to our new corporate strategy are:

• Vision & Offer. A new vision developed with our people and clients and a refreshed, more contemporary offer to meet the needs of our clients in a rapidly changing market.

• Creativity. A renewed commitment to creativity, WPP’s most important competitive advantage.

• Data & Technology. Harnessing the strength of our marketing and advertising technology, and unique partnerships with technology firms, for the benefit of clients.

• Simpler Structure. Reducing complexity and making sure our clients can access the best resources from across the Company.

9

• Culture. Investment in our people, our culture and a new set of values to ensure WPP is the natural home for the best and brightest talent.

Sustainability

Our clients look to us to provide the insight, expertise and creative solutions they need to navigate this changing landscape and communicate their purpose effectively and authentically. Our own sustainability strategy helps us to do this with credibility, meeting changing client expectations while reducing risks and creating a more resilient business for the long term.

Our sustainability strategy aligns with all five elements of our new corporate strategy, which we introduced in late 2018. We work with clients on sustainability across our disciplines. This work is growing in importance as more of our clients seek to develop brands with purpose and to integrate social and environmental values into their communication. Below sets out the most material ways in which sustainability supports our strategy.

• Vision & Offer.

A stronger offer for our clients: A growing number of clients are grappling with sustainability challenges 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.

• Creativity.

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 and inclusive teams: Creativity thrives on diversity of background and thought. This makes having a diverse and inclusive workplace essential to our long-term business success. We want all of our people to feel valued and able to fulfil their potential, regardless of gender, ethnicity, age, or disability.

• Data & Technology.

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.

• Simpler Structure.

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 are reducing the overall number of offices we occupy, moving to locations that use green building standards and reduce our impact, help us to use space more efficiently and encourage collaboration between our companies.

• Culture.

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

• £2.07 billion revenues generated through clients who engaged with us on sustainability, equivalent to approximately 13% of our total revenue.

10

People

• We spent £45.5 million on training in 2018.

• At year-end 2018, women comprised 36% of the WPP Board and Executive leadership roles, 49% of Senior Managers, and 54% of total employees.

Environment

• Our scope 1 and 2 market-based emissions per employee for 2018 were to 0.74 tonnes of CO₂e, a 9% reduction from 2017.

Social investment

• Our pro bono work was worth £11.3 million in 2018. We also made cash donations to charities of £6.2 million, resulting in a social investment worth £17.5 million. This is equivalent to 1.20% of profit before tax.

• WPP media agencies negotiated free media space worth £23.8 million on behalf of pro bono clients, 1.63% of profit before tax.

Clients

The Group works with 369 of the Fortune Global 500, all 30 of the Dow Jones 30, and 71 of the NASDAQ 100.

The Company’s 10 largest clients accounted for 14.4% of the Company’s revenues in the year ended 31 December 2018. No client of the Company represented more than 5% of the Company’s aggregate revenues in 2018. 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 develop principles on privacy and data protection and compliance with local laws. We implemented extensive training ahead of GDPR implementation in 2018 and rolled out a GDPR toolkit to assist our people to prepare for implementation and will do the same as new legislation is adopted in other markets.

11

A Chief Privacy Officer and Data Protection Officer have been appointed at the Company and Data Protection Officers are in place at a number of our operating companies. Our Group Chief Privacy Officer and Data Protection Officer are working with our internal audit team to review privacy risks and practices as part of our company-wide audit programme.

In 2018, we launched WPP’s Data Privacy and Security Charter to help us communicate our approach to data to our people and our clients. This brings together our Data Code of Conduct, which sets out core principles for responsible data management, with our IT security, privacy and social media policies, and our security standards (which are based on ISO 27001).

Our people must take Privacy & Data Security Awareness training and understand the WPP Data Code of Conduct and WPP policies on data privacy and security.

The Data Health Checker survey is performed annually to understand the scale and breadth of data we collect so the level of risk associated with this can be assessed. We use our Data Health Checker to review privacy risks and data security practices in our businesses. This 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 showed that the majority of our companies have mitigation measures that match or exceed their level of privacy risk, with the average risk score being 2.16 out of 5, where 5 is the maximum score possible indicating maximum risk. Of those companies surveyed, 80% have a dedicated privacy lead.

The IT Transformation project will enhance our data security. In addition, we have established a global internal IT company responsible for providing core IT shared services to our companies and manage external technology providers.

C. Organizational Structure

The Company’s business comprises the provision of creative transformation services on a national, multinational and global basis. It operates out of over 3,000 offices in 112 countries (including associates). For a list of the Company’s principal subsidiary undertakings and their country of incorporation see Exhibit 8.1 to this Form 20-F.

12

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. In the United States the sole owned property was the 214,000 square foot VMLY&R office condominium for their headquarters located at 3 Columbus Circle in New York, New York, which was sold and converted to a leased location in Q1 2019 in addition to 160,000 of square feet of space already leased. Other owned properties are in Latin America (principally in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Mexico, Peru and Puerto Rico), Asia (India and China) and in Europe (Spain, France, UK and Italy). In Europe, owned properties include the 135,626 square foot TNS office located at 2 Rue Francis Pedron, Chambourcy, Paris, France and the 101,592 square foot TNS House at Westgate, Hangar Lane, London. Manufacturing facilities are owned in the United Kingdom. Principal leased properties, which are accounted for as operating leases, include office space at the following locations:

Location	Use	Approximate square footage
3 World Trade Center, New York, NY	GroupM, Mindshare, Wavemaker, Mediacom, Kantar (Occupancy Q4 2018)	690,000
636 Eleventh Avenue, New York, NY	Ogilvy, Geometry, MJM	564,000
399 Heng Feng Road, Zhabei, Shanghai	Ogilvy, GroupM, Wavemaker, Mediacom, Mindshare, Geometry, Kantar, Hill+Knowlton Strategies, GTB, Sudler MDS, Burson Cohn & Wolfe, Peclars, Hogarth, Wunderman Thompson, Superunion, Kinetic.	464,200
498 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY	GroupM, Mindshare, Wavemaker, Mediacom (Lease expired Q4 2018, Employees transferred to 3 World Trade Center)	401,000
Calle de Ríos Rosas, 26, Madrid, Spain	GroupM, Grey, Kantar, WPP Health & Wellness, Ogilvy, Hill+Knowlton Strategies, Burson Cohn & Wolfe, Axicom, WPP, Lambie Nairn, Finance +, Superunion, SCPF VMLY&R, Wunderman Thompson (Fully occupied Q1 2019)	382,402
The Orb Adjacent to JW Marriott Sahar, Chatrapati Shivaji International Airport, Andheri East, Mumbai	GroupM, Ogilvy, Kantar, Grey, Wunderman Thompson, H+K, Fitch, Landor, VMLY&R, Genesis BM & PPR.	375,000
3 Columbus Circle, New York, NY	VMLY&R, Wunderman Thompson, Midas Exchange, Berlin Cameron, CMI (See discussion above)	374,000
200 Fifth Avenue and 23 West 23rd Street, New York, NY	Grey, Burson Cohn & Wolfe, ghg, GCI Health	349,000
230 Park Avenue South, New York, NY	Burson Cohn & Wolfe, Landor, Sudler & Hennessey, Hogarth, Kinetic (Exiting H1 2019)	301,000
Tower B, DLF Cyber Park, Gurgaon	GroupM, Ogilvy, Wunderman Thompson, Hogarth, Grey, Kantar, AKQA, ADK (Q1 2020 Occupancy)	288,000
500/550 Town Center Drive, Dearborn, MI	Global Team Blue, PRISM, Burrows, Possible, VMLY&R	282,900
222 Merchandise Mart / 350 N Orleans, Chicago IL	Ogilvy, Wunderman Thompson, Geometry, Global Team Blue, Kantar, GroupM, Burson Cohn & Wolfe, Hill+Knowlton Strategies, The Futures Company, Kinetic	277,400
333 North Green Street, Chicago, IL	Ogilvy, Wunderman Thompson, Geometry, GTB, Kantar, GroupM, Burson Cohn & Wolfe, Hill+Knowlton Strategies, The Futures Company, Kinetic, VMLY&R (Estimated Q1 2020 Occupancy)	263,356
125 Queens Quay, Toronto, Canada	GroupM, Ogilvy, Kantar, Wunderman Thompson, VMLY&R, Grey, H&K (Estimated Q4 2021 Occupancy)	258,053
Sea Containers House, Upper Ground, London SE1	Ogilvy, Wavemaker, WPP, Kantar	226,000

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 2018, the fixed asset value (cost less depreciation) representing land, freehold buildings and leasehold buildings as reflected in the Company’s consolidated financial statements was £780.6 million.

In 2018, 21% of our floorspace was certified to advanced sustainability standards like LEED and BREEAM. Our target is 25% of global floor space certified to advanced green building standards by 2020.

We will continue to develop Campus co-locations to house our agencies in major cities, which deliver world-class working environments and increased efficiencies. The focus for 2019 includes 80 closures at local office

13

level by end of 2019 and opening of new WPP Campuses such as Madrid and Amsterdam. 70 of the 100 planned office mergers have been completed and 57 of the 80 offices have been closed.

See note 3 to the consolidated financial statements for a schedule by years of future minimum rental payments to be made and future sublease rental payments to be received, as at 31 December 2018, under non-cancelable operating leases of the Company.

ITEM 4A. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

Not applicable.

ITEM 5. OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW AND PROSPECTS

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

A. Operating Results

Overview

The Company is one of the world’s most comprehensive marketing communications groups. It operates through a large number of established national, multinational and global advertising and marketing services companies. The Company offers services in four reportable segments:

• Advertising and Media Investment Management;

• Data Investment Management;

• Public Relations & Public Affairs; and

• Brand Consulting, Health & Wellness and Specialist Communications

In 2018, approximately 46% of the Company’s consolidated revenues were derived from Advertising and Media Investment Management, with the remaining 54% of its revenues being derived from the remaining three 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.

During 2018 we focused on a number of short-term strategic priorities, as well as on formulating a new long-term strategy, which was announced in December. The actions taken in 2018 are outlined below.

• Focus on our clients. Emphasis on providing faster, more agile, more effectively integrated solutions for our clients.

• Continue to simplify our organisation. Creation of VMLY&R, a new brand experience agency formed by the merger of VML and Y&R. Integration of our healthcare agencies with Ogilvy, VMLY&R and Wunderman. Began Wunderman and J. Walter Thompson merger to create Wunderman Thompson, a new creative, data and technology agency. VML, Y&R, Wunderman, J. Walter Thompson and WPP Health & Wellness collectively account for 23% of WPP revenue. Opened/announced further Campus co-locations including New York, Prague and Toronto. Completion of Burson Cohn & Wolfe merger.

• Embed data and technology much more deeply into our offer. New data and technology team in place. First WPP Chief Technology Officer appointed.

• Invest in talent that represents our changing world. Formation of new central team with key appointments including Chief Operating Officer, Chief Client Officer and Chief Technology Officer. WPP Executive Committee established for the first time, drawn from corporate and operating company leadership.

14

• Evaluate the shape of the portfolio to maximise shareholder value and release capital. 30 disposals in 2018, raising £849 million to reduce our debt. Initiated a strategic review of options in relation to Kantar to maximise shareholder value. The intention is to continue to develop Kantar while remaining a shareholder with strategic links to the business.

The share price decreased by 37% in 2018, closing at 846.6p at year end. Since then it has risen to 936.2p, up 11%, at 23 April 2019. Dividends remain flat at 60.00p in 2018, same as prior year.

Revenue was down 1.3% at £15.602 billion. Revenue on a constant currency basis was up 1.5% compared with last year, the difference to the reportable number reflecting the strength of the pound sterling against most currencies, particularly in the first half of the year. On a like-for-like basis, which excludes the impact of currency and acquisitions, revenue was up 0.8%. Billings were £55.798 billion, up 0.4%, up 3.3% in constant currency and up 3.2% like-for-like.

The Group’s revenue is more weighted to the second half of the year across all regions and sectors, and, particularly, in the faster growing markets of Asia Pacific and Latin America. As a result, headline PBIT continues to be skewed to the second half of the year, with the Group earning approximately 40% of its headline PBIT in the first half and 60% in the second half.

Profit before interest and tax was down 27.0% to £1.475 billion from £2.022 billion. Headline PBIT for 2018 was down 9.7% to £2.047 billion, from £2.267 billion and down 7.4% in constant currencies. Headline EBITDA was down by 8.8% to £2.311 billion, from £2.534 billion the previous year and down 6.4% in constant currencies.

Profit before tax fell by 30.6% to £1.463 billion from £2.109 billion reflecting principally the £302 million of restructuring and transformation costs and £184 million of goodwill impairment charges. Headline profit before tax was down 11.0% to £1.863 billion from £2.093 billion.

Profit after tax fell by 40.4% to £1.139 billion from £1.912 billion. In constant currencies, profit after tax fell 38.5%.

Profits attributable to shareholders fell 41.5% to £1.063 billion from £1.817 billion, again reflecting principally the £302 million of restructuring and transformation costs and £184 million of goodwill impairment. In constant currencies, profits attributable to shareholders fell by 39.6%.

Diluted earnings per share fell by 40.8% to 84.3p from 142.4p and decreased 38.9% in constant currencies.

Net cash inflow from operating activities increased to £1.694 billion in the year. In 2018, operating profit was £1.431 billion, depreciation, amortisation and goodwill impairment £728 million, non-cash share-based incentive charges £85 million, working capital and provisions inflow £166 million, net interest paid £162 million, tax paid £384 million, capital expenditure £375 million, earnout payments £120 million and other net cash outflows £266 million, principally £235 million gains on disposal of investments and subsidiaries. Free cash flow available for debt repayment, acquisitions (excluding earnouts), share buy-backs and dividends was, therefore, £1.103 billion. This free cash flow was enhanced by £849 million of proceeds from the disposal of associates and investments, offset by £289 million in cash acquisition costs (investments and new acquisition payments), £207 million in share buy-backs and £747 million in dividends, a net outflow of £394 million. This resulted in a net cash inflow of £709 million.

Debt financing was £6.660 billion at 31 December 2018, compared to £6.875 billion at 31 December 2017. Average net debt in 2018 was £4.966 billion, compared to £5.125 billion in 2017, at 2018 exchange rates. On 31 December 2018 net debt was £4.017 billion, against £4.483 billion on 31 December 2017, a decrease of £466 million (a decrease of £605 million at 2018 exchange rates). The reduced period end debt figure reflects the benefit of £849 million proceeds in relation to disposal of our interests in certain associates and investments, the principal of which were Globant S.A., Imagina, AppNexus and Bruin.

15

Segment performance

Performance of the Group’s businesses is reviewed by management based on headline PBIT. A table showing these amounts by reportable segment and geographical area for each of the three years ended 31 December 2018, 2017 and 2016 is presented in note 2 to the consolidated financial statements. To supplement the reportable currency segment information presented in note 2 to the consolidated financial statements, the following tables give details of revenue growth and revenue less pass-through costs growth by geographical area and reportable segment on a reported, constant currency, and like-for-like basis. Headline PBIT and headline PBIT margin by reportable segment are also provided below.

Geographical area

Revenue Analysis
	Reported revenue growth %+/(-)					Constant currency revenue growth %+/(-)					Like-for-like revenue growth %+/(-)
	2018			20171		2018			20171		2018			20171
North America		(5.1	)		4.8		(1.9	)		0.1		(3.0	)		(2.5	)
United Kingdom		2.6			8.3		2.6			8.3		1.5			6.8
Western Continental Europe		3.2			7.4		3.5			1.6		1.7			(0.2	)
Asia Pacific, Latin America, Africa & Middle East and Central & Eastern Europe		(1.6	)		6.1		3.8			0.8		4.4			(0.3	)
Total Group		(1.3	)		6.2		1.5			1.6		0.8			(0.2	)

¹  Prior year figures have been restated for the impact of the adoption of IFRS 15 Revenue from Contracts with Customers, as described in the accounting policies section of the consolidated financial statements.

Revenue less pass-through costs analysis
	Reported revenue less pass- through costs1 growth %+/(-)					Constant currency revenue less pass- through costs1 growth %+/(-)						Like-for-like revenue less pass- through costs1 growth %+/(-)
	2018			20172		2018			20172			2018			20172
North America		(6.7	)		4.3		(3.5	)		(0.4	)		(4.2	)		(3.2	)
United Kingdom		0.2			6.2		0.2			6.2			(0.5	)		4.9
Western Continental Europe		4.0			7.9		4.1			1.9			2.0			—
Asia Pacific, Latin America, Africa & Middle East and Central & Eastern Europe		(3.2	)		6.7		2.0			1.4			2.5			(0.9	)

¹  Revenue less pass-through costs is revenue less media, data collection and other pass-through costs. Pass-through costs comprise fees paid to external suppliers where they are engaged to perform part or all of a specific project and are charged directly to clients, predominantly media and data collection costs. See note 3 to the consolidated financial statements for more details of the pass-through costs.

²  Prior year figures have been restated for the impact of the adoption of IFRS 15 Revenue from Contracts with Customers, as described in the accounting policies section of the consolidated financial statements.

North America constant currency revenue less pass-through costs was down 4.5% in the final quarter, the same as the third quarter, and down 5.7% like-for-like, a slight deterioration on the third quarter (-5.3%). This reflects continuing challenges in our advertising businesses, with data investment management and healthcare also slower, partly offset by a significant improvement in public relations and public affairs. On a full year basis, constant currency revenue less pass-through costs was down 3.5%, with like-for-like down 4.2%. Addressing our underperforming operations in the US is a key element of WPP’s new strategy.

16

United Kingdom constant currency revenue less pass-through costs was down 2.4% in the final quarter and down 2.7% like-for-like, slightly weaker than the -2.0% shown in quarter three. Media investment management and the specialist communications businesses were particularly strong with data investment management improving. Our public relations and public affairs and direct, interactive and ecommerce businesses were slower. On a full year basis, constant currency revenue less pass-through costs was up 0.2%, with like-for-like down 0.5%.

Western Continental Europe constant currency revenue less pass-through costs was up 4.1% in the final quarter, a significant improvement on the growth in quarter three of 1.3%. On a like-for-like basis revenue less pass-through costs was also up 4.1%, the strongest quarter of the year, and compared to -0.4% in quarter three. Twelve of the Group’s top 14 markets showed significant growth in quarter four, particularly Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Portugal, Sweden and Turkey. For the year, Western Continental Europe constant currency revenue less pass-through costs grew 4.1% with like-for-like up 2.0%, the second strongest performing region.

In Asia Pacific, Latin America, Africa & the Middle East and Central & Eastern Europe, on a constant currency basis, revenue less pass-through costs was up 0.4% in the fourth quarter and up 2.6% like-for-like, slightly above the third quarter growth of 2.4%. In the fourth quarter, Latin America grew over 7%, stronger than the third quarter, with Central & Eastern Europe showing double-digit growth in the fourth quarter compared with almost 5% in quarter three. Asia Pacific and Africa & the Middle East were slightly weaker. On a full-year basis, constant currency revenue less pass-through costs growth in the region was 2.0% with like-for-like growth 2.5%, the strongest performing region.

Reportable Segments

Revenue Analysis
	Reported revenue growth%+/(-)					Constant currency revenue growth%+/(-)						Like-for-like revenue growth%+/(-)
	2018			20171		2018			20171			2018			20171
Advertising and Media Investment Management		(3.2	)		9.8		(0.4	)		5.2			1.0			0.1
Data Investment Management		(4.5	)		1.2		(1.8	)		(3.5	)		(2.0	)		(2.9	)
Public Relations & Public Affairs		0.6			6.5		3.4			1.7			3.1			0.8
Brand Consulting, Health & Wellness and Specialist Communications		3.3			3.5		6.3			(0.9	)		1.5			0.6
Total Group		(1.3	)		6.2		1.5			1.6			0.8			(0.2	)

¹  Prior year figures have been restated for the impact of the adoption of IFRS 15 Revenue from Contracts with Customers, as described in the accounting policies section of the consolidated financial statements.

Revenue less pass-through costs analysis
	Reported revenue less pass- through  costs1 growth %+/(-)					Constant currency revenue less pass- through costs1 growth %+/(-)						Like-for-like revenue less pass- through costs1 growth%+/(-)
	2018			20172		2018			20172			2018			20172
Advertising and Media Investment Management		(6.1	)		8.0		(3.3	)		3.5			(1.2	)		(2.3	)
Data Investment Management		(4.2	)		2.9		(1.3	)		(1.9	)		(1.8	)		(1.3	)
Public Relations & Public Affairs		(0.4	)		5.8		2.5			1.0			2.6			0.2
Brand Consulting, Health & Wellness and Specialist Communications		2.6			4.7		5.6			0.2			0.6			1.0

¹   Revenue less pass-through costs is revenue less media, data collection and other pass-through costs. Pass-through costs comprise fees paid to external suppliers where they are engaged to perform part or all of a specific project and are charged directly to clients, predominantly media and data collection costs. See note 3 to the consolidated financial statements for more details of the pass-through costs.

²  Prior year figures have been restated for the impact of the adoption of IFRS 15 Revenue from Contracts with Customers, as described in the accounting policies section of the consolidated financial statements.

17

Headline PBIT analysis	2018				2017				2016
	£m		Headline PBIT margin1 %		£m		Headline PBIT margin1, 2 %		£m		Headline PBIT margin1, 2 %
Advertising and Media Investment Management		972.4		17.6		1,109.0		18.8		1,027.2		18.8
Data Investment Management		301.1		15.3		350.3		17.1		351.5		17.6
Public Relations & Public Affairs		183.7		16.2		183.2		16.1		179.8		16.7
Brand Consulting, Health & Wellness and Specialist Communications		590.1		14.1		624.6		15.3		601.8		15.4
Total		2,047.3				2,267.1				2,160.3

¹   Headline PBIT margin is calculated as headline PBIT as a percentage of revenue less pass-through costs. Previously referred to as revenue less pass-through costs margin.

²  Prior year figures have been restated for the impact of the adoption of IFRS 15 Revenue from Contracts with Customers, as described in the accounting policies section of the consolidated financial statements.

In constant currencies, advertising and media investment management revenue less pass-through costs was down 1.6% in the fourth quarter, a significant improvement on the -6.5% in the third quarter and the strongest quarter of the year. On a like-for-like basis revenue less pass-through costs was up 0.4% in the fourth quarter, the first quarter of positive growth, with both our advertising and media investment businesses showing considerable improvement over the third quarter. However, despite this improvement, our advertising businesses remain under pressure. On a full year basis, constant currency revenue less pass-through costs was down 3.3%, down 1.2% like-for-like.

The strong revenue less pass-through costs growth across most of the Group’s media investment management businesses, offset by slower growth in our advertising businesses in most regions, resulted in headline PBIT decreasing £137 million from £1,109 million in 2017 to £972 million in 2018 and the combined headline PBIT margin of this sector being down 1.2 margin points at 17.6% and down 1.4 margin points in constant currency.

In constant currencies, data investment management revenue less pass-through costs was down 2.8% in the fourth quarter, and down 2.8% like-for-like. On a full year basis, constant currency revenue less pass-through costs was down 1.3%, down 1.8% like-for-like. Geographically, revenue less pass-through costs was up strongly in Asia Pacific and Latin America, but North America was weaker. Kantar Worldpanel and Kantar Media showed strong like-for-like revenue less pass-through costs growth, with Kantar Insights, Kantar Health, Kantar Public and Lightspeed less robust. As a result, headline PBIT was down £49 million from £350 million in 2017 to £301 million in 2018. Headline PBIT margins were down 1.8 margin points to 15.3% and down 1.8 margin points in constant currency.

In the fourth quarter, in constant currencies and like-for-like, our public relations and public affairs businesses were the strongest performing sector, as they were in the first half and third quarter, with growth of 3.3% and 1.2% respectively. On a full year basis, constant currency revenue less pass-through costs grew 2.5% with like-for-like growth 2.6%. Geographically, all regions showed strong growth, with the United Kingdom and Africa & the Middle East particularly strong. Burson Cohn & Wolfe, Hill+Knowlton Strategies and the specialist public relations and public affairs businesses Finsbury, Hering Schuppener and Buchanan, performed particularly well. As a result, headline PBIT was up £1 million from £183 million in 2017 to £184 million in 2018. Overall headline PBIT margins improved 0.1 margin points to 16.2% and by 0.1 margin points in constant currency.

Brand consulting, health & wellness and specialist communications businesses (including direct, interactive and ecommerce), performed less well in the fourth quarter with constant currency revenue less pass-through costs up 0.2%, compared with 6.5% in the third quarter, with like-for-like down 1.6%, as our healthcare businesses in North America and some direct, interactive and ecommerce businesses came under pressure. On a full year basis, revenue less pass-through costs was up 5.6% in constant currency and up 0.6% like-for-like. In brand consulting, Landor and FITCH performed strongly, and in the direct, interactive and ecommerce businesses, Wunderman,

18

Hogarth, AKQA, Blue State Digital, F.biz and Deeplocal performed well. Headline PBIT margins, for the sector as a whole, were down by 1.2 margin points to 14.1% and down 1.3 margin points in constant currency, with headline PBIT margins negatively affected as parts of our direct, interactive and ecommerce, brand consulting and healthcare businesses in North America slowed. As a result headline PBIT was down £35 million from £625 million in 2017 to £590 million in 2018.

2019 Reportable Segments

The restructuring actions that we are implementing, including the mergers of VMLY&R and Wunderman Thompson, the One Ogilvy strategy and the reorganization of our specialist healthcare agencies, mean that certain units will be reclassified between sectors and going forward it is likely to be less meaningful to report these sectors as we have in the past. We will review the appropriateness of this sectoral breakdown during 2019.

2018 compared with 2017

Revenues

Reported revenue was down 1.3% at £15,602.4 million. Revenue on a constant currency basis was up 1.5% compared with last year, the difference to the reportable number reflecting the strength of the pound sterling against most currencies, particularly in the first half of the year. On a like-for-like basis, which excludes the impact of currency and acquisitions, revenue was up 0.8%.

Costs of services, general and administrative costs

Costs of services increased by 0.3% in 2018 to £12,663.5 million from £12,629.0 million in 2017.

General and administrative costs increased by 19.0% to £1,507.5 million from £1,267.0 million in 2017, principally in relation to an increase in the provision for bad debts and higher IT costs.

Staff costs decreased by 1.8%. Staff costs, excluding incentives, also decreased by 1.8%. Incentive payments of £326 million were 14.2% of headline PBIT, excluding share of results of associates (excluding exceptional gains/losses), before incentives compared with £324 million or 13.1% in 2017. Achievement of target, at an individual Company level, generally generates 15% of headline PBIT, excluding share of results of associates (excluding exceptional gains/losses), before bonus as an incentive pool and 20% at maximum.

On a like-for-like basis, the average number of people in the Group, excluding associates, in 2018 was 133,903 compared to 135,521 in 2017, a decrease of 1.2%. On the same basis, the total number of people, excluding associates, at 31 December 2018 was 134,281 compared to 135,187 at 31 December 2017, a decrease of 906 or 0.7%.

As outlined in the investor day on 11 December 2018, we have undertaken a strategic review of our operations. As part of that review, restructuring actions have been taken to right-size underperforming businesses, address high cost severance markets and simplify operational structures. This has included the merger of a number of WPP’s operating companies. It also includes transformation costs with respect to strategic initiatives like co-locations in major cities, IT transformation and shared services.

£234 million of restructuring and transformation costs were recorded in the fourth quarter in relation to this plan. This included £63 million of non-cash write-offs and £171 million of actions that have a cash impact in 2018 and beyond. In 2018 the cash outflow was £50 million. The £171 million forms part of the anticipated £300 million total cash cost of the restructuring plan that we announced – with the balance to be incurred in 2019, 2020 and 2021.

19

The total of restructuring and transformation costs in 2018 was £302 million. The remaining £68 million relates to severance restructuring costs recorded in the first half, together with costs in relation to the continuing global IT transformation program. These costs of £302 million and £41 million of associate company exceptional losses have been partly offset by exceptional gains of £235 million, primarily relating to the gain on the sale of the Group’s investment in Globant S.A.

This gives a net exceptional loss of £108 million and compares with a net exceptional loss in 2017 of £24 million.

Profit before interest and taxation

As a result of the above, profit before interest and tax was down 27.0% to £1.475 billion from £2.022 billion, down 24.4% in constant currencies. Headline PBIT was down 9.7% to £2.047 billion, from £2.267 billion and down 7.4% in constant currencies.

Finance income, finance costs and revaluation of financial instruments

Finance income increased to £104.8 million in 2018 from £95.2 million in 2017. Finance costs increased to £289.3 million in 2018 from £269.8 million in 2017. Therefore, net finance costs were £184.5 million, compared with £174.6 million in 2017, an increase of £9.9 million. This is due to the higher dollar interest rates. Revaluation of financial instruments resulted in a gain of £172.9 million in 2018 and a gain of £262.2 million in 2017.

Taxation

The Group’s tax rate on profit before tax was 22.1% in 2018 against 9.3% in 2017. The difference in the rates in 2017 was principally due to an exceptional tax credit in 2017, primarily relating to the re-measurement of deferred tax liabilities following US tax reform. 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.

Profit for the year

Profit after tax fell by 40.4% to £1,139.4 million from £1,912.3 million. In constant currencies, profit after tax fell 38.5%. Profits attributable to shareholders fell 41.5% to £1,062.9 million from £1,816.6 million, again reflecting principally the £302.3 million of restructuring and transformation costs and £183.9 million of goodwill impairment. In constant currencies, profits attributable to shareholders fell by 39.6%. Diluted earnings per share fell by 40.8% to 84.3p from 142.4p and decreased 38.9% in constant currencies.

2017 compared with 2016

Revenues

Our reported revenue growth for the year was 6.2%, and on a constant currency basis, which excludes the impact of currency movements, revenue was up 1.6%. This difference of 4.6% reflects the weakness of the pound sterling against most currencies, particularly in the first half of the year, with some strengthening in the second half.

On a like-for-like basis, which excludes the impact of currency and acquisitions, revenue was down 0.2%.

Costs of services, general and administrative costs

Costs of services increased by 6.6% in 2017 to £12,629.0 million from £11,846.5 million in 2016. The increase is in line with the increase in revenue, primarily driven by pass-through costs and staff costs.

General and administrative costs increased by 29.6% to £1,267.0 million from £977.7 million in 2016, primarily due to a net exceptional loss of £24 million in 2017 (compared to a net exceptional gain of £164 million in 2016). The remaining increase is driven by increases in various costs, such as staff costs, currency exchange (gains)/losses and impairment and amortisation of acquired intangibles.

20

Reported staff costs increased by 6.9%. Reported staff costs, excluding incentives, increased by 7.8%, up 2.8% in constant currency. Incentive payments of £324 million were 13.1% of headline PBIT, excluding share of results of associates (excluding exceptional gains/losses), before incentives compared with £367 million or 14.9% in 2016. Achievement of target, at an individual Company level, generally generates 15% of headline PBIT, excluding share of results of associates (excluding exceptional gains/losses), before bonus as an incentive pool, 20% at maximum and 25% at super maximum.

On a like-for-like basis, the average number of people in the Group, excluding associates, in 2017 was 134,428 compared to 136,409 in 2016, a decrease of 1.5%. On the same basis, the total number of people in the Group, excluding associates, at 31 December 2017 was 134,413 compared to 136,775 at 31 December 2016, a decrease of 2,362 or 1.7%.

The Group has embarked on a number of programs to improve operational effectiveness including process simplification, shared service centres, offshoring certain tasks to lower-cost markets and, where appropriate, outsourcing. We are consolidating IT infrastructure and services, and centralising systems development and applications to create efficiencies and focus investment.

In 2017 the Group generated exceptional gains of £129 million, largely representing the gain on the sale of the Group’s minority interests in Asatsu-DK to Bain Capital and Infoscout to Vista Equity Partners. These were partly offset by investment write-downs of £96 million, principally in relation to comScore Inc., resulting in a net gain of £33 million, which in accordance with prior practice, has been excluded from headline PBIT. The Group took a £57 million restructuring provision, primarily against severance provisions in mature markets and the Group’s IT Transformation costs, resulting in a net exceptional loss of £24 million.

Profit before interest and taxation

As a result of the above, reported profit before interest and tax was down over 4% to £2.022 billion from £2.113 billion, down over 7% in constant currencies. Headline PBIT for 2017 was up 4.9% to £2.267 billion, from £2.160 billion and up 1.5% in constant currencies.

Finance income, finance costs and revaluation of financial instruments

Finance income increased to £95.2 million in 2017 from £80.4 million in 2016. Finance costs increased to £269.8 million in 2017 from £254.5 million in 2016. Therefore, net finance costs were up marginally by 0.3% at £174.6 million, compared with £174.1 million in 2016, an increase of £0.5 million. This is due to the weakness in sterling resulting in higher translation costs on non-sterling debt and the cost of higher average net debt being offset by the beneficial impact of lower bond coupon costs resulting from refinancing maturing debt at cheaper rates and higher investment income. Revaluation of financial instruments resulted in a gain of £262.2 million in 2017 and a loss of £48.3 million in 2016.

Taxation

The Group’s tax rate on reported profit before tax was 9.3% in 2017 against 20.6% in 2016, principally due to the exceptional tax credit, primarily relating to the re-measurement of deferred tax liabilities. 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. The recent tax changes outlined in the United States Tax Cuts and Jobs Act do not impact the Group’s tax rate significantly, up or down, except for the tax credit mentioned above.

Profit for the year

Profit for the year increased by over 27% to £1,912.3 million from £1,501.6 million in 2016 on a reported basis and increased by almost 23% in constant currencies. In 2017, £1,816.6 million of profit for the year was attributable to equity holders of the parent and £95.7 million attributable to non-controlling interests. Diluted earnings per share was up almost 32% to 142.4p from 108.0p and increased 26.9% in constant currencies.

21

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 23, which are included as part of the Company’s consolidated financial statements in Item 18 of this Report.

Progress on growth strategy: In the last seven months we have made significant progress in simplifying our operations to make them more client-centric and improving WPP’s financial position. Milestones include the launch of a new vision, offer and brand identity for WPP, the creation of two new integrated networks (VMLY&R and Wunderman Thompson), the realignment of the US healthcare agencies with major networks, the formation of WPP’s first Executive Committee and the initiation of the process to find a financial and strategic partner for Kantar.

As part of the restructuring plan we outlined in the investor day presentation, 70 of the 100 planned office mergers have been completed, 57 of the 80 offices have been closed and approximately 2,650 of the 3,500 planned redundancies have been actioned. The anticipated gross savings remain in line with the £160 million estimate in December. As we outlined in the investor day a proportion of these gross savings will be reinvested in talent and technology development.

In addition, 30 disposals were completed in 2018 realising proceeds of £849 million, helping to strengthen the Group’s balance sheet and improve leverage. The disposal programme will continue in 2019 and a further 6 disposals have been completed year-to-date.

Return of funds to shareholders: Dividends paid in respect of 2018 will total approximately £753 million for the year. Funds returned to shareholders in 2018 totalled £955 million, including share buy-backs. In 2018, 16.6 million shares, or 1.3% of the issued share capital, were purchased at a cost of £207 million.

Uses of funds: As per the investor day in December, over the next three years we will prioritise the dividend over share buy-backs and will balance targeted M&A with divestments.

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 2018, billings were £55.8 billion, or 3.6 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 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 23 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 had a five-year Revolving Credit Facility of $2.5 billion due July 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

22

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. On 15 March 2019, the Group refinanced the facility and extended the term of the $2.5 billion five-year Revolving Credit Facility to March 2024.

The Group also has a one-year Revolving Credit Facility of A$150 million due June 2019 and a three-year Revolving Credit Facility of A$370 million due June 2021. 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.

In 2018, operating profit was £1.431 billion, depreciation, amortisation and goodwill impairment £728 million, non-cash sharebased incentive charges £85 million, working capital and provisions inflow £166 million, net interest paid £162 million, tax paid £384 million, capital expenditure £375 million, earnout payments £120 million and other net cash outflows £266 million, principally £235 million gains on disposal of investments and subsidiaries. Free cash flow available for debt repayment, acquisitions (excluding earnouts), share buy-backs and dividends was, therefore, £1.103 billion. This free cash flow was enhanced by £849 million of proceeds from the disposal of associates and investments, offset by £289 million in cash acquisition costs (investments and new acquisition payments), £207 million in share buy-backs and £747 million in dividends, a net outflow of £394 million. This resulted in a net cash inflow of £709 million.

On 31 December 2018 net debt was £4.017 billion, against £4.483 billion on 31 December 2017, a decrease of £466 million (a decrease of £605 million at 2018 exchange rates). The reduced period end debt figure reflects the benefit of £849 million proceeds in relation to disposal of our interests in certain associates and investments, the principal of which were Globant S.A., Imagina, AppNexus and Bruin. Average net debt in 2018 was £4.966 billion, compared to £5.125 billion in 2017, at 2018 exchange rates. Interest (finance cost net of finance income, excluding revaluation of financial instruments) cover based on headline PBIT in 2018 was 11.1 times. The average net debt to headline EBITDA ratio at 2.1x, is above the revised target range of 1.5-1.75x to be achieved by the end of 2021.

Average net debt in the first quarter of 2019 was £4.163 billion, compared to £4.875 billion in 2018, at 2019 exchange rates, a decrease of £712 million. The net debt figure of £4.624 billion at 31 March 2019, compares with a current market capitalisation of approximately £11.814 billion at 23 April 2019, giving an enterprise value of £16.438 billion.

Given the strong cash generation of the business, its debt maturity profile and available facilities, the Directors believe the Group has sufficient liquidity to match its requirements for the foreseeable future.

Refer to Item 5F for details on the Company’s material commitments for capital expenditures at 31 December 2018.

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

Not applicable.

23

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.

Revenue in the first quarter of 2019 was £3.588 billion, up 0.9% compared with the same period last year on a reported basis and -0.6% on a constant currency basis. Like-for-like revenue was -1.3% compared with last year. Financial guidance for 2019 is unchanged with like-for-like revenue down 1.5% to 2.0%, with stronger headwinds in the first half, due to client assignment losses in the latter part of 2018.

E. Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

None.

F. Tabular Disclosure of Contractual Obligations

The following summarises the Company’s estimated contractual obligations at 31 December 2018, 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.

			Payments due in
(£m)	Total		2019		2020		2021		2022		2023		Beyond 2023
Debt financing under the Revolving Credit Facility and in relation to unsecured loan notes1
Eurobonds		3,324.4		539.1		224.6		—		224.6		673.9		1,662.2
Sterling bonds		600.0		—		200.0		—		—		—		400.0
US$ bonds		2,184.5		—		—		637.4		392.3		—		1,154.8
Bank revolvers		174.0		32.0		—		142.0		—		—		—
Subtotal		6,282.9		571.1		424.6		779.4		616.9		673.9		3,217.0
Interest payable		1,728.4		177.3		172.2		157.7		125.6		112.9		982.7
Total		8,011.3		748.4		596.8		937.1		742.5		786.8		4,199.7
Operating leases2		4,231.1		600.9		468.6		410.4		358.1		320.3		2,072.8
Capital commitments3		28.4		28.4		—		—		—		—		—
Investment commitments3		31.4		31.4		—		—		—		—		—
Financial derivatives		4.8		11.4		10.0		8.2		7.0		5.0		(36.8	)
Estimated obligations under acquisition earnouts and put option agreements		656.7		185.0		177.9		70.3		119.6		40.2		63.7
Total contractual obligations		12,963.7		1,605.5		1,253.3		1,426.0		1,227.2		1,152.3		6,299.4

¹   In addition to debt financing under the Revolving Credit Facility and in relation to unsecured loan notes, the Company had short-term overdrafts at 31 December 2018 of £442.0 million. The Group’s net debt at 31 December 2018 was £4,016.7 million and is analysed in Item 5B.

²  Operating leases include lease-related costs of £602.9 million and are net of sub-let rentals of £31.5 million. Lease-related costs include real estate taxes, insurance costs and operating costs embedded in the rental payments to the landlord.

³  Capital and investment commitments include commitments contracted, but not provided for in respect of property, plant and equipment and in respect of interests in associates and other investments, respectively.

The Company expects to make annual contributions to its funded defined benefit plans, as 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 2018 amounted to £44.9 million (2017: £68.2 million, 2016: £43.7 million). Employer contributions and benefit payments in 2019 are expected to be approximately £50 million. Projections for years after 2019 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.

24

Non-GAAP Information

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

Constant currency

The Company’s reporting currency is the UK pound 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 2018 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.

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 2018 and 2017 to like-for-like revenue for the same period.

	Revenue
	£m
2016 Reportable1		14,887
Impact of exchange rate changes		682		4.6	%
Changes in scope of consolidation		266		1.8	%
Like-for-like growth		(31	)	(0.2	%)
2017 Reportable1		15,804		6.2	%
Impact of exchange rate changes		(435	)	(2.8	%)
Changes in scope of consolidation		109		0.7	%
Like-for-like growth		124		0.8	%
2018 Reportable		15,602		(1.3	%)
1  Prior year figures have been restated for the impact of the adoption of IFRS 15 Revenue from Contracts with Customers, as described in the accounting policies section of 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 income/costs and revaluation of financial instruments, taxation, gains/losses on disposal of investments and subsidiaries, investment write-downs, goodwill impairment

25

and other goodwill write-downs, amortisation and impairment of acquired intangible assets, restructuring and transformation costs, share of exceptional gains/losses of associates and gains/losses on remeasurement of equity interests arising from a change in scope of ownership.

A tabular reconciliation of profit before interest and taxation to headline PBIT is provided in note 29 to the consolidated financial statements.

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 write-downs, goodwill impairment and other goodwill write-downs, amortisation and impairment of acquired intangible assets, restructuring and transformation costs, share of exceptional gains/losses of associates, gains/losses arising from the revaluation 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.

	Year ended 31 December
	2018 £m			2017 £m			2016 £m
Profit before taxation		1,463.3			2,109.3			1,890.5
Amortisation and impairment of acquired intangible assets		280.0			195.1			168.4
Goodwill impairment		183.9			27.1			27.0
Gains on disposal of investments and subsidiaries		(235.5	)		(129.0	)		(44.3	)
(Gains)/losses on remeasurement of equity interests arising from a change in scope of ownership		(2.0	)		0.3			(232.4	)
Investment write-downs		2.0			95.9			86.1
Restructuring and transformation costs		302.3			56.8			27.4
Share of exceptional losses/(gains) of associates		41.7			(0.8	)		15.2
Revaluation of financial instruments		(172.9	)		(262.2	)		48.3
Headline PBT		1,862.8			2,092.5			1,986.2

Headline EBITDA

Headline EBITDA is a key metric that private equity firms, for example, use for valuing companies, and is one of the metrics that management uses to assess the performance of the business.

Headline EBITDA is calculated as profit before finance income/costs and revaluation of financial instruments, taxation, investment gains/losses and write-downs, goodwill impairment and other goodwill write-downs, amortisation and impairment of intangible assets, share of exceptional losses/gains of associates, depreciation of property, plant and equipment, losses/gains on remeasurement of equity interests arising from a change in scope of ownership and restructuring and transformation costs.

26

A tabular reconciliation of profit for the year to headline EBITDA is shown below.

	Year ended 31 December
	2018 £m			2017 £m			2016 £m
Profit for the year		1,139.4			1,912.3			1,501.6
Taxation		323.9			197.0			388.9
Finance income, finance cost and revaluation of financial instruments, net		11.6			(87.6	)		222.4
Amortisation and impairment of acquired intangible assets		280.0			195.1			168.4
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment		225.1			230.7			220.8
Amortisation of other intangible assets		38.7			36.3			38.6
Goodwill impairment		183.9			27.1			27.0
Gains on disposal of investments and subsidiaries		(235.5	)		(129.0	)		(44.3	)
(Gains)/losses on remeasurement of equity interests arising from a change in scope of ownership		(2.0	)		0.3			(232.4	)
Investment write-downs		2.0			95.9			86.1
Restructuring and transformation costs		302.3			56.8			27.4
Share of exceptional losses/(gains) of associates		41.7			(0.8	)		15.2
Headline EBITDA		2,311.1			2,534.1			2,419.7

Billings

Billings is one of the 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.

Estimated net new billings

Estimated net new billings is one of the metrics that management uses to assess the performance of the business.

Estimated net new billings represent the estimated annualised 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 including proceeds from the issue of shares and proceeds from the disposal of property, plant and equipment, less earnout payments, purchases of property, plant and equipment, purchases of other intangible assets and dividends paid to non-controlling interests in subsidiary undertakings.

27

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

	Year ended 31 December
	2018 £m			20171 £m			20161 £m
Net cash inflow from operating activities		1,693.8			1,408.1			1,773.8
Share option proceeds		1.2			6.4			27.2
Proceeds on disposal of property, plant and equipment		9.5			8.0			7.7
Earnout payments		(120.2	)		(199.1	)		(92.3	)
Purchases of property, plant and equipment		(314.8	)		(288.9	)		(252.1	)
Purchases of other intangible assets (including capitalised computer software)		(60.4	)		(37.3	)		(33.0	)
Dividends paid to non-controlling interests in subsidiary undertakings		(106.2	)		(87.8	)		(89.6	)
Free cash flow		1,102.9			809.4			1,341.7
1  Prior year free cash flow has been re-presented to include movements in working capital and provisions and exclude earnout payments.

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.

The following table is an analysis of net debt:

	2018 £m			2017 £m			2016 £m
Debt financing		(6,659.9	)		(6,874.5	)		(6,567.4	)
Cash and short-term deposits		2,643.2			2,391.4			2,436.9
Net debt		(4,016.7	)		(4,483.1	)		(4,130.5	)

28

Use of Estimates

The preparation of consolidated financial statements requires management to make estimates, judgements and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingencies at the date of the consolidated financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ materially from those estimates.

Critical Accounting Policies

The Company’s consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with IFRS as issued by the IASB. A summary of the Group’s principal accounting policies is provided in the Accounting Policies section of the consolidated financial statements. The Company believes certain of these accounting policies are particularly critical to understanding the more significant judgements and estimates used in the preparation of its consolidated financial statements. Therefore, we have prepared the following supplemental discussion of critical accounting policies, which should be read together with our consolidated financial statements and notes thereto.

Goodwill and other intangibles

The Company has a significant amount of goodwill and other intangible assets. In accordance with the Group’s accounting policy, the carrying values of goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite useful lives are reviewed for impairment annually or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the asset might be impaired.

The impairment review is undertaken annually on 30 September. The review assessed whether the carrying value of goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite useful lives was supported by the net present value of future cash flows, using a pre-tax discount rate of 9.0% (2017: 8.5%) and management forecasts for a projection period of up to five years, followed by an assumed annual long-term growth rate of 3.0% (2017: 3.0%) and no assumed improvement in operating margin. Management have made the judgement that this long-term growth rate does not exceed the long-term average growth rate for the industry.

Under IFRS, an impairment charge is required for both goodwill and other indefinite-lived assets when the carrying amount exceeds the ‘recoverable amount’, defined as the higher of fair value less costs to sell and value in use.

Our approach in determining the recoverable amount utilises a discounted cash flow methodology, which necessarily involves making numerous estimates and assumptions regarding revenue growth, operating margins, appropriate discount rates and working capital requirements. The key assumptions used for estimating cash flow projections in the Group’s impairment testing are those relating to revenue growth and operating margin. The key assumptions take account of the businesses’ expectations for the projection period. These expectations consider the macroeconomic environment, industry and market conditions, the unit’s historical performance and any other circumstances particular to the unit, such as business strategy and client mix.

These estimates will likely differ from future actual results of operations and cash flows, and it is possible that these differences could be material. In addition, judgements are applied in determining the level of cash-generating unit identified for impairment testing and the criteria used to determine which assets should be aggregated. A difference in testing levels could affect whether an impairment is recorded and the extent of impairment loss. Changes in our business activities or structure may also result in changes to the level of testing in future periods. Further, future events could cause the Group to conclude that impairment indicators exist and that the asset values associated with a given operation have become impaired. Any resulting impairment loss could have a material impact on the Group’s financial condition and results of operations.

Historically our impairment losses have resulted from a specific event, condition or circumstance in one of our companies, such as the loss of a significant client. As a result, changes in the assumptions used in our impairment

29

model have not had a significant effect on the impairment charges recognised and a reasonably possible change in assumptions would not lead to a significant impairment, except for VMLY&R as discussed in note 12 to the consolidated financial statements. The carrying value of goodwill and other intangible assets will continue to be reviewed at least annually for impairment and adjusted down to the recoverable amount if required.

Acquisition accounting

The Group accounts for acquisitions in accordance with IFRS 3 ‘Business Combinations’. IFRS 3 requires the acquiree’s identifiable assets, liabilities and contingent liabilities (other than non-current assets or disposal groups held for sale) to be recognised at fair value at acquisition date. In assessing fair value at acquisition date, management make their best estimate of the likely outcome where the fair value of an asset or liability may be contingent on a future event. In certain instances, the underlying transaction giving rise to an estimate may not be resolved until some years after the acquisition date. IFRS 3 requires the release to profit of any acquisition reserves which subsequently become excess in the same way as any excess costs over those provided at acquisition date are charged to profit. At each period end, management assess provisions and other balances established in respect of acquisitions for their continued probability of occurrence and amend the relevant value accordingly through the consolidated income statement or as an adjustment to goodwill as appropriate under IFRS 3. In 2018, operating profit includes credits totalling £29.9 million (2017: £44.8 million, 2016: £26.3 million) relating to the release of excess provisions and other balances established in respect of acquisitions completed prior to 2017.

Future anticipated payments to vendors in respect of contingent consideration (earnout agreements) are initially recorded at fair value which is the present value of the expected cash outflows of the obligations. The obligations are dependent on the future financial performance of the interests acquired (typically over a four- to five-year period following the year of acquisition) and assume the operating companies improve profits in line with Directors’ estimates. The Directors derive their estimates from internal business plans together with financial due diligence performed in connection with the acquisition. Subsequent adjustments to the fair value are recorded in the consolidated income statement within revaluation of financial instruments. A summary of earnout related obligations included in trade and other payables is shown in note 18 to the consolidated financial statements.

WPP has also entered into option agreements that allow the Group’s equity partners to require the Group to purchase the non-controlling interest. These agreements are treated as derivatives over equity instruments and are recorded in the consolidated balance sheet initially at the present value of the redemption amount in accordance with IAS 32 Financial Instruments: Presentation and subsequently measured at fair value in accordance with IFRS 9 Financial Instruments. The movement in the fair value is recognised as income or expense within revaluation of financial instruments in the consolidated income statement.

Actual performance may differ from the assumptions used resulting in amounts ultimately paid out with respect to these earnout and option agreements at more or less than the recorded liabilities. Estimates are required regarding growth rates in deriving future financial performance and discount rates to be applied when measuring the liabilities for earnout and option agreements. The assumptions and sensitivity to changes in these assumptions is shown in note 24 to the consolidated financial statements.

Revenue recognition

The Group is a leading worldwide creative transformation organisation offering national and multinational clients a comprehensive range of communications, experience, commerce and technology services. Contracts often involve multiple agencies offering different services in different countries. As such, the terms of local, regional, and global contracts can vary to meet client needs and regulatory requirements. Consistent with the industry, contracts are typically short-term in nature and tend to be cancellable by either party with 90 days notice. The Group is generally entitled to payment for work performed to date.

30

The Group is generally paid in arrears for its services. Invoices are typically payable within 30 to 60 days. Revenue comprises commissions and fees earned in respect of amounts billed and is stated exclusive of VAT, sales taxes and trade discounts. Pass-through costs comprise fees paid to external suppliers when they are engaged to perform part or all of a specific project and are charged directly to clients, predominantly media and data collection costs. Costs to obtain a contract are typically expensed as incurred as the contracts are generally short-term in nature.

In most instances, promised services in a contract are not considered distinct or represent a series of services that are substantially the same with the same pattern of transfer to the customer and, as such, are accounted for as a single performance obligation. However, where there are contracts with services that are capable of being distinct, are distinct within the context of the contract, and are accounted for as separate performance obligations, revenue is allocated to each of the performance obligations based on relative standalone selling prices.

Revenue is recognised when a performance obligation is satisfied, in accordance with the terms of the contractual arrangement. Typically performance obligations are satisfied over-time as services are rendered. Revenue recognised over-time is based on the proportion of the level of service performed. Either an input method or an output method, depending on the particular arrangement, is used to measure progress for each performance obligation. For most fee arrangements, costs incurred are used as an objective input measure of performance. The primary input of substantially all work performed under these arrangements is labour. There is normally a direct relationship between costs incurred and the proportion of the contract performed to date. In other circumstances relevant output measures, such as the achievement of any project milestones stipulated in the contract, are used to assess proportional performance.

For our retainer arrangements, we have a stand ready obligation to perform services on an ongoing basis over the life of the contract. The scope of these arrangements are broad and generally are not reconcilable to another input or output criteria. In these instances, revenue is recognised using a time-based method resulting in straight-line revenue recognition.

The amount of revenue recognised depends on whether we act as an agent or as a principal. Certain arrangements with our clients are such that our responsibility is to arrange for a third party to provide a specified good or service to the client. In these cases we are acting as an agent as we do not control the relevant good or service before it is transferred to the client. When we act as an agent, the revenue recorded is the net amount retained. Costs incurred with external suppliers (such as production costs and media suppliers) are excluded from revenue and recorded as work in progress until billed.

The Group acts as principal when we control the specified good or service prior to transfer. When the Group acts as a principal (such as in-house production services, events, data investment management, and branding), the revenue recorded is the gross amount billed. Billings related to out-of-pocket costs such as travel are also recognised at the gross amount billed with a corresponding amount recorded as an expense. Further details on revenue recognition are detailed by sector below:

Advertising and media investment management

Revenue is typically derived from media placements and advertising services. Revenue may consist of various arrangements involving commissions, fees, incentive-based revenue or a combination of the three, as agreed upon with each client. Revenue for commissions on purchased media is typically recognised at the point in time the media is run. The Group receives volume rebates from certain suppliers for transactions entered into on behalf of clients that, based on the terms of the relevant contracts and local law, are either remitted to clients or retained by the Group. If amounts are passed on to clients they are recorded as liabilities until settled or, if retained by the Group, are recorded as revenue when earned. Variable incentive-based revenue typically comprises both quantitative and qualitative elements. Incentive compensation is estimated using the most likely amount and is included in revenue up to the amount that is highly probable not to result in a significant reversal of cumulative revenue recognised. The Group recognises incentive revenue as the related performance obligation is satisfied.

31

Data investment management

Revenue for market research services is typically recognised over-time based on input measures. For certain performance obligations, output measures such as the percentage of interviews completed, percentage of reports delivered to a client and the achievement of any project milestones stipulated in the contract are used to measure progress. While most of the studies provided in connection with the Group’s market research contracts are undertaken in response to an individual client’s or group of clients’ specifications, in certain instances a study may be developed as an off-the-shelf product offering sold to a broad client base. For these transactions, revenue is recognised when the product is delivered. When the terms of the transaction provide for licensing the right to access a product on a subscription basis, revenue is recognised over the subscription period typically on a straight-line basis.

Public relations & public affairs and brand consulting, health & wellness and specialist communications

Revenue for these services is typically derived from retainer fees and fees for services to be performed subject to specific agreement. Most revenue under these arrangements is earned over-time, in accordance with the terms of the contractual arrangement.

Pension costs

Pension costs are assessed in accordance with the advice of local independent qualified actuaries. The latest full actuarial valuations for the various plans were carried out at various dates in the last three years. These valuations have been updated by the local actuaries to 31 December 2018.

The Group’s policy is to close existing defined benefit plans to new members. This has been implemented across a significant number of pension plans. As a result, these plans generally have an ageing membership population. In accordance with IAS 19, Defined Benefit Plans, the actuarial calculations have been carried out using the projected unit credit method. In these circumstances, use of this method implies that the contribution rate implicit in the current service cost will increase in future years.

The Group’s pension deficit was £183.4 million at 31 December 2018, compared to £205.4 million at 31 December 2017. The decrease in the deficit is primarily due to higher discount rates as a result of an increase in high-quality corporate bond yields.

There are a number of areas in the pension accounting that involve judgements made by management based on the advice of qualified advisors. These include establishing the discount rates, rate of increase in salaries and pensions in payment, inflation and mortality assumptions. A sensitivity analysis for each significant actuarial assumption is shown in note 22 to the consolidated financial statements.

Most of the Group’s pension plan assets are held by its plans in the UK and North America. Management considers the types of investment classes in which the pension plan assets are invested. The types of investment classes are determined by economic and market conditions and in consideration of specific asset class risk.

Management periodically commissions detailed asset and liability studies performed by third-party professional investment advisors and actuaries that generate probability-adjusted expected future returns on those assets. These studies also project the estimated future pension payments and evaluate the efficiency of the allocation of the pension plan assets into various investment categories.

Taxation

Corporate taxes are payable on taxable profits at current rates. The tax expense represents the sum of the tax currently payable and deferred tax.

32

The Group is subject to corporate taxes in a number of different jurisdictions and judgement is required in determining the appropriate provision for transactions where the ultimate tax determination is uncertain. In such circumstances, the Group recognises liabilities for anticipated taxes based on the best information available and where the anticipated liability is both probable and estimable, liabilities are classified as current. Any interest and penalties accrued are included in corporate income taxes both in the consolidated income statement and balance sheet. Where the final outcome of such matters differs from the amount recorded, any differences may impact the income tax and deferred tax provisions in the period in which the final determination is made.

We record deferred tax assets and liabilities using tax rates that are expected to apply in the period when the liability is settled or the asset is realised based on enacted, or substantively enacted legislation, for the effect of temporary differences between book and tax bases of assets and liabilities. Currently we have deferred tax assets resulting from operating loss carryforwards and deductible temporary differences, all of which could reduce taxable income in the future. The main factors that we consider include:

• the future earnings potential determined through the use of internal forecasts;

• the cumulative losses in recent years;

• the various jurisdictions in which the potential deferred tax assets arise;

• the history of losses carried forward and other tax assets expiring;

• the timing of future reversal of taxable temporary differences;

• the expiry period associated with the deferred tax assets; and

• the nature of the income that can be used to realise the deferred tax asset.

If it is probable that some portion of these assets will not be realised, then no asset is recognised in relation to that portion. At 31 December 2018, no deferred tax asset has been recognised in respect of gross tax losses and other temporary differences of £4,875.2 million.

If market conditions improve and future results of operations exceed our current expectations, our existing recognised deferred tax assets may be adjusted, resulting in future tax benefits. Alternatively, if market conditions deteriorate further or future results of operations are less than expected, future assessments may result in a determination that some or all of the deferred tax assets are not realisable. As a result, all or a portion of the deferred tax assets may need to be reversed.

New IFRS Accounting Pronouncements

See page F-2 of the consolidated financial statements for a description of new IFRS accounting pronouncements.

33

ITEM 6. DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND EMPLOYEES

A. Directors and Senior Management

The Directors and Executive Officers of the Company are as follows:

Roberto Quarta, Age 69: Chairman. Roberto Quarta was appointed as a Director on 1 January 2015 and became Chairman on 9 June 2015. Roberto has extensive and diverse experience in corporate governance and global commerce. He is Partner and Chairman of Clayton, Dubilier & Rice Europe, a private equity firm, which allows him to bring valuable perspective to WPP, particularly when evaluating acquisitions and new business opportunities. Roberto has an in-depth understanding of differing global governance requirements having served on the boards of a number of UK and international companies, including as Chairman of BBA Group plc and Rexel SA and as Non-Executive Director of BAE Systems plc, Equant NV and Foster Wheeler AG.

Other current appointments: Chairman, Smith & Nephew plc.

Mark Read, Age 52: Chief Executive Officer. Mark Read was appointed as an Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer on 3 September 2018. Mark has held multiple leadership positions at WPP, having first joined the Company in 1989. He was responsible for WPP’s expansion into technology through the acquisition of 24/7 Real Media, the creation of the POSSIBLE network and the launch of Stream, WPP’s celebrated “unconference”. In 2015, he was appointed Global CEO of Wunderman, which he transformed into one of the world’s leading creative, data and technology agencies. Wired magazine ranked Mark as one of the Top 25 Digital Influencers in Europe in 2014 and he was named The Drum’s Digital Individual of the Year in 2015 and 2017. In September 2018 he was named as a Financial Times and HERoes Champion of Women in Business.

Paul Richardson, Age 61: Group Finance Director. Paul Richardson became Group Finance Director in 1996 after four years with the Company as Director of Treasury. Paul is responsible for the Company’s worldwide functions in finance, information technology, procurement, property, treasury, taxation, internal audit and sustainability. Paul is a chartered accountant and fellow of the Association of Corporate Treasurers. In October 2018 he informed the Board he would step down during the course of 2019.

Nicole Seligman, Age 62: Senior Independent Director, Non-Executive Director. Nicole Seligman was appointed as a Director on 1 January 2014. Nicole is a global business leader and an internationally recognised lawyer. She brings to the Board analytical skills, in-depth knowledge of public company corporate governance and a comprehensive understanding of media and business issues. Nicole was previously President of Sony Entertainment, Inc. and global General Counsel for Sony Corporation. Prior to that, as a partner at law firm Williams & Connolly, Nicole represented key public figures and major media and other companies in complex litigation.

Other current appointments: Non-Executive Director, Viacom Inc. Non-Executive Director, Far Point Acquisition Corporation. Chairman, The Doe Fund.

Jacques Aigrain, Age 64: Non-Executive Director. Jacques Aigrain was appointed as a Director on 13 May 2013. Jacques brings business, corporate finance and governance expertise to his role on the Board of WPP. Currently a Senior Advisor at Warburg Pincus LLP, from 2001 to 2009 he was a member of the Executive Committee of Swiss Re AG. Prior to Swiss Re, he spent 20 years with JPMorgan Chase. Jacques was previously Chairman of LCH Clearnet Group Ltd, a Director of the Qatar Financial Center Authorities and a Supervisory Board Member of Lufthansa AG and Swiss International Airlines AG.

Other current appointments: Chairman, LyondellBasell NV. Non-Executive Director, London Stock Exchange Group plc. Chairman, Self Trade Bank S.A.U.

Tarek Farahat, Age 54: Non-Executive Director. Tarek Farahat was appointed as a Director with effect from 11 October 2016. Tarek has extensive leadership and brand-building experience gained in different markets

34

around the world. He worked for Procter & Gamble for over 26 years in Europe, the Middle East and Latin America, leading multi-billion dollar businesses for the company. His last position at Procter & Gamble was President of Procter & Gamble Latin America and member of the Global Leadership Council. Tarek was previously Chairman of the board of JBS S.A. and a board member of Pilgrims Pride Corporation and Alpargatas. He is currently a strategic advisor and partner for several companies.

Sir John Hood, Age 67: Non-Executive Director. Sir John Hood was appointed as a Director on 1 January 2014. Sir John brings deep knowledge and experience of international business to the Board, and provides analytical rigour arising from his leadership roles in higher education and research. He has held advisory roles for the New Zealand and British governments and has served as a Non-Executive Director of British and New Zealand-based enterprises. He was formerly Vice Chancellor of the University of Oxford and the University of Auckland.

Other current appointments: President and CEO, Robertson Foundation. Chairman, BMT Group. Non-Executive Director, Study Group Limited. Non-Executive Director, Aurora Energy Research. Non-Executive Director, Blackstone Group LP.

Ruigang Li, Age 49: Non-Executive Director. Ruigang Li was appointed as a Director on 12 October 2010. As Founding Chairman and CEO of CMC Capital Group, China’s leading equity investment group in the entertainment, technology and consumer sectors, and of CMC Inc., a media and entertainment conglomerate, Ruigang offers WPP insight into the Chinese media and technology sectors. Ruigang was Chairman and President of Shanghai Media Group for over 10 years and was previously Chief of Staff of Shanghai Municipal Government.

Other current appointments: Chairman and CEO, CMC Capital Group. Chairman and CEO, CMC Inc. Board Member, City Football Group. Director, Creative Artists Agency. Vice Chairman, TVB (Hong Kong). Chairman, Shaw Brothers (Hong Kong). Board Member, Special Olympics.

Daniela Riccardi, Age 59: Non-Executive Director. Daniela Riccardi was appointed as a Director on 12 September 2013. A senior FMCG, retail and fashion products executive, Daniela is a recognised leader in business development and branding. She is currently CEO of Baccarat, the international luxury goods company, and was previously CEO of Diesel Group. Daniela has substantial global business experience, having spent 25 years at Procter & Gamble in senior management roles around the world – including Vice President of Procter & Gamble Columbia, Mexico and Venezuela, Vice President and General Manager of Procter & Gamble Eastern Europe & Russia and President of Procter & Gamble Greater China.

Other current appointments: CEO, Baccarat. Non-Executive Director, Kering. Non-Executive Director, Comite Colbert.

Sally Susman, Age 57: Non-Executive Director. Sally Susman was appointed as a Director on 13 May 2013. Sally brings expertise in communications, public affairs, governance and strategy to the Board. She is Executive Vice President, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer for Pfizer, the world’s largest biopharmaceutical company. She also heads Pfizer’s corporate responsibility group and plays a key role in shaping policy initiatives. Before joining Pfizer in 2007, Sally was EVP of Global Communications at Estée Lauder, where she directed global corporate affairs strategy and served as a member of the Executive Committee. Sally previously held several senior corporate affairs posts at American Express, in both London and the US.

Other current appointments: Co-Chair, International Rescue Committee.

Solomon D. (Sol) Trujillo, Age 67: Non-Executive Director. Solomon D. (Sol) Trujillo was appointed as a Director on 12 October 2010. An international business executive with three decades of leading high-cap global companies in the US, Europe and Asia Pacific, Sol has wide board and corporate governance experience in the

35

technology, media and digital sectors. Sol has managed operations in over 25 countries from Europe and North America to China, Australasia, Africa and the Middle East. He is a Senior Advisor to Bain & Company and Chairman of Trujillo Group LLC, which manages investments and examines emerging trends in the broader digital space.

Other current appointments: Director, Western Union. Chairman, Silk Road Telecommunications.

Cindy Rose, Age 53: Non-Executive Director. Cindy Rose was appointed as a Director on 1 April 2019. A high-profile leader in the technology and media sectors, Cindy has a deep understanding of the role of technology in business transformation. As Microsoft UK CEO since 2016, she is responsible for Microsoft’s product, service and support offerings across the UK. Prior to Microsoft, she was Managing Director of the UK Consumer division at Vodafone where she led the expansion of its retail store estate from 350 to over 500 stores. Before Vodafone, Cindy was Executive Director of Digital Entertainment at Virgin Media. She also spent 15 years at The Walt Disney Company, ultimately as SVP & Managing Director of Disney Interactive Media Group.

Other current appointments: Non-Executive Director, Informa plc.

The independence of each Non-Executive Director is assessed annually by the Board under the UK Corporate Governance Code which applies in respect of WPP’s primary listing on the London Stock Exchange. The Board has confirmed that all of the Non-Executive Directors standing for election and re-election at the 2019 Annual General Meeting (AGM) continue to demonstrate the characteristics of independence.

B. Compensation

Directors’ Compensation

For the fiscal year ended 31 December 2018 the aggregate compensation paid by WPP to all directors and officers of WPP as a group for services in all capacities was £9.5 million. Such compensation was paid by WPP and its subsidiaries primarily in the form of salaries, performance-related bonuses, other benefits and deferred share awards. The sum of £0.5 million was set aside and paid in the last fiscal year to provide pension benefits for directors and officers of WPP.

36

Executive Directors’ total compensation received

Single total figure of remuneration

2018	Base salary5		Benefits6		Pension7		Short-term incentive8		Long-term incentive9		Total annual compensation
	£000		£000		£000		£000		£000		£000
Mark Read1		325		12		57		244		327		965
Paul Richardson2,3		808		64		243		320		690		2,125
Sir Martin Sorrell4		391		70		102		—		2,522		3,085

¹   Mark Read was appointed as CEO on 3 September 2018 and his salary is prorated accordingly.

²  Any US dollar amounts received in 2018 have been converted into pound sterling at an exchange rate of $1.3351 to £1.

³  Paul Richardson’s base salary figure is denominated in US dollars other than his fee for Directorship of WPP plc of £100,000 which, per above, has been converted at an exchange rate of $1.3351 to £1.

⁴  Sir Martin Sorrell resigned from the Company on 14 April 2018. The base salary includes accrued and unused holiday pay.

⁵  Base salary levels are reviewed every two years or following a change in role and will normally increase by no more than the local rate of inflation. Company and personal performance are taken into account during review process.

⁶  Benefits are fixed, non-itemised allowance enabling executives to procure their own benefits as required. While the Compensation Policy allows for a benefits allowance of up to £200,000 for the CEO, Mark Read was appointed with a benefits allowance of £35,000, which is prorated for his period as CEO. The benefits, and total annual compensation, set out in the table above exclude the disclosable value of expenses related directly to attendance at Board meetings that would be chargeable to UK income tax. The expenses were for Mark Read £1,666, Sir Martin Sorrell £2,253 and Paul Richardson £7,625. Sir Martin Sorrell’s benefits allowance was estimated up to his date of resignation.

⁷  Pension is provided by way of contribution to a defined contribution retirement arrangement, or a cash allowance, determined as a percentage of base salary. Contributions/allowances are as follows (as % of base salary): CEO—30% and CFO—30%. While the Compensation Policy allows for new Executive Directors to receive an allowance of 25% of base salary, Mark Read was given an allowance of 20% less employer’s National Insurance contribution of 13.8% resulting in a net pension contribution of 17.6%. The 2018 amount is prorated for the period as CEO. Sir Martin Sorrell’s pension allowance was prorated up to his date of resignation.

⁸  In respect of the 2018 short-term incentive awards, 40% will be delivered in the form of shares as an Executive Share Award (ESA) with a two-year deferral requirement. ESAs are subject to malus provisions. The cash bonuses are subject to clawback provisions. Whilst the Policy allows for the CEO to have awards under the short-term incentive plan of up to 400% of base salary, it was determined to appoint the new CEO on 250% of base salary with a target of 50% of maximum. Mark Read’s short-term incentive relates to performance post his appointment as CEO on 3 September 2018, prorated for his four months in office. In addition, he received a short-term incentive payment of £1,246,049 related to his performance as CEO of Wunderman and then joint-COO in the course of the first eight months of the year. The STIP will be delivered £747,629 as a cash award and £498,420 as an ESA award.

⁹  This is the value of the 2014 and 2013 Executive Performance Share Plan (EPSP) awards which vested in 2019 and 2018, following the end of the five-year EPSP performance periods on 31 December 2018 and 31 December 2017 respectively. For Mark Read this figure includes the Leaders 2015 award which vested in November 2018. Sir Martin Sorrell’s EPSP award was time prorated in accordance with the plan rules as discussed on page 42.

Vesting of 2014 – 2018 EPSP awards

Vesting of the 2014 EPSP awards was dependent on performance against three measures, all assessed over a five-year period, which include relative Total Shareholder Returns (TSR), Earnings Per Share (EPS) growth and average annual Return On Equity (ROE).

	Number of shares awarded		Additional shares in respect of dividend accrual		Number of shares vesting		Share/ADR price on vesting		Value of vested 2014-2018 EPSP awards 000
Mark Read		68,174		4,504		27,228	£	8.5606	£	233
Paul Richardson1		40,927		2,732		16,374	$	56.2594	$	921
Sir Martin Sorrell2		867,756		48,728		294,591	£	8.5606	£	2,522

¹   Paul Richardson’s EPSP awards were granted in respect of ADRs.

²  In addition to the application of the performance outcome, Sir Martin Sorrell’s award was time prorated in accordance with the plan rules as discussed on page 42.

37

Outstanding share-based awards

Executive Share Awards (ESAs) held by Executive Directors

All Executive Share Awards or Performance Share Awards (PSA) granted under the Restricted Stock Plan and its successor, the WPP Stock Plan, are made on the basis of satisfaction of previously determined performance conditions and are subject to continuous employment until the vesting date. Mark Read received ESAs and PSA awards prior to his appointment as Executive Director. Unless otherwise noted, awards are made in the form of WPP ordinary shares.

		Grant date		Share/ADR price on grant date		No. of Shares/ADRs granted2		Face value on grant date 0003		Additional shares granted in lieu of dividends		Total shares vesting		Vesting date		Shares/ADR price on vesting		Value on vesting 000
Mark Read	2016 PSA		06.06.17		£17.2050		25,573		£440		—		—		10.03.19		—		—
	2017 PSA		12.06.18		£12.3800		38,317		£474		—		—		10.03.20		—		—
Paul Richardson1	2015 ESA		07.06.16		$116.2700		10,837		$1,260		792		11,629		06.03.18	$	85.8183		$998
	2016 ESA		06.06.17		$110.7600		9,280		$1,028		—		—		06.03.19		—		—
Sir Martin Sorrell	2015 ESA		07.06.16		£15.9850		133,817		£2,139		9,521		143,338		06.03.18	£	12.4220		£1,781
	2016 ESA		06.06.17		£17.2050		86,955		£1,496		—		—		06.03.19		—		—

¹   Paul Richardson’s ESAs were granted in respect of ADRs.

²  Dividend shares will be due on these awards.

³  Face value has been calculated using the average closing share price for the trading day preceding the date of grant (as set out in the table).

Mark Read received awards prior to his appointment as CEO under the management incentive plans. In addition, on his appointment as joint-COO, and while the Board decided on the appointment of the next CEO, a special one-off award was made, recognising the importance and scale of the additional responsibilities that were being undertaken. Each award is subject to continuous employment and malus and clawback and were made under the Restricted Stock Plan or the WPP Stock Plan 2018.

		Grant date		Share/ADR price on grant date		No. of Shares /ADRs granted2		Face value on grant date 0003		Additional shares granted in lieu of dividends		Total shares vesting		Vesting date		Shares/ADR price on vesting		Value on vesting 000
Mark Read	Leaders 2015		23.12.15		£15.4750		9,693		£150		1,281		10,974		15.11.18		£8.5405		£94
	Leaders 2016		28.11.16		£17.0550		8,795		£150		—		—		15.11.19		—		—
	Leaders 2017		04.12.17		£13.0850		11,463		£150		—		—		15.11.20		—		—
	Special award1		12.06.18		£12.3800		121,161		£1,500		—		—		01.05.19 to 01.05.21		—		—

¹   The special one-off award will vest in three equal parts from 1 May 2019 to 1 May 2021.

²  Dividend shares will be due on these awards.

³  Face value has been calculated using the average closing share price for the trading day preceding the date of grant (as set out in the table).

38

Long-term incentive plans – EPSP

The following table summarises all of the awards outstanding under the EPSP.

	Grant date		Performance period		Shares/ ADR price on grant date		Maximum number of nil cost options over shares/ADRs awarded3		During 2018
									Options vested/ (lapsed)		Additional dividend shares		Options exercised		Maximum number of nil cost options over shares/ADRs at 31 December 2018
Mark Read		04.06.14		01.01.14-31.12.18	£	12.9080		68,174		—		—		—		68,174
		09.06.15		01.01.15-31.12.19	£	15.1720		65,910		—		—		—		65,910
		28.11.16		01.01.16-31.12.20	£	17.0520		58,644		—		—		—		58,644
		04.12.17		01.01.17-31.12.21	£	12.9110		106,498		—		—		—		106,498
		06.12.18		01.01.18-31.12.22	£	8.6040		396,617		—		—		—		396,617
Paul Richardson1		04.06.14		01.01.14-31.12.18	$	107.9960		40,927		—		—		—		40,927
		09.06.15		01.01.15-31.12.19	$	115.8800		37,970		—		—		—		37,970
		28.11.16		01.01.16-31.12.20	$	105.9309		41,536		—		—		—		41,536
		04.12.17		01.01.17-31.12.21	$	86.9138		36,933		—		—		—		36,933
		06.12.18		01.01.18-31.12.22	$	55.2631		58,628		—		—		—		58,628
Sir Martin Sorrell2		04.06.14		01.01.14-31.12.18	£	12.9080		867,756		—		—		—		867,756
		09.06.15		01.01.15-31.12.19	£	15.1720		738,267		—		—		—		738,267
		28.11.16		01.01.16-31.12.20	£	17.0520		656,873		—		—		—		656,873
		04.12.17		01.01.17-31.12.21	£	12.9110		534,428		—		—		—		534,428

¹   Paul Richardson’s EPSP awards were granted in respect of ADRs.

²  Sir Martin Sorrell’s EPSP awards will be prorated to reflect retirement treatment as outlined on page 40.

³  Dividend shares will be due on these awards.

Non-Executive Directors’ total compensation received

The single total figure of compensation table below details fee payments received by the Non-Executive Directors while they held a position on the Board.

	Fees £000
	2018
Roberto Quarta		475
Jacques Aigrain		138
Tarek Farahat		98
Sir John Hood		118
Ruigang Li		88
Daniela Riccardi		88
Nicole Seligman		130
Hugo Shong1		48
Sally Susman		88
Sol Trujillo		98

¹   Hugo Shong retired from the Board 31 July 2018.

39

Past directors

Remuneration Arrangement for the former Chief Executive Officer

Sir Martin Sorrell left WPP on 14 April 2018. Under the terms of his employment agreements, he was treated as having retired. The treatment of his compensation elements is discussed on page 37. The long-term incentive awards were made under the EPSP and are subject to performance conditions.

Plan	Number of shares awarded		Vesting date		Time pro rating %
2014 EPSP		867,756		March 2019		85
2015 EPSP		738,267		March 2020		65
2016 EPSP		656,873		March 2021		45
2017 EPSP		534,428		March 2022		25

Payments to past directors

During 2018, payments were made to past Directors who continued to provide advisory services to the Company. A payment of £30,000 was made to John Jackson in respect of his advisory role to WPP, which enabled the Company to benefit from his considerable knowledge and experience in the communications and marketing services sector. This arrangement was terminated on 31 December 2018. Since his retirement from the Board, Timothy Shriver has been appointed as a consultant advising the Company on certain client relationships. He received a payment of £150,497 for his consultancy services.

No payments were made for loss of office to any Director during 2018.

The full Directors’ Compensation Policy can be found at www.wpp.com/about/corporate-governance. This Annual Report on Form 20-F does not incorporate by reference information on the Company’s website.

C. Board Practices

Board attendance table
	Board (scheduled meetings)		Board (unscheduled meetings) 1		Audit Committee		Compensation Committee
Roberto Quarta	•	6/6		3/3				8/8
Mark Read2 – appointed on 3 September 2018		5/5		3/3
Paul Richardson		6/6		3/3
Jacques Aigrain		6/6		2/3	•	10/10		8/8
Tarek Farahat		6/6		2/3		10/10
Sir John Hood		6/6		3/3			•	8/8
Ruigang Li		5/6		1/3
Daniela Riccardi		6/6		3/3
Nicole Seligman – appointed to Nomination and Governance Committee on 17 April 2018		6/6		3/3				8/8
Sally Susman		6/6		1/3
Solomon D. (Sol) Trujillo		6/6		2/3		10/10
Former Directors who served for part of the year
Sir Martin Sorrell – retired on 14 April 2018		1/1
Hugo Shong – retired on 31 July 2018		3/4

¹  Additional unscheduled meetings of the Board took place in relation to the resignation of Sir Martin Sorrell on 14 April 2018.

² Mark Read attended two scheduled meetings of the Board as CEO and three scheduled meetings of the Board as Joint COO.

• Chair

40

The role of the Board

The Board is collectively responsible for promoting the long-term success of the Company by directing and supervising the Company’s policy and strategy and is responsible to shareholders for the Company’s financial and operational performance and risk management. Responsibility for the development and implementation of Company policy and strategy and for day-to-day management issues is delegated by the Board to the Group Chief Executive and Group Finance Director. The list of matters reserved to the Board can be downloaded from www.wpp.com/about/corporate-governance. This Annual Report on Form 20-F does not incorporate by reference information on the Company’s website.

Re-election

The Directors submit themselves for annual re-election at each AGM, if they wish to continue serving and are considered by the Board to be eligible. Directors may be appointed by shareholders by ordinary resolution or by the Board on the recommendation of the Nomination and Governance Committee and must then stand for re-election at the next AGM, where they may be re-elected by ordinary resolution of the shareholders. With only specific exceptions to ensure Board continuity, Non-Executive Directors shall not stand for re-election after they have served for the period of their independence, as determined by applicable UK and US standards, which is nine years. Refer to Item 6A for the appointment date of each Director.

Service contracts

The Company’s policy on Executive Directors’ service contracts is that they should be on a rolling basis without a specific end date. The effective dates and notice periods under the current Executive Directors’ service contracts are summarised below:

	Effective from		Notice period
Mark Read		3 September 2018		12 months
Paul Richardson		19 November 2008		12 months

The Executive Directors’ service contracts are available for inspection at the Company’s registered office and head office.

Loss of office provisions

Fixed compensation elements

As noted above, the service contracts of the Executive Directors provide for notice to be given on termination.

The fixed compensation elements of the service contracts will continue to be paid in respect of any notice period. There are no provisions relating to payment in lieu of notice in Paul Richardson’s service contract. The Company can elect in its sole and absolute discretion to make a payment in lieu of notice in the event of termination of Mark Read’s service contract. If an Executive Director is placed on garden leave, the Compensation Committee retains the discretion to settle benefits in the form of cash. The Executive Directors are entitled to compensation for any accrued and unused holiday although, to the extent it is possible and in shareholders interests, the Committee will encourage Executive Directors to use their leave entitlements, prior to the end of their notice period.

Except in respect of any remaining notice period, no aspect of any Executive Director’s fixed compensation is payable on termination of employment.

41

Short- and long-term compensation elements

If the Executive Director is dismissed for cause, there is no entitlement to a STIP award, and any unvested share-based awards will lapse. Otherwise, the table below summarises the relevant provisions from the directors’ service contracts (cash bonus) and the plan rules (Restricted Stock Plan (RSP) and EPSP), which apply in other leaver scenarios. The Compensation Committee has the authority to ensure that any awards that vest or lapse are treated in accordance with the plan rules, which are more extensive than the summary set out in the table below.

Cash bonus	Paul Richardson is entitled to receive his bonus for any particular year provided he is employed on the last date of the performance period. If Mark Read’s service contract is terminated prior to the date on which any bonus is paid (in respect of the cash element) or prior to the vesting date of the deferred stock award (in respect of the deferred stock element) he will lose all entitlements under the STIP.
ESA	Provided the Executive Director is a Good Leaver, unvested awards will be reduced on a time pro-rata basis and paid on the vesting date.
EPSP	•   The award will lapse if the Executive Director leaves during the first year of a performance period.
	•   Provided the Executive Director is a Good Leaver, awards will vest subject to performance at the end of the performance period and time pro-rating. Awards will be paid on the normal date.
	•   In exceptional circumstances, the Compensation Committee may determine that an award will vest on a different basis.
	•   Generally, in the event of death, the performance conditions are to be assessed as at the date of death. However, the Compensation Committee retains the discretion to deal with an award due to a deceased executive on any other basis that it considers appropriate.
	•   Awards will vest immediately on a change of control subject to performance and time pro-rating unless it is agreed by the Compensation Committee and the relevant Executive Director that the outstanding awards are exchanged for equivalent new awards.

Other Compensation Committee discretions not set out above

• Leaver status: the Compensation Committee has the discretion to determine an executive’s leaver classification in light of the guidance set out within the relevant plan rules.

• Settlement agreements: the Compensation Committee is authorised to reach settlement agreements with departing executives, informed by the default position set out above.

Other chairman and non-executive director policies

Letters of appointment for the chairman and non-executive directors

Letters of appointment have a two-month notice period and there are no payments due on loss of office.

Appointments to the Board

The chairman and non-executive directors are not eligible to receive any variable pay. Fees for any new non-executive directors will be consistent with the operating policy at their time of appointment. In respect of the appointment of a new chairman, the Compensation Committee has the discretion to set fees taking into account a range of factors including the profile and prior experience of the candidate, cost and external market data.

Payments in exceptional circumstances

In truly unforeseen and exceptional circumstances, the Compensation Committee retains the discretion to make emergency payments which might not otherwise be covered by this policy. The Compensation Committee will

42

not use this power to exceed the recruitment policy limit, nor will awards be made in excess of the limits set out in the Directors’ Compensation Policy table. An example of such an exceptional circumstance could be the untimely death of a director, requiring another director to take on an interim role until a permanent replacement is found.

Compensation Committee

During 2018, the Compensation Committee met eight times on a formal basis, with several additional informal meetings held as needed to deal with the matters related to the resignation of the former CEO and appointment of the new CEO. A table of Board and Committee attendance can be found on page 40.

The Committee members do not have any personal financial interest (other than as a shareholder as disclosed on page 50) in the matters to be decided by the Committee, potential conflicts of interest arising from cross-directorships or day-to-day involvement in running the Group’s businesses. The terms of reference for the Compensation Committee are available on the Company’s website, www.wpp.com/about/corporate-governance, and will be on display at the AGM, as set out in the Notice of AGM. This Annual Report on Form 20-F does not incorporate by reference information on the Company’s website.

The Committee’s principal responsibilities under its terms of reference include:

• reviewing and approving the Company’s compensation strategy;

• determining appropriate remuneration for executive directors;

• approving the service agreements and severance arrangements for executive directors and other senior executives of the Company;

• maintaining appropriate procedures for evaluation of executive performance;

• overseeing succession planning and management development for senior executives in the Group who are not members of the Board;

• reviewing, approving and administering the Company’s executive long-term incentive plans, employee share schemes and other equity-related incentive plans;

• reviewing proposed special incentive awards to senior executives;

• monitoring prohibitions on personal loans to directors and officers;

• determining targets for performance-related pay schemes;

• advising on any major changes in employee benefit structures;

• overseeing the provisions for selecting, appointing and setting the terms of reference for any remuneration consultants to the Company;

• overseeing the preparation of and recommending to the board the approval of the annual report of the Committee in compliance with the disclosure requirements of the Code of Best Practice and the Directors’ Remuneration Report Regulations 2002;

• overseeing the adequacy of disclosures throughout the year regarding director compensation, stock transactions and benefits;

• approving the policy for authorising claims for expenses from directors and senior executives; and

• ensuring that procedures are in place concerning compliance with the employee welfare provisions of the Company’s Code of Business Conduct and Ethics and the Company’s Policy Manual.

Advisors to the Compensation Committee

The Compensation Committee regularly consults with Group executives. In particular, the Committee invites certain individuals to attend meetings, including the Chief Executive Officer (who is not present when matters

43

relating to his own compensation or contracts are discussed and decided), the Company Secretary, the Chief Talent Officer and the Worldwide Compensation & Benefits Director. The latter two individuals provide a perspective on information reviewed by the Committee and are a conduit for requests for information and analysis from the Company’s external advisors.

External advisors

The Committee retains Willis Towers Watson (WTW) to act as independent advisors. They provide advice to the Compensation Committee and work with management on matters related to our compensation policy and practices. They are a member of the Remuneration Consultants Group and have signed the code of conduct relating to the provision of advice in the UK. Considering this, and the level and nature of the service received, the Committee remains satisfied that the advice is objective and independent. WTW provides limited other services at a Group level and some of our operating companies engage them as advisors at a local level. In 2018, WTW received fees of £130,000 in relation to the provision of advice to the Committee. The Committee receives external legal advice, where required, to assist it in carrying out its duties.

Audit Committee

The Committee held 10 meetings during the year, which were attended by Deloitte LLP (the Company’s external auditors, “Deloitte”), the Company’s Chairman, the Senior Independent Director, the Group Finance Director, the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Operating Officer, the Director of Internal Audit, the Group Chief Counsel, the Group Chief Accountant and the Company Secretary. Individual attendance by the Committee members during 2018 is set out in the table on page 40.

The Committee also held separate private meetings with Deloitte, the Director of Internal Audit, and the Group Chief Counsel. The Committee Chairman held pre-meetings with Deloitte and regular meetings with the Company’s Directors of Internal Audit, Tax and Treasury and the Group Chief Counsel. The Committee Chairman has an ongoing dialogue with the Group Finance Director, the Group Chief Accountant, the Director of Internal Audit and the Director of Tax and reports to the Board, as a separate agenda item, on the activities of the Committee at the following Board meeting.

Committee responsibilities and how they were discharged in 2018

The discussion below addresses the main matters covered by the Committee’s terms of reference as well as key responsibilities of the Committee during 2018:

• Monitoring the integrity of the Group’s financial statements and reviewing significant financial reporting judgements;

• Reviewing and monitoring the Group’s internal control framework and the activities and effectiveness of the Group’s internal audit function;

• Assisting the Board in meeting its responsibilities in carrying out a robust assessment of the principal risks facing the Group and reviewing and reporting on the systems and key elements of risk management as they affect the Group;

• Regular consideration of the risk dashboard and risk map for presentation to the Board. Reviewing the Group’s risk management processes, including the establishment of Risk Committees at network level;

• Reviewing the Group Treasury policy with a particular focus on debtors, working capital and cash management and the continued ability of the Group to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the financial statements;

• Reviewing reports on any material litigation or regulatory reviews involving Group Companies;

• Reviewing the Group’s mergers and acquisitions strategy, reviewing the analytical integrity for material M&A transactions and the earn-out payments profile of previous acquisitions. Reviewing integration processes;

44

• Reviewing the Group’s tax position and its UK tax strategy and reviewing the impact of any significant changes in tax laws;

• Monitoring the accounting and legal reporting requirements applicable to the Company, including all relevant regulations of the UK Listing Authority, the SEC, the NYSE and the Jersey Financial Services Commission and the provisions of the UK Corporate Governance Code;

• Reviewing the implementation of IFRS 9 Financial Instruments and IFRS 15 Revenue from Contracts with Customers, adopted from 1 January 2018 and the future implementation of IFRS 16 Leases from 1 January 2019;

• Overseeing the Group’s continued compliance with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX), setting the SOX agenda, considering and approving audit plans and monitoring through regular status reports submitted by the Director of Internal Audit and Deloitte;

• Reviewing the continued implementation of the Group’s IT transformation project and reviewing the Group’s co-location and shared services initiatives; and

• Reviewing matters reported on the Group’s Right to Speak helpline, the investigations into such matters and the actions taken by the Group in response.

Fair, balanced and understandable

A sub-committee of the Board including members of the Committee examined whether the Annual Report & Accounts for 2018 was fair, balanced and understandable and provided the information necessary for shareholders to assess the Group’s position, performance, business model and strategy. The sub-committee received an early final draft of the report for review and comment and a report from the Disclosure Committee relating to the composition of the report. The Board subsequently considered the report as a whole and discussed the report’s tone, balance and language for compliance with these standards.

Financial reporting and significant financial judgements

The Company’s management team make key decisions and accounting judgements in the process of applying the Group’s accounting policies. The key judgements were detailed in reports and presentations by management to the Committee during 2018, which were examined by the Committee and discussed with management.

The areas of significant judgement considered by the Committee in respect of the financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2018 and how these were addressed are set out below:

Area of Focus	Actions Taken/Conclusion
The assessments made for goodwill impairment testing purposes.	The Committee received detailed reports and presentations from management and challenged management’s assumptions and goodwill impairment assessment model, with a particular focus on VMLY&R in the current year given relative sensitivity. The Committee Chairman met with management to consider the goodwill impairment assessments further. Based on management’s expectations of future performance of certain businesses and consideration of sensitivity, the Committee was satisfied with the appropriateness of the analysis performed by management and the level of disclosure and goodwill impairment charges recognised in 2018.
The judgements made in respect of the release of provisions related to other media income.	The Committee considered information from management summarising the judgements taken to support the judgements made and agreed those were appropriate.

45

Area of Focus	Actions Taken/Conclusion
The valuations of non-controlled investments and unlisted associates.	The Committee examined the valuations with management which are based on local management forecasts, recent third-party investment and/or other supporting information such as industry valuation multiples and agreed that the valuations were appropriate.
The accuracy of forecasting the potential future payments due under earnout agreements in respect of acquired businesses.	The Committee considered the forecasting with management and agreed that earnouts have been accounted for appropriately.
The valuation of year-end provisions in respect of working capital.	The Committee received briefings on the approach taken by management in assessing the level of exposure across the Group. The Committee concluded that management’s approach was appropriate.
Accounting for the judgemental elements of remuneration, including pensions, bonus accruals, severances and share-based payments.	The Committee agreed that the assumptions applied by management are reasonable.
The judgements made in respect of tax, in particular the level of central tax provisioning.	The Committee supported management’s assumptions in both these areas and believe the current level of provisions is reasonable.
The going concern assessment and viability statement and key forecast assumptions.	The Committee concur with management’s going concern, viability and forecasting assumptions as set out in note 23 to the consolidated financial statements.
The judgements made as to whether the Kantar group constituted a disposal group ‘held for sale’ for the purposes of IFRS 5.	The Committee considered management’s assessment of the conditions that must be satisfied in order to conclude a disposal group is ‘held for sale’ and agreed with management’s application of the guidance and ultimate conclusion that those conditions were not satisfied.
Recognition of restructuring and transformation costs.	The Committee reviewed management’s key accounting judgements and procedures in this area. The Committee was satisfied with the quantum of costs recognised in 2018 and the presentation of such costs in the financial statements.

External audit

Deloitte has been the Group’s auditors since 2002. The lead audit partner rotates every five years. After five years in post, the current lead audit partner will step down as the Group’s lead audit partner and the Committee welcomes the new lead audit partner as his replacement in respect of accounting periods commencing from 1 January 2019. The Committee oversaw the selection of the new lead partner and the associated transition process. In 2018, the effectiveness of the audit process was evaluated through a Committee review of the audit planning process and discussions with key members of the Group’s finance function. The Committee considered the Audit Quality Review’s 2017/18 Audit Quality Inspection Report on Deloitte and the actions taken by Deloitte to address the findings in the report. The 2018 evaluations concluded that there continued to be a good quality audit process and constructive challenge where necessary to ensure balanced reporting. The Committee held private meetings with Deloitte and the Committee Chairman met privately with Deloitte before each meeting. The Committee continues to be satisfied with the performance of Deloitte and confirms that Deloitte continues to be objective and independent. The Committee recommends the reappointment of Deloitte at the AGM on 12 June 2019.

The Committee considered the Group’s position on its audit services contract in the context of the regulations concerning the audit market. Although there is no immediate intention to tender the audit contract, the Company will re-tender at the latest by the 2022 year end in compliance with the transitional arrangements for competitive tender that require mandatory rotation after the 2023 fiscal year-end.

46

The Company confirms that it has complied with the Competition and Markets Authority final order on mandatory tendering and Audit Committee responsibilities.

Internal audit

The annual internal audit plan is approved by the Committee at the beginning of the financial year. Progress against the plan is monitored through the year and any significant changes to the plans require Committee approval. Significant issues identified within internal audit reports are considered in detail along with the remediation plans to resolve those issues. The Committee also considers the level of internal audit resource to ensure it is appropriate to provide the right level of assurance over the principal risks and controls throughout the Group. The Committee Chairman holds pre-meetings with the Director of Internal Audit and regular update meetings, to ensure the internal audit function has adequate standing and is free from management restrictions and has direct access to the Committee if required.

Non-audit fees

The Committee has established a policy regarding non-audit services that may be provided by Deloitte, which prohibits certain categories of work in line with relevant guidance on independence, such as the FRC revised ethical standards and ethical standards issued by the SEC. The prohibited categories of work include advice on remuneration and on tax services being provided by Deloitte in the European Union and a general default to an alternative provider elsewhere subject to adherence to regulations. Other categories of work may be provided by the auditors if appropriate and if pre-approved by the Committee, either as individual assignments or as aggregate amounts for specified categories of services. All fees are summarised periodically for the Committee to assess the aggregate value of non-audit fees against audit fees. The level of fees for 2018 is shown in note 3 of the consolidated financial statements.

Committee composition and evaluation

The Committee and its members were formally assessed by the Nomination and Governance Committee as part of the review of Committee composition in 2018 and as part of the externally facilitated evaluation process described below for their technical suitability to be members and also for its overall effectiveness. The Board has designated the Committee Chairman as the Committee’s financial expert for SOX purposes and together with Tarek Farahat as having recent and relevant financial experience for the purposes of the UK Corporate Governance Code and competence in accounting or audit for the purposes of DTR 7.1. The members of the Committee are considered by the Board to be independent and (when considered as a whole), have competence relevant to the sectors in which the Company operates, and have financial and/or financial services experience as set out in Item 6A.

Cindy Rose has been appointed as an additional member of the Committee with effect from 1 April 2019.

Terms of reference

The Committee’s terms of reference are adopted by the Board and reviewed annually by the Committee, most recently on 21 March 2019. A copy of the Committee’s terms of reference is available on the Company’s website at www.wpp.com/about/corporate-governance. This Annual Report on Form 20-F does not incorporate by reference information on the Company’s website.

Board Performance Evaluation

In line with the UK Corporate Governance Code, it is the Board’s policy to undertake an externally facilitated Board performance evaluation every three years. The 2018 Board performance evaluation was externally facilitated by Dr Tracy Long of Boardroom Review Limited who has no other connection with the Company. Dr Long undertook the previous externally facilitated review in 2015, which was completed in 2016.

47

In addition to the Board evaluation, Dr Long also evaluated the performance of the:

• Chairman

• Senior Independent Director

• Chair of all three Board Committees

Dr Long has attended Board and Committee meetings as an observer and has held one-on-one discussions with each director, the Company Secretary, Group Chief Counsel and Chief Operating Officer.

Outcomes

The Board has effective leadership in place, with strong support for and relationships between the Chairman, CEO, the Senior Independent Director and Committee Chairs. Following the CEO appointment, the Board is engaging with the strategic process and transformation agenda. Alongside the CEO, who is rebuilding the leadership team and resetting its culture, the Board is developing metrics for performance, development and succession. There is an increased focus on cyber and information security and geographic risk, and strong leadership from the Audit Committee on the risk and control framework. There is open communication with shareholders and preparation for potential challenges in 2019.

D. Employees

The assets of communications services businesses are primarily their employees, and the Company is highly dependent on the talent, creative abilities and technical skills of its personnel and the relationships its personnel have with clients. The Company believes that its operating companies have established reputations in the industry that attract talented personnel. However, the Company, like all communications services businesses, is vulnerable to adverse consequences from the loss of key employees due to the competition among these businesses for talented personnel. On 31 December 2018, the Group had operations in 112 countries and more than 3,000 offices among more than 150 companies. Excluding all employees of associated undertakings, the number of employees at the end of 2018 was 134,281 (2017: 134,413, 2016: 134,341). The average number of employees in 2018 was 133,903 compared to 134,428 and 132,657 in 2017 and 2016, respectively, including acquisitions.

Their geographical distribution was as follows:

	2018		2017		2016
North America		25,990		27,399		27,246
United Kingdom		14,331		14,197		14,070
Western Continental Europe		26,825		25,700		24,996
Asia Pacific, Latin America, Africa & Middle East and Central & Eastern Europe		66,757		67,132		66,345
		133,903		134,428		132,657

Their reportable segment distribution was as follows:

	2018		2017		2016
Advertising and Media Investment Management		55,421		56,789		55,120
Data Investment Management		28,309		28,629		29,279
Public Relations & Public Affairs		9,048		9,082		9,054
Brand Consulting, Health & Wellness and Specialist Communications		41,125		39,928		39,204
		133,903		134,428		132,657

48

E. Share Ownership

Executive Directors’ interests

Executive Directors’ interests in the Company’s ordinary share capital are shown in the following table. Other than as disclosed in this table, no Executive Director had any interest in any contract of significance with the Group during the year. Each Executive Director has a technical interest as an employee and potential beneficiary in shares in the Company held under the Employee Share Ownership Plan (ESOP). More specifically, the Executive Directors have potential interests in shares related to the outstanding awards under the EPSP and other share awards. As at 31 December 2018, the Company’s ESOPs (which are entirely independent of the Company and have waived their rights to receive dividends) held in total 14,820,994 shares in the Company (14,232,910 in 2017).

Director		Total beneficial interests		Shares without performance conditions (unvested)1,2		Shares with performance conditions (unvested)3,4		Total unvested shares
Mark Read	At 31 December 2018		139,487		205,309		695,843		901,152
	At 10 April 2019		168,772		179,736		627,669		807,405
Paul Richardson	At 31 December 2018		1,068,240		46,400		1,079,970		1,126,370
	At 10 April 2019		1,068,240		0		875,335		875,335

¹   For Mark Read shares due pursuant to the 2016 and 2017 Performance Share awards, 2016 and 2017 Leaders awards and 2018 special awards and for Paul Richardson, the 2016 Executive Share award, full details of these awards can be found on page 38. Additional dividend shares will be due on vesting.

²  As noted in footnote 1 above, less 2016 Performance Share and 2016 Executive Share Awards, which vested on 10 March 2019 and 6 March 2019 (full details can be found on page 38).

³  Maximum number of shares due on vesting pursuant to the outstanding EPSP awards, full details of which can be found on page 39. Additional dividend shares will be due on vesting.

⁴  As noted in footnote 3 above, less the maximum due under the 2014 EPSP Award, which vested on 13 March 2019 (full details can be found on page 39).

Share ownership guidelines

The Executive Directors are required to achieve a minimum level of share ownership of WPP shares. The CEO and Group Finance Director are required to hold shares to the value of 600% and 300% of base salary respectively.

As at 31 December 2018, the CEO held shares to the value of 121% of his base salary. He has seven years in which to reach the required level. At the same date the Group Finance Director significantly exceeded his requirement and held shares to the value of 11.19 times of his base salary. In addition, he will be required to hold shares equivalent to his shareholding requirement of 300% of base salary for two years post his retirement from the Group.

49

Non-Executive Directors’ interests

Non-Executive Directors’ interests in the Company’s ordinary share capital are shown in the following table. Except as disclosed in this table, no Non-Executive Director had any interest in any contract of significance with the Group.

Non-Executive Director	Total interests at 31 December 2018		Total interests at 10 April 2019
Roberto Quarta		87,500		87,500
Jacques Aigrain		13,000		13,000
Tarek Farahat		2,100		2,100
Sir John Hood		3,000		3,000
Ruigang Li		4,000		4,000
Daniela Riccardi		4,100		4,100
Nicole Seligman		8,750		8,750
Hugo Shong1		22,915		n/a
Sally Susman		5,000		5,000
Sol Trujillo		10,000		10,000

¹   Hugo Shong retired from the Board on 31 July 2018. The information disclosed reflects his total interests at this date.

ITEM 7. MAJOR SHAREHOLDERS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

A. Major Shareholders

As of the dates shown below, the Company is aware of the following interests of 3% or more in the issued ordinary share capital:

			23 April 2019				24 April 2018				26 April 2017
MFS	6.02	%		75,933,531	8.03	%		101,727,776	6.64	%		84,917,360
Harris Associates LP	5.67	%		71,556,873	7.35	%		93,117,523	*			*
BlackRock Inc.	5.38	%		67,889,344	5.49	%		69,509,494	5.62	%		71,872,825

* The Company has not been notified of any interests in the issued ordinary share capital of the Company in excess of 3.0%.

The disclosed interests refer to the respective combined holdings of those entities and to interests associated with them. The Company has not been notified of any other holdings of ordinary share capital of 3% or more. None of these shareholders have voting rights that are different from those of the holders of the Company’s ordinary shares generally. As far as WPP is aware, it is neither directly nor indirectly owned or controlled by one or more corporations or by any government, or by any other natural or legal persons severally or jointly.

The number of outstanding ordinary shares at 31 December 2018 was 1,332,678,227 which included at such date the underlying ordinary shares represented by 13,929,272 ADSs. 222 share owners of record of WPP ordinary shares were US residents at 31 December 2018.

The geographic distribution of our share ownership as at 31 December 2018 is presented below:

United Kingdom	22%
United States	42%
Rest of world	36%
Total	100%

50

B. Related Party Transactions

From time to time the Group enters into transactions with its associated undertakings. These transactions were not material for any of the years presented.

See Item 6B for a discussion of the service contracts between the Company and the Executive Directors.

C. Interests of Experts and Counsel

Not applicable.

ITEM 8. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

A. Consolidated Statements and Other Financial Information

See Item 18.

Outstanding legal proceedings

The Company has claims against others and there are claims against the Company in a variety of matters arising from the conduct of its business. In the opinion of the management of the Company, the ultimate liability, if any, that is likely to result from these matters would not have a material impact on the Company’s financial position, or on the results of its operations.

Dividend distribution policy

See Item 10B.

ADS holders are eligible for all stock dividends or other entitlements accruing on the underlying WPP plc shares and receive all cash dividends in US dollars. These are normally paid twice a year. Dividend cheques are mailed directly to the ADS holder on the payment date if ADSs are registered with WPP’s U.S. Depositary, Citibank N.A. Dividends on ADSs that are registered with brokers are sent to the brokers, who forward them to ADS holders.

Dollar amounts paid to ADS holders depend on the sterling/dollar exchange rate at the time of payment.

B. Significant Changes

None.

51

ITEM 9. THE OFFER AND LISTING

A. Offer and Listing Details

The Company has ordinary shares (trading symbol: WPP) listed on the London Stock Exchange and ADSs for such ordinary shares (trading symbol: WPP) listed on the New York Stock Exchange.

The Depositary held 69,646,360 ordinary shares as at 31 December 2018, approximately 5.23% of the outstanding ordinary shares, represented by 13,929,272 outstanding ADSs.

B. Plan of Distribution

Not applicable.

C. Markets

See the discussion in Item 9A.

D. Selling Shareholders

Not applicable.

E. Dilution

Not applicable.

F. Expenses of the Issue

Not applicable.

52

ITEM 10. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

A. Share Capital

Not applicable.

B. Memorandum and Articles of Association

WPP is a public limited company incorporated under the name “WPP plc” in Jersey with registered number 111714.

The following summarises certain provisions of our memorandum and articles of association and applicable Jersey law. This summary is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Jersey Companies Law and our memorandum and articles of association. A copy of our memorandum and articles of association in the form adopted by special resolution passed on 5 November 2012 and including amendments to reflect the change of name of WPP, which became effective on 2 January 2013, is an exhibit to this Form 20-F.

Objects and Purposes

Under the Jersey Companies Law, the capacity of a Jersey company is not limited by anything contained in its memorandum or articles of association. Accordingly, the memorandum of association of a Jersey company does not contain an objects clause.

Rights attaching to WPP ordinary shares

Voting rights of share owners – subject to disenfranchisement in the event of: (A) non-payment of any call or other sum due and payable in respect of any ordinary share; or (B) any non-compliance with any notice requiring disclosure of the beneficial ownership of any ordinary shares and subject to any special rights or restrictions as to voting for the time being attached to any ordinary shares (as to which there are none at present), on a show of hands every qualifying person (i.e. share owner, proxy or authorised corporate representative) present has one vote other than every proxy appointed by more than one member entitled to vote on the resolution who has two votes, one vote for and one against the resolution if: (i) one or more of the members instructed him to vote for and one or more of the members instructed him to vote against the resolution; or (ii) one or more of the members instructed him to vote for the resolution and one or more of the members gave him discretion as to how to vote and he exercises his discretion by voting against the resolution; or (iii) one or more of the members instructed him to vote against the resolution and one or more of the members gave him discretion as to how to vote and he exercises his discretion by voting for the resolution, and on a poll every share owner present in person or by proxy has one vote for every ordinary share of which he or she is a holder, except that any proxy who has been appointed by the Depositary shall have such number of votes as equals the number of ordinary shares in relation to which such proxy has been appointed. In the case of joint holders, the vote of the person whose name stands first in the register of members and who tenders a vote is accepted to the exclusion of any votes tendered by any other joint holders.

Return of capital on a winding up – the liquidator may, with the sanction of a special resolution of WPP and any other sanction required by the Statutes: (A) divide among the WPP share owners in specie the whole or any part of the assets of WPP; or (B) vest the whole or any part of the assets in trustees on such trusts for the benefit of share owners as the liquidator shall think fit, but no share owner shall be compelled to accept any assets upon which there is any liability. The “Statutes” means the Jersey Companies Law and every other statute, statutory instrument, regulation or order, for the time being in force, concerning companies registered under the Jersey Companies Law, including the Electronic Communication (Jersey) Law 2000 and the Companies (Uncertificated Securities) (Jersey) Order 1999 (as amended).

53

Capitalisation of reserves

The board of directors may, with the authority of an ordinary resolution of WPP: (A) resolve to capitalise any sum standing to the credit of any reserve account of WPP (including share premium account and capital redemption reserve) or any sum standing to the credit of profit and loss account not required for the payment of any preferential dividend (whether or not it is available for distribution); and (B) appropriate that sum as capital to the share owners in proportion to the nominal amount of the ordinary shares held by them respectively and apply that sum on their behalf in paying up in full any unissued ordinary shares or debentures of WPP of a nominal amount equal to that sum and allot the ordinary shares or debentures credited as fully paid to those share owners, or as they may direct, in those proportions or in paying up the whole or part of any amounts that are unpaid in respect of any issued ordinary shares held by them respectively, or otherwise deal with such sum as directed by the resolution, provided that the share premium account and the capital redemption reserve and any sum not available for distribution in accordance with the Statutes may only be applied in paying up unissued ordinary shares to be allotted credited as fully paid up.

Transfer of ordinary shares

Subject to any restrictions in the articles of association, a share owner may transfer all or any of his ordinary shares in any manner that is permitted by the Statutes and is from time to time approved by the board of directors. WPP shall register the transfer of any ordinary shares held in uncertificated form by means of a relevant system in accordance with the Statutes. The board of directors may, in its absolute discretion, refuse to register any transfer of an uncertificated share where permitted by articles of association and the Statutes.

A share owner may transfer all or any of his certificated ordinary shares by an instrument of transfer in any usual form, or in such other form as the board of directors may approve. The instrument of transfer shall be signed by or on behalf of the transferor and, except in the case of a fully paid share, by or on behalf of the transferee. The board of directors may, in its absolute discretion, refuse to register any transfer of any certificated ordinary share that is not fully paid up (but not so as to prevent dealings in ordinary shares admitted to official listing by the United Kingdom Listing Authority (UKLA) from taking place on an open and proper basis) or on which WPP has a lien. The board of directors may also refuse to register any instrument of transfer of a certificated ordinary share unless it is lodged at the registered office, or such other place as the board of directors may decide, for registration, accompanied by the share certificate for the ordinary shares to be transferred and such other evidence as the board of directors may reasonably require to prove title of the intending transferor or his right to transfer the ordinary shares and it is in respect of only one class of WPP shares. If the board of directors refuses to register a transfer of a certificated ordinary share it shall, as soon as practicable and in any event within two months after the date on which the instrument of transfer was lodged or the operator-instruction was received, give to the transferee notice of the refusal. The board of directors must provide the transferee with such further information about the reasons for the refusal as the transferee may reasonably request. Unless otherwise agreed by the board of directors in any particular case, the maximum number of persons who may be entered on the register as joint holders of an ordinary share is four.

Changes in capital

Subject to the provisions of the Jersey Companies Law, WPP may by special resolution:

• increase its share capital;

• consolidate and divide all or any of its share capital into ordinary shares of a larger amount;

• sub-divide all or part of its share capital into ordinary shares of a smaller amount;

• cancel any ordinary shares that have not, at the date of the special resolution, been taken or agreed to be taken by any person and diminish the amount of its authorised share capital by the amount of the ordinary shares so cancelled; or

• alter its share capital in any other manner permitted by the Jersey Companies Law.

54

Subject to the provisions of the Jersey Companies Law, WPP may:

• purchase ordinary shares, including any redeemable ordinary shares; and

• by special resolution, reduce its share capital and any capital redemption reserve or share premium account.

Authority to allot securities and disapplication of pre-emption rights

WPP may from time to time pass an ordinary resolution authorising the board of directors to exercise all the powers of WPP to allot relevant securities up to the nominal amount specified in the resolution. The authority shall expire on the day specified in the resolution, not being more than five years after the date on which the resolution is passed. The term “relevant securities” means shares in WPP other than subscriber shares, or shares allotted pursuant to an employee share scheme, and any right to subscribe for or to convert any security into, shares in WPP. For the avoidance of doubt, any reference to the allotment of relevant securities includes the grant of such a right but not the allotment of shares pursuant to such a right.

On the passing of a special resolution, the board of directors shall have power to allot equity securities wholly for cash but that power shall be limited: (A) to the allotment of equity securities in connection with a rights issue; and (B) to the allotment (other than in connection with a rights issue) of equity securities having a nominal amount not exceeding in aggregate the sum specified in the special resolution.

Variation of rights

Whenever the share capital of WPP is divided into different classes of shares (which it is not as at the date of this document), all or any of the rights for the time being attached to any class of shares in issue may, subject to the Statutes, be varied, either in such manner as those rights may provide or with the consent in writing of the holders of two-thirds in nominal value of the issued ordinary shares of that class or with the sanction of a special resolution passed at a separate general meeting of the holders of those ordinary shares. At any separate general meeting, the necessary quorum is two persons holding or representing by proxy at least one-third in nominal amount of the issued ordinary shares of the class in question (but at any adjourned meeting, one person holding ordinary shares of the class or his proxy is a quorum).

Disclosure of interests in WPP’s shares

WPP may give a disclosure notice to any person whom it believes is either:

• interested in the WPP’s shares; or

• has been so interested at any time during the three years on which the disclosure notice is issued.

The disclosure notice may require the person:

• to confirm that fact or (as the case may be) to state whether or not it is the case; and

• if he holds, or has during that time held, any such interest, to give such further information as may be required.

The notice may require the person to whom it is addressed, where either:

• his interest is a present interest and another interest in the shares subsists; or

• another interest in the shares subsisted during that three year period at a time when his interest subsisted, to give, so far as lies within his knowledge, such particulars with respect to that other interest as may be required by the notice including:

• the identity of persons interested in the shares in question; and

55

• whether persons interested in the same shares are or were parties to either an agreement to acquire interests in a particular company, or an agreement or arrangement relating to the exercise of any rights conferred by the holding of the shares.

The notice may require the person to whom it is addressed, where his interest is a past interest, to give (so far as lies within his knowledge) particulars of the identity of the person who held that interest immediately upon his ceasing to hold it.

Failure to provide the information within 14 days after the notice has been given means that the holder of the relevant shares shall not be entitled to vote either personally or by proxy at a shareholders’ meeting or to exercise any other right confirmed by membership in relation to shareholder meetings for so long as the default continues (and, if those shares represent at least 0.25 percent of the issued shares of the class, the holder shall not be entitled to receive any payment by way of dividend or to transfer any rights in the shares).

Register of members

The register of members of WPP must be kept and maintained in Jersey.

Uncertificated shares – general powers

Subject to the Jersey Companies Law and the Companies Uncertificated Securities (Jersey) Order 1999 (as amended), the board of directors may permit any class of ordinary shares to be held in uncertificated form and to be transferred by means of a relevant system and may revoke such permission. In relation to any uncertificated share, WPP may utilise the relevant system in which it is held to the fullest extent available from time to time in the exercise of any of its powers or functions under the Statutes or the articles of association or otherwise in effecting any actions. Any provision in the articles of association in relation to uncertificated shares that is inconsistent with any applicable statutory provision shall not apply. WPP may, by notice to the holder of an uncertificated share, require the holder to change the form of that share to certificated form within such period as may be specified in the notice. For the purpose of effecting any action by WPP, the board of directors may determine that holdings of the same share owner in uncertificated form and in certificated form shall be treated as separate holdings but shares of a class held by a person in uncertificated form shall not be treated as a separate class from shares of that class held by that person in certificated form.

Directors

The WPP directors (other than alternate directors) shall not, unless otherwise determined by an ordinary resolution of WPP, be fewer than six in number.

A director need not be a share owner.

At each annual general meeting every director who held office on the date seven days before the date of the notice of annual general meeting shall retire from office, but shall be eligible for re-election.

The directors shall be paid fees not exceeding in aggregate £3,000,000 per annum (or such larger sum as WPP may, by ordinary resolution, determine) as the board of directors may decide to be divided among them. Such fee shall be divided among them in such proportion and manner as they may agree or, failing agreement, equally.

The board of directors may grant special remuneration to any director who performs any special or extra services to, or at the request of, WPP. Special remuneration may be payable to a director in addition to his ordinary remuneration (if any) as a director. The directors shall also be paid out of the funds of WPP all expenses properly incurred by them in and about the discharge of their duties, including their expenses of travelling to and from the meetings of the board of directors, Committee meetings and general meetings.

56

The board of directors may exercise all the powers of WPP to: (i) pay, provide, arrange or procure the grant of pensions or other retirement benefits, death, disability or sickness benefits, health, accident and other insurances or other such benefits, allowances, gratuities or insurances, including in relation to the termination of employment, to or for the benefit of any person who is or has been at any time a director of WPP or in the employment or service of WPP or of any body corporate that is or was associated with WPP or of the predecessors in business of WPP or any such associated body corporate, or the relatives or dependants of any such person. For that purpose, the board of directors may procure the establishment and maintenance of, or participation in, or contribution to, any pension fund, scheme or arrangement and the payments of any insurance premiums; (ii) establish, maintain, adopt and enable participation in any profit sharing or incentive scheme including shares, share options or cash or any similar schemes for the benefit of any director or employee of WPP or of any associated body corporate, and, subject to any restrictions under applicable legislation, to lend money to any such director or employee or to trustees on their behalf to enable any such schemes to be established, maintained or adopted; and (iii) support and subscribe to any institution or association that may be for the benefit of WPP or of any associated body corporate or any directors or employees of WPP or associated body corporate or their relatives or dependants or connected with any town or place where WPP or an associated body corporate carries on business, and to support and subscribe to any charitable or public object whatsoever.

Subject to any applicable statutory provisions and to declaring his interests in accordance with the articles of association, a director may enter into or be interested in any transaction or arrangement with WPP, either with regard to his tenure of any office or position in the management, administration or conduct of the business of WPP, or as vendor, purchaser or otherwise. A director may hold and be remunerated in respect of any other office or place of profit with WPP (other than the office of auditor of WPP) in conjunction with his office as a director and he (or his firm) may also act in a professional capacity for WPP (except as auditor) and may be remunerated for it.

A director who, to his knowledge, is in any way, whether directly or indirectly, interested in a transaction or arrangement or a proposed transaction or arrangement with WPP or any of its subsidiaries, or if any situation exists in which a director has or can have a direct or indirect interest that conflicts with or may conflict with the interests of WPP, shall disclose to WPP the nature and extent of the interest or situation in accordance with the articles of association.

A director shall not vote or be counted in the quorum at a meeting in respect of any resolution concerning his own appointment (including fixing and varying its terms), or the termination of his own appointment, as the holder of any office or place of profit with WPP or any other company in which WPP is interested but, where proposals are under consideration concerning the appointment (including fixing or varying its terms), or the termination of the appointment, of two or more directors to offices or places of profit with WPP or any company in which WPP is interested, those proposals may be divided and considered in relation to each director separately, and in such case each of the directors concerned (if not otherwise debarred from voting under the articles of association) shall be entitled to vote and be counted in the quorum in respect of each resolution except that concerning his own appointment or the termination of his own appointment.

A director shall not vote (or be counted in the quorum at a meeting) in respect of any transaction or arrangement or other proposal in which he has an interest that (together with any interest of a connected person) is to his knowledge a direct or indirect interest and as may reasonably be required as likely to give rise to a conflict. Notwithstanding the above, a director shall be entitled to vote (and be counted in the quorum) on: (A) any transaction or arrangement in which he is interested by virtue of an interest in ordinary shares, debentures or other securities of WPP or otherwise in or through WPP; (B) the giving of any guarantee, security or indemnity in respect of money lent or obligations incurred by him or by any other person at the request of, or for the benefit of, WPP or any of its subsidiaries; or a debt or obligation of WPP or any of its subsidiaries for which he himself has assumed responsibility under a guarantee or indemnity or by the giving of security; (C) (subject to the Statutes) indemnification (including loans made in connection with it) by WPP in relation to the performance of his duties on behalf of WPP or any of its subsidiaries; (D) any issue or offer of ordinary shares, debentures or

57

other securities of WPP or any of its subsidiaries in respect of which he is or may be entitled to participate in his capacity as holder of any such securities or as an underwriter or sub-underwriter; (E) any transaction or arrangement concerning another company in which he and any connected person do not to his knowledge hold, directly or indirectly as shareholders, or through their direct or indirect holdings of financial instruments (within the meaning of Chapter 5 of the Disclosure and Transparency Rules) voting rights representing one percent or more of any class of shares in the capital of such company; (F) any arrangement for the benefit of employees of WPP or any of its subsidiaries that does not accord to him any privilege or benefit not generally accorded to the employees to whom the arrangement relates; and (G) the purchase or maintenance of insurance for the benefit of the directors or for the benefit of persons including the directors. “Disclosure and Transparency Rules” means the rules and regulations made by the Financial Services Authority in its capacity as the UK Listing Authority under Part VI of the UK Financial Services and Markets Act of 2000, as amended, and contained in the UK Listing Authority’s publication of the same name.

WPP shall not make a payment for loss of office to a director unless the payment has been approved by an ordinary resolution of WPP.

General meetings

The board of directors shall convene, and WPP shall hold, an annual general meeting in accordance with the Statutes. Other general meetings shall be held whenever the board of directors thinks fit or on the requisition of WPP share owners in accordance with the Statutes or the articles of association.

An annual general meeting shall be called by not less than 21 days’ written notice and any other general meeting shall be called by not less than 14 clear days’ written notice.

The requisite quorum for general meetings of WPP shall be two qualifying persons, entitled to vote on the business to be transacted at the meeting.

Borrowing powers

The board of directors may exercise all the powers of WPP to borrow money and to mortgage or charge all or any part of its undertaking, property and assets (both present and future) and uncalled capital and to issue debentures and other securities, whether outright or as collateral security for any debt, liability or obligations of WPP or of any third party. The board of directors shall restrict the borrowings of WPP and exercise all voting and other rights or powers of control exercisable by WPP in relation to its subsidiaries (if any) so as to secure (as regards subsidiaries only so far as by such exercise it can secure) that the aggregate principal amount outstanding at any time in respect of all borrowings by the WPP Group (exclusive of any borrowings that are owed by one WPP Group company to another WPP Group company) after deducting the amount of cash deposited will not, without the previous sanction of WPP in general meeting, exceed an amount equal to 2.5 times the adjusted capital and reserves (as defined in the articles of association) or any higher limit fixed by ordinary resolution of WPP that is applicable at the relevant time. “WPP Group” means WPP and its subsidiaries and subsidiary undertakings and, where the context requires, its associated undertakings.

To date, no resolution of the type referred to in the paragraph above has been passed.

Dividends

Declaration of dividends – subject to the provisions of the Jersey Companies Law, WPP may, by ordinary resolution, declare a dividend to be paid to the share owners, according to their respective rights and interests in the profits, and may fix the time for payment of such dividend, but no dividend shall exceed the amount recommended by the board of directors.

58

Fixed and interim dividends – subject to the provisions of the Jersey Companies Law, the board of directors may pay such interim dividends as appear to the board of directors to be justified by the financial position of WPP and may also pay any dividend payable at a fixed rate at intervals settled by the board of directors whenever the financial position of WPP, in the opinion of the board of directors, justifies its payment. If the board of directors acts in good faith, none of the directors shall incur any liability to the share owners conferring preferred rights for any loss such share owners may suffer in consequence of the lawful payment of an interim dividend on any shares having non-preferred or deferred rights.

Calculation and currency of dividends – except insofar as the rights attaching to, or the terms of issue of, any shares otherwise provide: (A) all dividends shall be declared and paid according to the amounts paid up on the shares in respect of which the dividend is paid, but no amount paid up on a share in advance of calls shall be treated as paid up on the share; (B) all dividends shall be apportioned and paid pro rata according to the amounts paid up on the shares during any portion or portions of the period in respect of which the dividend is paid; (C) any amount paid by WPP by way of dividend will be deemed to include any amount that WPP may be compelled by law to withhold or deduct; and (D) dividends may be declared or paid in any currency. The board of directors may agree with any share owner that dividends that may at any time or from time to time be declared or become due on his or her ordinary shares in one currency shall be paid or satisfied in another, and may agree the basis of conversion to be applied and how and when the amount to be paid in the other currency shall be calculated and paid and for WPP or any other person to bear any costs involved.

Dividends not to bear interest – no dividend or other moneys payable by WPP on or in respect of any share shall bear interest as against WPP unless otherwise provided by the rights attached to the share.

Calls or debts or amounts required by law may be deducted from dividends – the board of directors may deduct from any dividend or other moneys payable to any person (either alone or jointly with another) on or in respect of a share all such sums as may be due from him (either alone or jointly with another) to WPP on account of calls or otherwise in relation to shares.

Dividends in specie – with the authority of an ordinary resolution of WPP and on the recommendation of the board of directors, payment of any dividend may be satisfied wholly or in part by the distribution of specific assets and in particular of paid up ordinary shares or debentures of any other company.

Scrip dividends – the board of directors may, with the authority of an ordinary resolution of WPP, offer any share owners the right to elect to receive further ordinary shares (whether or not of that class) credited as fully paid, by way of scrip dividend instead of cash in respect of all (or some part) of any dividend specified by the ordinary resolution.

Unclaimed dividends – any dividend unclaimed for a period of 12 years after having become due for payment shall be forfeited and cease to remain owing by WPP.

Forfeiture of shares

If the whole or any part of any call or installment remains unpaid on any share after the due date for payment, the board of directors may serve a written notice on the share owner requiring him to pay so much of the call or installment as remains unpaid, together with any accrued interest.

The written notice shall state a further day, being not less than 14 clear days from the date of the notice, on or before which, and the place where, payment is to be made and shall state that, in the event of non-payment on or before the day and at the place appointed, the share in respect of which the call was made or installment is payable will be liable to be forfeited. If the requirements of a notice are not complied with, any share in respect of which it was given may (before the payment required by the notice is made) be forfeited by a resolution of the board of directors. The forfeiture shall include all dividends declared and other moneys payable in respect of the forfeited share and not actually paid before the forfeiture.

59

Every share that is forfeited or surrendered shall become the property of WPP and (subject to the Statutes) may be sold, re-allotted or otherwise disposed of, upon such terms and in such manner as the board of directors shall decide either to the person who was before the forfeiture the share owner or to any other person and whether with or without all or any part of the amount previously paid up on the share being credited as so paid up.

Website communication with share owners

The articles of association enable WPP to use its website as a means of sending or supplying documents or information to share owners. Before communicating with a share owner by means of its website, WPP must have asked the share owner, individually, to agree (generally or specifically) that WPP may send or supply documents or information to him by means of a website. A member shall be deemed to have agreed that WPP may send or supply a document or information by means of a website if no response to the request is received within 28 days. When communicating with share owners by means of website communications, WPP will notify the share owners (by post or other permitted means) of the presence of a document or information on the website.

Directors’ indemnity, insurance and defence

As far as the legislation allows, WPP may:

(i) indemnify any director (or of an associated body corporate) against any liability;

(ii) indemnify a director of a company that is a trustee of an occupational pension scheme for employees (or former employees) of WPP (or of an associated body corporate) against liability incurred in connection with WPP’s activities as trustee of the scheme;

(iii) purchase and maintain insurance against any liability for any director referred to in paragraph (i) or (ii) above; and

(iv) provide any director referred to in paragraph (i) or (ii) above with funds (whether by loan or otherwise) to meet expenditure incurred or to be incurred by him in defending any criminal, regulatory or civil proceedings or in connection with an application for relief (or to enable any such director to avoid incurring such expenditure).

Takeover Bids

The City Code on Takeovers and Mergers (the “City Code”) applies to WPP. Under the City Code, if an acquisition of ordinary shares were to increase the aggregate holding of an acquirer and its concert parties to ordinary shares carrying 30% or more of the voting rights in WPP, the acquirer (and, depending upon the circumstances, its concert parties) would be required, except with the consent of the Panel on Takeovers and Mergers (an independent body in the United Kingdom), to make a cash offer for the outstanding ordinary shares at a price not less than the highest price paid for the ordinary shares by the acquirer or its concert parties during the previous 12 months. A similar obligation to make such a mandatory offer would also arise on the acquisition of ordinary shares by a person holding (together with its concert parties) ordinary shares carrying between 30% and 50% of the voting rights in WPP if the effect of such acquisition were to increase that person’s percentage of the voting rights they hold in ordinary shares.

The Jersey Companies Law provides that where a person (the “Offeror”) makes a takeover offer to acquire all of the shares (or all of the shares of any class) in a Jersey company (other than any shares already held by the Offeror at the date of the offer), if the Offeror has by virtue of acceptances of the offer acquired or contracted to acquire not less than 90% in nominal value of the shares (or class of shares) to which the offer relates, the Offeror may (subject to the requirements of the Jersey Companies Law), by notice to the holders of the shares (or class of shares) to which the offer relates which the Offeror has not already acquired or contracted to acquire, compulsorily acquire those shares. A holder of any shares who receives a notice of compulsory acquisition may, within six weeks from the date on which such notice was given apply to the Royal Court of Jersey (the “Jersey Court”) for an order that the Offeror not be entitled and bound to purchase the holder’s shares or that the Offeror purchase the holder’s shares on terms different to those of the Offeror’s offer.

60

Where before the end of the period within which the takeover offer can be accepted, the Offeror has by virtue of acceptances of the offer acquired or contracted to acquire not less than 90% in nominal value of all of the shares (or all of the shares of a particular class) of the Jersey company, the holder of any shares (or class of shares) to which the offer relates who has not accepted the offer may, by written notice to the Offeror, require the Offeror to acquire the holder’s shares. The Offeror shall (subject to the requirements of the Jersey Companies Law) be entitled and bound to acquire the holder’s shares on the terms of the offer or on such other terms as may be agreed. Where a holder gives the Offeror a notice of compulsory acquisition, each of the Offeror and the holder of the shares is entitled to apply to the Jersey Court for an order that the terms on which the Offeror is entitled and bound to acquire the holder’s shares shall be such as the Jersey Court thinks fit.

C. Material Contracts

The following is a summary of each contract (not being a contract entered into in the ordinary course of business) that has been entered into by any member of the WPP Group: (a) within the two years immediately preceding the date of this Form 20-F which are, or may be, material to the WPP Group; or (b) at any time which contain obligations or entitlements which is, or may be, material to the WPP Group as at the date of this Form 20-F:

(i) On 6 November 2007, WPP Finance S.A. issued £200,000,000 6.375% guaranteed bonds due 2020. The bonds are guaranteed by WPP 2005 Limited and WPP 2008 Limited and were constituted respectively by two Trust Deeds dated 6 November 2007 between Citicorp Trustee Company Limited, the guarantors and WPP Finance S.A. The bonds are listed on the London Stock Exchange and the terms and conditions contain a redemption provision at the option of the bondholders on a Change of Control, a negative pledge provision and events of default provisions (including a cross-default provision). The Trust Deeds also contain indemnities by WPP Finance S.A. in favour of Citicorp Trustee Company Limited. Pursuant to a supplemental trust deed dated 14 November 2008, WPP 2012 Limited (formerly known as WPP plc), WPP Air 1 and WPP Air 3 acceded as additional guarantors to the bonds. In a supplemental trust deed dated 14 December 2012, arrangements were made for WPP plc and WPP Jubilee Limited to accede as additional guarantors subject to the court approval of the scheme of arrangement referred to in Item 4.A above. Following a tender and consent offer made to bondholders, WPP Finance S.A. repaid and cancelled all the bonds on 27 March 2019;

(ii) On 21 November 2011, WPP Finance 2010 issued US$500,000,000 of 4.75% guaranteed senior notes due November 2021. On 2 December 2011, WPP Finance 2010 issued an additional $312,387,000 of 4.75% guaranteed senior notes due November 2021 in exchange for $281,369,000 of outstanding 5.875% Senior Notes due 2014 of WPP Finance (UK). In total, WPP Finance 2010 issued US$812,387,000 of the 4.75% guaranteed senior notes due November 2021 pursuant to the Indenture and the First Supplemental Indenture, both dated as at 2 November 2011, among WPP Finance 2010 as Issuer, WPP plc, WPP Air 1, WPP 2008 Limited and WPP 2005 Limited as Guarantors, and Wilmington Trust National Association as Trustee, Citibank, N.A., as Security Registrar and Principal Paying Agent and Citibank N.A., London Branch as Paying Agent. The indenture contains events of default provisions (including a cross-default provision). It also contains a restriction on the Issuer or any of the Guarantors referred to above consolidating or merging with any other person and conveying, transferring or leasing all or substantially all of their properties and assets to any person except where the entity resulting from such consolidation or merger or to whom such properties and assets are transferred becomes a primary obligor of the notes and gives certain certificates and indemnities. The covenants of the Indenture also contain a negative pledge and a limitation on the sale and leaseback of any assets by the Guarantors referred to above and their principal subsidiaries. The Indenture allows for defeasance of these covenants subject to certain conditions. The holders of the notes have the right to require the Issuer to repurchase the notes at a price equal to 101% of the principal amount of the notes in the event that there is a Change of Control of WPP plc and the notes lose their investment grade rating. The Indenture also contains a joint and several indemnity from the Issuer and the Guarantors referred to above in favour of the Trustee. In the Fourth Supplemental Indenture dated 14 December 2012, arrangements were made for WPP plc and WPP Jubilee Limited to accede as additional guarantors subject to the court approval of the scheme of arrangement referred to in Item 4.A above;

61

(iii) On 7 September 2012, WPP Finance 2010 issued US$500,000,000 3.625% guaranteed senior notes due September 2022 and $300,000,000 5.125% guaranteed senior notes due September 2042. These notes were issued under the Indenture dated as at 2 November 2011, described above, as supplemented by the Second Supplemental Indenture and the Third Supplemental Indenture, respectively, each dated as at 7 September 2012, among WPP Finance 2010 as issuer, WPP 2012 Limited (formerly known as WPP plc), WPP Air 1, WPP 2008 Limited and WPP 2005 Limited as guarantors, Wilmington Trust, National Association as trustee, Citibank, N.A., as security registrar and Principal Paying Agent and Citibank, N.A., London Branch as Paying Agent. The indenture contains events of default provisions (including a cross-default provision). It also contains a restriction on the Issuer or any of the Guarantors referred to above consolidating or merging with any other person and conveying, transferring or leasing all or substantially all of their properties and assets to any person except where the entity resulting from such consolidation or merger or to whom such properties and assets are transferred becomes a primary obligor of the notes and gives certain certificates and indemnities. The covenants of the Indenture also contain a negative pledge and a limitation on the sale and leaseback of any assets by the Guarantors referred to above and their principal subsidiaries. The Indenture allows for defeasance of these covenants subject to certain conditions. The holders of the notes have the right to require the Issuer to repurchase the notes at a price equal to 101% of the principal amount of the notes in the event that there is a Change of Control of WPP plc and the notes lose their investment grade rating. The Indenture also contains a joint and several indemnity from the Issuer and the Guarantors referred to above in favour of the Trustee. During 2018 WPP Finance 2010 repurchased and cancelled $28,422,000 5.125% guaranteed senior notes due September 2042;

(iv) On 2 January 2013, WPP plc entered into a deposit agreement with Citibank, N.A., as US Depositary, and the holders and beneficial owners of ADSs that sets out the terms on which the US Depositary has agreed to act as depositary with respect to WPP ADSs. The deposit agreement contains, amongst other things, customary provisions pertaining to the form of ADRs, the deposit and withdrawal of ordinary shares, distributions to holders of ADSs, voting of ordinary shares underlying ADSs, obligations of the US Depositary and WPP plc, charges of the US Depositary, and compliance with U.S. securities laws;

(v) On 12 November 2013, WPP Finance 2010 issued US$500,000,000 5.625% guaranteed senior notes due November 2043. These notes were issued under the Indenture dated as at 12 November 2013, as supplemented by the Supplemental Indenture dated as at 12 November 2013, among WPP Finance 2010 as issuer, WPP plc, WPP Jubilee Limited, and WPP 2005 Limited as guarantors, Wilmington Trust, National Association as trustee, Citibank, N.A., as security registrar and Principal Paying Agent and Citibank, N.A., London Branch as Paying Agent. Aside from the coupon and repayment date, the terms and conditions of these notes are the same as those for the $812,387,000 4.75% notes due November 2021 described above. During 2018 WPP Finance 2010 repurchased and cancelled $49,690,000 5.625% guaranteed senior notes due November 2043;

(vi) On 20 November 2013, WPP Finance 2013 issued EUR 750,000,000 3.000% guaranteed senior bonds due November 2023. The bonds are guaranteed by WPP plc, WPP 2005 Limited, and WPP Jubilee Limited, and were constituted by a Trust Deed dated 11 November 2013 between WPP Finance 2013, the guarantors, and Citicorp Trustee Company Limited. The administration of payments to bondholders is provided for in an Agency Agreement dated 11 December 2013 between WPP Finance 2013, the guarantors, and Citibank, N.A., London Branch. The bonds are listed on the Global Exchange Market of the Irish Stock Exchange and the terms and conditions contain a redemption provision at the option of the bondholders on a Change of Control, a negative pledge provision and the events of default provisions in the terms and conditions contain a cross-default provision;

(vii) On 19 September 2014, WPP Finance 2010 issued US$750,000,000 3.750% guaranteed senior notes due September 2024. These notes were issued under the Indenture dated as at 19 September 2014, as supplemented by the Supplemental Indenture dated as at 19 September 2014, among WPP Finance 2010 as issuer, WPP plc, WPP Jubilee Limited, and WPP 2005 Limited as guarantors,

62

Wilmington Trust, National Association as trustee, Citibank, N.A., as security registrar and Principal Paying Agent and Citibank, N.A., London Branch as Paying Agent. Aside from the coupon and repayment date, the terms and conditions of these notes are the same as those for the $500,000,000 5.625% notes due November 2043 described above;

(viii) On 22 September 2014, WPP Finance S.A. issued EUR 750,000,000 2.250% guaranteed senior bonds due September 2026. The bonds are guaranteed by WPP plc, WPP 2005 Limited, and WPP Jubilee Limited, and were constituted by a Trust Deed dated 11 November 2013 between WPP Finance S.A., the guarantors, and Citicorp Trustee Company Limited. The administration of payments to bondholders is provided for in an Agency Agreement dated 11 November 2013 between WPP Finance S.A., the guarantors, and Citibank, N.A., London Branch. The bonds are listed on the Global Exchange Market of the Irish Stock Exchange and the terms and conditions contain a redemption provision at the option of the bondholders on a Change of Control, a negative pledge provision and the events of default provisions in the terms and conditions contain a cross-default provision;

(ix) On 23 March 2015, WPP Finance Deutschland GmbH issued EUR 600,000,000 1.625% guaranteed senior bonds due March 2030. The bonds are guaranteed by WPP plc, WPP 2005 Limited, and WPP Jubilee Limited, and were constituted by a Trust Deed dated 11 November 2013 as supplemented by a First Supplemental Trust Deed dated 14 November 2014 between, inter alia, WPP Finance Deutschland GmbH, the guarantors, and Citicorp Trustee Company Limited. The administration of payments to bondholders is provided for in an Agency Agreement dated 11 November 2013 between, inter alia, WPP Finance Deutschland GmbH, the guarantors and Citibank, N.A., London Branch. The bonds are listed on the Global Exchange Market of the Irish Stock Exchange and the terms and conditions contain a redemption provision at the option of the bondholders on a Change of Control, a negative pledge provision and the events of default provisions in the terms and conditions contain a cross-default provision;

(x) On 18 November 2015, WPP Finance 2013 issued EUR 600,000,000 0.75% guaranteed senior bonds due November 2019. The bonds are guaranteed by WPP plc, WPP 2005 Limited, and WPP Jubilee Limited, and were constituted by a Trust Deed dated 11 November 2013 as supplemented by a First Supplemental Trust Deed dated 14 November 2014 between, inter alia, WPP Finance 2013, the guarantors, and Citicorp Trustee Company Limited. The administration of payments to bondholders is provided for in an Agency Agreement dated 11 November 2013 between, inter alia, WPP Finance 2013, the guarantors and Citibank, N.A., London Branch. The bonds are listed on the Global Exchange Market of the Irish Stock Exchange and the terms and conditions contain a redemption provision at the option of the bondholders on a Change of Control, a negative pledge provision and the events of default provisions in the terms and conditions contain a cross-default provision;

(xi) On 14 September 2016, WPP Finance 2013 issued GBP 400,000,000 2.875% fixed rate guaranteed senior bonds due 14 September 2046 under the EUR 4,000,000,000 Euro Medium Term Note Programme. The bonds are guaranteed by WPP plc, WPP 2005 Limited and WPP Jubilee Limited, and are constituted by a Trust Deed dated 14 November 2014 between, inter alia, WPP Finance 2013, the guarantors, and Citicorp Trustee Company Limited. The administration of payments to bondholders is provided for in an Agency Agreement dated 11 November 2013 between, inter alia, WPP Finance 2013, the guarantors and Citibank, N.A., London Branch. The bonds are admitted to the Official List of the Irish Stock Exchange and to trading on the Global Exchange Market. The terms and conditions of the bonds contain a redemption provision at the option of the bondholders on a Change of Control, a negative pledge provision and a cross-default event of default provision;

(xii) On 18 May 2017, WPP Finance 2013 issued EUR 250,000,000 guaranteed senior bonds due May 2020 which pay a coupon of 3 month EURIBOR + 0.32%. The bonds are guaranteed by WPP plc, WPP 2005 Limited, and WPP Jubilee Limited, and were constituted by a Trust Deed dated 8 November 2016 between, inter alia, WPP Finance 2013, the guarantors, and Citicorp Trustee Company Limited. The administration of payments to bondholders is provided for in an Agency Agreement dated

63

8 November 2016 between, inter alia, WPP Finance 2013, the guarantors and Citibank, N.A., London Branch. The bonds are listed on the Global Exchange Market of the Irish Stock Exchange and the terms and conditions contain a redemption provision at the option of the bondholders on a Change of Control, a negative pledge provision and the events of default provisions in the terms and conditions contain a cross-default provision;

(xiii) On 20 March 2018, WPP Finance 2013 issued EUR 250,000,000 guaranteed senior bonds due March 2022 which pay a coupon of 3 month EURIBOR + 0.45%. The bonds are guaranteed by WPP plc, WPP 2005 Limited, and WPP Jubilee Limited, and were constituted by a Trust Deed dated 8 November 2016 between, inter alia, WPP Finance 2013, the guarantors, and Citicorp Trustee Company Limited. The administration of payments to bondholders is provided for in an Agency Agreement dated 8 November 2016 between, inter alia, WPP Finance 2013, the guarantors and Citibank, N.A., London Branch. The bonds are listed on the Global Exchange Market of the Irish Stock Exchange and the terms and conditions contain a redemption provision at the option of the bondholders on a Change of Control, a negative pledge provision and the events of default provisions in the terms and conditions contain a cross-default provision;

(xiv) On 20 March 2018, WPP Finance 2016 issued EUR 500,000,000 1.375% guaranteed senior bonds due March 2025. The bonds are guaranteed by WPP plc, WPP 2005 Limited, and WPP Jubilee Limited, and were constituted by a Trust Deed dated 8 November 2016 between, inter alia, WPP Finance 2013, the guarantors, and Citicorp Trustee Company Limited. The administration of payments to bondholders is provided for in an Agency Agreement dated 8 November 2016 between, inter alia, WPP Finance 2013, the guarantors and Citibank, N.A., London Branch. The bonds are listed on the Global Exchange Market of the Irish Stock Exchange and the terms and conditions contain a redemption provision at the option of the bondholders on a Change of Control, a negative pledge provision and the events of default provisions in the terms and conditions contain a cross-default provision;

(xv) On 26 June 2018, WPP AUNZ Limited entered into an agreement for a 1 year revolving credit facility for AUD$150 million and a 3 year revolving credit facility for AUD$370 million with a syndicate of banks and Westpac Banking Corporation acting as Agent due 29 June 2019 and 29 June 2021, respectively. Joint and several guarantees are provided by subsidiaries of WPP AUNZ that represent at least 75% of EBITDA and at least 75% of total tangible assets. These facilities are available for drawing by way of cash advances in Australian Dollars or New Zealand Dollars on a revolving basis. The rate of margin for the AUD$150 million facility is 1.1%. The rate of margin for the AUD$370 million facility is determined by the ratio of Net Debt to EBITDA. If the ratio is greater than 2.5 the rate of margin for the facility shall be 1.75%. If the ratio is greater than 2.0 and less than or equal to 2.5 the rate of margin for the facility shall be 1.45%. If the ratio is greater than 1.5 and less than or equal to 2.0 the rate of margin for the facility shall be 1.30%. If the ratio is greater than 1.0 and less than or equal to 1.5 the rate of margin for the facility shall be 1.15%. If the ratio is less than or equal to 1.0 the rate of margin for the facility shall be 1.00%. The commitment fee payable on undrawn commitments is equal to 45% of the then applicable margin. The facility contains customary representations, covenants and events of default; and

(xvi) On 15 March 2019, WPP CP LLC, WPP Finance Co. Limited and WPP CP Finance plc (as borrowers), guaranteed by WPP plc, WPP 2005 Limited and WPP Jubilee Limited entered into an agreement for a seven-year multi-currency revolving credit facility (with a US Dollar swingline option) for US$2.5 billion with a syndicate of banks and Citibank International plc as facility agent due March 2024. The facility is available for drawing by way of multi-currency cash advances on a revolving basis, with an option to draw US Dollar swingline advances up to a sub-limit of US$1.2 billion. The rate of margin for the facility is, if the long-term unsecured and non-credit enhanced debt rating of WPP published by Moody’s and Standard & Poor’s (the Credit Rating) is A-/A3 or higher, 0.25% per annum. If the Credit Rating is BBB+ or Baa1, the rate of margin for the facility is 0.30% per annum. If the Credit Rating is BBB or Baa2, the rate of margin for the facility is 0.40% per annum. If the Credit

64

Rating is BBB- or Baa3, the rate of margin for the facility is 0.50% per annum. If the Credit Rating is BB+ or Ba1 or lower, the rate of margin for the facility is 0.8% per annum. If Moody’s and Standard & Poor’s assign different Credit Ratings, the margin shall be the average of the margins determined by each of Moody’s and Standard & Poor’s. The commitment fee payable on undrawn commitments is equal to 35% of the then applicable margin. A utilisation fee of 0.075% per annum is payable on outstandings on any day on which the amount of outstandings exceeds 0% of the total facility commitments but is less than or equal to 33% of the total facility commitments. A utilisation fee of 0.15% per annum is payable on outstandings on any day on which the amount of outstandings exceeds 33% of the total facility commitments but is less than or equal to 66% of the total facility commitments. A utilisation fee of 0.30% per annum is payable on outstandings on any day on which the amount of outstandings exceeds 66% of the total facility commitments. The facility agreement contains customary representations, covenants and events of default. The interest rate for swingline advances is the higher of the US prime commercial lending rate and 0.50% per annum above the federal funds rate.

D. Exchange Controls

There are currently no Jersey foreign exchange control restrictions on remittances of dividends on the ordinary shares or on the conduct of the Registrant’s operations.

E. Taxation

The taxation discussion set forth below is intended only as a descriptive summary and does not purport to be a complete technical analysis or listing of all potential tax effects relevant to a decision to purchase, hold or in any way transfer ordinary shares or ADSs. Each investor should seek advice based on their individual particular circumstances from an independent tax adviser.

The following summary of the Jersey (UK in relation to dividend distributions) and the United States tax consequences is not exhaustive of all possible tax considerations and should not be considered legal or tax advice. In addition, this summary does not represent a detailed description of the tax consequences applicable to persons subject to special treatment under Jersey and United States tax laws. Prospective purchasers of ADSs are advised to satisfy themselves as to the overall tax consequences of their ownership of ADSs and the ordinary shares represented thereby by consulting their own tax advisors. In addition, this summary only addresses holders that hold ordinary shares or ADSs as capital assets, and it does not address the taxation of a United States shareholder (either corporate or individual) where that shareholder controls, or is deemed to control, 10% or more of the voting stock of the Company.

References in this discussion to WPP Shares include references to WPP ADSs and corresponding references to WPP Share Owners (or holders of WPP ADSs) include references to holders of WPP ADSs, unless indicated otherwise.

United Kingdom, Jersey and the United States taxation

United Kingdom taxation

Tax on dividends

The Company will not be required to withhold UK tax at source from dividend payments it makes.

WPP Share Owners who are resident outside the UK for tax purposes will not generally be able to claim repayment from HMRC of any part of the tax credit attaching to dividends received from WPP paid before

65

6 April 2016, although this will depend on the existence and terms of any double taxation convention between the UK and the country in which such WPP Share Owner is resident. A WPP Share Owner resident outside the UK may also be subject to taxation on dividend income under local law. A WPP Share Owner who is not solely resident in the UK for tax purposes should consult his own tax advisers concerning his tax liabilities (in the UK and any other country) on dividends received from WPP, whether they are entitled to claim any part of the tax credit and, if so, the procedure for doing so, and whether any double taxation relief is due in any country in which they are subject to tax. From 6 April 2016, the dividend tax credit previously available to UK resident individuals is replaced by a Dividend Allowance for UK taxpayers.

Taxation of disposals

An individual WPP Share Owner who has ceased to be resident or ordinarily resident for tax purposes in the UK for a period of less than five tax years and who disposes of all or part of his WPP Shares during that period may be liable to capital gains tax in respect of any chargeable gain arising from such a disposal on his return to the UK, subject to any available exemptions or reliefs.

Stamp duty and stamp duty reserve tax (SDRT)

No UK stamp duty or SDRT will be payable on the issue of WPP Shares. UK stamp duty should generally not need to be paid on a transfer of the WPP Shares. No UK SDRT will be payable in respect of any agreement to transfer WPP Shares unless they are registered in a register kept in the UK by or on behalf of WPP. It is not intended that such a register will be kept in the UK.

The statements in this paragraph summarise the current position on stamp duty and SDRT and are intended as a general guide only. Special rules apply to agreements made by, amongst others, intermediaries and certain categories of person may be liable to stamp duty or SDRT at higher rates.

Jersey taxation

General

The following summary of the anticipated tax treatment in Jersey of WPP and WPP Share Owners and holders of WPP ADSs (other than residents of Jersey) is based on Jersey taxation law as it is understood to apply at the date of this Form 20-F. It does not constitute legal or tax advice. WPP Share Owners or holders of WPP ADSs should consult their professional advisers on the implications of acquiring, buying, holding, selling or otherwise disposing of WPP Shares or WPP ADSs under the laws of the jurisdictions in which they may be liable to taxation. WPP Share Owners or holders of WPP ADSs should be aware that tax rules and practice and their interpretation may change.

Income Tax

(a) WPP

Under the Jersey Income Tax Law, WPP will be regarded as either:

(i) not resident in Jersey under Article 123(1) of the Jersey Income Tax Law provided that (and for so long as) it satisfies the conditions set out in that provision, in which case WPP will not (except as noted below) be liable to Jersey income tax; or

(ii) resident in Jersey and will fall under Article 123C of the Jersey Income Tax Law, in which case WPP (being neither a financial services company nor a specified utility company under the Jersey Income Tax Law at the date hereof) will (except as noted below) be subject to Jersey income tax at a rate of 0 percent.

WPP is tax resident in the United Kingdom and therefore should not be regarded as resident in Jersey.

66

(b) Holders of WPP Shares

WPP will be entitled to pay dividends to holders of WPP Shares without any withholding or deduction for or on account of Jersey tax. Holders of WPP Shares (other than residents of Jersey) will not be subject to any tax in Jersey in respect of the holding, sale or other disposition of such WPP Shares.

(c) Holders of WPP ADSs

Under Jersey law and the WPP Articles, WPP is only permitted to pay a dividend to a person who is recorded in its register of members as the holder of a WPP Share. The US Depositary will be recorded in WPP’s register of members as the holder of each WPP Share represented by a WPP ADS. Accordingly, WPP will pay all dividends in respect of each WPP Share represented by a WPP ADS to the US Depositary (as the registered holder of each such WPP Share) rather than to the holder of the ADS.

The US Depositary will not be subject to any tax in Jersey in respect of the holding, sale or other disposition of the WPP Shares held by it. In addition, holders of the WPP ADSs (other than residents of Jersey) should not be subject to any tax in Jersey in respect of the holding, sale or other disposition of such WPP ADSs.

Goods and services tax

WPP is an “international services entity” for the purposes of the Goods and Services Tax (Jersey) Law 2007 (the “GST Law”). Consequently, WPP is not required to:

(a) register as a taxable person pursuant to the GST Law;

(b) charge goods and services tax in Jersey in respect of any supply made by it; or

(c) subject to limited exceptions that are not expected to apply to WPP, pay goods and services tax in Jersey in respect of any supply made to it.

Stamp duty

No stamp duty is payable in Jersey on the issue or inter vivos transfer of WPP Shares or WPP ADSs.

Upon the death of a WPP Share Owner, a grant of probate or letters of administration will be required to transfer the WPP Shares of the deceased person. However, WPP may (at its discretion) dispense with this requirement where: (a) the deceased person was domiciled outside of Jersey at the time of death; and (b) the value of the deceased’s movable estate in Jersey (including any WPP Shares) does not exceed £10,000.

Upon the death of a WPP Share Owner, where the deceased person was domiciled outside of Jersey at the time of death, Jersey stamp duty will be payable on the registration in Jersey of a grant of probate or letters of administration, which will be required in order to transfer or otherwise deal with the deceased person’s personal estate situated in Jersey (including any WPP Shares) if the net value of such personal estate exceeds £10,000.

The rate of stamp duty payable is:

(i) (where the net value of the deceased person’s relevant personal estate is more than £10,000 but does not exceed £100,000) 0.50 percent of the net value of the deceased person’s relevant personal estate; or

(ii) (where the net value of the deceased person’s relevant personal estate exceeds £100,000) £500 for the first £100,000 plus 0.75 percent of the net value of the deceased person’s relevant personal estate which exceeds £100,000.

In addition, application and other fees may be payable.

US federal income taxation

Introduction

The following is a summary of certain material US federal income tax consequences of the ownership and disposition of WPP Shares or WPP ADSs by a US Holder (as defined below). This summary deals only with

67

initial acquirers of WPP Shares or WPP ADSs that are US Holders and that will hold the WPP Shares or WPP ADSs as capital assets. The discussion does not cover all aspects of US federal income taxation that may be relevant to, or the actual tax effect that any of the matters described herein will have on, the acquisition, ownership or disposition of WPP Shares or WPP ADSs by particular investors, and does not address state, local, foreign or other tax laws. In particular, this summary does not address all of the tax considerations that may be relevant to investors subject to special treatment under the US federal income tax laws (such as financial institutions, insurance companies, investors liable for the alternative minimum tax, investors that own (directly or indirectly) 10% or more of the voting stock of WPP, investors that hold WPP Shares or WPP ADSs through a permanent establishment, individual retirement accounts and other tax-deferred accounts, tax-exempt organisations, dealers in securities or currencies, traders that elect to mark to market, investors that will hold the WPP Shares or WPP ADSs as part of straddles, hedging transactions or conversion transactions for US federal income tax purposes, investors whose functional currency is not the US dollar or persons who received their WPP Shares or WPP ADSs in connection with the performance of services or on exercise of options received as compensation in connection with the performance of services).

As used herein, the term “US Holder” means a beneficial owner of WPP Shares or WPP ADSs that is, for US federal income tax purposes: (i) a citizen or individual resident of the United States; (ii) a corporation, or other entity treated as a corporation for US federal tax purposes, created or organised in or under the laws of the United States or any State thereof; (iii) an estate the income of which is subject to US federal income tax without regard to its source; or (iv) a trust if a court within the United States is able to exercise primary supervision over the administration of the trust and one or more US persons have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust, or the trust has elected to be treated as a domestic trust for US federal income tax purposes.

This discussion does not address any tax consequences applicable to holders of equity interests in a holder of WPP Shares or WPP ADSs. The US federal income tax treatment of a partner in a partnership that holds WPP Shares or WPP ADSs will depend on the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. Holders of WPP Shares or WPP ADSs that are partnerships should consult their tax advisers concerning the US federal income tax consequences to their partners of the acquisition, ownership and disposition of WPP Shares or WPP ADSs.

WPP does not expect to become a passive foreign investment company (a “PFIC”) for US federal income tax purposes and this summary assumes the correctness of this position. WPP’s possible status as a PFIC must be determined annually and therefore may be subject to change. If WPP were to be a PFIC in any year, materially adverse consequences could result for US Holders.

The summary is based on the US federal income tax laws, including the US Internal Revenue Code of 1986 as amended, its legislative history, existing and proposed regulations thereunder, published rulings and court decisions, all as currently in effect, and all of which are subject to change, perhaps with retroactive effect.

The summary of US federal income tax consequences set out below is for general information only. US Holders are urged to consult with their own tax advisers as to the particular tax consequences to them of owning the WPP Shares or WPP ADSs, including the applicability and effect of state, local, foreign and other tax laws and possible changes in tax law.

Classification of the WPP ADSs

US Holders of WPP ADSs should be treated for US federal income tax purposes as owners of the WPP Shares represented by the WPP ADSs. Accordingly, the US federal income tax consequences discussed below apply equally to US Holders of WPP ADSs.

Tax on dividends

Distributions paid by WPP out of current or accumulated earnings and profits (as determined for US federal income tax purposes) will generally be taxable to a US Holder as foreign source dividend income, and will not be

68

eligible for the dividends received deduction generally allowed to US corporations. A US Holder of WPP ADSs generally will include dividends in gross income in the taxable year in which such holder actually or constructively receives the dividend. US Holders that surrender their WPP ADSs in exchange for the underlying WPP Shares should consult their tax advisers regarding the proper timing for including dividends in gross income.

Distributions in excess of current and accumulated earnings and profits will be treated as a non-taxable return of capital to the extent of the US Holder’s basis in the WPP Shares or WPP ADSs and thereafter as capital gains. However, WPP will not maintain calculations of its earnings and profits in accordance with US federal income tax accounting principles. US Holders should, therefore, assume that any distribution by WPP with respect to the WPP Shares or WPP ADSs will constitute ordinary dividend income. US Holders should consult their tax advisers with respect to the appropriate US federal income tax treatment of any distribution received from WPP.

Under current federal income tax law, dividends paid by a foreign corporation to a non-corporate US Holder as “qualified dividend income” are taxable at the special reduced rate normally applicable to capital gains provided the foreign corporation qualifies for the benefits of the income tax treaty between the United States and the corporation’s country of residence. In such case, the non-corporate US Holder is eligible for the reduced rate only if the US Holder has held the shares or ADSs for more than 60 days during the 121 day-period beginning 60 days before the ex-dividend date. WPP believes it will qualify for the benefits of the income tax treaty between the United States and the United Kingdom (the “Treaty”).

US Holders of WPP Shares or WPP ADSs who receive distributions from WPP will need to consult their own tax advisors regarding the continued applicability of this special reduced rate to such distributions.

Dividends paid in pounds sterling will be included in income in a US dollar amount calculated by reference to the exchange rate in effect on the day the dividends are received by the US Holder in the case of WPP Shares or the US Depositary (in case of WPP ADSs), regardless of whether the pounds sterling are converted into US dollars at that time. If dividends received in pounds sterling are converted into US dollars on the day they are received, the US Holder generally will not be required to recognise a foreign currency gain or loss in respect of the dividend income. Generally, a gain or loss realised on a subsequent conversion of pounds sterling to US dollars or other disposition will be treated as US source ordinary income or loss.

Sale or other disposition

Upon a sale or other disposition of WPP Shares or WPP ADSs (other than an exchange of WPP ADSs for WPP Shares), a US Holder generally will recognise a capital gain or loss equal to the difference, if any, between the amount realised on the sale or other disposition and the US Holder’s adjusted tax basis in the WPP Shares or WPP ADSs. This capital gain or loss will generally be US source and will be a long-term capital gain or loss if the US Holder’s holding period in the WPP Shares or WPP ADSs exceeds one year. However, regardless of a US Holder’s actual holding period, any loss may be a long-term capital loss if the US Holder receives a dividend that exceeds 10% of the US Holder’s tax basis in its WPP Shares or WPP ADSs and to the extent such dividend qualifies for the reduced rate described above under the section entitled “Tax on Dividends”. Deductibility of capital losses is subject to limitations.

A US Holder’s tax basis in a WPP Share or a WPP ADS will generally be its US dollar cost. The US dollar cost of a WPP Share or a WPP ADS purchased with foreign currency will generally be the US dollar value of the purchase price on the date of purchase or, in the case of WPP Shares or WPP ADSs traded on an established securities market, as defined in the applicable Treasury Regulations, that are purchased by a cash basis US Holder (or an accrual basis US Holder that so elects), on the settlement date for the purchase. Such an election by an accrual basis US Holder must be applied consistently from year to year and cannot be revoked without the consent of the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”).

The surrender of WPP ADSs in exchange for WPP Shares (or vice versa) should not be a taxable event for US federal income tax purposes and US Holders should not recognise any gain or loss upon such a surrender. A

69

US Holder’s tax basis in the withdrawn WPP Shares will be the same as the US Holder’s tax basis in the WPP ADSs surrendered, and the holding period of the WPP Shares will include the holding period of the WPP ADSs.

The amount realised on a sale or other disposition of WPP Shares or WPP ADSs for an amount in foreign currency will be the US dollar value of this amount on the date of sale or disposition. On the settlement date, the US Holder will recognise US source foreign currency gain or loss (taxable as ordinary income or loss) equal to the difference (if any) between the US dollar value of the amount received based on the exchange rates in effect on the date of sale or other disposition and the settlement date. However, in the case of WPP Shares or WPP ADSs traded on an established securities market that are sold by a cash basis US Holder (or an accrual basis US Holder that so elects), the amount realised will be determined using the exchange rate in effect on the settlement date for the sale, and no exchange gain or loss will be recognised at that time.

Foreign currency received on the sale or other disposition of a WPP Share or a WPP ADS will have a tax basis equal to its US dollar value on the settlement date. Any gain or loss recognised on a sale or other disposition of a foreign currency (including upon exchange for US dollars) will be US source ordinary income or loss.

Net Investment Tax

In addition, the net investment income of individuals and certain trusts (including income realised through certain pass-through entities), subject to certain thresholds, will be subject to an additional net investment tax of 3.8%. “Net investment income” is the excess of certain types of passive income, including dividends on and capital gains from distributions on or dispositions of a WPP Share or a WPP ADS, over certain related investment expenses. Thus, both dividends and capital gains realised directly or indirectly by an individual or trust will generally be added in computing the net investment income of such individual or trust subject to this additional tax. Taxpayers are urged to consult their own tax advisors with respect to the applicability of this tax.

Backup withholding and information reporting

Payments of dividends and other proceeds with respect to WPP Shares or WPP ADSs by a US paying agent or other US intermediary will be reported to the IRS and to the US Holder unless the holder is a corporation or otherwise establishes a basis for exemption. Backup withholding may apply to 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. Any backup withholding tax will be refunded or allowed as a credit against the US Holder’s US federal income tax liability if the US Holder timely gives the appropriate information to the IRS. US Holders should consult their tax advisers as to their qualification for exemption from backup withholding and the procedure for obtaining an exemption.

F. Dividends and Paying Agents

Not applicable.

G. Statements by Experts

Not applicable.

H. Documents on Display

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 http://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, http://www.wpp.com.

I. Subsidiary Information

Not applicable.

70

ITEM 11. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

The Company’s principal market risks are changes in interest rates and currency exchange rates. Following evaluation of these positions, the Company selectively enters into derivative financial instruments to manage its risk exposure. The fair value of derivatives held by the Company at 31 December 2018 is estimated to be a net liability of £7.1 million (£9.7 million with respect to derivative assets and £16.8 million for derivative liabilities). These amounts are based on market values of equivalent instruments at the balance sheet date.

Interest rate and foreign currency risks

The Company’s interest rate and foreign currency risks management policies are discussed in note 23 to the consolidated financial statements.

Interest rate derivatives and currency derivatives utilised by the Group are discussed in note 24 to the consolidated financial statements.

Analysis of fixed and floating rate debt by currency, including the effect of interest rate and cross currency swaps, as at the balance sheet date is provided in note 10 to the consolidated financial statements.

Sensitivity analyses that address the effect of interest rate and currency risks on the Group’s financial instruments is provided in note 23 to the consolidated financial statements.

Credit risk

Our credit risk exposure and management policies are discussed in note 23 to the consolidated financial statements.

ITEM 12. DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES OTHER THAN EQUITY SECURITIES

A. Debt Securities

Not applicable.

B. Warrants and Rights

Not applicable.

C. Other Securities

Not applicable.

71

D. American Depositary Shares

Fees and Charges

Holders of ADSs and persons depositing ordinary shares or surrendering ADSs for cancellation are currently required to pay the following service fees to the Depositary:

Service	Rate	By Whom Paid
(1)   Issuance of ADSs upon deposit of ordinary shares (excluding issuances as a result of distributions described in paragraph (4) below).	Up to U.S.$5.00 per 100 ADSs (or fraction thereof) issued.	Person depositing ordinary shares or person receiving ADSs.
(2)   Delivery of deposited securities against surrender of ADSs.	Up to U.S.$5.00 per 100 ADSs (or fraction thereof) surrendered.	Person surrendering ADSs for purpose of withdrawal of deposited securities or person to whom deposited securities are delivered.
(3)   Distribution of cash dividends or other cash distributions (i.e., sale of rights and other entitlements).	Up to U.S.$2.00 per 100 ADSs (or fraction thereof) held, unless prohibited by the exchange upon which the ADSs are listed.	Person to whom distribution is made.
(4)   Distribution of ADSs pursuant to (i) stock dividends or other free stock distributions, or (ii) exercise of rights to purchase additional ADSs.	Up to U.S.$5.00 per 100 ADSs (or fraction thereof) issued, unless prohibited by the exchange upon which the ADSs are listed.	Person to whom distribution is made.
(5)   Distribution of securities other than ADSs or rights to purchase additional ADSs (i.e., spin-off shares).	Up to U.S.$5.00 per unit of 100 securities (or fraction thereof) distributed.	Person to whom distribution is made.
(6)   Depositary Services.	Up to U.S.$2.00 per 100 ADSs (or fraction thereof) held as of the last day of each calendar year, except to the extent of any cash dividend fee(s) charged under paragraph (3) above during the applicable calendar year.	Person of record on last day of any calendar year.
(7)   Transfer of ADRs.	U.S.$1.50 per certificate presented for transfer.	Person presenting certificate for transfer.

Holders of ADSs and persons depositing ordinary shares or surrendering ADSs for cancellation and for the purpose of withdrawing deposited securities are also responsible for the payment of certain fees and expenses incurred by the Depositary, and certain taxes and governmental charges, such as:

(i) Taxes (including applicable interest and penalties) and other governmental charges;

(ii) Such registration fees as may from time to time be in effect for the registration of ordinary shares on the share register and applicable to transfers of ordinary shares or other securities on deposit to or from the name of the Custodian, the Depositary or any nominees upon the making of deposits and withdrawals, respectively;

72

(iii) Such cable, telex and facsimile transmission and delivery expenses as are expressly provided in the deposit agreement to be at the expense of the person depositing or withdrawing ordinary shares or holders of ADSs;

(iv) The expenses and charges incurred by the Depositary in the conversion of foreign currency;

(v) Such fees and expenses as are incurred by the Depositary in connection with compliance with exchange control regulations and other regulatory requirements applicable to ordinary shares, ordinary shares on deposit, ADSs and ADRs; and

(vi) The fees and expenses incurred by the Depositary, the Custodian or any nominee in connection with the servicing or delivery of ordinary shares on deposit.

WPP has agreed to pay various other charges and expenses of the Depositary. Please note that the fees and charges that holders of ADSs may be required to pay may vary over time and may be changed by WPP and by the Depositary. Holders of ADSs will receive prior notice of such changes.

Depositary Payments—Fiscal Year 2018

WPP did not receive any payments from Citibank, N.A., the Depositary for its American Depositary Receipt program, in 2018.

73

PART II

ITEM 13. DEFAULTS, DIVIDEND ARREARAGES AND DELINQUENCIES

None.

ITEM 14. MATERIAL MODIFICATIONS TO THE RIGHTS OF SECURITY HOLDERS AND USE OF PROCEEDS

None.

ITEM 15. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Disclosure Controls and Procedures

We performed an evaluation under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and our Group Finance Director, of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act) as at 31 December 2018. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a control system, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that it will detect or uncover failures within the Company to disclose material information otherwise required to be set forth in the Company’s periodic reports. Following the evaluation described above, our management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Group Finance Director, concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective at that time.

Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act). Our management, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and our Group Finance Director, carried out an assessment of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as at 31 December 2018. The assessment was performed using the criteria for effective internal control reflected in the Internal Control-Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).

Based on our assessment of the system of internal control, management concludes that as at 31 December 2018 our internal control over financial reporting was effective.

The Company’s internal control over financial reporting as at 31 December 2018 has been audited by Deloitte LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, who also audited the Company’s consolidated financial statements. Their audit report on the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting is presented on page 75.

74

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the shareholders and the Board of Directors of WPP plc

Opinion on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

We have audited the internal control over financial reporting of WPP plc and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as at 31 December 2018, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). In our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as at 31 December 2018, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework (2013) issued by COSO.

We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the consolidated financial statements at and for the year ended 31 December 2018, of the Company and our report dated 26 April 2019, expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements and includes an explanatory paragraph regarding the Company’s change in its method of accounting for revenue from contracts with customers for each of the three years in the period ended 31 December 2018 due to the adoption of International Financial Reporting Standard 15 Revenue from Contracts with Customers.

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 Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’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 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.

/s/ Deloitte LLP

Deloitte LLP

London, United Kingdom

26 April 2019

75

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

There has been no change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) that occurred during 2018, that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

ITEM 16A. AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT

The audit committee consisted of Jacques Aigrain, Tarek Farahat, and Sol Trujillo at 31 December 2018. Cindy Rose was appointed as a Director and a member of the audit committee on 1 April 2019. The board of directors has determined that all members of the audit committee are “independent” as that term is defined in the applicable NYSE listing standards and rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission.

WPP has two audit committee financial experts, Jacques Aigrain, serving as Chairman of the audit committee, and Tarek Farahat, a member of the committee. See the biographies of Jacques Aigrain and Tarek Farahat in Item 6A.

ITEM 16B. CODE OF ETHICS

WPP has in place a Code of Business Conduct that constitutes a “code of ethics” as defined in applicable regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Code of Business Conduct, which is regularly reviewed by the Audit Committee and the Board and was last updated in 2016, sets out the principal obligations of all directors, officers and employees. Directors and senior executives throughout the Group are required each year to sign this Code. The WPP Code of Business Conduct is available on the Company’s website, www.wpp.com/about/corporate-governance. This Annual Report on Form 20-F does not incorporate by reference information on the Company’s website.

ITEM 16C. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES

	2018 £m	2017 £m
Audit fees	27.3	26.1
Tax fees1	0.1	0.2
All other fees2	4.7	4.6
	32.1	30.9

¹  Tax fees comprise tax advisory, planning and compliance services. All tax fees were approved by Audit Committee.

²  Other fees comprise services, including fees for due diligence and review of earn-out payment calculations. All other fees were approved by Audit Committee.

See note 3 to the consolidated financial statements for more details of auditors’ remuneration for the years ended 31 December 2018, 2017 and 2016.

Audit Committee Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures

The Audit Committee has a pre-approval policy for the engagement of the external auditors in relation to the supply of permissible non-audit services, taking into account relevant ethical and regulatory requirements. WPP’s policy regarding non-audit services that may be provided by the Group’s auditors, Deloitte, prohibits certain categories of work in line with relevant guidance on independence, such as ethical standards issued by the Auditing Practices Board and independence rules of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) and the SEC. Other categories of work may be undertaken by Deloitte subject to an approvals process that is designed appropriately for different categories and values of proposed work.

76

ITEM 16D. EXEMPTIONS FROM THE LISTING STANDARDS FOR AUDIT COMMITTEES

Not applicable.

ITEM 16E. PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES BY THE ISSUER AND AFFILIATED PURCHASERS

At the Annual General Meeting of WPP plc on 7 June 2017 a special resolution was passed authorising WPP plc to make market purchases of its own shares up to a maximum number of 127,887,590 ordinary shares. This authority expired at the Annual General Meeting of WPP plc on 13 June 2018 and was replaced by a new authority to purchase up to a maximum number of 126,611,100 ordinary shares until the earlier of the conclusion of the Annual General Meeting of WPP plc in 2019 and 1 September 2019.

	Total number of shares purchased		Average price (£)		Total number of shares purchased as part of publicly announced plan			Maximum number of shares that may yet be purchased under plan
January		3,500,000		13.39		3,500,000			106,807,946
February		2,000,000		12.89		2,000,000			104,807,946
March		6,004,127		12.03		6,004,127			98,803,819
April		2,678		12.60		2,678			98,801,141
May		2,660,000		13.01		2,660,000			96,141,141
June		1,720,000		12.31		1,720,000	1		126,611,100
July		—		—		—			126,611,100
August		—		—		—			126,611,100
September		—		—		—			126,611,100
October		—		—		—			126,611,100
November		750,000		8.54		750,000			125,861,100
December		—		—		—			125,861,100
Total		16,636,805		12.45		16,636,805

¹   1,720,000 of the shares purchased were under the authority granted at the Annual General Meeting on 7 June 2017.

ITEM 16F. CHANGE IN REGISTRANT’S CERTIFYING ACCOUNTANT

Not applicable.

ITEM 16G. CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

The Company’s ADSs are listed on the NYSE. In general, under Section 303A.11 of the NYSE’s Listed Company Manual, foreign private issuers such as WPP listed on the NYSE are permitted to follow home country corporate governance practices instead of certain of the corporate governance requirements of Section 303A of the Listed Company Manual.

The following discussion identifies the principal ways that WPP’s corporate governance practices differ from the requirements of Section 303A of the Listed Company Manual:

• Section 303A.03 requires that non-management directors hold regular executive sessions and that the listed company disclose on its website or in its annual report the name of the director presiding at such sessions. The Company’s non-management directors do not hold executive sessions as this is not required under the UK Corporate Governance Code.

• Sections 303A.04 and 303A.05 require that the written charters of the nominating/corporate governance committee and the compensation committee each require that the committee consist entirely of independent directors. While all current members of the Company’s Nomination and Governance Committee and Compensation Committee are independent, the terms of reference of these committees require, consistent with the UK Corporate Governance Code, that only a majority of the members of each committee be independent.

77

• Section 303A.05 requires that compensation committees have authority to retain compensation consultants, legal counsel and other advisers at the issuer’s expense, and that they consider specific factors before doing so. Section 303A.05 also requires that a compensation committee’s written charter cover the preparation of disclosure required of domestic issuers by Item 407(e)(5) of Regulation S-K and delegation of the committee’s duties to one or more subcommittees. The terms of reference of the Company’s Compensation Committee give the committee the authority to obtain outside legal assistance and any professional advice, at the Company’s expense, as the committee considers necessary for the discharge of its responsibilities, but do not specifically require the committee to consider the factors listed in Section 303A.05. The committee’s terms of reference also do not cover the preparation of the Item 407(e)(5) disclosure or delegation of the committee’s duties to subcommittees.

• Section 303A.07 requires that terms of reference of a listed company’s audit committee cover the preparation of disclosure required of domestic issuer by Item 407(d)(3) of Regulation S-K and require that the committee meet separately with management. The terms of reference of the Company’s Audit Committee do not cover these matters, although they do require that the committee meet separately with the auditors and the head of the Company’s internal audit team.

• Section 303A.08 requires that listed companies obtain shareholder approval before a stock option or purchase plan is established or materially revised or other equity compensation arrangement is made or materially revised pursuant to which stock may be acquired by directors, employees or other service providers of the listed company, subject to certain exceptions. The Company seeks share owner approval for the adoption or amendment of stock plans or stock purchase plans only as required by the Articles of Association of the Company, the Listing Rules of the UK Listing Authority (the Listing Rules) and the laws of Jersey.

Subject to the exceptions permitted in the Listing Rules, this involves seeking share owner approval to any such plan that falls into either of the following categories (as defined in the Listing Rules):

(a) an employees’ share scheme if the scheme involves or may involve the issue of new shares or the transfer of treasury shares; and

(b) a long-term incentive plan in which one or more directors of the Company is eligible to participate and to material amendments of that plan to the extent required by the plan’s rules. In this context, it should be noted that the provisions of the rules relating to whether amendments to the plan rules must be approved by share owners must themselves be drafted to ensure compliance with the Listing Rules.

• Section 303A.09 requires that listed companies adopt corporate governance guidelines that cover certain specified matters. The Company follows the UK Corporate Governance Code, which covers all of the matters specified in Section 303A.09 (and more). As is customary for UK companies, the Company states its compliance with the Code on an annual basis rather than adopting the elements of the Code as a separate written policy.

• Section 303A.12 requires that each listed company must provide certain certifications of compliance with the NYSE corporate governance rules annually. The Company complies instead with the requirements of the UK Corporate Governance Code in this regard.

ITEM 16H. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURE

Not applicable.

78

PART III

ITEM 17. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Not applicable.

ITEM 18. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The consolidated financial statements of WPP plc at 31 December 2018 and 2017 and for the years ending 31 December 2018, 2017 and 2016 are included in this report beginning on page F-1.

ITEM 19. EXHIBITS

Exhibit No.	Exhibit Title
1.1	Memorandum and Articles of Association of WPP plc (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 1 to the Registrant’s Report on Form 6-K filed on 2 January 2013).
2.1	Deposit Agreement dated as of 2  January 2013 among the Registrant, Citibank, N.A. as Depositary, and all holders and beneficial owners from time to time of American Depositary Receipts issued thereunder (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 99(A)(I) to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form F-6EF filed on 31 December 2012).
2.2	Restricted ADS Letter Agreement dated as of 2  January 2013 between the Registrant and Citibank, N.A., as Depositary (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 99(A)(II) to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form F-6EF filed on 31  December 2012).
2.3	Agreement of Registrant to file, if requested by the Securities and Exchange Commission, instruments relating to $812.4 million of 4.75% Senior Notes due 2021 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 2.22 of the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended 31 December 2011).
2.4	Agreement of Registrant to file, if requested by the Securities and Exchange Commission, instruments relating to U.S.$500,000,000 3.625% Guaranteed Senior Notes due September 2022 and $300,000,000 5.125% Guaranteed Senior Notes due 2042 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 2.15 of the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 20-F filed for the year ended 31 December 2012).
2.5	Agreement of Registrant to file, if requested by the Securities and Exchange Commission, instruments relating to U.S.$500,000,000 5.625% Guaranteed Senior Notes due November 2043 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 2.14 of the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 20-F filed for the year ended 31 December 2013).
2.6	Agreement of Registrant to file, if requested by the Securities and Exchange Commission, instruments relating to €750  million of 3.00% Fixed Rate Senior Notes due November 2023 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 2.15 of the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 20-F filed for the year ended 31 December  2013).
2.7	Agreement of Registrant to file, if requested by the Securities and Exchange Commission, instruments relating to $750,000,000 of 3.750% Senior Notes Due 2024 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 2.13 of the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended 31 December 2014).
2.8	Agreement of Registrant to file, if requested by the Securities and Exchange Commission, instruments relating to €750,000,000 of 2.250% of Senior Notes Due 2026 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 2.14 of the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended 31 December 2014).

79

Exhibit No.	Exhibit Title
2.9	Agreement of Registrant to file, if requested by the Securities and Exchange Commission, instruments relating to €600  million of 1.625% Notes due March 2030 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 2.15 of the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended 31 December 2014).
2.10	Agreement of Registrant to file, if requested by the Securities and Exchange Commission, instruments relating to €600  million of 0.75% Notes due November 2019 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 2.16 of the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended 31 December 2015).
2.11	Agreement of Registrant to file, if requested by the Securities and Exchange Commission, instruments relating to £400 million of 2.875% Notes due September 2046 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 2.14 of the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended 31 December 2016).
2.12	Agreement of Registrant to file, if requested by the Securities and Exchange Commission, instruments relating to €250  million of senior bonds due May 2020 that pay a coupon of 3 month EURIBOR plus 0.32% (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 2.15 of the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended 31 December 2017).
2.13	Agreement of Registrant to file, if requested by the Securities and Exchange Commission, instruments relating to €250  million of guaranteed senior bonds due March 2022 that pay a coupon of 3 month EURIBOR plus 0.45% (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 2.16 of the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended 31 December 2017).
2.14	Agreement of Registrant to file, if requested by the Securities and Exchange Commission, instruments relating to €500  million of 1.375% guaranteed senior bonds due March 2025 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 2.17 of the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended 31 December 2017).
2.15	Agreement of Registrant to file, if requested by the Securities and Exchange Commission, instruments relating to an A$547 million and NZ$3  million Syndicated Facility Agreement entered into by WPP AUNZ Limited, dated 26 June 2018.*
2.16	U.S. $2,500,000,000 Revolving Credit Facility Agreement, dated 15  March 2019, by and among WP CP LLC, WPP Finance Co. Limited and WPP CP Finance plc, as Borrowers, and the Guarantors, Facility Agent, Swingline Agent, Bookrunners and Lenders thereto.*
4.1	J. Walter Thompson Company, Inc. Retained Benefit Supplemental Employee Retirement Plan (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.9 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended 31 December 2000).
4.2	Young  & Rubicam Inc. Deferred Compensation Plan (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.26 to Young  & Rubicam’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-46929)).
4.3	Amendment No. 2 to Young  & Rubicam Inc. Deferred Compensation Plan effective as of 1 January 1999 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.27 to Young  & Rubicam’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended 31 December 1998).
4.4	Young  & Rubicam Inc. Executive Income Deferral Program (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.19 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended 31 December 2000).
4.5	Ogilvy  & Mather ERISA Excess Plan Summary Plan Description (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.12 of the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended 31 December 2008).
4.6	Ogilvy  & Mather Executive Savings Plan Summary Plan Description, in connection with a 25% matching contribution (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.13 of the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended 31 December 2008).

80

Exhibit No.	Exhibit Title
4.7	Ogilvy  & Mather Executive Savings Plan Summary Plan Description, in connection with a 50% matching contribution (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.14 of the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended 31 December 2008).
4.8	Ogilvy  & Mather Deferred Compensation Plan Summary Plan Description (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.15 of the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended 31 December 2008).
4.9	WPP Executive Stock Option Plan, as amended through 12  November 2012 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.9 of the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 20-F filed for the year ended 31 December 2012).
4.10	WPP plc Restricted Stock Plan, as amended through 12  November 2012 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.10 of the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 20-F filed for the year ended 31 December 2012).
4.11	WPP 2005 Executive Stock Option Plan, as amended through 12  November 2012 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.11 of the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 20-F filed for the year ended 31 December 2012).
4.12	WPP plc Annual Bonus Deferral Programme, as amended through 12  November 2012 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.12 of the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 20-F filed for the year ended 31 December 2012).
4.13	GroupM Executive Savings Plan Summary Plan Description (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.24 of the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended 31 December 2008).
4.14	WPP 2008 Executive Stock Option Plan, as amended through 12  November 2012 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.14 of the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 20-F filed for the year ended 31 December 2012).
4.15	Service Agreement in the USA, dated 30  April 2009, between WPP Group USA, Inc. and Paul W.G. Richardson (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.30 of the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended 31  December 2008).
4.16	Director’s appointment agreement, dated 21  November 2008, between WPP plc and Paul Richardson (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.31 of the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended 31 December 2008).
4.17	Supplemental Retirement Agreement, dated as of 1  July 2008, by and between WPP Group USA, Inc. and Paul Richardson (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.34 of the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended 31  December 2008).
4.18	Amendment dated 19  November 2008 to Supplemental Retirement Agreement, dated as of 1 July 2008, by and between WPP Group USA, Inc. and Paul Richardson (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.35 of the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended 31 December 2008).
4.19	Grey Advertising Inc. Senior Executive Officer Post-Employment Compensation Plan (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.40 of the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended 31 December 2008).
4.20	Amendment No.  1 to the Grey Advertising Inc. Senior Executive Officer Post-Employment Compensation Plan, effective as of January 1, 2009 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.41 of the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended 31 December 2008).
4.21	Amendment No.  1 to the J. Walter Thompson Retained Benefit Supplemental Employee Retirement Plan, effective as of January  1, 2009 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.42 of the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended 31 December 2008).

81

Exhibit No.	Exhibit Title
4.22	Second Amendment, dated 22  June 2011, to Supplemental Retirement Agreement, dated as of 1 July 2008, by and between WPP Group USA, Inc. and Paul Richardson (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.41 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended 31 December 2011).
4.23	WPP 2012 Executive Stock Option Plan (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.32 of the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 20-F filed for the year ended 31 December 2012).
4.24	WPP plc Executive Performance Share Plan (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.33 of the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 20-F filed for the year ended 31 December 2013).
4.25	WPP Share Option Plan 2015 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.32 of the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended 31 December 2016).
4.26	Service Agreement, dated 3 September 2018, between WPP 2005 Limited and Mark Read.*
4.27	The WPP plc Stock Plan 2018.*
8.1	List of subsidiaries.*
12.1	Certification of principal executive.*
12.2	Certification of principal financial officer.*
13.1	Certification of principal executive under 18 U.S.C. Section 1350.*
13.2	Certification of principal financial officer under 18 U.S.C. Section 1350.*
14.1	Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (for WPP plc and subsidiaries).*
101.INS	XBRL Instance Document*
101.SCH	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Linkbase Document*
101.CAL	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document*
101.DEF	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document*
101.LAB	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document*
101.PRE	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document*

* Filed herewith.

82

Signatures

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 its behalf.

WPP plc
By:	/s/ Paul W.G. Richardson
	Paul W.G. Richardson Group Finance Director
	26 April 2019

83

Item 18

INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Financial Statement Number			Page
	A.	Financial Statements of WPP plc as at 31 December 2018 and 2017 and for the years ended 31 December 2018, 2017 and 2016
		(i)  Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm		F-1
		(ii)  Accounting policies		F-2
		(iii)  Consolidated income statement for the years ended 31  December 2018, 2017, 2016		F-11
		(iv)  Consolidated statement of comprehensive income for the years ended 31  December 2018, 2017, 2016		F-12
		(v)  Consolidated cash flow statement for the years ended 31  December 2018, 2017, 2016		F-13
		(vi)  Consolidated balance sheet at 31 December 2018, 2017		F-14
		(vii)  Consolidated statement of changes in equity for the years ended 31  December 2018, 2017, 2016		F-15
		(viii)  Notes to the consolidated financial statements		F-16

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the shareholders and the Board of Directors of WPP plc

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of WPP plc and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as at 31 December 2018 and 2017, and the related consolidated income statements, consolidated statements of comprehensive income, consolidated cash flow statements, and consolidated statements of changes in equity for each of the three years in the period ended 31 December 2018 and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as at 31 December 2018 and 2017, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended 31 December 2018, in conformity with International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board.

We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as at 31 December 2018, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission and our report dated 26 April 2019, expressed an unqualified opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

Change in Accounting Principle

As discussed in the accounting policies of the financial statements, the Company has changed its method of accounting for revenue from contracts with customers for each of the three years in the period ended 31 December 2018 due to the adoption of International Financial Reporting Standard 15 Revenue from Contracts with Customers.

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.

/s/ Deloitte LLP

Deloitte LLP

London, United Kingdom

26 April 2019

We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2002.

F-1

2018 financial statements

Accounting policies

The consolidated financial statements of WPP plc and its subsidiaries (the Group) for the year ended 31 December 2018 have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board as they apply to the financial statements of the Group for the year ended 31 December 2018.

Basis of preparation

The consolidated financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention, except for the revaluation of certain financial instruments. The principal accounting policies are set out below.

The financial statements were approved by the Board of Directors and authorized for issue on 26 April 2019

Basis of consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the results of the Company and all its subsidiary undertakings made up to the same accounting date. All intra-Group balances, transactions, income and expenses are eliminated in full on consolidation. The results of subsidiary undertakings acquired or disposed of during the period are included or excluded from the consolidated income statement from the effective date of acquisition or disposal.

New IFRS accounting pronouncements

At the date of authorisation of these financial statements, the following Standards, which have not been applied in these financial statements, were in issue but not yet effective:

• IFRS 16 Leases; and

• IFRIC 23 Uncertainty over Income Tax Treatments.

IFRS 16 is effective from 1 January 2019. The standard eliminates the classification of leases as either operating or finance leases and introduces a single accounting model. Lessees will be required to recognise a right-of-use asset and related lease liability for the majority of their operating leases and show depreciation of leased assets and interest on lease liabilities separately in the income statement. IFRS 16 will require the Group to recognise substantially all of its operating leases on the balance sheet.

The Group will adopt IFRS 16 effective 1 January 2019 on a modified retrospective basis and apply the standard retrospectively with the cumulative effect of initially applying the standard recognised at the date of initial application as an adjustment to retained earnings. Accordingly, prior year financial information will not be restated and will continue to be reported under IAS 17 Leases. The right-of-use asset and lease liability will initially be measured at the present value of the remaining lease payments, with the right-of-use asset being subject to certain adjustments. The estimated right-of-use asset and lease liability recorded on the balance sheet as of 1 January 2019 will be approximately £2.0 billion to £2.5 billion. Depreciation of the right-of-use asset and recognition of interest on the lease liability in the income statement will replace amounts recognised as rent expense under IAS 17, resulting in an estimated increase to operating margin of approximately 0.4 to 0.6 margin points and an estimated decrease to diluted earnings per share of approximately 1.3p to 1.6p.

IFRIC 23 is effective from 1 January 2019. The Group does not consider that this Standard will have a significant impact on the financial statements of the Group.

In the current year, the following Standards and Interpretations became effective:

• IFRS 9 Financial Instruments; and

• IFRS 15 Revenue from Contracts with Customers.

Impact of the Adoption of IFRS 9 Financial Instruments

The Group has adopted IFRS 9 Financial Instruments from 1 January 2018 which resulted in the movements in fair value of certain equity investments previously designated as ‘available-for-sale’ being designated as fair value through other comprehensive income or fair value through profit or loss. The cumulative movements in fair value taken to equity up to 31 December 2017 for these investments have been transferred from other reserves to retained earnings, resulting in an increase in retained earnings of £407.4 million and a corresponding decrease in other reserves.

Amounts classified as loans and receivables under IAS 39 Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement have been reclassified to amortised cost under IFRS 9. Further details on reclassification are set out in note 24.

The requirement under IFRS 9 to use an expected loss method of impairment of financial assets did not have a material effect on the Group due to the short-term nature of the Group’s trade and other receivables, which are mainly due from large national or multinational companies.

The Group continues to apply the hedge accounting requirements of IAS 39, as permitted by IFRS 9.

F-2

Accounting policies (continued)

Comparatives have not been restated in accordance with the transitional guidance in IFRS 9 and the cumulative impact of adopting the standard on reserves at 1 January 2018 is shown in the consolidated statement of changes in equity.

Impact of the Adoption of IFRS 15 Revenue from Contracts with Customers

The Group has adopted IFRS 15 Revenue from Contracts with Customers from 1 January 2018 which resulted in changes in certain aspects of our accounting policies and adjustments to the amounts recognised in the financial statements. In accordance with the transition provisions in IFRS 15, the Group has adopted the new rules retrospectively and has restated comparatives for each prior year presented in the consolidated financial statements.

The new standard establishes a five-step model where consideration received or expected to be received is recognised as revenue when contractual performance obligations are satisfied by transferring control of the relevant goods or services to the customer. Adopting IFRS 15 did not have a significant impact on the timing of the Group’s revenue recognition nor on the Group’s equity.

However, for certain of our contracts, the adoption of IFRS 15 resulted in a change in our accounting for certain third-party costs. Third-party costs are included in revenue when the Group acts as principal with respect to the services provided to the client and are excluded when the Group acts as agent. Under IFRS 15, the principal versus agent assessment is based on whether the Group controls the relevant services before they are transferred to the client. As a result of the adoption of IFRS 15, there was an increase in third-party costs included in revenue and costs of services. This change increased revenue and costs of services by the same amount and therefore had no impact on gross profit or operating profit.

The following table summarises the impact of adopting IFRS 15 on the Group’s consolidated income statement for the years ended 31 December 2017 and 2016.

	Year ended 31 December 2017									Year ended 31 December 2016
£ million	As previously reported			IFRS 15 adjustments			As restated			As previously reported			IFRS 15 adjustments			As restated
Revenue		15,265.4			538.8			15,804.2			14,388.9			498.4			14,887.3
Costs of services		(12,090.2	)		(538.8	)		(12,629.0	)		(11,348.1	)		(498.4	)		(11,846.5	)
Gross profit		3,175.2			–			3,175.2			3,040.8			–			3,040.8

Work in progress includes outlays incurred on behalf of clients, including production costs, and other third-party costs that have not yet been billed and are considered receivables under IFRS 15. As such, £401.1 million of ‘Work in progress’ has been reclassified as ‘Trade and other receivables’ as of 31 December 2017. Other than this reclassification, the impact of the adoption of IFRS 15 on the consolidated balance sheet, consolidated cash flow statement, consolidated statement of changes in equity and earnings per share was immaterial.

Goodwill and other intangible assets

Intangible assets comprise goodwill, certain acquired separable corporate brand names, acquired customer relationships, acquired proprietary tools and capitalised computer software not integral to a related item of hardware.

Goodwill represents the excess of fair value attributed to investments in businesses or subsidiary undertakings over the fair value of the underlying net assets, including intangible assets, at the date of their acquisition.

Goodwill impairment reviews are undertaken annually or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate a potential impairment. The carrying value of goodwill is compared to the net present value of future cash flows derived from the underlying assets using a projection period of up to five years for each cash-generating unit. After the projection period a steady growth rate representing an appropriate long-term growth rate for the industry is applied. Any impairment is recognised immediately as an expense and is not subsequently reversed.

Corporate brand names, customer relationships and proprietary tools acquired as part of acquisitions of businesses are capitalised separately from goodwill as intangible assets if their value can be measured reliably on initial recognition and it is probable that the expected future economic benefits that are attributable to the asset will flow to the Group.

F-3

Accounting policies (continued)

Certain corporate brands of the Group are considered to have an indefinite economic life because of the institutional nature of the corporate brand names, their proven ability to maintain market leadership and profitable operations over long periods of time and the Group’s commitment to develop and enhance their value. The carrying value of these intangible assets is reviewed at least annually for impairment and adjusted to the recoverable amount if required.

Amortisation is provided at rates calculated to write off the cost less estimated residual value of each asset on a straight-line basis over its estimated useful life as follows:

• Brand names (with finite lives) – 10-20 years.

• Customer-related intangibles – 3-10 years.

• Other proprietary tools – 3-10 years.

• Other (including capitalised computer software) – 3-5 years.

Contingent consideration

Contingent consideration is accounted for in accordance with IFRS 3 Business Combinations. Contingent consideration only applies to situations where contingent payments are not dependent on future employment of vendors and any such payments are expensed when they relate to future employment.

Future anticipated payments to vendors in respect of contingent consideration (earnout agreements) are initially recorded at fair value which is the present value of the expected cash outflows of the obligations. The obligations are dependent on the future financial performance of the interests acquired (typically over a four- to five-year period following the year of acquisition) and assume the operating companies improve profits in line with Directors’ estimates. The Directors derive their estimates from internal business plans together with financial due diligence performed in connection with the acquisition.

Subsequent adjustments to the fair value are recorded in the consolidated income statement within revaluation of financial instruments.

Property, plant and equipment

Property, plant and equipment are shown at cost less accumulated depreciation and any provision for impairment with the exception of freehold land which is not depreciated. The Group assesses the carrying value of its property, plant and equipment to determine if any impairment has occurred. Where this indicates that an asset may be impaired, the Group applies the requirements of IAS 36 Impairment of Assets in assessing the carrying amount of the asset. This process includes comparing its recoverable amount with its carrying value. Depreciation is provided at rates calculated to write off the cost less estimated residual value of each asset on a straight-line basis over its estimated useful life, as follows:

• Freehold buildings – 50 years.

• Leasehold land and buildings – over the term of the lease or life of the asset, if shorter.

• Fixtures, fittings and equipment – 3-10 years.

• Computer equipment – 3-5 years.

Interests in associates and joint ventures

An associate is an entity over which the Group has significant influence. In certain circumstances, significant influence may be represented by factors other than ownership and voting rights, such as representation on the Board of Directors.

The Group’s share of the profits less losses of associate undertakings net of tax, interest and non-controlling interests is included in the consolidated income statement and the Group’s share of net assets is shown within interests in associates in the consolidated balance sheet. The Group’s share of the profits less losses and net assets is based on current information produced by the undertakings, adjusted to conform with the accounting policies of the Group.

The Group assesses the carrying value of its associate undertakings to determine if any impairment has occurred. Where this indicates that an investment may be impaired, the Group applies the requirements of IAS 36 in assessing the carrying amount of the investment. This process includes comparing its recoverable amount with its carrying value.

The Group accounts for joint venture investments under the equity method which is consistent with the Group’s treatment of associates.

Other investments

The Group has adopted IFRS 9 Financial Instruments from 1 January 2018 which resulted in the movements in fair value of certain equity investments previously designated as ‘available-for-sale’ being designated as fair value through other comprehensive income or fair value through profit or loss. Further details on reclassifications are set out in note 24. Movements in fair value through

F-4

Accounting policies (continued)

profit or loss are recorded in the consolidated income statement within revaluation of financial instruments.

Accrued and deferred income

Accrued income is a contract asset and is recognised when a performance obligation has been satisfied but has not yet been billed. Contract assets are transferred to receivables when the right to consideration is unconditional and billed per the terms of the contractual agreement.

In certain cases, payments are received from customers prior to satisfaction of performance obligations and recognised as deferred income. These balances are considered contract liabilities and are typically related to prepayments for third party expenses that are incurred shortly after billing.

Trade receivables and work in progress

Trade receivables are stated net of provisions for bad and doubtful debts. The Group has adopted IFRS 9 Financial Instruments from 1 January 2018 which requires an expected loss method of impairment of financial assets to be used. The implementation of this did not have a material impact on the Group.

The Group has applied the simplified approach to measuring expected credit losses, as permitted by IFRS 9. Therefore the Group does not track changes in credit risk, but recognises a loss allowance based on the financial asset’s lifetime expected credit loss. The Group measures expected credit losses based on the ageing of the receivable, based on the Group’s historical experience and informed credit assessment. The Group considers a loss allowance to be required for 50% of all invoices aged 180 days to 1 year and 100% of all invoices aged over 1 year, with adjustments where there is specific information to indicate that recoverability of the balance is likely. Further credit losses are recognised where the Group has information that indicates it is unlikely to recover balances in full.

Further details on provisions for bad and doubtful debts are provided in note 16.

Work in progress includes outlays incurred on behalf of clients, including production costs, and other third-party costs that have not yet been billed and are considered receivables under IFRS 15 Revenue from Contracts with Customers.

Foreign currency and interest rate hedging

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.

Derivatives are initially recognised at fair value at the date a derivative contract is entered into and are subsequently remeasured to their fair value at each balance sheet date. The resulting gain or loss is recognised in profit or loss immediately unless the derivative is designated and effective as a hedging instrument, in which event the timing of the recognition in profit or loss depends on the nature of the hedge relationship.

At the inception of the hedge relationship the entity documents the relationship between the hedging instrument and hedged item, along with its risk management objectives and its strategy for undertaking various hedge transactions. Furthermore, at the inception of the hedge and on an ongoing basis, the Group documents whether the hedging instrument that is used in a hedging relationship is highly effective in offsetting changes in fair values or cash flows of the hedged item.

Note 24 contains details of the fair values of the derivative instruments used for hedging purposes.

Changes in the fair value of derivatives that are designated and qualify as fair value hedges are recorded in profit or loss immediately, together with any changes in the fair value of the hedged item that is attributable to the hedged risk.

The effective portion of changes in the fair value of derivatives that are designated and qualify as cash flow or net investment hedges is recognised in other comprehensive income and deferred in equity. The gain or loss relating to the ineffective portion is recognised immediately in profit or loss. Amounts deferred in equity are recycled in profit or loss in the periods when the hedged item is recognised in profit or loss. However, when the forecast transaction that is hedged results in the recognition of a non-financial asset or a non-financial liability, the gains and losses previously deferred in equity are transferred from equity and included in the initial measurement of the cost of the asset or liability.

Hedge accounting is discontinued when the hedging instrument expires or is sold, terminated, or exercised, or no longer qualifies for hedge accounting. At that time, any cumulative gain or loss on the hedging instrument recognised in equity is retained in equity until the forecast transaction occurs. If a hedged transaction is no longer

F-5

Accounting policies (continued)

expected to occur, the net cumulative gain or loss recognised in equity is transferred to net profit or loss for the period.

Derivatives embedded in other financial instruments or other host contracts are treated as separate derivatives when their risks and characteristics are not closely related to those of host contracts and the host contracts are not carried at fair value with unrealised gains or losses reported in the consolidated income statement.

Liabilities in respect of option agreements

Option agreements that allow the Group’s equity partners to require the Group to purchase a non-controlling interest are treated as derivatives over equity instruments and are recorded in the consolidated balance sheet initially at the present value of the redemption amount in accordance with IAS 32 Financial Instruments: Presentation and subsequently measured at fair value in accordance with IFRS 9 Financial Instruments. The movement in the fair value is recognised as income or expense within revaluation of financial instruments in the consolidated income statement.

Derecognition of financial liabilities

In accordance with IFRS 9 Financial Instruments, a financial liability of the Group is only released to the consolidated income statement when the underlying legal obligation is extinguished.

Debt

Interest-bearing debt is recorded at the proceeds received, net of direct issue costs.

Borrowing costs

Finance costs of borrowing are recognised in the consolidated income statement over the term of those borrowings.

Revenue recognition

The Group is a leading worldwide creative transformation organisation offering national and multinational clients a comprehensive range of communications, experience, commerce and technology services. Contracts often involve multiple agencies offering different services in different countries. As such, the terms of local, regional and global contracts can vary to meet client needs and regulatory requirements. Consistent with the industry, contracts are typically short-term in nature and tend to be cancellable by either party with 90 days notice. The Group is generally entitled to payment for work performed to date.

The Group is generally paid in arrears for its services. Invoices are typically payable within 30 to 60 days. Revenue comprises commissions and fees earned in respect of amounts billed and is stated exclusive of VAT, sales taxes and trade discounts. Pass-through costs comprise fees paid to external suppliers when they are engaged to perform part or all of a specific project and are charged directly to clients, predominantly media and data collection costs. Costs to obtain a contract are typically expensed as incurred as the contracts are generally short-term in nature.

In most instances, promised services in a contract are not considered distinct or represent a series of services that are substantially the same with the same pattern of transfer to the customer and, as such, are accounted for as a single performance obligation. However, where there are contracts with services that are capable of being distinct, are distinct within the context of the contract, and are accounted for as separate performance obligations, revenue is allocated to each of the performance obligations based on relative standalone selling prices.

Revenue is recognised when a performance obligation is satisfied, in accordance with the terms of the contractual arrangement. Typically performance obligations are satisfied over time as services are rendered. Revenue recognised over time is based on the proportion of the level of service performed. Either an input method or an output method, depending on the particular arrangement, is used to measure progress for each performance obligation. For most fee arrangements, costs incurred are used as an objective input measure of performance. The primary input of substantially all work performed under these arrangements is labour. There is normally a direct relationship between costs incurred and the proportion of the contract performed to date. In other circumstances relevant output measures, such as the achievement of any project milestones stipulated in the contract, are used to assess proportional performance.

For our retainer arrangements, we have a stand ready obligation to perform services on an ongoing basis over the life of the contract. The scope of these arrangements are broad and generally are not reconcilable to another input or output criteria. In these instances, revenue is recognised using a time-based method resulting in straight-line revenue recognition.

The amount of revenue recognised depends on whether we act as an agent or as a principal. Certain arrangements with our clients are such that our responsibility is to arrange for a third party to provide a specified good or

F-6

Accounting policies (continued)

service to the client. In these cases we are acting as an agent as we do not control the relevant good or service before it is transferred to the client. When we act as an agent, the revenue recorded is the net amount retained. Costs incurred with external suppliers (such as production costs and media suppliers) are excluded from revenue and recorded as work in progress until billed.

The Group acts as principal when we control the specified good or service prior to transfer. When the Group acts as a principal (such as in-house production services, events, data investment management and branding), the revenue recorded is the gross amount billed. Billings related to out-of-pocket costs such as travel are also recognised at the gross amount billed with a corresponding amount recorded as an expense.

Further details on revenue recognition are detailed by sector below:

Advertising and Media Investment Management

Revenue is typically derived from media placements and advertising services. Revenue may consist of various arrangements involving commissions, fees, incentive-based revenue or a combination of the three, as agreed upon with each client. Revenue for commissions on purchased media is typically recognised at the point in time the media is run.

The Group receives volume rebates from certain suppliers for transactions entered into on behalf of clients that, based on the terms of the relevant contracts and local law, are either remitted to clients or retained by the Group. If amounts are passed on to clients they are recorded as liabilities until settled or, if retained by the Group, are recorded as revenue when earned.

Variable incentive-based revenue typically comprises both quantitative and qualitative elements. Incentive compensation is estimated using the most likely amount and is included in revenue up to the amount that is highly probable not to result in a significant reversal of cumulative revenue recognised. The Group recognises incentive revenue as the related performance obligation is satisfied.

Data Investment Management

Revenue for market research services is typically recognised over time based on input measures. For certain performance obligations, output measures such as the percentage of interviews completed, percentage of reports delivered to a client and the achievement of any project milestones stipulated in the contract are used to measure progress.

While most of the studies provided in connection with the Group’s market research contracts are undertaken in response to an individual client’s or group of clients’ specifications, in certain instances a study may be developed as an off-the-shelf product offering sold to a broad client base. For these transactions, revenue is recognised when the product is delivered. When the terms of the transaction provide for licensing the right to access a product on a subscription basis, revenue is recognised over the subscription period, typically on a straight-line basis.

Public Relations & Public Affairs and Brand Consulting, Health & Wellness and Specialist Communications

Revenue for these services is typically derived from retainer fees and fees for services to be performed subject to specific agreement. Most revenue under these arrangements is earned over time, in accordance with the terms of the contractual arrangement.

Taxation

Corporate taxes are payable on taxable profits at current rates. The tax expense represents the sum of the tax currently payable and deferred tax.

The Group is subject to corporate taxes in a number of different jurisdictions and judgement is required in determining the appropriate provision for transactions where the ultimate tax determination is uncertain. In such circumstances, the Group recognises liabilities for anticipated taxes based on the best information available and where the anticipated liability is both probable and estimable, liabilities are classified as current. Any interest and penalties accrued are included in corporate income taxes both in the consolidated income statement and balance sheet. Where the final outcome of such matters differs from the amount recorded, any differences may impact the income tax and deferred tax provisions in the period in which the final determination is made.

The tax laws that apply to the Group’s subsidiaries may be amended by the relevant tax authorities. Such potential amendments are regularly monitored and adjustments are made to the Group’s tax liabilities and deferred tax assets and liabilities where necessary.

The tax currently payable is based on taxable profit for the year. Taxable profit differs from net profit as reported in the consolidated income statement because it excludes items of income or expense that are taxable or deductible in other years and it further excludes items that are never taxable or deductible. The Group’s liability for current tax

F-7

Accounting policies (continued)

is calculated using tax rates that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the balance sheet date.

Deferred tax is the tax expected to be payable or recoverable on differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities in the financial statements and the corresponding tax bases used in the computation of taxable profit, and is accounted for using the balance sheet liability method. Deferred tax liabilities are recognised for all taxable temporary differences unless specifically excepted by IAS 12 Income Taxes. Deferred tax is charged or credited in the consolidated income statement, except when it relates to items charged or credited to other comprehensive income or directly to equity, in which case the deferred tax is also dealt with in other comprehensive income or equity. Deferred tax assets are recognised to the extent that it is probable that taxable profits will be available against which deductible temporary differences can be utilised, which can require the use of accounting estimation and the exercise of judgement. Such assets and liabilities are not recognised if the temporary difference arises from the initial recognition of goodwill or other assets and liabilities (other than in a business combination) in a transaction that affects neither the taxable profit nor the accounting profit.

The carrying amount of deferred tax assets is reviewed at each balance sheet date and reduced to the extent that it is no longer probable that sufficient taxable profits will be available to allow all or part of the asset to be recovered.

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

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are offset when there is a legally enforceable right to set off current tax assets against current tax liabilities and when they relate to income taxes levied by the same taxation authority and the Group intends to settle its current tax assets and liabilities on a net basis.

Deferred tax is calculated at the tax rates that are expected to apply in the period when the liability is settled or the asset is realised based on enacted or substantively enacted legislation.

Retirement benefit costs

The Group accounts for retirement benefit costs in accordance with IAS 19 Employee Benefits.

For defined contribution plans, contributions are charged to the consolidated income statement as payable in respect of the accounting period.

For defined benefit plans the amounts charged to operating profit are the current service costs, past service costs, administrative expenses and gains and losses on settlements and curtailments. They are included as part of staff costs. Past service costs are recognised immediately in the consolidated income statement when the related plan amendment occurs. Net interest expense is calculated by applying the discount rate to the recognised overall surplus or deficit in the plan.

Actuarial gains and losses are recognised immediately in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income.

Where defined benefit plans are funded, the assets of the plan are held separately from those of the Group, in separate independently managed funds. Pension plan assets are measured at fair value and liabilities are measured on an actuarial basis using the projected unit method and discounted at a rate equivalent to the current rate of return on a high-quality corporate bond of equivalent currency and term to the plan liabilities. The actuarial valuations are obtained at least triennially and are updated at each balance sheet date.

Recognition of a surplus in a defined benefit plan is limited based on the economic gain the Company is expected to benefit from in the future by means of a refund or reduction in future contributions to the plan, in accordance with IAS 19.

Provisions for liabilities and charges

Provisions comprise liabilities where there is uncertainty about the timing of settlement, but where a reliable estimate can be made of the amount. These include provisions for vacant space, sub-let losses and other property-related liabilities. Also included are other provisions, such as certain long-term employee benefits and legal claims, where the likelihood of settlement is considered probable.

Finance leases

Assets held under finance leases are recognised as assets of the Group at the inception of the lease at the lower of their fair value and the present value of the minimum lease payments. Depreciation on leased assets is charged to the consolidated income statement on the same basis as owned assets. Leasing payments are treated as consisting of capital and interest elements and the interest is charged to the consolidated income statement as it is incurred.

F-8

Accounting policies (continued)

Operating leases

Operating lease rentals are charged to the consolidated income statement on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Any premium or discount on the acquisition of a lease is spread over the life of the lease on a straight-line basis.

Translation of foreign currencies

Foreign currency transactions arising from normal trading activities are recorded at the rates in effect at the date of the transaction. Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies at the year-end are translated at the year-end exchange rate. Foreign currency gains and losses are credited or charged to the consolidated income statement as they arise.

The income statements of overseas subsidiary undertakings are translated into pounds sterling at average exchange rates and the year-end net assets of these companies are translated at year-end exchange rates.

Exchange differences arising from retranslation of the opening net assets and on foreign currency borrowings (to the extent that they hedge the Group’s investment in such operations) are reported in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income.

Goodwill and fair value adjustments arising on the acquisition of a foreign entity are treated as assets and liabilities of the foreign entity and translated at the closing rate.

Hyperinflation in Argentina

During 2018, Argentina was designated as a hyperinflationary economy and the financial statements of the Group’s subsidiaries in Argentina have been adjusted for the effects of inflation in accordance with IAS 29 Financial Reporting in Hyperinflationary Economies.

IAS 29 requires that the income statement is adjusted for inflation in the period and translated at the year-end foreign exchange rate and that non-monetary assets and liabilities on the balance sheet are restated to reflect the change in purchasing power caused by inflation from the date of initial recognition. This resulted in an increase in goodwill of £105.8 million and an increase in other intangibles of £19.5 million. The impact on other non-monetary assets and liabilities and the impact on the Group’s income statement in the year were immaterial.

Share-based payments

The Group issues equity-settled share-based payments (including share options) to certain employees and accounts for these awards in accordance with IFRS 2 Share-Based Payment. Equity-settled share-based payments are measured at fair value (excluding the effect of non-market-based vesting conditions) at the date of grant. Details regarding the fair value of equity settled share-based transactions are set out in notes 21 and 25.

The fair value determined at the grant date is recognised in the consolidated income statement as an expense on a straight-line basis over the relevant vesting period, based on the Group’s estimate of the number of shares that will ultimately vest and adjusted for the effect of non-market-based vesting conditions.

Critical judgements and estimation uncertainty in applying accounting policies

Management is required to make key decisions and judgements whilst acknowledging there is estimation uncertainty in the process of applying the Group’s accounting policies. These estimates and judgements are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Where judgement has been applied or estimation uncertainty exists, the key factors taken into consideration are disclosed in the accounting policies and the appropriate note in these financial statements.

The most significant areas of estimation uncertainty include:

• Goodwill: The discounted cash flow methodology employed by the Group when testing for goodwill impairment requires estimates regarding revenue growth, operating margins, discount rates and working capital requirements. Further details of the methodology, discount rates, long-term growth rates and estimates used in relation to the goodwill impairment on VMLY&R in 2018 are set out in note 12.

• Payments due to vendors (earnout agreements) and liabilities in respect of put options: Estimates are required regarding growth rates in deriving future financial performance and discount rates to be applied when measuring the liabilities for earnouts and put options. Further details on growth rates and discount rates and the sensitivity to these estimates are set out in note 24.

• Provision for post-employment benefits: Estimates are required in the accounting for defined benefit pension plans, including establishing discount rates, rates of increase in salaries and pensions in payment, inflation and mortality assumptions. These estimates are made by management based on the advice of qualified advisors. Details of the

F-9

Accounting policies (continued)

assumptions used and the sensitivity of the benefit obligation to these assumptions are set out in note 22.

The most significant areas of judgements include:

• Revenue recognition: Judgement is required regarding the timing of recognition, particularly in relation to media volume income with regards to whether it is required to be passed back to the client and in assessing progress on performance obligations where revenue is recognised over time, particularly in the Group’s Data Investment Management business. Further details are set out in the accounting policy.

• Taxation: Judgement is required in relation to the level of provisions required and the amount of taxes that will be due, particularly given the many countries in which the Group operates. Where the final tax outcome is different from the amounts recorded then such differences may expose the Group to additional tax liabilities or impact the carrying value of deferred tax assets, which would affect the future tax charge. Further details are set out in note 7.

F-10

Consolidated income statement

For the years ended 31 December 2018, 2017, 2016

	Notes		2018 £m			20171 £m			20161 £m
Revenue		2		15,602.4			15,804.2			14,887.3
Costs of services		3		(12,663.5	)		(12,629.0	)		(11,846.5	)
Gross profit				2,938.9			3,175.2			3,040.8
General and administrative costs		3		(1,507.5	)		(1,267.0	)		(977.7	)
Operating profit				1,431.4			1,908.2			2,063.1
Share of results of associates		4		43.5			113.5			49.8
Profit before interest and taxation				1,474.9			2,021.7			2,112.9
Finance income		6		104.8			95.2			80.4
Finance costs		6		(289.3	)		(269.8	)		(254.5	)
Revaluation of financial instruments		6		172.9			262.2			(48.3	)
Profit before taxation				1,463.3			2,109.3			1,890.5
Taxation		7		(323.9	)		(197.0	)		(388.9	)
Profit for the year				1,139.4			1,912.3			1,501.6
Attributable to:
Equity holders of the parent				1,062.9			1,816.6			1,400.1
Non-controlling interests				76.5			95.7			101.5
				1,139.4			1,912.3			1,501.6
Earnings per share
Basic earnings per ordinary share		9		85.2p			144.0p			109.6p
Diluted earnings per ordinary share		9		84.3p			142.4p			108.0p

Notes

The accounting policies on pages F-2 to F-10 and the accompanying notes on pages F-16 to F-56 form an integral part of this consolidated income statement.

¹  Prior year figures have been restated for the impact of the adoption of IFRS 15 Revenue from Contracts with Customers, as described in the accounting policies.

F-11

Consolidated statement of comprehensive income

For the years ended 31 December 2018, 2017, 2016

	2018 £m			2017 £m			2016 £m
Profit for the year		1,139.4			1,912.3			1,501.6
Items that may be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss:
Exchange adjustments on foreign currency net investments		78.9			(465.2	)		1,378.0
Gain/(loss) on revaluation of available for sale investments		–			32.1			(93.1	)
		78.9			(433.1	)		1,284.9
Items that will not be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss:
Actuarial gain/(loss) on defined benefit pension plans		8.9			17.0			(15.9	)
Deferred tax on defined benefit pension plans		(0.7	)		(24.6	)		(0.4	)
Movements on equity investments held at fair value through other comprehensive income		(247.9	)		–			–
		(239.7	)		(7.6	)		(16.3	)
Other comprehensive (loss)/income for the year		(160.8	)		(440.7	)		1,268.6
Total comprehensive income for the year		978.6			1,471.6			2,770.2
Attributable to:
Equity holders of the parent		893.1			1,395.6			2,600.6
Non-controlling interests		85.5			76.0			169.6
		978.6			1,471.6			2,770.2

Note

The accounting policies on pages F-2 to F-10 and the accompanying notes on pages F-16 to F-56 form an integral part of this consolidated statement of comprehensive income.

F-12

Consolidated cash flow statement

For the years ended 31 December 2018, 2017, 2016

	Notes		2018 £m			2017 £m			2016 £m
Net cash inflow from operating activities		11		1,693.8			1,408.1			1,773.8
Investing activities
Acquisitions		11		(298.8	)		(477.5	)		(719.3	)
Proceeds on disposal of investments and subsidiaries		11		849.0			296.0			80.5
Purchases of property, plant and equipment				(314.8	)		(288.9	)		(252.1	)
Purchases of other intangible assets (including capitalised computer software)				(60.4	)		(37.3	)		(33.0	)
Proceeds on disposal of property, plant and equipment				9.5			8.0			7.7
Net cash inflow/(outflow) from investing activities				184.5			(499.7	)		(916.2	)
Financing activities
Share option proceeds				1.2			6.4			27.2
Cash consideration for non-controlling interests		11		(109.9	)		(47.3	)		(58.3	)
Share repurchases and buy-backs		11		(207.1	)		(504.2	)		(427.4	)
Net (decrease)/increase in borrowings		11		(440.6	)		599.6			(22.5	)
Financing and share issue costs				(3.8	)		(0.8	)		(6.4	)
Equity dividends paid				(747.4	)		(751.5	)		(616.5	)
Dividends paid to non-controlling interests in subsidiary undertakings				(106.2	)		(87.8	)		(89.6	)
Net cash outflow from financing activities				(1,613.8	)		(785.6	)		(1,193.5	)
Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents				264.5			122.8			(335.9	)
Translation of cash and cash equivalents				(61.5	)		(27.2	)		291.9
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year				1,998.2			1,902.6			1,946.6
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year		11		2,201.2			1,998.2			1,902.6

Note

The accounting policies on pages F-2 to F-10 and the accompanying notes on pages F-16 to F-56 form an integral part of this consolidated cash flow statement.

F-13

Consolidated balance sheet

At 31 December 2018, 2017

	Notes		2018 £m			2017 £m1
Non-current assets
Intangible assets:
Goodwill		12		13,202.8			12,952.9
Other		12		1,842.0			2,018.4
Property, plant and equipment		13		1,083.0			979.5
Interests in associates and joint ventures		14		796.8			1,065.2
Other investments		14		666.7			1,153.5
Deferred tax assets		15		153.0			160.3
Trade and other receivables		16		180.0			176.2
				17,924.3			18,506.0
Current assets
Corporate income tax recoverable				198.7			234.7
Trade and other receivables		16		13,101.5			12,530.7
Cash and short-term deposits				2,643.2			2,391.4
				15,943.4			15,156.8
Current liabilities
Trade and other payables		17		(15,038.4	)		(14,241.1	)
Corporate income tax payable				(545.9	)		(649.3	)
Bank overdrafts, bonds and bank loans		19		(1,025.1	)		(624.1	)
				(16,609.4	)		(15,514.5	)
Net current liabilities				(666.0	)		(357.7	)
Total assets less current liabilities				17,258.3			18,148.3
Non-current liabilities
Bonds and bank loans		19		(5,634.8	)		(6,250.4	)
Trade and other payables		18		(841.4	)		(992.8	)
Deferred tax liabilities		15		(479.5	)		(513.7	)
Provision for post-employment benefits		22		(184.3	)		(206.3	)
Provisions for liabilities and charges		20		(311.7	)		(229.0	)
				(7,451.7	)		(8,192.2	)
Net assets				9,806.6			9,956.1
Equity
Called-up share capital		25		133.3			133.3
Share premium account				569.7			568.5
Other reserves		26		393.5			761.7
Own shares				(1,255.7	)		(1,171.1	)
Retained earnings				9,541.4			9,194.9
Equity shareholders’ funds				9,382.2			9,487.3
Non-controlling interests				424.4			468.8
Total equity				9,806.6			9,956.1

Notes

The accounting policies on pages F-2 to F-10 and the accompanying notes on pages F-16 to F-56 form an integral part of this consolidated balance sheet.

¹  Prior year figures have been restated for the impact of the adoption of IFRS 15 Revenue from Contracts with Customers, as described in the accounting policies.

F-14

Consolidated statement of changes in equity

For the years ended 31 December 2018, 2017, 2016

	Called- up share capital £m		Share premium account £m		Other reserves1 £m			Own shares £m			Retained earnings2 £m			Total equity share owners’ funds £m			Non- controlling interests £m			Total £m
Restated balance at 1 January 2016		132.9		535.3		(9.7	)		(719.6	)		7,692.6			7,631.5			378.4			8,009.9
Ordinary shares issued		0.3		26.9		–			–			–			27.2			–			27.2
Treasury share additions		–		–		–			(274.5	)		–			(274.5	)		–			(274.5	)
Treasury share allocations		–		–		–			3.9			(3.9	)		–			–			–
Profit for the year		–		–		–			–			1,400.1			1,400.1			101.5			1,501.6
Exchange adjustments on foreign currency net investments		–		–		1,309.9			–			–			1,309.9			68.1			1,378.0
Loss on revaluation of available for sale investments		–		–		(93.1	)		–			–			(93.1	)		–			(93.1	)
Actuarial loss on defined benefit pension plans		–		–		–			–			(15.9	)		(15.9	)		–			(15.9	)
Deferred tax on defined benefit pension plans		–		–		–			–			(0.4	)		(0.4	)		–			(0.4	)
Other comprehensive income/(loss)		–		–		1,216.8			–			(16.3	)		1,200.5			68.1			1,268.6
Dividends paid		–		–		–			–			(616.5	)		(616.5	)		(89.6	)		(706.1	)
Non-cash share-based incentive plans (including share options)		–		–		–			–			106.5			106.5			–			106.5
Tax adjustment on share-based payments		–		–		–			–			3.9			3.9			–			3.9
Net movement in own shares held by ESOP Trusts		–		–		–			28.2			(181.1	)		(152.9	)		–			(152.9	)
Recognition/remeasurement of financial instruments		–		–		(21.9	)		–			26.8			4.9			–			4.9
Share purchases – close period commitments		–		–		–			–			8.6			8.6			–			8.6
Acquisition of subsidiaries3		–		–		–			–			(20.7	)		(20.7	)		(15.3	)		(36.0	)
Balance at 31 December 2016		133.2		562.2		1,185.2			(962.0	)		8,400.0			9,318.6			443.1			9,761.7
Ordinary shares issued		0.1		6.3		–			–			–			6.4			–			6.4
Treasury share additions		–		–		–			(289.6	)		–			(289.6	)		–			(289.6	)
Treasury share allocations		–		–		–			112.2			(112.2	)		–			–			–
Profit for the year		–		–		–			–			1,816.6			1,816.6			95.7			1,912.3
Exchange adjustments on foreign currency net investments		–		–		(445.5	)		–			–			(445.5	)		(19.7	)		(465.2	)
Gain on revaluation of available for sale investments		–		–		32.1			–			–			32.1			–			32.1
Actuarial gain on defined benefit pension plans		–		–		–			–			17.0			17.0			–			17.0
Deferred tax on defined benefit pension plans		–		–		–			–			(24.6	)		(24.6	)		–			(24.6	)
Other comprehensive loss		–		–		(413.4	)		–			(7.6	)		(421.0	)		(19.7	)		(440.7	)
Dividends paid		–		–		–			–			(751.5	)		(751.5	)		(87.8	)		(839.3	)
Non-cash share-based incentive plans (including share options)		–		–		–			–			105.0			105.0			–			105.0
Tax adjustment on share-based payments		–		–		–			–			3.0			3.0			–			3.0
Net movement in own shares held by ESOP Trusts		–		–		–			(31.7	)		(182.9	)		(214.6	)		–			(214.6	)
Recognition/remeasurement of financial instruments		–		–		(10.1	)		–			(11.7	)		(21.8	)		–			(21.8	)
Acquisition of subsidiaries3		–		–		–			–			(63.8	)		(63.8	)		37.5			(26.3	)
Balance at 31 December 2017		133.3		568.5		761.7			(1,171.1	)		9,194.9			9,487.3			468.8			9,956.1
Accounting policy change (IFRS 9)4		–		–		(407.4	)		–			407.4			–			–			–
Revised balance at 1 January 2018		133.3		568.5		354.3			(1,171.1	)		9,602.3			9,487.3			468.8			9,956.1
Ordinary shares issued		–		1.2		–			–			–			1.2			–			1.2
Treasury share additions		–		–		–			(104.3	)		–			(104.3	)		–			(104.3	)
Treasury share allocations		–		–		–			1.5			(1.5	)		–			–			–
Profit for the year		–		–		–			–			1,062.9			1,062.9			76.5			1,139.4
Exchange adjustments on foreign currency net investments		–		–		69.9			–			–			69.9			9.0			78.9
Movements on equity investments held at fair value through other comprehensive income		–		–		–			–			(247.9	)		(247.9	)		–			(247.9	)
Actuarial gain on defined benefit pension plans		–		–		–			–			8.9			8.9			–			8.9
Deferred tax on defined benefit pension plans		–		–		–			–			(0.7	)		(0.7	)		–			(0.7	)
Other comprehensive income/(loss)		–		–		69.9			–			(239.7	)		(169.8	)		9.0			(160.8	)
Dividends paid		–		–		–			–			(747.4	)		(747.4	)		(106.2	)		(853.6	)
Non-cash share-based incentive plans (including share options)		–		–		–			–			84.8			84.8			–			84.8
Tax adjustment on share-based payments		–		–		–			–			(1.2	)		(1.2	)		–			(1.2	)
Net movement in own shares held by ESOP Trusts		–		–		–			18.2			(121.0	)		(102.8	)		–			(102.8	)
Recognition/remeasurement of financial instruments		–		–		(30.7	)		–			10.3			(20.4	)		–			(20.4	)
Acquisition of subsidiaries3		–		–		–			–			(108.1	)		(108.1	)		(23.7	)		(131.8	)
Balance at 31 December 2018		133.3		569.7		393.5			(1,255.7	)		9,541.4			9,382.2			424.4			9,806.6

Notes

The accounting policies on pages F-2 to F-10 and the accompanying notes on pages F-16 to F-56 form an integral part of this consolidated statement of changes in equity.

¹  Other reserves are analysed in note 26.

²  Retained earnings have been restated for the impact of the adoption of IFRS 15 Revenue from Contracts with Customers, as described in the accounting policies.

³  Acquisition of subsidiaries represents movements in retained earnings and non-controlling interests arising from changes in ownership of existing subsidiaries and recognition of non-controlling interests on new acquisitions.

⁴  The impact of the adoption of IFRS 9 Financial Instruments from 1 January 2018 is described in the accounting policies on pages F-2 to F-3.

F-15

Notes to the consolidated financial statements

1. General information

WPP plc is a company incorporated in Jersey. The address of the registered office is Queensway House, Hilgrove Street, St Helier, Jersey, JE1 1ES and the address of the principal executive office is Sea Containers, 18 Upper Ground, London, United Kingdom, SE1 9GL. The nature of the Group’s operations and its principal activities are set out in note 2. These consolidated financial statements are presented in pounds sterling.

2. Segment information

The Group is a leading worldwide creative transformation organisation offering national and multinational clients a comprehensive range of communications, experience, commerce and technology services. Substantially all of the Group’s revenue is from contracts with customers.

The Group is organised into four reportable segments – Advertising and Media Investment Management; Data Investment Management; Public Relations & Public Affairs; and Brand Consulting, Health & Wellness and Specialist Communications. This last reportable segment includes direct, interactive and ecommerce.

IFRS 8 Operating Segments requires operating segments to be identified on the same basis as is used internally for the review of performance and allocation of resources by the Chief Executive Officer. Provided certain quantitative and qualitative criteria are fulfilled, IFRS 8 permits the aggregation of these components into reportable segments for the purposes of disclosure in the Group’s financial statements. In assessing the Group’s reportable segments, the Directors have had regard to the similar economic characteristics of certain operating segments, their shared client base, the similar nature of their products or services and their long-term margins, amongst other factors.

Reportable segments

Reported contributions were as follows:

Income statement	Revenue1,2		Revenue less pass-through costs2,3		Headline PBIT4		Headline PBIT margin5
	£m		£m		£m
2018
Advertising and Media Investment Management		7,132.4		5,529.7		972.4		17.6%
Data Investment Management		2,582.5		1,965.4		301.1		15.3%
Public Relations & Public Affairs		1,210.7		1,136.3		183.7		16.2%
Brand Consulting, Health & Wellness and Specialist Communications		4,676.8		4,195.2		590.1		14.1%
		15,602.4				2,047.3
2017
Advertising and Media Investment Management		7,368.7		5,889.3		1,109.0		18.8%
Data Investment Management		2,703.4		2,052.1		350.3		17.1%
Public Relations & Public Affairs		1,204.0		1,140.6		183.2		16.1%
Brand Consulting, Health & Wellness and Specialist Communications		4,528.1		4,087.6		624.6		15.3%
		15,804.2				2,267.1
2016
Advertising and Media Investment Management		6,709.4		5,450.9		1,027.2		18.8%
Data Investment Management		2,672.4		1,994.0		351.5		17.6%
Public Relations & Public Affairs		1,130.6		1,078.5		179.8		16.7%
Brand Consulting, Health & Wellness and Specialist Communications		4,374.9		3,905.2		601.8		15.4%
		14,887.3				2,160.3

Notes

¹  Intersegment sales have not been separately disclosed as they are not material.

²  Prior year figures have been restated for the impact of the adoption of IFRS 15 Revenue from Contracts with Customers, as described in the accounting policies.

³  Revenue less pass-through costs is revenue less media, data collection and other pass-through costs. Pass-through costs comprise fees paid to external suppliers where they are engaged to perform part or all of a specific project and are charged directly to clients, predominantly media and data collection costs. See note 3 to the consolidated financial statements for more details of the pass-through costs.

⁴  A reconciliation from profit before interest and taxation to headline PBIT is provided in note 29. PBIT is reconciled to reported profit before taxation in the consolidated income statement.

⁵  Headline PBIT margin is calculated as headline PBIT (defined above) as a percentage of revenue less pass-through costs. Previously referred to as revenue less pass-through costs margin.

F-16

Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued)

2. Segment information (continued)

Other information	Share-based payments		Capital additions1		Depreciation and amortisation2		Goodwill impairment		Share of results of associates		Interests in associates and joint ventures
	£m		£m		£m		£m		£m		£m
2018
Advertising and Media Investment Management		41.9		190.8		111.8		148.0		16.6		203.4
Data Investment Management		12.8		68.9		56.6		0.9		12.5		113.1
Public Relations & Public Affairs		8.3		13.4		13.8		–		5.2		39.5
Brand Consulting, Health & Wellness and Specialist Communications		21.8		102.1		81.6		35.0		9.2		440.8
		84.8		375.2		263.8		183.9		43.5		796.8
2017
Advertising and Media Investment Management		57.0		171.3		108.8		19.5		27.0		193.1
Data Investment Management		14.4		58.8		59.9		–		15.3		106.3
Public Relations & Public Affairs		8.6		10.6		12.2		7.6		6.3		34.2
Brand Consulting, Health & Wellness and Specialist Communications		25.0		85.5		86.1		–		64.9		731.6
		105.0		326.2		267.0		27.1		113.5		1,065.2
2016
Advertising and Media Investment Management		60.7		126.2		105.4		20.9		8.3		285.6
Data Investment Management		13.0		61.5		60.9		–		13.2		109.4
Public Relations & Public Affairs		7.5		10.3		11.6		–		3.2		108.1
Brand Consulting, Health & Wellness and Specialist Communications		25.3		87.1		81.5		6.1		25.1		566.3
		106.5		285.1		259.4		27.0		49.8		1,069.4

Notes

¹  Capital additions include purchases of property, plant and equipment and other intangible assets (including capitalised computer software).

²  Depreciation of property, plant and equipment and amortisation of other intangible assets.

F-17

Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued)

2. Segment information (continued)

Contributions by geographical area were as follows:

	2018 £m		20172 £m		20162 £m
Revenue1
North America3		5,371.0		5,659.2		5,400.9
UK		2,189.4		2,133.4		1,970.7
Western Continental Europe		3,335.3		3,230.6		3,008.5
Asia Pacific, Latin America, Africa & Middle East and Central & Eastern Europe		4,706.7		4,781.0		4,507.2
		15,602.4		15,804.2		14,887.3
Revenue less pass-through costs4
North America3		4,474.2		4,793.9		4,598.4
UK		1,691.3		1,688.0		1,590.2
Western Continental Europe		2,735.4		2,630.6		2,438.3
Asia Pacific, Latin America, Africa & Middle East and Central & Eastern Europe		3,925.7		4,057.1		3,801.7
Headline PBIT5
North America3		804.0		937.4		895.4
UK		244.6		280.0		261.4
Western Continental Europe		372.7		376.0		351.7
Asia Pacific, Latin America, Africa & Middle East and Central & Eastern Europe		626.0		673.7		651.8
		2,047.3		2,267.1		2,160.3
	Margin		Margin2		Margin2
Headline PBIT margin6
North America		18.0%		19.6%		19.5%
UK		14.5%		16.6%		16.4%
Western Continental Europe		13.6%		14.3%		14.4%
Asia Pacific, Latin America, Africa & Middle East and Central & Eastern Europe		15.9%		16.6%		17.1%

Notes

¹  Intersegment sales have not been separately disclosed as they are not material.

²  Prior year figures have been restated for the impact of the adoption of IFRS 15 Revenue from Contracts with Customers, as described in the accounting policies.

³  North America includes the US with revenue of £5,074.1 million (2017: £5,336.3 million, 2016: £5,107.2 million), revenue less pass-through costs of £4,236.7 million (2017: £4,535.3 million, 2016: £4,359.7 million) and Headline PBIT of £761.6 million (2017: £890.3 million, 2016: £849.4 million).

⁴  Revenue less pass-through costs is revenue less media, data collection and other pass-through costs. Pass-through costs comprise fees paid to external suppliers where they are engaged to perform part or all of a specific project and are charged directly to clients, predominantly media and data collection costs. See note 3 to the consolidated financial statements for more details of the pass-through costs.

⁵  See note 29 for a reconciliation of PBIT to headline PBIT.

⁶  Headline PBIT margin is calculated as headline PBIT (defined above) as a percentage of revenue less pass-through costs. Previously referred to as revenue less pass-through costs margin.

	2018 £m		2017 £m
Non-current assets1
North America2		7,269.7		7,667.5
UK		2,079.2		2,098.2
Western Continental Europe		4,385.6		4,542.1
Asia Pacific, Latin America, Africa & Middle East and Central & Eastern Europe		4,028.4		4,035.8
		17,762.9		18,343.6

Note

¹  Non-current assets excluding financial instruments and deferred tax.

²  North America includes the US with non-current assets of £6,791.9 million (2017: £7,202.7 million).

3. Costs of services and general and administrative costs

	2018 £m			20171 £m			20161 £m
Costs of services		12,663.5			12,629.0			11,846.5
General and administrative costs		1,507.5			1,267.0			977.7
		14,171.0			13,896.0			12,824.2
Costs of services and general and administrative costs include:
	2018 £m			20171 £m			20161 £m
Staff costs (note 5)		8,172.6			8,319.0			7,784.9
Establishment costs		871.7			888.6			836.5
Media pass-through costs		1,458.0			1,429.4			1,276.2
Data collection pass-through costs		609.2			646.4			669.8
Other costs of services and general and administrative costs2		3,059.5			2,612.6			2,256.8
		14,171.0			13,896.0			12,824.2
Other costs of services and general and administrative costs include:
Goodwill impairment (note 12)		183.9			27.1			27.0
Investment write-downs		2.0			95.9			86.1
Restructuring and transformation costs		302.3			56.8			27.4
Amortisation and impairment of acquired intangible assets (note 12)		280.0			195.1			168.4
Amortisation of other intangible assets (note 12)		38.7			36.3			38.6
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment		225.1			230.7			215.2
Losses on sale of property, plant and equipment		0.6			1.1			0.8
Gains on disposal of investments and subsidiaries		(235.5	)		(129.0	)		(44.3	)
(Gains)/losses on remeasurement of equity interests arising from a change in scope of ownership		(2.0	)		0.3			(232.4	)
Net foreign exchange (gains)/losses		(13.2	)		12.9			(17.0	)

Notes

¹  Prior year figures have been restated for the impact of the adoption of IFRS 15 Revenue from Contracts with Customers, as described in the accounting policies.

²  Other costs of services and general and administrative costs include £708.6 million (2017: £558.8 million, 2016: £512.7 million) of other pass-through costs.

In 2018, operating profit includes credits totalling £29.9 million (2017: £44.8 million, 2016: £26.3 million) relating to the release of excess provisions and other balances established in respect of acquisitions completed prior to 2017. Further details of the Group’s approach to acquisition reserves, as required by IFRS 3 Business Combinations, are given in note 27.

The goodwill impairment charge of £183.9 million (2017: £27.1 million, 2016: £27.0 million) primarily relates to a charge of £148.0 million on VMLY&R, with the remaining £35.9 million relating to a number of under-performing businesses in the Group. In certain markets, the impact of current, local economic conditions and trading circumstances on these businesses is sufficiently severe to indicate impairment to the carrying value of goodwill.

Investment write-downs of £95.9 million in 2017 (2016: £86.1 million) include £53.1 million in relation to comScore Inc, which had not released any financial statements in relation to its 2015, 2016 or 2017 results due to an internal investigation by their Audit Committee. In 2017, the market value of comScore Inc fell below the Group’s carrying value. Other investment write-downs relate to certain non-core minority investments in the US where forecast financial performance and/or liquidity issues indicate a permanent decline in the recoverability of the Group’s investment.

In 2018, restructuring and transformation costs of £302.3 million comprise £210.3 million of restructuring costs and £92.0 million transformation costs with respect to strategic initiatives such as co-locations in major cities, IT transformation and shared services. In the fourth quarter of 2018, £234.0 million of restructuring and transformation costs were incurred in relation to the strategic review of the Group’s operations, as outlined in the investor day on 11 December 2018. As part of that review, restructuring actions have been taken to right-size underperforming businesses, address high cost severance markets and simplify operational structures. Further restructuring and transformation costs will be incurred in 2019, 2020 and 2021. The remaining £68.3 million primarily relates to restructuring costs recorded in the first half and transformation costs in relation to the continuing global IT transformation programme.

F-18

Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued)

3. Costs of services and general and administrative costs (continued)

In 2017, restructuring and transformation costs of £56.8 million (2016: £27.4 million) predominantly comprise £33.7 million (2016: £nil) of severance costs arising from a structural assessment of certain of the Group’s operations, primarily in the mature markets; and £12.8 million (2016: £27.4 million) of costs resulting from the project to transform and rationalise the Group’s IT services and infrastructure including costs relating to the cyber attack in June 2017.

Gains on disposal of investments and subsidiaries of £235.5 million in 2018 (2017: £129.0 million, 2016: £44.3 million) include £185.3 million gains on the disposal of the Group’s interest in Globant S.A. Gains in 2017 include £92.3 million on the sale of the Group’s equity interest in Asatsu-DK Inc following its acquisition by Bain Capital.

In 2016, gains on remeasurement of equity interests arising from a change in scope of ownership of £232.4 million primarily comprise gains in relation to the reclassification of the Group’s interest in the Imagina Group in Spain from other investments to interests in associates, resulting from WPP attaining significant influence in the period.

Auditors’ remuneration:

	2018 £m		2017 £m		2016 £m
Fees payable to the Company’s auditors for the audit of the Company’s annual accounts		1.4		1.4		1.4
The audit of the Company’s subsidiaries pursuant to legislation		21.7		20.7		19.4
Other services pursuant to legislation		4.2		4.0		3.7
Fees payable to the auditors pursuant to legislation		27.3		26.1		24.5
Tax advisory services		–		0.1		1.6
Tax compliance services		0.1		0.1		1.3
Corporate finance services		–		–		0.1
Other services1		4.7		4.6		5.7
Total non-audit fees		4.8		4.8		8.7
Total fees		32.1		30.9		33.2

Note

¹  Other services include audits for earnout purposes.

	2018 £m			2017 £m			2016 £m
Operating lease rentals:
Land and buildings		585.3			586.6			556.1
Sublease income		(25.4	)		(17.9	)		(11.6	)
		559.9			568.7			544.5
Plant and machinery		10.6			11.9			10.6
		570.5			580.6			555.1

Minimum committed annual rentals

Amounts payable in 2019 under leases will be as follows:

	Plant and machinery						Land and buildings
	2019 £m		2018 £m		2017 £m		2019 £m		2018 £m		2017 £m
In respect of operating leases which expire:
– within one year		3.6		5.1		4.0		70.2		88.6		85.1
– within two to five years		19.2		10.8		10.5		272.7		236.2		287.9
– after five years		0.4		0.1		–		246.3		207.8		187.0
		23.2		16.0		14.5		589.2		532.6		560.0

3. Costs of services and general and administrative costs (continued)

Future minimum annual amounts payable under all lease commitments in existence at 31 December 2018 are as follows:

	Minimum gross rental payments £m		Less lease- related costs1 £m			Minimum net rental payments £m		Less sub-let rentals £m			Net payment £m
Year ending 31 December
2019		612.4		(54.2	)		558.2		(11.5	)		546.7
2020		475.0		(51.0	)		424.0		(6.4	)		417.6
2021		415.3		(47.3	)		368.0		(4.9	)		363.1
2022		362.4		(44.8	)		317.6		(4.3	)		313.3
2023		323.4		(43.1	)		280.3		(3.1	)		277.2
Later years		2,074.1		(362.5	)		1,711.6		(1.3	)		1,710.3
		4,262.6		(602.9	)		3,659.7		(31.5	)		3,628.2

Note

¹  Lease-related costs include real estate taxes, insurance costs and operating costs embedded in the rental payments to the landlord.

4. Share of results of associates

Share of results of associates include:

	2018 £m			2017 £m			2016 £m
Share of profit before interest and taxation		123.8			145.1			97.1
Share of exceptional (losses)/gains		(41.7	)		0.8			(15.2	)
Share of interest and non-controlling interests		(9.7	)		(7.8	)		(4.7	)
Share of taxation		(28.9	)		(24.6	)		(27.4	)
		43.5			113.5			49.8

5. Our people

Our staff numbers averaged 133,903 for the year ended 31 December 2018 against 134,428 in 2017 and 132,657 in 2016. Their geographical distribution was as follows:

	2018		2017		2016
North America		25,990		27,399		27,246
UK		14,331		14,197		14,070
Western Continental Europe		26,825		25,700		24,996
Asia Pacific, Latin America, Africa & Middle East and Central & Eastern Europe		66,757		67,132		66,345
		133,903		134,428		132,657

Their reportable segment distribution was as follows:

	2018		2017		2016
Advertising and Media Investment Management		55,421		56,789		55,120
Data Investment Management		28,309		28,629		29,279
Public Relations & Public Affairs		9,048		9,082		9,054
Brand Consulting, Health & Wellness and Specialist Communications		41,125		39,928		39,204
		133,903		134,428		132,657

F-19

Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued)

5. Our people (continued)

At the end of 2018, staff numbers were 134,281 (2017: 134,413, 2016: 134,341).

Staff costs include:

	2018 £m		2017 £m		2016 £m
Wages and salaries		5,710.0		5,832.3		5,395.6
Cash-based incentive plans		240.7		219.2		260.2
Share-based incentive plans (note 21)		84.8		105.0		106.5
Social security costs		717.5		720.3		658.1
Pension costs (note 22)		191.2		192.0		178.1
Severance		37.5		39.5		34.5
Other staff costs1		1,190.9		1,210.7		1,151.9
		8,172.6		8,319.0		7,784.9

Note

¹  Freelance and temporary staff costs are included in other staff costs.

Included above are charges of £2.0 million (2017: £12.3 million, 2016: £15.5 million) for share-based incentive plans in respect of key management personnel (who comprise the Directors of the Group). Total compensation received by key management personnel in respect of 2018 was £6.2 million (2017: £17.8 million, 2016: £57.5 million) of which £0.4 million (2017: £0.7 million, 2016: £0.7 million) were pension contributions. The value of the EPSP awards, which vest in the year following the end of the five-year performance period, is included in total compensation in the year the relevant five-year performance period ends.

6. Finance income, finance costs and revaluation of financial instruments

Finance income includes:

	2018 £m		2017 £m		2016 £m
Income from equity investments		15.4		16.8		12.5
Interest income		89.4		78.4		67.9
		104.8		95.2		80.4

Finance costs include:

	2018 £m		2017 £m		2016 £m
Net interest expense on pension plans (note 22)		4.4		6.3		6.7
Interest on other long-term employee benefits		4.0		3.9		2.7
Interest expense and similar charges1		280.9		259.6		245.1
		289.3		269.8		254.5

Revaluation of financial instruments include:

	2018 £m			2017 £m		2016 £m
Movements in fair value of treasury instruments		(12.4	)		1.1		(19.5	)
Revaluation of investments held at fair value through profit or loss		68.2			–		–
Revaluation of put options over non-controlling interests		34.5			52.5		(17.2	)
Revaluation of payments due to vendors (earnout agreements)		82.6			208.6		(11.6	)
		172.9			262.2		(48.3	)

Note

¹  Interest expense and similar charges are payable on bank overdrafts, bonds and bank loans held at amortised cost.

The majority of the Group’s long-term debt is represented by $2,784 million of US dollar bonds at an average interest rate of 4.46%, €3,700 million of Eurobonds at an average interest rate of 1.64% and £600 million of Sterling bonds at an average interest rate of 4.04%.

Average borrowings under the US Dollar Revolving Credit Facilities (note 10) amounted to the equivalent of $125 million at an average interest rate of 0.96% (2017: $715 million at an average interest rate of 0.78%).

6. Finance income, finance costs and revaluation of financial instruments (continued)

Average borrowings under the Australian dollar Revolving Credit Facilities, amounted to A$439 million at an average rate of 3.27% (2017: A$412 million at an average rate of 3.24%).

Average borrowings under the US Commercial Paper Programme for 2018 amounted to $540 million at an average interest rate of 2.28% inclusive of margin (2017: $860 million at an average interest rate of 1.47% inclusive of margin).

7. Taxation

In 2018, the effective tax rate on profit before taxation was 22.1% (2017: 9.3%, 2016: 20.6%)

On 22 December 2017, The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act was enacted in the US which reduced the federal tax rate from 35% to 21% from 1 January 2018. As a result, deferred tax assets and liabilities were remeasured at the end of 2017, leading to a non-cash credit to the income statement of £234.1 million, partially offset by a one-time deemed repatriation tax charge related to unremitted foreign earnings of £28.1 million, payable over eight years.

The tax charge comprises:

	2018 £m			2017 £m			2016 £m
Corporation tax
Current year		481.9			523.4			569.4
Prior years		(111.8	)		(98.6	)		(80.3	)
		370.1			424.8			489.1
Deferred tax
Current year		(49.0	)		(235.2	)		(88.0	)
Prior years		2.8			7.4			(12.2	)
		(46.2	)		(227.8	)		(100.2	)
Tax charge		323.9			197.0			388.9

The corporation tax credit for prior years in 2018, 2017 and 2016, mainly comprises the release of a number of provisions following the resolution of tax matters in various countries.

The tax charge for the year can be reconciled to profit before taxation in the consolidated income statement as follows:

	2018 £m			2017 £m			2016 £m
Profit before taxation		1,463.3			2,109.3			1,890.5
Tax at the corporation tax rate of 19.0%1		278.0			406.0			378.1
Tax effect of share of results of associates		(8.3	)		(21.8	)		(10.0	)
Irrecoverable withholding taxes		55.9			37.0			36.3
Items that are not deductible/(taxable) in determining taxable profit		28.7			(3.9	)		9.4
Effect of different tax rates in subsidiaries operating in other jurisdictions		90.2			140.3			60.4
US Transition Tax related to unremitted foreign earnings		(7.3	)		28.1			–
Effect of change in US tax rate on deferred tax balances		–			(234.1	)		–
Origination and reversal of unrecognised temporary differences		7.5			(17.2	)		(4.3	)
Tax losses not recognised or utilised in the year		22.3			32.5			52.2
Utilisation of tax losses not previously recognised		(25.6	)		(10.4	)		(11.3	)
Recognition of temporary differences not previously recognised		(8.4	)		(68.3	)		(29.4	)
Net release of prior year provisions in relation to acquired businesses		(20.4	)		(15.0	)		(23.3	)
Other prior year adjustments		(88.7	)		(76.2	)		(69.2	)
Tax charge		323.9			197.0			388.9
Effective tax rate on profit before tax		22.1%			9.3%			20.6%

Note

¹  The Parent Company of the Group is tax resident in the UK. As the Group is subject to the tax rates of more than one country, it has chosen to present its reconciliation of the tax charge using the UK corporation tax rate of 19% (2017: 19.25%, 2016: 20%).

F-20

Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued)

7. Taxation (continued)

Factors affecting the tax charge in future years

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.

Factors that may affect the Group’s future tax charge include the levels and mix of profits in the many countries in which we operate, the prevailing tax rates in each of those countries and also the foreign exchange rates that apply to those profits. The tax charge may also be affected by the impact of acquisitions, disposals and other corporate restructurings, the resolution of open tax issues, future planning, and the ability to use brought forward tax losses. Furthermore, changes in local or international tax rules, for example prompted by the OECD’s Base Erosion and Profit Shifting project (a global initiative to improve the fairness and integrity of tax systems), or new challenges by tax or competition authorities, for example, the European Commission’s state aid investigation into Group Financing Exemption in the UK CFC rules announced in October 2017, may expose us to additional tax liabilities or impact the carrying value of our deferred tax assets, which would affect the future tax charge.

The Group has a number of open tax returns and various ongoing tax audits worldwide but does not currently expect material additional tax exposures to arise, above the amounts provided, as and when the audits are concluded. Liabilities relating to these open and judgemental matters are based upon estimates of whether additional taxes will be due after taking into account external advice where appropriate. Where the final tax outcome of these matters is different from the amounts which were initially recorded then such differences will impact the current and deferred income tax assets and liabilities in the period in which such determination is made.

Tax risk management

We maintain constructive engagement with the tax authorities and relevant government representatives, as well as active engagement with a wide range of international companies and business organisations with similar issues. We engage advisors and legal counsel to obtain opinions on tax legislation and principles. We have a Tax Risk Management Strategy in place which sets out the controls established and our assessment procedures for decision-making and how we monitor tax risk. We monitor proposed changes in taxation legislation and ensure these are taken into account when we consider our future business plans. Our Directors are informed by management of any tax law changes, the nature and status of any significant ongoing tax audits, and other developments that could materially affect the Group’s tax position.

8. Ordinary dividends

Amounts recognised as distributions to equity holders in the year:

	2018		2017		2016		2018		2017		2016
Per share	Pence per share						£m		£m		£m
2017 Final dividend		37.30p		37.05p		28.78p		464.6		467.2		368.5
2018 Interim dividend		22.70p		22.70p		19.55p		282.8		284.3		248.0
		60.00p		59.75p		48.33p		747.4		751.5		616.5

Proposed final dividend for the year ended 31 December 2018:

	2018		2017		2016
Per share	Pence per share
Final dividend		37.30p		37.30p		37.05p

The payment of dividends will not have any tax consequences for the Group.

9. Earnings per share

Basic EPS

The calculation of basic EPS is as follows:

	2018			2017			2016
Earnings1 (£m)		1,062.9			1,816.6			1,400.1
Average shares used in basic EPS calculation (m)		1,247.8			1,261.1			1,277.8
EPS		85.2	p		144.0	p		109.6	p

Note

¹  Earnings is equivalent to profit for the year attributable to equity holders of the parent.

9. Earnings per share (continued)

Diluted EPS

The calculation of diluted EPS is as follows:

	2018			2017			2016
Diluted earnings (£m)		1,062.9			1,816.6			1,400.1
Average shares used in diluted EPS calculation (m)		1,261.2			1,275.8			1,296.0
Diluted EPS		84.3	p		142.4	p		108.0	p

Diluted EPS has been calculated based on the diluted earnings amounts above. At 31 December 2018, options to purchase 16.9 million ordinary shares (2017: 8.2 million, 2016: 8.4 million) were outstanding, but were excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share because the exercise prices of these options were greater than the average market price of the Group’s shares and, therefore, their inclusion would have been accretive.

A reconciliation between the shares used in calculating basic and diluted EPS is as follows:

	2018 m		2017 m		2016 m
Average shares used in basic EPS calculation		1,247.8		1,261.1		1,277.8
Dilutive share options outstanding		1.6		1.8		2.4
Other potentially issuable shares		11.8		12.9		15.8
Shares used in diluted EPS calculation		1,261.2		1,275.8		1,296.0

At 31 December 2018 there were 1,332,678,227 (2017: 1,332,511,552, 2016: 1,331,880,730) ordinary shares in issue.

10. Sources of finance

The following table summarises the equity and debt financing of the Group, and changes during the year:

			Shares					Debt
	2018 £m		2017 £m		2018 £m			2017 £m
Analysis of changes in financing
Beginning of year		701.8		695.4		6,481.3			6,033.1
Ordinary shares issued		1.2		6.4		–			–
Net (decrease)/increase in drawings on bank loans and corporate bonds		–		–		(440.6	)		599.6
Amortisation of financing costs included in debt		–		–		7.7			8.0
Other movements		–		–		(10.1	)		(6.9	)
Exchange adjustments		–		–		179.6			(152.5	)
End of year		703.0		701.8		6,217.9			6,481.3

Note

The table above excludes bank overdrafts which fall within cash and cash equivalents for the purposes of the consolidated cash flow statement.

Shares

At 31 December 2018, the Company’s share base was entirely composed of ordinary equity share capital and share premium of £703.0 million (2017: £701.8 million), further details of which are disclosed in note 25.

Debt

US$ bonds The Group has in issue $812 million of 4.75% bonds due November 2021, $500 million of 3.625% bonds due September 2022, $750 million of 3.75% bonds due September 2024, $272 million of 5.125% bonds due September 2042 and $450 million of 5.625% bonds due November 2043.

Eurobonds The Group has in issue €600 million of 0.75% bonds due November 2019, €750 million of 3% bonds due November 2023, €750 million of 2.25% bonds due September 2026, €600 million of 1.625% bonds due March 2030 and €250 million of Floating Rate Notes carrying a coupon of 3m EURIBOR + 0.32% due May 2020.

In March 2018, the Group issued €250 million of Floating Rate Notes carrying a coupon of 3m EURIBOR + 0.45% due March 2022 and €500 million of 1.375% bonds due March 2025.

Sterling bonds The Group has in issue £200 million of 6.375% bonds due November 2020 and £400 million of 2.875% bonds due September 2046. On 27 March 2019, the Group repaid the £200 million of 6.375% bonds due in 2020 following a tender offer.

F-21

Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued)

10. Sources of finance (continued)

Revolving Credit Facility The Group has a five-year Revolving Credit Facility of $2.5 billion due July 2021. On 15 March 2019, the Group refinanced the facility and extended the term of the $2.5 billion five-year revolving credit facility to March 2024. The Group’s borrowing under these facilities, which are drawn down predominantly in US dollars and pounds sterling, averaged the equivalent of $125 million in 2018. The Group has a A$150 million Revolving Credit Facility due June 2019 and a A$370 million Revolving Credit Facility due June 2021. The Group’s borrowings under the Australian dollar facilities which were drawn down in Australian dollars and New Zealand dollars, averaged the equivalent of A$439 million in 2018. The Group had available undrawn committed credit facilities of £2,074.7 million at 31 December 2018 (2017: £1,163.8 million).

Borrowings under the $2.5 billion Revolving Credit Facility are governed by certain financial covenants based on the results and financial position of the Group. Borrowings under the A$150 million Revolving Credit Facility and A$370 million Revolving Credit Facility are governed by certain financial covenants based on the results and financial position of WPP AUNZ.

US Commercial Paper Program

The Group operates a commercial paper programme using its Revolving Credit Facility as a backstop. The average commercial paper outstanding in 2018 was $540.0 million. There was no US Commercial Paper outstanding at 31 December 2018.

The following table is an analysis of future anticipated cash flows in relation to the Group’s debt, on an undiscounted basis which, therefore, differs from the fair value and carrying value:

	2018 £m			2017 £m
Within one year		(748.4	)		(391.7	)
Between one and two years		(596.8	)		(896.3	)
Between two and three years		(937.1	)		(584.3	)
Between three and four years		(742.5	)		(1,537.8	)
Between four and five years		(786.8	)		(487.9	)
Over five years		(4,199.7	)		(4,519.1	)
Debt financing (including interest) under the Revolving Credit Facility and in relation to unsecured loan notes		(8,011.3	)		(8,417.1	)
Short-term overdrafts – within one year		(442.0	)		(393.2	)
Future anticipated cash flows		(8,453.3	)		(8,810.3	)
Effect of discounting/financing rates		1,793.4			1,935.8
Debt financing		(6,659.9	)		(6,874.5	)

Analysis of fixed and floating rate debt by currency including the effect of interest rate and cross-currency swaps:

2018 Currency		£m		Fixed rate1		Floating basis		Period (months)1
$	– fixed		1,154.8		4.58		n/a		181
	– floating		1,029.6		n/a		LIBOR		n/a
£	– fixed		1,044.1		3.43		n/a		232
€	– fixed		2,425.9		1.99		n/a		75
	– floating		449.2		n/a		EURIBOR		n/a
Other			114.3		n/a		n/a		n/a
			6,217.9

2017 Currency		£m		Fixed rate1		Floating basis		Period (months)1
$	– fixed		1,146.1		4.62%		n/a		199
	– floating		1,760.9		n/a		LIBOR		n/a
£	– fixed		600.0		4.04%		n/a		245
€	– fixed		2,623.9		1.85%		n/a		80
	– floating		222.2		n/a		EURIBOR		n/a
Other			128.2		n/a		n/a		n/a
			6,481.3

Note

¹  Weighted average. These rates do not include the effect of gains on interest rate swap terminations that are written to income over the life of the original instrument.

10. Sources of finance (continued)

The following table is an analysis of future anticipated cash flows in relation to the Group’s financial derivatives, which include interest rate swaps, forward contracts and other foreign exchange swaps:

	Financial liabilities				Financial assets
2018	Payable £m		Receivable £m		Payable £m		Receivable £m
Within one year		229.3		221.9		124.6		120.6
Between one and two years		50.0		45.3		11.8		6.5
Between two and three years		688.4		685.3		11.5		6.4
Between three and four years		408.5		406.6		11.6		6.5
Between four and five years		–		–		11.6		6.6
Over five years		–		–		461.4		498.2
		1,376.2		1,359.1		632.5		644.8

	Financial liabilities				Financial assets
2017	Payable £m		Receivable £m		Payable £m		Receivable £m
Within one year		97.8		96.7		123.7		128.8
Between one and two years		21.4		20.1		38.6		38.8
Between two and three years		20.5		18.8		39.5		38.6
Between three and four years		20.7		18.6		851.7		851.0
Between four and five years		523.5		521.1		–		–
Over five years		–		–		–		–
		683.9		675.3		1,053.5		1,057.2

11. Analysis of cash flows

The following tables analyse the items included within the main cash flow headings on page F-13.

Net cash from operating activities:

	2018 £m			2017 £m			2016 £m
Profit for the year		1,139.4			1,912.3			1,501.6
Taxation		323.9			197.0			388.9
Revaluation of financial instruments		(172.9	)		(262.2	)		48.3
Finance costs		289.3			269.8			254.5
Finance income		(104.8	)		(95.2	)		(80.4	)
Share of results of associates		(43.5	)		(113.5	)		(49.8	)
Adjustments for:
Non-cash share-based incentive plans (including share options)		84.8			105.0			106.5
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment		225.1			230.7			220.8
Impairment of goodwill		183.9			27.1			27.0
Amortisation and impairment of acquired intangible assets		280.0			195.1			168.4
Amortisation of other intangible assets		38.7			36.3			38.6
Investment write-downs		2.0			95.9			86.1
Gains on disposal of investments and subsidiaries		(235.5	)		(129.0	)		(44.3	)
(Gains)/losses on remeasurement of equity interests arising from a change in scope of ownership		(2.0	)		0.3			(232.4	)
Losses on sale of property, plant and equipment		0.6			1.1			0.8
Increase in trade receivables and accrued income		(298.9	)		(90.4	)		(70.4	)
Increase/(decrease) in trade payables and deferred income		500.9			(170.8	)		188.7
(Increase)/decrease in other receivables		(52.9	)		(110.6	)		77.4
Decrease in other payables – short-term		(31.8	)		(122.8	)		(303.7	)
Increase in other payables – long-term		0.4			20.1			4.5
Increase/(decrease) in provisions		48.0			(57.3	)		(47.8	)
Corporation and overseas tax paid		(383.6	)		(424.7	)		(414.2	)
Interest and similar charges paid		(252.8	)		(246.6	)		(242.1	)
Interest received		90.4			76.9			73.9
Investment income		15.4			16.8			12.5
Dividends from associates		49.7			46.8			60.4
Net cash inflow from operating activities		1,693.8			1,408.1			1,773.8

F-22

Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued)

11. Analysis of cash flows (continued)

Acquisitions and disposals:

	2018 £m			2017 £m			2016 £m
Initial cash consideration		(126.7	)		(214.8	)		(424.1	)
Cash and cash equivalents acquired (net)1		(3.8	)		28.9			57.3
Earnout payments		(120.2	)		(199.1	)		(92.3	)
Purchase of other investments (including associates)		(48.1	)		(92.5	)		(260.2	)
Acquisitions		(298.8	)		(477.5	)		(719.3	)
Proceeds on disposal of investments and subsidiaries2		849.0			296.0			80.5
Acquisitions and disposals		550.2			(181.5	)		(638.8	)
Cash consideration for non-controlling interests		(109.9	)		(47.3	)		(58.3	)
Net cash inflow/(outflow)		440.3			(228.8	)		(697.1	)

Notes

¹ In 2018, cash and cash equivalents acquired comprises £11.3 million from acquisitions offset by £15.1 million from disposals.

²  Proceeds on disposal of investments and subsidiaries includes return of capital from investments in associates.

Share repurchases and buy-backs:
	2018 £m			2017 £m			2016 £m
Purchase of own shares by ESOP Trusts	(102.8)			(214.6)			(152.9)
Shares purchased into treasury		(104.3	)		(289.6	)		(274.5	)
Net cash outflow		(207.1	)		(504.2	)		(427.4	)
Net (decrease)/increase in borrowings:
	2018 £m			2017 £m			2016 £m
(Decrease)/increase in drawings on bank loans	(819.3)			785.6			(30.4)
Proceeds from issue of €250 million bonds		218.8			214.0			–
Proceeds from issue of €500 million bonds	438.0			–			–
Repayment of €252 million bonds		(220.0	)		–			–
Partial repayment of $300 million bonds		(20.8	)		–			–
Partial repayment of $500 million bonds		(37.3	)		–			–
Repayment of £400 million bonds		–			(400.0	)		–
Proceeds from issue of £400 million bonds		–			–			400.0
Repayment of €498 million bonds		–			–			(392.1	)
Net cash (outflow)/inflow		(440.6	)		599.6			(22.5	)
Cash and cash equivalents:
	2018 £m			2017 £m			2016 £m
Cash at bank and in hand		2,010.8			2,049.6			2,256.2
Short-term bank deposits		632.4			341.8			180.7
Overdrafts1		(442.0	)		(393.2	)		(534.3	)
		2,201.2			1,998.2			1,902.6

Note

¹  Bank overdrafts are included in cash and cash equivalents because they form an integral part of the Group’s cash management.

The Group considers that the carrying amount of cash and cash equivalents approximates their fair value.

12. Intangible assets

Goodwill

The movements in 2018 and 2017 were as follows:

	£m
Cost:
1 January 2017		13,939.4
Additions1		301.0
Revision of earnout estimates		(60.7	)
Exchange adjustments		(504.4	)
31 December 2017		13,675.3
Additions1		154.4
Revision of earnout estimates		(68.3	)
Exchange adjustments		368.1
31 December 2018		14,129.5
Accumulated impairment losses and write-downs:
1 January 2017		725.1
Impairment losses for the year		27.1
Exchange adjustments		(29.8	)
31 December 2017		722.4
Impairment losses for the year		183.9
Exchange adjustments		20.4
31 December 2018		926.7
Net book value:
31 December 2018		13,202.8
31 December 2017		12,952.9
1 January 2017		13,214.3

Note

¹  Additions represent goodwill arising on the acquisition of subsidiary undertakings including the effect of any revisions to fair value adjustments that had been determined provisionally at the immediately preceding balance sheet date, as permitted by IFRS 3 Business Combinations. The effect of such revisions was not material in either year presented. Goodwill arising on the acquisition of associate undertakings is shown within interests in associates and joint ventures in note 14.

Cash-generating units with significant goodwill as at 31 December are:

	2018 £m		2017 £m
GroupM		2,942.9		2,906.7
Kantar		2,522.9		2,518.2
Wunderman		1,581.2		1,514.5
VMLY&R		930.4		1,091.8
Other		5,225.4		4,921.7
Total goodwill		13,202.8		12,952.9

Other goodwill represents goodwill on a large number of cash-generating units, none of which is individually significant in comparison to the total carrying value of goodwill.

F-23

Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued)

12. Intangible assets (continued)

Other intangible assets

The movements in 2018 and 2017 were as follows:

	Brands with an indefinite useful life £m			Acquired intangibles £m			Other £m			Total £m
Cost:
1 January 2017		1,141.3			2,535.5			404.1			4,080.9
Additions		–			–			37.3			37.3
Disposals		–			–			(15.8	)		(15.8	)
New acquisitions		–			79.0			0.8			79.8
Other movements1		–			6.4			7.2			13.6
Exchange adjustments		(60.0	)		(73.1	)		(22.1	)		(155.2	)
31 December 2017		1,081.3			2,547.8			411.5			4,040.6
Additions		–			–			60.4			60.4
Disposals		–			(0.9	)		(37.3	)		(38.2	)
New acquisitions		–			40.3			–			40.3
Other movements1		–			2.9			(7.4	)		(4.5	)
Exchange adjustments		51.5			19.9			10.1			81.5
31 December 2018		1,132.8			2,610.0			437.3			4,180.1
Amortisation and impairment:
1 January 2017		–			1,563.0			300.6			1,863.6
Charge for the year		–			189.4			36.3			225.7
Disposals		–			–			(14.9	)		(14.9	)
Other movements		–			–			2.5			2.5
Exchange adjustments		–			(33.7	)		(21.0	)		(54.7	)
31 December 2017		–			1,718.7			303.5			2,022.2
Charge for the year		–			275.8			38.7			314.5
Disposals		–			(0.7	)		(27.3	)		(28.0	)
Other movements		–			–			(1.9	)		(1.9	)
Exchange adjustments		–			21.4			9.9			31.3
31 December 2018		–			2,015.2			322.9			2,338.1
Net book value:
31 December 2018		1,132.8			594.8			114.4			1,842.0
31 December 2017		1,081.3			829.1			108.0			2,018.4
1 January 2017		1,141.3			972.5			103.5			2,217.3

Note

¹  Other movements in acquired intangibles include revisions to fair value adjustments arising on the acquisition of subsidiary undertakings that had been determined provisionally at the immediately preceding balance sheet date, as permitted by IFRS 3 Business Combinations.

Brands with an indefinite life are carried at historical cost in accordance with the Group’s accounting policy for intangible assets. The carrying values of the separately identifiable brands are not individually significant in comparison with the total carrying value of brands with an indefinite useful life.

Acquired intangible assets at net book value at 31 December 2018 include brand names of £361.2 million (2017: £445.6 million), customer-related intangibles of £220.6 million (2017: £360.9 million), and other assets (including proprietary tools) of £13.0 million (2017: £22.6 million).

The total amortisation and impairment of acquired intangible assets of £280.0 million (2017: £195.1 million) includes an impairment charge of £126.1 million (2017: £6.0 million) comprising £58.6 million in regard to certain brand names that are no longer in use and £67.5 million in regard to customer relationships where the underlying clients have been lost. £70.6 million of the impairment charge relates to the Advertising and Media Investment Management segment, £38.2 million relates to the Data Investment Management segment, and £17.3 million relates to the Brand Consulting, Health & Wellness and Specialist Communications segment. In addition, the total amortisation and impairment of acquired intangible assets includes £4.2 million (2017: £5.7 million) in relation to associates.

In accordance with the Group’s accounting policy, the carrying values of goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite useful lives are reviewed for impairment annually or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the asset might be impaired.

12. Intangible assets (continued)

The impairment review is undertaken annually on 30 September. The review assessed whether the carrying value of goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite useful lives was supported by the net present value of future cash flows, using a pre-tax discount rate of 9.0% (2017: 8.5%) and management forecasts for a projection period of up to five years, followed by an assumed annual long-term growth rate of 3.0% (2017: 3.0%) and no assumed improvement in operating margin. Management have made the judgement that this long-term growth rate does not exceed the long-term average growth rate for the industry.

The goodwill impairment charge of £183.9 million (2017: £27.1 million) primarily relates to a charge of £148.0 million on VMLY&R, driven by challenges in the advertising businesses in the Advertising and Media Investment Management segment. The recoverable amount for the VMLY&R cash-generating unit is £1,327.3 million. It is based on a value in use calculation, assuming a pre-tax discount rate of 8.7% specific to VMLY&R. A pre-tax discount rate of 8.5% was used in the prior year. The cash-generating unit includes goodwill, intangible assets, and other assets. The remaining £35.9 million relates to a number of under-performing businesses in the Group. In certain markets, the impact of local economic conditions and trading circumstances on these businesses was sufficiently severe to indicate impairment to the carrying value of goodwill.

The VMLY&R impairment review is sensitive to changes in the assumptions used, most notably to changes in the discount rate, terminal growth rate and terminal margin. A summary of the movements in the impairment charge from a change in these assumptions is as follows:

– 0.1% movement in the discount rate would increase or decrease the impairment charge by £23 million;

– 0.1% movement in the terminal growth rate would increase or decrease the impairment charge by £19 million; and

– 0.1% movement in terminal margin would increase or decrease the impairment charge by £8 million.

Under IFRS, an impairment charge is required for both goodwill and other indefinite-lived assets when the carrying amount exceeds the ‘recoverable amount’, defined as the higher of fair value less costs to sell and value in use.

Our approach in determining the recoverable amount utilises a discounted cash flow methodology, which necessarily involves making numerous estimates and assumptions regarding revenue growth, operating margins, appropriate discount rates and working capital requirements. The key assumptions used for estimating cash flow projections in the Group’s impairment testing are those relating to revenue growth and operating margin. The key assumptions take account of the businesses’ expectations for the projection period. These expectations consider the macroeconomic environment, industry and market conditions, the unit’s historical performance and any other circumstances particular to the unit, such as business strategy and client mix.

These estimates will likely differ from future actual results of operations and cash flows, and it is possible that these differences could be material. In addition, judgements are applied in determining the level of cash-generating unit identified for impairment testing and the criteria used to determine which assets should be aggregated. A difference in testing levels could affect whether an impairment is recorded and the extent of impairment loss. For the 2018 impairment review, certain assets previously aggregated with the VMLY&R cash-generating unit have been realigned to other cash-generating units as part of the overall effort to simplify operations and become more client-centric. Changes in our business activities or structure may also result in additional changes to the level of testing in future periods. Further, future events could cause the Group to conclude that impairment indicators exist and that the asset values associated with a given operation have become impaired. Any resulting impairment loss could have a material impact on the Group’s financial condition and results of operations.

Historically our impairment losses have resulted from a specific event, condition or circumstance in one of our companies, such as the loss of a significant client. As a result, changes in the assumptions used in our impairment model have not had a significant effect on the impairment charges recognised and a reasonably possible change in assumptions would not lead to a significant impairment, except for VMLY&R as discussed above. The carrying value of goodwill and other intangible assets will continue to be reviewed at least annually for impairment and adjusted down to the recoverable amount if required.

F-24

Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued)

13. Property, plant and equipment

The movements in 2018 and 2017 were as follows:

	Land £m		Freehold buildings £m			Leasehold buildings £m			Fixtures, fittings and equipment £m			Computer equipment £m			Total £m
Cost:
1 January 2017		37.1		126.4			1,012.5			402.6			743.4			2,322.0
Additions		–		4.3			165.0			31.7			87.9			288.9
New acquisitions		–		–			2.0			2.4			1.1			5.5
Disposals		–		(1.2	)		(46.1	)		(40.7	)		(54.6	)		(142.6	)
Exchange adjustments		–		(10.7	)		(51.6	)		(18.8	)		(74.8	)		(155.9	)
31 December 2017		37.1		118.8			1,081.8			377.2			703.0			2,317.9
Additions		–		17.7			161.4			49.9			85.8			314.8
New acquisitions		–		0.1			0.9			1.2			0.9			3.1
Disposals		–		–			(83.5	)		(62.9	)		(109.3	)		(255.7	)
Exchange adjustments		–		(1.1	)		41.8			9.9			10.0			60.6
31 December 2018		37.1		135.5			1,202.4			375.3			690.4			2,440.7
Depreciation:
1 January 2017		–		25.2			509.8			240.0			578.3			1,353.3
Charge for the year		–		6.9			86.7			47.0			90.1			230.7
Disposals		–		(1.9	)		(42.6	)		(35.9	)		(54.4	)		(134.8	)
Exchange adjustments		–		(1.7	)		(27.8	)		(14.2	)		(67.1	)		(110.8	)
31 December 2017		–		28.5			526.1			236.9			546.9			1,338.4
Charge for the year		–		3.1			91.5			44.4			86.1			225.1
Disposals		–		–			(74.6	)		(58.0	)		(107.9	)		(240.5	)
Exchange adjustments		–		(4.5	)		24.3			6.4			8.5			34.7
31 December 2018		–		27.1			567.3			229.7			533.6			1,357.7
Net book value:
31 December 2018		37.1		108.4			635.1			145.6			156.8			1,083.0
31 December 2017		37.1		90.3			555.7			140.3			156.1			979.5
1 January 2017		37.1		101.2			502.7			162.6			165.1			968.7

At 31 December 2018, capital commitments contracted, but not provided for in respect of property, plant and equipment were £28.4 million (2017: £137.2 million).

14. Interests in associates, joint ventures and other investments

The movements in 2018 and 2017 were as follows:

	Interests in associates and joint ventures £m			Other investments £m
1 January 2017		1,069.4			1,310.3
Additions		34.5			67.7
Share of results of associate undertakings (note 4)		113.5			–
Dividends		(46.8	)		–
Other movements		3.4			–
Reclassification from other investments to associates		57.1			(57.1	)
Exchange adjustments		(10.6	)		(106.1	)
Disposals		(139.1	)		(1.7	)
Reclassification to subsidiaries		(6.3	)		–
Revaluation of other investments		–			32.1
Amortisation of other intangible assets		(5.7	)		–
Write-downs		(4.2	)		(91.7	)
31 December 2017		1,065.2			1,153.5
Additions		16.7			35.0
Share of results of associate undertakings (note 4)		43.5			–
Dividends		(49.7	)		–
Other movements		1.2			–
Reclassification from other investments to associates		0.3			(0.3	)
Exchange adjustments		12.9			–
Disposals		(304.0	)		(341.7	)
Reclassification to subsidiaries		16.9			–
Revaluation of other investments through profit or loss		–			68.1
Revaluation of other investments through other comprehensive income		–			(247.9	)
Amortisation of other intangible assets		(4.2	)		–
Write-downs		(2.0	)		–
31 December 2018		796.8			666.7

The investments included above as ‘other investments’ represent investments in equity securities that present the Group with opportunity for return through dividend income and trading gains. They have no fixed maturity or coupon rate. The fair values of the listed securities are based on quoted market prices. For unlisted securities, where market value is not available, the Group has estimated relevant fair values on the basis of publicly available information from outside sources.

The carrying values of the Group’s associates and joint ventures are reviewed for impairment in accordance with the Group’s accounting policies.

The Group’s principal associates and joint ventures at 31 December 2018 included:

	% owned		Country of incorporation
Barrows Design and Manufacturing (Pty) Limited		35.0		South Africa
Chime Communications Ltd		24.9		UK
CVSC Sofres Media Co Limited		40.0		China
Dat Viet VAC Media Corporation		30.0		Vietnam
GIIR Inc		30.0		Korea
Haworth Marketing & Media Company		49.0		USA
High Co SA		34.1		France
Imagina		22.5		Spain
Marktest Investimentos SGPS S.A.		40.0		Portugal
Nanjing Yindu Ogilvy Advertising Co. Ltd		49.0		China
Richard Attias and Associates1		49.0		USA
Smollan Holdings (Pty) Ltd		24.8		South Africa

Note

¹  The Group sold its shareholding in Richard Attias and Associates in January 2019.

F-25

Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued)

14. Interests in associates, joint ventures and other investments (continued)

The market value of the Group’s shares in its principal listed associate undertakings at 31 December 2018 was as follows: GIIR Inc: £26.3 million, and High Co SA: £30.3 million (2017: GIIR Inc: £35.4 million and High Co SA: £33.3 million).

The carrying value (including goodwill and other intangibles) of these equity interests in the Group’s consolidated balance sheet at 31 December 2018 was as follows: GIIR Inc: £46.8 million and High Co SA: £37.1 million (2017: GIIR Inc: £41.6 million and High Co SA: £34.5 million).

Where the market value of the Group’s listed associates is less than the carrying value, an impairment review is performed utilising the discounted cash flow methodology discussed in note 12.

The Group’s investments in its principal associate undertakings are represented by ordinary shares.

Summarised financial information

The following tables present a summary of the aggregate financial performance and net asset position of the Group’s associate undertakings and joint ventures. These have been estimated and converted, where appropriate, to an IFRS presentation based on information provided by the relevant companies at 31 December 2018.

	2018 £m			2017 £m			2016 £m
Income statement
Revenue		3,685.8			3,800.8			2,254.5
Operating profit		378.4			440.4			308.3
Profit before taxation		194.7			381.9			237.2
Profit for the year		118.1			312.5			156.7
Balance sheet
Assets		2,940.9			3,192.9			4,223.1
Liabilities		(1,570.6	)		(1,633.7	)		(1,900.0	)
Net assets		1,370.3			1,559.2			2,323.1

The application of equity accounting is ordinarily discontinued when the investment is reduced to zero and additional losses are not provided for unless the Group has guaranteed obligations of the investee or is otherwise committed to provide further financial support for the investee.

At 31 December 2018, capital commitments contracted, but not provided for in respect of interests in associates and other investments were £31.4 million (2017: £54.2 million).

15. Deferred tax

The Group’s deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured at the end of each period in accordance with IAS 12 Income taxes. The recognition of deferred tax assets is determined by reference to the Group’s estimate of recoverability, using models where appropriate to forecast future taxable profits.

Deferred tax assets have only been recognised for territories where the Group considers that it is probable that all or a portion of the deferred tax assets will be realised. The main factors that we consider include:

– the future earnings potential determined through the use of internal forecasts;

– the cumulative losses in recent years;

– the various jurisdictions in which the potential deferred tax assets arise;

– the history of losses carried forward and other tax assets expiring;

– the timing of future reversal of taxable temporary differences;

– the expiry period associated with the deferred tax assets; and

– the nature of the income that can be used to realise the deferred tax asset.

If it is probable that some portion of these assets will not be realised, then no asset is recognised in relation to that portion.

If market conditions improve and future results of operations exceed our current expectations, our existing recognised deferred tax assets may be adjusted, resulting in future tax benefits. Alternatively, if market conditions deteriorate further or future results of operations are less than expected, future assessments may result in a determination that some or all of the deferred tax assets are not realisable. As a result, all or a portion of the deferred tax assets may need to be reversed.

F-26

Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued)

15. Deferred tax (continued)

Certain deferred tax assets and liabilities have been offset as they relate to the same tax group. The following is the analysis of the deferred tax balances for financial reporting purposes:

	Gross 2018 £m			Offset 2018 £m			As reported 2018 £m			Gross 2017 £m			Offset 2017 £m			As reported 2017 £m
Deferred tax assets		412.0			(259.0	)		153.0			411.8			(251.5	)		160.3
Deferred tax liabilities		(738.5	)		259.0			(479.5	)		(765.2	)		251.5			(513.7	)
		(326.5	)		–			(326.5	)		(353.4	)		–			(353.4	)

The following are the major gross deferred tax assets recognised by the Group and movements thereon in 2018 and 2017:

	Deferred compensation £m			Accounting provisions and accruals £m			Retirement benefit obligations £m			Property, plant and equipment £m			Tax losses and credits £m			Share- based payments £m			Restructuring provisions £m			Other temporary differences £m			Total £m
1 January 2017		95.6			80.6			141.4			70.8			89.7			75.8			5.9			38.2			598.0
Acquisition of subsidiaries		–			–			–			–			–			–			–			2.6			2.6
(Charge)/credit to income		(5.5	)		6.6			(10.2	)		6.9			(34.4	)		(0.4	)		(1.5	)		(21.7	)		(60.2	)
Impact of US tax reform		(30.8	)		(8.1	)		(29.1	)		(6.8	)		23.1			(10.9	)		1.6			(1.1	)		(62.1	)
Charge to other comprehensive income		–			–			(20.9	)		–			–			–			–			–			(20.9	)
Charge to equity		–			–			–			–			–			(27.3	)		–			–			(27.3	)
Exchange differences		(5.8	)		5.8			(5.6	)		(2.5	)		(5.7	)		(4.2	)		(0.2	)		(0.1	)		(18.3	)
31 December 2017		53.5			84.9			75.6			68.4			72.7			33.0			5.8			17.9			411.8
Acquisition of subsidiaries		–			–			–			–			–			–			–			2.0			2.0
Credit/(charge) to income		4.7			13.0			(11.2	)		(20.6	)		(8.9	)		(15.3	)		10.7			11.0			(16.6	)
Charge to other comprehensive income		–			–			(0.2	)		–			–			–			–			–			(0.2	)
Charge to equity		–			–			–			–			–			(1.6	)		–			–			(1.6	)
Exchange differences		3.4			3.5			4.3			0.1			3.3			0.7			0.8			0.5			16.6
31 December 2018		61.6			101.4			68.5			47.9			67.1			16.8			17.3			31.4			412.0

Other temporary differences comprise a number of items including tax deductible goodwill, none of which is individually significant to the Group’s consolidated balance sheet. At 31 December 2018 the balance related to temporary differences in relation to revenue adjustments, tax deductible goodwill, fair value adjustments, and other temporary differences.

In addition the Group has recognised the following gross deferred tax liabilities and movements thereon in 2018 and 2017:

	Brands and other intangibles £m			Associate earnings £m			Goodwill £m			Property, plant and equipment £m			Financial instruments £m			Other temporary differences £m			Total £m
1 January 2017		755.9			28.3			232.5			36.2			64.0			33.1			1,150.0
Acquisition of subsidiaries		21.4			–			–			–			–			–			21.4
(Credit)/charge to income		(49.9	)		(6.0	)		0.7			(0.5	)		(3.3	)		5.1			(53.9	)
Impact of US tax reform		(203.8	)		–			(76.3	)		(11.9	)		(22.2	)		18.0			(296.2	)
Charge to other comprehensive income		–			–			–			–			–			3.7			3.7
Exchange differences		(34.4	)		(0.7	)		(16.5	)		(2.6	)		(2.3	)		(3.3	)		(59.8	)
31 December 2017		489.2			21.6			140.4			21.2			36.2			56.6			765.2
Acquisition of subsidiaries		10.7			–			–			–			–			–			10.7
(Credit)/charge to income		(68.8	)		(3.9	)		31.8			(0.3	)		(0.9	)		(20.7	)		(62.8	)
Charge to other comprehensive income		–			–			–			–			–			0.5			0.5
Exchange differences		7.5			(0.1	)		10.1			1.3			4.6			1.5			24.9
31 December 2018		438.6			17.6			182.3			22.2			39.9			37.9			738.5

At the balance sheet date, the Group has gross tax losses and other temporary differences of £6,638.6 million (2017: £6,208.6 million) available for offset against future profits. Deferred tax assets have been recognised in respect of the tax benefit of £1,763.4 million (2017: £1,539.3 million) of such tax losses and other temporary differences. No deferred tax asset has been recognised in respect of the remaining £4,875.2 million (2017: £4,669.3 million) of losses and other temporary differences as the Group considers that there will not be enough taxable profits in the entities concerned such that any additional asset could be considered recoverable. Included in the total unrecognised temporary differences are losses of £46.4 million (2017: £56.5 million) that will expire within 1–10 years, and £4,572.6 million (2017: £4,421.5 million) of losses that may be carried forward indefinitely.

At the balance sheet date, the aggregate amount of the temporary differences in relation to the investment in subsidiaries for which deferred tax liabilities have not been recognised was £1,768.5 million (2017: £3,898.0 million). No liability has been recognised in respect of these differences because the Group is in a position to control the timing of the reversal of the temporary differences and the Group considers that it is probable that such differences will not reverse in the foreseeable future.

F-27

Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued)

16. Trade and other receivables

The following are included in trade and other receivables:

Amounts falling due within one year:

	2018 £m		20171 £m
Trade receivables (net of bad debt provision)		8,062.2		7,889.7
Work in progress		366.5		401.1
VAT and sales taxes recoverable		264.2		202.3
Prepayments		287.3		298.3
Accrued income		3,541.2		3,205.8
Fair value of derivatives		1.3		1.0
Other debtors		578.8		532.5
		13,101.5		12,530.7

Note

¹  Prior year figures have been restated for the impact of the adoption of IFRS 15 Revenue from Contracts with Customers, as described in the accounting policies.

The ageing of trade receivables and other financial assets by due date is as follows:

					Past due but not impaired
2018	Carrying amount at 31 December 2018 £m		Neither past due nor impaired £m		0-30 days £m		31-90 days £m		91-180 days £m		181 days- 1 year £m		Greater than 1 year £m
Trade receivables		8,062.2		5,873.7		1,370.7		549.1		128.3		75.6		64.8
Other financial assets		551.7		424.9		61.3		14.2		8.6		7.7		35.0
		8,613.9		6,298.6		1,432.0		563.3		136.9		83.3		99.8
					Past due but not impaired
2017	Carrying amount at 31 December 2017 £m		Neither past due nor impaired £m		0-30 days £m		31-90 days £m		91-180 days £m		181 days- 1 year £m		Greater than 1 year £m
Trade receivables		7,889.7		5,466.6		1,629.6		577.0		143.0		48.8		24.7
Other financial assets		500.4		331.2		107.0		6.6		4.7		10.3		40.6
		8,390.1		5,797.8		1,736.6		583.6		147.7		59.1		65.3

Other financial assets are included in other debtors.

Past due amounts are not impaired where collection is considered likely.

Amounts falling due after more than one year:

	2018 £m		2017 £m
Prepayments		3.0		3.6
Accrued income		16.5		20.5
Fair value of derivatives		8.4		2.1
Other debtors		152.1		150.0
		180.0		176.2

The Group has applied the practical expedient permitted by IFRS 15 to not disclose the transaction price allocated to performance obligations unsatisfied (or partially unsatisfied) as of the end of the reporting period as contracts typically have an original expected duration of a year or less.

16. Trade and other receivables (continued)

Bad debt provisions:

	2018 £m			2017 £m			2016 £m
At beginning of year		91.3			93.8			85.4
New acquisitions		1.5			1.2			1.8
Charged to the income statement		66.7			27.4			15.5
Released to the income statement		(11.6	)		(8.4	)		(6.3	)
Exchange adjustments		2.1			(4.1	)		13.7
Utilisations and other movements		(33.4	)		(18.6	)		(16.3	)
At end of year		116.6			91.3			93.8

The allowance for bad and doubtful debts is equivalent to 1.4% (2017: 1.1%, 2016: 1.2%) of gross trade accounts receivables.

The requirement to use an expected loss method of impairment of financial assets on adoption of IFRS 9 on 1 January 2018 did not have a material impact on the Group. The Group has applied the simplified approach to measuring expected credit losses, as permitted by IFRS 9, and recognises a loss allowance based on the financial asset’s lifetime expected credit loss. Based on the aging of the invoice, the loss allowance at 31 December 2018 and 1 January 2018 (on adoption of IFRS 9) is as follows:

31 December 2018	£m		0-90 days £m		91-180 days £m		181 days- 1 year £m		Over 1 year £m
Gross trade receivables		8,178.9		7,621.9		381.5		86.5		89.0
Loss allowance		116.6		11.3		3.8		39.2		62.3
Expected loss rate		1.4%		0.1%		1.0%		45.3%		70.0%

1 January 2018	£m		0-90 days £m		91-180 days £m		181 days- 1 year £m		Over 1 year £m
Gross trade receivables		7,981.0		7,392.6		425.6		78.6		84.2
Loss allowance		91.3		2.9		2.8		24.2		61.4
Expected loss rate		1.1%		–		0.7%		30.8%		73.0%

Impairment losses on work in progress and accrued income were immaterial for the years presented.

The Group considers that the carrying amount of trade and other receivables approximates their fair value.

17. Trade and other payables: amounts falling due within one year

The following are included in trade and other payables falling due within one year:

	2018 £m		2017 £m
Trade payables		10,524.3		9,893.0
Deferred income		1,253.6		1,212.1
Payments due to vendors (earnout agreements)		148.2		180.7
Liabilities in respect of put option agreements with vendors		36.8		38.6
Fair value of derivatives		2.6		3.5
Other creditors and accruals		3,072.9		2,913.2
		15,038.4		14,241.1

The Group considers that the carrying amount of trade and other payables approximates their fair value.

F-28

Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued)

18. Trade and other payables: amounts falling due after more than one year

The following are included in trade and other payables falling due after more than one year:

	2018 £m		2017 £m
Payments due to vendors (earnout agreements)		266.5		450.0
Liabilities in respect of put option agreements with vendors		205.2		219.5
Fair value of derivatives		14.2		3.3
Other creditors and accruals		355.5		320.0
		841.4		992.8

The Group considers that the carrying amount of trade and other payables approximates their fair value.

The following tables set out payments due to vendors, comprising contingent consideration and the Directors’ best estimates of future earnout-related obligations:

	2018 £m			2017 £m
Within one year		148.2			180.7
Between one and two years		140.2			128.3
Between two and three years		38.5			144.1
Between three and four years		50.3			58.3
Between four and five years		20.4			103.1
Over five years		17.1			16.2
		414.7			630.7
	2018 £m			2017 £m
At beginning of year		630.7			976.5
Earnouts paid (note 11)		(120.2	)		(199.1	)
New acquisitions		48.6			163.7
Revision of estimates taken to goodwill (note 12)		(68.3	)		(60.7	)
Revaluation of payments due to vendors (note 6)		(82.6	)		(208.6	)
Exchange adjustments		6.5			(41.1	)
At end of year		414.7			630.7

As of 31 December 2018, the potential undiscounted amount of future payments that could be required under the earnout agreements for acquisitions completed in the current year and for all earnout agreements range from £nil to £179 million (2017: £nil to £228 million) and £nil to £1,960 million (2017: £nil to £1,910 million), respectively.

19. Bank overdrafts, bonds and bank loans

Amounts falling due within one year:

	2018 £m		2017 £m
Bank overdrafts		442.0		393.2
Corporate bonds and bank loans		583.1		230.9
		1,025.1		624.1

The Group considers that the carrying amount of bank overdrafts approximates their fair value.

Amounts falling due after more than one year:

	2018 £m		2017 £m
Corporate bonds and bank loans		5,634.8		6,250.4

19. Bank overdrafts, bonds and bank loans (continued)

The Group estimates that the fair value of corporate bonds is £5,965.7 million at 31 December 2018 (2017: £5,816.5 million). The fair values of the corporate bonds are based on quoted market prices.

The Group considers that the carrying amount of bank loans of £186.8 million (2017: £993.4 million) approximates their fair value.

The corporate bonds, bank loans and overdrafts included within liabilities fall due for repayment as follows:

	2018 £m		2017 £m
Within one year		1,025.1		624.1
Between one and two years		423.8		727.6
Between two and three years		761.0		421.0
Between three and four years		609.8		1,384.2
Between four and five years		670.1		356.6
Over five years		3,170.1		3,361.0
		6,659.9		6,874.5

20. Provisions for liabilities and charges

The movements in 2018 and 2017 were as follows:

	Property £m			Other £m			Total £m
1 January 2017		58.5			169.4			227.9
Charged to the income statement		4.1			16.9			21.0
Acquisitions1		4.0			22.8			26.8
Utilised		(6.0	)		(21.4	)		(27.4	)
Released to the income statement		(5.5	)		(5.9	)		(11.4	)
Transfers		0.1			7.1			7.2
Exchange adjustments		(2.6	)		(12.5	)		(15.1	)
31 December 2017		52.6			176.4			229.0
Charged to the income statement2		72.1			13.9			86.0
Acquisitions1		0.5			8.3			8.8
Utilised		(5.7	)		(20.1	)		(25.8	)
Released to the income statement		(5.7	)		(4.6	)		(10.3	)
Transfers		2.0			10.9			12.9
Exchange adjustments		2.9			8.2			11.1
31 December 2018		118.7			193.0			311.7

Notes

¹  Acquisitions include £8.4 million (2017: £21.9 million) of provisions arising from revisions to fair value adjustments related to the acquisition of subsidiary undertakings that had been determined provisionally at the immediately preceding balance sheet date, as permitted by IFRS 3 Business Combinations.

²  Amounts charged to the income statement in 2018 include £50.6 million in regard to transformation costs with respect to the strategic initiative of co-locations in major cities.

The Company and various of its subsidiaries are, from time to time, parties to legal proceedings and claims which arise in the ordinary course of business. The Directors do not anticipate that the outcome of these proceedings and claims will have a material adverse effect on the Group’s financial position or on the results of its operations.

21. Share-based payments

Charges for share-based incentive plans were as follows:

	2018 £m		2017 £m		2016 £m
Share-based payments (note 5)		84.8		105.0		106.5

Share-based payments comprise charges for stock options and restricted stock awards to employees of the Group.

As of 31 December 2018, there was £146.0 million (2017: £156.0 million) of total unrecognised compensation cost related to the Group’s restricted stock plans. That cost is expected to be recognised over an average period of one to two years.

F-29

Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued)

21. Share-based payments (continued)

Further information on stock options is provided in note 25.

Restricted stock plans

The Group operates a number of equity-settled share incentive schemes, in most cases satisfied by the delivery of stock from one of the Group’s ESOP Trusts. The most significant current schemes are as follows:

Executive Performance Share Plan (EPSP)

This scheme is intended to reward and incentivise the most senior executives of the Group. The performance period is five complete financial years, commencing with the financial year in which the award is granted. The vest date will usually be in the March following the end of the five-year performance period. Vesting is conditional on continued employment throughout the vesting period.

There are three performance criteria, each constituting one-third of the vesting value, and each measured over this five-year period:

(i) TSR against a comparator group of companies. Threshold performance (equating to ranking in the 50th percentile of the comparator group) will result in 20% vesting of the part of the award dependent on TSR. The maximum vest of 100% will arise if performance ranks in the 90th percentile, with a sliding scale of vesting for performance between threshold and maximum.

(ii) Headline diluted earnings per share. Threshold performance (7% compound annual growth) will again result in a 20% vest. Maximum performance of 14% compound annual growth will give rise to a 100% vest, with a sliding vesting scale for performance between threshold and maximum.

(iii) Return on equity (ROE). Average annual ROE defined as headline diluted EPS divided by the balance sheet value per share of shareholders’ equity. Threshold performance ranges between 10–14% average annual ROE and maximum performance ranges between 14–18%, with a sliding scale in between. Threshold again gives rise to a 20% vest, 100% for maximum, with a sliding scale in between.

Performance Share Awards (PSA)

Grants of restricted stock under PSA are dependent upon annual performance targets, typically based on one or more of: operating profit, profit before taxation and operating margin. Grants are made in the year following the year of performance measurement, and vest two years after grant date provided the individual concerned is continually employed by the Group throughout this time.

Leaders, Partners and High Potential Group

This scheme provides annual grants of restricted stock to 1,800 key executives of the Group. Vesting is conditional on continued employment over the three-year vesting period.

Valuation methodology

For all of these schemes, the valuation methodology is based upon fair value on grant date, which is determined by the market price on that date or the application of a Black-Scholes model, depending upon the characteristics of the scheme concerned. The assumptions underlying the Black-Scholes model are detailed in note 25, including details of assumed dividend yields. Market price on any given day is obtained from external, publicly available sources.

Market/non-market conditions

Most share-based plans are subject to non-market performance conditions, such as margin or growth targets, as well as continued employment. EPSP is subject to a number of performance conditions, including TSR, a market-based condition.

For schemes without market-based performance conditions, the valuation methodology above is applied and, at each year-end, the relevant accrual for each grant is revised, if appropriate, to take account of any changes in estimate of the likely number of shares expected to vest.

For schemes with market-based performance conditions, the probability of satisfying these conditions is assessed at grant date through a statistical model (such as the Monte Carlo Model) and applied to the fair value. This initial valuation remains fixed throughout the life of the relevant plan, irrespective of the actual outcome in terms of performance. Where a lapse occurs due to cessation of employment, the cumulative charge taken to date is reversed.

21. Share-based payments (continued)

Movement on ordinary shares granted for significant restricted stock plans:

	Non-vested 1 January 2018 number m		Granted number m		Lapsed number m			Vested number m			Non-vested 31 December 2018 number m
Executive Performance Share Plan (EPSP)		9.1		0.7		(1.1	)		(2.0	)		6.7
Performance Share Awards (PSA)		1.9		1.4		(0.1	)		(0.9	)		2.3
Leaders, Partners and High Potential Group		6.8		4.8		(0.7	)		(1.8	)		9.1
Weighted average fair value (pence per share):
Executive Performance Share Plan (EPSP)		1,368p		814p		1,500p			1,122p			1,363p
Performance Share Awards (PSA)		1,659p		1,202p		1,522p			1,517p			1,437p
Leaders, Partners and High Potential Group		1,502p		806p		1,472p			1,426p			1,154p

The total fair value of shares vested for all the Group’s restricted stock plans during the year ended 31 December 2018 was £107.2 million (2017: £114.8 million, 2016: £116.8 million).

22. Provision for post-employment benefits

Companies within the Group operate a large number of pension plans, the forms and benefits of which vary with conditions and practices in the countries concerned. The Group’s pension costs are analysed as follows:

	2018 £m		2017 £m		2016 £m
Defined contribution plans		172.3		175.9		153.5
Defined benefit plans charge to operating profit		18.9		16.1		24.6
Pension costs (note 5)		191.2		192.0		178.1
Net interest expense on pension plans (note 6)		4.4		6.3		6.7
		195.6		198.3		184.8

Defined benefit plans

The pension costs are assessed in accordance with the advice of local independent qualified actuaries. The latest full actuarial valuations for the various pension plans were carried out at various dates in the last three years. These valuations have been updated by the local actuaries to 31 December 2018.

The Group’s policy is to close existing defined benefit plans to new members. This has been implemented across a significant number of the pension plans.

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 2018 amounted to £44.9 million (2017: £68.2 million, 2016: £43.7 million). Employer contributions and benefit payments in 2019 are expected to be approximately £50 million.

F-30

Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued)

22. Provision for post-employment benefits (continued)

(a) Assumptions

There are a number of areas in pension accounting that involve estimates made by management based on advice of qualified advisors. These include establishing the discount rates, rates of increase in salaries and pensions in payment, inflation, and mortality assumptions. The main weighted average assumptions used for the actuarial valuations at 31 December are shown in the following table:

	2018 % pa		2017 % pa		2016 % pa		2015 % pa
UK
Discount rate1		2.8		2.4		2.5		3.7
Rate of increase in salaries2		n/a		n/a		3.5		3.1
Rate of increase in pensions in payment		4.3		4.1		4.1		3.9
Inflation		2.8		2.7		2.8		2.4
North America
Discount rate1		4.1		3.5		3.8		4.0
Rate of increase in salaries		3.0		3.1		3.1		3.0
Inflation		n/a		4.0		4.0		2.5
Western Continental Europe
Discount rate1		2.0		1.9		1.7		2.5
Rate of increase in salaries		2.3		1.9		2.0		2.3
Rate of increase in pensions in payment		1.2		1.2		1.3		1.6
Inflation		1.7		1.7		1.7		2.0
Asia Pacific, Latin America, Africa & Middle East and Central & Eastern Europe
Discount rate1		5.0		4.2		4.2		4.2
Rate of increase in salaries		5.8		5.5		5.9		5.8
Inflation		3.6		4.0		4.0		4.0

Notes

¹  Discount rates are based on high-quality corporate bond yields. In countries where there is no deep market in corporate bonds, the discount rate assumption has been set with regard to the yield on long-term government bonds.

²  The salary assumptions are no longer applicable to the UK as all plans were frozen since 2017. Active participants will not accrue additional benefits for future services under these plans.

For the Group’s pension plans, the plans’ assets are invested with the objective of being able to meet current and future benefit payment needs, while controlling balance sheet volatility and future contributions. Pension plan assets are invested with a number of investment managers, and assets are diversified among equities, bonds, insured annuities, property and cash or other liquid investments. The primary use of bonds as an investment class is to match the anticipated cash flows from the plans to pay pensions. The Group is invested in high-quality corporate and government bonds which share similar risk characteristics and are of equivalent currency and term to the plan liabilities. Various insurance policies have also been bought historically to provide a more exact match for the cash flows, including a match for the actual mortality of specific plan members. These insurance policies effectively provide protection against both investment fluctuations and longevity risks. The strategic target allocation varies among the individual plans.

Management considers the types of investment classes in which the pension plan assets are invested. The types of investment classes are determined by economic and market conditions and in consideration of specific asset class risk.

Management periodically commissions detailed asset and liability studies performed by third-party professional investment advisors and actuaries that generate probability-adjusted expected future returns on those assets. These studies also project the estimated future pension payments and evaluate the efficiency of the allocation of the pension plan assets into various investment categories.

22. Provision for post-employment benefits (continued)

At 31 December 2018, the life expectancies underlying the value of the accrued liabilities for the main defined benefit pension plans operated by the Group were as follows:

Years life expectancy after age 65	All plans		North America		UK		Western Continental Europe		Other1
– current pensioners (at age 65) – male		22.2		22.1		23.2		21.1		17.0
– current pensioners (at age 65) – female		23.9		23.6		24.3		24.0		21.4
– future pensioners (current age 45) – male		24.0		23.7		24.8		23.5		17.0
– future pensioners (current age 45) – female		25.7		25.2		26.1		26.2		21.4

Note

¹  Includes Asia Pacific, Latin America, Africa & Middle East and Central & Eastern Europe.

The life expectancies after age 65 at 31 December 2017 were 22.4 years and 24.0 years for male and female current pensioners (at age 65), respectively, and 23.8 years and 25.7 years for male and female future pensioners (current age 45), respectively.

In the determination of mortality assumptions, management uses the most up-to-date mortality tables available in each country.

The following table provides information on the weighted average duration of the defined benefit pension obligations and the distribution of the timing of benefit payments for the next 10 years. The duration corresponds to the weighted average length of the underlying cash flows.

	All plans		North America		UK		Western Continental Europe		Other1
Weighted average duration of the defined benefit obligation (years)		11.8		8.5		14.2		15.7		8.2
Expected benefit payments over the next 10 years (£m)
Benefits expected to be paid within 12 months		67.2		36.3		16.4		9.3		5.1
Benefits expected to be paid in 2020		58.4		34.3		12.9		8.6		2.5
Benefits expected to be paid in 2021		58.3		33.7		12.8		8.6		3.1
Benefits expected to be paid in 2022		59.1		33.6		12.7		9.1		3.6
Benefits expected to be paid in 2023		56.6		30.4		12.9		9.4		3.9
Benefits expected to be paid in the next five years		276.6		131.0		66.1		52.8		26.6

Note

¹  Includes Asia Pacific, Latin America, Africa & Middle East and Central & Eastern Europe.

The following table presents a sensitivity analysis for each significant actuarial assumption showing how the defined benefit obligation would have been affected by changes in the relevant actuarial assumption that were reasonably possible at the balance sheet date. This sensitivity analysis applies to the defined benefit obligation only and not to the net defined benefit pension liability in its entirety, the measurement of which is driven by a number of factors including, in addition to the assumptions below, the fair value of plan assets.

F-31

Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued)

22. Provision for post-employment benefits (continued)

The sensitivity analyses are based on a change in one assumption while holding all other assumptions constant so that interdependencies between the assumptions are excluded. The methodology applied is consistent with that used to determine the recognised defined benefit obligation. The sensitivity analysis for inflation is not shown as it is an underlying assumption to build the pension and salary increase assumptions. Changing the inflation assumption on its own without changing the salary or pension assumptions will not result in a significant change in pension liabilities.

	Increase/(decrease) in benefit obligation
Sensitivity analysis of significant actuarial assumptions	2018 £m			2017 £m
Discount rate
Increase by 25 basis points
UK		(9.8	)		(13.1	)
North America		(8.8	)		(9.9	)
Western Continental Europe		(8.7	)		(9.2	)
Other1		(0.7	)		(0.6	)
Decrease by 25 basis points
UK		10.3			13.8
North America		9.1			10.2
Western Continental Europe		9.3			9.8
Other1		0.7			0.6
Rate of increase in salaries
Increase by 25 basis points
North America		–			0.1
Western Continental Europe		1.3			1.5
Other1		0.7			0.6
Decrease by 25 basis points
North America		–			(0.1	)
Western Continental Europe		(1.2	)		(1.5	)
Other1		(0.6	)		(0.6	)
Rate of increase in pensions in payment
Increase by 25 basis points
UK		1.3			2.4
Western Continental Europe		5.3			6.2
Decrease by 25 basis points
UK		(0.8	)		(1.9	)
Western Continental Europe		(5.0	)		(5.8	)
Life expectancy
Increase in longevity by one additional year
UK		13.6			16.9
North America		5.7			6.0
Western Continental Europe		6.9			7.0

Note

¹  Includes Asia Pacific, Latin America, Africa & Middle East and Central & Eastern Europe.

22. Provision for post-employment benefits (continued)

(b) Assets and liabilities

At 31 December, the fair value of the assets in the pension plans, and the assessed present value of the liabilities in the pension plans are shown in the following table:

	2018 £m			%		2017 £m			%		2016 £m			%
Equities		76.5			9.1		124.6			13.4		161.9			17.3
Bonds		544.9			64.8		520.0			55.9		566.0			60.6
Insured annuities		90.9			10.8		178.5			19.2		63.5			6.8
Property		0.9			0.1		1.3			0.1		1.6			0.2
Cash		31.1			3.7		9.9			1.1		44.9			4.8
Other		96.3			11.5		95.7			10.3		96.3			10.3
Total fair value of assets		840.6			100.0		930.0			100.0		934.2			100.0
Present value of liabilities		(1,024.0	)				(1,135.4	)				(1,209.8	)
Deficit in the plans		(183.4	)				(205.4	)				(275.6	)
Irrecoverable surplus		(0.9	)				(0.9	)				(0.9	)
Net liability1		(184.3	)				(206.3	)				(276.5	)
Plans in surplus		42.8					43.9					28.0
Plans in deficit		(227.1	)				(250.2	)				(304.5	)

Note

¹  The related deferred tax asset is discussed in note 15.

All plan assets have quoted prices in active markets with the exception of insured annuities and other assets.

Surplus/(deficit) in plans by region	2018 £m			2017 £m			2016 £m
UK		33.7			31.5			20.0
North America		(68.7	)		(89.2	)		(133.8	)
Western Continental Europe		(104.6	)		(107.7	)		(116.9	)
Asia Pacific, Latin America, Africa & Middle East and Central & Eastern Europe		(43.8	)		(40.0	)		(44.9	)
Deficit in the plans		(183.4	)		(205.4	)		(275.6	)

Some of the Group’s defined benefit plans are unfunded (or largely unfunded) by common custom and practice in certain jurisdictions. In the case of these unfunded plans, the benefit payments are made as and when they fall due. Pre-funding of these plans would not be typical business practice.

F-32

Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued)

22. Provision for post-employment benefits (continued)

The following table shows the split of the deficit at 31 December between funded and unfunded pension plans.

	2018 Surplus/ (deficit) £m			2018 Present value  of liabilities £m			2017 Surplus/ (deficit) £m			2017 Present value of liabilities £m			2016 Surplus/ (deficit) £m			2016 Present value of liabilities £m
Funded plans by region
UK		33.7			(290.5	)		31.5			(387.5	)		20.0			(406.4	)
North America		(4.6	)		(375.3	)		(21.4	)		(385.4	)		(56.0	)		(420.4	)
Western Continental Europe		(35.8	)		(168.4	)		(37.9	)		(173.3	)		(48.9	)		(180.9	)
Asia Pacific, Latin America, Africa & Middle East and Central & Eastern Europe		(6.6	)		(19.7	)		(4.2	)		(15.8	)		(5.8	)		(17.2	)
Deficit/liabilities in the funded plans		(13.3	)		(853.9	)		(32.0	)		(962.0	)		(90.7	)		(1,024.9	)
Unfunded plans by region
UK		–			–			–			–			–			–
North America		(64.1	)		(64.1	)		(67.8	)		(67.8	)		(77.8	)		(77.8	)
Western Continental Europe		(68.8	)		(68.8	)		(69.8	)		(69.8	)		(68.0	)		(68.0	)
Asia Pacific, Latin America, Africa & Middle East and Central & Eastern Europe		(37.2	)		(37.2	)		(35.8	)		(35.8	)		(39.1	)		(39.1	)
Deficit/liabilities in the unfunded plans		(170.1	)		(170.1	)		(173.4	)		(173.4	)		(184.9	)		(184.9	)
Deficit/liabilities in the plans		(183.4	)		(1,024.0	)		(205.4	)		(1,135.4	)		(275.6	)		(1,209.8	)

In accordance with IAS 19, plans that are wholly or partially funded are considered funded plans.

(c) Pension expense

The following table shows the breakdown of the pension expense between amounts charged to operating profit, amounts charged to finance costs and amounts recognised in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income (OCI):

	2018 £m			2017 £m			2016 £m
Service cost1		15.5			13.0			22.4
Administrative expenses		3.4			3.1			2.2
Charge to operating profit		18.9			16.1			24.6
Net interest expense on pension plans		4.4			6.3			6.7
Charge to profit before taxation for defined benefit plans		23.3			22.4			31.3
Return on plan assets (excluding interest income)		(43.9	)		13.4			66.3
Changes in demographic assumptions underlying the present value of the plan liabilities		3.8			12.7			6.7
Changes in financial assumptions underlying the present value of the plan liabilities		45.2			(17.0	)		(92.6	)
Experience gain arising on the plan liabilities		3.8			7.9			1.0
Change in irrecoverable surplus		–			–			2.7
Actuarial gain/(loss) recognised in OCI		8.9			17.0			(15.9	)

Note

¹  Includes current service cost, past service costs related to plan amendments and (gain)/loss on settlements and curtailments.

22. Provision for post-employment benefits (continued)

(d) Movement in plan liabilities

The following table shows an analysis of the movement in the pension plan liabilities for each accounting period:

	2018 £m			2017 £m			2016 £m
Plan liabilities at beginning of year		1,135.4			1,209.8			1,039.9
Service cost1		15.5			13.0			22.4
Interest cost		30.7			32.9			37.2
Actuarial (gain)/loss
Effect of changes in demographic assumptions		(3.8	)		(12.7	)		(6.7	)
Effect of changes in financial assumptions		(45.2	)		17.0			92.6
Effect of experience adjustments		(3.8	)		(7.9	)		(1.0	)
Benefits paid		(75.6	)		(79.7	)		(92.4	)
Loss/(gain) due to exchange rate movements		30.0			(36.4	)		124.2
Settlement payments2		(70.4	)		(1.2	)		(4.8	)
Other3		11.2			0.6			(1.6	)
Plan liabilities at end of year		1,024.0			1,135.4			1,209.8

Notes

¹  Includes current service cost, past service costs related to plan amendments and (gain)/loss on settlements and curtailments.

²  In 2018, the Group completed the transfer of the defined benefit obligations for certain UK plans to an insurer resulting in £70.4 million settlement payments.

³  Other includes acquisitions, disposals, plan participants’ contributions and reclassifications. The reclassifications represent certain of the Group’s defined benefit plans which are included in this note for the first time in the periods presented.

(e) Movement in plan assets

The following table shows an analysis of the movement in the pension plan assets for each accounting period:

	2018 £m			2017 £m			2016 £m
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year		930.0			934.2			814.2
Interest income on plan assets		26.3			26.6			30.5
Return on plan assets (excluding interest income)		(43.9	)		13.4			66.3
Employer contributions		44.9			68.2			43.7
Benefits paid		(75.6	)		(79.7	)		(92.4	)
Gain/(loss) due to exchange rate movements		23.0			(28.7	)		78.8
Settlement payments1		(70.4	)		(1.2	)		(4.8	)
Administrative expenses		(3.4	)		(3.1	)		(2.2	)
Other2		9.7			0.3			0.1
Fair value of plan assets at end of year		840.6			930.0			934.2
Actual return on plan assets		(17.6	)		40.0			96.8

Notes

¹  In 2018, the Group completed the transfer of the defined benefit obligations for certain UK plans to an insurer resulting in £70.4 million settlement payments.

²  Other includes acquisitions, disposals, plan participants’ contributions and reclassifications. The reclassifications represent certain of the Group’s defined benefit plans which are included in this note for the first time in the periods presented.

F-33

Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued)

23. Risk management policies

Foreign currency risk

The Group’s results in pounds sterling are subject to fluctuation as a result of exchange rate movements. The Group does not hedge this translation exposure to its earnings but does hedge the currency element of its net assets using foreign currency borrowings, cross-currency swaps and forward foreign exchange contracts.

The Group effects these currency net asset hedges by borrowing in the same currencies as the operating (or ‘functional’) currencies of its main operating units. The majority of the Group’s debt is therefore denominated in US dollars, pounds sterling and euros. The Group’s borrowings at 31 December 2018 were primarily made up of $2,784 million, £1,044 million and €3,200 million (2017: $3,931 million, £600 million and €3,202 million). The Group’s average gross debt during the course of 2018 was $3,377 million, £1,039 million and €3,202 million (2017: $3,741 million, £1,242 million and €3,108 million).

The Group’s operations conduct the majority of their activities in their own local currency and consequently the Group has no significant transactional foreign exchange exposures arising from its operations. Any significant cross-border trading exposures are hedged by the use of forward foreign-exchange contracts. No speculative foreign exchange trading is undertaken.

Interest rate risk

The Group is exposed to interest rate risk on both interest-bearing assets and interest-bearing liabilities. The Group has a policy of actively managing its interest rate risk exposure while recognising that fixing rates on all its debt eliminates the possibility of benefiting from rate reductions and similarly, having all its debt at floating rates unduly exposes the Group to increases in rates.

Including the effect of interest rate and cross-currency swaps, 52.9% of the year-end US dollar debt is at fixed rates averaging 4.58% for an average period of 181 months; 47.1% of the year-end US dollar debt is at floating rates averaging 4.77% for an average period of 39 months; 100% of the sterling debt is at a fixed rate of 3.43% for an average period of 232 months; 84.4% of the euro debt is at fixed rates averaging 1.99% for an average period of 75 months and 15.6% of the euro debt is at floating rates averaging 0.05% for an average of 28 months.

Going concern and liquidity risk

In considering going concern and liquidity risk, the Directors have reviewed the Group’s future cash requirements and earnings projections. The Directors believe these forecasts have been prepared on a prudent basis and have also considered the impact of a range of potential changes to trading performance. The Directors have concluded that the Group should be able to operate within its current facilities and comply with its banking covenants for the foreseeable future and therefore believe it is appropriate to prepare the financial statements of the Group on a going concern basis. The potential impact of Brexit has been considered and is not deemed to have a significant effect on this assessment.

At 31 December 2018, the Group has access to £8.4 billion of committed facilities with maturity dates spread over the years 2019 to 2046 as illustrated below:

	£m		2019 £m		2020 £m		2021 £m		2022 £m		2023+ £m
£ bonds £400m (2.875% ’46)		400.0										400.0
US bond $450m (5.625% ’43)		353.3										353.3
US bond $272m (5.125% ’42)		213.1										213.1
Eurobonds €600m (1.625% ’30)		539.1										539.1
Eurobonds €750m (2.25%,’26)		673.9										673.9
Eurobonds €500m (1.375% ’25)		449.2										449.2
US bond $750m (3.75%,’24)		588.4										588.4
Eurobonds €750m (3.0% ’23)		673.9										673.9
US bond $500m (3.625% ’22)		392.3								392.3
Eurobonds €250m (3m EURIBOR + 0.45% ’22)		224.6								224.6
US bond $812m (4.75% ’21)		637.4						637.4
Bank revolver ($2,500m ’21)		1,961.4						1,961.4
Bank revolver (A$150m ’19, A$370m ’21)		287.3		82.9				204.4
£ bonds £200m (6.375% ’20)		200.0				200.0
Eurobonds €250m (3m EURIBOR + 0.32% ’20)		224.6				224.6
Eurobonds €600m (0.75% ’19)		539.1		539.1
Total committed facilities available		8,357.6		622.0		424.6		2,803.2		616.9		3,890.9
Drawn down facilities at 31 December 2018		6,282.9		571.1		424.6		779.4		616.9		3,890.9
Undrawn committed credit facilities		2,074.7

23. Risk management policies (continued)

Given the strong cash generation of the business, its debt maturity profile and available facilities, the Directors believe the Group has sufficient liquidity to match its requirements for the foreseeable future.

Treasury activities

Treasury activity is managed centrally from London, New York and Hong Kong, and is principally concerned with the monitoring of working capital, managing external and internal funding requirements and the monitoring and management of financial market risks, in particular interest rate and foreign exchange exposures.

The treasury operation is not a profit centre and its activities are carried out in accordance with policies approved by the Board of Directors and subject to regular review and audit.

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 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.

Capital risk management

The Group manages its capital to ensure that entities in the Group will be able to continue as a going concern while maximising the return to stakeholders through the optimisation of the debt and equity balance. The capital structure of the Group consists of debt, which includes the borrowings disclosed in note 10, cash and cash equivalents and equity attributable to equity holders of the parent, comprising issued capital, reserves and retained earnings as disclosed in the consolidated statement of changes in equity and in notes 25 and 26.

Credit risk

The Group’s principal financial assets are cash and short-term deposits, trade and other receivables and investments, the carrying values of which represent the Group’s maximum exposure to credit risk in relation to financial assets, as shown in note 24.

The Group’s credit risk is primarily attributable to its trade receivables. The majority of the Group’s trade receivables are due from large national or multinational companies where the risk of default is considered low. The amounts presented in the consolidated balance sheet are net of allowances for doubtful receivables, estimated by the Group’s management based on expected losses, prior experience and their assessment of the current economic environment. A relatively small number of clients make up a significant percentage of the Group’s debtors, but no single client represents more than 5% of total trade receivables as at 31 December 2018.

The credit risk on liquid funds and derivative financial instruments is limited because the counterparties are banks with high credit ratings assigned by international credit-rating agencies or banks that have been financed by their government.

A relatively small number of clients contribute a significant percentage of the Group’s consolidated revenues. The Group’s clients generally are able to reduce advertising and marketing spending or cancel projects at any time for any reason. There can be no assurance that any of the Group’s clients will continue to utilise the Group’s services to the same extent, or at all, in the future. Clients can reduce their marketing spend, terminate contracts, or cancel projects on short notice. The loss of one or more of our largest clients, if not replaced by new accounts or an increase in business from existing clients, would adversely affect our financial condition.

Sensitivity analysis

The following sensitivity analysis addresses the effect of currency and interest rate risks on the Group’s financial instruments. The analysis assumes that all hedges are highly effective.

Currency risk

At 31 December 2018, the Group’s major foreign currency denominated borrowings are held in individual entities with the same financial reporting currencies as borrowings. Therefore a weakening or strengthening of sterling against the Group’s major currencies would not result in any gains or losses being posted directly to equity and there would be no profit before tax impact.

Interest rate risk

A one percentage point increase in market interest rates for all currencies in which the Group had cash and borrowings at 31 December 2018 would increase profit before tax by approximately £7.2 million (2017: £0.2 million). A one percentage decrease in market interest rates would have an equal and opposite effect. This has been calculated by applying the interest rate change to the Group’s variable rate cash and borrowings.

F-34

Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued)

24. Financial instruments

Currency derivatives

The Group utilises currency derivatives to hedge significant future transactions and cash flows and the exchange risk arising on translation of the Group’s investments in foreign operations. The Group is a party to a variety of foreign currency derivatives in the management of its exchange rate exposures. The instruments purchased are primarily denominated in the currencies of the Group’s principal markets.

The Group designates its foreign currency-denominated debt as hedging instruments against the currency risk associated with the translation of its foreign operations. Contracts due in March 2025 have receipts of €500.0 million and payments of £444.1 million.

At 31 December 2018, the fair value of the Group’s currency derivatives is estimated to be a net asset of approximately £8.4 million (2017: £nil). These amounts are based on market values of equivalent instruments at the balance sheet date, comprising £8.4 million (2017: £nil) assets included in trade and other receivables and £nil (2017: £nil) liabilities included in trade and other payables. The amounts taken to and deferred in equity during the year for currency derivatives that are designated and effective hedges was a charge of £17.9 million (2017: £nil) for cash flow hedges.

Changes in the fair value relating to the ineffective portion of the currency derivatives amounted to a loss of £11.1 million (2017: £nil) which is included in the revaluation of financial instruments for the year. This loss resulted from a £6.8 million gain on hedging instruments and a £17.9 million loss on hedged items.

At the balance sheet date, the total nominal amount of outstanding forward foreign exchange contracts not designated as hedges was £296.1 million (2017: £177.7 million). The Group estimates the fair value of these contracts to be a net liability of £1.3 million (2017: £2.5 million).

These arrangements are designed to address significant exchange exposure and are renewed on a revolving basis as required.

Interest rate swaps

The Group uses interest rate swaps as hedging instruments in fair value hedges to manage its exposure to interest rate movements on its borrowings. Contracts with a nominal value of $500 million have fixed interest receipts of 3.63% until September 2022 and have floating interest payments averaging LIBOR plus 1.52%. Contracts with a nominal value of $812 million have fixed interest receipts of 4.75% until November 2021 and have floating rate payments averaging LIBOR plus 2.34%.

The fair value of interest rate swaps entered into at 31 December 2018 is estimated to be a net liability of £14.2 million (2017: £1.2 million). These amounts are based on market values of equivalent instruments at the balance sheet date, comprising £nil (2017: £2.1 million) assets included in trade and other receivables and £14.2 million (2017: £3.3 million) liabilities included in trade and other payables.

Changes in the fair value relating to the ineffective portion of interest rate swaps amounted to a gain of £0.9 million (2017: £2.8 million) which is included in the revaluation of financial instruments for the year. This gain resulted from a £9.9 million loss on hedging instruments and a £10.8 million gain on hedged items.

24. Financial instruments (continued)

An analysis of the Group’s financial assets and liabilities by accounting classification is set out below:

Classification under IFRS 9	Derivatives in designated hedge relationships		Held at fair value through profit or loss			Held at fair  value through other comprehensive income		Amortised cost			Carrying value
	£m		£m			£m		£m			£m
2018
Other investments		–		319.6			347.1		–			666.7
Cash and short-term deposits		–		–			–		2,643.2			2,643.2
Bank overdrafts, bonds and bank loans		–		–			–		(1,025.1	)		(1,025.1	)
Bonds and bank loans		–		–			–		(5,634.8	)		(5,634.8	)
Trade and other receivables: amounts falling due within one year		–		–			–		8,545.6			8,545.6
Trade and other receivables: amounts falling due after more than one year		–		–			–		68.3			68.3
Trade and other payables: amounts falling due within one year		–		–			–		(10,637.3	)		(10,637.3	)
Trade and other payables: amounts falling due after more than one year		–		–			–		(8.4	)		(8.4	)
Derivative assets		8.4		1.3			–		–			9.7
Derivative liabilities		(14.2)		(2.6	)		–		–			(16.8	)
Payments due to vendors (earnout agreements) (note 18)		–		(414.7	)		–		–			(414.7	)
Liabilities in respect of put options		–		(242.0	)		–		–			(242.0	)
		(5.8)		(338.4	)		347.1		(6,048.5	)		(6,045.6	)

F-35

Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued)

24. Financial instruments (continued)

Classification under IAS 39	Derivatives in designated hedge relationships			Held for trading			Loans and receivables		Available for sale		Amortised cost			Carrying value
	£m			£m			£m		£m		£m			£m
2017
Other investments		–			–			–		1,153.5		–			1,153.5
Cash and short-term deposits		–			–			2,391.4		–		–			2,391.4
Bank overdrafts, bonds and bank loans		–			–			–		–		(624.1	)		(624.1	)
Bonds and bank loans		–			–			–		–		(6,250.4	)		(6,250.4	)
Trade and other receivables: amounts falling due within one year		–			–			8,328.4		–		–			8,328.4
Trade and other receivables: amounts falling due after more than one year		–			–			61.7		–		–			61.7
Trade and other payables: amounts falling due within one year		–			–			–		–		(9,970.5	)		(9,970.5	)
Trade and other payables: amounts falling due after more than one year		–			–			–		–		(8.5	)		(8.5	)
Derivative assets		2.1			1.0			–		–		–			3.1
Derivative liabilities		(3.3	)		(3.5	)		–		–		–			(6.8	)
Payments due to vendors (earnout agreements) (note 18)		–			(630.7	)		–		–		–			(630.7	)
Liabilities in respect of put options		–			(258.1	)		–		–		–			(258.1	)
		(1.2	)		(891.3	)		10,781.5		1,153.5		(16,853.5	)		(5,811.0	)

The Group adopted IFRS 9 on 1 January 2018 resulting in cash and short-term deposits and trade and other receivables being reclassified from loans and receivables to amortised cost. Other investments of £1,153.5 million classified as available for sale at 31 December 2017 were reclassified as held at fair value through other comprehensive income (£835.1 million) and fair value through profit or loss (£318.4 million). There have been no material changes in the carrying amounts of financial assets and financial liabilities arising from the adoption of IFRS 9.

The following table provides an analysis of financial instruments that are measured subsequent to initial recognition at fair value, grouped into levels 1 to 3 based on the degree to which the fair value is observable:

Level 1 fair value measurements are those derived from quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities;

Level 2 fair value measurements are those derived from inputs other than quoted prices included within level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly (ie as prices) or indirectly (ie derived from prices);

Level 3 fair value measurements are those derived from valuation techniques that include inputs for the asset or liability that are not based on observable market data (unobservable inputs).

	Level 1 £m		Level 2 £m			Level 3 £m
2018
Derivatives in designated hedge relationships
Derivative assets		–		8.4			–
Derivative liabilities		–		(14.2	)		–
Held at fair value through profit or loss
Other investments		0.4		–			319.2
Derivative assets		–		1.3			–
Derivative liabilities		–		(2.6	)		–
Payments due to vendors (earnout agreements) (note 18)		–		–			(414.7	)
Liabilities in respect of put options		–		–			(242.0	)
Held at fair value through other comprehensive income
Other investments		128.1		–			219.0

24. Financial instruments (continued)

	Level 1 £m		Level 2 £m			Level 3 £m
2017
Derivatives in designated hedge relationships
Derivative assets		–		2.1			–
Derivative liabilities		–		(3.3	)		–
Held for trading
Derivative assets		–		1.0			–
Derivative liabilities		–		(3.5	)		–
Payments due to vendors (earnout agreements) (note 18)		–		–			(630.7	)
Liabilities in respect of put options		–		–			(258.1	)
Available for sale
Other investments		333.2		–			820.3

There have been no transfers between these levels in the periods presented.

Reconciliation of level 3 fair value measurements¹:

	Liabilities in respect of put options £m			Other investments £m
1 January 2017		(297.0	)		881.0
Gains/(losses) recognised in the income statement		52.5			(13.8	)
Gains recognised in other comprehensive income		–			15.1
Exchange adjustments		7.5			(70.9	)
Additions		(40.5	)		67.7
Disposals		–			(1.7	)
Cancellations		2.9			–
Reclassifications from other investments to interests in associates		–			(57.1	)
Settlements		16.5			–
31 December 2017		(258.1	)		820.3
Gains recognised in the income statement		34.5			61.1
Losses recognised in other comprehensive income		–			(140.6	)
Exchange adjustments		1.1			–
Additions		(43.5	)		35.0
Disposals		–			(237.3	)
Cancellations		2.2			–
Reclassifications from other investments to interests in associates		–			(0.3	)
Settlements		21.8			–
31 December 2018		(242.0	)		538.2

Note

¹  The reconciliation of payments due to vendors (earnout agreements) is presented in note 18.

The fair values of financial assets and liabilities are based on quoted market prices where available. Where the market value is not available, the Group has estimated relevant fair values on the basis of publicly available information from outside sources. There have been no movements between level 3 and other levels.

Payments due to vendors and liabilities in respect of put options

Future anticipated payments due to vendors in respect of contingent consideration (earnout agreements) are recorded at fair value, which is the present value of the expected cash outflows of the obligations. Liabilities in respect of put option agreements are initially recorded at the present value of the redemption amount in accordance with IAS 32 and subsequently measured at fair value in accordance with IFRS 9. Both types of obligations are dependent on the future financial performance of the entity and it is assumed that future profits are in line with Directors’ estimates. The Directors derive their estimates from internal business plans together with financial due diligence performed in connection with the acquisition. At 31 December 2018, the weighted average growth rate in estimating future financial performance was 22.7% (2017: 25.0%), which reflects the prevalence of recent acquisitions in the faster-growing markets and new media sectors. The risk adjusted discount rate applied to these obligations at 31 December 2018 was 2.9% (2017: 1.8%).

A one percentage point increase or decrease in the growth rate in estimated future financial performance would increase or decrease the combined liabilities due to earnout agreements and put options by approximately £6.8 million (2017: £8.9

F-36

Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued)

24. Financial instruments (continued)

million) and £10.4 million (2017: £9.3 million), respectively. A 0.5 percentage point increase or decrease in the risk adjusted discount rate would decrease or increase the combined liabilities by approximately £7.1 million (2017: £11.2 million) and £7.2 million (2017: £11.4 million), respectively. An increase in the liability would result in a loss in the revaluation of financial instruments, while a decrease would result in a gain.

Other investments

The fair value of other investments included in level 1 are based on quoted market prices. Other investments included in level 3 are unlisted securities, where market value is not readily available. The Group has estimated relevant fair values on the basis of publicly available information from outside sources. The sensitivity to changes in unobservable inputs is specific to each individual investment.

25. Authorised and issued share capital

	Equity ordinary shares		Nominal value £m
Authorised
At 1 January 2016		1,750,000,000		175.0
At 31 December 2016		1,750,000,000		175.0
At 31 December 2017		1,750,000,000		175.0
At 31 December 2018		1,750,000,000		175.0
Issued and fully paid
At 1 January 2016		1,329,366,024		132.9
Exercise of share options		2,514,706		0.3
At 31 December 2016		1,331,880,730		133.2
Exercise of share options		630,822		0.1
At 31 December 2017		1,332,511,552		133.3
Exercise of share options		166,675		–
At 31 December 2018		1,332,678,227		133.3

Company’s own shares

The Company’s holdings of own shares are stated at cost and represent shares held in treasury and purchases by the Employee Share Ownership Plan (‘ESOP’) trusts of shares in WPP plc for the purpose of funding certain of the Group’s share-based incentive plans.

The trustees of the ESOP purchase the Company’s ordinary shares in the open market using funds provided by the Company. The Company also has an obligation to make regular contributions to the ESOP to enable it to meet its administrative costs. The number and market value of the ordinary shares of the Company held by the ESOP at 31 December 2018 was 14,820,994 (2017: 14,232,910), and £125.5 million (2017: £190.9 million) respectively. The number and market value of ordinary shares held in treasury at 31 December 2018 was 70,854,553 (2017: 62,578,938) and £599.9 million (2017: £839.2 million) respectively.

Share options

WPP Executive Share Option Scheme

As at 31 December 2018, unexercised options over ordinary shares of 6,741 have been granted under the WPP Executive Share Option Scheme as follows:

Number of ordinary shares under option	Exercise price per share (£)		Exercise dates
3,696		8.333		2015 -  2022
3,045		10.595		2016 -  2023

25. Authorised and issued share capital (continued)

WPP Worldwide Share Ownership Programme

As at 31 December 2018, unexercised options over ordinary shares of 3,187,979 and unexercised options over ADRs of 466,559 have been granted under the WPP Worldwide Share Ownership Programme as follows:

Number of ordinary shares under option	Exercise price per share (£)		Exercise dates
28,275		5.483		2012 - 2019
18,000		5.483		2013 - 2019
750		5.608		2012 - 2019
95,000		6.268		2014 - 2021
44,125		6.268		2015 - 2021
61,625		7.113		2013 - 2020
30,250		7.113		2014 - 2020
233,129		8.458		2015 - 2022
52,000		13.145		2017 - 2021
1,959,975		13.145		2017 - 2024
4,750		13.145		2018 - 2024
642,975		13.505		2016 - 2023
17,125		13.505		2017 - 2023

Number of ADRs under option	Exercise price per ADR ($)		Exercise dates
11,855		44.560		2012 - 2019
29,025		49.230		2014 - 2021
19,200		56.560		2013 - 2020
44,964		67.490		2015 - 2022
195,890		102.670		2017 - 2024
165,625		110.760		2016 - 2023

WPP Share Option Plan 2015

As at 31 December 2018, unexercised options over ordinary shares of 12,257,750 and unexercised options over ADRs of 1,286,670 have been granted under the WPP Share Option Plan 2015 as follows:

Number of ordinary shares under option	Exercise price per share (£)		Exercise dates
23,750		8.372		2021 - 2025
4,053,925		8.372		2021 - 2028
23,875		13.085		2020 - 2024
3,245,325		13.085		2020 - 2027
66,125		15.150		2018 - 2022
2,211,900		15.150		2018 - 2025
5,750		15.150		2019 - 2025
15,875		17.055		2019 - 2023
2,611,225		17.055		2019 - 2026

Number of ADRs under option	Exercise price per ADR ($)		Exercise dates
439,205		53.140		2021 - 2028
340,225		88.260		2020 - 2027
282,115		105.490		2020 - 2026
225,125		115.940		2018 - 2025

The aggregate status of the WPP Share Option Plans during 2018 was as follows:

Movements on options granted (represented in ordinary shares)

	1 January 2018		Granted		Exercised			Lapsed			Outstanding 31 December 2018		Exercisable 31 December 2018
WPP		6,741		–		–			–			6,741		6,741
WWOP		6,375,750		–		(166,675	)		(688,301	)		5,520,774		5,520,774
WSOP		14,602,950		6,301,400		–			(2,213,250	)		18,691,100		3,403,650
		20,985,441		6,301,400		(166,675	)		(2,901,551	)		24,218,615		8,931,165

F-37

Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued)

25. Authorised and issued share capital (continued)

Weighted-average exercise price for options over

	1 January 2018		Granted		Exercised		Lapsed		Outstanding 31 December 2018		Exercisable 31 December 2018
Ordinary shares (£)
WPP		9.355		–		–		–		9.355		9.355
WWOP		12.195		–		7.064		12.473		12.290		12.290
WSOP		14.929		8.372		–		14.818		12.753		15.150
ADRs ($)
WWOP		94.752		–		57.031		99.731		95.453		95.453
WSOP		101.047		53.140		–		98.978		84.893		115.940

Options over ordinary shares

Outstanding

Range of exercise prices £	Weighted average exercise price £	Weighted average contractual life Months
5.483 – 17.055	12.656	96

Options over ADRs

Outstanding

Range of exercise prices $	Weighted average exercise price $	Weighted average contractual life Months
44.560 – 115.940	87.703	93

As at 31 December 2018 there was £8.5 million (2017: £9.0 million) of total unrecognised compensation costs related to share options. That cost is expected to be recognised over a weighted average period of 20 months (2017: 20 months).

Share options are satisfied out of newly issued shares.

The weighted average fair value of options granted in the year calculated using the Black-Scholes model was as follows:

	2018		2017		2016
Fair value of UK options (shares)		107.0p		112.0p		135.0p
Fair value of US options (ADRs)		$8.09		$9.40		$9.94
Weighted average assumptions:
UK Risk-free interest rate		0.78%		0.57%		0.44%
US Risk-free interest rate		2.74%		2.05%		1.60%
Expected life (months)		48		48		48
Expected volatility		24%		17%		16%
Dividend yield		3.5%		2.9%		2.8%

Options are issued at an exercise price equal to market value on the date of grant.

The average share price of the Group for the year ended 31 December 2018 was £11.56 (2017: £15.86, 2016: £16.45) and the average ADR price for the same period was $77.31 (2017: $101.86, 2016: $111.20).

Expected volatility is sourced from external market data and represents the historic volatility in the Group’s share price over a period equivalent to the expected option life.

Expected life is based on a review of historic exercise behaviour in the context of the contractual terms of the options, as described in more detail below.

Terms of share option plans

In 2015, the Group introduced the Share Option Plan 2015 to replace both the ‘all-employee’ Worldwide Share Ownership Plan and the discretionary Executive Stock Option Plan. Two kinds of options over ordinary shares can be granted, both with a market value exercise price. Firstly, options can be granted to employees who have worked at a company owned by WPP plc for at least two years which are not subject to performance conditions. Secondly, options may be granted on a discretionary basis subject to the satisfaction of performance conditions.

The Worldwide Share Ownership Programme was open for participation to employees with at least two years’ employment in the Group. It was not available to those participating in other share-based incentive programmes or to Executive Directors. The vesting period for each grant is three years and there are no performance conditions other than continued employment with the Group.

25. Authorised and issued share capital (continued)

The Executive Stock Option Plan has historically been open for participation to WPP Group Leaders, Partners and High Potential Group. It is not currently offered to Parent Company Executive Directors. The vesting period is three years and performance conditions include achievement of various TSR (Total Shareholder Return) and EPS (Earnings Per Share) objectives, as well as continued employment. The terms of these stock options are such that if, after nine years and eight months, the performance conditions have not been met, then the stock option will vest automatically.

The Group grants stock options with a life of 10 years, including the vesting period.

26. Other reserves

Other reserves comprise the following:

	Capital redemption reserve £m		Equity reserve £m			Revaluation reserve £m			Translation reserve £m			Total other reserves £m
1 January 2016		2.7		(225.2	)		364.4			(151.6	)		(9.7	)
Exchange adjustments on foreign currency net investments		–		–			–			1,309.9			1,309.9
Loss on revaluation of available for sale investments		–		–			(93.1	)		–			(93.1	)
Recognition and remeasurement of financial instruments		–		(21.9	)		–			–			(21.9	)
31 December 2016		2.7		(247.1	)		271.3			1,158.3			1,185.2
Exchange adjustments on foreign currency net investments		–		–			–			(445.5	)		(445.5	)
Gain on revaluation of available for sale investments		–		–			32.1			–			32.1
Recognition and remeasurement of financial instruments		–		(10.1	)		–			–			(10.1	)
31 December 2017		2.7		(257.2	)		303.4			712.8			761.7
Exchange adjustments on foreign currency net investments		–		–			–			69.9			69.9
Accounting policy change (IFRS 9)1		–		–			(303.4	)		(104.0	)		(407.4	)
Recognition and remeasurement of financial instruments		–		(30.7	)		–			–			(30.7	)
31 December 2018		2.7		(287.9	)		–			678.7			393.5

Note

¹  Due to the adoption of IFRS 9, cumulative gains and losses on revaluation of available for sale investments have been transferred to retained earnings, as described in the accounting policies.

27. Acquisitions

The Group accounts for acquisitions in accordance with IFRS 3 Business Combinations. IFRS 3 requires the acquiree’s identifiable assets, liabilities and contingent liabilities (other than non-current assets or disposal groups held for sale) to be recognised at fair value at acquisition date. In assessing fair value at acquisition date, management make their best estimate of the likely outcome where the fair value of an asset or liability may be contingent on a future event. In certain instances, the underlying transaction giving rise to an estimate may not be resolved until some years after the acquisition date. IFRS 3 requires the release to profit of any acquisition reserves which subsequently become excess in the same way as any excess costs over those provided at acquisition date are charged to profit. At each period end management assess provisions and other balances established in respect of acquisitions for their continued probability of occurrence and amend the relevant value accordingly through the consolidated income statement or as an adjustment to goodwill as appropriate under IFRS 3.

F-38

Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued)

27. Acquisitions (continued)

Acquisitions in 2018

The Group acquired a number of subsidiaries in the year. The following table sets out the book values of the identifiable assets and liabilities acquired and their fair value to the Group. The fair value adjustments for certain acquisitions have been determined provisionally at the balance sheet date.

	Book value at acquisition £m			Fair value adjustments £m			Fair value to Group £m
Intangible assets		–			40.3			40.3
Property, plant and equipment		3.1			–			3.1
Cash		5.0			–			5.0
Trade receivables due within one year		43.7			–			43.7
Other current assets		20.3			–			20.3
Total assets		72.1			40.3			112.4
Current liabilities		(42.8	)		–			(42.8	)
Trade and other payables due after one year		(2.4	)		(13.5	)		(15.9	)
Deferred tax liabilities		–			(9.9	)		(9.9	)
Provisions		–			(0.4	)		(0.4	)
Total liabilities		(45.2	)		(23.8	)		(69.0	)
Net assets		26.9			16.5			43.4
Non-controlling interests								(6.3	)
Fair value of equity stake in associate undertakings before acquisition of controlling interest								(3.1	)
Goodwill								141.6
Consideration								175.6
Consideration satisfied by:
Cash								127.4
Payments due to vendors								48.2

Goodwill arising from acquisitions represents the value of synergies with our existing portfolio of businesses and skilled staff to deliver services to our clients. Goodwill that is expected to be deductible for tax purposes is £65.3 million.

Non-controlling interests in acquired companies are measured at the non-controlling interests’ proportionate share of the acquiree’s identifiable net assets.

The contribution to revenue and operating profit of acquisitions completed in the year was not material. There were no material acquisitions completed between 31 December 2018 and the date the financial statements have been authorised for issue.

27. Acquisitions (continued)

Acquisitions in 2017

The Group acquired a number of subsidiaries in the year. The following table sets out the book values of the identifiable assets and liabilities acquired and their fair value to the Group. The fair value adjustments for certain acquisitions have been determined provisionally at the balance sheet date.

	Book value at acquisition £m			Fair value adjustments £m			Fair value to Group £m
Intangible assets		0.8			79.0			79.8
Property, plant and equipment		5.5			–			5.5
Cash		28.9			–			28.9
Trade receivables due within one year		74.4			–			74.4
Other current assets		20.1			–			20.1
Total assets		129.7			79.0			208.7
Current liabilities		(76.0	)		–			(76.0	)
Trade and other payables due after one year		(10.2	)		(20.5	)		(30.7	)
Deferred tax liabilities		–			(16.8	)		(16.8	)
Provisions		(0.1	)		(4.8	)		(4.9	)
Total liabilities		(86.3	)		(42.1	)		(128.4	)
Net assets		43.4			36.9			80.3
Non-controlling interests								(13.9	)
Fair value of equity stake in associate undertakings before acquisition of controlling interest								(5.7	)
Goodwill								314.3
Consideration								375.0
Consideration satisfied by:
Cash								213.7
Payments due to vendors								161.3

Goodwill arising from acquisitions represents the value of synergies with our existing portfolio of businesses and skilled staff to deliver services to our clients. Goodwill that is expected to be deductible for tax purposes is £63.9 million.

Non-controlling interests in acquired companies are measured at the non-controlling interests’ proportionate share of the acquiree’s identifiable net assets.

The contribution to revenue and operating profit of acquisitions completed in the year was not material.

F-39

Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued)

27. Acquisitions (continued)

Acquisitions in 2016

The Group acquired a number of subsidiaries in the year. The following table sets out the book values of the identifiable assets and liabilities acquired and their fair value to the Group. The fair value adjustments for certain acquisitions have been determined provisionally at the balance sheet date.

	Book value at acquisition £m			Fair value adjustments £m			Fair value to Group £m
Intangible assets		10.5			319.1			329.6
Property, plant and equipment		20.6			–			20.6
Cash		57.1			–			57.1
Trade receivables due within one year		249.5			–			249.5
Other current assets		78.0			–			78.0
Total assets		415.7			319.1			734.8
Current liabilities		(299.4	)		(2.8	)		(302.2	)
Trade and other payables due after one year		(40.4	)		(59.5	)		(99.9	)
Deferred tax liabilities		–			(96.1	)		(96.1	)
Provisions		(0.1	)		(11.5	)		(11.6	)
Bank loans		(144.4	)		–			(144.4	)
Total liabilities		(484.3	)		(169.9	)		(654.2	)
Net assets		(68.6	)		149.2			80.6
Non-controlling interests								(15.0	)
Fair value of equity stake in associate undertakings before acquisition of controlling interest								(98.5	)
Goodwill								799.3
Consideration								766.4
Consideration satisfied by:
Cash								423.3
Payments due to vendors								343.1

Goodwill arising from acquisitions represents the value of synergies with our existing portfolio of businesses and skilled staff to deliver services to our clients. Goodwill that is expected to be deductible for tax purposes is £54.8 million.

Non-controlling interests in acquired companies are measured at the non-controlling interests’ proportionate share of the acquiree’s identifiable net assets.

The contribution to revenue and operating profit of acquisitions completed in the year was not material.

28. Related party transactions

From time to time the Group enters into transactions with its associate undertakings. These transactions were not material for any of the years presented.

29. Reconciliation of profit before interest and taxation to headline PBIT

Reconciliation of profit before interest and taxation to headline PBIT:

	2018 £m			2017 £m			2016 £m
Profit before interest and taxation		1,474.9			2,021.7			2,112.9
Amortisation and impairment of acquired intangible assets		280.0			195.1			168.4
Goodwill impairment		183.9			27.1			27.0
Gains on disposal of investments and subsidiaries	(235.5)			(129.0)			(44.3)
(Gains)/losses on remeasurement of equity interests arising from a change in scope of ownership		(2.0	)		0.3			(232.4	)
Investment write-downs		2.0			95.9			86.1
Restructuring and transformation costs		302.3			56.8			27.4
Share of exceptional losses/(gains) of associates		41.7			(0.8	)		15.2
Headline PBIT		2,047.3			2,267.1			2,160.3

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

30. Condensed consolidating financial information for bonds issued by WPP Finance 2010 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 has in issue $500 million of 3.625% bonds due September 2022, $272 million ($28 million was repaid in 2018 from the $300 million initially issued) of 5.125% bonds due September 2042 and $812 million of 4.75% bonds due November 2021 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.

The issuer and guarantors of the bonds (issuer and subsidiary guarantors are 100% owned by WPP plc) are each subject to the reporting requirements under section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. In accordance with SEC Regulation S-X Rule 3-10, condensed consolidating financial information containing financial information for WPP Finance 2010 and the guarantors is presented. Condensed consolidating financial information is prepared in accordance with IFRS as issued by the IASB. In the parent company, subsidiary issuer and subsidiary guarantors columns investments in subsidiaries are accounted for under the equity method of accounting. Under the equity method, earnings of subsidiaries are reflected as “share of results of subsidiaries” in the income statement and as “investment in subsidiaries” in the balance sheet, as required by the SEC.

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.

F-40

Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued)

30.    Condensed consolidating financial information for bonds issued by WPP Finance 2010 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 (continued)

Condensed consolidating income statement information

For the year ended 31 December 2018, £m

	WPP plc			Subsidiary Guarantors			WPP Finance 2010			Other Subsidiaries			Reclassifications / Eliminations			Consolidated WPP plc
Revenue		—			—			—			15,602.4			—			15,602.4
Costs of services		—			—			—			(12,663.5	)		—			(12,663.5	)
Gross profit		—			—			—			2,938.9			—			2,938.9
General and administrative costs		10.8			(305.8	)		—			(1,212.5	)		—			(1,507.5	)
Operating profit/(loss)		10.8			(305.8	)		—			1,726.4			—			1,431.4
Share of results of subsidiaries		1,179.2			1,710.2			—			—			(2,889.4	)		—
Share of results of associates		—			—			—			43.5			—			43.5
Profit before interest and taxation		1,190.0			1,404.4			—			1,769.9			(2,889.4	)		1,474.9
Finance income		—			27.8			102.3			300.6			(325.9	)		104.8
Finance costs		(127.1	)		(248.9	)		(103.1	)		(136.1	)		325.9			(289.3	)
Revaluation of financial instruments		—			—			(1.1	)		174.0			—			172.9
Profit/(loss) before taxation		1,062.9			1,183.3			(1.9	)		2,108.4			(2,889.4	)		1,463.3
Taxation		—			(4.1	)		—			(319.8	)		—			(323.9	)
Profit/(loss) for the year		1,062.9			1,179.2			(1.9	)		1,788.6			(2,889.4	)		1,139.4
Attributable to:
Equity holders of the parent		1,062.9			1,179.2			(1.9	)		1,712.1			(2,889.4	)		1,062.9
Non-controlling interests		—			—			—			76.5			—			76.5
		1,062.9			1,179.2			(1.9	)		1,788.6			(2,889.4	)		1,139.4

For the year ended 31 December 2017, £m¹

	WPP plc			Subsidiary Guarantors			WPP Finance 2010			Other Subsidiaries			Reclassifications / Eliminations			Consolidated WPP plc
Revenue		—			—			—			15,804.2			—			15,804.2
Costs of services		—			—			—			(12,629.0	)		—			(12,629.0	)
Gross profit		—			—			—			3,175.2			—			3,175.2
General and administrative costs		14.1			74.7			—			(1,355.8	)		—			(1,267.0	)
Operating profit		14.1			74.7			—			1,819.4			—			1,908.2
Share of results of subsidiaries		1,901.2			2,016.5			—			—			(3,917.7	)		—
Share of results of associates		—			—			—			113.5			—			113.5
Profit before interest and taxation		1,915.3			2,091.2			—			1,932.9			(3,917.7	)		2,021.7
Finance income		—			24.5			110.6			262.8			(302.7	)		95.2
Finance costs		(99.3	)		(221.5	)		(103.4	)		(148.3	)		302.7			(269.8	)
Revaluation of financial instruments		0.6			—			(5.4	)		267.0			—			262.2
Profit before taxation		1,816.6			1,894.2			1.8			2,314.4			(3,917.7	)		2,109.3
Taxation		—			7.0			—			(204.0	)		—			(197.0	)
Profit for the year		1,816.6			1,901.2			1.8			2,110.4			(3,917.7	)		1,912.3
Attributable to:
Equity holders of the parent		1,816.6			1,901.2			1.8			2,014.7			(3,917.7	)		1,816.6
Non-controlling interests		—			—			—			95.7			—			95.7
		1,816.6			1,901.2			1.8			2,110.4			(3,917.7	)		1,912.3

Note

¹  Prior year figures have been restated for the impact of the adoption of IFRS 15 Revenue from Contracts with Customers, as described in the accounting policies.

F-41

Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued)

30.    Condensed consolidating financial information for bonds issued by WPP Finance 2010 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 (continued)

Condensed consolidating income statement information (continued)

For the year ended 31 December 2016, £m¹

	WPP plc			Subsidiary Guarantors			WPP Finance 2010			Other Subsidiaries			Reclassifications / Eliminations			Consolidated WPP plc
Revenue		—			—			—			14,887.3			—			14,887.3
Costs of services		—			—			—			(11,846.5	)		—			(11,846.5	)
Gross profit		—			—			—			3,040.8			—			3,040.8
General and administrative costs		13.8			(828.2	)		(0.1	)		(163.2	)		—			(977.7	)
Operating profit/(loss)		13.8			(828.2	)		(0.1	)		2,877.6			—			2,063.1
Share of results of subsidiaries		1,497.4			2,518.2			—			—			(4,015.6	)		—
Share of results of associates		—			—			—			49.8			—			49.8
Profit/(loss) before interest and taxation		1,511.2			1,690.0			(0.1	)		2,927.4			(4,015.6	)		2,112.9
Finance income		—			28.8			121.1			231.9			(301.4	)		80.4
Finance costs		(102.5	)		(222.1	)		(98.8	)		(132.5	)		301.4			(254.5	)
Revaluation of financial instruments		(8.6	)		—			7.0			(46.7	)		—			(48.3	)
Profit before taxation		1,400.1			1,496.7			29.2			2,980.1			(4,015.6	)		1,890.5
Taxation		—			0.7			—			(389.6	)		—			(388.9	)
Profit for the year		1,400.1			1,497.4			29.2			2,590.5			(4,015.6	)		1,501.6
Attributable to:
Equity holders of the parent		1,400.1			1,497.4			29.2			2,489.0			(4,015.6	)		1,400.1
Non-controlling interests		—			—			—			101.5			—			101.5
		1,400.1			1,497.4			29.2			2,590.5			(4,015.6	)		1,501.6

Note

¹  Prior year figures have been restated for the impact of the adoption of IFRS 15 Revenue from Contracts with Customers, as described in the accounting policies.

F-42

Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued)

30.    Condensed consolidating financial information for bonds issued by WPP Finance 2010 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 (continued)

Condensed consolidating statement of comprehensive income

For the year ended 31 December 2018, £m

	WPP plc			Subsidiary Guarantors			WPP Finance 2010			Other Subsidiaries			Reclassifications / Eliminations			Consolidated WPP plc
Profit/(loss) for the year		1,062.9			1,179.2			(1.9	)		1,788.6			(2,889.4	)		1,139.4
Items that may be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss:
Exchange adjustments on foreign currency net investments		69.9			69.9			0.6			78.3			(139.8	)		78.9
		69.9			69.9			0.6			78.3			(139.8	)		78.9
Items that will not be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss:
Actuarial gain on defined benefit pension plans		8.9			8.9			—			8.9			(17.8	)		8.9
Deferred tax on defined benefit pension plans		(0.7	)		(0.7	)		—			(0.7	)		1.4			(0.7	)
Movements on equity investments held at fair value through other comprehensive income		(247.9	)		(247.9	)		—			(247.9	)		495.8			(247.9	)
		(239.7	)		(239.7	)		—			(239.7	)		479.4			(239.7	)
Other comprehensive (loss)/income for the year		(169.8	)		(169.8	)		0.6			(161.4	)		339.6			(160.8	)
Total comprehensive income/(loss) for the year		893.1			1,009.4			(1.3	)		1,627.2			(2,549.8	)		978.6
Attributable to:
Equity holders of the parent		893.1			1,009.4			(1.3	)		1,541.7			(2,549.8	)		893.1
Non-controlling interests		—			—			—			85.5			—			85.5
		893.1			1,009.4			(1.3	)		1,627.2			(2,549.8	)		978.6

For the year ended 31 December 2017, £m

	WPP plc			Subsidiary Guarantors			WPP Finance 2010			Other Subsidiaries			Reclassifications / Eliminations			Consolidated WPP plc
Profit for the year		1,816.6			1,901.2			1.8			2,110.4			(3,917.7	)		1,912.3
Items that may be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss:
Exchange adjustments on foreign currency net investments		(445.5	)		(445.5	)		(0.6	)		(464.6	)		891.0			(465.2	)
Gain on revaluation of available for sale investments		32.1			32.1			—			32.1			(64.2	)		32.1
		(413.4	)		(413.4	)		(0.6	)		(432.5	)		826.8			(433.1	)
Items that will not be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss:
Actuarial gain on defined benefit pension plans		17.0			17.0			—			17.0			(34.0	)		17.0
Deferred tax on defined benefit pension plans		(24.6	)		(24.6	)		—			(24.6	)		49.2			(24.6	)
		(7.6	)		(7.6	)		—			(7.6	)		15.2			(7.6	)
Other comprehensive loss for the year		(421.0	)		(421.0	)		(0.6	)		(440.1	)		842.0			(440.7	)
Total comprehensive income for the year		1,395.6			1,480.2			1.2			1,670.3			(3,075.7	)		1,471.6
Attributable to:
Equity holders of the parent		1,395.6			1,480.2			1.2			1,594.3			(3,075.7	)		1,395.6
Non-controlling interests		—			—			—			76.0			—			76.0
		1,395.6			1,480.2			1.2			1,670.3			(3,075.7	)		1,471.6

F-43

Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued)

30.    Condensed consolidating financial information for bonds issued by WPP Finance 2010 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 (continued)

Condensed consolidating statement of comprehensive income (continued)

For the year ended 31 December 2016, £m

	WPP plc			Subsidiary Guarantors			WPP Finance 2010			Other Subsidiaries			Reclassifications / Eliminations			Consolidated WPP plc
Profit for the year		1,400.1			1,497.4			29.2			2,590.5			(4,015.6	)		1,501.6
Items that may be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss:
Exchange adjustments on foreign currency net investments		1,309.9			1,309.9			(1.2	)		1,379.2			(2,619.8	)		1,378.0
Loss on revaluation of available for sale investments		(93.1	)		(93.1	)		—			(93.1	)		186.2			(93.1	)
		1,216.8			1,216.8			(1.2	)		1,286.1			(2,433.6	)		1,284.9
Items that will not be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss:
Actuarial loss on defined benefit pension plans		(15.9	)		(15.9	)		—			(15.9	)		31.8			(15.9	)
Deferred tax on defined benefit pension plans		(0.4	)		(0.4	)		—			(0.4	)		0.8			(0.4	)
		(16.3	)		(16.3	)		—			(16.3	)		32.6			(16.3	)
Other comprehensive income/(loss) for the year		1,200.5			1,200.5			(1.2	)		1,269.8			(2,401.0	)		1,268.6
Total comprehensive income for the year		2,600.6			2,697.9			28.0			3,860.3			(6,416.6	)		2,770.2
Attributable to:
Equity holders of the parent		2,600.6			2,697.9			28.0			3,690.7			(6,416.6	)		2,600.6
Non-controlling interests		—			—			—			169.6			—			169.6
		2,600.6			2,697.9			28.0			3,860.3			(6,416.6	)		2,770.2

F-44

Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued)

30.    Condensed consolidating financial information for bonds issued by WPP Finance 2010 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 (continued)

Condensed consolidating cash flow statement information

For the year ended 31 December 2018, £m

	WPP plc			Subsidiary Guarantors			WPP Finance 2010			Other Subsidiaries			Reclassifications/ Eliminations		Consolidated WPP plc
Net cash inflow/(outflow) from operating activities		2,308.8			(271.1	)		42.9			(386.8	)		—		1,693.8
Investing activities
Acquisitions		—			—			—			(298.8	)		—		(298.8	)
Proceeds on disposal of investments and subsidiaries		—			—			—			849.0			—		849.0
Purchases of property, plant and equipment		—			(10.4	)		—			(304.4	)		—		(314.8	)
Purchases of other intangible assets (including capitalised computer software)		—			—			—			(60.4	)		—		(60.4	)
Proceeds on disposal of property, plant and equipment		—			—			—			9.5			—		9.5
Net cash inflow/(outflow) from investing activities		—			(10.4	)		—			194.9			—		184.5
Financing activities
Share option proceeds		1.2			—			—			—			—		1.2
Cash consideration for non-controlling interests		—			(0.3	)		—			(109.6	)		—		(109.9	)
Share repurchases and buy-backs		(104.3	)		—			—			(102.8	)		—		(207.1	)
Net decrease in borrowings		—			—			(58.1	)		(382.5	)		—		(440.6	)
Financing and share issue costs		—			—			—			(3.8	)		—		(3.8	)
Equity dividends paid		(747.4	)		—			—			—			—		(747.4	)
Dividends paid to non-controlling interests in subsidiary undertakings		—			—			—			(106.2	)		—		(106.2	)
Net cash outflow from financing activities		(850.5	)		(0.3	)		(58.1	)		(704.9	)		—		(1,613.8	)
Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents		1,458.3			(281.8	)		(15.2	)		(896.8	)		—		264.5
Translation of cash and cash equivalents		(4.7	)		(51.5	)		(5.4	)		0.1			—		(61.5	)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year		(2,627.7	)		(1,636.8	)		(27.4	)		6,290.1			—		1,998.2
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year		(1,174.1	)		(1,970.1	)		(48.0	)		5,393.4			—		2,201.2

For the year ended 31 December 2017, £m

	WPP plc			Subsidiary Guarantors			WPP Finance 2010			Other Subsidiaries			Reclassifications/ Eliminations		Consolidated WPP plc
Net cash inflow/(outflow) from operating activities		32.9			(49.7	)		(13.6	)		1,438.5			—		1,408.1
Investing activities
Acquisitions		—			—			—			(477.5	)		—		(477.5	)
Proceeds on disposal of investments and subsidiaries		—			—			—			296.0			—		296.0
Purchases of property, plant and equipment		—			(10.4	)		—			(278.5	)		—		(288.9	)
Purchases of other intangible assets (including capitalised computer software)		—			—			—			(37.3	)		—		(37.3	)
Proceeds on disposal of property, plant and equipment		—			—			—			8.0			—		8.0
Net cash outflow from investing activities		—			(10.4	)		—			(489.3	)		—		(499.7	)
Financing activities
Share option proceeds		6.4			—			—			—			—		6.4
Cash consideration for non-controlling interests		—			(1.4	)		—			(45.9	)		—		(47.3	)
Share repurchases and buy-backs		(289.6	)		—			—			(214.6	)		—		(504.2	)
Net increase/(decrease) in borrowings		(400.0	)		—			—			999.6			—		599.6
Financing and share issue costs		—			—			—			(0.8	)		—		(0.8	)
Equity dividends paid		(751.5	)		—			—			—			—		(751.5	)
Dividends paid to non-controlling interests in subsidiary undertakings		—			—			—			(87.8	)		—		(87.8	)
Net cash (outflow)/inflow from financing activities		(1,434.7	)		(1.4	)		—			650.5			—		(785.6	)
Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents		(1,401.8	)		(61.5	)		(13.6	)		1,599.7			—		122.8
Translation of cash and cash equivalents		(0.9	)		48.4			1.3			(76.0	)		—		(27.2	)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year		(1,225.0	)		(1,623.7	)		(15.1	)		4,766.4			—		1,902.6
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year		(2,627.7	)		(1,636.8	)		(27.4	)		6,290.1			—		1,998.2

F-45

Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued)

30.    Condensed consolidating financial information for bonds issued by WPP Finance 2010 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 (continued)

Condensed consolidating cash flow statement information (continued)

For the year ended 31 December 2016, £m

	WPP plc			Subsidiary Guarantors			WPP Finance 2010			Other Subsidiaries			Reclassifications/ Eliminations		Consolidated WPP plc
Net cash inflow/(outflow) from operating activities		963.1			1,002.2			65.5			(257.0	)		—		1,773.8
Investing activities
Acquisitions		—			—			—			(719.3	)		—		(719.3	)
Proceeds on disposal of investments and subsidiaries		—			—			—			80.5			—		80.5
Purchases of property, plant and equipment		—			(1.1	)		—			(251.0	)		—		(252.1	)
Purchases of other intangible assets (including capitalised computer software)		—			—			—			(33.0	)		—		(33.0	)
Proceeds on disposal of property, plant and equipment		—			—			—			7.7			—		7.7
Net cash outflow from investing activities		—			(1.1	)		—			(915.1	)		—		(916.2	)
Financing activities
Share option proceeds		27.2			—			—			—			—		27.2
Cash consideration for non-controlling interests		—			(1.3	)		—			(57.0	)		—		(58.3	)
Share repurchases and buy-backs		(274.5	)		—			—			(152.9	)		—		(427.4	)
Net (decrease)/increase in borrowings		(392.1	)		—			—			369.6			—		(22.5	)
Financing and share issue costs		—			—			—			(6.4	)		—		(6.4	)
Equity dividends paid		(616.5	)		—			—			—			—		(616.5	)
Dividends paid to non-controlling interests in subsidiary undertakings		—			—			—			(89.6	)		—		(89.6	)
Net cash (outflow)/inflow from financing activities		(1,255.9	)		(1.3	)		—			63.7			—		(1,193.5	)
Net (decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents		(292.8	)		999.8			65.5			(1,108.4	)		—		(335.9	)
Translation of cash and cash equivalents		(5.7	)		(154.6	)		(13.1	)		465.3			—		291.9
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year		(926.5	)		(2,468.9	)		(67.5	)		5,409.5			—		1,946.6
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year		(1,225.0	)		(1,623.7	)		(15.1	)		4,766.4			—		1,902.6

F-46

Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued)

30.    Condensed consolidating financial information for bonds issued by WPP Finance 2010 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 (continued)

Condensed consolidating balance sheet information

For the year ended 31 December 2018, £m

	WPP plc			Subsidiary Guarantors			WPP Finance 2010			Other Subsidiaries			Reclassifications/ Eliminations			Consolidated WPP plc
Non-current assets
Intangible assets:
Goodwill		—			—			—			13,202.8			—			13,202.8
Other		—			—			—			1,842.0			—			1,842.0
Property, plant and equipment		—			26.1			—			1,056.9			—			1,083.0
Investment in subsidiaries		15,463.9			29,497.8			—			—			(44,961.7	)		—
Interests in associates and joint ventures		—			—			—			796.8			—			796.8
Other investments		—			—			—			666.7			—			666.7
Deferred tax assets		—			—			—			153.0			—			153.0
Trade and other receivables		—			—			—			180.0			—			180.0
Intercompany receivables		—			205.4			2,182.9			7,657.7			(10,046.0	)		—
		15,463.9			29,729.3			2,182.9			25,555.9			(55,007.7	)		17,924.3
Current assets
Corporate income tax recoverable		—			—			—			198.7			—			198.7
Trade and other receivables		0.6			497.9			0.1			12,602.9			—			13,101.5
Intercompany receivables		1,675.6			1,720.6			55.2			8,129.9			(11,581.3	)		—
Cash and short-term deposits		—			21.1			41.4			5,835.4			(3,254.7	)		2,643.2
		1,676.2			2,239.6			96.7			26,766.9			(14,836.0	)		15,943.4
Current liabilities
Trade and other payables		(3.7	)		(57.5	)		(21.6	)		(14,955.6	)		—			(15,038.4	)
Intercompany payables		(5,190.3	)		(6,250.5	)		(0.9	)		(139.6	)		11,581.3			—
Corporate income tax payable		—			—			—			(545.9	)		—			(545.9	)
Bank overdrafts, bonds and bank loans		(1,174.1	)		(1,991.2	)		(89.4	)		(1,025.1	)		3,254.7			(1,025.1	)
		(6,368.1	)		(8,299.2	)		(111.9	)		(16,666.2	)		14,836.0			(16,609.4	)
Net current (liabilities)/assets		(4,691.9	)		(6,059.6	)		(15.2	)		10,100.7			—			(666.0	)
Total assets less current liabilities		10,772.0			23,669.7			2,167.7			35,656.6			(55,007.7	)		17,258.3
Non-current liabilities
Bonds and bank loans		—			—			(2,151.8	)		(3,483.0	)		—			(5,634.8	)
Trade and other payables		—			—			(5.5	)		(835.9	)		—			(841.4	)
Intercompany payables		(1,389.8	)		(8,205.8	)		—			(450.4	)		10,046.0			—
Deferred tax liabilities		—			—			—			(479.5	)		—			(479.5	)
Provision for post-employment benefits		—			—			—			(184.3	)		—			(184.3	)
Provisions for liabilities and charges		—			—			—			(311.7	)		—			(311.7	)
		(1,389.8	)		(8,205.8	)		(2,157.3	)		(5,744.8	)		10,046.0			(7,451.7	)
Net assets		9,382.2			15,463.9			10.4			29,911.8			(44,961.7	)		9,806.6
Attributable to:
Equity shareholders’ funds		9,382.2			15,463.9			10.4			29,487.4			(44,961.7	)		9,382.2
Non-controlling interests		—			—			—			424.4			—			424.4
Total equity		9,382.2			15,463.9			10.4			29,911.8			(44,961.7	)		9,806.6

F-47

Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued)

30.    Condensed consolidating financial information for bonds issued by WPP Finance 2010 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 (continued)

Condensed consolidating balance sheet information (continued)

At 31 December 2017, £m¹

	WPP plc			Subsidiary Guarantors			WPP Finance 2010			Other Subsidiaries			Reclassifications/ Eliminations			Consolidated WPP plc
Non-current assets
Intangible assets:
Goodwill		—			—			—			12,952.9			—			12,952.9
Other		—			—			—			2,018.4			—			2,018.4
Property, plant and equipment		—			16.5			—			963.0			—			979.5
Investment in subsidiaries		14,638.1			27,915.3			—			—			(42,553.4	)		—
Interests in associates and joint ventures		—			—			—			1,065.2			—			1,065.2
Other investments		—			—			—			1,153.5			—			1,153.5
Deferred tax assets		—			—			—			160.3			—			160.3
Trade and other receivables		—			—			1.6			174.6			—			176.2
Intercompany receivables2		—			203.3			2,078.3			7,649.3			(9,930.9	)		—
		14,638.1			28,135.1			2,079.9			26,137.2			(52,484.3	)		18,506.0
Current assets
Corporate income tax recoverable		—			—			—			234.7			—			234.7
Trade and other receivables		0.3			457.3			0.1			12,073.0			—			12,530.7
Intercompany receivables2		1,661.4			1,713.8			65.7			5,268.8			(8,709.7	)		—
Cash and short-term deposits		—			235.0			—			6,683.5			(4,527.1	)		2,391.4
		1,661.7			2,406.1			65.8			24,260.0			(13,236.8	)		15,156.8
Current liabilities
Trade and other payables		(16.9	)		(113.9	)		(19.6	)		(14,090.7	)		—			(14,241.1	)
Intercompany payables2		(2,808.3	)		(5,780.2	)		—			(121.2	)		8,709.7			—
Corporate income tax payable		—			—			—			(649.3	)		—			(649.3	)
Bank overdrafts, bonds and bank loans		(2,627.7	)		(1,871.8	)		(27.4	)		(624.3	)		4,527.1			(624.1	)
		(5,452.9	)		(7,765.9	)		(47.0	)		(15,485.5	)		13,236.8			(15,514.5	)
Net current (liabilities)/assets		(3,791.2	)		(5,359.8	)		18.8			8,774.5			—			(357.7	)
Total assets less current liabilities		10,846.9			22,775.3			2,098.7			34,911.7			(52,484.3	)		18,148.3
Non-current liabilities
Bonds and bank loans		—			—			(2,087.1	)		(4,163.3	)		—			(6,250.4	)
Trade and other payables		—			—			—			(992.8	)		—			(992.8	)
Intercompany payables2		(1,359.6	)		(8,137.2	)		—			(434.1	)		9,930.9			—
Deferred tax liabilities		—			—			—			(513.7	)		—			(513.7	)
Provision for post-employment benefits		—			—			—			(206.3	)		—			(206.3	)
Provisions for liabilities and charges		—			—			—			(229.0	)		—			(229.0	)
		(1,359.6	)		(8,137.2	)		(2,087.1	)		(6,539.2	)		9,930.9			(8,192.2	)
Net assets		9,487.3			14,638.1			11.6			28,372.5			(42,553.4	)		9,956.1
Attributable to:
Equity shareholders’ funds		9,487.3			14,638.1			11.6			27,903.7			(42,553.4	)		9,487.3
Non-controlling interests		—			—			—			468.8			—			468.8
Total equity		9,487.3			14,638.1			11.6			28,372.5			(42,553.4	)		9,956.1

Notes

¹  Prior year figures have been restated for the impact of the adoption of IFRS 15 Revenue from Contracts with Customers, as described in the accounting policies.

²  Prior year figures have been restated to reclassify certain intercompany balances in an amount of £2,540.2 million from non-current to current within subsidiary guarantors and other subsidiaries.

F-48

Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued)

31.    Condensed consolidating financial information for bonds issued by WPP Finance 2010 with WPP plc as parent guarantor and WPP Jubilee Limited and WPP 2005 Limited as subsidiary guarantors

WPP Finance 2010 has in issue $750 million of 3.750% bonds due September 2024 and $450 million ($50 million repaid in 2018 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.

The issuer and guarantors of the bonds (issuer and subsidiary guarantors are 100% owned by WPP plc) are each subject to the reporting requirements under section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. In accordance with SEC Regulation S-X Rule 3-10, condensed consolidating financial information containing financial information for WPP Finance 2010 and the guarantors is presented. Condensed consolidating financial information is prepared in accordance with IFRS as issued by the IASB. In the parent company, subsidiary issuer and subsidiary guarantors columns investments in subsidiaries are accounted for under the equity method of accounting. Under the equity method, earnings of subsidiaries are reflected as “share of results of subsidiaries” in the income statement and as “investment in subsidiaries” in the balance sheet, as required by the SEC.

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.

Condensed consolidating income statement information

For the year ended 31 December 2018, £m

	WPP plc			Subsidiary Guarantors			WPP Finance 2010			Other Subsidiaries			Reclassifications / Eliminations			Consolidated WPP plc
Revenue		—			—			—			15,602.4			—			15,602.4
Costs of services		—			—			—			(12,663.5	)		—			(12,663.5	)
Gross profit		—			—			—			2,938.9			—			2,938.9
General and administrative costs		10.8			(305.8	)		—			(1,212.5	)		—			(1,507.5	)
Operating profit/(loss)		10.8			(305.8	)		—			1,726.4			—			1,431.4
Share of results of subsidiaries		1,179.2			1,710.2			—			—			(2,889.4	)		—
Share of results of associates		—			—			—			43.5			—			43.5
Profit before interest and taxation		1,190.0			1,404.4			—			1,769.9			(2,889.4	)		1,474.9
Finance income		—			27.8			102.3			300.6			(325.9	)		104.8
Finance costs		(127.1	)		(248.9	)		(103.1	)		(136.1	)		325.9			(289.3	)
Revaluation of financial instruments		—			—			(1.1	)		174.0			—			172.9
Profit/(loss) before taxation		1,062.9			1,183.3			(1.9	)		2,108.4			(2,889.4	)		1,463.3
Taxation		—			(4.1	)		—			(319.8	)		—			(323.9	)
Profit/(loss) for the year		1,062.9			1,179.2			(1.9	)		1,788.6			(2,889.4	)		1,139.4
Attributable to:
Equity holders of the parent		1,062.9			1,179.2			(1.9	)		1,712.1			(2,889.4	)		1,062.9
Non-controlling interests		—			—			—			76.5			—			76.5
		1,062.9			1,179.2			(1.9	)		1,788.6			(2,889.4	)		1,139.4

For the year ended 31 December 2017, £m¹

	WPP plc			Subsidiary Guarantors			WPP Finance 2010			Other Subsidiaries			Reclassifications / Eliminations			Consolidated WPP plc
Revenue		—			—			—			15,804.2			—			15,804.2
Costs of services		—			—			—			(12,629.0	)		—			(12,629.0	)
Gross profit		—			—			—			3,175.2			—			3,175.2
General and administrative costs		14.1			74.7			—			(1,355.8	)		—			(1,267.0	)
Operating profit		14.1			74.7			—			1,819.4			—			1,908.2
Share of results of subsidiaries		1,901.2			2,016.5			—			—			(3,917.7	)		—
Share of results of associates		—			—			—			113.5			—			113.5
Profit before interest and taxation		1,915.3			2,091.2			—			1,932.9			(3,917.7	)		2,021.7
Finance income		—			24.5			110.6			262.8			(302.7	)		95.2
Finance costs		(99.3	)		(221.5	)		(103.4	)		(148.3	)		302.7			(269.8	)
Revaluation of financial instruments		0.6			—			(5.4	)		267.0			—			262.2
Profit before taxation		1,816.6			1,894.2			1.8			2,314.4			(3,917.7	)		2,109.3
Taxation		—			7.0			—			(204.0	)		—			(197.0	)
Profit for the year		1,816.6			1,901.2			1.8			2,110.4			(3,917.7	)		1,912.3
Attributable to:
Equity holders of the parent		1,816.6			1,901.2			1.8			2,014.7			(3,917.7	)		1,816.6
Non-controlling interests		—			—			—			95.7			—			95.7
		1,816.6			1,901.2			1.8			2,110.4			(3,917.7	)		1,912.3

Note

¹  Prior year figures have been restated for the impact of the adoption of IFRS 15 Revenue from Contracts with Customers, as described in the accounting policies.

F-49

Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued)

31.    Condensed consolidating financial information for bonds issued by WPP Finance 2010 with WPP plc as parent guarantor and WPP Jubilee Limited and WPP 2005 Limited as subsidiary guarantors (continued)

Condensed consolidating income statement information (continued)

For the year ended 31 December 2016, £m¹

	WPP plc			Subsidiary Guarantors			WPP Finance 2010			Other Subsidiaries			Reclassifications / Eliminations			Consolidated WPP plc
Revenue		—			—			—			14,887.3			—			14,887.3
Costs of services		—			—			—			(11,846.5	)		—			(11,846.5	)
Gross profit		—			—			—			3,040.8			—			3,040.8
General and administrative costs		13.8			(828.2	)		(0.1	)		(163.2	)		—			(977.7	)
Operating profit/(loss)		13.8			(828.2	)		(0.1	)		2,877.6			—			2,063.1
Share of results of subsidiaries		1,497.4			2,518.2			—			—			(4,015.6	)		—
Share of results of associates		—			—			—			49.8			—			49.8
Profit/(loss) before interest and taxation		1,511.2			1,690.0			(0.1	)		2,927.4			(4,015.6	)		2,112.9
Finance income		—			28.8			121.1			231.9			(301.4	)		80.4
Finance costs		(102.5	)		(222.1	)		(98.8	)		(132.5	)		301.4			(254.5	)
Revaluation of financial instruments		(8.6	)		—			7.0			(46.7	)		—			(48.3	)
Profit before taxation		1,400.1			1,496.7			29.2			2,980.1			(4,015.6	)		1,890.5
Taxation		—			0.7			—			(389.6	)		—			(388.9	)
Profit for the year		1,400.1			1,497.4			29.2			2,590.5			(4,015.6	)		1,501.6
Attributable to:
Equity holders of the parent		1,400.1			1,497.4			29.2			2,489.0			(4,015.6	)		1,400.1
Non-controlling interests		—			—			—			101.5			—			101.5
		1,400.1			1,497.4			29.2			2,590.5			(4,015.6	)		1,501.6

Note

¹  Prior year figures have been restated for the impact of the adoption of IFRS 15 Revenue from Contracts with Customers, as described in the accounting policies.

F-50

Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued)

31.    Condensed consolidating financial information for bonds issued by WPP Finance 2010 with WPP plc as parent guarantor and WPP Jubilee Limited and WPP 2005 Limited as subsidiary guarantors (continued)

Condensed consolidating statement of comprehensive income

For the year ended 31 December 2018, £m

	WPP plc			Subsidiary Guarantors			WPP Finance 2010			Other Subsidiaries			Reclassifications / Eliminations			Consolidated WPP plc
Profit/(loss) for the year		1,062.9			1,179.2			(1.9	)		1,788.6			(2,889.4	)		1,139.4
Items that may be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss:
Exchange adjustments on foreign currency net investments		69.9			69.9			0.6			78.3			(139.8	)		78.9
		69.9			69.9			0.6			78.3			(139.8	)		78.9
Items that will not be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss:
Actuarial gain on defined benefit pension plans		8.9			8.9			—			8.9			(17.8	)		8.9
Deferred tax on defined benefit pension plans		(0.7	)		(0.7	)		—			(0.7	)		1.4			(0.7	)
Movements on equity investments held at fair value through other comprehensive income		(247.9	)		(247.9	)		—			(247.9	)		495.8			(247.9	)
		(239.7	)		(239.7	)		—			(239.7	)		479.4			(239.7	)
Other comprehensive (loss)/income for the year		(169.8	)		(169.8	)		0.6			(161.4	)		339.6			(160.8	)
Total comprehensive income/(loss) for the year		893.1			1,009.4			(1.3	)		1,627.2			(2,549.8	)		978.6
Attributable to:
Equity holders of the parent		893.1			1,009.4			(1.3	)		1,541.7			(2,549.8	)		893.1
Non-controlling interests		—			—			—			85.5			—			85.5
		893.1			1,009.4			(1.3	)		1,627.2			(2,549.8	)		978.6

For the year ended 31 December 2017, £m

	WPP plc			Subsidiary Guarantors			WPP Finance 2010			Other Subsidiaries			Reclassifications / Eliminations			Consolidated WPP plc
Profit for the year		1,816.6			1,901.2			1.8			2,110.4			(3,917.7	)		1,912.3
Items that may be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss:
Exchange adjustments on foreign currency net investments		(445.5	)		(445.5	)		(0.6	)		(464.6	)		891.0			(465.2	)
Gain on revaluation of available for sale investments		32.1			32.1			—			32.1			(64.2	)		32.1
		(413.4	)		(413.4	)		(0.6	)		(432.5	)		826.8			(433.1	)
Items that will not be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss:
Actuarial gain on defined benefit pension plans		17.0			17.0			—			17.0			(34.0	)		17.0
Deferred tax on defined benefit pension plans		(24.6	)		(24.6	)		—			(24.6	)		49.2			(24.6	)
		(7.6	)		(7.6	)		—			(7.6	)		15.2			(7.6	)
Other comprehensive loss for the year		(421.0	)		(421.0	)		(0.6	)		(440.1	)		842.0			(440.7	)
Total comprehensive income for the year		1,395.6			1,480.2			1.2			1,670.3			(3,075.7	)		1,471.6
Attributable to:
Equity holders of the parent		1,395.6			1,480.2			1.2			1,594.3			(3,075.7	)		1,395.6
Non-controlling interests		—			—			—			76.0			—			76.0
		1,395.6			1,480.2			1.2			1,670.3			(3,075.7	)		1,471.6

F-51

Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued)

31.    Condensed consolidating financial information for bonds issued by WPP Finance 2010 with WPP plc as parent guarantor and WPP Jubilee Limited and WPP 2005 Limited as subsidiary guarantors (continued)

Condensed consolidating statement of comprehensive income (continued)

For the year ended 31 December 2016, £m

	WPP plc			Subsidiary Guarantors			WPP Finance 2010			Other Subsidiaries			Reclassifications / Eliminations			Consolidated WPP plc
Profit for the year		1,400.1			1,497.4			29.2			2,590.5			(4,015.6	)		1,501.6
Items that may be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss:
Exchange adjustments on foreign currency net investments		1,309.9			1,309.9			(1.2	)		1,379.2			(2,619.8	)		1,378.0
Loss on revaluation of available for sale investments		(93.1	)		(93.1	)		—			(93.1	)		186.2			(93.1	)
		1,216.8			1,216.8			(1.2	)		1,286.1			(2,433.6	)		1,284.9
Items that will not be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss:
Actuarial loss on defined benefit pension plans		(15.9	)		(15.9	)		—			(15.9	)		31.8			(15.9	)
Deferred tax on defined benefit pension plans		(0.4	)		(0.4	)		—			(0.4	)		0.8			(0.4	)
		(16.3	)		(16.3	)		—			(16.3	)		32.6			(16.3	)
Other comprehensive income/(loss) for the year		1,200.5			1,200.5			(1.2	)		1,269.8			(2,401.0	)		1,268.6
Total comprehensive income for the year		2,600.6			2,697.9			28.0			3,860.3			(6,416.6	)		2,770.2
Attributable to:
Equity holders of the parent		2,600.6			2,697.9			28.0			3,690.7			(6,416.6	)		2,600.6
Non-controlling interests		—			—			—			169.6			—			169.6
		2,600.6			2,697.9			28.0			3,860.3			(6,416.6	)		2,770.2

F-52

Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued)

31.    Condensed consolidating financial information for bonds issued by WPP Finance 2010 with WPP plc as parent guarantor and WPP Jubilee Limited and WPP 2005 Limited as subsidiary guarantors (continued)

Condensed consolidating cash flow statement information

For the year ended 31 December 2018, £m

	WPP plc			Subsidiary Guarantors			WPP Finance 2010			Other Subsidiaries			Reclassifications/ Eliminations		Consolidated WPP plc
Net cash inflow/(outflow) from operating activities		2,308.8			(271.1	)		42.9			(386.8	)		—		1,693.8
Investing activities
Acquisitions		—			—			—			(298.8	)		—		(298.8	)
Proceeds on disposal of investments and subsidiaries		—			—			—			849.0			—		849.0
Purchases of property, plant and equipment		—			(10.4	)		—			(304.4	)		—		(314.8	)
Purchases of other intangible assets (including capitalised computer software)		—			—			—			(60.4	)		—		(60.4	)
Proceeds on disposal of property, plant and equipment		—			—			—			9.5			—		9.5
Net cash inflow/(outflow) from investing activities		—			(10.4	)		—			194.9			—		184.5
Financing activities
Share option proceeds		1.2			—			—			—			—		1.2
Cash consideration for non-controlling interests		—			(0.3	)		—			(109.6	)		—		(109.9	)
Share repurchases and buy-backs		(104.3	)		—			—			(102.8	)		—		(207.1	)
Net decrease in borrowings		—			—			(58.1	)		(382.5	)		—		(440.6	)
Financing and share issue costs		—			—			—			(3.8	)		—		(3.8	)
Equity dividends paid		(747.4	)		—			—			—			—		(747.4	)
Dividends paid to non-controlling interests in subsidiary undertakings		—			—			—			(106.2	)		—		(106.2	)
Net cash outflow from financing activities		(850.5	)		(0.3	)		(58.1	)		(704.9	)		—		(1,613.8	)
Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents		1,458.3			(281.8	)		(15.2	)		(896.8	)		—		264.5
Translation of cash and cash equivalents		(4.7	)		(51.5	)		(5.4	)		0.1			—		(61.5	)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year		(2,627.7	)		(1,640.6	)		(27.4	)		6,293.9			—		1,998.2
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year		(1,174.1	)		(1,973.9	)		(48.0	)		5,397.2			—		2,201.2

For the year ended 31 December 2017, £m

	WPP plc			Subsidiary Guarantors			WPP Finance 2010			Other Subsidiaries			Reclassifications/ Eliminations		Consolidated WPP plc
Net cash inflow/(outflow) from operating activities		32.9			(49.7	)		(13.6	)		1,438.5			—		1,408.1
Investing activities
Acquisitions		—			—			—			(477.5	)		—		(477.5	)
Proceeds on disposal of investments and subsidiaries		—			—			—			296.0			—		296.0
Purchases of property, plant and equipment		—			(10.4	)		—			(278.5	)		—		(288.9	)
Purchases of other intangible assets (including capitalised computer software)		—			—			—			(37.3	)		—		(37.3	)
Proceeds on disposal of property, plant and equipment		—			—			—			8.0			—		8.0
Net cash outflow from investing activities		—			(10.4	)		—			(489.3	)		—		(499.7	)
Financing activities
Share option proceeds		6.4			—			—			—			—		6.4
Cash consideration for non-controlling interests		—			(1.4	)		—			(45.9	)		—		(47.3	)
Share repurchases and buy-backs		(289.6	)		—			—			(214.6	)		—		(504.2	)
Net increase/(decrease) in borrowings		(400.0	)		—			—			999.6			—		599.6
Financing and share issue costs		—			—			—			(0.8	)		—		(0.8	)
Equity dividends paid		(751.5	)		—			—			—			—		(751.5	)
Dividends paid to non-controlling interests in subsidiary undertakings		—			—			—			(87.8	)		—		(87.8	)
Net cash (outflow)/inflow from financing activities		(1,434.7	)		(1.4	)		—			650.5			—		(785.6	)
Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents		(1,401.8	)		(61.5	)		(13.6	)		1,599.7			—		122.8
Translation of cash and cash equivalents		(0.9	)		48.4			1.3			(76.0	)		—		(27.2	)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year		(1,225.0	)		(1,627.5	)		(15.1	)		4,770.2			—		1,902.6
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year		(2,627.7	)		(1,640.6	)		(27.4	)		6,293.9			—		1,998.2

F-53

Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued)

31.    Condensed consolidating financial information for bonds issued by WPP Finance 2010 with WPP plc as parent guarantor and WPP Jubilee Limited and WPP 2005 Limited as subsidiary guarantors (continued)

Condensed consolidating cash flow statement information (continued)

For the year ended 31 December 2016, £m

	WPP plc			Subsidiary Guarantors			WPP Finance 2010			Other Subsidiaries			Reclassifications/ Eliminations		Consolidated WPP plc
Net cash inflow/(outflow) from operating activities		963.1			1,002.2			65.5			(257.0	)		—		1,773.8
Investing activities
Acquisitions		—			—			—			(719.3	)		—		(719.3	)
Proceeds on disposal of investments and subsidiaries		—			—			—			80.5			—		80.5
Purchases of property, plant and equipment		—			(1.1	)		—			(251.0	)		—		(252.1	)
Purchases of other intangible assets (including capitalised computer software)		—			—			—			(33.0	)		—		(33.0	)
Proceeds on disposal of property, plant and equipment		—			—			—			7.7			—		7.7
Net cash outflow from investing activities		—			(1.1	)		—			(915.1	)		—		(916.2	)
Financing activities
Share option proceeds		27.2			—			—			—			—		27.2
Cash consideration for non-controlling interests		—			(1.3	)		—			(57.0	)		—		(58.3	)
Share repurchases and buy-backs		(274.5	)		—			—			(152.9	)		—		(427.4	)
Net (decrease)/increase in borrowings		(392.1	)		—			—			369.6			—		(22.5	)
Financing and share issue costs		—			—			—			(6.4	)		—		(6.4	)
Equity dividends paid		(616.5	)		—			—			—			—		(616.5	)
Dividends paid to non-controlling interests in subsidiary undertakings		—			—			—			(89.6	)		—		(89.6	)
Net cash (outflow)/inflow from financing activities		(1,255.9	)		(1.3	)		—			63.7			—		(1,193.5	)
Net (decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents		(292.8	)		999.8			65.5			(1,108.4	)		—		(335.9	)
Translation of cash and cash equivalents		(5.7	)		(154.6	)		(13.1	)		465.3			—		291.9
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year		(926.5	)		(2,472.7	)		(67.5	)		5,413.3			—		1,946.6
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year		(1,225.0	)		(1,627.5	)		(15.1	)		4,770.2			—		1,902.6

F-54

Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued)

31.    Condensed consolidating financial information for bonds issued by WPP Finance 2010 with WPP plc as parent guarantor and WPP Jubilee Limited and WPP 2005 Limited as subsidiary guarantors (continued)

Condensed consolidating balance sheet information

At 31 December 2018, £m

	WPP plc			Subsidiary Guarantors			WPP Finance 2010			Other Subsidiaries			Reclassifications/ Eliminations			Consolidated WPP plc
Non-current assets
Intangible assets:
Goodwill		—			—			—			13,202.8			—			13,202.8
Other		—			—			—			1,842.0			—			1,842.0
Property, plant and equipment		—			26.1			—			1,056.9			—			1,083.0
Investment in subsidiaries		15,463.9			29,329.2			—			—			(44,793.1	)		—
Interests in associates and joint ventures		—			—			—			796.8			—			796.8
Other investments		—			—			—			666.7			—			666.7
Deferred tax assets		—			—			—			153.0			—			153.0
Trade and other receivables		—			—			—			180.0			—			180.0
Intercompany receivables		—			205.4			2,182.9			7,657.7			(10,046.0	)		—
		15,463.9			29,560.7			2,182.9			25,555.9			(54,839.1	)		17,924.3
Current assets
Corporate income tax recoverable		—			—			—			198.7			—			198.7
Trade and other receivables		0.6			497.9			0.1			12,602.9			—			13,101.5
Intercompany receivables		1,675.6			1,720.6			55.2			8,130.6			(11,582.0	)		—
Cash and short-term deposits		—			17.3			41.4			5,839.2			(3,254.7	)		2,643.2
		1,676.2			2,235.8			96.7			26,771.4			(14,836.7	)		15,943.4
Current liabilities
Trade and other payables		(3.7	)		(57.5	)		(21.6	)		(14,955.6	)		—			(15,038.4	)
Intercompany payables		(5,190.3	)		(6,078.1	)		(0.9	)		(312.7	)		11,582.0			—
Corporate income tax payable		—			—			—			(545.9	)		—			(545.9	)
Bank overdrafts, bonds and bank loans		(1,174.1	)		(1,991.2	)		(89.4	)		(1,025.1	)		3,254.7			(1,025.1	)
		(6,368.1	)		(8,126.8	)		(111.9	)		(16,839.3	)		14,836.7			(16,609.4	)
Net current (liabilities)/assets		(4,691.9	)		(5,891.0	)		(15.2	)		9,932.1			—			(666.0	)
Total assets less current liabilities		10,772.0			23,669.7			2,167.7			35,488.0			(54,839.1	)		17,258.3
Non-current liabilities
Bonds and bank loans		—			—			(2,151.8	)		(3,483.0	)		—			(5,634.8	)
Trade and other payables		—			—			(5.5	)		(835.9	)		—			(841.4	)
Intercompany payables		(1,389.8	)		(8,205.8	)		—			(450.4	)		10,046.0			—
Deferred tax liabilities		—			—			—			(479.5	)		—			(479.5	)
Provision for post-employment benefits		—			—			—			(184.3	)		—			(184.3	)
Provisions for liabilities and charges		—			—			—			(311.7	)		—			(311.7	)
		(1,389.8	)		(8,205.8	)		(2,157.3	)		(5,744.8	)		10,046.0			(7,451.7	)
Net assets		9,382.2			15,463.9			10.4			29,743.2			(44,793.1	)		9,806.6
Attributable to:
Equity shareholders’ funds		9,382.2			15,463.9			10.4			29,318.8			(44,793.1	)		9,382.2
Non-controlling interests		—			—			—			424.4			—			424.4
Total equity		9,382.2			15,463.9			10.4			29,743.2			(44,793.1	)		9,806.6

F-55

Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued)

31.    Condensed consolidating financial information for bonds issued by WPP Finance 2010 with WPP plc as parent guarantor and WPP Jubilee Limited and WPP 2005 Limited as subsidiary guarantors (continued)

Condensed consolidating balance sheet information (continued)

At 31 December 2017, £m¹

	WPP plc			Subsidiary Guarantors			WPP Finance 2010			Other Subsidiaries			Reclassifications/ Eliminations			Consolidated WPP plc
Non-current assets
Intangible assets:
Goodwill		—			—			—			12,952.9			—			12,952.9
Other		—			—			—			2,018.4			—			2,018.4
Property, plant and equipment		—			16.5			—			963.0			—			979.5
Investment in subsidiaries		14,638.1			27,746.7			—			—			(42,384.8	)		—
Interests in associates and joint ventures		—			—			—			1,065.2			—			1,065.2
Other investments		—			—			—			1,153.5			—			1,153.5
Deferred tax assets		—			—			—			160.3			—			160.3
Trade and other receivables		—			—			1.6			174.6			—			176.2
Intercompany receivables2		—			203.3			2,078.3			7,649.3			(9,930.9	)		—
		14,638.1			27,966.5			2,079.9			26,137.2			(52,315.7	)		18,506.0
Current assets
Corporate income tax recoverable		—			—			—			234.7			—			234.7
Trade and other receivables		0.3			457.3			0.1			12,073.0			—			12,530.7
Intercompany receivables2		1,661.4			1,713.8			65.7			5,268.7			(8,709.6	)		—
Cash and short-term deposits		—			231.2			—			6,687.3			(4,527.1	)		2,391.4
		1,661.7			2,402.3			65.8			24,263.7			(13,236.7	)		15,156.8
Current liabilities
Trade and other payables		(16.9	)		(113.9	)		(19.6	)		(14,090.7	)		—			(14,241.1	)
Intercompany payables2		(2,808.3	)		(5,607.8	)		—			(293.5	)		8,709.6			—
Corporate income tax payable		—			—			—			(649.3	)		—			(649.3	)
Bank overdrafts, bonds and bank loans		(2,627.7	)		(1,871.8	)		(27.4	)		(624.3	)		4,527.1			(624.1	)
		(5,452.9	)		(7,593.5	)		(47.0	)		(15,657.8	)		13,236.7			(15,514.5	)
Net current (liabilities)/assets		(3,791.2	)		(5,191.2	)		18.8			8,605.9			—			(357.7	)
Total assets less current liabilities		10,846.9			22,775.3			2,098.7			34,743.1			(52,315.7	)		18,148.3
Non-current liabilities
Bonds and bank loans		—			—			(2,087.1	)		(4,163.3	)		—			(6,250.4	)
Trade and other payables		—			—			—			(992.8	)		—			(992.8	)
Intercompany payables2		(1,359.6	)		(8,137.2	)		—			(434.1	)		9,930.9			—
Deferred tax liabilities		—			—			—			(513.7	)		—			(513.7	)
Provision for post-employment benefits		—			—			—			(206.3	)		—			(206.3	)
Provisions for liabilities and charges		—			—			—			(229.0	)		—			(229.0	)
		(1,359.6	)		(8,137.2	)		(2,087.1	)		(6,539.2	)		9,930.9			(8,192.2	)
Net assets		9,487.3			14,638.1			11.6			28,203.9			(42,384.8	)		9,956.1
Attributable to:
Equity shareholders’ funds		9,487.3			14,638.1			11.6			27,735.1			(42,384.8	)		9,487.3
Non-controlling interests		—			—			—			468.8			—			468.8
Total equity		9,487.3			14,638.1			11.6			28,203.9			(42,384.8	)		9,956.1

Notes

¹  Prior year figures have been restated for the impact of the adoption of IFRS 15 Revenue from Contracts with Customers, as described in the accounting policies.

²  Prior year figures have been restated to reclassify certain intercompany balances in an amount of £2,540.2 million from non-current to current within subsidiary guarantors and other subsidiaries.

F-56