Hilton Foods Regulatory News (HFG)

30th March 2017

Hilton Food Group plc

Further strategic expansion

Highlights

Hilton Food Group plc, the leading specialist international meat packing business, today announces its preliminary results for the 52 weeks ended 1 January 2017.

Financial highlights

* Volume includes 50% share of the Australian joint venture activity

Strategic highlights

Operating highlights

Commenting on the results Chief Executive Robert Watson OBE said:

"2016 was a very strong year as Hilton continued to make good progress with volume and profit growth, range extension and the launch of a meat trading business despite competitive market conditions. The conclusion of a joint venture in Portugal and the development of a further factory in Australia demonstrates our geographical and operational growth and we continue to explore further expansion opportunities."

This announcement contains inside information.

Chairman's introduction

Strategic progress

I am pleased to report continued progress in 2016 against our strategic objectives and a further expansion of our global footprint.

In December 2016 we announced plans to expand packing capabilities in Australia with the construction of a new factory in Queensland with our existing Australian partner, Woolworths Ltd, which Hilton will finance and operate. In January 2017 we announced the joint venture agreement with Sonae Modelo Continente, the leading food retailer in Portugal, our fourteenth European country. Our product range has increased to include fresh pizzas and we have successfully launched a new UK meat trading company. These developments bode well for Hilton's future.

Group performance

Despite competitive market conditions we grew our volume in 2016 maintaining a trend of continuous growth achieved in every year since Hilton's flotation in 2007. Strong underlying operating profit growth of over 11% was boosted further by favourable exchange translation movements to over 18%. Basic earnings per share at 33.7p were over 22% higher than last year.

Hilton continued to generate significant cash during 2016 enabling the Group's net cash position to grow from £12.7m at the end of 2015 to £32.3m at the end of the year. As well as being available to fund our new projects in Australia and Portugal we are well positioned to take advantage of other opportunities as they arise.

Our continued investment in our facilities includes new technology to increase capacity, improve operational efficiency and offer innovative solutions to our retailer partners.

There is currently a climate of local, global and geopolitical uncertainties including the UK's decision to leave the European Union. Although the final terms of Brexit are unknown, Hilton's predominantly local sourcing and operating model leaves us well placed and we are confident that the Hilton business is resilient to weather these uncertainties.

Dividend policy

The Board considers that the Group's progressive dividend policy maintained since flotation remains appropriate, given both the strategic progress achieved in 2016 and Hilton's continuing strong level of cash generation. With the proposed final dividend of 12.5p per ordinary share for 2016, total dividends in respect of 2016 will be 17.1p per ordinary share, an increase of 17.1% compared to last year.

Our Board and governance

The Hilton Board is responsible for the long term success of the Group and, to achieve this, it contains an appropriate mix of skills and depth and a range of practical business experience, which is available to support and guide our management teams across a wide range of countries.

During the year I was elected as the Company's new Chairman. In addition two Non-Executive Directors, Sir David Naish and Chris Marsh, left the Board following completion of nine year terms and Theo Bergman also stepped down as an Executive Director due to personal circumstances. Each made a significant contribution to Hilton's business and they leave with our very best wishes. John Worby and Christine Cross joined the Board as Non-Executive Directors bringing significant experience in public companies, as well as food and retail sectors. I believe that their appointments complement our Board with additional experience and diversity. I would like to thank my colleagues on the Board for their support, counsel and expertise during the year.

We remain committed to achieving good governance and compliance with the UK Corporate Governance Code including succession planning and maintaining a talent pipeline.

Annual General Meeting

This year's AGM will be held at the Old Bridge Hotel, 1 High Street, Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire PE29 3TQ on 24 May 2017 at noon and my colleagues and I very much look forward to seeing those of you who are able to attend.

Colin Smith OBE

Non-Executive Chairman

29 March 2017

Chief Executive's summary

Strategic objectives

Our strategy continues to be to support our customers' brands and their development in local markets, whilst achieving attractive and sustainable rates of growth in value for our shareholders. This straightforward approach has generated growth over an extended period of time and, with a strong reputation, well invested modern facilities and a robust balance sheet, the Group remains well positioned to achieve continuing progress.

Hilton seeks to build long term customer and shareholder value by focusing on:

We will continue to pursue measured geographical expansion and range extension, whilst at the same time actively developing, enriching, deepening and expanding the scope of our existing business partnerships, playing a full and proactive role in supporting our customers and the successful development of their brands.

Business model

Our business model is the means by which we deliver on our strategic objectives. The Hilton business model is proven and sustainable, whilst being relatively simple and straightforward. We operate large scale, extensively automated and robotised meat processing and packing facilities for major international multiple retailers on a dedicated basis. The one exception is in Central Europe, where our facility in Poland supplies more multiple retailers in order to achieve critical mass in terms of volumes supplied and the consequent ability to achieve competitive unit packing costs.

Raw material meat is sourced, in conjunction with our retail partners, from local sources and a wide international base of proven suppliers. It is then processed, packed and delivered to the retailers' distribution centres or stores. Our plants are highly automated and use advanced robotics for the storage of raw materials and finished products. Developing robotics technology has been extended in recent years both in the production environment and to the sorting of finished products by retailer store order, achieving material supply chain efficiencies for our customers.

We seek to keep ourselves at the forefront of the meat packing industry, which helps ensure our continued competitiveness. We constantly look to drive efficiencies, always maintaining a pipeline of clear identifiable cost reduction initiatives and an open minded approach designed to continually challenge the status quo. We consider our modern, very well invested facilities to be a key factor in keeping unit packing costs as low as possible. Over the past thirteen years we have invested continuously across all areas of our business, including the sourcing of raw materials, the design of packaging materials, increased efficiency in processing and storage solutions and updating our IT infrastructure. Following substantial investment in the UK in 2014, we continue to invest, working in partnership with our customer Tesco PLC. This has subsequently delivered double-digit growth and market-leading efficiencies, as well as product and packaging innovation all to the highest quality standards. Group capital expenditure over the period 2004-2016 has totalled £226m.

We have facilities in six countries in Europe each run by a local management team enhanced by specialist central leadership, expertise, advice and support. These businesses operate under the terms of five to ten year long term supply agreements with our retail partners, either on a cost plus, packing rate or volume based reward basis. These contractual arrangements, combined with our customer dedication, serve to maximise achievable volume throughput whilst minimising unit packing costs thereby delivering value to our customers. In Australia, our joint venture company receives a volume related management fee in respect of the facilities it operates on behalf of Woolworths.

Under the long term supply agreements we have in place with our customers, the parameters of our revenue are clearly defined. As well as income derived from the supply of retail packed meat products there are also provisions whereby our income can be increased or decreased subject to achievement of certain pre-agreed and pre-defined key performance measures and targets designed to align our objectives with those of our customers.

We are a committed and loyal partner with a continuing record of delivering value through quality products with the highest levels of food safety, traceability and integrity, whilst providing a range of services which enable our customers to evolve and improve their meat supply chain management. Our customer base comprises high quality multiple retailers and our in-depth understanding of our customers' needs, together with those of their consumers, enables us to play an active role in managing their meat supply chains whilst providing agile solutions to supply chain challenges as they arise. As our customers' markets change and competition increases, we need to keep a constant focus on the challenges they face so as to be able to put forward flexible solutions, together with continuing increases in efficiency and cost competitiveness. This flexible approach towards and understanding of our local markets remains one of our core strengths.

The strength of our long term partnerships with our retail customers has been a key driver of our growth since the Group was formed and will continue to underpin the Group's strategy. Hilton's business model has proved successful across a range of European countries and in Australia, appropriately adapted in each case by working in close collaboration with its local customers to meet their specific requirements. Our experience to date continues to indicate that our business model, appropriately adapted, can be successfully transferred to a number of new countries.

As well as our ability to provide excellent execution locally, we also have at our disposal a wide and deep expertise on a number of areas of specialism, such as engineering, food related IT applications, category management support and market intelligence. We are able to apply these skills to a number of markets to support our customers where required, and to do so in a cost-effective way.

Geographical spread

The Group's rapid expansion has been based on its established track record, together with its growing international reputation and experience and the recognised success of the close partnerships it has forged and maintained with successful retail partners. We are an international business in fourteen European countries and Australia with production facilities in the seven countries listed below including the dates operations commenced.

Our facility in Tychy supplies Ahold stores in Czech Republic and Slovakia, Tesco stores in Hungary, Czech Republic, Poland and Slovakia and Rimi stores in Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia. Our facility at Zaandam also supplies Albert Heijn stores in Belgium.

The joint venture with Woolworths in Australia involves our joint venture company managing Woolworths' meat processing and packing facilities at Bunbury in Western Australia, Brisbane in Queensland and, from September 2015, a new state of the art meat packing facility near Melbourne, Victoria.

With the signing of a joint venture agreement in early 2017, our joint venture company now manages Sonae's meat processing and packing facility in Portugal.

In 2016 some 74% of the Group's volumes were produced and sold in countries outside the UK.

Currency translation

The wide geographical spread of the Group increases its resilience by minimising its reliance on any one individual economy. This means that Hilton's results, as reported in Sterling, are sensitive to changes in the value of Sterling compared to the range of overseas currencies in which the Group trades. During 2016, the average exchange rates for the various overseas currencies in which the Group trades have all appreciated significantly against Sterling, compared with the corresponding period in 2015, specifically, the Euro by 12.5%, the Danish Krone by 12.7%, the Polish Zloty by 7.9%, the Swedish Krona by 11.3% and the Australian Dollar by 11.6%.

Culture and people

Successful businesses are principally about having the right people in the right positions at the right time working together as "one team", with local management teams empowered, encouraged and advised in specialist areas enabling them to support their local customers. The Group benefits from each of its businesses being part of a larger organisation, which enables them to share best practice solutions, including equipment selection, IT solutions and ways of working along with the collaborative sharing of new learnings, ideas and techniques.

We are committed to providing an inclusive working environment where everyone feels valued, respected and able to fulfil their potential. We recognise that people from different backgrounds, countries and experiences can bring benefits to our business. We fully recognise the benefits of gender diversity and details of the gender composition of our staff are set out in our Corporate and social responsibility report.

The Group currently employs 2,898 employees in six European countries and Australia. Our business model is largely decentralised, with capable, largely self-sufficient management teams running our businesses in each local country. We consider this devolved structure to be a critical success factor, achieving close working relationships with our customers, who benefit from personal, dedicated, flexible and rapid local support.

The Board fully understands and appreciates just how much our progress relies on the effort, personal commitment, enthusiasm, enterprise and initiative of our employees. I would like to take this opportunity, on behalf of the Board, to personally thank all of them both for their dedicated efforts during 2016 and their continuing commitment to the Group's ongoing growth and development.

Performance overview

The overall performance of our business was strong across its three separate operating segments as outlined below.

Western Europe

Operating profit of £35.9m (2015: £32.1m) on turnover of £1,147.5m (2015: £1,020.7m)

This operating segment covers the Group's businesses in the UK, Ireland, Holland, Sweden and Denmark. On a comparable 52 week basis volumes were 3.8% higher than last year, principally reflecting good volume growth in the UK and encouraging growth in our Irish business. The range of products supplied was extended during the year to include fresh pizzas and meal boxes from our Swedish facility.

Sales on a like-for-like 52 week constant currency basis grew by 7.0% reflecting the higher volumes and boosted by the launch of Hilton Food Solutions, our new meat trading business which is a logical development given Hilton's procurement strengths and extensive global contacts in the meat trade.

Central Europe

Operating profit of £2.1m (2015: £2.3m) on turnover of £87.0m (2015: £74.1m)

In Central Europe the Group's meat packing business, based at Tychy in Poland, supplies customers across Central Europe, from Hungary to the Baltics. This multi-customer business supplies Ahold stores in Czech Republic and Slovakia, Tesco stores in Hungary, Czech Republic, Poland and Slovakia and Rimi stores in Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia. Volumes decreased by 4.5% due to competitive headwinds. Conversely sales grew by 8.8% at constant currency driven by increased raw material prices and a mix shift into beef. Range was extended to include fresh pizzas and sous vide products.

Central costs and other

Net operating cost £3.7m (2015: £5.4m)

This segment includes our share of the management fee earned by our joint venture with Woolworths of £3.1m (2015: £1.2m), start-up and support costs in connection with the joint venture of £0.6m (2015: £1.2m) and central costs of £6.2m (2015: £5.4m).

In Australia the Group has a joint venture with Woolworths, under which it earns a 50% share of the agreed management fees charged by the joint venture company to Woolworths for operating certain Woolworths' meat processing and packing plants, based on the volume of retail packed meat delivered to Woolworths' stores. The joint venture company is responsible for the operation of Woolworths' Western Australian meat processing centre in Bunbury, its Queensland meat processing centre in Brisbane and the new purpose built retail packing facility near Melbourne in Victoria which started production in September 2015.

Volumes in Australia grew by 134% in the year as the Melbourne facility ramped up production towards its normal operating capacity. In addition start-up costs reduced as expected. Central costs were higher as we increased our resources to manage our growth successfully and additionally the share scheme charge increased attributable to surpassing threshold performance.

Past and future trends

Over recent decades as major retail chains have progressively gained a greater share of the grocery markets in most countries, they have increasingly turned to large scale, centralised meat packing solutions capable of producing private label packed meat products more safely and cost effectively. In doing so, they have rationalised their supply base, achieving lower costs with higher food safety, food integrity, traceability and quality standards. This has allowed supermarket groups to focus on their core business and maximise their return on available retail space whilst addressing consumers' continuing requirement for quality and value.

Grocery retail markets are expected to remain extremely competitive, with continuing pressure on consumer expenditure. The trend towards increased use of centralised meat packing solutions is likely to continue albeit at different speeds across the world. This gives rise to a wide range of potential future geographical expansion opportunities for Hilton, but inevitably in a range of different timescales as markets develop and change over time.

Within the wider retail market consumer patterns are continuing to change with increased internet based ordering and a growth in the number of "click and collect" facilities. Following pressures on consumer expenditure over a number of years, there has been increased use by cost conscious consumers of local convenience stores and discount outlets to shop more frequently for a reduced overall basket cost per visit and at a wider range of retail outlets. These developments which appear to be structural rather than cyclical reinforce the overall trend towards retail packed meat, as this is the meat offering in all these growth areas.

Outlook and current trading

Hilton's operating performance in the early months of 2017 has been in line with the Board's expectations. The Group will continue to explore opportunities for geographical expansion in both domestic and overseas markets and is well placed to capture those opportunities as they arise.

The medium term outlook for Hilton is positive with the commencement of the Portugal joint venture company and the planning phase for the new Queensland factory in Australia under way. With these new projects and continued focus on product development and range extension Hilton is confident of making further progress.

Robert Watson OBE

Chief Executive

29 March 2017

Performance and financial review

Group performance

Hilton's financial performance was strong in 2016 boosted by favourable currency movements. Growth in operating profit was 18.4% and basic earnings per share 22.5% and 11.7% and 15.4% ahead on a comparable 52 week constant currency basis respectively. Continued strong cash flow generation significantly increased our net cash position. This performance and financial review covers the main highlights of the Group's financial performance and position in 2016.

Basis of preparation

The Group is presenting its results for the 52 week period ended 1 January 2017, with comparative information for the 53 week period ended 3 January 2016. The financial statements of the Group are prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) as adopted by the European Union (EU).

2016 Financial performance

Revenue

Volumes grew by 7.4% in the year and by 8.9% on a like-for-like 52 week basis. Underlying volume increases were seen in the UK, Ireland, Holland and Australia with lower volumes in Denmark and Central Europe. Additional details of volume growth by business segment are set out in the Chief Executive's summary. Revenue increased 12.8% and by 7.2% on a like-for-like 52 week constant currency basis attributable to the higher volumes and the new meat trading business.

Operating profit and margin

Operating profit, at £34.3m was 18.4% above the previous year's level (2015: £29.0m) and 11.7% higher on a like-for-like 52 week constant currency basis. The operating profit margin in 2016 improved to 2.8% (2015: 2.6%), primarily reflecting higher Australia volumes and the operating profit per kilogram of packed meat sold was 12.5p (2015: 11.3p).

Net finance costs

Net finance costs of £1.1m matched the previous year's level (2015: £1.1m) with interest rates remaining at historically low levels, reflecting continuing low LIBOR and other interbank rates, which determine the interest rates on the Group's principal borrowings. Interest cover in 2016 remained high increasing to 31 times (2015: 28 times).

Taxation

The taxation charge for the period was £6.6m (2015: £6.5m). This represented an effective taxation rate of 19.7% (2015: 23.2%). The reduction in the effective tax rate is attributable to lower corporation tax rates in some countries and also due to higher joint venture income which is reported within operating profit on a post-tax basis under the equity method.

Net income

Net income, representing profit for the year attributable to owners of the parent, at £24.6m (2015: £20.0m) was 23.1% higher than last year reflecting the increase in operating profit and 16.1% higher on a like-for-like 52 week constant currency basis.

Earnings per share

Basic earnings per share at 33.7p (2015: 27.5p) were 22.5% higher than last year (15.4% on a like-for-like 52 week constant currency basis). Diluted earnings per share were 33.2p (2015: 27.2p).

Earnings before interest, taxation, depreciation and amortisation

EBITDA, which is used by the Group as an indicator of cash generation, increased by 11.4% to £54.0m (2015: £48.4m) mainly reflecting the increase in operating profit.

Free cash flow

Cash flow remained strong in 2016, with the Group generating free cash of £26.7m before dividends and financing (2015: £31.7m), after incurring capital expenditure of £16.4m. Group borrowings were £27.0m at the end of 2016 and, with net cash balances of £59.3m, this resulted in a closing net cash position of £32.3m, as compared with a net cash level of £12.7m at the end of 2015. At the end of 2016 the Group had undrawn overdraft and loan facilities of £99.2m (2015: £28.3m).

A strong ungeared balance sheet gives the Group considerable flexibility for potential future expansion. Given our propensity to generate free cash flow, we also consider that we are likely to have financial capacity for further expansion taking account of the recently announced expansion plans in Portugal and Queensland, Australia.

Dividends

The Board aims to maintain a dividend policy that provides a dividend level that grows broadly in line with the underlying earnings of the Group and has recommended a final dividend of 12.5p per ordinary share in respect of 2016. This, together with the interim dividend of 4.6p per ordinary share paid in December 2016, represents a 17.1% increase in the full year dividend, as compared with last year. The final dividend, if approved by shareholders, will be paid on 30 June 2017 to shareholders on the register on 2 June 2017 and the shares will be ex dividend on 1 June 2017.

Key performance indicators

How we measure our performance against our strategic objectives

The Board monitors a range of financial and non-financial key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure the Group's performance over time in building shareholder value and achieving the Group's strategic priorities. The nine headline KPI metrics used by the Board for this purpose, together with our performance over the past two years, is set out below:

In addition, a much wider range of financial and operating KPIs are continuously tracked at business unit level.

Treasury management

Hilton does not engage in any speculative trading in financial instruments and transacts only in relation to its underlying business requirements. The Group's policy is designed to ensure adequate financial resources are made available as required for the continuing development and growth of its businesses, whilst taking practical steps to reduce exposures to foreign exchange, interest rate fluctuation, credit, pricing and liquidity risks, as described below.

Foreign exchange rate movements and country specific risks

Whilst the presentational currency of the Group is Sterling, most of its earnings are generated in other currencies, principally the Euro, Swedish Krona, Danish Krone and Australian Dollar. The earnings of the Group's overseas subsidiaries are translated into Sterling at the average exchange rates for the year and their assets and liabilities at the year end closing rates. Changes in relevant currency parities are monitored on a continuing basis, with the timing of the repatriation of overseas profits by dividend payments and the repayment of any intra-group loans to UK holding companies paying due regard to actual and forecast exchange rate movements.

The Group has to date decided not to hedge its foreign exchange rate exposures, but this policy is kept under continuing review and may be reappraised over time as the Group's geographic spread continues to widen. The Group's overseas subsidiaries all have natural hedges in place as they, for the most part, buy raw materials, employ people, source services, sell products and arrange funding in their local currencies. As a result the Group's exposure is in the main limited to its equity investment in each overseas subsidiary and its joint venture, and in the translation of overseas earnings.

The level of country specific risk currently remains material for many businesses, in terms of the impact of macroeconomic developments, including the impact of austerity programmes and commodity price movements in some countries. The Group sells high quality basic food products, for which there will always be continuing demand, to successful blue chip multiple retailers in developed countries. Hilton has not to date been materially adversely affected by the lengthy recessionary environments seen in some countries, but will keep any future identified country specific risks under continuing review.

Interest rate fluctuation risk

This risk stems from the fact that the interest rates on the Group's borrowings are variable, being at set margins over LIBOR and other interbank rates which fluctuate over time. The Board's policy is to have an interest rate cap on a proportion of this borrowing. The Board will review hedging costs and options should the current low interest rate environment change materially.

Customer credit and pricing risks

As Hilton's customers comprise a small number of successful and creditworthy major multiple retailers, the level of credit risk is considered to be insignificant. Historically the incidence of bad debts has been immaterial. Hilton's pricing is based predominantly either on cost plus agreements or agreed packing rates with its customers.

Liquidity risk

This has for many businesses represented an area of concern over recent years, given the continuing difficult and uncertain economic environment in some countries. Hilton Food Group remains strongly cash generative, has a robust balance sheet and has committed banking facilities for the medium term, sufficient to support its existing business. All bank positions are monitored on a daily basis and capital expenditure above set levels, together with decisions on intra-group dividends, are all approved at Board meetings. All long term debt is arranged centrally and is subject to Board approval.

Going concern statement

The Directors have performed a detailed assessment, including a review of the Group's budget for the 2017 financial year and its longer term plans, including consideration of the principal risks faced by the Group. Following this review, the Directors are satisfied that the Company and the Group have adequate resources to continue to operate and meet its liabilities as they fall due for the foreseeable future, a period considered to be at least 12 months from the date of signing these financial statements. For this reason they continue to adopt the going concern basis for preparing the financial statements.

The Group's bank borrowings are detailed in the financial statements and the principal banking facilities, which support the Group's existing and contracted new business, are committed. The Group is in full compliance with all its banking covenants. Future geographical expansion which is not yet contracted, and which is not built into our internal budgets and forecasts, may require additional or extended banking facilities and such future geographical expansion will depend on our ability to negotiate appropriate additional or extended facilities, as and when they are required.

The Group's internal budgets and forward forecasts, which incorporate all reasonably foreseeable changes in trading performance, are regularly reviewed in detail by the Board and show that it will be able to operate within its current banking facilities, taking into account available cash balances, for the foreseeable future.

Viability statement

In accordance with provision C.2.2 of the 2014 revision of the UK Corporate Governance Code, the Directors confirm that they have a reasonable expectation that the Group will continue to operate and meet its liabilities, as they fall due, for the three years ending in December 2019. A period of three years has been chosen for the purpose of this viability statement as it is aligned with the Group's three year plan, which is based on the Group's current customers and does not incorporate the benefits from any potential new contract gains over this period.

The Directors' assessment has been made with reference to the Group's current position and strategy taking into account the Group's principal risks and how these are managed. The strategy and associated principal risks, which the Directors review at least annually, are incorporated in the three year plan and such related scenario testing as is required. The three year plan makes reasoned assumptions in relation to volume growth based on the position of our customers and expected changes in the macroeconomic environment and retail market conditions, expected changes in raw material meat, packaging and other costs, together with the anticipated level of capital investment required to maintain our facilities at state of the art levels. The achievement of the three year plan is not dependent on any new or expanded financing facilities.

Forward looking statements

This Strategic report contains forward looking statements that are inevitably subject to risk factors associated with, amongst other things, economic, political and business developments which may occur from time to time across the countries in which the Group operates. It is believed that the expectations reflected in these statements are reasonable based on current knowledge, but all forward looking statements and forecasts are inherently predictive, speculative and involve risk and uncertainty, simply because they relate to events and depend on circumstances that will occur in the future.

Nigel Majewski

Chief Financial Officer

29 March 2017

Risk management and principal risks

Risks and risk management

In accordance with provision C.2.1 of the 2014 revision of the UK Corporate Governance Code the Directors confirm that they have carried out a robust assessment of the principal risks facing the Group, including those which could threaten its business model, future performance, solvency or liquidity. As a leading food processor in a fast moving environment it is critical that the Group identifies, assesses and prioritises its risks. This, together with the adoption of appropriate mitigation actions, enables us to monitor, minimise and control both the probability and potential impact of these risks.

How we manage risk

Responsibility for risk management across the Group, including the appropriate identification of risks and the effective application of actions designed to mitigate those risks, resides with the Board which believes that a successful risk management framework carefully balances risk and reward, and applies reasoned judgement and consideration of potential likelihood and impact in determining its principal risks. The Group takes a proactive approach to risk management with well-developed structures and a range of processes for identifying, assessing, prioritising and mitigating its key risks, as the delivery of our strategy depends on our ability to make sound risk informed decisions.

Risk management process and risk appetite

All types of risk applicable to the business are regularly reviewed and a formal risk assessment is carried out to highlight key risks to the business and to determine actions that can reasonably and cost effectively be taken to mitigate them. The Group's Risk Register is compiled through a combination of business unit risk registers and Board input. The Board believes that in carrying out the Group's businesses it is vital to strike the right balance between an appropriate and comprehensive control environment and encouraging the level of entrepreneurial freedom of action required to seek out and develop new business opportunities; but, however skilfully this balance between risk and reward is struck, the business will always be subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, as illustrated below.

Not all the risks listed are within the Group's control and others may be unknown or currently considered immaterial, but could turn out to be material in the future. These risks, together with our risk mitigation strategies, should be considered in the context of the Group's risk management and internal control framework, details of which are set out in the Corporate governance statement. It must be recognised that systems of internal control are designed to manage rather than completely eliminate any identified risks.

The most significant risks the Group faces

The eight most significant business risks that the Group faces have changed little as might be expected with an unchanged and relatively straightforward business model. These risks, which will continue to affect the Group's businesses, together with the measures we have adopted to mitigate these risks, are outlined in the table below. This is not intended to constitute an exhaustive analysis of all risks faced by the Group, but rather to highlight those which are the most significant, as viewed from the standpoint of the Group as a whole.

Note: References in this preliminary announcement to the Strategic report, the Corporate and social responsibility report, the Directors' report and the Corporate Governance statement are to reports which will be available in the Company's full published accounts.

Responsibility statement of the Directors in respect of the Annual report and financial statements

Each of the Directors whose names and functions are set out below confirms that to the best of their knowledge and belief:

This responsibility statement was approved by the Board of Directors on 29 March 2017 and is signed on its behalf by:

Consolidated income statement

Consolidated balance sheet

Consolidated statement of changes in equity

The notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

Consolidated cash flow statement

Notes to the financial statements

1 General information

Hilton Food Group plc ("the Company") and its subsidiaries (together "the Group") is a specialist retail meat packing business supplying major international food retailers in thirteen European countries and Australia. The Company's subsidiaries are listed in a note.

The Company is a public limited company incorporated and domiciled in the UK. The address of the registered office is 2-8 The Interchange, Latham Road, Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire PE29 6YE. The registered number of the Company is 06165540.

The Company maintains a Premium Listing on the London Stock Exchange.

The financial year represents the 52 weeks to 1 January 2017 (prior financial year 53 weeks to 3 January 2016).

This preliminary announcement was approved for issue on 29 March 2017.

2 Summary of significant accounting policies

The accounting policies are consistent with those of the annual financial statements for the year ended 3 January 2016.

Basis of preparation

The consolidated financial statements of Hilton Food Group plc have been prepared under the historical cost convention and in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards as adopted by the European Union (IFRS), IFRIC interpretations and the Companies Act 2006 applicable to companies reporting under IFRS.

The consolidated financial statements have been prepared on the going concern basis. The reasons why the Directors consider this basis to be appropriate are set out in the Performance and financial review.

The financial statements are presented in Sterling and all values are rounded to the nearest thousand (£'000) except when otherwise indicated.

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with IFRS requires the use of certain critical accounting estimates. It also requires management to exercise its judgement in the process of applying the Group's accounting policies. The areas involving a higher degree of judgement or complexity, or areas where assumptions and estimates are significant to the consolidated financial statements are disclosed in a note.

The financial information included in this preliminary announcement does not constitute statutory accounts of the Group for the years ended 1 January 2017 and 3 January 2016 but is derived from those accounts. Statutory accounts for 2015 have been delivered to the Registrar of Companies and those for 2016 will be delivered following the Company's Annual General Meeting. The auditors have reported on those accounts; their reports were (i) unqualified, (ii) did not include a reference to any matters to which the auditors drew attention by way of emphasis without qualifying their report, and (iii) did not contain a statement under section 498(2) or (3) of the Companies Act 2006.

3 Segment information

Management have determined the operating segments based on the reports reviewed by the Executive Directors that are used to make strategic decisions.

The Executive Directors have considered the business from both a geographic and product perspective.

From a geographic perspective, the Executive Directors consider that the Group has seven operating segments: i) United Kingdom; ii) Netherlands; iii) Republic of Ireland; iv) Sweden; v) Denmark; vi) Central Europe including Poland, Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovakia, Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia; and vii) Central costs and other including the share of profit from the joint venture in Australia. The United Kingdom, Netherlands, Republic of Ireland, Sweden and Denmark have been aggregated into one reportable segment 'Western Europe' as they have similar economic characteristics as identified in IFRS 8. Central Europe and Central costs and other comprise the other reportable segments.

From a product perspective the Executive Directors consider that the Group has only one identifiable product, wholesaling of meat. The Executive Directors consider that no further segmentation is appropriate, as all of the Group's operations are subject to similar risks and returns and exhibit similar long term financial performance.

Sales between segments are carried out at arm's length. Revenue from external customers reported to the Executive Directors is measured in a manner consistent with that in the income statement.

The Executive Directors assess the performance of each operating segment based on its operating profit. Operating profit is measured in a manner consistent with that in the income statement.

The amounts provided to the Executive Directors with respect to total assets and liabilities are measured in a manner consistent with that of the financial statements. The assets are allocated based on the operations of the segment and their physical location. The liabilities are allocated based on the operations of the segment. The Group interest bearing reorganisation loan is not considered to be a segment liability.

The Group has four principal customers (comprising groups of entities known to be under common control), Tesco, Ahold, Coop Danmark and ICA Gruppen. These customers are located in the United Kingdom, Netherlands, Republic of Ireland, Sweden, Denmark and Central Europe including Poland, Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovakia, Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia.

Deferred tax credited directly to equity during the year in respect of employee share schemes amounted to £111,000 (2015: £118,000).

The tax on the Group's profit before income tax differs from the theoretical amount that would arise using the standard rate of UK Corporation Tax of 20% (2015: 20.25%) applied to profits of the consolidated entities as follows:

6 Earnings per share

Basic earnings per share are calculated by dividing the profit attributable to owners of the parent by the weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue during the year.

Diluted earnings per share are calculated by adjusting the weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding to assume conversion of all dilutive potential ordinary shares. The Company has share options for which a calculation is done to determine the number of shares that could have been acquired at fair value (determined as the average annual market share price of the Company's shares) based on the monetary value of the subscription rights attached to outstanding share options. The number of shares calculated as above is compared with the number of shares that would have been issued assuming the exercise of the share options.

The Directors propose a final dividend of 12.5p per share payable on 30 June 2017 to shareholders who are on the register at 2 June 2017. This dividend totalling £9.2m has not been recognised as a liability in these consolidated financial statements.

Land and buildings are held under short leaseholds. Details of bank borrowings secured on assets of the Group are given in note 10. Depreciation charges are included within administrative expenses in the income statement.

The cost and net book amount of property plant and equipment in the course of its construction included above comprise plant and machinery £1,980,000 (2015: £1,654,000).

Property, plant and equipment include the following amounts where the Group is a lessee under a finance lease:

Amortisation charges are included within administrative expenses in the income statement.