REG - British Amer.Tobacco - Annual Financial Report
14/02/2025 16:30
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RNS Number : 2390X British American Tobacco PLC 14 February 2025
BRITISH AMERICAN TOBACCO p.l.c. (the "Company")
Annual Report for the Year Ended 31 December 2024
In compliance with UK Listing Rule 6.4.1 and Disclosure Guidance and
Transparency Rule ("DTR") 4.1.3, the Company announces that the following
documents have been published on its website: www.bat.com/annualreport
(http://www.bat.com/annualreport) :
· Annual Report and Form 20-F 2024 (the "Annual Report 2024"); and
· Combined Performance and Sustainability Summary 2024.
These documents have been submitted to the National Storage Mechanism and will
shortly be available for inspection via the following link:
https://data.fca.org.uk/#/nsm/nationalstoragemechanism
(https://data.fca.org.uk/#/nsm/nationalstoragemechanism) .
In addition, in accordance with Section 203.01 of the New York Stock Exchange
Listed Company Manual, the Company announces that it filed its Annual Report
on Form 20-F 2024 (the "Form 20-F 2023") with the Securities and Exchange
Commission on 14 February 2025. The Form 20-F 2024 included audited financial
statements for the year ended 31 December 2024. The Form 20-F 2024 will
shortly be available on the Company's website at www.bat.com/annualreport and
also online at www.sec.gov.
The Annual Report 2024 and other ancillary shareholder documents will be
mailed and made available to shareholders on 13 March 2025. Investors have
the option to receive a hard copy of the Company's complete audited financial
statements, free of charge, upon request, by contacting the below:
United Kingdom
British American Tobacco Publications Telephone: +44 20 7511 7797
Email: bat@team365.co.uk
South Africa
The Company's Representative Office Telephone: +27 21 003 6712
United States
Citibank Shareholder Services Telephone: +1 888 985 2055 (toll-free)
Email: citibank@shareholders-online.com
This announcement should be read in conjunction with the Company's Final
Results announcement which was released to the market on 13 February 2025.
Together these constitute the material required by DTR 6.3.5R to be
communicated to the media in unedited full text through a Regulatory
Information Service. This material is not a substitute for reading the full
Annual Report 2024. Page numbers and cross-references in the extracted
information below refer to page numbers in the Annual Report 2024. The
following disclosures are set out in the appendices to this announcement:
· Appendix A: Group Principal Risks (pages 155 to 162 of the Annual
Report 2024);
· Appendix B: Related Party Disclosures (pages 341 and 342 of the
Annual Report 2024); and
· Appendix C: Directors' Responsibility Statement (page 247 of the
Annual Report 2024).
C Worlock
Assistant Secretary
14 February 2025
Enquiries:
Investor Relations
Victoria Buxton: +44 (0)20 7845 2012 | IR_team@bat.com
APPENDIX A
"GROUP PRINCIPAL RISKS
Overview
The Principal Risks that may affect the Group are set out on the following
pages.
Each risk is considered in the context of the Group's strategy and business
model, as set out in this Strategic Report beginning on page 2 and page 14. On
the following pages is a summary of each Principal Risk, its potential impact
@and management by the Group@.
Principal Risks are those that have the potential to materially impact the
achievement of the Group's strategic objectives. These are significant risks
that could affect BAT's long-term financial performance, reputation, or
delivery of sustainability goals.
@The Group has identified risks and is actively monitoring and mitigating
these risks, including those related to climate change and other
sustainability matters.@ This section focuses on those risks that the
Directors believe to be the Principal Risks to the Group. Not all of these
risks are within the control of the Group and other risks besides those listed
may affect the Group's performance. Some risks may be unknown at present.
Other risks, currently regarded as less material, could become material in the
future. Clear accountability is attached to each risk through the risk owner.
During the year, the "Climate Change and Circular Economy" risk has been split
into two, recognising the distinct nature of each. The separation stems from
the understanding that each area encompasses unique challenges and requires
tailored mitigation strategies.
The risks listed in this section @and the activities being undertaken to
manage them@ should be considered in the context of the Group's internal
control framework. This process is described in the section on risk management
and internal control in the corporate governance statement from page 194. This
section should also be read in the context of the cautionary statement on page
447.
A summary of all the risk factors (including the Principal Risks) which are
monitored by the Board through the Group's risk register is set out in the
Additional Disclosures section from page 414.
Assessment of Group Principal Risks
During the year, the Directors carried out a robust assessment of the
Principal Risks, uncertainties and emerging risks facing the Group, including
those that could impact reputation or delivery of its strategic objectives,
business model, future performance, solvency or liquidity.
Leading in Sustainability is a core component/key building block of our
corporate strategy and sustainability risk factors are embedded across the
Group's risks in accordance with how risks are
managed within the Group.
The viability statement on page 163 provides a broader assessment of long-term
solvency and liquidity. The Directors considered a number of factors that may
affect the resilience of the Group. Except for the risk "Injury, illness or
death in the workplace" which is not considered to be
sufficiently material to impact the Group's overall viability assessment, the
Directors also assessed the potential impact of the Principal Risks that may
impact the Group's viability.
Risks
Competition from illicit trade
Increased competition from illicit trade and illegal products - either local
duty evaded, smuggled, counterfeits, or non-regulatory compliant, including
products diverted from one country to another.
Time frame
Short-/medium-/long-term
Strategic impact
Quality Growth/Sustainable Future
Key Stakeholders
Consumers, Society, Shareholders & Investors
Considered in viability statement
Yes
Impact
Illicit trade often leads to more restrictions and regulations imposed on the
legitimate industry, including sales restrictions, overly burdensome track and
trace systems and display packaging bans. This is often based on the erroneous
assertion that the legitimate industry makes up the bulk of illicit trade in
tobacco products.
Erosion of goodwill, with lower volumes and/or increased operational costs
(e.g. track and trace costs) and reduced profits.
Reduced ability to take price increases.
Investment in trade marketing and distribution is undermined and the product
is commoditised.
Illicit products (especially in New Categories) could harm consumers, damaging
goodwill, and/or the category (with lower volumes and reduced profits),
potentially leading to misplaced claims against BAT, further regulation and a
failure to deliver the corporate harm reduction objective.
Breach of legislation, criminal offences, contract breaches under the EU
Cooperation Agreement, allegations of facilitating smuggling and reputational
damage, including negative perceptions of our governance.
Existence of illicit trade reduces our ability to reduce the health impact of
our business, it undermines policies of state governments with respect to
underage tobacco users and creates
basis for inappropriate regulation.
Mitigation activities across all categories
Dedicated Anti-Illicit Trade (AIT) teams operating at regional and country
levels; internal cross-functional levels; compliance procedures, toolkit and
best practice shared.
Active engagement with key external stakeholders, international governmental
and non-governmental organisations to highlight illicit trade challenges and
build alignment around policy solutions.
Cross-industry and multi-sector cooperation on a range of AIT issues.
Regional AIT strategy supported by a research programme to further the
understanding of the size and scope of the matter.
As illicit e-commerce becomes a larger threat to the business, the Group
determines the scale of illicit online sales to highlight the threat to
authorities and to enable them to take direct action
against websites selling illicit products.
AIT Engagement Teams (including a dedicated analytical laboratory and a
forensic and compliance team) work with enforcement agencies as appropriate.
Geopolitical tensions
Geopolitical tensions, civil unrest, economic policy changes, global health
crises, terrorism and organised crime have the potential to disrupt the
Group's business in multiple markets.
Time frame
Short-/medium-term
Strategic impact
Quality Growth/Sustainable Future
Key Stakeholders
Society, Our people, Shareholders & Investors
Considered in viability statement
Yes
Impact
Potential injury or loss of life, loss of assets and disruption to
supply chains and normal business processes.
Increased costs due to more complex supply chain and security arrangements
and/or the cost of building new facilities or maintaining inefficient
facilities.
Lower volumes as a result of not being able to trade in a country.
Higher taxes or other costs of doing business as a foreign company or the
loss of assets as a result of nationalisation.
Reputational damage, including negative perceptions of our governance and
protection of our people and our sustainability credentials. Disruption to the
supply chain impacts our ability to
reduce the health impact of our business.
Mitigation activities across all categories
Physical and procedural security controls are in place, and regularly reviewed
in accordance with our Security Risk Management process, for all field force
and supply chain operations, with an emphasis on the protection of Group
employees.
Globally integrated sourcing strategy and contingency sourcing arrangements
are in place.
Security risk modelling, including external risk assessments and the
monitoring of geopolitical and economic policy developments worldwide.
Insurance coverage and business continuity planning, including scenario
planning and testing, and risk awareness training.
Geopolitical assessment and monitoring by the Group Security Centre of
Excellence and regions inform the Business Continuity Management organisation
plans and responses to geopolitical
risks, including readiness of Crisis Management Teams at all levels.
Tobacco, New Categories and other regulation interrupts growth strategy
The enactment of, proposals for, or rumours of, regulation that significantly
impairs the Group's ability to communicate, differentiate, market or launch
its products, and/or the lack of appropriate regulation for New Categories.
Time frame
Short-/medium-/long-term
Strategic impact
Quality Growth/Sustainable Future
Key Stakeholders
Consumers, Society, Shareholders & Investors
Considered in viability statement
Yes
Impact
A lack of acceptance or rejection of Tobacco Harm Reduction as a tobacco
control policy could prevent a balanced regulatory framework for New
Categories. Restricted ability to sell and communicate New Categories could
lead to failure of the harm reduction objective and loss of confidence in the
Group's sustainability performance.
Lack of appropriate regulation and its enforcement or disproportionate
regulations for New Categories, such as questionable regulatory
classifications or total bans, that may not be science-based and/or
risk-proportionate, may impact our opportunity for quality growth and affect
our ability to develop and market a pipeline of new products. Reduced ability
to make scientific claims, compete in future product categories and make new
market entries. Inappropriate regulation may also increase the volume of
illicit trade activity.
Erosion of brand value through commoditisation and the inability to launch
innovations may negatively affect our ability to generate value growth.
Regulation with respect to bans or severe restrictions on menthol flavours,
product design & features and nicotine levels may adversely impact
individual brand portfolios.
Reduced consumer acceptability of new product specifications, leading to
consumers seeking alternatives in illegal markets or irresponsible operators
exploiting regulatory loopholes.
Shocks to share price on rumours of, or the announcement or enactment of,
restrictive regulation (e.g. sales ban to future generations).
Failure to deliver appropriate and proportionately costed Extended Producer
Responsibility (EPR) schemes.
Mitigation activities across all categories
Establishment of governance forums, the objectives of which are to review the
execution of the Group's regulatory, corporate, and science strategies,
monitor the regulatory and science
landscape, prioritize key regulatory and science initiatives and resource
allocation.
Engagement and alignment across the Group to drive a balanced global policy
framework for combustibles and New Categories.
Stakeholder mapping and prioritisation, developing robust compelling advocacy
materials (with supporting evidence and data) and regulatory engagement
programmes.
Regulatory risk assessment of marketing plans to ensure decisions are informed
by an understanding of the potential regulatory environments.
Advocating the application of integrated regulatory proposals to governments
and public health regulators and practitioners based on the harm reduction
potential of New Categories.
Encourage dialogue with stakeholders across the wider scientific and
regulatory ecosystem in relation to tobacco and nicotine products through the
launch of Omni™.
Development of an integrated regulatory strategy that spans conventional
combustibles and New Categories.
Training and capability programmes for End Markets to upskill Corporate and
Regulatory Affairs managers on combustible and New Categories regulatory
engagement, including product knowledge.
Direct access to online portal providing latest position and advocacy material
for End Market engagement on combustibles and New Categories.
Working to define a sustainable EPR model and markets negotiating to implement
effective EPR schemes.
Please refer to the to the description of the tobacco and nicotine regulatory
regimes under which the Group's businesses operate set out from page 436
Supply Chain disruption
Disruption to the global supply chain that may impact our ability to
manufacture products or supply our consumers.
Time frame
Short-
Strategic impact
Quality Growth/Sustainable Future/Dynamic Business
Key Stakeholders
Consumers, Our people, Shareholders & Investors
Considered in viability statement
Yes
Impact
Disruption to the global supply chain may impact all aspects of our business
and impede our ability to manufacture products and supply our consumers.
Disruption to supply chain can lead to volume shortfalls and inability to
supply markets, increased replacement or/and rebuild costs consequently
leading to reduced profit and reputational damage. This may affect our ability
to reinvest into New Categories and deliver our Tobacco Harm Reduction
commitment.
Loss of one or more key facilities or suppliers may cause loss of life and
injuries. It may also lead to societal dislocation resulting in population
migration and loss of key skills.
Our supply chain could be negatively impacted by events arising from, but not
limited to natural disasters, man-made accidents, cyber incidents.
Mitigation activities across all categories
Group-wide business continuity plans (BCP) and contingency sourcing plans
(CSP) in compliance with the new Business Continuity Management standard, are
in place.
All factory CSPs are regularly updated, reviewed and desktop simulations
conducted to ensure compliance with the Group's policy.
BCPs and disaster recovery plans for logistics providers are in place.
Unrest and Evacuation plans are in place.
Existence of insurance cover for Property Damage and Business Interruption.
Appropriate technical and organisational cyber security measures are in place.
Litigation
Product liability, regulatory or other significant cases (including
investigations or class action litigations) may be lost or settled resulting
in a material loss or other consequence.
Time frame
Short-/medium-/long-term
Strategic impact
Quality Growth/Sustainable future
Key Stakeholders
Shareholders & Investors
Considered in viability statement
Yes
Impact
Damages and fines, negative impact on reputation (including sustainability
credentials), disruption and loss of focus on the business.
Consolidated results of operations, cash flows and financial position could be
materially affected by an unfavourable outcome or settlement of pending or
future litigation, criminal prosecution or other contentious action, or by the
costs associated with bringing proceedings or defending claims.
Inability to sell products as a result of an injunction arising out of a
patent infringement action against the Group may restrict growth plans and
competitiveness.
Potential share price impact.
Sustainability-related litigation could also result in a reduction in the
investor base due to sustainability and sustainability-related concerns.
Mitigation activities across all categories
Consistent litigation and patent management strategy across the Group.
Expertise and legal talent maintained both within the Group and external
partners, including for New Categories and sustainability-related matters.
Ongoing monitoring of key legislative and case law developments related to our
business.
Delivery with Integrity compliance programme.
Litigation strategy developed in relation to key regulatory issues.
Central management of strategic litigation impacting key regulatory processes.
Developing expert analysis on efficacy of various regulatory proposals.
Please refer to note 31 on page 286 in the Notes on the Accounts for details
of contingent liabilities applicable to the Group.
Significant increases or structural changes in tobacco, nicotine and New
Categories related taxes
The Group is exposed to unexpected and/or significant increases or structural
changes in tobacco, nicotine and New Categories related taxes in key markets.
Time frame
Short-/medium-/long-term
Strategic impact
Quality Growth/Sustainable Future
Key Stakeholders
Consumers, Society, Shareholders & Investors
Considered in viability statement
Yes
Impact
Consumers reject the Group's legitimate tax-paid products for products from
illicit sources or cheaper alternatives.
Reduced legal industry volumes.
Reduced sales volume and/or portfolio erosion leading to inability to invest
in, develop, commercialise and deliver New Category products.
Partial absorption of excise increases leading to lower profitability.
A disproportionate tax, which would be passed on to the consumer, could
discourage consumer switching from FMC to reduced-risk products.
Mitigation activities across all categories
Formal pricing and excise strategies, including Revenue Growth Management
using a data science-led approach, with annual risk assessments and
contingency plans across all products.
Pricing, excise and trade margin committees in markets, with global support.
Engagement with relevant local and international authorities where
appropriate, in particular in relation to the increased risk to excise
revenues from higher illicit trade.
Portfolio reviews to ensure appropriate balance and coverage across price
segments.
Monitoring of economic indicators, government revenues and the political
situation.
Inability to develop, commercialise and deliver the New Categories strategy
Risk of not capitalising on the opportunities in developing and
commercialising successful, safer and consumer-appealing innovations, which
are backed by science.
Time frame
Short-/medium-/long-term
Strategic impact
Quality Growth/Sustainable Future/Dynamic
Business
Key Stakeholders
Consumers, Society, Shareholders & Investors
Considered in viability statement
Yes
Impact
Inability to continue to deliver Group financial results in line with
shareholder and analyst expectations resulting in an adverse external
perception to the Group Strategy and reputation. Potentially missed
opportunities, unrecoverable costs and/or erosion of brand, with lower volumes
and reduced profits.
Reputational damage and recall costs may arise in the event of defective
product design or manufacture.
Loss of market share due to non-compliance of product portfolio
with regulatory requirements or inability to engage on our science, leading
to a negative shift in sentiment and confidence in Group products.
Loss of investor confidence in sustainability performance.
Inability to convince regulators and policymakers regarding the weight of
scientific evidence assessment underpinning the harm reduction potential of
New Categories products which could result in failure to deliver our corporate
purpose of Building a Smokeless
World.
Mitigation activities across all categories
Focus on product stewardship to ensure high-quality standards across the
portfolio.
Brand Expression, which sets out how our brand expresses itself (including
through its logo, name, product, packaging, etc.) deployed to lead End Markets
via activation workshops and best practices shared.
Generating sufficient IP to develop competitive and sustainable products.
Accelerating digital and consumer analytics along with data management
platforms for enhanced methodologies, insight generation and line of sight
across the Group.
R&D is accredited to ISO9001 standard and laboratories are accredited to
ISO17025 for key methods.
Internal and external communications about BAT's science through publications
and engagement. Quality assurance reviews undertaken with key science
suppliers to ensure appropriate standards in place.
Disputed taxes, interest and penalties
The Group may face significant financial penalties, including the payment of
interest, in the event of an unfavourable ruling by a tax authority in a
disputed area.
Time frame
Short-/medium term
Strategic impact
Quality Growth/Sustainable
Future
Key Stakeholders
Shareholders &
Investors
Considered in viability statement
Yes
Impact
Significant fines and potential legal penalties.
Disruption and loss of focus on the business due to diversion of management
time.
Impact on profit and dividend.
Mitigation activities across all categories
End Market tax committees.
Internal tax function provides dedicated advice and guidance, and external
advice sought where needed.
Engagement with tax authorities at Group, regional and individual market
level.
Injury, illness or death in the workplace
The risk of injury, death or ill health to employees and those who work with
the business is a fundamental concern of the Group
and can have a significant effect on our operations.
Time frame
Short-term
Strategic impact
Quality Growth/Sustainable Future/Dynamic
Business
Key Stakeholders
Our people
Considered in viability statement
No
Impact
Serious injuries, ill health, disability or loss of life suffered by employees
and the people who work with the Group.
Exposure to civil and criminal liability and the risk of prosecution from
enforcement bodies and the cost of associated legal costs, fines and/or
penalties.
Interruption of Group operations if issues are not addressed promptly.
High staff turnover or difficulty recruiting employees if perceived to have
a poor Environment, Health and Safety (EHS) record.
Reputational damage to the Group and negative impact on our sustainability
credentials.
Mitigation activities across all categories
Risk control systems in place to ensure equipment and infrastructure are
provided and maintained.
EHS strategy aims to ensure that employees at all levels receive appropriate
EHS training and information.
Exploration and deployment of leading technology solutions, behavioural-based
safety programme to drive operational safety performance, and culture closer
to zero accidents.
Behavioural-based safety programme to drive operations' safety performance,
culture and closer to zero accidents.
Analysis of incidents undertaken regionally and globally by a dedicated team
to identify increasing incident trends or high potential risks that require
coordinated action.
Global monthly Health & Safety (H&S) Committee established, formed by
senior members from the H&S and
Operations.
Solvency and liquidity
Liquidity (access to cash and sources of finance) is essential to maintaining
the Group as a going concern in the short-term (liquidity) and medium-term
(solvency).
Time frame
Short-/medium-term
Strategic impact
Quality Growth/Sustainable Future/Dynamic Business
Key Stakeholders
Shareholders & Investors
Considered in viability statement
Yes
Impact
Inability to access the Group's cash resources and to fund the business under
the current capital structure resulting in missed strategic opportunities or
inability to respond to threats.
Decline in our creditworthiness and increased funding costs for the Group.
Requirement to issue equity or seek new sources of capital.
Reputational risk of failure to manage the financial risk profile
of the business, resulting in an erosion of shareholder value
reflected in an underperforming share price.
Inability to mitigate accounting and economic exposures.
Economic loss as a result of devaluation/revaluation of assets (including
cash) valued or held in local currency, and additional costs as a result of
paying premiums to obtain hard currency.
Failure to appropriately engage with investors' and lenders' sustainability
criteria and concerns may impact BAT's counterparty availability, credit
ratings, access to funding, or may result in an increase in the cost of
funding.
Exposure to the cannabis sector may lead to regulatory and legal risk,
reputation and compliance issues restricting bank and/or investor access.
Mitigation activities across all categories
Group policies include a set of financing principles and key performance
indicators, including the monitoring of credit ratings, interest cover,
solvency and liquidity with regular reporting to the Corporate Finance
Committee and the Board.
Controls in place to ensure full compliance with Sanctions regimes.
Plans implemented to manage the risk in key geographies.
The Group targets an average centrally managed debt maturity of at least five
years with no more than 20% of centrally managed debt maturing in a single
rolling year.
At 31 December 2024, the Group had access to a £5.38 billion revolving credit
facility. In March 2024, the Group exercised the first of the one-year
extension options on the £2.5 billion 364-day
tranche of the revolving credit facility, with the second one-year extension
subsequently exercised in February 2025. Effective March 2025, therefore, the
£2.5 billion 364-day tranche will be extended to March 2026. Additionally,
£2.85 billion of the five-year tranche remains available until March 2025,
with £2.7 billion extended to March 2026 and £2.5 billion extended to March
2027.
Liquidity pooling structures are in place to ensure that there is maximum
mobilisation of cash liquidity within the Group.
Going concern and viability support papers are presented to the Board on a
regular basis.
Continued review of UK money laundering legislation and cannabis policy with
financial partners.
Foreign exchange rates exposures
The Group faces translational and transactional foreign exchange (FX) rate
exposure for earnings/cash flows from its global businesses.
Time frame
Short-/medium-term
Strategic impact
Quality Growth/Sustainable Future/Dynamic Business
Key Stakeholders
Shareholders &
Investors
Considered in viability statement
Yes
Impact
Fluctuations in FX rates of key currencies against sterling introduce
volatility in reported earnings per share (EPS), cash flow and the balance
sheet driven by translation into sterling of our financial results and these
exposures are not normally hedged.
The dividend may be impacted if the payout ratio is not adjusted.
Differences in translation between earnings and net debt may affect key ratios
used by credit rating agencies.
Volatility and/or increased costs in our business, due to transactional FX,
may adversely impact financial performance.
Mitigation activities across all categories
While translational FX exposure is not hedged, its impact is identified in
results presentations and financial disclosures; earnings are restated at
constant rates for comparability.
Debt and interest are matched to assets and cash flows to mitigate volatility
where possible and economic to do so.
Hedging strategy for transactional FX is defined in the treasury policy, a
global policy approved by the Board.
Illiquid currencies of many markets where hedging is either not possible or
uneconomic are reviewed on a regular
basis.
Climate Change
Direct and indirect adverse impacts associated with climate change.
Time frame
Short-/medium-/long-term
Strategic impact
Quality Growth/Sustainable
Future
Key Stakeholders
Consumers, Society, Shareholders &
Investors
Considered in viability statement
Yes
Impact
Direct physical risks to BAT agricultural, manufacturing, operational and
logistic processes may lead to reduced production capability, delays, volume
shortfalls, disruption of energy supply (and other utilities) and business
interruption.
Extreme temperatures and weather events could be harmful for employees,
creating health and safety risks.
Failure to adequately manage supply chain risks associated climate change may
cause increased volatility in supply volume, quality or cost of raw materials
and services necessary for the effective and efficient operation of BAT's
business across its value chain.
GHG emissions can indirectly increase costs.
Failure to comply with evolving climate change-related regulations could
result in punitive actions or loss of market access.
Poor agency ratings associated with Climate Change risk, performance,
mitigation, or adaptation could lead to reduced access to capital, increased
cost of capital or impact the share price.
In both 2024 and 2023, extreme weather events led to charges of £11 million
(in 2024) related to machinery damage and £9 million (in 2023) in respect of
the destruction of a warehouse and stock of tobacco leaf.
Mitigation activities across all categories
The Group has clear internal ownership and accountability for sustainability
issues.
Regular updates to the Board and Management Board facilitates effective
management of material sustainability issues.
Monitoring of climate change-related governmental policy and regulations
enables action plans.
Climate diagnosis tool established to enable assessment of physical risks and
formulation of necessary actions.
Business Continuity Management Plans are in place to mitigate supply chain
disruptions resulting from weather events.
Measures taken in tobacco supply chain to mitigate climate change-related
risks such as Carbon Smart Farming and Farmer Sustainability Management
System.
Circular Economy
Direct and indirect adverse impacts associated with the move towards a
circular economy.
Time frame
Short-/medium-/long-term
Strategic impact
Quality Growth/Sustainable
Future
Key Stakeholders
Consumers, Society, Shareholders &
Investors
Considered in viability statement
Yes
Impact
Punitive actions against the Group or inability to sell products in key
markets, due to failure to comply with evolving regulations and requirements
relevant to business operations, products and supply chain, and reporting.
Poor sustainability ratings by investors may lead to reduced access to
capital, increased cost of capital or impact the share price.
Reduction of market share and revenue, due consumers having a reduced or
negative perception of BAT and its products in comparison to its competitors,
or of specific products/product categories overall.
Inadequate waste management can increase negative public opinion of BAT,
damage brand value and increase waste management costs.
Inability to source, design and manufacture products that require sustainably
sourced critical raw materials or materials that are affected by increased
duties or tariffs.
Increase in write-offs and early retirement of existing assets, resulting in
additional cost.
Negative impact upon the attraction, retention and motivation of skilled
employees and contractors.
Mitigation activities across all categories
Life Cycle Assessment is used in the development and approval processes for
new products to assess and improve their circularity.
Corporate strategy drives innovations and initiatives in circularity across
all product categories.
Programs launched to enhance circularity of products and packaging.
Optimise circular economy alignment across the value chain by designing for
the reuse and recycling of end-of-life products and increasing the use of
recycled and environmentally preferable materials.
Periodic review of current and evolving sustainability policies and
regulations to inform the Group's circular economy strategy.
Cross-functional and cross-industry engagement on sustainability topics.
Cyber Security
Inability of the organisation to defend against an intentional or
unintentional action that results in loss of confidentiality, availability or
integrity of systems and data.
Time frame
Short-/medium-/long-term
Strategic impact
Quality Growth/Sustainable Future/Dynamic
Business
Key Stakeholders
Consumers, Society, Our People, Shareholders &
Investors
Considered in viability statement
Yes
Impact
Loss or theft of confidential business information, when used alone or in
conjunction with any other available information reduces the impact of BAT
business strategy, investments and commercial operations.
Personal data breach incidents that result in the disclosure of personally
identifiable data resulting in legal, reputational, and regulatory compliance
impacts.
Disruption to BAT's business operations that impacts R&D facilities,
manufacturing, distribution or technology services resulting in business
interruption and/or impacts to health & safety.
Inappropriate use of technology systems to enable fraud, or theft of product,
technology, or monetary resources.
Loss of digital trust resulting in brand damage and a loss of consumer trust.
A cyber incident experienced by a third party partner or supplier resulting in
business interruption, supply chain disruption, loss of company data or
provides access or transmission of malicious activity from the supplier to
BAT.
Non-compliance with cybersecurity standards and system vulnerabilities can
precipitate other Group principal risks.
Mitigation activities across all categories
The group implements physical, technical and administrative safeguards to
mitigate risks of a cyber security incident, including security measures, such
as defensive technologies, encryption, authentication, backup and recovery
systems, to protect the confidentiality, integrity and availability of IDT
systems and networks.
The Group's cyber security processes are regularly reviewed and updated to
ensure these remain effective and aligned with our business objectives,
regulatory obligations and industry standards.
Regular training and awareness programmes provided to Group employees and
contractors on cyber security best practices and procedures and adherence to
our SoBC.
Vendor management processes in place, including due diligence and contractual
obligations, to ensure that third-party service providers adhere to BAT's
cyber security requirements and standards.
Development of business continuity plans to ensure that the Group can promptly
respond to any potential or actual cyber security incident and minimise their
impact on the business.
Engagement with external assessors, consultants, auditors and other third
parties to provide independent assurance and recommendations on cyber security
matters.
Engagement with relevant stakeholders on cyber security matters and being
prepared to disclose any material cyber security risks or incidents in a
timely and transparent
manner.
Viability Statement
The Board has assessed the viability of the Group taking into account the
current position and principal risks, in accordance with provision 31 of the
UK Corporate Governance Code 2018. Whilst the Board believes the Group will be
able to continue in operation and meet its
liabilities as they fall due, over a longer period, owing to the inherent
uncertainty arising due to ongoing litigation, the period over which the Board
considers it possible to form a reasonable expectation as to the Group's
longer-term viability (that it will continue in operation and meet its
liabilities as they fall due) is three years, in line with the Group's cash
flow forecasting to
support debt refinancing plans.@
The Directors noted that the Group has a strong track record of cash flow
delivery
and expects to generate in excess of £50 billion of free cash flow before
dividends by 2030 - as discussed on page 40.
Furthermore, the Group has net cash and cash equivalents at 31 December 2024
of
£5.1 billion (of which £2.1 billion is restricted), and access to a number
of facilities (as described in note 26), including:
- a syndicated £5.4 billion committed revolving credit facility,
that is currently undrawn;
- a US$4 billion U.S. commercial paper programme and a £3 billion
euro commercial paper programme; and
- short term bilateral facilities (£2.4 billion).
-
The Group continues to maintain investment‑grade credit ratings*, with
ratings from Moody's, S&P and Fitch of Baa1 (stable outlook), BBB+ (stable
outlook), BBB+ (stable outlook), respectively, and continues to target a solid
investment-grade credit rating of Baa1, BBB+ and BBB+.
The strength of the ratings has underpinned debt issuance and the Group is
confident in its
ability to access the debt capital markets.
In making the assessment, the Directors undertook a robust review of the
Group's operational and financial processes (which cover both short-term
financial forecasts and capacity plans) and how the Principal Risks (as
indicated on pages 156 to 162) may impact the Group's viability under various
scenarios. Notes 23 and 26 in the Notes on the Accounts provide further detail
on the
Group's borrowings and management of financial risks.
The Directors recognised that multiyear cash flow forecasts are prepared to:
- assess impairment (as described in note 12) for a number of the
Group's reporting entities (or cash generating units); and
- input into the active capital allocation model, including debt
maturity planning.
The Group does not have any covenants related to its current debt issued or
available facilities. In order to assess viability, a base scenario was
developed, which assessed the Group's notional headroom against a theoretical
interest cover of 5.0x, used on a conservative basis that such a covenant may
be applied in the future. Each scenario then assessed how the earnings of the
Group may be affected by the realisation of the risks and then, if necessary,
determined how many times more severe that risk must be before the theoretical
interest cover was breached.
A reverse stress test of the impact of the individual Principal Risks was also
undertaken as part of the assessment. This did not identify any individual
risk, based upon a prudent annual forecast that would, if arising in isolation
and without mitigation, impact the Group's viability within the
three-year confirmation period.
Further, in order for the theoretical interest cover to be breached, profit
from operations, excluding the adjusting items, would have to decline by 13.5%
per year, for the interest cover to fall below 5x after three years.
Due to the nature of the Group's operations, it is subject to inherent
uncertainties with regards to litigation, the outcome of which is uncertain in
terms of timing or scale and may have a bearing on
the Group's viability. The Group maintains, as referred to in note 31 in the
Notes on the Accounts 'Contingent Liabilities and Financial Commitments'.
Whilst it is impossible to be certain of the outcome of any particular case,
the defences of the Group's companies to all the various claims are
meritorious on both law and the facts.
However, if an adverse judgment is entered against any of the Group's
companies in any case, an appeal may be made, the duration of which can be
reasonably expected to last for a number of years.
Under the Group's active capital allocation mechanism (see page 40), the Group
intends to pay dividends of 65% of long-term sustainable earnings (2024: £5.2
billion) with other discretionary capital expenditure estimated at £650
million. Both may be revised to redirect funds to the settlement of other
including debt repayment.
The Board has assessed the viability of the Group taking into account the
current position and principal risks, in accordance with provision 31 of the
UK Corporate Governance Code 2018.
Whilst the Board believes the Group will be able to continue in operation and
meet its
liabilities as they fall due, over a longer period, owing to the inherent
uncertainty arising due to ongoing litigation, the period over which the Board
considers it possible to form a reasonable expectation as to the Group's
longer-term viability (that it will continue in operation and meet its
liabilities as they fall due) is three years, in line with the Group's cash
flow forecasting to
support debt refinancing plans.@
APPENDIX B
RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES
The Group has a number of transactions and relationships with related parties,
as defined in IAS 24 Related Party Disclosures, all of which are undertaken in
the normal course of business. Transactions with CTBAT International Limited
(a joint operation) are not included in these disclosures as the results are
immaterial to the Group.
Intercompany transactions and balances are eliminated on consolidation and
therefore are not disclosed.
Transactions and balances with associates relate mainly to the sale and
purchase of cigarettes and tobacco leaf and the provision of IT services.
Other investments in associates, in the form of convertible loan notes, are
not included in the table below. The Group's share of dividends from
associates, included in other income in the table below, was £447 million
(2023: £559 million; 2022: £438 million).
2024 2023 2022
£m £m £m
Transactions
- revenue 492 523 494
- purchases (179) (178) (190)
- other income 448 560 441
- other expenses (13) (6) (1)
Amounts receivable at 31 December 39 48 51
Amounts payable at 31 December (12) (4) (4)
The following related party transactions occurred in 2024, 2023 and 2022.
Transactions with associates
ITC
As explained in note 27(b)(i), on 13 March 2024, the Group announced the
divestment of 12% of its equity stake in ITC Limited (the equivalent of 3.5%
of ITC's ordinary shares) to institutional investors by way of an accelerated
bookbuild process which generated net proceeds after transaction costs and
taxes of INR166.9 billion (approximately £1.6 billion). Following completion
of the transaction, the Group has remained a significant shareholder of ITC
with a 25.45% investment and has continued to account for ITC as an associated
undertaking using the equity method of accounting.
Organigram
In 2023, the Group announced the signing of an agreement for a further
investment of CAD$125 million (approximately £74 million) in Organigram,
subject to customary conditions, including necessary approvals by the
shareholders of Organigram, which was given on 18 January 2024. On 24 January
2024, BAT made the first tranche investment of CAD$42 million (£24 million)
acquiring a further 12,893,175 common shares of Organigram at a price of
CAD$3.22 per share. On 30 August 2024, BAT made the second tranche investment
of CAD$42 million (£24 million) acquiring a further 4,429,740 common shares
and 8,463,435 preferred shares of Organigram at a price of CAD$3.22 per share.
Subject to certain conditions, the remaining 12,893,175 shares subscribed for
shall be issued at the same price as the previous two tranches by the end of
February 2025. The additional investment in 2024 increased the Group's
interest in Organigram to 35.09%. Under the terms of the agreement, the
Group's voting rights are restricted to 30%.
The Group and Organigram also have a Product Development Collaboration
Agreement following which a Centre of Excellence was established to focus on
developing the next generation of cannabis products with an initial focus on
cannabidiol (CBD).
Other associates
The following transactions occurred during 2024:
- On 11 September 2024, VST Industries Ltd (VST) allotted
154,419,200 equity shares of INR10 each as fully paid-up bonus equity shares.
The bonus equity shares were allotted in the proportion of 10 new fully
paid-up equity shares for every one existing fully paid up equity share. The
Group's interest in VST remains unchanged at 32.16%.
The following transactions occurred during 2023, when the Group:
- acquired 19.9% of DeFloria for £8 million; and
- increased its ownership in Steady State LLC (trading as Open Book
Extracts) from 5.76% to 10.8% for £4 million along with a further investment
of £8 million by way of a convertible loan note.
The following transactions occurred during 2022, when the Group:
- made a £32 million investment in exchange for 16% of Sanity Group
GmbH;
- increased its ownership of a wholesale producer and distributor
operating in the agriculture sector based in Uzbekistan, FE 'Samfruit' JSC to
45.40% for £1 million;
- made a non-controlling investment in Steady State LLC for £4
million; and
- invested in Charlotte's Web via a convertible debenture of £48
million which is currently convertible into a non-controlling equity stake of
approximately 19.9% (as explained in note 27(b)(iii)).
Non-controlling interests
During 2023, the Group acquired a further 1.31% in Hrvatski Duhani d.d., at a
cost of less than £1 million, following the acquisitions in 2022 (3.3% at a
cost of £1 million).
Other related party transactions
As explained in note 15, in 2022 the Group provided a temporary liquidity
facility to the main UK pension fund. The facility was undrawn as at 31
December 2023 and on 28 March 2024 the facility was cancelled.
As a result of the implementation of the EU Single-Use Plastic Directive in
certain EU countries, the Group, along with other tobacco manufacturers,
established Producer Responsibility Organisations for the management of the
Extended Producer Responsibility obligations relating to tobacco product butt
filter waste collection. The costs incurred by the Group in relation to this
waste disposal is included in note 33.
The key management personnel of British American Tobacco consist of the
members of the Board of Directors of British American Tobacco p.l.c. and the
members of the Management Board. No such person had any material interest
during the year in a contract of significance (other than a service contract)
with the Company or any subsidiary company. The term key management personnel
in this
context includes their close family members.
2024 2023 2021
£m £m £m
The total compensation for key management personnel, including Directors, was:
- salaries and other short-term employee benefits
21 17 19
- post-employment benefits 1 1 1
- share-based payments 12 13 17
34 31 36
The following table, which is not part of IAS 24 disclosures, shows the
aggregate emoluments of the Directors of the Company.
Executive Directors Chair Non-Executive Directors Total
2024 2023 2022 2024 2023 2022 2024 2023 2022 2024 2023 2022
£'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000
Salary; fees; benefits; incentives
- salary 1,907 1,644 2129 1,907 1,644 2,129
- fees 711 688 670 1,112 1,059 1,027 1,823 1,747 1,697
- taxable benefits 617 395 449 17 17 59 79 31 78 713 443 586
- short-term incentives 3,496 1,650 3,761 3,496 1,650 3,761
- long-term incentives 1,474 371 7,888 1,474 1,371 7,888
-buy-out 2,969 - 2,969 - -
Sub-total 10,463 5,060 14,227 728 705 729 1,191 1,090 1,105 12,382 6,855 16,061
Pension; other emoluments
- pension 276 248 320 276 248 320
- other emoluments 6 2 6 6 2 6
Sub-total 282 250 326 282 250 326
Total emoluments 10,745 5,310 14,553 728 705 729 1,191 1,090 1,105 12,664 7,105 16,387
APPENDIX C
RESPONSIBILITY OF DIRECTORS
Statement of Directors' Responsibilities in Respect of the Annual Report and
the Financial Statements
The Directors are responsible for preparing the Annual Report and the Group
and Parent Company financial statements in accordance with applicable law and
regulations. Under company law, directors must not approve the Financial
Statements unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of
the state of affairs of the Parent Company and the Group for that period.
Under applicable law, directors are required to prepare the financial
statements in accordance with UK-adopted international accounting standards
and applicable law. The Directors have elected to prepare the Parent Company
financial statements in accordance with UK Accounting Standards and applicable
law, including FRS 101 'Reduced Disclosure Framework'. In preparing these
Group financial statements, the Directors have also elected to comply with
International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) as issued by the
International Accounting Standards Board (IASB).
In preparing each of the Group and Parent Company financial statements, the
Directors are required to:
- select suitable accounting policies and then apply them
consistently;
- make judgements and estimates that are reasonable, relevant,
reliable and prudent;
- state whether Group financial statements have been prepared in
accordance with UK-adopted international accounting standards;
- state whether, for the Parent Company financial statements,
applicable UK Accounting Standards have been followed, subject to any material
departures disclosed and explained in those statements;
- assess the Group and Parent Company's ability to continue as a
going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern;
and
- use the going concern basis of accounting unless the Directors
either intend to liquidate the Group or the Parent Company or to cease
operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.
The Directors are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are
sufficient to show and explain the Parent Company's transactions and disclose
with reasonable accuracy at
any time the financial position of the Parent Company and enable them to
ensure that its financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They
are responsible for such internal control as they determine is necessary to
enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material
misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and have general responsibility
for taking such steps as are reasonably open to them to safeguard the assets
of the Group and to prevent and detect fraud and other irregularities.
Under applicable law and regulations, the Directors are also responsible for
preparing a Strategic Report, Directors' Report, Directors' Remuneration
Report and Corporate Governance Statement that comply with applicable law and
regulations.
The Directors are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the Annual
Report included on the Company's website. Legislation in the UK governing the
preparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ from
legislation in other jurisdictions.
In accordance with Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rule (DTR) 4.1.16R,
the financial statements will form part of the annual financial report
prepared using the single electronic reporting format under DTRs 4.1.17R and
4.1.18R. The auditor's report on these financial statements provides no
assurance over whether the annual financial report has been prepared in
accordance with those requirements.
Directors' Declaration in Relation to Relevant Audit Information
Having made appropriate enquiries, each of the Directors who held office at
the date of approval of this Annual Report confirms that:
- so far as he or she is aware, there is no relevant audit
information of which the Company's auditors are unaware; and
- he or she has taken all steps that a Director ought to have taken
in order to make himself or herself aware of relevant audit information and to
establish that the Company's auditors are aware of that information.
Responsibility Statement of the Directors in Respect of the Annual Financial
Report
We confirm that to the best of our knowledge:
- the financial statements, prepared in accordance with the
applicable set of accounting standards, give a true and fair view of the
assets, liabilities, financial position and profit or loss of the Company and
the undertakings included in the consolidation taken as a whole; and
- the Strategic Report and the Directors' Report include a fair
review of the development and performance of the business and the position of
the Company and the undertakings included in the consolidation taken as a
whole, together with a description of the principal risks and uncertainties
that they face.
Forward looking statements
This document contains certain forward-looking statements, including
"forward-looking" statements made within the meaning of the U.S. Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are often, but not
always, made through the use of words or phrases such as "believe,"
"anticipate," "could," "may," "would," "should," "intend," "plan,"
"potential," "predict," "will," "expect," "estimate," "project," "positioned,"
"strategy," "outlook", "target" and similar expressions. These include
statements regarding our intentions, beliefs or current expectations
concerning, amongst other things, our results of operations, financial
condition, liquidity, prospects, growth, strategies and the economic and
business circumstances occurring from time to time in the countries and
markets in which the Group operates.
In particular, these forward-looking statements include, among other
statements, statements regarding the Group's future financial performance,
planned product launches and future regulatory developments, as well as: (i)
certain statements in the Overview section (pages 2 to 23), including the
Chair's Introduction and Chief Executive's Review; (ii) certain statements in
the Strategy section (pages 11-25), including the Our Strategic Navigator
section, Our Business Model section, Engaging with Our Stakeholders section,
Chief Financial Officer's Overview and Our Markets and Megatrends section;
(iii) certain statements in the Quality Growth section (pages 26 to 35),
including the Strategic Pillar overview; (iv) certain statements in the
Dynamic Business section (pages 38 to 59), including certain statements in the
Strategic Pillar Overview section, the Financial Performance Summary, the
Treasury and Cash Flow section and the going concern discussions in the Other
Financial Information section; (v) certain statements in the Sustainable
Future section (pages 60 to 163), including the Our Sustainability Strategy
section, Double Materiality Assessment section, Tobacco Harm Reduction
section, Climate section, Nature section, Circularity section, Communities
section, TCFD reporting and TNFD reporting section; (vi) certain statements in
the Notes on Accounts (pages 269 to 370), including the Group's ability to
navigate regulatory change on page 297 and estimates and assumptions in
connection with the Proposed Plans under the CCAA on page 287; and (vii)
certain statements in the Other Information section (pages 389 to 467),
including the Additional Disclosures and Shareholder Information sections.
All such forward-looking statements involve estimates and assumptions that are
subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors. It is believed that the
expectations reflected in this document are reasonable but they may be
affected by a wide range of variables that could cause actual results to
differ materially from those currently anticipated.
Among the key factors that could cause actual results to differ materially
from those projected in the forward-looking statements are uncertainties
related to the following: the impact of competition from illicit trade; the
impact of adverse domestic or international legislation and regulation; the
inability to develop, commercialise and deliver the Group's New Categories
strategy; the impact of Supply chain disruptions; adverse litigation and
dispute outcomes and the effect of such outcomes on the Group's financial
condition; the impact of significant increases or structural changes in
tobacco, nicotine and New Categories related taxes; translational and
transactional foreign exchange rate exposure; changes or differences in
domestic or international economic or political conditions; the ability to
maintain credit ratings and to fund the business under the current capital
structure; the impact of serious injury, illness or death in the workplace;
adverse decisions by domestic or international regulatory bodies; direct and
indirect adverse impacts associated with Climate Change; direct and indirect
adverse impacts associated with the move towards a Circular Economy; and Cyber
Security risks caused by the heightened cyber-threat landscape and increased
digital interactions with consumers, and changes to regulation. Further
details on the principal risks that may affect the Group can be found in the
Group Principal Risks section of the Strategic Report on pages 155 to 162 of
this document. A summary of all the risk factors (including the principal
risks) which are monitored by the Board through the Group's risk register is
set out in the Additional Disclosures section under the Group Risk Factors
heading on pages 414 to 435.
Past performance is no guide to future performance and persons needing advice
should consult an independent financial adviser. The forward-looking
statements reflect knowledge and information available at the date of
preparation of this document and the Group undertakes no obligation to update
or revise these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new
information, future events or otherwise. Readers are cautioned not to place
undue reliance on such forward-looking statements.
No statement in this document is intended to be a profit forecast and no
statement in this document should be interpreted to mean that earnings per
share of BAT for the current or future financial years would necessarily match
or exceed the historical published earnings per share of BAT.
Although financial materiality has been considered in the development of our
Double Materiality Assessment (DMA), our DMA and any conclusions in this
document as to the materiality or significance of sustainability matters do
not imply that all topics discussed therein are financially material to our
business taken as a whole, and such topics may not significantly alter the
total mix of information available about our securities.
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