10
September 2024
LEI
Number: 213800VFRMBRTSZ3SJ06
Chesnara plc (CSN.L)
("Chesnara" or "the
Company")
STRONG CASH GENERATION AND 20
YEARS OF UNINTERRUPTED DIVIDEND GROWTH
Chesnara reports its 2024 interim
results. Key highlights are:
·
Continued strong group commercial cash
generation(1) of £29m (six months
to 30 June 2023: £22m);
·
Robust solvency of 201% (31 December 2023: 205%),
materially above our 140 - 160% normal operating
range;
·
Economic value ("EcV") of £508m (31 December
2023: £525m) with EcV earnings of £20m pre FX and dividend (six
months to 30 June 2023: £33m excluding the impact of
acquisitions);
·
Commercial value of new
business(3) of £5m (six months
to 30 June 2023: £6m);
·
IFRS pre-tax profit of £13m (six months to 30
June 2023: £15m(4));
·
3% increase to the 2024 interim dividend to 8.61p
per share (2023: 8.36p interim).
Commenting on the results, Steve
Murray, Group CEO, said:
"The group has yet again delivered
strong cash generation and generated positive organic EcV earnings.
This financial performance over the first half of the year,
combined with our robust solvency position, has allowed us to
extend our track record of uninterrupted dividend growth to 20
years, unrivalled across listed UK and European insurers. Our
people have also continued to deliver on our major operational
programmes, including the introduction of Consumer Duty for UK
closed books. We have continued to be active in assessing potential
acquisitions, our M&A pipeline remains positive and we
continue to have material firepower to deploy on
opportunities."
The results presentation will be
held at 9:30am on 10 September 2024 - participants can
register
here.
Further details on the financial
results are as follows:
2024 HALF YEAR FINANCIAL AND
STRATEGIC HIGHLIGHTS
CASH GENERATION AND DIVIDENDS - 20
YEARS OF UNINTERRUPTED DIVIDEND GROWTH
- Group commercial
cash(1) generation of £29.2m in HY 2024 (HY 2023:
£21.8m).
- 2024 interim dividend
of 8.61p per share (2023 interim dividend of 8.36p), which is a 3%
increase compared to 2023.
-
Our 20-year dividend growth track record is
unrivalled across UK and European Listed insurers with Chesnara's
business model delivering sustainable returns to shareholders, with
c£489m of cumulative dividends paid over the 20 year
period.
FINANCIAL RESILIENCE - FLEXIBILITY
IN FINANCING FUTURE M&A
- Solvency II ratio of
201% as at 30 June 2024 (31 December 2023: 205%), materially above
our normal operating range of between 140 -
160%.
- Pro forma cash balances
at group holding companies increased over the period (taking into
account accrued divisional dividends) to £137.0m (31 December 2023:
£124.1m), providing substantial resources to both support dividends
and fund future acquisitions.
- Leverage
ratio(2) of 30% as at 30 June 2024 has remained broadly consistent
when compared to FY 2023 (31 December 2023: 29%).
DELIVERING LONG TERM
VALUE
- Economic Value ("EcV")
of £508.0m as at 30 June 2024 (31 December 2023: £524.7m), with
positive organic EcV earnings of £20.2m offset by the payment of
dividends and the negative impact of foreign exchange rates over
the period.
- IFRS capital base of
£458.1m as at 30 June 2024 (31 December 2023: £487.4m), has reduced
over the period largely due to dividend payments. The movement in
the prior year was impacted by additional Contractual Service
Margin ("CSM") arising from acquisitions. Profit before tax was
£13.4m for the six month period to 30 June 2024
(£15.3m(4) for the six month period to 30 June
2023).
- Commercial new business
profit(3) of £4.9m in HY 2024 (HY 2023:
£6.3m).
- Our SS&C
partnership for policy administration services will enable a
scalable platform for M&A in the UK and work on the migration
to the new platform has continued at pace over the first half of
the year.
- We have expanded the
reach of our Custodian offering in Sweden from new partnerships
which has driven value through new business sales.
DIVIDEND
DETAILS
- The interim dividend of
8.61p per share is expected to be paid on 1 November 2024.
The ordinary shares will be quoted ex-dividend on the London Stock
Exchange as of 19 September 2024. The record date for
eligibility for payment will be 20 September 2024.
ANALYST
PRESENTATION
- The results
presentation will be held at 9.30am on 10 September 2024 at the
offices of RBC Capital Markets, 100 Bishopsgate, London, EC2N 4AA,
which will be available to join online and subsequently be posted
to the corporate website at www.chesnara.co.uk.
- To join the webcast,
please register using the following link
here.
Investor
Enquiries
Sam Perowne
Head of Strategic Development
& Investor Relations
Chesnara plc
E -
sam.perowne@chesnara.co.uk
Media Enquiries
Roddy Watt
Director, Capital
Markets
FWD
T - 020 7280 0651 / 07714 770
493
E -
roddy.watt@fwdconsulting.co.uk
Notes to
Editors
Chesnara (CSN.L) is a European
life and pensions consolidator listed on the London Stock
Exchange. It administers c.1 million policies and operates as
Countrywide Assured in the UK, as The Waard Group and Scildon in
the Netherlands, and as Movestic in Sweden.
Following a three-pillar strategy,
Chesnara's primary responsibility is the efficient administration
of its customers' life and savings policies, ensuring good customer
outcomes and providing a secure and compliant environment to
protect policyholder interests. It also adds value by writing
focused, profitable new business in the UK, Sweden and the
Netherlands and by undertaking value-adding acquisitions of either
companies or portfolios.
Consistent delivery of the Company
strategy has enabled Chesnara to increase its dividend for 20 years
in succession. Further details are available on the Company's
website (www.chesnara.co.uk).
Notes
Note 1 Group cash
generation represents the surplus cash
that the group has generated in the period. Cash generation is
largely a function of the movement in the solvency position, used
by the group as a measure of assessing how much dividend potential
has been generated, subject to ensuring that other constraints are
managed.
Commercial cash generation
is used as a measure of assessing how much
dividend potential has been generated, subject to ensuring other
constraints are managed. It excludes the impact of technical
adjustments, modelling changes and corporate acquisition activity;
representing the group's view of the commercial cash generated by
the business.
The cash generation results
excludes the day 1 impacts of acquisitions in the
period.
Note 2 The leverage ratio is a
financial measure that demonstrates the degree to which the company
is funded by debt financing versus equity capital, presented as a
ratio. It is defined as 'debt' divided by 'net equity plus
debt plus CSM (net of tax and reinsurance)', as measured under
IFRS.
Note 3 Commercial new
business profit is a more commercially
relevant measure of new business profit than that recognised
directly under the Solvency II regime, allowing for a modest level
of return, over and above risk-free, and exclusion of the
incremental risk margin Solvency II assigns to new business.
This provides a fair commercial reflection of the value added by
new business operations.
Note 4 IFRS HY 2023
comparators have been restated.
The Board approved this statement
on 9 September 2024.
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT
|
This document may contain
forward-looking statements with respect to certain plans and
current expectations relating to the future financial condition,
business performance and results of Chesnara plc. By their
nature, all forward-looking statements involve risk and uncertainty
because they relate to future events and circumstances that are
beyond the control of Chesnara plc including, amongst other things,
UK domestic, Swedish domestic, Dutch domestic and global economic
and business conditions, market-related risks such as fluctuations
in interest rates, currency exchange rates, inflation, deflation,
the impact of competition, changes in customer preferences, delays
in implementing proposals, the timing, impact and other
uncertainties of future acquisitions or other combinations within
relevant industries, the policies and actions of regulatory
authorities, the impact of tax or other legislation and other
regulations in the jurisdictions in which Chesnara plc and its
subsidiaries operate. As a result, Chesnara plc's actual
future condition, business performance and results may differ
materially from the plans, goals and expectations expressed or
implied in these forward-looking statements.
|
HIGHLIGHTS
COMMERCIAL CASH GENERATION
£29.2M SIX MONTHS
ENDED 30 JUNE 2023 £21.8M
The opening half of 2024 has been
another period of strong cash generation for the group. Group
cash generation of £19.6m (six months ended 30 June 2023: £10.6m)
allows for the short-term requirement to hold additional equity
risk capital (£9.3m) as defined by the Solvency II symmetric
adjustment (SA).
Commercial cash generation looks
through the SA impact and is deemed to better reflect the
underlying business performance. Commercial cash of £29.2m,
supported by strong divisional contributions demonstrates the
group's continued ability to deliver cash generation through a wide
variety of market conditions.
GROUP SOLVENCY 201%
31 DECEMBER 2023: 205%
The group's solvency has reduced
slightly since the start of the year remaining well above our
normal operating range of 140-160%. The ratio does not
include any temporary impacts from either transitional benefits or
a positive closing SA position. The solvency position continues to
provide substantial headroom for future acquisitions, while all
operating divisions remain well in excess of risk appetite
levels.
FUNDS UNDER MANAGEMENT
£11.9BN 31
DECEMBER 2023: £11.5BN
FuM have increased by c4% since
the start of the year, reflecting positive investment returns on
our existing business during the period.
ECONOMIC VALUE
£508.0M 31
DECEMBER 2023 £524.7M
ECONOMIC VALUE EARNINGS
£20.2M SIX MONTHS
ENDED 30 JUNE 2023 £32.6M excluding the
impact of acquisitions
EcV earnings of £20.2m have been
offset by the impact of dividend payments (£23.5m) and foreign
exchange consolidation impacts (£13.3m). Investment returns have
provided the most material contribution to the EcV earnings, with
new business also contributing positively.
COMMERCIAL NEW BUSINESS PROFIT
£4.9M SIX MONTHS
ENDED 30 JUNE 2023 £6.3M
Commercial new business profits
continue to be a positive source of value growth. Whilst the
Swedish market remains competitive, we have seen margins stabilise,
with strong flows into our occupational pensions and custodian
offerings. In the Netherlands, new business volumes from our term
assurance offerings have remained supressed, while the UK division
has continued to contribute new business, primarily through its
intermediated onshore bond proposition, since the acquisition of
CASLP in 2022.
IFRS PRE-TAX PROFIT
£13.4M SIX MONTHS
ENDED 30 JUNE 2023 £15.3M*
IFRS pre-tax profits are boosted
by positive investment returns in the period and the continued
steady release of the contractual service margin (CSM).
*2023 IFRS comparatives have been restated from those
previously reported - see the IFRS Financial Statements section for
further information.
IFRS CAPITAL BASE DECREASE
£29.3M SIX MONTHS
ENDED 30 JUNE 2023 £21.2M
GAIN
The IFRS Capital Base has decreased
in the period largely due to dividend payments. The movement in the
prior year was impacted by additional CSM arising from
acquisitions.
The adoption of IFRS 17 provides some more insight into the
future profits that are expected to emerge from the group's life
insurance business. However, the accounting standard does not
include the group's significant amount of policies that are
classified as investment contracts, which also represent a future
profit stream for the business. As a result, whilst IFRS 17
does provide some level of alignment with the valuation regime of
Solvency II, it does not replace it and therefore the group
continues to also focus on Solvency II and its derivative KPIs of
Economic Value and cash generation in assessing the performance of
the business.
INTERIM DIVIDEND INCREASED FOR THE
20TH CONSECUTIVE YEAR
Increase in the interim dividend
for the year of 3% to 8.61p per share (2023: 8.36p interim),
supported by continued commercial cash generation from our
divisions and strong, resilient capital position. Our 20 year
dividend growth track record is unrivalled across UK and European
listed insurers with Chesnara one of only seven companies across
the main UK, French, German, Dutch and Swedish exchanges to raise
their dividend every year for 20 years, with c£489m of cumulative
dividends paid to our shareholders over the period.
ECONOMIC BACKDROP
The opening half of 2024 has been
a period of economic growth, with positive market movements
supporting an increase in FuM and cash generation. It was
also another period of sterling appreciation (versus both the euro
and Swedish krona), in which our FX hedge continued to protect
against the full force of adverse foreign exchange impacts on the
translation of our overseas divisional results.
NEW GROUP CFO APPOINTED, BUSINESS
INTEGRATIONS & CONSUMER DUTY PROGRESS
In April, Chesnara strengthened
the group leadership team with Tom Howard joining as Group CFO,
bringing a wealth of experience having held a variety of senior
roles at Aviva. Tom's track record and capabilities further
strengthen the group's ability to deliver its ambitious plans for
the future. He also joined the plc board.
The Part VII transfer of the
Canada Life protection portfolio (acquired in 2023) and the
migration of the majority of the UK division's business to a new
outsourcing partner (SS&C), continue to move forward
positively, with expected completion dates in early 2025 and late
2025 respectively.
The UK also successfully complied
with the Consumer Duty requirements for closed books, meeting the
31 July 2024 regulatory deadline. While in the Netherlands,
Scildon's IT system improvement project has progressed and nears
completion, with cost efficiencies already materialising. And, in
Sweden, Movestic has strengthened its digital platform and
connectivity with distribution partners, to deliver a smoother
transfer experience for customers.
WE ARE COMMITTED TO BECOMING A
SUSTAINABLE CHESNARA
We continue to work to transition
the group into a sustainable business. We are committed to
delivering against our three key targets: to be a net zero
emitter; to invest in positive solutions; and to be an inclusive
place for all stakeholders. We reported on our progress
against these in our Annual Sustainability Report issued in March
and have taken further steps since, including starting the
production of our climate transition plan under the IIGCC's Net
Zero Investment Framework and delivering the first part of our
group-wide sustainability training. In the UK, we have also signed
up to the UK Sustainable Investment & Finance Association
(UKSIF) and the Finance for Biodiversity Pledge and became a
signatory of the PRI (Principles for Responsible Investment). Work
is also underway on our wider transition plans.
These financial highlights include the use of Alternative
Performance Measures (APMs) that are not required to be reported
under International Financial Reporting
Standards.
1
- Group cash generation represents the surplus cash that the group
has generated in the period. Cash generation is largely a
function of the movement in the solvency position, used by the
group as a measure of assessing how much dividend potential has
been generated, subject to ensuring other constraints are
managed.
2
- Commercial cash generation is used as a measure of assessing how
much dividend potential has been generated, subject to ensuring
other constraints are managed. It excludes the impact of technical
adjustments, modelling changes and corporate acquisition activity;
representing the group's view of the Commercial cash generated by
the business.
3
- Funds Under Management (FuM) represents the sum of all financial
assets on the IFRS balance sheet.
4
- Economic Value (EcV) is a financial metric derived from Solvency
II. It provides a market consistent assessment of the value of
existing insurance businesses, plus adjusted net asset value of the
non-insurance business within the group.
5
- Economic Value earnings are a measure of the value generated in
the period, recognising the longer-term nature of the group's
insurance and investment contracts.
6
- Commercial new business represents the best estimate of cash
flows expected to emerge from new business written in the period.
It is deemed to be a more commercially relevant and market
consistent measurement of the value generated through the writing
of new business, in comparison to the restrictions imposed under
the Solvency II regime.
The group
has delivered a strong set of results and continues to benefit from
a strong and resilient capital position. This has supported an
increase in the interim dividend for the 20th consecutive year
whilst maintaining significant resources to transact future M&A
opportunities
LUKE
SAVAGE, CHAIR
20 YEARS OF DIVIDEND
GROWTH
The first half of 2024 saw a
continuation of Chesnara's strong record of delivering cash
generation with all of our operating divisions contributing to
commercial cash generation of £29.2m for the period, significantly
higher than in the same period in 2023 (£21.8m).
As a result, I am pleased to report
that our shareholders will receive an interim dividend of 8.61p per
share, an increase of 3% on the prior year and the 20th consecutive
year that we have increased the dividend. This track record puts us
in a unique group of only 7 companies (according to RBC research)
across the main European listed exchanges of UK, France, Germany,
the Netherlands and Sweden to have increased their dividend for 20
years or more.
We continue to ensure that we have a
broad range of skills and capabilities on our boards. In
April, we announced Mark Hesketh's appointment as Chair of our UK
board, Countrywide Assured plc. And at the AGM, we formally
appointed Tom Howard (Group CFO) to the group board. It was also
pleasing to see strong shareholder support for all resolutions
tabled at this year's Annual General Meeting in
May.
Financial stability remains at the
heart of the Chesnara business and its financial model and is
fundamental to providing financial security to our
customers.
Our Solvency II ratio of 201% is
significantly above our normal operating range of 140% - 160%,
continuing to provide us with considerable strategic
flexibility.
Our solvency position remains
underpinned by a well-diversified business model, a focus on
responsible risk-based management and resilient and reliable cash
flows from our businesses.
A strong and resilient capital
position is also a critical factor in the investment case for both
our equity and debt investors and it also provides us with the
solvency headroom required to take advantage of attractive M&A
opportunities as they arise.
OPERATIONAL DELIVERY
Across the group, our people
continue to deliver strongly against our key strategic priorities.
Last year we announced the acquisition of a protection portfolio in
the UK from Canada Life. The planned transfer of this
portfolio in the UK is on track to complete in Q1 2025 (subject to
approval by the High Court of Justice of England and Wales) and the
operational activities to transfer existing Chesnara UK insurance
portfolios to our new outsource partner SS&C are progressing
well.
In Sweden, the Movestic team's
ongoing focus on digitisation and efficiency has been a crucial
factor in winning new partnership deals and supporting healthy new
business sales in a competitive market.
And, in the Netherlands the delivery
of material IT projects in Scildon and further bedding in of our
new Waard operating model, post the acquisitions of Robein Leven
and an insurance portfolio from Conservatrix, are notable
highlights.
I'm also pleased to say that the
process of fully embedding the IFRS 17 accounting regime has been
successful and is a testament to the huge effort and commitment
made by many of our people across the group.
PURPOSE
At Chesnara, we help protect
customers and their dependants by providing life, health, and
disability cover or savings and pensions solutions to meet future
financial needs. These are very often customers that have
come to us through acquisition, and we are committed to ensuring
that they remain positively supported by us.
We have always managed our business
in a responsible way and have a strong sense of acting in a fair
manner, giving full regard to the relative interests of all
stakeholders.
Strong financial performance will
always remain of key importance for many reasons. These include our
desire to offer competitive returns to shareholders and fund our
debt investor coupon payments but also because it creates financial
stability for customers. However, we continue to be very conscious
of the need for the business to serve a wider purpose with an
increasing balance of focus across the 3Ps: Profit, People and
Planet.
Over recent years we have increased
our focus on our sustainability agenda, and I continue to be
impressed with the level of engagement in this area from all levels
of the group.
The group-wide sustainability
programme is progressing well against its long-term objectives. We
are working to embed sustainability into decision-making at all
levels of the group by placing Environmental, Social and Governance
(ESG) considerations at the heart of our internal governance
processes and by introducing mandatory sustainability training for
all colleagues as part of their learning journey.
We continue to develop our plans to
deliver a just transition to net-zero, and to develop our
understanding of the actions we need to take to integrate nature
into our decision-making processes.
I am also pleased to report that
Chesnara is now a signatory to the Principles for Responsible
Investment. This is another step forwards in our
sustainability journey and complements our existing memberships of
the United Nations Global Compact, UK Sustainable Investment and
Finance Association and the Institutional Investors Group on
Climate Change, to name but a few.
We continue to build objectives that
are a balance of items that create solid foundations for longer
term change together with shorter-term actions that will begin to
make a real-world positive impact.
Our financial results over the first
half of 2024 demonstrate that the sources of value from the
components of the "Chesnara fan" (a diagrammatic illustration of
value growth sources) remain robust and will continue to be a
reliable source of value from our in-force book into the
future.
In addition, the outlook for
acquisitions remains positive and our strong, resilient capital and
cash positions mean that we are well-placed to benefit from
inorganic opportunities as they arise.
Luke Savage,
Chair
9 September 2024
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER'S
REPORT
In H1,
the group has again generated EcV earnings and delivered strong
cash generation. Our people have continued to deliver on our
major operation programmes and our M&A pipeline remains
positive.
STEVE
MURRAY, CEO
INTRODUCTION &
RESULTS
The first half of 2024 has been
another period of good execution against our renewed strategy,
which continues to focus on:
1.
Running in-force insurance and pensions books efficiently and
effectively;
2.
Seeking out and delivering value enhancing M&A opportunities;
and
3.
Writing focused, profitable new business where we are satisfied an
appropriate return can be made.
We have c1 million customers across
Chesnara and our people take pride in the responsibility that comes
with delivering for them every single day.
We have an ambitious change agenda
underway across the group.
There has been a strong
cross-business effort to ensure we successfully met the
requirements of the new Consumer Duty regulations for closed books
by the deadline of 31 July this year. This follows the successful
implementation of the Consumer Duty regulations for open books last
year. Chesnara remains fully supportive of the Duty and has been
reassured throughout the process that the work completed several
years ago to support long-standing customers has provided strong
foundations to deliver the good outcomes and value for money that
underpin the Duty. There has been a small provision sustained from
last year's full accounts where we acknowledged there were some
changes that would improve the outcomes for a small segment of
customers. We have confidence in the fully funded implementation
plan that will roll out the further recommendations approved by the
board to support the Duty.
Work is continuing at pace to
migrate the majority of our UK policies to our new operating
platform with SS&C. In his Chair's Statement, Luke
highlighted the positive progress we are making with regards to the
planned transfer and migration of the UK protection book we
recently acquired from Canada Life. We continue to believe
that the partnership with SS&C will be a key enabler for the UK
business to continue to deliver quality and cost effective
servicing, with the capacity and flexibility to support continued
M&A developments in the UK where we see good
opportunities.
In Scildon, a significant programme
of work is now largely complete which was focused on improving the
efficiency and usability of our Individual Life platform. In
Waard, the work has continued to embed the new Target Operating
Model (TOM) for the enlarged business following the acquisitions of
Robein Leven and the insurance portfolio from Conservatrix.
And for Sweden, we have seen the benefits of the work that the
Movestic team has executed to enhance the quality of our offering
for distribution partners with strong new business flows over the
period.
As Luke also mentions, our
group-wide sustainability programme is progressing well and we
announced new initial interim targets for financed emissions. We
are committed to a 50% reduction by 2030 in our scope 1 and 2
financed emissions investments that are within our control or
influence, which represents a material component of our assets
under management. We are committed to work with partners and
customers for those assets where we have less control or influence,
for example those where policyholders self-select their own
investments. We also remain strongly committed to net zero by 2050
for all our financed emissions and so our targets will expand over
time to include all asset classes.
Work has also begun on our
transition plans which will help us in identifying the more
detailed actions we will take to tackle all our financed emissions
and will also factor in how we manage a just transition which
considers the needs of all stakeholders, including nature and
biodiversity.
We have also been more actively
engaging with a number of the agencies that provide sustainability
related ratings to ensure we understand their methodologies and
approaches better.
On M&A, we've continued to see a
positive pipeline of opportunities across the UK and Europe.
Our teams have evaluated multiple opportunities over the first half
of the year, and this has included the performance of due diligence
on a number of portfolios and legal negotiation in relation to
some, albeit not to conclusion. We continue to materially
invest in the support of our M&A activity, remaining very
active in our pursuit of opportunities and will maintain our
discipline and patience when executing.
On new business, Movestic has had a
strong first half across both its unit linked and custodian
propositions with overall new business levels higher than the first
half of 2023. It's been a tougher market in the Netherlands
for our main term life product with overall new business lower
compared to the same period in 2023. It has been pleasing to
see the team maintain their disciplined approach to pricing against
this more challenging market backdrop. In the UK, post the
acquisition of Sanlam Life and Pensions UK, we have continued to
see positive flows into our intermediated onshore bond
proposition.
Tom Howard joined us from Aviva in
April. Tom has held a variety of senior roles within Aviva
plc, including Director of Mergers & Acquisitions for Aviva
Group and CFO for Aviva's Life and General Insurance business in
Ireland. Tom brings with him an extensive European actuarial
and financial reporting background and we're already seeing the
benefits of his experience and skill across both our M&A
activity and as part of the H1 reporting process.
Looking at our financial results, we
have again shown strong cash generation in this period, with
commercial cash generation of £29.2m providing coverage of the interim dividend, T2 debt servicing, and the
working capital costs over H1.
We undertook no material management
actions during the period with cash generation driven by positive
economics and operating performance. We note the potential
for EIOPA's Solvency II reforms to support further cash generation
e.g. if the risk margin is reformed in the way we have seen in the
UK. We will keep investors updated as these reforms become more
certain.
COMMERCIAL CASH GENERATION OF
£29.2M EXCEEDS THE INTERIM DIVIDEND AND OTHER CENTRAL
COSTS.
Divisional commercial cash generation by
territory Δ
Δ excluding FX consolidation
impacts
£m
|
|
UK
|
23.2
|
Sweden
|
2.0
|
Netherlands
|
5.2
|
Divisional total
|
30.4
|
The Chesnara parent company cash
(including holding companies) and instant access liquidity fund
balance stood at £88m at 30th June 2024. After allowing for
our planned divisional dividend receipts of £49m the adjusted
balance of £137m is £13m higher than our opening balance (31 Dec
2023 £124m). This provides us with substantial resources to finance
future acquisitions, sustainably fund the group dividend and
service our Tier 2 debt. The group recently renegotiated its
Revolving Credit Facility with £150m of capacity available.
And shareholders also supported our AGM resolution allowing us to
issue RT1 instruments up to an amount equal to one third of our
issued ordinary share capital (c£120m). This provides us with
even greater potential firepower.
Looking forward, we continue to have
a strong line of sight to future cash generation over the medium
and longer term from the unwind of risk margin and SCR, investment
returns above risk free rates, wider synergies and management
actions. And that's before further potential benefits from
new business and further acquisitions.
THE LONG TERM OUTLOOK FOR GROWTH
REMAINS POSITIVE, PARTICULARLY THROUGH M&A
Before allowing for the prior-year
dividend and FX impacts, the group generated Economic Value
earnings of £20.2m (vs £32.6m for the first half of 2023 and
adjusting for the impact of acquisitions in the period) and we saw
components of the "Chesnara Fan" growth model deliver positively in
the period. The 'Chesnara fan' illustrates the additional
areas of growth potential the group may benefit from that aren't
fully reflected in our Economic Value metric.
We have previously highlighted that
over the medium term, we expect all components of the growth model
to be positive, although there can be a level of shorter-term
volatility in each element.
Although there are limitations to
tracking the growth metrics over short time periods, it remains
useful to assess how the results for the period mapped against the
value growth components of the 'Chesnara fan'.
A key element of the growth model is
real-world investment returns. The reported EcV of the group
assumes risk free returns on shareholder and policyholder
assets. Given the direct link to external market performance
this source of value tends to be the most volatile of the growth
sources. During the period, real-world returns added c£32m to
EcV.
Over time, we expect improvements to
operational effectiveness to be a source of value creation, be that
through M&A synergies, scale benefits or other positive
management actions (such as our recently announced partnership with
SS&C). This period saw growth resulting from commercial
new business profits of £4.9m.
It's worth noting that further value
growth expectations from M&A are often not recognised in the
day one gains.
We have also grown our Funds Under
Management (FuM) in the period, through the addition of new
business and growth in underlying asset values.
Growth in FuM
Funds Under Management
|
£bn
|
2020
|
8.5
|
2021
|
9.1
|
2022
|
10.6
|
2023
|
11.5
|
Jun 2024
|
11.9
|
ROBUST & RESILIENT
SOLVENCY
Group solvency has remained robust
at 201%, materially above the normal operating range we have
disclosed to investors of 140-160%. And our divisions have
generated a positive operating surplus over the period. It's
worth reminding investors that the solvency ratio does not adopt
any of the temporary benefits available from Solvency II
transitional arrangements, although we do apply the volatility
adjustment in our UK and Dutch divisions. The ratio does
include the benefit of the capital efficiencies relating to the
Tier 2 debt raised in 2022.
We expect to utilise this additional
capital surplus as we undertake acquisitions, which should result
in the ratio reverting back to within the robust and stable
140%-160% normal range.
Our strong cash generation and
solvency position has meant that we have yet again grown the
interim dividend, this year by 3%. This growth rate is now
back above short and long-term rates of inflation and as Luke
highlighted is the 20th consecutive year of interim dividend
growth. This is a track record that we are very proud of and
one that is almost unrivalled amongst our UK and European listed
peers
Solvency ratio
|
Solvency
ratio %*
|
Solvency
surplus £m
|
2020
|
156
|
204
|
2021
|
152
|
191
|
2022
|
197
|
298
|
2023
|
205
|
351
|
Jun 2024
|
201
|
330
|
*Preferred operating solvency range = 140% to
160%
|
OUTLOOK
It has been pleasing to see
continued strong cash and economic earnings generation.
Whilst a volatile macro-economic backdrop will continue to be a
material factor in all our markets, we remain confident that the
Chesnara business model will continue to generate cash across a
wide variety of market conditions, as it has done over its
history.
We also remain positive on the
outlook for further M&A where we remain active and continue to
see a positive pipeline of opportunities.
Our people have continued to deliver
across a number of material operational programmes and for our
customers in the period. I thank them again for their
efforts.
We celebrated our 20th anniversary
in May and increasing our interim dividend for the 20th consecutive
year places us in a very small group of companies to have this
track record. I look forward to continuing to deliver for our
investors and continue to believe there is a lot to look forward to
here at Chesnara.
Steve Murray,
Chief Executive Officer
9 September 2024
OVERVIEW OF STRATEGY
Our strategy focuses on delivering
value to customers and shareholders through our three strategic
pillars, executed across our three territories.
STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES
|
|
|
|
1.
|
|
2.
|
|
3.
|
|
MAXIMISE THE VALUE FROM EXISTING BUSINESS
|
|
ACQUIRE
LIFE AND PENSIONS BUSINESSES
|
|
ENHANCE
VALUE THROUGH PROFITABLE NEW BUSINESS
|
|
Managing our existing customers fairly and efficiently is
core to delivering our overall strategic aims.
|
|
Acquiring and integrating companies into our business model
is key to continuing our growth journey.
|
|
Writing
profitable new business supports the growth of our group and helps
mitigate the natural run-off of our book.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
KPIs
Cash
generation
EcV
earnings
Customer
outcomes
|
|
KPIs
Cash
generation
EcV growth
Customer
outcomes
Solvency
|
|
KPIs
EcV growth
Commercial new business
profit
Customer
outcomes
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
OUR
CULTURE AND VALUES -
RESPONSIBLE RISK BASED MANAGEMENT
|
|
|
|
|
|
RESPONSIBLE RISK BASED MANAGEMENT FOR THE BENEFIT OF ALL OUR
STAKEHOLDERS
|
|
GOOD
TREATMENT OF CUSTOMERS
|
|
MAINTAIN ADEQUATE FINANCIAL RESOURCES
|
|
PROVIDE
A COMPETITIVE RETURN TO OUR INVESTORS
|
|
ROBUST
REGULATORY COMPLIANCE
|
|
A JUST
TRANSITION TO A SUSTAINABLE GROUP
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
BUSINESS REVIEW | UK
The UK division consists of the
operating company Countrywide Assured plc is largely closed to new
business and therefore largely grows through investment returns,
positive demographic experience, strong cost control and periodic
acquisitions. The UK division has continued to write onshore
bond business following the acquisition of CASLP.
MAXIMISE VALUE FROM EXISTING BUSINESS
CAPITAL AND VALUE MANAGEMENT
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
As a largely closed book, the
division creates value through managing the following key value
drivers: costs; policy attrition; investment return; and
reinsurance strategy.
In general, surplus regulatory
capital emerges as the book runs off. The level of required
capital is closely linked to the level of risk to which the
division is exposed. Management's risk-based decision-making
process seeks to continually manage and monitor the balance of
making value enhancing decisions whilst maintaining a risk profile
in line with the board's risk appetite.
At the heart of maintaining value is
ensuring that the division is governed well from a regulatory and
customer perspective.
INITIATIVES AND PROGRESS IN
2024
- In the first half of
the year, financial markets had a positive impact on the value
growth of the UK division, through rising yields and growth of
policyholder funds.
- Work has progressed on
the transition to the long-term strategic partnership with Fin Tech
market leader, SS&C Technologies. SS&C will service
the front-to-back-office operations for the majority of the UK
division, providing a modern platform that will improve the
efficiency of the existing business and establishes a solid
platform to scale the business via future acquisitions.
- The programme of works
included in this transformation and transition project is
significant and is expected to conclude in 2025.
- The division has
continued to support the group's acquisition strategy by assessing
M&A opportunities and processes,
including due diligence activity, as appropriate.
- The UK business settled
its year end 2023 proposed dividend of £35.0m to Chesnara plc in
early July, and is reporting a closing post-dividend solvency ratio
of 171%.
- The division generated
new business which contributed £1.0m (£1.0m on a commercial new
business basis) to EcV in the first half of the year primarily from
the onshore bond that is open to new business via third party
investment platforms.
FUTURE PRIORITIES
- Delivery of the
division's transition and transformation programme, which focuses
on the end state migration of front-to-back-office operations to
SS&C for the majority of the UK division.
- Execute the 'fully
funded plan' in relation to further actions on Consumer
Duty.
- Identify potential
capital management actions, focusing on those that generate the
appropriate balance of value and cash generation.
- Support Chesnara in
identifying and delivering UK acquisitions.
- Continue to grow new
business volumes to drive further value growth.
KPIs
Economic Value - UK
£m
|
2020
|
2021
|
2022
|
2023
|
Jun 2024
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
EcV
|
187.4
|
181.9
|
209.3
|
181.0
|
205.1
|
Cumulative dividends
|
|
33.5
|
61.0
|
117.0
|
117.0
|
Total
|
187.4
|
215.4
|
270.3
|
298.0
|
322.1
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash generation - UK
£m
|
2020
|
2021
|
2022
|
2023
|
Jun 2024
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash generation
|
29.5
|
27.4
|
40.8
|
45.0
|
19.9
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CUSTOMER OUTCOMES
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Delivering good customer outcomes is
one of our primary responsibilities. We strive to do this by
providing good customer service, competitive fund performance and
offering overall fair value for money. We seek to offer additional
support to customers who may need it and provide easy to understand
information about our products and the benefits provided. We are
committed to meeting our regulatory responsibilities, including
remaining operationally resilient and maintaining a strong solvency
position.
INITIATIVES AND PROGRESS IN
2024
- An ongoing focus of the
division is to ensure that it complies with the requirements of the
FCA's "Consumer Duty". The business unit met the requirements
in relation to its open business by the regulatory deadline of 31
July 2023 and the closed book operations achieved compliance with
the requirements needed by the deadline of 31 July 2024.
- Another important
multi-year focus is to ensure compliance with the FCA's
"Operational Resilience" regulations by 31 March 2025. This remains
on track and has included supporting the PRA in its industry-wide
data collection programme.
- The partnership with
SS&C is expected to benefit customers through an improved
service experience.
FUTURE PRIORITIES
- Continued focus on the
operational resilience programme to ensure the regulatory deadline
of March 2025 is achieved.
- Continued focus on
delivering good customer outcomes and maintaining strong service
performance from all customer-facing suppliers and
providers.
KPIs
Policyholder fund performance
|
|
|
12 months
ended
30 Jun
2024
|
12 months
ended
30 Jun
2023
|
CA Pension Managed
|
|
|
12.7%
|
1.0%
|
CWA Balanced Managed
Pension
|
|
|
12.7%
|
1.0%
|
S&P Managed Pension
|
|
|
12.2%
|
0.5%
|
Benchmark - ABI Mixed Inv 40%-85% shares
|
|
|
11.3%
|
3.6%
|
SLP Managed Pension
|
|
|
10.1%
|
1.0%
|
Benchmark - ABI Mixed Inv 20%-40% shares
|
|
|
9.0%
|
0.2%
|
GOVERNANCE
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Maintaining effective governance and
a constructive relationship with regulators underpins the delivery
of the division's strategic plans.
Having robust governance processes
provides management with a platform to deliver the other aspects of
the business strategy. As a result, a significant proportion
of management's time and attention continues to be focused on
ensuring that both the existing governance processes, coupled with
future developments, are delivered.
INITIATIVES AND PROGRESS IN
2024
- The division has
supported the wider group's sustainability programme over the first
half of the year and will continue to focus on local initiatives,
including supporting staff with volunteering opportunities.
Recently, it has also become a signatory of the PRI (Principles of
Responsible Investment).
- David Brand retired as
a director and as Chair of CA in March 2024. Mark Hesketh,
who was already a non-executive director of CA, was appointed as
Chair in April 2024.
- The division is focused
on ensuring that its governance and oversight routines adapt to
reflect the changes taking place in the business, from the
partnership to SS&C to the planned Part VII of the Canada Life
portfolio.
- CA has maintained
oversight of its investment managers, holding regular meetings with
fund managers and ensuring asset allocations are in line with its
strategic objectives, including review of sustainability
metrics.
FUTURE PRIORITIES
- Ensure appropriate
governance arrangements are in place as the division transitions
the majority of its front-to-back-office operations to
SS&C.
- Continue to horizon
scan for future regulatory changes.
- Continue engaging with
our asset managers on progress towards net zero and investing in
positive solutions.
- Support the wider
group-wide sustainability programme to becoming a more sustainable
group, including focusing on our operation's social purpose, and
ensuring the group's and division's reporting needs are
met.
KPIs
SOLVENCY RATIO: 171%
|
|
|
|
£m
|
Solvency
Ratio
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
31 Dec 2023 surplus
|
|
|
|
49.9
|
149%
|
Surplus generation
|
|
|
|
53.8
|
|
30
Jun 2024 surplus (pre dividend)
|
|
|
|
103.8
|
207%
|
2024 dividend
|
|
|
|
(35.0)
|
|
30
Jun 2024 surplus
|
|
|
|
68.8
|
171%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
BUSINESS REVIEW | SWEDEN
Our Swedish division consists of
Movestic, a life and pensions business which is open to new
business. It offers personalised unit-linked pension and
savings solutions through brokers, together with custodian products
via a number of private banks and is well regarded within both
communities.
MAXIMISE VALUE FROM EXISTING BUSINESS
CAPITAL AND VALUE MANAGEMENT
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Movestic creates value predominantly
by generating growth in unit-linked Funds Under Management (FuM),
whilst ensuring a high-quality customer proposition and maintaining
an efficient operating model. FuM growth is dependent upon
positive client cash flows and positive investment
performance. Capital surplus is a factor of both the value
and capital requirements and hence surplus can also be optimised by
effective management of capital.
INITIATIVES AND PROGRESS IN
2024
- Financial market
development has been positive in the first half of the year, which
is reflected in the favourable returns on policyholders' investment
assets.
- During 2024, transfer
activity increased with an effect on both inward and outward
transfer flows, though the level of transfers out is not expected
to remain at this level in the long term. Movestic has
intensified its retention initiatives during the period.
- Strong inflows in both
the unit-linked and the custodian areas exceed the prior year and
has resulted in overall positive net client cash flow despite the
strain from continued outflows in unit-linked pensions.
- Movestic's solvency
ratio remains strong at 142% (pre-dividend: 148%).
FUTURE PRIORITIES
- Progress the
development of the digital pension platform to support customers in
all distribution channels.
- Continue working to
increase the use of automation, streamline processes, and improve
administrative efficiency and control.
- Continue to build solid
and long-term sustainable value creation for customers and owners
through a diversified business model with continued profitable
growth of volumes and market shares in selected
segments.
- Remain focused on
customer loyalty and providing attractive offerings to both retain
customers and reach more volumes on the transfer market.
- Provide a predictable
and sustainable dividend to Chesnara.
- Seek out opportunities
to bring in additional scale through M&A.
KPIs (all comparatives have been
presented using 2024 exchange rates)
Economic Value
£m
|
2020
|
2021
|
2022
|
2023
|
Jun 2024
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reported value
|
205.2
|
223.3
|
185.9
|
189.8
|
193.9
|
Cumulative dividends
|
|
4.9
|
7.7
|
18.9
|
18.9
|
Total
|
205.2
|
228.2
|
193.6
|
208.8
|
212.8
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CUSTOMER OUTCOMES
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Movestic provides personalised
long-term savings, insurance policies and occupational pensions for
individuals and business owners. We believe that recurring
independent financial advice increases the likelihood of a solid
and well-planned financial status, hence we are offering our
products and services through advisors, licenced brokers and
private banks.
INITIATIVES AND PROGRESS IN
2024
- During 2024, the
Swedish business has continued to expand its custodian offering by
establishing new partnerships.
- To help customers plan
their retirement, Movestic has developed a unique digital service
where customers can plan, start withdrawing and change how they
receive their occupational pension. An updated version was
launched in 2024 which enables customers with several years until
retirement, to start planning for their withdrawal.
- A new digital service
that helps customers explore whether a salary sacrifice pension is
right for them was launched on the company website.
- Further automation and
a new customer service system have enabled smoother administration
as well as improved customer service. During the first half of
2024, the digital process for receiving customer enquiries also
went through an improvement process.
- Movestic has further
strengthened its digital platform and connectivity with
distribution partners, to deliver a smoother transfer experience
for customers, via new technological capacity through APIs to
partners within the custodian offering.
FUTURE PRIORITIES
- Focus on high quality
service and smooth administrative processes to ensure that Movestic
is a partner that is easy to do business with.
- Further strengthen the
relationship with brokers as well as expanding partnerships beyond
the traditional broker community, for instance the private banking
sector.
KPIs (all comparatives have been
presented using 2024 exchange rates)
Broker assessment rating (out of 5)
|
2019
|
2020
|
2021
|
2022
|
2023
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rating
|
3.5
|
3.3
|
3.6
|
3.8
|
3.8
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
POLICYHOLDER AVERAGE INVESTMENT
RETURN:
10.7%
GOVERNANCE
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Movestic operates to exacting
regulatory standards and adopts a robust approach to risk
management.
Maintaining strong governance is a
critical platform to delivering the various value-enhancing
initiatives planned by the division.
INITIATIVES AND PROGRESS IN
2024
- The new EU regulatory
framework, 'Digital Operational Resilience Act' (DORA) will come
into force in January 2025. DORA is designed to improve
cybersecurity within the finance sector. Movestic has worked on
identifying and mapping critical processes and IT systems as part
of a group-wide project.
- Analysis of the Global
Minimum Tax (GMT) regulatory framework continues, as the directive
was implemented in Swedish law in January 2024.
- Corporate
Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), the EU adopted new
directive on sustainability reporting, became Swedish law in May
2024. Movestic falls within the thresholds for SMEs, which are not
covered by CSRD, but Movestic will continue its sustainability work
within the reporting area both internally and as part of the
Chesnara group.
- During H1 David Brand
retired as Chairman of the board and was replaced by Eamonn
Flanagan, already a member of the board. Additionally, CEO, Sara
Lindberg joined the board in May and David Rimmington resigned from
the board.
FUTURE PRIORITIES
- Proceed with the
implementation of sustainability regulations.
- Continue to develop
plans, adapt and monitor the company's carbon footprint in order to
support and continuously work towards the Chesnara group agenda of
net zero financed and operational emissions by 2050.
KPIs (all comparatives have been
presented using 2024 exchange rates)
SOLVENCY RATIO: 142%
|
|
|
|
£m
|
Solvency
Ratio
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
31 Dec 2023 surplus
|
|
|
|
52.1
|
147%
|
Surplus generation
|
|
|
|
7.6
|
|
30
Jun 2024 surplus (pre dividend)
|
|
|
|
59.7
|
148%
|
2024 dividend
|
|
|
|
(7.5)
|
|
30
Jun 2024 surplus
|
|
|
|
52.2
|
142%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
ENHANCE VALUE THROUGH PROFITABLE NEW
BUSINESS
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
As an "open" business, Movestic
not only adds value from sales but as it gains scale, it will
become increasingly cash generative which will fund further growth
or contribute towards the group's attractive dividend.
Movestic continues to adopt a profitable pricing
strategy.
INITIATIVES AND PROGRESS IN
2024
- Sales volumes were
strong in the first half of the year, rising by 44%.
- The division delivered
a commercial new business profit of £2.1m.
- Movestic will continue
to develop its pension and savings and risk insurance offerings to
increase competitiveness and build customer loyalty.
FUTURE PRIORITIES
- Keep offering modern
and individually adapted solutions within pension and savings and
health insurance combined with related digital services.
- Continue to strengthen
distribution capacity within all channels and work to launch new
partner collaborations within all lines of business.
KPIs (all comparatives have been
presented using 2024 exchange rates)
Occupational pension market share %
%
|
2019
|
2020
|
2021
|
2022
|
2023
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Market share
|
7.0
|
4.7
|
3.6
|
4.1
|
4.4
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
New business profit
£m
|
2020
|
2021
|
2022
|
2023
|
2024
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
New business profit
|
1.4
|
3.8
|
3.1
|
2.8
|
2.1
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
BUSINESS REVIEW | NETHERLANDS
Our Dutch businesses deliver
growth through our acquisitive closed book business Waard, which
seeks to acquire and integrate portfolios; and our open book
business Scildon, which seeks to write profitable term, investments
and savings business.
MAXIMISE VALUE FROM EXISTING BUSINESS
CAPITAL AND VALUE MANAGEMENT
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Both Waard and Scildon have a common
aim to make capital available to the Chesnara group to fund further
acquisitions or to contribute to the dividend and debt
funding. Whilst their aims are common, the dynamics by which
the businesses add value differ:
- Waard is in run-off and
has the benefit that the capital requirements reduce in-line with
the attrition of the book. Waard
periodically grows through delivering acquisitions.
- As an "open business",
Scildon's capital position does not benefit from book
run-off. It therefore adds value and creates surplus capital
through writing new business and by efficient operational
management and capital optimisation.
INITIATIVES AND PROGRESS IN
2024
- Scildon's IT system
improvement project is near completion with cost efficiencies
materialising in line with the business case.
- Scildon has changed its
asset mix to provide a better interest rate hedge, replacing
short-duration government bonds with investments in money market
funds and increasing its investment in mortgage funds. Waard also
made changes to its asset mix to improve longer term
returns.
- Waard paid a dividend
of £6.8m (€8m) to Chesnara in July 2024.
- Both Waard and Scildon
continue to have strong solvency positions, inclusive of the use of
the volatility adjustment, with Scildon at 194% and Waard at
304%.
FUTURE PRIORITIES
- Effective management of
the closed book run-off in Waard to enable ongoing dividend
payments to Chesnara.
- Complete the IT
improvement project and ensure the planned efficiencies are
delivered.
- Continue to focus on
maintaining an efficient and cost-effective operating
model.
- Identify potential
capital management actions, focusing on those that generate the
appropriate balance of value and cash generation.
- Support Chesnara in
identifying and delivering Dutch acquisitions.
KPIs (all comparatives have been
presented using 2024 exchange rates)
Economic Value - The Netherlands
£m
|
2020
|
2021
|
2022
|
2023
|
Jun 2024
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
EcV
|
212.5
|
183.5
|
220.7
|
246.5
|
246.0
|
Cumulative dividends
|
|
|
5.1
|
14.4
|
14.4
|
Total
|
212.5
|
183.5
|
225.8
|
260.9
|
260.4
|
CUSTOMER OUTCOMES
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Great importance is placed on
providing customers with high quality service and positive
outcomes.
Whilst the ultimate priority is the
end customer, in Scildon we also see the brokers who distribute our
products as being customers and hence developing processes to best
support their needs is a key focus.
INITIATIVES AND PROGRESS IN
2024
- Scildon's focus remains
on providing flexible solutions and offerings to its clients,
including sustainable options. This has involved a continued focus
on digitisation for term life insurance and investment-linked
insurance customers.
- Scildon has also worked
to make the pension scheme more transparent for customers through a
digital platform.
- Waard continued work on
digitalising its customer portal to both make it easier for
customers to access documents but also to reduce the level of
printing required, in turn helping the group decarbonise.
This is expected to be launched in the second half of
2024.
FUTURE PRIORITIES
- Regular engagement with
customers to improve service quality and to enhance and develop
existing processes, infrastructure, and customer
experiences.
- Continue to review and
progress appropriate initiatives to meet the needs of
customers.
KPIs (all comparatives have been
presented using 2024 exchange rates)
Scildon client satisfaction rating (range of -100 to
+100)*
|
|
|
|
|
Dec 2023
|
Jun 2024
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rating
|
|
|
|
|
27
|
32
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net Promoter Score (NPS) - introduced in 2023 and therefore
there are no earlier comparatives available. Scale ranges from -100
to +100 and measures customer loyalty by looking at their
likelihood of recommending a given business.
GOVERNANCE
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Waard and Scildon operate in a
regulated environment and comply with rules and regulations both
from a prudential and from a financial conduct point of
view.
INITIATIVES AND PROGRESS IN
2024
- Both business units
have been progressing their sustainability activity, including
Scildon's commitment to positive solutions through its partnership
with JustDiggit. Waard started the first stage of its investment
transition plan to reduce its scope 3 emissions over the
period.
- Work has continued on
the implementation of the Corporate Sustainability Reporting
Directive (CSRD), which is an EU adopted new directive on
sustainability reporting effective from 2024. It will be applied
from 2025 by Scildon, though Waard is working to determine its
implementation date, given the complex implementation rules of the
legislation. The double materiality assessments are ongoing and
will be finalised in the short term.
- In January 2024,
Chesnara Holdings BV was dissolved resulting in the Scildon, Waard
Leven and Waard Schade moving to be directly owned by Chesnara plc.
The company was later de-registered in April 2024.
FUTURE PRIORITIES
- Progress the
implementation of the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive
(CSRD).
- Finalise the double
materiality assessments and gap analyses.
- Prepare the roadmap for
investments to become net zero in 2050.
KPIs (all comparatives have been
presented using 2024 exchange rates)
SOLVENCY RATIO:
SCILDON 194%; WAARD 304%
Scildon
|
|
|
|
£m
|
Solvency
Ratio
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
31 Dec 2023 surplus
|
|
|
|
59.5
|
184%
|
Surplus generation
|
|
|
|
6.7
|
|
30
Jun 2024 surplus
|
|
|
|
66.2
|
194%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Waard
|
|
|
|
£m
|
Solvency
Ratio
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
31
Dec 2023 surplus
|
|
|
|
68.9
|
353%
|
Surplus generation
|
|
|
|
(3.9)
|
|
30
Jun 2024 surplus (pre dividend)
|
|
|
|
65.0
|
328%
|
2024 dividend
|
|
|
|
(6.8)
|
|
30
Jun 2024 surplus
|
|
|
|
58.2
|
304%
|
ENHANCE VALUE THROUGH PROFITABLE NEW
BUSINESS
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Scildon brings a "New business"
dimension to the Dutch division. Scildon sells protection,
individual savings and group pensions contracts via a broker-led
distribution model. The aim is to deliver meaningful value
growth from realistic market share. Having realistic
aspirations regarding volumes means we are able to adopt a
profitable pricing strategy. New business also helps the
company maintain scale and hence contributes to unit cost
management.
INITIATIVES AND PROGRESS IN
2024
- Scildon continues to
generate solid new business profits, with a commercial new business
result of £1.8m for the first half of 2024. The overall term
market volumes remain suppressed with pressure on pricing. Scildon
have retained their disciplined approach to pricing, albeit at
lower volumes.
- Scildon policy count
continued to increase, closing the period with nearly 238,000
policies. The market share for the Scildon term product over the
first half of 2024 was 10.3% (2023: 10.8%).
- In April 2024, Scildon
launched a Stop Smoking lifestyle proposition on new business
reflecting its focus on expanding offerings to
customers.
FUTURE PRIORITIES
- Reassess and simplify
the product portfolio and implement further cost improvement
initiatives to help increase new business profits which are lower
than previous years due to pricing competition.
KPIs (all comparatives have been
presented using 2024 exchange rates)
Scildon - term assurance market share %
%
|
Jun 2022
|
Dec 2022
|
Jun 2023
|
Dec 2023
|
Jun 2024
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Market share
|
11.6
|
10.6
|
12.2
|
10.8
|
10.3
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Scildon - new business profit
£m
|
2020
|
2021
|
2022
|
2023
|
Jun 2024
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
New business profit
|
8.5
|
5.2
|
6.2
|
5.3
|
1.8
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
BUSINESS REVIEW | acquire life and pension
businesses
HOW WE DELIVER OUR ACQUISITION
STRATEGY
- Identify potential
deals through an effective network of own contacts and advisors and
industry associates, utilising both group and divisional management
expertise as appropriate.
- We primarily focus on
acquisitions in our existing territories, although we will consider
other territories should the opportunity arise and this is
supportive of our strategic objectives.
- We assess deals by
applying well established criteria which consider the impact on
cash generation and Economic Value under best estimate and stressed
scenarios.
- We work cooperatively
with regulators.
- The financial benefits
are viewed in the context of the impact the deal will have on the
enlarged group's risk profile.
- Transaction risk is
reduced through stringent risk-based due diligence procedures and
the senior management team's acquisition experience and positive
track record.
- We fund deals with a
combination of own resources, debt or equity depending on the size
and cash flows of each opportunity and commercial
considerations.
HOW WE ASSESS DEALS
Cash
generation
- Collectively our future
acquisitions must be suitably cash generative to continue to
support Chesnara delivering attractive dividends.
Value enhancement
- Acquisitions are
required to have a positive impact on the Economic Value per share
in the medium term under best estimate and certain more adverse
scenarios.
Customer outcomes
- Acquisitions must
ensure we protect, or ideally enhance, customer interests with
deals always giving full regard to Consumer Duty
responsibilities.
Risk appetite
- Acquisitions should
normally align with the group's documented risk appetite. If
a deal is deemed to sit outside our risk appetite the financial
returns must be suitably compelling.
ACQUISITION
OUTLOOK
- Chesnara has been
active during the first half of 2024 in assessing a number of
potential acquisitions. This included due diligence activity.
We continue to see a healthy flow of future opportunities across
the UK & European insurance market.
- We remain disciplined
in evaluating acquisition opportunities and utilise both internal
and external expertise in order to assess risks and benefits of
potential opportunities for shareholders.
- Our expectation is that
sales of portfolios will continue across the UK & European
market and our strong expertise and knowledge, good regulatory
relationships and the flexibility of our operating model mean that
Chesnara is very well placed to manage the additional complexity
associated with these portfolio transfers and provide beneficial
outcomes for all stakeholders. These transactions may not be
suitable for all potential consolidators, in particular those who
do not have existing regulatory licenses.
- Key drivers for owners
to divest portfolios continue to remain relevant and create a
strong pipeline. These include alternative uses of capital
(e.g. return to investors or supporting other business lines),
operational challenges (e.g. end of life systems), management
distraction, regulatory challenges and wider business and strategic
needs.
- We continue to have
immediately available acquisition firepower of over £200m, noting
we seek to hold cash reserves to cover costs for 12 months
(dividend, coupon and working capital). We will
continue to explore how we can increase our funding capability
further, including consideration of partnerships as well as equity
and debt to ensure we can compete for larger deals.
- Our financing
considerations, when looking at new deals, are: that we operate in
our normal operating solvency range of 140 - 160%; we maintain our
investment grade rating; we retain liquid resources to cover the
dividend, coupon and working capital for approximately one year;
and we continue to have the capacity to finance smaller
transactions without further fundraising.
CAPITAL MANAGEMENT | Solvency
II
Subject to
ensuring other constraints are managed, surplus capital is a useful
proxy measure for liquid resources available to fund items such as
dividends, acquisitions or business investment.
GROUP SOLVENCY
SOLVENCY POSITION
£m
|
30 Jun
2024
|
31 Dec
2023
|
|
|
|
Own funds
|
656
|
684
|
SCR
|
326
|
333
|
Surplus
|
330
|
351
|
Solvency ratio %
|
201%
|
205%
|
SOLVENCY SURPLUS
£m
|
|
|
|
Group solvency surplus at 31 Dec 2023
|
351.0
|
UK
|
18.8
|
Movestic
|
0.2
|
Waard
|
(2.7)
|
Scildon
|
6.7
|
Chesnara / consol adj
|
(0.2)
|
Change in T2/T3
restrictions
|
(24.9)
|
Exchange rates
|
(5.8)
|
Dividends
|
(13.0)
|
Group solvency surplus at 30 Jun 2024
|
330.2
|
|
|
Surplus:
The group has
£330m of surplus over and above the capital requirements under
Solvency II, compared to £351m at the end of 2023. The group
solvency ratio has decreased from 205% to 201%. The change in
surplus is explained in terms of Own Fund and SCR movements
below.
Own Funds:
Own Funds have
fallen by £14m (pre-dividend). A key driver of this is a rise
in the Tier 2/3 restriction due to an increase in the value of Tier
2 & Tier 3 assets and a small FX loss, offset by some economic
gains due to positive equity markets and rising yields.
SCR:
The SCR has
decreased by £7m, owing mainly to a fall in underwriting risk
capital, due to the rise in yields, and an increase in the loss
absorbing capacity of deferred tax in the UK.
Solvency II
background
- Solvency is a measure
of how much the value of the company exceeds the level of capital
it is required to hold.
- The value of the
company is referred to as its "Own Funds" (OF) and this is measured
in accordance with the rules of the newly adopted Solvency II
regime.
- The capital requirement
is again defined by Solvency II rules and the primary requirement
is referred to as the Solvency Capital Requirement
(SCR).
- Solvency is expressed
as either a ratio: OF/SCR % or as an absolute surplus:
OF less SCR.
WHAT ARE OWN
FUNDS?
A valuation which
reflects the net assets of the company and includes a value for
future profits expected to arise from in-force policies.
The Own Funds valuation: A
restriction is applied to reduce the aggregate value of Tier 2 and
3 assets down to 50% of the reported SCR.
Contract boundaries: Solvency II rules do not allow for the recognition of future
cash flows on certain policies despite a high probability of
receipt.
Risk margin: The
Solvency II rules require a 'risk margin' liability which is deemed
to be above the realistic cost, particularly in respect of the
overseas divisions. The overseas risk margin is based on the
original methodology whereas the UK benefits from HMT's Solvency II
reforms.
Restricted with profit surpluses:
Surpluses in the group's with-profit funds are
not recognised in Solvency II Own Funds despite their commercial
value.
We define Economic
Value (EcV) as being the Own Funds adjusted for the items
above. As such our Own Funds and EcV have many common
characteristics and tend to be impacted by the same
factors.
Transitional
measures, introduced as part of the long-term guarantee package
when Solvency II was introduced, are available to temporarily
increase Own Funds. Chesnara does not take advantage of such
measures, however we do apply the volatility adjustment within our
Dutch and UK divisions.
How do Own Funds
change?
Own Funds (and
Economic Value) are sensitive to economic conditions. In
general, positive equity markets and increasing yields lead to OF
growth and vice versa. Other factors that improve OF include
writing profitable new business, reducing the expense base and
improvements to lapse rates.
WHAT IS CAPITAL
REQUIREMENT?
The solvency
capital requirement can be calculated using a "standard formula" or
"internal model". Chesnara adopts the "standard
formula".
There are three levels of
capital requirement:
Minimum dividend paying
requirement/risk appetite requirement
The board sets a
minimum solvency level above the SCR which means a more prudent
level is applied when making dividend decisions.
Solvency Capital
Requirement
Amount of capital
required to withstand a 1 in 200 event. The SCR acts as an
intervention point for supervisory action including cancellation or
the deferral of distributions to investors.
Minimum Capital
Requirement
The MCR is between
45% and 25% of the SCR. At this point Chesnara would need to
submit a recovery plan which if not effective within three months
may result in authorisation being withdrawn.
How does the SCR
change?
Given the largest
component of Chesnara's SCR is market risk, changes in investment
mix or changes in the overall value of our assets has the greatest
impact on the SCR. For example, equity assets require more
capital than low risk bonds. Also, positive investment growth
in general creates an increase in SCR. Book run-off will tend
to reduce SCR, but this will be partially offset by an increase as
a result of new business.
The HMT's reforms to
Solvency II were laid before parliament on 8 December 2023 and came
into force on 31 December 2023. The reforms updated the risk
margin calculation for CA. EIOPA has proposed provisional
reforms to Solvency II. These reforms need to be presented to
member states and the European Parliament for approval. We
continue to monitor any further proposed changes closely and future
financial statements will report on the UK specific application of
Solvency II as it diverges from the EU's regime.
We are well
capitalised at both a group and divisional level. We have
applied the volatility adjustment in Scildon, Waard Leven and CA,
but have not used any other elements of the long-term guarantee
package within the group. The Volatility Adjustment is an
optional measure that can be used in solvency calculations to
reduce volatility arising from large movements in bond
spreads.
The numbers that follow
present the divisional view of the solvency position which may
differ to the position of the individual insurance company(ies)
within the consolidated numbers. Note that year end 2023
figures have been restated using 30 June 2024 exchange rates in
order to aid comparison at a divisional level.
UK
£m
|
30 Jun
2024
|
31 Dec
2023
|
|
|
|
Own funds (post dividend)
|
166
|
152
|
SCR
|
97
|
103
|
Buffer
|
19
|
21
|
Surplus
|
49
|
29
|
Solvency ratio %
|
171%
|
149%
|
|
|
|
Surplus: £49.4m above
board's capital management policy.
Dividends: Solvency
position is stated after £35.0m proposed dividend.
Own
Funds: Increased by £13.3m,
mostly driven by positive economic experience as a result of rise
in equities and fall in credit spreads.
SCR:
Decreased by £5.5m, with
the key drivers being a reduction in underwriting risks, due to the
rise in yields, and an increase in LACDT, due to a rise in deferred
tax liabilities.
SWEDEN
£m
|
30 Jun
2024
|
31 Dec
2023
|
|
|
|
Own funds (post dividend)
|
177
|
164
|
SCR
|
125
|
112
|
Buffer
|
25
|
22
|
Surplus
|
27
|
30
|
Solvency ratio %
|
142%
|
147%
|
Surplus: £27.4m above
board's capital management policy.
Dividends: Solvency
position is stated after £7.5m (100 MSEK) proposed
dividend.
Own
Funds: Increased by £12.9m largely owing to positive economic
movements, offset by a small operating strain and assumption
changes.
SCR: Increased by
£12.7m due to positive equity growth and moderate rise in currency
risks.
NETHERLANDS -
WAARD
£m
|
30 Jun
2024
|
31 Dec
2023
|
|
|
|
Own funds (post dividend)
|
87
|
96
|
SCR
|
29
|
27
|
Buffer
|
10
|
10
|
Surplus
|
48
|
59
|
Solvency ratio %
|
304%
|
353%
|
Surplus: £48.3m above
board's capital management policy.
Dividends: Solvency
position stated after £6.8m proposed dividend.
Own
Funds: Decreased by £9.5m, largely owing to an economic strain caused
by an increase in government bond spreads and the rise in interest
rates.
SCR: Increased by
£1.2m, mainly due to an increase in spread risk, due to some
proactive re-risking via an increase in corporate bond holdings,
offset by a reduction in counterparty default risk.
NETHERLANDS -
SCILDON
£m
|
30 Jun
2024
|
31 Dec
2023
|
|
|
|
Own funds (post dividend)
|
137
|
131
|
SCR
|
70
|
71
|
Buffer
|
53
|
53
|
Surplus
|
13
|
6
|
Solvency ratio %
|
194%
|
184%
|
Surplus: £13.5m above
board's capital management policy.
Dividends: No
foreseeable dividend was proposed for 2024.
Own
Funds: Increased by £5.7m
driven by positive operating variances and new business
profits.
SCR: Decreased by
£1.0m, chiefly consisting of an increase in spread risk, owing to a
rise in money market holdings, offset by a decrease in life
underwriting risks, due to rising yields.
CAPITAL MANAGEMENT | Sensitivities
The group's
solvency position remains strong and we proactively evaluate the
main factors that can affect our solvency. The group's EcV, and
cash generation, both of which are derived from the group's
solvency calculations, are also sensitive to these
factors.
The table below
provides some insight into the immediate impact of certain
sensitivities that the group is exposed to, covering solvency
surplus and Economic Value. As can be seen, EcV tends to take
the 'full force' of adverse conditions immediately (where the
impacts are calculated on the cash flows for the life of our
portfolios) whereas solvency is often protected in the short term
and, to a certain extent, the longer term due to compensating
impacts on required capital.
Tier 2 debt has a
material impact on the reported sensitivities because, as capital
requirements move, the amount of the Tier 2 debt able to be
recognised in the Own Funds also moves. For example, where FX
movements reduce the SCR, we also experience a corresponding
reduction in base Own Funds and Own Funds relating to Tier 2
capital. Importantly though, the Tier 2 debt itself has
created more than sufficient additional headroom to accommodate
this.
Whilst cash
generation has not been shown in the table below, the impact of
these sensitivities on the group's solvency surplus has a direct
read across to the immediate impact on cash generation. Each
individual column in the table illustrates the estimated impact
range (£m) of the respective sensitivities and whether that impact
is positive or negative.
|
Solvency
ratio
|
Solvency
surplus
|
EcV
|
|
Impact
%
|
Impact
range £m
|
Impact
range £m
|
20% sterling
appreciation
|
22.0%
|
(17.4)
to (7.4)
|
(59.8)
to (49.8)
|
20% sterling
depreciation
|
(12.9)%
|
18.4 to
28.4
|
75.7 to
85.7
|
25% equity fall
|
10.4%
|
(63.8)
to (33.8)
|
(94.5)
to (74.5)
|
25% equity rise
|
(7.0)%
|
21.5 to
51.5
|
64.0 to
84.0
|
10% equity fall
|
3.8%
|
(21.6)
to (11.6)
|
(36.7)
to (26.7)
|
10% equity rise
|
(2.3)%
|
11.5 to
21.5
|
26.0 to
36.0
|
1% interest rate rise
|
2.6%
|
(4.6)
to 5.4
|
(10.6)
to (0.6)
|
1% interest rate fall
|
(4.9)%
|
(18.1)
to 1.9
|
(10.3)
to 4.7
|
50bps credit spread
rise
|
(4.9)%
|
(21.6)
to (11.6)
|
(16.8)
to (11.8)
|
25bps swap rate fall
|
(4.5)%
|
(15.7)
to (5.7)
|
(13.5)
to (3.5)
|
10% mass lapse
|
1.2%
|
(26.7)
to (16.7)
|
(39.6)
to (29.6)
|
1% inflation
|
(10.0)%
|
(33.5)
to (23.5)
|
(28.9)
to (18.9)
|
5% mortality increase
|
(3.4)%
|
(14.0)
to (9.0)
|
(13.8)
to (8.8)
|
INSIGHT*
20%
sterling appreciation: A
material sterling appreciation reduces the value of surplus in our
overseas divisions and any overseas investments in our UK entities,
however this is partially mitigated by the group currency hedge so
the overall impact on solvency is reduced.
Equity sensitivities:
The equity rise sensitivities cause both Own Funds and SCR to rise,
as the value of the funds exposed to risk is higher. The
increase in SCR can be larger than Own Funds, resulting in an
immediate reduction in surplus, depending on the starting point of
the symmetric adjustment. The converse applies to an equity
fall sensitivity, although the impacts are not fully symmetrical
due to management actions and tax. The Tier 2 debt value also
changes materially in these sensitivities. The change in
symmetric adjustment can have a significant impact (25% equity
fall: -£25.3m to the SCR, 25% equity rise: +£19.3m to SCR).
The EcV impacts are more intuitive as they are more directly linked
to Own Funds impact. CA and Movestic contribute the most due
to their large amounts of unit-linked business, much of which is
invested in equities.
Interest rate
sensitivities: An interest
rate fall has a more adverse effect on group EcV than an interest
rate rise. Group solvency is less exposed to rising interest rates
as a rise in rates causes capital requirements to fall, increasing
solvency.
50bps credit spread rise: A
credit spread rise has an adverse impact on surplus and future cash
generation, particularly in Waard and Scildon due to corporate and
non-local government bond holdings that form part of the asset
portfolios backing non-linked insurance liabilities. The
impact on the other divisions is less severe.
25bps swap rate fall: This sensitivity measures the impact of a fall in the swap
discount curve with no change in the value of assets. The
result is that liability values increase in isolation. The
most material impact is on Scildon due to the size of the
non-linked book.
10%
mass lapse: In this
sensitivity Own Funds fall as there are fewer policies on the
books, thus less potential for future profits. This is
largely offset by a fall in SCR, although the amount of eligible
Tier 2 capital also falls. The division most affected is
Movestic as it has the largest concentration of unit-linked
business.
1%
inflation rise: This
sensitivity measures a permanent increase in inflation in every
future year (above existing valuation assumptions). Such a
rise in inflation increases the amount of expected future
expenses. This is capitalised into the balance sheet and hits
the solvency position immediately.
5% mortality
increase: This sensitivity has an
adverse impact on surplus and cash generation, particularly for
Scildon due to their term products.
*BASIS OF PREPARATION ON
REPORTING:
Although it is not
a precise exercise, the general aim is that the sensitivities
modelled are deemed to be broadly similar (with the exception that
the 10% equity movements are naturally more likely to arise) in
terms of likelihood. Whilst sensitivities provide a useful
guide, in practice, how our results react to changing conditions is
complex and the exact level of impact can vary due to the
interactions of events and starting position.
FINANCIAL REVIEW
Our key performance indicators
provide a good indication of how the business has performed in
delivering its three strategic objectives.
CASH GENERATION
GROUP CASH GENERATION
£19.6M 30 JUNE
2023: £11.1M
DIVISIONAL CASH
GENERATION£18.8M 30 JUNE 2023: £2.3M
What is it?
Cash generation is calculated as
being the movement in Solvency II Own Funds over the internally
required capital, excluding the impact of Tier 2 debt. The
internally required capital is determined with reference to the
group's capital management policies, which have Solvency II rules
at their heart. Cash generation is used by the group as a
measure of assessing how much dividend potential has been
generated, subject to ensuring other constraints are
managed.
Why
is it important?
Cash generation is a key measure,
because it is the net cash flows to Chesnara from its life and
pensions businesses which support Chesnara's dividend-paying
capacity and acquisition strategy. Cash generation can be a
strong indicator of how we are performing against our stated
objective of 'maximising value from existing business'. However,
our cash generation is always managed in the context of our stated
value of maintaining strong solvency positions within the regulated
entities of the group.
Risks
The ability of the underlying
regulated subsidiaries within the group to generate cash is
affected by a number of our principal risks and
uncertainties. Whilst cash generation is a function of the
regulatory surplus, as opposed to the IFRS surplus, it is impacted
by similar drivers, and therefore factors such as yields on fixed
interest securities and equity and property performance contribute
significantly to the level of cash generation within the
group.
£m
|
Jun 2024
|
|
|
UK
|
19.9
|
Sweden
|
(3.6)
|
Netherlands
|
2.5
|
Divisional cash generation
|
18.8
|
Other group activities
|
0.8
|
Group cash generation
|
19.6
|
|
|
- Cash generation of
£19.6m exceeded the prior year (30 June 2023: £11.1m) and includes
a material adverse impact from the symmetric adjustment of £9.3m
(six months to 30 June 2023: £10.6m).
- The divisional result
of £18.8m was driven by another period of strong cash generation
from the UK (£19.9m), with a healthy contribution from Scildon also
supporting the result. In Sweden, value growth delivered through
equity returns was exceeded by associated rises in SCR (and
symmetric adjustment), while the Waard result included a reduction
in Own Funds due to economic losses (negative impact of rising
interest rates).
- The central group
contribution includes the benefit of a cash gain from our FX hedge,
which has risen in value to offset some (£4.7m) of the adverse FX
movements experienced elsewhere in the group, helping to reduce
capital requirements. The reduction in SCR offsets the adverse
impact of consolidation adjustments and central development
expenditure (including M&A).
IFRS
PRE-TAX PROFIT:
£13.4M 30 JUNE
2023: PRE-TAX £15.3M
TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE INCOME:
£(6.7)M 30 JUNE
2023: £0.5M
What is it?
Presentation of the results in
accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS)
aims to recognise the profit arising from the longer-term insurance
and investment contracts over the life of the policy.
Why
is it important?
The IFRS results form the core of
reporting and hence retain prominence as a key financial
performance metric. We believe that, for Chesnara, the IFRS
results in isolation do not recognise the wider financial
performance of the business, hence the use of supplementary
Alternative Performance Measures to enhance understanding of
financial performance.
Risks
IFRS 17 was effective from 1 January
2023 and has been applied in the financial statements in section C.
IFRS 17 introduces a concept of insurance revenue which aims to
reflect the insurance contract services provided in each period in
the income statement by establishing an explicit measure of future
profit (the Contractual Service Margin (CSM)) and provides a
framework as to how the CSM is recognised in a given period.
The 'investment result' is presented separately from the 'insurance
result' on the face of the income statement. Market volatility
impacting the surplus assets will result in volatility in
investment result and the IFRS pre-tax profit/(loss). Foreign
currency fluctuations will further affect total comprehensive
income.
£m
|
30 Jun
2024
|
|
|
Net
insurance service result
|
(3.3)
|
Net
investment result
|
40.3
|
Fee, commission and other operating
income
|
54.9
|
Other operating expenses
|
(72.9)
|
Financing costs
|
(5.6)
|
Profit before income taxes
|
13.4
|
Tax
|
(12.4)
|
Forex & other
|
(7.7)
|
Total comprehensive income
|
(6.7)
|
- Profit before tax in
the period of £13.4m includes a net insurance service loss of £
£3.3m and an investment result of £40.3m (six months to 30 June
2023: £10.5m and £24.6m profit respectively).
- The negative insurance
service result has been driven primarily by adverse experience and
assumption changes on lines of business, termed 'onerous
contracts', for which the CSM has been extinguished meaning such
losses must be taken to the P&L rather than to the
CSM.
- The positive investment
result in the year, is reflective of equity market gains combined
with rising yields.
ECONOMIC VALUE (EcV)
£508.0M 31 DECEMBER 2023:
£524.7M
What is it?
Economic value (EcV) was
introduced following the introduction of Solvency II at the start
of 2016, with EcV being derived from Solvency II Own Funds.
EcV reflects a market-consistent assessment of the value of the
existing insurance business, plus the adjusted net asset value of
the non-insurance businesses within the group.
Why is it important?
EcV aims to reflect the
market-related value of in-force business and net assets of the
non-insurance business and hence is an important reference point by
which to assess Chesnara's value. A life and pensions group
may typically be characterised as trading at a discount or premium
to its Economic Value. Analysis of EcV provides additional
insight into the development of the business over time.
The EcV development of the
Chesnara group over time can be a strong indicator of how we have
delivered to our strategic objectives, in particular the value
created from acquiring life and pensions businesses and enhancing
our value through writing profitable new business. It ignores
the potential of new business to be written in the future (the
franchise value of our Swedish and Dutch businesses) and the value
of the company's ability to acquire further businesses.
Risks
The Economic Value of the group is
affected by economic factors such as equity and property markets,
yields on fixed interest securities and bond spreads. In
addition, the EcV position of the group can be materially affected
by exchange rate fluctuations. For example, a 20.0% weakening
of the Swedish krona and euro against sterling would reduce the EcV
of the group within a range of £50m-£60m, based on the composition
of the group's EcV at 30 June 2024.
£m
|
|
|
|
EcV
31 Dec 2023
|
524.7
|
EcV earnings
|
20.2
|
Forex
|
(13.3)
|
Pre-dividend EcV
|
531.6
|
Dividends
|
(23.5)
|
EcV
30 Jun 2024
|
508.0
|
|
|
- EcV growth for the
opening half of the year was £20.2m (prior to the dividend payment
and FX consolidation losses).
- This value growth was
delivered through a variety of sources across the group. Positive
new business results contributed to operating profits in the UK and
Netherlands while, at a total level, economic growth was muted as
investment market conditions had a mixed impact on our divisions.
Growth in the UK and Sweden (predominantly through rising equities
and yields) was offset by losses in the Netherlands, owing to the
negative impact of changes in interest rates.
ECV
EARNINGS
£20.2M 30 JUNE 2023:
£32.6M excluding acquisitions
What is it?
In recognition of the longer-term
nature of the group's insurance and investment contracts,
supplementary information is presented that provides information on
the Economic Value of our business.
The
principal underlying components of the Economic Value result
are:
- The expected return
from existing business (being the effect of the unwind of the rates
used to discount the value in-force);
- Value added by the
writing of new business;
- Variations in actual
experience from that assumed in the opening valuation;
- The impact of restating
assumptions underlying the determination of expected cash flows;
and
- The impact of
acquisitions.
Why
is it important?
A different perspective is provided
in the performance of the group and on the valuation of the
business. Economic Value earnings are an important KPI as
they provide a longer-term measure of the value generated during a
period. The Economic Value earnings of the group can be a
strong indicator of how we have delivered against all three of our
core strategic objectives. This includes new business profits
generated from writing profitable new business, Economic Value
profit emergence from our existing businesses, and the Economic
Value impact of acquisitions.
Risks
The EcV earnings of the group can be
affected by a number of factors, including those highlighted within
our principal risks and uncertainties and sensitivities analysis.
In addition to the factors that affect the IFRS pre-tax profit and
cash generation of the group, the EcV earnings can be more
sensitive to other factors such as the expense base and persistency
assumptions. This is primarily due to the fact that
assumption changes in EcV affect our long-term view of the future
cash flows arising from our books of business.
£m
|
Jun 2024
|
|
|
Total operating earnings
|
0.9
|
Economic earnings
|
31.9
|
Other
|
(12.6)
|
Total EcV earnings
|
20.2
|
|
|
- Economic returns in the
period underpin the positive EcV earnings result. In the UK and
Sweden, earnings were delivered through equity market growth and
positive impact of rising yields. This offset economic losses in
the Dutch divisions, with movements in interest rates having an
adverse impact on bond holdings.
- Operating profits were
reported in the Dutch divisions, however the result was impacted by
adverse transfer activity in Sweden and a small loss in the UK
resulting in overall operating earnings of £0.9m.
- The "Other" category
includes risk margin movement, negative tax impacts, the cost of
Tier 2 coupon payments and central costs which are primarily
one-off costs associated with M&A activity.
CASH GENERATION
There is no reporting framework
defined by the regulators for cash generation and there is
therefore inconsistency across the sector. We define cash
generation as being the movement in Solvency II own funds over and
above the group's internally required capital, which is based on
Solvency II rules.
GROUP CASH GENERATION
£19.6M 30 JUNE 2023:
£11.1M excluding the impact of
acquisitions
Cash generation was £19.6m for the
period, with a divisional cash total of £18.8m, the result
benefitting from positive equity growth (net of the temporary net
impact of the symmetric adjustment). Cash is generated from
increases in the group's solvency surplus, which is represented by
the excess of Own Funds held over management's internal capital
needs. These are based on regulatory capital requirements,
with the inclusion of additional 'management
buffers'.
Implications of our cash definition:
Positives
- Creates a strong and
transparent alignment to a regulated framework.
- Positive cash results
can be approximated to increased dividend potential.
- Cash is a factor of
both value and capital and hence management are focused on capital
efficiency in addition to value growth and indeed the interplay
between the two.
Challenges and limitations
- In certain
circumstances the cash reported may not be immediately
distributable by a division to group or from group to
shareholders.
- Brings the technical
complexities of the SII framework into the cash results e.g.
symmetric adjustment, with-profit fund restrictions, model changes
etc, and hence the headline results do not always reflect the
underlying commercial or operational performance.
|
Jun 2024
£m
|
Jun 2023
£m
|
|
|
Movement
in
Own Funds
|
Movement in management's
capital requirement
|
Forex
impact
|
Cash
generated /
(utilised)
|
Cash generated /
(utilised)
|
|
|
UK
|
13.3
|
6.6
|
-
|
19.9
|
10.0
|
|
Sweden
|
13.0
|
(15.3)
|
(1.2)
|
(3.6)
|
(6.4)
|
|
Netherlands - Waard
Group
|
(1.5)
|
(1.7)
|
(1.6)
|
(4.7)
|
(0.4)
|
|
Netherlands - Scildon
|
5.8
|
1.6
|
(0.2)
|
7.2
|
(0.9)
|
|
Divisional cash generation / (utilisation)
|
30.6
|
(8.8)
|
(3.0)
|
18.8
|
2.3
|
|
Other group activities
|
(7.3)
|
8.1
|
-
|
0.8
|
8.8
|
|
Group cash generation / (utilisation)
|
23.3
|
(0.7)
|
(3.0)
|
19.6
|
11.1
|
|
GROUP
- Other group activities
include consolidation adjustments as well as central costs and
central SCR movements.
- Central costs include
Tier 2 debt coupon payments (c£5m) and uncovered central
expenditure, of which a large proportion of exceptional
non-recurring development activity.
UK
- The UK reported another
strong period of cash generation, contributing £19.9m in the first
half of 2024. This was delivered through both Own Funds growth and
a reduction in capital requirements. Economic conditions
(mainly the positive impact of rising yields) supported both the
growth in Own Funds and the reduction in SCR (from lower with
profit guarantee costs, offsetting a rise in symmetric
adjustment).
SWEDEN
- In Movestic, the
increase in SCR was primarily driven by market risk related capital
requirements. This exceeded the growth in Own Funds from economic
returns on unit linked business. This equity market-driven growth
in Own Funds also resulted in a larger increase in the symmetric
adjustment.
NETHERLANDS - WAARD
- Waard recorded cash
utilisation of £4.7m for the period. Own Funds fell due to economic
losses (mainly the negative impact on bond holdings of rising
interest rates), offsetting operating profits. The SCR increased
mainly from a rise in market risk through a higher symmetric
adjustment, the purchase of government bonds with longer duration
increasing interest rate SCR and proactive re-risking through an
increase in corporate bond holdings increasing spread SCR. The
divisional result also includes an FX loss on consolidation owing
to sterling appreciation versus the euro.
NETHERLANDS - SCILDON
- Scildon generated a
cash return £7.2m for the period. Positive market conditions were
the primary driver of Own Funds growth and higher interest rates
also had a positive impact on capital requirements (owing to fall
in life risk), reducing the SCR.
CASH GENERATION - ENHANCED
ANALYSIS
The format of the analysis draws
out components of the cash generation results relating to technical
complexities, modelling issues or exceptional corporate
activity. The results excluding such items are deemed to
better reflect the inherent commercial outcome (Commercial cash
generation).
COMMERCIAL CASH
GENERATION
£29.2M 30 JUNE 2023: £21.8M
excluding the impact of acquisitions
|
UK
|
SWEDEN
|
NETHERLANDS
WAARD
|
NETHERLANDS SCILDON
|
DIVISIONAL
TOTAL
|
GROUP
ADJ
|
TOTAL
|
Base cash generation
|
19.9
|
(3.6)
|
(4.7)
|
7.2
|
18.8
|
0.8
|
19.6
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Symmetric adjustment
|
3.0
|
4.4
|
0.3
|
0.7
|
8.4
|
0.9
|
9.3
|
WP restriction look
through
|
0.2
|
|
|
|
0.2
|
-
|
0.2
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Commercial cash generation
|
23.2
|
0.8
|
(4.5)
|
8.0
|
27.4
|
1.7
|
29.2
|
Commercial cash generation of
£29.2m is primarily supported by contributions of £23.2m from the
UK business and £8.0m from Scildon. Movestic made a small
£0.8m gain in commercial cash while Waard experienced a £4.5m
loss. Movements in FX rates during 2024 led to a loss of
£3.0m to cash, however, the group FX hedge has more than offset
these currency impacts, providing a cash benefit of £10.9m
YTD.
UK
The key drivers of the UK result
are economic gains from positive equity performance and rising
yields - the latter has benefitted both Own Funds and required
capital.
SWEDEN
The Swedish result, after removing
a loss caused by the increase in the symmetric adjustment, is
slightly positive. The economic result is positive,
principally due to equity market gains, offset by the depreciation
of Swedish krona against sterling. The economic gains are
offset by a change to lapse assumptions and new business
strain.
WAARD
Waard's negative cash result is
primarily driven by increased yields and spreads on certain bond
holdings, along with the depreciation of the euro against
sterling. The negative economic result is offset somewhat by
an increase in the Tier 3 tax asset.
SCILDON
Scildon's commercial cash
generation reflects both positive economic and operating
impacts. The economic gains are a result of equity and yield
movements, offset somewhat by the depreciation of the euro against
sterling.
GROUP
The central group result is driven
by positive economic experience and a beneficial FX hedge movement,
offset by central expenses. Central expenses include, Tier 2
debt coupon payments and a range of development activity, such as
M&A programmes as well as investment in the business to support
the future growth of the group.
EcV EARNINGS
£20.2M 30 JUNE 2023:
£32.6M
A period of strong EcV earnings
have been delivered through new business gains and economic
profits.
Analysis of the EcV result in the period by earnings
source:
£m
|
30 Jun
2024
|
30 Jun
2023¹
|
31 Dec
2023¹
|
Expected movement in
period
|
9.8
|
7.7
|
14.9
|
New business
|
2.5
|
4.7
|
4.4
|
Operating experience
variances
|
(4.1)
|
(5.7)
|
14.9
|
Operating assumption
changes
|
(7.3)
|
(5.4)
|
(25.9)
|
Total operating earnings
|
0.9
|
1.3
|
8.3
|
Total economic earnings
|
31.9
|
31.6
|
42.9
|
Other non-operating
variances
|
(4.8)
|
7.2
|
(13.8)
|
Central costs (including one-off
costs)
|
(6.6)
|
(4.7)
|
(14.1)
|
Risk margin movement
|
2.4
|
0.9
|
1.1
|
Tax
|
(3.6)
|
(3.7)
|
6.3
|
EcV earnings
|
20.2
|
32.6
|
30.7
|
Acquisitions
|
-
|
28.4
|
28.4
|
EcV earnings inc. acquisitions
|
20.2
|
61.0
|
59.1
|
¹Prior year comparators have
been restated following a reallocation of components, with total
EcV earnings remaining unchanged.
Analysis of the EcV result in the year by business
segment:
£m
|
30 Jun
2024
|
30 Jun
2023
|
31 Dec
2023
|
UK
|
13.7
|
11.0
|
31.4
|
Sweden
|
12.1
|
15.0
|
6.8
|
Netherlands
|
1.7
|
12.1
|
19.5
|
Group and group
adjustments
|
(7.3)
|
(5.5)
|
(27.0)
|
Acquisitions
|
-
|
28.4
|
28.4
|
EcV earnings
|
20.2
|
61.0
|
59.1
|
Total economic earnings: The
economic result continues to be the largest component of the total
EcV earnings, with a profit of £31.9m in the period. The result is
in line with our reported sensitivities and is driven by the
following key market movements:
Rising equity indices:
- FTSE All Share index
increased by 5.2% (6 months to 30 June 2023: increased by
0.5%);
- Swedish OMX all share
index increased by 7.9% (6 months to 30 June 2023: increased by
8.4%);
- The Netherlands AEX all share index
increased by 16.2% (6 months to 30 June 2023: increased by 10.2%);
and
Widening credit spreads:
- UK AA corporate bond
yields decreased to 0.67% (31 December 2023: 0.71%)
- European AA credit spreads decreased to 0.52% (31 December
2023: 0.63%).
Increased yields:
- 10-year UK gilt yields
have increased to 4.19% (31 December 2023: 3.64%).
The EcV results continue to
illustrate how sensitive the results are to economic factors. As
outlined in the past, we continue to be of the view that short term
volatility has limited commercial impact on the business and of
more importance is the fact that steady state, over the longer
term, we expect EcV growth in the form of real-world investment
returns.
Total operating earnings: Operating earnings of £0.9m were reported in the period,
driven from positive results in the two Dutch businesses. Their
earnings were largely offset in Sweden, where adverse transfer
activity resulted in an operating loss for Movestic, and in the UK,
where expense strengthening resulted in adverse assumption
variances leading to a small operating loss.
Other costs: It is worth
noting that the EcV earnings result of £20.2m includes a number of
negative components that represent positive investment in the
future and items that are non-recurring in nature. Examples of key
items in the period include:
- Central costs,
primarily one-off costs associated with the M&A strategy.
Whilst the cost of this development investment is recognised, EcV
does not recognise the potential returns we expect from
it.
- Tier 2 debt servicing
costs - EcV does not recognise the benefit of the capital or the
potential for future value adding transactions that it
provides.
Looking at the results by
division:
UK: The UK's positive
earning result of £13.7m was driven by favourable market
conditions, predominantly the long-term impact of rising yields and
equities. Operating losses were small, with favourable fee income
being offset by expense strengthening. The
result also includes non-recurring transition and transformational
costs relating to new outsourcing arrangements and business
integrations. The UK also reported higher than expected new
business earnings in the first half of the year, contributing to
the result.
Sweden: Movestic
recorded earnings of £12.1m for the opening half of the year with
the division benefitting from external economic factors. Rising
equity markets in Sweden and Europe have underpinned economic
returns of £22.6m. This more than
outweighed an operating loss, owing mainly to adverse transfer
activity. Pricing pressures suppressed fee income and lower fund
rebates also contributed to the result. Modest new business profits
(on an EcV basis) of £0.8m were recorded, reflective of the
continued competitive market conditions and margin
pressures.
Netherlands: Overall,
the Dutch businesses reported growth of £1.7m in the period, with
operating profits mitigating economic losses. Across both entities, economic losses were primarily
the consequence of rising interest rates, reducing the value of
bonds holdings. Scildon generated EcV growth of £4.6m, driven by
positive operating variances, offset by the economic experience
variances explained above. New business profits were muted, due to
market pricing pressures and a smaller term market. In Waard, the
negative impact of economic conditions on the bond portfolio, led
to an overall loss of £2.7m, offsetting positive operating earnings
delivered in the opening half of the year.
Group: This component
contains a variety of group-related expenses and includes:
non-maintenance related costs (such as acquisition activity costs);
as well as some material economic-related items such as financing
costs, primarily in relation to the Tier 2 debt interest costs, and
positive investment returns for the period.
EcV
£508.0M (31 DEC 2023:
£524.7M)
The Economic Value of Chesnara
represents the present value of future profits of the existing
insurance business, plus the adjusted net asset value of the
non-insurance business within the group. EcV is an important
reference point by which to assess Chesnara's intrinsic
value.
Value movement: 1 Jan 2024 to 30 Jun 2024:
£m
|
|
|
|
EcV
31 Dec 2023
|
524.7
|
EcV earnings
|
20.2
|
Forex
|
(13.3)
|
Pre-dividend EcV
|
531.6
|
Dividends
|
(23.5)
|
EcV
30 Jun 2024
|
508.0
|
|
|
EcV earnings: EcV
profits of £20.2m have been driven primarily by positive market
conditions over the period.
Foreign exchange: The
closing EcV of the group reflects a foreign exchange loss in the
period, which is a consequence of sterling
appreciation against both the Swedish krona and also the euro since
the start of the year.
Dividends: Under EcV,
dividends are recognised in the period in which they are
paid. Dividends of £23.5m were paid during the first half of
the year, representing the final dividend from 2023.
EcV by segment at 30 Jun 2024
£m
|
|
|
|
UK
|
205.1
|
Sweden
|
193.9
|
Netherlands
|
246.0
|
Other group activities
|
(136.9)
|
EcV
30 Jun 2024
|
508.0
|
|
|
The above table shows that the EcV
of the group is diversified across its different
markets.
EcV to Solvency II:
£m
|
|
|
|
EcV
30 Jun 2024
|
508.0
|
Risk margin
|
(22.4)
|
Contract boundaries
|
1.8
|
Tier 2 debt
|
200.00
|
RFF & Tier 2/3
restrictions
|
(25.7)
|
Deferred tax asset
adjustment
|
7.7
|
Dividends
|
(13.0)
|
SII
Own Funds 30 Jun 2024
|
656.4
|
|
|
Our EcV is based on a Solvency II
assessment of the value of the business but adjusted for certain
items where it is deemed that Solvency II does not reflect the
commercial value of the business. The above waterfall shows
the key difference between EcV and SII, with explanations for each
item below.
Risk margin: Solvency
II rules applying to our European businesses require a significant
'risk margin' which is held on the Solvency II balance sheet as a
liability, and this is considered to be materially above a
realistic cost. We therefore reduce this margin for risk for EcV
valuation purposes from being based on a 6% (UK: 4%) cost of
capital to a 3.25% cost of capital. On our UK business, the
Solvency II reform risk tapering is also reversed.
Contract boundaries: Solvency II rules do not allow for the recognition of future
cash flows on certain in-force contracts, despite the high
probability of receipt. We therefore make an adjustment to
reflect the realistic value of the cash flows under EcV.
Ring-fenced fund restrictions:
Solvency II rules require a restriction to be
placed on the value of surpluses that exist within certain
ring-fenced funds. These restrictions are reversed for EcV
valuation purposes as they are deemed to be temporary in
nature.
Dividends: The interim
dividend for 2024 of £13.0m is recognised for SII regulatory
reporting purposes. It is not recognised within EcV until it
is actually paid.
Tier 2: The Tier 2 debt
is treated as "quasi equity" for Solvency II purposes. For EcV,
consistent with IFRS, we continue to report this as debt. Under SII
this debt is recognised at fair value, while for EcV this remains
at book value.
Tier 3: Under Solvency II the
eligibility of Tier 3 Own Funds is restricted in accordance with
regulatory rules. For EcV the Tier 3 Own Funds are recognised at an
impaired value.
.
IFRS BALANCE SHEET
The transition to IFRS 17 is now
fully embedded in the reporting of the group's IFRS results and
balance sheet. As at 30 June 2024, total net equity is £330m and
the CSM, which represents unearned future insurance profits, is
£167m (net of reinsurance).
HOW THE CSM HAS MOVED IN THE
PERIOD
£m
|
|
|
|
CSM: 31 Dec 2023
|
166.5
|
Interest accreted to CSM
|
2.0
|
Assumption & experience
variances
|
7.7
|
New business CSM
|
3.0
|
Release of profit
|
(9.0)
|
Foreign exchange rate
impacts
|
(3.0)
|
CSM: 30 Jun 24
|
167.2
|
|
|
The group CSM has slightly
increased in the first half of 2024.
Positive experience and assumption
changes across the group have added £7.7m of CSM. New business in
Scildon has also added £3.0m of CSM, reflecting the future profits
arising on profitable new business recognised in the period. These
additions broadly offset the £9.0m reduction, which reflects the
release to profit in the period as the insurance services are
provided.
Other smaller movements include
the impact of foreign exchange and the "interest" on unwinding the
discounting that is embedded within the opening CSM
valuation.
CSM values are shown net of
reinsurance but gross of tax. When calculating the IFRS capital
base a net of reinsurance and net of tax figure is used. The
equivalent net of reinsurance and tax movement of CSM during the
six months to 30 June 2024 is £0.4m
HOW DOES IFRS 17 COMPARE TO
SOLVENCY II AND ECV?
EcV and IFRS share a number of
common principles. However, for investment contracts, expected
future profits on existing policies are not recognised in the IFRS
balance sheet, with profits being reported as they arise. This
differs to the approach in EcV, where these future profits are
fully recognised on the balance sheet, subject to contract
boundaries.
We believe that due to the hybrid
nature of the business, EcV and Solvency II, alongside cash
generation, continue to give a more holistic view of the financial
dynamics of the group and are therefore the key metrics that
management use to manage the business.
LEVERAGE
Applying the Fitch gearing
definition of debt divided by debt plus equity, with the equity
denominator adding back the net of tax CSM liability, the gearing
of the group as at 30 June 2024 was 30.4% (31 December 2023:
29.2%).
IFRS INCOME STATEMENT
IFRS PRE-TAX PROFIT
£13.4M 30 JUNE 2023 :
£15.3M
IFRS TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE
INCOME
£(6.7)M 30 JUNE 2023 :
£(0.5)M
Analysis of IFRS result between net insurance service and net
investment results:
|
|
|
|
|
30 June 24
|
30 June 23
|
31 Dec 23
|
|
£m
|
£m
|
£m
|
Net insurance service result
|
(3.3)
|
10.5
|
(5.1)
|
Net investment result
|
40.3
|
24.6
|
71.7
|
Fee, commission and other
operating income
|
54.9
|
47.4
|
89.4
|
Other operating
expenses
|
(72.9)
|
(65.7)
|
(149.9)
|
Financing costs
|
(5.6)
|
(5.5)
|
(11.0)
|
Profit arising on business
combinations and portfolio acquisitions
|
-
|
4.0
|
6.7
|
Profit before income taxes
|
13.4
|
15.3
|
1.8
|
Income tax
(charge)/credit
|
(12.4)
|
(0.6)
|
16.9
|
Profit for the period after tax
|
1.0
|
14.7
|
18.7
|
Foreign exchange
(loss)/gain
|
(8.2)
|
(15.2)
|
(7.8)
|
Other comprehensive
income
|
0.5
|
-
|
(0.6)
|
Total comprehensive income
|
(6.7)
|
(0.5)
|
10.3
|
|
|
|
|
Movement in IFRS capital base
|
|
|
|
Opening IFRS capital base
|
487.4
|
469.2
|
469.2
|
Movement in CSM (net of
reinsurance and tax)
|
0.4
|
44.1
|
42.4
|
Total comprehensive
income
|
(6.7)
|
(0.5)
|
10.3
|
Other adjustments made directly to
shareholders' equity
|
0.5
|
0.4
|
0.9
|
Dividend
|
(23.5)
|
(22.8)
|
(35.4)
|
Closing IFRS capital base
|
458.1
|
490.4
|
487.4
|
|
|
IFRS REPORTING CATEGORY
|
INSIGHT
|
Net insurance service result
|
The net insurance service
result of £3.3m loss can be broken down into the following
elements:
- gains from the release of risk
adjustment and CSM of £11.2m (six months to 30 June 2023: £12.4m).
These gains represent a healthy and consistent source of future
profits for the group.
- losses of £14.5m (six months to
30 June 2023: £1.9m loss) caused by experience impacts and loss
component effects where portfolios of contracts with no CSM have
suffered adverse impacts that would otherwise be offset in the
balance sheet if the CSM for those portfolios were positive. In
this reporting period, a variety of different factors have
contributed to the negative result, some of which will have
offsetting amounts in the investment result.
|
The net insurance service result
comprises the revenue and expenses from providing insurance
services to policyholders and ceding insurance business to
reinsurers and is in respect of current and past service only.
Assumption changes, that relate to future service, are therefore
excluded from the insurance result (as they adjust the CSM), unless
the CSM for a given portfolio of contracts falls below zero;
thereby in a 'loss component' position. Economic impacts are also
excluded from the insurance service result.
|
Movement in CSM
|
During the period to
30 June
2024, the gross
of tax CSM
has increased by £0.7m to £167.2m. The key components of
this increase are £3.0m of
additional CSM arising from new business within Scildon and positive experience changes across all
divisions which increased the CSM by £7.7m These
amounts are offset by £9.0m
of CSM released to the income statement. The
remaining CSM will be earned over the coverage period of the
policies to which it relates, and the expected earnings pattern is
such that after 10 years more than 40% will remain to be
earned.
|
The movement in CSM is important
to consider alongside the income statement. New CSM
represents future profits that are expected to be released to the
income statement over time and whilst a lot of the costs associated
with generating this new CSM are recognised in the year, the
expected profit is deferred over the life of the
products.
|
Net investment result
|
The investment result
of £40.3m in the
year to date reflects the positive market conditions in the period,
with equity market gains combined with rising
yields.
The UK investment result includes
£8.1m in respect of policyholder tax deductions on investment
contracts which will have a corresponding contra impact within the
tax line. The effect of locked in discount rates has also
contributed £3.3m, partly offset by negative loss component impacts
in the insurance service result.
|
The net investment result contains
the investment return earned on all assets together with the
financial impacts of movements in insurance and investment contract
liabilities.
|
Fee, commission and other operating income
|
Fee, commission and other
operating income shows an improvement on the 2023 comparative, but
this is in part due to increased fee income in the form of yield
tax deducted from policyholders in Movestic (£20.0m for the six
months to 30 June 2024 and £11.7m for the six months to 30 June
2023) as a result of improving economic factors, with a
corresponding offset within other operating expenses.
|
The most significant item in this
line is the fee income that is charged to policyholders in respect
of the asset management services provided for investment contracts.
There is no income in respect of insurance contracts in this line,
as this is all now reported in the insurance result
|
Other operating expenses
|
The expenses incurred in the first
six months of 2024 are higher than the corresponding six months in
2023, driven mainly by the increased policyholder yield tax from
the impact of stronger market on unit linked funds in Movestic.
This offsets the equivalent value within the fee, commission and
other operating income line above.
|
Other operating expenses consist
of costs relating to the management of the group's investment
business, non-attributable costs relating to the group's insurance
business and other certain one-off costs such as project
costs. Other items of note are the amortisation of intangible
assets in respect of investment business and the payment of yield
tax relating to policyholder investment funds in Movestic, for
which there is a corresponding income item within the fee income
line.
|
Financing costs
|
This predominantly relates to the
cost of servicing our Tier 2 corporate debt notes which were issued
in early 2022.
|
Profit arising on business combinations and portfolio
acquisitions
|
During 2023, Chesnara successfully
completed the acquisition of the insurance portfolio of
Conservatrix, a specialist provider of life insurance products in
the Netherlands. This gave rise to a day 1 gain which can be
found within the 2023 income statement. There has been no
equivalent gain for 2024.
|
Foreign exchange
|
The IFRS result of the group
reflects a foreign exchange loss in the period, a consequence of
sterling appreciation, particularly against the Swedish krona. The
resulting gain in respect of existing foreign exchange rate hedges
can be seen within the investment result.
|
Other comprehensive income
|
This represents the impact of
movements in the valuation of land and buildings held in our Dutch
division.
|
Income tax
Income tax consists of both
current and deferred taxes.
|
The income tax expense is mainly
the result of a UK deferred tax charge driven by utilisation of
'excess E' (brought forward losses) against the current year tax
charge.
|
RISK MANAGEMENT
Managing risk is a key part of our
business model. We achieve this by understanding the current
and emerging risks to the business, mitigating them where
appropriate and ensuring they are appropriately monitored and
managed.
HOW WE MANAGE RISK
RISK MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
The risk management system
supports the identification, assessment, and reporting of risks to
monitor and control the probability and/or impact of adverse
outcomes within the board's risk appetite or to maximise
realisation of opportunities.
Strategy: The risk management
strategy contains the objectives and principles of risk management,
the risk appetite, risk preferences and risk tolerance
limits.
Policies: The risk management
policies implement the risk management strategy and provide a set
of principles (and mandated activities) for control mechanisms that
take into account the materiality of risks.
Processes: The risk
management processes ensure that risks are identified, measured/
assessed, monitored and reported to support decision
making.
Reporting: The risk
management reports deliver information on the material risks faced
by the business and evidence that principal risks are actively
monitored and analysed and managed against risk
appetite.
Chesnara adopts the "three lines of defence" model with a
single set of risk and governance principles applied consistently
across the business.
In all divisions we maintain
processes for identifying, evaluating and managing the material
risks faced by the group, which are regularly reviewed by the
divisional and group senior leadership teams and Audit & Risk
Committees. Our risk assessment processes have regard to the
significance of risks, the likelihood of their occurrence and take
account of the controls in place to manage them. The
processes are designed to manage the risk profile within the
board's approved risk appetite.
Group and divisional risk
management processes are enhanced by stress and scenario testing,
which evaluates the impact of certain adverse events occurring
separately or in combination. The results, conclusions and
any recommended actions are included within divisional and group
ORSA Reports to the relevant boards. There is a strong
correlation between these adverse events and the risks identified
in 'Principal risks and uncertainties'. The outcome of this
stress testing provides context against which the group and
divisions can assess whether any changes to its risk appetite or to
its management processes are required.
ROLE OF THE BOARD
The Chesnara board is responsible
for the adequacy of the design and implementation of the group's
risk management and internal control system and its consistent
application across divisions. All significant decisions for the
development of the group's risk management system are the group
board's responsibility.
Risk Strategy and Risk Appetite
Chesnara group and its divisions
have a defined risk strategy and supporting Risk Appetite Framework
to embed an effective Risk Management Framework, culture and
processes at its heart and to create a holistic, transparent and
focused approach to risk identification, assessment, management,
monitoring and reporting.
On the recommendation of the Audit
& Risk Committee the Chesnara board approves a set of risk
preferences which articulate, in simple terms, the desire to
increase, maintain, or reduce the level of risk taking for each
main category of risk. The risk position of the business is
monitored against these preferences using risk tolerance limits,
where appropriate, and they are taken into account by the
management teams across the group when taking strategic or
operational decisions.
Risk and Control Policies
Chesnara has a set of Risk and
Control Policies that set out the key policies, processes and
controls to be applied. Senior Management are responsible for the
day-to-day implementation of the Risk and Control Board Policies.
Subject to the materiality of changes, the Chesnara board approves
the review, updates and attestation of these policies at least
annually.
Risk Identification
The group maintains a register of
risks which are specific to its activity and scans the horizon to
identify potential risk events (e.g. political; economic;
technological; environmental, legislative & social).
On an annual basis the board
approves on the recommendation of the Audit & Risk Committee
the materiality criteria to be applied in the risk scoring and in
the determination of what is considered to be a principal risk. At
least quarterly the principal and emerging risks are reported to
the relevant boards, assessing their proximity, probability and
potential impact.
Own Risk and Solvency Assessment (ORSA)
On an annual basis, or more
frequently if required, the group produces a group ORSA Report
which aggregates the divisional ORSA findings and supplements these
with an assessment specific to group activities. The group
and divisional ORSA policies outline the key processes and contents
of these reports.
The Chesnara board is responsible
for approving the ORSA, including steering in advance how the
assessment is performed and challenging the results.
The primary objective of the ORSA
is to support the company's strategic decision-making, by providing
insights into the company's risks profile over the business
planning horizon. Effective ORSA reporting supports the board, in
its role of protecting the viability and reputation of the company,
reviewing and challenging management's strategic decisions and
recommendations.
Risk Management System Effectiveness
The group and its divisions
undertake a formal annual review of and attestation to the
effectiveness of the Risk Management System. The assessment
considers the extent to which the Risk Management System is
embedded.
The Chesnara board is responsible
for monitoring the Risk Management System and its effectiveness
across the group. The outcome of the annual review is reported to
the group board which make decisions regarding its further
development.
CLIMATE CHANGE RISK WITHIN CHESNARA'S RISK
FRAMEWORK
Climate change is not considered
as a standalone principal risk. Instead, the risks arising
from climate change are integrated through existing considerations
and events within the framework. The following information has been
updated to reflect Chesnara's latest views on the potential
implications of climate change risk and wider developments and
activity in relation to Environmental, Social and Governance
(ESG).
Chesnara has embedded climate
change risk within the group's Risk Framework and includes a
detailed assessment as part of the group's regular ORSA exercise,
concluding that the group is not currently materially exposed to
climate change risk. However, Chesnara is not complacent about the
wider risks arising from climate change and the broader
sustainability agenda, including strategic, reputational and
operational risks, some of which are material risks for the
group.
GEOPOLITICAL RISK
Geopolitical risk continues to
create a greater level of uncertainty across the group risk
profile. To name some examples, the ongoing conflict between
Ukraine and Russia, unrest in the Middle East and growing tensions
between China and Taiwan all continue to be areas of emerging risk
for Chesnara group, in the sense that these are evolving situations
which have potential implications for Chesnara's Principal
risks.
During the course of 2024, more
than 40 countries, accounting for over 40 percent of the world are
expected to hold national elections, making it the largest year for
global democracy. Against a backdrop of geopolitical tensions
and economic instability, significant political change is
happening:
•
elections in Europe have seen far-right parties make serious gains,
including the Netherlands and France
•
the UK's Conservative Party were heavily defeated after 14 years in
power
•
the US election could see the comeback of former President Donald
Trump, with Kamala Harris replacing Joe Biden as Democratic Party
candidate
MACROECONOMIC VOLATILITY
Geopolitical instability and
conflict continue to be a significant risk to global economic
growth. Economic volatility and uncertainty remain high,
although interest rates in the UK and Europe have recently seen 25
bps cuts, it is anticipated a cautious approach will be taken to
any further cuts with the key focus on keeping inflation low and
stable.
principal risks and
uncertainties
The following tables outline the
principal risks and uncertainties of the group. It has been
drawn together following regular assessment, performed by the Audit
& Risk Committee, of the principal risks facing the group,
including those that would threaten its business model, future
performance, solvency or liquidity. The impacts are not quantified
in the tables. However, by virtue of the risks being defined
as principal, the impacts are potentially significant. Those
risks with potential for a material financial impact are covered
within the sensitivities.
|
INVESTMENT AND LIQUIDITY
RISK
|
DESCRIPTION
|
Exposure to financial losses or
value reduction arising from adverse movements in currency,
investment markets, counterparty defaults, or through inadequate
asset liability matching.
|
RISK APPETITE
|
The group accepts this risk but
has controls in place to prevent any increase or decrease in the
risk exposure beyond set levels. These controls will result in
early intervention if the amount of risk approaches those
limits.
|
POTENTIAL IMPACT
|
Market risk results from
fluctuations in asset values, foreign exchange rates and interest
rates and has the potential to affect the group's ability to fund
its commitments to customers and other creditors, as well as pay a
return to shareholders.
|
CLIMATE CHANGE RISK
|
With greater global emphasis being
placed on environmental and social factors when selecting
investment strategies, the group has a particular emerging exposure
to 'transition risk' arising from changing preferences and
influence of, in particular, institutional investors. This
has the potential to result in adverse investment returns on any
assets that perform poorly as a result of 'ESG transition'.
Chesnara has established a 'Sustainability Programme' to embed
Chesnara's sustainability strategy.
|
GEOPOLITICAL RISK
|
Ongoing global conflict, including
more recently in the Middle East brings continued volatility to
financial markets. This creates additional risk of poor mid-term
performance on shareholder and policyholder assets.
|
|
| |
|
REGULATORY CHANGE RISK
|
DESCRIPTION
|
The risk of adverse changes in
industry practice/regulation, or inconsistent application of
regulation across territories.
|
RISK APPETITE
|
The group aims to minimise any
exposure to this risk, to the extent possible, but acknowledges
that it may need to accept some risk as a result of carrying out
business.
|
POTENTIAL IMPACT
|
Chesnara currently operates in
three regulatory domains and is therefore exposed to potential for
inconsistent application of regulatory standards across divisions,
such as the imposition of higher capital buffers over and above
regulatory minimum requirements. Potential consequences of this
risk for Chesnara are the constraining of efficient and fluid use
of capital within the group or creating a non-level playing field
with respect to future new business/acquisitions.
Regulatory developments continue
to drive a high level of change activity across the group, with
items such as Consumer Duty, Operational Resilience, Climate
Change/ESG and Digital Operational Resilience Act (DORA) being
particularly high profile. Such regulatory initiatives carry the
risk of expense overruns should it not be possible to adhere to
them in a manner that is proportionate to the nature and scale of
Chesnara's businesses. The group is therefore exposed to the
risk of:
- incurring one-off costs of addressing regulatory change as
well as any permanent increases in the cost base in order to meet
enhanced standards;
- erosion in value arising from pressure or enforcement to
reduce future policy charges;
- erosion in value arising from pressure or enforcement to
financially compensate for past practice; and
- regulatory fines or censure in the event that it is
considered to have breached standards or fails to deliver changes
to the required regulatory standards on a timely basis.
|
|
| |
|
ACQUISITION RISK
|
DESCRIPTION
|
The risk of failure to source
acquisitions that meet Chesnara's criteria or the execution of
acquisitions with subsequent unexpected financial losses or value
reduction.
|
RISK APPETITE
|
Chesnara has a patient approach to
acquisition and generally expects acquisitions to enhance EcV and
expected cash generation in the medium term (net of external
financing), though each opportunity will be assessed on its own
merits.
|
POTENTIAL IMPACT
|
The acquisition element of
Chesnara's growth strategy is dependent on the availability of
attractive future acquisition opportunities. Hence, the business is
exposed to the risk of a reduction in the availability of suitable
acquisition opportunities within Chesnara's current target markets,
for example arising as a result of a change in competition in the
consolidation market or from regulatory change influencing the
extent of life company strategic restructuring.
Through the execution of
acquisitions, Chesnara is also exposed to the risk of erosion of
value or financial losses arising from risks inherent within
businesses or funds acquired which are not adequately priced for or
mitigated as part of the transaction.
|
|
| |
|
DEMOGRAPHIC EXPERIENCE
RISK
|
DESCRIPTION
|
Risk of adverse demographic
experience compared with assumptions (such
as rates of mortality, morbidity, persistency etc.)
|
RISK APPETITE
|
The group accepts this risk but
restricts its exposure, to the extent possible, through the use of
reinsurance and other controls. Early warning trigger
monitoring is in place to track any increase or decrease in the
risk exposure beyond a set level, with action taken to address any
impact as necessary.
|
POTENTIAL IMPACT
|
In the event that demographic
experience (rates of mortality, morbidity, persistency etc.) varies
from the assumptions underlying product pricing and subsequent
reserving, more or less profit will accrue to the group.
The effect of recognising any
changes in future demographic assumptions at a point in time would
be to crystallise any expected future gain or loss on the balance
sheet.
If mortality or morbidity
experience is higher than that assumed in pricing contracts (i.e.
more death and sickness claims are made than expected), this will
typically result in less profit accruing to the group.
If persistency is significantly
lower than that assumed in product pricing and subsequent
reserving, this will typically lead to reduced group profitability
in the medium to long-term, as a result of a reduction in future
income arising from charges on those products. The effects of
this could be more severe in the case of a one-off event resulting
in multiple withdrawals over a short period of time (a "mass lapse"
event).
|
MACRO-ECONOMIC
VOLATILITY
|
Cost of living pressures could
give rise to higher surrenders and lapses should customers face
personal finance pressures and not be able to afford premiums or
need to access savings. Currently there has been no evidence of
changes in behaviours. Chesnara continues to monitor closely and
respond appropriately.
Any prolonged stagnation of the
property market could reduce protection business sales compared to
plan, particularly in the Netherlands.
|
|
| |
|
EXPENSE RISK
|
DESCRIPTION
|
Risk of expense overruns and
unsustainable unit cost growth.
|
RISK APPETITE
|
The group aims to minimise its
exposure to this risk, to the extent possible, but acknowledges
that it may need to accept some risk as a result of carrying out
business.
|
POTENTIAL IMPACT
|
The group is exposed to expenses
being higher than expected as a result of one-off increases in the
underlying cost of performing key functions, or through higher
inflation of variable expenses.
A key underlying source of
potential increases in regular expense is the additional regulatory
expectations on the sector.
For the closed funds, the group is
exposed to the impact on profitability of fixed and semi-fixed
expenses, in conjunction with a diminishing policy
base.
For the companies open to new
businesses, the group is exposed to the impact of expense levels
varying adversely from those assumed in product pricing.
Similar, for acquisitions, there is a risk that the assumed costs
of running the acquired business allowed for in pricing are not
achieved in practice, or any assumed cost synergies with existing
businesses are not achieved.
|
MACRO-ECONOMIC
VOLATILITY
|
The cost
of living and energy crisis has driven increases in material
supplier costs and wage inflation remains high, directly impacting
the group's internal costs. Consideration is being continually
given to balance the desire to grow the business and ensuring we
have the capabilities and capacity to support that growth whilst
continuing to keep tight cost control and also seeking
opportunities to exploit efficiencies/ synergies.
|
|
| |
|
OPERATIONAL RISK
|
DESCRIPTION
|
Significant operational
failure/business continuity event.
|
RISK APPETITE
|
The group aims to minimise its
exposure to this risk, to the extent possible, but acknowledges
that it may need to accept some risk as a result of carrying out
business.
|
POTENTIAL IMPACT
|
The group and its subsidiaries are
exposed to operational risks which arise through daily activities
and running of the business. Operational risks may, for example,
arise due to technical or human errors, failed internal processes,
insufficient personnel resources or fraud caused by internal or
external persons. As a result, the group may suffer financial
losses, poor customer outcomes, reputational damage, regulatory
intervention or business plan failure.
Part of the group's operating
model is to outsource support activities to specialist service
providers. Consequently, a significant element of the operational
risk arises within its outsourced providers.
Operational resilience remains a
key focus for the business and high on the regulatory agenda
following the regulatory changes published by the BoE, PRA and FCA.
Chesnara continues to progress activity under the UK operational
resilience project.
DORA entered into force January
2023 and will apply from January 2025. It aims at strengthening the
IT security of financial entities such as banks, insurance
companies and investment firms and making sure that the financial
sector in Europe is able to stay resilient in the event of a severe
operational disruption.
|
|
| |
|
IT / DATA SECURITY & CYBER
RISK
|
DESCRIPTION
|
Risk of IT/ data security failures
or impacts of malicious cyber-crime (including ransomware) on
continued operational stability.
|
RISK APPETITE
|
The group aims to minimise its
exposure to this risk, to the extent possible, but acknowledges
that it may need to accept some risk as a result of carrying out
business.
|
POTENTIAL IMPACT
|
Cyber risk is a growing risk
affecting all companies, particularly those who are custodians of
customer data. The most pertinent risk exposure relates to
information security (i.e. protecting business sensitive and
personal data) and can arise from failure of internal processes and
standards, but increasingly companies are becoming exposed to
potential malicious cyber-attacks, organisation specific malware
designed to exploit vulnerabilities, phishing attacks etc.
The extent of Chesnara's exposure to such threats also includes
third party service providers.
The potential impact of this risk
includes financial losses, inability to perform critical functions,
disruption to policyholder services, loss of sensitive data and
corresponding reputational damage or fines.
|
GEOPOLITICAL RISK
|
Geopolitical unrest heightens the
risk of cyber-crime campaigns, particularly originating from Russia
and there continues to be an increased trend in state sponsored
cyber-attacks from Russia following Sweden officially joining NATO.
Although Chesnara is not considered to be a direct target of any
such campaigns, all business units have confirmed that they have
increased monitoring and detection/ protection controls in relation
to the increased threat.
|
|
| |
|
NEW BUSINESS RISK
|
DESCRIPTION
|
Adverse new business performance
compared with projected value.
|
RISK APPETITE
|
Chesnara does not wish to write
new business that does not generate positive new business value (on
a commercial basis) over the business planning horizon.
|
POTENTIAL IMPACT
|
If new business performance is
significantly lower than the projected value, this will typically
lead to reduced value growth in the medium to long-term. A
sustained low level performance may lead to insufficient new
business profits to justify remaining open to new
business.
|
MACRO-ECONOMIC
VOLATILITY
|
Increased expenses and price
pressure remains a risk for the ongoing viability of writing
profitable new business across the group and the Swedish transfer
market remains active following regulatory changes which give
greater transfer freedom.
There is a risk that this persists
longer than expected resulting in lower sales than expected in the
business plan.
Market share is currently being
maintained in the Netherlands with activity to look at some broader
wealth products.
In Sweden action is being taken to
diversify distribution partners whilst expanding product offering
across unit linked, custodian and life & health
markets.
And there is now a meaningful
contribution from the UK, primarily through the onshore bond
wrapper acquired as part of the Sanlam Life and Pensions deal which
remains open to new business.
|
|
| |
|
REPUTATIONAL RISK
|
DESCRIPTION
|
Poor or inconsistent reputation
with customers, regulators, investors, staff or other key
stakeholders/counterparties.
|
RISK APPETITE
|
The group aims to minimise its
exposure to this risk, to the extent possible, but acknowledges
that it may need to accept some risk as a result of carrying out
business.
|
POTENTIAL IMPACT
|
The group is exposed to the risk
that litigation, employee misconduct, operational failures, the
outcome of regulatory investigations, press speculation and
negative publicity, disclosure of confidential client information
(including the loss or theft of customer data), IT failures or
disruption, cyber security breaches and/or inadequate services,
amongst others, whether true or not, could impact its brand or
reputation. The group's brand and reputation could also be affected
if products or services recommended by it (or any of its
intermediaries) do not perform as expected (whether or not the
expectations are realistic) or in line with the customers'
expectations for the product range.
Any damage to the group's brand or
reputation could cause existing customers or partners to withdraw
their business from the group, and potential customers or partners
to elect not to do business with the group and could make it more
difficult for the group to attract and retain qualified
employees.
|
CLIMATE CHANGE RISK
|
Given the global focus on climate
change as well as the significant momentum in the finance industry,
the group is exposed to strategic and reputational risks arising
from its action or inaction in response to climate change as well
the regulatory and reputational risks arising from its public
disclosures on the matter. Chesnara supports the UN Sustainable
Development Goals (SDGs), including Climate Action. We have
set our long-term net zero targets, interim targets for 2030 and
short-term actions including baselining our financial emissions and
beginning work to create our transition plan to be a net zero
group.
Chesnara has mobilised a
group-wide sustainability project programme in relation to the
broader sustainability agenda making commitments to:
- Become a net zero emitter
- Invest in positive solutions
- Provide inclusivity for all stakeholders
|
|
| |
|
MODEL RISK
|
DESCRIPTION
|
Adverse consequences from
decisions based on incorrect or misused model outputs, or fines or
reputational impacts from disclosure of materially incorrect or
misleading information.
|
RISK APPETITE
|
The group aims to minimise its
exposure to this risk, to the extent possible, but acknowledges
that it may need to accept some risk as a result of carrying out
business.
|
POTENTIAL IMPACT
|
Chesnara and each of its
subsidiaries apply statistical, economic and financial techniques
and assumptions to process input data into quantitative estimates.
Inaccurate model results may lead to unexpected losses arising from
inaccurate data, assumptions, judgements, programming errors,
technical errors, and misinterpretation of outputs.
Potential risk impacts of inaccurate
model results include:
- Poor decisions, for example regarding business strategy,
operational decisions, investment choices, dividend payments or
acquisitions;
- Potentially overestimating the value of acquisitions
resulting in over payment;
- Misstatement of financial performance or solvency, resulting
in misleading key shareholders or fines; and
- Provision of inaccurate information to the board on business
performance resulting in poorly informed or delayed
decisions.
|
|
| |
GOING CONCERN
Going concern
After making appropriate
enquiries, including consideration of the economic uncertainty in
the wake of a high-inflation environment on the group's operations,
financial position and prospects, the directors confirm that they
are satisfied that the company and the group have adequate
resources to continue in business for the foreseeable future.
Accordingly, they continue to adopt the going concern basis in the
preparation of the financial statements.
In performing this work, the board
has considered the current solvency and cash position of the group
and company, coupled with the group's and company's projected
solvency and cash position as highlighted in the most recent
business plan and Own Risk and Solvency Assessment (ORSA)
process. These processes consider the financial projections
of the group and its subsidiaries on both a base case and a range
of stressed scenarios, covering projected solvency, liquidity, EcV
and IFRS positions. In particular these projections assess
the cash generation of the life insurance divisions and how these
flow up into the Chesnara parent company balance sheet, with these
cash flows being used to fund debt repayments, shareholder
dividends and the head office function of the parent company.
Further insight into the immediate and longer-term impact of
certain scenarios, covering solvency, cash generation and Economic
Value, can be found in the Chesnara Half Year Report for the six
months ended 30 June 2024, under the section headed 'Capital
Management Sensitivities'. The directors believe these
scenarios will encompass any potential future impact of the
prevailing economic uncertainty on the group, as Chesnara's most
material ongoing exposure to both potential threats are any
associated future investment market impacts. Underpinning the
projections process outlined above are a number of
assumptions. The key ones include:
- We do not assume that a
future acquisition needs to take place to make this
assessment.
- We make long term
investment return assumptions on equities and fixed income
securities.
- The base case scenario
assumes exchange rates remain stable, and the impact of adverse
rate changes are assessed through scenario analysis.
- Levels of new business
volumes and margins are assumed.
- The projections apply
the most recent actuarial assumptions, such as mortality and
morbidity, lapses and expenses.
- and margins are
assumed.
The group's strong capital
position and business model, provides a good degree of comfort that
although the economic uncertainty in the wake of a high-inflation
environment has the potential to cause further significant global
economic disruption, the group and the company remain well
capitalised and has sufficient liquidity. As such we can
continue to remain confident that the group will continue to be in
existence in the foreseeable future. The information set out
in the Capital Management section indicates a strong Solvency II
position as at 30 June 2024 as measured at both the individual
regulated life company levels and at the group level. As well
as being well-capitalised the group also has a healthy level of
cash reserves to be able to meet its debt obligations as they fall
due and does not rely on the renewal or extension of bank
facilities to continue trading. This position was further
enhanced in early 2022, when the company announced the successful
pricing of its inaugural debt capital markets issuance of £200m
Tier 2 Subordinated Notes, the net proceeds of which have been used
for corporate purposes, including investments and
acquisitions.
The group's subsidiaries rely on
cash flows from the maturity or sale of fixed interest securities
which match certain obligations to policyholders, which brings with
it the risk of bond default. In order to manage this risk, we
ensure that our bond portfolio is actively monitored and well
diversified. Other significant counterparty default risk
relates to our principal reinsurers. We monitor their
financial position and are satisfied that any associated credit
default risk is low.
DIRECTORS' RESPONSIBILITIES
STATEMENT
We confirm that to the best of our
knowledge:
- the
condensed set of financial statements has been prepared in
accordance with United Kingdom adopted IAS 34 'Interim Financial
Reporting';
- the
management report includes a fair review of the information
required by DTR 4.2.7R (indication of important events during the
first six months and description of principal risks and
uncertainties for the remaining six months of the year);
and
- the
management report includes a fair review of the information
required by DTR 4.2.8R (disclosure of related parties' transactions
and changes therein).
By order of the board
Luke
Savage
Steve Murray
Chairman
Chief Executive Officer
9 September
2024
9 September 2024
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT
OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (UNAUDITED)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Unaudited
Six
months ended 30 June
2024
|
Unaudited
Restated
Six
months ended 30 June
2023
|
|
Year ended 31 December
2023
|
|
|
|
|
£m
|
|
£m
|
|
£m
|
|
|
Insurance revenue
|
|
136.1
|
|
118.5
|
|
228.0
|
|
|
Insurance service expense
|
|
(138.2)
|
|
(102.7)
|
|
(224.7)
|
|
|
Net expenses from reinsurance
contracts held
|
|
(1.2)
|
|
(5.3)
|
|
(8.4)
|
|
|
Insurance service result
|
|
(3.3)
|
|
10.5
|
|
(5.1)
|
|
|
Net investment return
|
|
811.8
|
|
603.0
|
|
1,023.5
|
|
|
Net finance (expenses)/income from
insurance contracts issued
|
|
(174.1)
|
|
(147.0)
|
|
(314.9)
|
|
|
Net finance income/(expenses) from
reinsurance contracts held
|
|
2.5
|
|
(3.0)
|
|
6.7
|
|
|
Net change in investment contract
liabilities
|
|
(490.9)
|
|
(361.7)
|
|
(529.6)
|
|
|
Change in liabilities relating to
policyholders' funds held by the group
|
|
(109.0)
|
|
(66.7)
|
|
(114.0)
|
|
|
Net
investment result
|
|
40.3
|
|
24.6
|
|
71.7
|
|
|
Fee, commission and other operating
income
|
|
54.9
|
|
47.4
|
|
89.4
|
|
|
Total revenue net of investment result
|
|
91.9
|
|
82.5
|
|
156.0
|
|
|
Other operating expenses
|
|
(72.9)
|
|
(65.7)
|
|
(149.9)
|
|
|
Total income less expenses
|
|
19.0
|
|
16.8
|
|
6.1
|
|
|
Financing costs
|
|
(5.6)
|
|
(5.5)
|
|
(11.0)
|
|
|
Profit arising on business
combinations and portfolio acquisitions
|
|
-
|
|
4.0
|
|
6.7
|
|
|
Profit/(loss) before income taxes
|
|
13.4
|
|
15.3
|
|
1.8
|
|
|
Income tax
(expense)/credit
|
|
(12.4)
|
|
(0.6)
|
|
16.9
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Profit/(loss) for the period
|
|
1.0
|
|
14.7
|
|
18.7
|
|
|
Items that may be reclassified subsequently to profit and
loss:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Foreign exchange translation
differences arising on the revaluation of foreign
operations
|
|
(8.2)
|
|
(15.2)
|
|
(7.8)
|
|
|
Revaluation of pension obligations
after tax
|
|
0.5
|
|
-
|
|
(0.7)
|
|
|
Revaluation of land and
building
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
0.1
|
|
|
Other comprehensive (expense)/income for the period, net of
tax
|
|
(7.7)
|
|
(15.2)
|
|
(8.4)
|
|
|
Total comprehensive income/(expense) for the
period
|
|
(6.7)
|
|
(0.5)
|
|
10.3
|
|
|
Basic earnings per share (based on
profit or loss for the period)
|
|
0.66p
|
|
9.79p
|
|
12.41p
|
|
|
Diluted earnings per share (based on
profit or loss for the period)
|
|
0.65p
|
|
9.70p
|
|
12.29p
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE
SHEET (UNAUDITED)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Unaudited
As at
30 June
2024
|
Unaudited
Restated
As at
30 June
2023
|
As at
31
December
2023
|
|
|
|
|
|
£m
|
|
£m
|
£m
|
|
|
|
Assets
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Intangible assets
|
|
92.1
|
|
116.9
|
96.4
|
|
|
|
Property and equipment
|
|
7.6
|
|
7.5
|
8.4
|
|
|
|
Investment properties
|
|
96.2
|
|
98.7
|
88.1
|
|
|
|
Insurance contract assets
|
|
3.1
|
|
10.2
|
4.0
|
|
|
|
Reinsurance contract
assets
|
|
179.8
|
|
179.3
|
185.7
|
|
|
|
Amounts deposited with
reinsurers
|
|
33.5
|
|
32.1
|
32.5
|
|
|
|
Financial investments
|
|
11,885.7
|
|
11,008.8
|
11,456.1
|
|
|
|
Derivative financial
instruments
|
|
0.1
|
|
3.2
|
0.3
|
|
|
|
Other assets
|
|
68.4
|
|
47.9
|
57.7
|
|
|
|
Deferred tax assets
|
|
41.1
|
|
51.3
|
54.6
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents
|
|
131.1
|
|
144.3
|
146.0
|
|
|
|
Total assets
|
|
12,538.7
|
|
11,700.2
|
12,129.8
|
|
|
|
Liabilities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Insurance contract
liabilities
|
|
4,179.4
|
|
4,103.1
|
4,203.0
|
|
|
|
Reinsurance contract
liabilities
|
|
14.4
|
|
16.2
|
17.1
|
|
|
|
Other provisions
|
|
21.5
|
|
16.9
|
23.2
|
|
|
|
Investment contracts at fair value
through profit or loss
|
|
6,065.3
|
|
5,698.3
|
5,872.3
|
|
|
|
Liabilities relating to
policyholders' funds held by the group
|
|
1,563.6
|
|
1,116.5
|
1,281.8
|
|
|
|
Lease contract
liabilities
|
|
0.8
|
|
1.5
|
1.2
|
|
|
|
Borrowings
|
|
206.1
|
|
209.3
|
207.9
|
|
|
|
Derivative financial
instruments
|
|
(0.2)
|
|
0.1
|
4.4
|
|
|
|
Deferred tax liabilities
|
|
21.4
|
|
33.9
|
24.3
|
|
|
|
Deferred income
|
|
2.6
|
|
3.0
|
2.8
|
|
|
|
Other current liabilities
|
|
133.2
|
|
140.0
|
131.7
|
|
|
|
Bank overdrafts
|
|
0.4
|
|
0.2
|
0.2
|
|
|
|
Total liabilities
|
|
12,208.5
|
|
11,339.0
|
11,769.9
|
|
|
|
Net
assets
|
|
330.2
|
|
361.2
|
359.9
|
|
|
|
Shareholders' equity
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Share capital
|
|
7.5
|
|
7.5
|
7.5
|
|
|
|
Merger reserve
|
|
36.3
|
|
36.3
|
36.3
|
|
|
|
Share premium
|
|
142.5
|
|
142.4
|
142.5
|
|
|
|
Other reserves
|
|
(1.2)
|
|
(0.3)
|
6.5
|
|
|
|
Retained earnings
|
|
145.1
|
|
175.3
|
167.1
|
|
|
|
Total shareholders' equity
|
|
330.2
|
|
361.2
|
359.9
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Approved by the Board of Directors
and authorised for issue on 9 September 2024 and signed on its
behalf by:
Luke Savage
Steve Murray
Chairman
Chief Executive
Officer
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF
CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)
|
|
|
|
|
|
Unaudited
|
Six months
ended
30 June
2024
|
Restated
Six months ended 30
June
2023
|
|
|
|
£m
|
£m
|
|
|
Profit/(Loss) for the period
|
1.0
|
14.7
|
|
|
Adjustments for:
|
|
|
|
|
Depreciation of property, plant
and equipment
|
0.3
|
0.3
|
|
|
Depreciation on right-of-use
assets
|
0.3
|
0.3
|
|
|
Amortisation of intangible
assets
|
6.7
|
8.5
|
|
|
Share-based payment
|
0.5
|
0.3
|
|
|
Tax paid
|
12.4
|
0.6
|
|
|
Interest receivable
|
(4.1)
|
(1.1)
|
|
|
Dividends receivable
|
(2.1)
|
(0.6)
|
|
|
Interest expense
|
5.2
|
5.2
|
|
|
Fair value gains on
financial assets
|
(811.8)
|
(603.0)
|
|
|
Profit on business
combinations and portfolio acquisitions
|
-
|
(4.0)
|
|
|
(Increase) / decrease
in intangible assets related to investment contracts
|
(4.8)
|
(4.7)
|
|
|
Adjustment total
|
(797.4)
|
(598.2)
|
|
|
Interest received
|
5.9
|
3.8
|
|
|
Dividends received
|
4.0
|
1.2
|
|
|
Changes in operating assets and
liabilities:
|
|
|
|
|
Decrease/(increase) in financial
assets and investment properties
|
130.1
|
24.3
|
|
|
Decrease in net reinsurers
contract assets
|
2.8
|
12.5
|
|
|
(Increase) / decrease in amounts
deposited with reinsurers
|
(1.0)
|
0.7
|
|
|
Decrease / (increase) in other
assets
|
5.2
|
(12.0)
|
|
|
Increase in net insurance contract
liabilities
|
42.4
|
24.8
|
|
|
Increase in investment contract
liabilities
|
656.5
|
463.4
|
|
|
(Decrease) / increase in
provisions
|
(1.3)
|
(3.8)
|
|
|
Increase in other current
liabilities
|
7.6
|
14.3
|
|
|
Cash utilised from operations
|
55.8
|
(54.3)
|
|
|
Income tax paid
|
(38.7)
|
(1.3)
|
|
|
Net cash utilised from operating activities
|
17.1
|
(55.6)
|
|
|
Cash flows from investing activities
|
|
|
|
|
Acquisition of subsidiary, net of
cash acquired
|
-
|
30.3
|
|
|
Net proceeds/(purchases) of property
and equipment
|
(0.1)
|
(1.2)
|
|
|
Net
cash generated by investing activities
|
(0.1)
|
29.1
|
|
|
Cash flows from financing activities
|
|
|
|
|
Net proceeds from issue of share
premium
|
-
|
0.1
|
|
|
Proceeds of borrowings
|
-
|
0.2
|
|
|
Repayment of borrowings
|
(1.8)
|
(2.2)
|
|
|
Repayment of lease
liabilities
|
(0.3)
|
(0.5)
|
|
|
Dividends paid
|
(23.5)
|
(22.8)
|
|
|
Interest paid
|
(5.2)
|
(5.1)
|
|
|
Net
cash (utilised)/generated by / from financing
activities
|
(30.8)
|
(30.3)
|
|
|
Net
(decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents
|
(13.8)
|
(56.8)
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents at
beginning of period
|
145.9
|
204.6
|
|
|
Effect of exchange rate changes on
cash and cash equivalents
|
(1.4)
|
(3.7)
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents at end of the
period
|
130.7
|
144.1
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY
(UNAUDITED)
|
Unaudited - six months ended 30 June 2024
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Share
capital
|
Share
premium
|
Merger
reserve
|
Other
reserves
|
Retained
earnings
|
Total
|
|
|
|
£m
|
£m
|
£m
|
£m
|
£m
|
£m
|
|
|
Equity shareholders' funds at 1 January
2024
|
7.5
|
142.5
|
36.3
|
6.5
|
167.1
|
359.9
|
|
|
Profit for the period
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
1.0
|
1.0
|
|
|
Dividends paid
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
(23.5)
|
(23.5)
|
|
|
Foreign exchange translation
differences
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
(8.2)
|
-
|
(8.2)
|
|
|
Other items of comprehensive
income
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
0.5
|
-
|
0.5
|
|
|
Share-based payment
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
0.5
|
0.5
|
|
|
Equity shareholders' funds at 30 June 2024
|
7.5
|
142.5
|
36.3
|
(1.2)
|
145.1
|
330.2
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Unaudited - six months ended 30 June 2023
(restated)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Share
capital
|
Share
premium
|
Merger
reserve
|
Other
reserves
|
Retained
earnings
|
Total
|
|
|
|
£m
|
£m
|
£m
|
£m
|
£m
|
£m
|
|
|
Equity shareholders' funds at 1 January
2023
|
7.5
|
142.3
|
36.3
|
14.9
|
183.1
|
384.1
|
|
|
Profit for the period
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
14.7
|
14.7
|
|
|
Dividends paid
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
(22.8)
|
(22.8)
|
|
|
Foreign exchange translation
differences
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
(15.2)
|
-
|
(15.2)
|
|
|
Issue of share premium
|
-
|
0.1
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
0.1
|
|
|
Share-based payment
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
0.3
|
0.3
|
|
|
Equity shareholders' funds at 30 June 2023
|
7.5
|
142.4
|
36.3
|
(0.3)
|
175.3
|
361.2
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
NOTES TO
THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
1
Basis of preparation
This condensed set of consolidated
financial statements has been prepared in accordance with
International Accounting Standard 34 'Interim Financial
Reporting'. As required by the Disclosure and Transparency
Rules of the Financial Conduct Authority, this condensed set of
consolidated financial statements has been prepared applying the
accounting policies and presentation which were applied in the
preparation of the group's published consolidated financial
statements for the year ended 31 December 2023.
Any judgements and estimates
applied in the condensed set of consolidated financial statements
are consistent with those applied in the preparation of the group's
published consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31
December 2023.
The financial information shown in
these interim financial statements is unaudited and does not
constitute statutory accounts within the meaning of section 434 of
the Companies Act 2006. The directors have elected to not obtain a
review opinion over these interim financial statements by the
group's auditor, Deloitte.
The comparative figures for the
financial year ended 31 December 2023 are not the company's
statutory accounts for that financial year. Those accounts have
been reported on by the company's auditor and delivered to the
Registrar of Companies. The report of the auditor was (i)
unqualified, (ii) did not include a reference to any matters to
which the auditor 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.
Going concern
After making appropriate
enquiries, including detailed consideration of the impact on the
group's operations and financial position and prospects, the
directors confirm that they are satisfied that the company and the
group have adequate resources to continue in business for the
foreseeable future, a period of not less than 12 months from the
date of this report. Accordingly, they continue to adopt the
going concern basis in the preparation of these interim financial
statements. Further detail on the key considerations made by the
directors in making this assessment has been included in the 'Going
Concern' section of this report.
Restatement
Following the production of the
2023 Interim Report, certain immaterial adjustments were identified
due to further updates to the IFRS 17 implementation programme.
These adjustments have been applied consistently to the prior year
comparatives throughout these condensed financial statements and
the disclosure notes that are affected are headed up
accordingly.
Standards and amendments issued but not yet
effective
At the date of authorisation of
these financial statements the following standards and
interpretations, which are applicable to the group, and which have
not been applied in these financial statements, were in issue but
not yet effective.
Title
|
Effective date
|
IFRS 9 / IFRS 7 Amendments to the
classification and measurement of financial instruments
|
1 January 2026
|
IFRS 18 Presentation and disclosure
financial statements
|
1 January 2027
|
The directors do not expect that
the adoption of the standards and amendments to standards listed
above will have a material impact on the financial statements of
the group in future periods.
2
Significant
judgements and estimates
The critical accounting judgements
and key sources of estimation and uncertainty remain largely
unchanged from those described in Note A6 of the 2023 Annual Report
and Accounts. The potential impact on the group has been considered
in the preparation of these interim financial statements, including
management's evaluation of critical accounting judgements and
estimates. Further information on discount rates applied in these
financial statements is provided below.
Discount rates
Cash flows are discounted using
currency-specific, risk-free yield curves adjusted for the
characteristics of the cash flows and the liquidity of the
insurance contracts. The group applies a 'bottom-up' approach to
determining discount rates and follows the methodology used by the
PRA and EIOPA to determine risk-free yield curves and ultimate
forward rates for regulatory solvency calculations. To reflect the
liquidity or otherwise of the insurance contracts, the risk-free
yield curves are adjusted by an illiquidity premium.
For certain Dutch 'savings
mortgage' products, there is a direct connection to the
policyholder's mortgage loan and the premiums to repay the loan in
that the crediting rate is set such that the account value will be
equal to the balance on the loan at maturity. For this product, the
cash flows are discounted using the same curve used to value the
corresponding mortgage assets which itself is derived from mortgage
rates available in the market.
When the present value of future
cash flows is estimated using stochastic modelling, the cash flows
are discounted at scenario-specific rates calibrated, on average,
to be the risk-free rates as adjusted for illiquidity.
Inflation rates mainly relate to
expense inflation. The assumptions in respect of expense inflation
reflect the group's best estimate view incorporating market
consistent data such as earnings indices and central bank inflation
targets.
The yield curves that were used to
discount the estimates of future cash flows that were modelled
deterministically are shown in the following table:
Yield
Curve
|
Broad Product
Category
|
Currency
|
30 June
2024
|
31 December
2023
|
1
|
5
|
10
|
20
|
30
|
1
|
5
|
10
|
20
|
30
|
year
|
years
|
years
|
years
|
years
|
year
|
years
|
Years
|
years
|
years
|
Risk-Free Rate
|
Unit-linked/index-linked/with-profits - VFA
|
EUR
|
3.43%
|
2.77%
|
2.73%
|
2.66%
|
2.70%
|
3.36%
|
2.32%
|
2.39%
|
2.41%
|
2.53%
|
Unit-linked/index-linked/with-profits - GMM (with high liquidity)
|
GBP
|
4.89%
|
3.96%
|
3.86%
|
3.99%
|
3.92%
|
4.74%
|
3.36%
|
3.28%
|
3.43%
|
3.36%
|
Short-term protection
|
SEK
|
2.98%
|
2.47%
|
2.49%
|
2.83%
|
2.99%
|
3.03%
|
2.26%
|
2.25%
|
2.76%
|
2.99%
|
Risk-Free Rate + VA
|
Immediate annuities
|
EUR
|
3.59%
|
2.93%
|
2.89%
|
2.82%
|
2.83%
|
3.56%
|
2.52%
|
2.59%
|
2.61%
|
2.70%
|
Term assurance & other
non-linked
|
GBP
|
5.12%
|
4.19%
|
4.09%
|
4.22%
|
4.15%
|
5.05%
|
3.67%
|
3.59%
|
3.74%
|
3.67%
|
Unit-linked/index-linked/with-profits - GMM (with medium liquidity)
|
Market Mortgage Rates
|
Waard Savings Mortgage
|
EUR
|
4.44%
|
3.77%
|
3.73%
|
3.67%
|
3.70%
|
4.77%
|
3.73%
|
3.80%
|
3.82%
|
3.94%
|
3 Earnings per
share
Earnings per share are based on
the following:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Unaudited
Six months
ended
30
June
|
Year ended
31
December
|
|
|
|
2024
|
restated
2023
|
2023
|
|
|
(Loss)/profit for the period
attributable to shareholders (£m) (restated)
|
1.0
|
14.7
|
18.7
|
|
|
Weighted average number of
ordinary shares
|
150,886,918
|
150,430,393
|
150,528,597
|
|
|
Basic earnings per
share
|
0.66p
|
9.79p
|
12.41p
|
|
|
Diluted earnings per
share
|
0.65p
|
9.70p
|
12.29p
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
The weighted average number of
ordinary shares in respect of the six months ended 30 June 2024 is
based upon 150,849,587 shares in issue at the beginning of the
period and 150,954,119 at the end of the period. No shares
were held in treasury.
The weighted average number of
ordinary shares in respect of the six months ended 30 June 2023 is
based upon 150,369,603 shares in issue at the beginning of the
period, and 150,570,190 shares in issue at the end of the
period. No shares were held in treasury.
The weighted average number of
ordinary shares in respect of the year ended 31 December 2023 is
based upon 150,369,603 shares in issue at the beginning of the
period and 150,849,587 shares in issue at the end of the
period. No shares were held in treasury.
There were 2,456,598 share options
outstanding at 30 June 2024 (30 June 2023: 1,165,272).
Accordingly, there is dilution of the average number of ordinary
shares in issue. There were 1,537,582 share options
outstanding as at 31 December 2023.
4
Retained
earnings
|
|
|
|
|
Unaudited
|
Six months
ended
30 June
|
|
|
|
2024
|
restated
2023
|
|
|
|
£m
|
£m
|
|
|
Retained earnings attributable to
equity holders of the parent company comprise:
|
|
|
|
|
Balance at 1 January
|
167.1
|
183.1
|
|
|
Profit/(loss) for the
period
|
1.0
|
14.7
|
|
|
Share-based payment
|
0.5
|
0.3
|
|
|
Dividends:
|
|
|
|
|
Final approved and
paid for 2022
|
-
|
(22.8)
|
|
|
Final approved and
paid for 2023
|
(23.5)
|
-
|
|
|
Balance at 30 June
|
145.1
|
175.3
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
The interim dividend in respect of
2023, approved and paid in 2023 was paid at the rate of 8.36p per
share.
The final dividend in respect of
2023, approved and paid in 2024, was paid at the rate of 15.61p per
share so that the total dividend paid to the equity shareholders of
the company in respect of the year ended 31 December 2023 was made
at the rate of 23.97p per share.
An interim dividend of 8.61 per
share in respect of the year ending 31 December 2024 is payable on
1 November 2024 to equity shareholders of the company registered at
the close of business on 20 September 2024, the dividend record
date, was approved by the Directors after the balance sheet
date. The resulting dividend of £13.0m has not been provided
for in these financial statements and there are no income tax
consequences.
The following table summarises
dividends per share in respect of the six-month period ended 30
June 2024 and the year ended 31 December 2023:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Six months
ended
|
Year ended
31
|
|
|
|
|
30 June
2024
|
December
2023
|
|
|
|
|
Pence
|
Pence
|
|
|
|
Interim - approved/paid
|
8.61
|
8.36
|
|
|
|
Final - proposed/paid
|
-
|
15.61
|
|
|
|
Total
|
8.61
|
23.97
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
5 Operating
segments
The group considers that it has no
product or distribution-based business segments. It reports
segmental information on the same basis as reported internally to
the chief operating decision maker, which is the board of directors
of Chesnara plc.
The segments of the group as at 30
June 2024 comprise:
UK: This segment
comprises the UK's life insurance and pensions business within
Countrywide Assured plc (CA), the group's principal UK operating
subsidiary. CA contains a mix of unit-linked, with-profits and
non-linked products and represents the UK acquisition vehicle,
recently acquiring the onshore individual protection business of
Canada Life Limited in 2023 and Sanlam Life and Pensions Limited in
2022.
Movestic: This segment
comprises the group's Swedish life and pensions business, Movestic
Livförsäkring AB ('Movestic') and its subsidiary company Movestic
Fonder AB (investment fund management company). Movestic is open to
new business and primarily comprises unit-linked pension business
and also providing some life and health product
offerings.
Waard Group: This
segment represents the group's closed Dutch life insurance business
and comprises a number of acquisitions of closed insurance books of
business since the acquisition of the original Waard entities into
the group in 2015. The Waard group comprises a mixture of long-term
savings and protection business and also contains some non-life
business.
Scildon: This segment
represents the group's open Dutch life insurance business.
Scildon's policy base is predominantly made up of individual
protection and savings contracts. It is open to new business
and sells protection, individual savings and group pension
contracts via a broker-led distribution model.
Other group activities:
The functions performed by the parent company, Chesnara plc, are
defined under the operating segment analysis as 'Other group
activities'. Also included therein are consolidation and
elimination adjustments.
The accounting policies of the
segments are the same as those for the group as a whole. Any
transactions between the business segments are on normal commercial
terms in normal market conditions. The group evaluates
performance of operating segments on the basis of the profit before
tax attributable to shareholders of the reporting segments and the
group as a whole. There were no changes to the measurement
basis for segment profit during the period ended 30 June
2024.
(i) Segmental reporting for the six months ended
30 June 2024
|
|
|
Movestic
(Sweden)
|
Waard
Group
(Netherlands)
|
Scildon
(Netherlands)
|
|
Total
|
|
|
Unaudited
|
UK
|
Other group
activities
|
|
|
|
£m
|
£m
|
£m
|
£m
|
£m
|
£m
|
|
|
Insurance revenue
|
36.8
|
5.1
|
14.5
|
79.7
|
-
|
136.1
|
|
|
Insurance service expense
|
(33.5)
|
(2.7)
|
(17.5)
|
(84.5)
|
-
|
(138.2)
|
|
|
Net expenses from reinsurance
contracts held
|
0.9
|
(1.0)
|
(0.1)
|
(1.0)
|
-
|
(1.2)
|
|
|
Segmental insurance service result
|
4.2
|
1.4
|
(3.1)
|
(5.8)
|
-
|
(3.3)
|
|
|
Net investment return
|
243.1
|
457.3
|
(2.4)
|
107.2
|
6.6
|
811.8
|
|
|
Net finance (expenses)/income from
insurance contracts issued
|
(63.5)
|
(15.7)
|
3.7
|
(98.6)
|
-
|
(174.1)
|
|
|
Net finance income/(expenses) from
reinsurance contracts held
|
2.0
|
-
|
-
|
0.5
|
-
|
2.5
|
|
|
Net change in investment contract
liabilities
|
(161.1)
|
(330.7)
|
0.9
|
-
|
-
|
(490.9)
|
|
|
Change in liabilities relating to
policyholders' funds held by the group
|
-
|
(109.0)
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
(109.0)
|
|
|
Segmental net investment result
|
20.5
|
1.9
|
2.2
|
9.1
|
6.6
|
40.3
|
|
|
Fee, commission and other operating
income
|
17.6
|
37.1
|
0.2
|
-
|
-
|
54.9
|
|
|
Segmental revenue, net of investment result
|
42.3
|
40.4
|
(0.7)
|
3.3
|
6.6
|
91.9
|
|
|
Other operating expenses
|
(17.4)
|
(31.7)
|
(3.7)
|
(2.1)
|
(11.1)
|
(66.0)
|
|
|
Financing costs
|
(0.2)
|
(0.2)
|
-
|
-
|
(5.2)
|
(5.6)
|
|
|
Profit/(loss) before tax and consolidation
adjustments
|
24.7
|
8.5
|
(4.4)
|
1.2
|
(9.7)
|
20.3
|
|
|
Consolidation
adjustments:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Amortisation of intangible
assets
|
(1.5)
|
(5.4)
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
(6.9)
|
|
|
Segmental income less expenses
|
23.2
|
3.1
|
(4.4)
|
1.2
|
(9.7)
|
13.4
|
|
|
Post completion gain on portfolio
acquisition
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
|
(Loss)/profit before tax
|
23.2
|
3.1
|
(4.4)
|
1.2
|
(9.7)
|
13.4
|
|
|
Income tax credit /
(charge)
|
(12.9)
|
-
|
0.8
|
(0.3)
|
-
|
(12.4)
|
|
|
(Loss)/profit after tax
|
10.3
|
3.1
|
(3.6)
|
0.9
|
(9.7)
|
1.0
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(ii) Segmental assets and liabilities as at 30 June
2024
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Unaudited
|
|
Movestic
(Sweden)
|
Waard
Group
(Netherlands)
|
Scildon
(Netherlands)
|
Other
Group
Activities
|
Total
|
|
|
|
UK
|
|
|
|
£m
|
£m
|
£m
|
£m
|
£m
|
£m
|
|
|
Segment assets
|
4,549.7
|
4,984.1
|
885.5
|
2,025.3
|
94.1
|
12,538.7
|
|
|
Segment liabilities
|
(4,388.9)
|
(4,887.9)
|
(815.8)
|
(1,912.5)
|
(203.4)
|
(12,208.5)
|
|
|
Segment net assets
|
160.8
|
96.2
|
69.7
|
112.8
|
(109.3)
|
330.2
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(iii) Segmental reporting for the six months ended 30 June
2023 (restated)
|
Unaudited
|
|
Restated
Movestic
|
Waard
Group
|
Restated
Scildon
|
Other Group
Activities
|
Total
|
|
|
|
UK
|
(Sweden)
|
(Netherlands)
|
(Netherlands)
|
|
|
|
|
|
£m
|
£m
|
£m
|
£m
|
£m
|
£m
|
|
|
Insurance revenue
|
35.1
|
5.8
|
21.2
|
56.4
|
-
|
118.5
|
|
|
Insurance service expense
|
(31.6)
|
(3.2)
|
(11.8)
|
(56.1)
|
-
|
(102.7)
|
|
|
Net expenses from reinsurance
contracts held
|
(2.5)
|
(1.0)
|
(1.0)
|
(0.8)
|
-
|
(5.3)
|
|
|
Segmental insurance service result
|
1.0
|
1.6
|
8.4
|
(0.5)
|
-
|
10.5
|
|
|
Net investment return
|
112.9
|
360.9
|
30.6
|
91.1
|
7.5
|
603.0
|
|
|
Net finance (expenses)/income from
insurance contracts issued
|
(21.7)
|
(13.5)
|
(30.0)
|
(81.8)
|
-
|
(147.0)
|
|
|
Net finance income/(expenses) from
reinsurance contracts held
|
(1.5)
|
(0.1)
|
0.1
|
(1.5)
|
-
|
(3.0)
|
|
|
Net change in investment contract
liabilities
|
(83.8)
|
(279.3)
|
1.4
|
-
|
-
|
(361.7)
|
|
|
Change in liabilities relating to
policyholders' funds held by the group
|
-
|
(66.7)
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
(66.7)
|
|
|
Segmental net investment result
|
5.9
|
1.3
|
2.1
|
7.8
|
7.5
|
24.6
|
|
|
Fee, commission and other operating
income
|
18.8
|
28.4
|
0.2
|
-
|
-
|
47.4
|
|
|
Segmental revenue, net of investment result
|
25.7
|
31.3
|
10.7
|
7.3
|
7.5
|
82.5
|
|
|
Other operating expenses
|
(15.5)
|
(22.7)
|
(4.7)
|
(2.3)
|
(12.0)
|
(57.2)
|
|
|
Financing costs
|
-
|
(0.3)
|
-
|
-
|
(5.2)
|
(5.5)
|
|
|
Profit/(loss) before tax and consolidation
adjustments
|
10.2
|
8.3
|
6.0
|
5.0
|
(9.7)
|
19.8
|
|
|
Consolidation
adjustments:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Amortisation of intangible
assets
|
(2.9)
|
(5.6)
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
(8.5)
|
|
|
Segmental income less expenses
|
7.3
|
2.7
|
6.0
|
5.0
|
(9.7)
|
11.3
|
|
|
Post completion gain on portfolio
acquisition
|
-
|
-
|
4.0
|
-
|
-
|
4.0
|
|
|
Profit/(loss) before tax
|
7.3
|
2.7
|
10.0
|
5.0
|
(9.7)
|
15.3
|
|
|
Income tax credit /
(charge)
|
(0.7)
|
-
|
1.6
|
(1.5)
|
(0.1)
|
(0.6)
|
|
|
Profit/(loss) after tax
|
6.6
|
2.7
|
11.6
|
3.5
|
(9.7)
|
14.7
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
(iv) Segmental assets and
liabilities as at 30 June 2023 (restated)
Unaudited
|
|
Restated
Movestic
(Sweden)
|
Waard
Group
(Netherlands)
|
Restated
Scildon
(Netherlands)
|
Other
Group
Activities
|
Total
|
|
UK
|
|
£m
|
£m
|
£m
|
£m
|
£m
|
£m
|
Segment assets
|
4,577.2
|
4,106.8
|
956.1
|
1,921.3
|
138.8
|
11,700.2
|
Segment liabilities
|
(4,434.6)
|
(4,017.9)
|
(873.4)
|
(1,810.2)
|
(202.9)
|
(11,339.0)
|
Segment net assets
|
142.6
|
88.9
|
82.7
|
111.1
|
(64.1)
|
361.2
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(v) Segmental reporting for the year ended 31 December
2023
|
|
|
Movestic
|
Waard
Group
|
Scildon
|
Other Group
Activities
|
Total
|
|
|
|
UK
|
(Sweden)
|
(Netherlands)
|
(Netherlands)
|
|
|
|
|
|
£m
|
£m
|
£m
|
£m
|
£m
|
£m
|
|
|
Insurance revenue
|
65.8
|
11.1
|
36.1
|
115.0
|
-
|
228.0
|
|
|
Insurance service expense
|
(65.6)
|
(7.4)
|
(37.8)
|
(113.9)
|
-
|
(224.7)
|
|
|
Net (expenses) / income from
reinsurance contracts held
|
(5.5)
|
(0.6)
|
0.4
|
(2.7)
|
-
|
(8.4)
|
|
|
Segmental insurance service result
|
(5.3)
|
3.1
|
(1.3)
|
(1.6)
|
-
|
(5.1)
|
|
|
Net investment return
|
339.3
|
432.5
|
63.2
|
181.2
|
7.3
|
1,023.5
|
|
|
Net finance income from insurance
contracts issued
|
(86.4)
|
(16.0)
|
(49.3)
|
(163.2)
|
-
|
(314.9)
|
|
|
Net finance (expenses)/income from
reinsurance contracts held
|
9.3
|
0.7
|
0.1
|
(3.4)
|
-
|
6.7
|
|
|
Net change in investment contract
liabilities
|
(226.4)
|
(299.6)
|
(3.6)
|
-
|
-
|
(529.6)
|
|
|
Change in liabilities relating to
policyholders' funds held by the group
|
-
|
(114.0)
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
(114.0)
|
|
|
Segmental net investment result
|
35.8
|
3.6
|
10.4
|
14.6
|
7.3
|
71.7
|
|
|
Fee, commission and other operating
income
|
39.8
|
50.3
|
2.9
|
-
|
(3.6)
|
89.4
|
|
|
Segmental revenue, net of investment result
|
70.3
|
57.0
|
12.0
|
13.0
|
3.7
|
156.0
|
|
|
Other operating expenses
|
(39.9)
|
(40.0)
|
(3.5)
|
(5.5)
|
(23.1)
|
(112.0)
|
|
|
Financing costs
|
(0.2)
|
(0.5)
|
-
|
-
|
(10.3)
|
(11.0)
|
|
|
Profit/(loss) before tax and consolidation
adjustments
|
30.2
|
16.5
|
8.5
|
7.5
|
(29.7)
|
33.0
|
|
|
Consolidation
adjustments:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Amortisation and impairment of
intangible assets
|
(26.7)
|
(11.2)
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
(37.9)
|
|
|
Segmental income less expenses
|
3.5
|
5.3
|
8.5
|
7.5
|
(29.7)
|
(4.9)
|
|
|
Post completion gain on portfolio
acquisition
|
-
|
-
|
6.7
|
-
|
-
|
6.7
|
|
|
Profit/(loss) before tax
|
3.5
|
5.3
|
15.2
|
7.5
|
(29.7)
|
1.8
|
|
|
Income tax credit /
(charge)
|
20.5
|
-
|
(1.6)
|
(1.9)
|
(0.1)
|
16.9
|
|
|
Profit/(loss) after tax
|
24.0
|
5.3
|
13.6
|
5.6
|
(29.8)
|
18.7
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(vi) Segmental assets and
liabilities as at 31 December 2023
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Movestic
|
Waard
Group
|
Scildon
|
Other Group
Activities
|
Total
|
|
|
|
(UK)
|
(Sweden)
|
(Netherlands)
|
(Netherlands)
|
|
|
|
|
|
£m
|
£m
|
£m
|
£m
|
£m
|
£m
|
|
|
Segment assets
|
4,527.2
|
4,519.4
|
946.8
|
2,009.1
|
127.3
|
12,129.8
|
|
|
Segment liabilities
|
(4,376.6)
|
(4,422.2)
|
(867.0)
|
(1,894.6)
|
(209.5)
|
(11,769.9)
|
|
|
Segment net assets
|
150.6
|
97.2
|
79.8
|
114.5
|
(82.2)
|
359.9
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6
Insurance service
result
|
|
Six
months ended 30 June
|
|
|
Unaudited
|
|
|
restated
|
|
|
|
2024
|
|
2023
|
|
|
Insurance revenue
|
£m
|
|
£m
|
|
|
Contracts not measured under the PAA:
|
|
|
|
|
|
Amounts relating to changes
in the liability for remaining coverage:
|
|
|
|
|
|
Expected incurred claims and other
directly attributable expenses
|
116.1
|
|
90.9
|
|
|
Change in risk adjustment for
non-financial risk for the risk expired
|
2.8
|
|
8.3
|
|
|
CSM recognised for the services
provided
|
10.6
|
|
12.1
|
|
|
Insurance acquisition cash flows
recovery
|
1.9
|
|
1.7
|
|
|
Insurance revenue for contracts not measured under the
PAA
|
131.4
|
|
113.0
|
|
|
Insurance revenue for contracts measured under the
PAA
|
4.7
|
|
5.5
|
|
|
Total insurance revenue
|
136.1
|
|
118.5
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Insurance service expenses
|
|
|
|
|
|
Incurred claims and other directly
attributable expenses
|
(97.4)
|
|
(79.0)
|
|
|
Changes that relate to past service
- changes in the FCF relating to the LIC
|
2.2
|
|
3.1
|
|
|
Losses on onerous contracts and
reversals of those losses
|
(41.1)
|
|
(25.1)
|
|
|
Insurance acquisition cash flows
amortisation
|
(1.9)
|
|
(1.7)
|
|
|
Total insurance service expenses
|
(138.2)
|
|
(102.7)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
income/(expenses) from reinsurance contracts held
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reinsurance expenses (allocation of reinsurance premiums
paid) - contracts not measured under the PAA
|
|
|
|
|
|
Amounts relating to changes
in the remaining coverage:
|
|
|
|
|
|
Expected amount recoverable for
claims and other insurance service expenses
|
(23.2)
|
|
(23.4)
|
|
|
Change in risk adjustment for
non-financial risk for the risk expired
|
(1.1)
|
|
(1.1)
|
|
|
CSM recognised for the services
received
|
(1.6)
|
|
(2.0)
|
|
|
Reinsurance expenses (allocation of reinsurance premiums
paid) - contracts not measured under the PAA
|
(25.9)
|
|
(26.5)
|
|
|
Reinsurance expenses (allocation of reinsurance premiums
paid) - contracts measured under the PAA
|
(1.4)
|
|
(1.1)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Amounts recoverable for incurred
claims and other incurred insurance service expenses
|
26.9
|
|
23.1
|
|
|
Changes in amounts recoverable that
relate to past service - adjustments to incurred claims
|
(0.8)
|
|
(1.5)
|
|
|
Recoveries of loss on recognition of
onerous underlying contracts
|
0.2
|
|
0.3
|
|
|
Recoveries of losses on onerous
underlying contracts and reversals of such losses
|
(0.2)
|
|
0.4
|
|
|
Total net expenses from reinsurance contracts
held
|
(1.2)
|
|
(5.3)
|
|
|
Total insurance service result
|
(3.3)
|
|
10.5
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7
Net investment
result
In the tables that follow the
investment return on surplus shareholder assets is included in the
insurance contracts column.
|
Unaudited
Investment result for the six months ended 30 June
2024
|
Insurance
contracts
|
|
Investment contracts
(without DPF's)
|
Total
|
|
|
Net
investment return
|
£m
|
|
£m
|
£m
|
|
|
Interest revenue from financial
assets not measured at FVTPL
|
4.5
|
|
-
|
4.5
|
|
|
Net gains on financial investments
mandatorily measured at FVTPL
|
326.4
|
|
374.8
|
701.2
|
|
|
Net gains on financial investments
designated as FVTPL
|
(128.9)
|
|
225.1
|
96.2
|
|
|
Net gains from fair value
adjustments to investment properties
|
9.9
|
|
-
|
9.9
|
|
|
Total net investment return
|
211.9
|
|
599.9
|
811.8
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Finance income/(expenses) from insurance contracts
issued
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Change in fair value of underlying
assets of contracts measured under the VFA
|
(175.8)
|
|
-
|
(175.8)
|
|
|
Interest accreted
|
(37.5)
|
|
-
|
(37.5)
|
|
|
Effect of changes in interest rates
and other financial assumptions
|
34.4
|
|
-
|
34.4
|
|
|
Effect of changes in fulfilment cash
flows at current rates when CSM is unlocked at locked in
rates
|
4.8
|
|
-
|
4.8
|
|
|
Total finance income from insurance contracts
issued
|
(174.1)
|
|
-
|
(174.1)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Finance income from reinsurance contracts
issued
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest accreted
|
6.8
|
|
-
|
6.8
|
|
|
Effect of changes in interest rates
and other financial assumptions
|
(2.8)
|
|
-
|
(2.8)
|
|
|
Effect of changes in fulfilment cash
flows at current rates when CSM is unlocked at locked in
rates
|
(1.5)
|
|
-
|
(1.5)
|
|
|
Total finance expenses from reinsurance contracts
issued
|
2.5
|
|
-
|
2.5
|
|
|
Net
insurance finance expenses
|
(171.6)
|
|
-
|
(171.6)
|
|
|
Net change in investment contract
liabilities
|
-
|
|
(490.9)
|
(490.9)
|
|
|
Change in liabilities relating to
policyholder funds held by the group
|
-
|
|
(109.0)
|
(109.0)
|
|
|
Net
investment result
|
40.3
|
|
-
|
40.3
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Unaudited
Investment result for the six months ended 30 June 2023
(restated)
|
Insurance
contracts
|
|
Investment contracts
(without DPF's)
|
Total
|
|
|
Net
investment return
|
£m
|
|
£m
|
£m
|
|
|
Interest revenue from financial
assets not measured at FVTPL
|
0.4
|
|
-
|
0.4
|
|
|
Net gains on financial investments
mandatorily measured at FVTPL
|
151.7
|
|
361.7
|
513.4
|
|
|
Net gains on financial investments
designated as FVTPL
|
22.5
|
|
66.7
|
89.2
|
|
|
Total net investment return
|
174.6
|
|
428.4
|
603.0
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Finance income/(expenses) from insurance contracts
issued
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Change in fair value of underlying
assets of contracts measured under the VFA
|
(107.7)
|
|
-
|
(107.7)
|
|
|
Interest accreted
|
(28.4)
|
|
-
|
(28.4)
|
|
|
Effect of changes in interest rates
and other financial assumptions
|
(12.5)
|
|
-
|
(12.5)
|
|
|
Effect of changes in fulfilment cash
flows at current rates when CSM is unlocked at locked in
rates
|
1.6
|
|
-
|
1.6
|
|
|
Total finance income from insurance contracts
issued
|
(147.0)
|
|
-
|
(147.0)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Finance income from reinsurance contracts
issued
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest accreted
|
2.7
|
|
-
|
2.7
|
|
|
Effect of changes in interest rates
and other financial assumptions
|
(4.7)
|
|
-
|
(4.7)
|
|
|
Effect of changes in fulfilment cash
flows at current rates when CSM is unlocked at locked in
rates
|
(1.0)
|
|
-
|
(1.0)
|
|
|
Total finance expenses from reinsurance contracts
issued
|
(3.0)
|
|
-
|
(3.0)
|
|
|
Net
insurance finance expenses
|
(150.0)
|
|
-
|
(150.0)
|
|
|
Net change in investment contract
liabilities
|
-
|
|
(361.7)
|
(361.7)
|
|
|
Change in liabilities relating to
policyholder funds held by the group
|
-
|
|
(66.7)
|
(66.7)
|
|
|
Net
investment result
|
24.6
|
|
-
|
24.6
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8 Financial investments
The carrying amount of financial
investments and other financial assets and liabilities held by the
group at the balance sheet date are as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
30
June 2024 (unaudited)
|
Amortised
cost
|
FVTPL -
Designated
|
|
FVTPL -
Mandatory
|
|
Total
|
|
|
|
£m
|
£m
|
|
£m
|
|
£m
|
|
|
Financial investments
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Equity securities
|
-
|
-
|
|
199.2
|
|
199.2
|
|
|
Holdings in collective investment
schemes
|
-
|
-
|
|
8,645.4
|
|
8,645.4
|
|
|
Debt securities - government
bonds
|
-
|
472.3
|
|
-
|
|
472.3
|
|
|
Debt securities - other
|
-
|
661.1
|
|
-
|
|
661.1
|
|
|
Policyholder funds held by the
group
|
-
|
1,563.6
|
|
-
|
|
1,563.6
|
|
|
Mortgage loan portfolio
|
-
|
344.1
|
|
-
|
|
344.1
|
|
|
Total
|
-
|
3,041.1
|
|
8,844.6
|
|
11,885.7
|
|
|
Derivatives and other financial assets
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Derivative financial
instruments
|
-
|
-
|
|
0.1
|
|
0.1
|
|
|
Other assets
|
68.4
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
68.4
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents
|
-
|
131.1
|
|
-
|
|
131.1
|
|
|
Total financial investments and financial
assets
|
68.4
|
3,172.2
|
|
8,844.7
|
|
12,085.3
|
|
|
Financial liabilities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Investment contracts at fair value
through profit or loss
|
-
|
6,065.3
|
|
-
|
|
6,065.3
|
|
|
Liabilities relating to policyholder
funds held by the group
|
-
|
1,563.6
|
|
-
|
|
1,563.6
|
|
|
Derivative financial
instruments
|
206.1
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
206.1
|
|
|
Borrowings
|
-
|
-
|
|
(0.2)
|
|
(0.2)
|
|
|
Other current liabilities
|
133.2
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
133.2
|
|
|
Total financial liabilities
|
339.3
|
7,628.9
|
|
(0.2)
|
|
7,968.0
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
31
December 2023
|
Amortised
cost
|
FVTPL -
Designated
|
|
FVTPL -
Mandatory
|
|
Total
|
|
|
|
£m
|
£m
|
|
£m
|
|
£m
|
|
|
Financial investments
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Equity securities
|
-
|
-
|
|
194.2
|
|
194.2
|
|
|
Holdings in collective investment
schemes
|
-
|
-
|
|
8,376.2
|
|
8,376.2
|
|
|
Debt securities - government
bonds
|
-
|
716.5
|
|
-
|
|
716.5
|
|
|
Debt securities - other
|
-
|
520.6
|
|
-
|
|
520.6
|
|
|
Policyholder funds held by the
group
|
-
|
1,281.8
|
|
-
|
|
1,281.8
|
|
|
Mortgage loan portfolio
|
-
|
366.8
|
|
-
|
|
366.8
|
|
|
Total
|
-
|
2,885.7
|
|
8,570.4
|
|
11,456.1
|
|
|
Derivatives and other financial assets
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Derivative financial
instruments
|
-
|
-
|
|
0.3
|
|
0.3
|
|
|
Other assets
|
57.7
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
57.7
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents
|
-
|
146.0
|
|
-
|
|
146.0
|
|
|
Total financial investments and financial
assets
|
57.7
|
3,031.7
|
|
8,570.7
|
|
11,660.1
|
|
|
Financial liabilities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Investment contracts at fair value
through profit or loss
|
-
|
5,872.3
|
|
-
|
|
5,872.3
|
|
|
Liabilities relating to policyholder
funds held by the group
|
-
|
1,281.8
|
|
-
|
|
1,281.8
|
|
|
Derivative financial
instruments
|
-
|
-
|
|
4.4
|
|
4.4
|
|
|
Borrowings
|
207.9
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
207.9
|
|
|
Other current liabilities
|
131.7
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
131.7
|
|
|
Total financial liabilities
|
339.6
|
7,154.1
|
|
4.4
|
|
7,498.1
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
9 Financial asset and
liability fair value disclosures
Fair value is the amount for which
an asset or liability could be exchanged between willing parties in
an arm's length transaction. The tables below show the
determination of fair value according to a three-level valuation
hierarchy. Fair values are generally determined at prices quoted in
active markets (Level 1). However, where such information is not
available, the group applies valuation techniques to measure such
instruments. These valuation techniques make use of market
observable data for all significant inputs where possible (Level
2), but in some cases it may be necessary to estimate other than
market-observable data within a valuation model for significant
inputs (Level 3).
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fair value measurement at 30 June 2024
(unaudited)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Level 1
|
|
Level 2
|
|
Level 3
|
|
Total
|
|
£m
|
|
£m
|
|
£m
|
|
£m
|
Investment properties
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
96.2
|
|
96.2
|
Financial assets
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Equities - Listed
|
199.2
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
199.2
|
Holdings in collective investment
schemes
|
5,181.5
|
|
-
|
|
165.4
|
|
5,346.9
|
Debt securities - government
bonds
|
472.3
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
472.3
|
Debt securities - other debt
securities
|
3,959.6
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
3,959.6
|
Policyholders' funds held by the
group
|
1,515.3
|
|
-
|
|
48.3
|
|
1,563.6
|
Mortgage loan portfolio
|
-
|
|
344.1
|
|
-
|
|
344.1
|
Derivative financial
instruments
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
Total
|
11,327.9
|
|
344.1
|
|
309.9
|
|
11,981.9
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Financial liabilities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Investment contracts
at fair value through profit or loss
|
-
|
|
5,954.9
|
|
-
|
|
5,954.9
|
Liabilities related
to policyholders' funds held by the group
|
1,563.6
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
1,563.6
|
Derivative financial
instruments
|
-
|
|
(0.2)
|
|
-
|
|
(0.2)
|
Total
|
1,563.6
|
|
5,954.7
|
|
-
|
|
7,518.3
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fair value measurement at 31 December 2023
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Level 1
|
|
Level 2
|
|
Level 3
|
|
Total
|
|
£m
|
|
£m
|
|
£m
|
|
£m
|
Investment properties
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
88.1
|
|
88.1
|
Financial assets
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Equities - Listed
|
194.2
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
194.2
|
Holdings in collective investment
schemes
|
8,233.7
|
|
-
|
|
142.5
|
|
8,376.2
|
Debt securities - government
bonds
|
716.5
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
716.5
|
Debt securities - other debt
securities
|
520.6
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
520.6
|
Policyholders' funds held by the
group
|
1,239.4
|
|
-
|
|
42.4
|
|
1,281.8
|
Mortgage loan portfolio
|
-
|
|
366.8
|
|
-
|
|
366.8
|
Derivative financial
instruments
|
-
|
|
0.3
|
|
-
|
|
0.3
|
Total
|
10,904.4
|
|
367.1
|
|
273.0
|
|
11,544.5
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Financial liabilities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Investment contracts
at fair value through profit or loss
|
-
|
|
5,872.3
|
|
-
|
|
5,872.3
|
Liabilities related
to policyholders' funds held by the group
|
1,281.8
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
1,281.8
|
Derivative financial
instruments
|
-
|
|
4.4
|
|
-
|
|
4.4
|
Total
|
1,281.8
|
|
5,876.7
|
|
-
|
|
7,158.5
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Investment properties
The investment properties are
valued by external chartered surveyors using industry standard
techniques based on guidance from the Royal Institute of Chartered
Surveyors. The valuation methodology includes an assessment of
general market conditions and sector level transactions and takes
account of expectations of occupancy rates, rental income and
growth. Properties undergo individual scrutiny using cash flow
analysis to factor in the timing of rental reviews, capital
expenditure, lease incentives, dilapidation and operating expenses;
these reviews utilise both observable and unobservable
inputs.
Holdings in collective investment schemes
The fair value of holdings in
collective investment schemes classified as Level 2 are related to
the UK segment and Scildon. These do not meet the classification as
Level 1, as their fair value is determined using valuation
techniques with observable market inputs. The holdings classified
as Level 3 £165.4m (Dec 2023: £142.5m) also relate to Scildon, and
represent investments held in a mortgage fund. These are classified
as Level 3 as the fair value is derived from valuation techniques
that include inputs that are not based on observable market
data.
Policyholder funds held by the group
There is also a small holding of
assets classified as Level 3 £48.4m (Dec 2023: £42.4m) from our
Movestic operation which are unlisted. The valuation of the vast
majority of these assets is based on unobservable prices from
trading on the over-the-counter market.
Debt securities
The debt securities classified as
Level 2 at 2023 and 2024 are traded in active markets with less
depth or wider bid-ask spreads. This does not meet the
classification as Level 1 inputs. The fair values of debt
securities not traded in active markets are determined using broker
quotes or valuation techniques with observable market inputs.
Financial instruments valued using broker quotes are classified at
Level 2, only where there is a sufficient range of available
quotes. These assets were valued using counterparty or broker
quotes and were periodically validated against third-party
models.
Derivative financial instruments
The derivative financial
instruments include a foreign currency hedge related to the group.
This was deemed to manage the exposure to foreign exchange
movements between sterling and both the euro and Swedish
krona.
An uncapped collar which consists
of two hedges:
• One hedge to
protect against the downside (sterling strengthening) (starting at
strike A), and one to remove the upside (weakening) (strike B);
with the strikes of these coordinated to result in no upfront
premium.
• The 2nd hedge
(strike B) creates an uncapped liquidity requirement when it
bites.
The capped collar comes with an
additional leg which creates value and liquidity when exchange
rates move beyond a certain point (strike C).
Within derivative financial
instruments is a financial reinsurance embedded derivative related
to our Movestic operation. The group has entered into a reinsurance
contract with a third party that has a section that is deemed to
transfer significant insurance risk and a section that is deemed
not to transfer significant insurance risk. The element of the
contract that does not transfer significant insurance risk has two
components and has been accounted for as a financial liability at
amortised cost and an embedded derivative asset at fair
value.
The embedded derivative represents
an option to repay the amounts due under the contract early at a
discount to the amortised cost, with its fair value being
determined by reference to market interest rate at the balance
sheet date. It is, accordingly, determined at Level 2 in the
three-level fair value determination hierarchy set out
above.
Investment contract liabilities
The investment contract
liabilities in Level 2 of the valuation hierarchy represent the
fair value of linked and non-linked liabilities valued using
established actuarial techniques utilising market observable data
for all significant inputs, such as investment yields.
Significant unobservable inputs in level 3 instrument
valuations
The Level 3 instruments held in
the group are in relation to investments held in an Aegon managed
Dutch Mortgage Fund that contains mortgage-backed assets in the
Netherlands. The fair value of the mortgage fund is determined by
the fund manager on a monthly basis using an in-house valuation
model. The valuation model relies on a number of unobservable
inputs, the most significant being the assumed conditional
prepayment rate, the discount rate and the impairment rate, all of
which are applied to the anticipated modelled cash flows to derive
the fair value of the underlying asset.
The assumed Conditional Prepayment
Rate (CPR) is used to calculate the projected prepayment cash flow
per individual loan and reflects the anticipated early repayment of
mortgage balances. The CPR is based on four variables:
·
Contract age - The CPR for newly originated
mortgage loans will initially be low, after which it increases for
a couple of years to its maximum expected value, and subsequently
diminishes over time.
·
Interest rate differential - The difference
between the contractual rates and current interest rates are
positively correlated with prepayments. When contractual rates are
higher than interest rates of newly originated mortgages, we
observe more prepayments and the vice versa.
·
Previous partial repayments - Borrowers who made
a partial prepayment in the past, are more likely to do so in the
future.
·
Burnout effect - Borrowers who have not made a
prepayment in the past, while their option to prepay was in the
money, are less likely to prepay in the future.
The projected prepayment cash
flows per loan are then combined to derive an average expected
lifetime CPR, which is then applied to the outstanding balance of
the fund. The CPR used in the valuation of the fund as at 30 June
2024 was 3.2% (31 December 2023: 3.2%).
The expected projected cash flows
for each mortgage within the loan portfolio are discounted using
rates that are derived using a matrix involving the following three
parameters:
·
The remaining fixed rate term of the
mortgage
·
Indexed Loan to Value (LTV) of each
mortgage
·
Current (Aegon) mortgage rates
At 30 June 2024 this resulted in
discounting the cash flows in each mortgage using a range from
4.70% to 4.77% (31 December 2023: 4.67% to 4.68%).
An impairment percentage is
applied to those loan cash flows which are in arrears, to reflect
the chance of the loan actually going into default. For those loans
which are 1, 2 or 3 months in arrears, an impairment percentage is
applied to reflect the chance of default. This percentage ranges
from 0.60% for 1 month in arrears to 13.70% for loans which are 3
months in arrears (31 December 2023: 0.60% for 1 month in arrears
to 13.70% for loans which are 3 months in arrears). Loans which are
in default receive a 100% reduction in value.
The value of the fund has the
potential to decrease or increase over time. This can be as a
consequence of a periodic reassessment of the conditional
prepayment rate and/or the discount rate used in the valuation
model.
A 1 per cent increase in the CPR
would reduce the value of the asset by £2.2m (31 December 2023:
£1.9m).
A 1 per cent decrease in the CPR
would increase the value of the asset by £2.3m (31 December 2023:
£2.1m).
A 1 per cent increase in the
discount rate would reduce the value of the asset by £12.7m (31
December 2023: £11.4m).
A 1 per cent decrease in the
discount rate would increase the value of the asset by £14.7m (31
December 2023: £13.3m).
Reconciliation of Level 3 fair value measurements of
financial instruments
|
|
Unaudited
|
31
December
|
|
|
|
30 June
2024
|
2023
|
|
|
|
£m
|
£m
|
|
|
At start of period
|
273.0
|
273.8
|
|
|
Total gains and losses recognised
in the income statement
|
38.3
|
(8.6)
|
|
|
Purchases
|
18.9
|
22.8
|
|
|
Settlements
|
(15.2)
|
(10.8)
|
|
|
Exchange rate
adjustment
|
(5.1)
|
(4.2)
|
|
|
At the end of period
|
309.9
|
273.0
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Carrying
amount
|
|
Fair value
|
|
|
|
|
Unaudited
30 June
|
31
December
|
|
Unaudited
30 June
|
31
December
|
|
|
|
|
2024
|
2023
|
|
2024
|
2023
|
|
|
|
|
£m
|
£m
|
|
£m
|
£m
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Financial liabilities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Borrowings
|
|
206.1
|
207.9
|
|
168.3
|
155.4
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Borrowings consist of the Tier 2
debt and an amount due in relation to financial reinsurance. The
fair value of the Tier 2 debt is calculated using quoted prices in
active markets and they are classified as Level 1 in the fair value
hierarchy. The amount due in relation to financial reinsurance is
fair valued with reference to market interest rates at the balance
sheet date.
There were no transfers between
Levels 1, 2 and 3 during the period. The group holds no Level 3
liabilities as at the balance sheet date.
10 Insurance and Reinsurance contracts
(a) Composition of the balance sheet
(i) Composition of the balance sheet as at
30 June 2024
|
Unaudited
|
|
Movestic
|
Waard
Group
|
Scildon
|
Total
|
|
|
|
UK
|
(Sweden)
|
(Netherlands)
|
(Netherlands)
|
|
|
|
Insurance contracts
|
£m
|
£m
|
£m
|
£m
|
£m
|
|
|
Insurance contract
liabilities
|
1,368.3
|
176.7
|
740.7
|
1,893.7
|
4,179.4
|
|
|
Insurance contract assets
|
(3.1)
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
(3.1)
|
|
|
Net
insurance contract liabilities
|
1,365.2
|
176.7
|
740.7
|
1,893.7
|
4,176.3
|
|
|
Reinsurance contracts
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reinsurance contract
assets
|
163.4
|
13.1
|
3.3
|
-
|
179.8
|
|
|
Reinsurance contract
liabilities
|
(2.1)
|
-
|
-
|
(12.3)
|
(14.4)
|
|
|
Net
reinsurance contract liabilities
|
161.3
|
13.1
|
3.3
|
(12.3)
|
165.4
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(ii) Composition of the balance sheet as at 31
December 2023
|
|
|
Movestic
|
Waard
Group
|
Scildon
|
Total
|
|
|
|
UK
|
(Sweden)
|
(Netherlands)
|
(Netherlands)
|
|
|
|
Insurance contracts
|
£m
|
£m
|
£m
|
£m
|
£m
|
|
|
Insurance contract
liabilities
|
1,383.0
|
171.8
|
785.3
|
1,862.9
|
4,203.0
|
|
|
Insurance contract assets
|
(4.0)
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
(4.0)
|
|
|
Net
insurance contract liabilities
|
1,379.0
|
171.8
|
785.3
|
1,862.9
|
4,199.0
|
|
|
Reinsurance contracts
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reinsurance contract
assets
|
166.8
|
14.5
|
4.4
|
-
|
185.7
|
|
|
Reinsurance contract
liabilities
|
(2.2)
|
-
|
-
|
(14.9)
|
(17.1)
|
|
|
Net
reinsurance contract liabilities
|
164.6
|
14.5
|
4.4
|
(14.9)
|
168.6
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(iii) Composition of the balance sheet as at 30 June
2023 (restated)
|
Unaudited
|
|
Movestic
|
Waard
Group
|
Scildon
|
Total
|
|
|
|
UK
|
(Sweden)
|
(Netherlands)
|
(Netherlands)
|
|
|
|
Insurance contracts
|
£m
|
£m
|
£m
|
£m
|
£m
|
|
|
Insurance contract
liabilities
|
1,390.1
|
158.1
|
780.3
|
1,774.6
|
4,103.1
|
|
|
Insurance contract assets
|
(10.2)
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
(10.2)
|
|
|
Net
insurance contract liabilities
|
1,379.9
|
158.1
|
780.3
|
1,774.6
|
4,092.9
|
|
|
Reinsurance contracts
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reinsurance contract
assets
|
164.5
|
12.1
|
2.7
|
-
|
179.3
|
|
|
Reinsurance contract
liabilities
|
(2.0)
|
-
|
-
|
(14.2)
|
(16.2)
|
|
|
Net
reinsurance contract liabilities
|
162.5
|
12.1
|
2.7
|
(14.2)
|
163.1
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(b) Movements in insurance contract balances - Analysis
by remaining coverage and incurred claims
(i) Movements in insurance contract
balances for the period 1 January 2024 to 30 June
2024
|
|
Liabilities for Remaining
Coverage
|
Liabilities for Incurred
Claims
|
|
|
|
Unaudited
|
Excluding Loss
Component
|
Loss
component
|
For contracts not under
PAA
|
PV of future cash
flows
|
Risk
adjustment
|
Total
|
|
|
|
£m
|
£m
|
£m
|
£m
|
£m
|
£m
|
|
|
Insurance contract liabilities as at 1 January
2024
|
3,957.9
|
89.4
|
113.4
|
37.1
|
1.2
|
4,199.0
|
|
|
Changes in the statement of profit and loss
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Insurance revenue
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Contracts measured under the fair
value approach
|
(37.2)
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
(37.2)
|
|
|
Contracts measured under the full
retrospective approach
|
(98.9)
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
(98.9)
|
|
|
Insurance revenue total
|
(136.1)
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
(136.1)
|
|
|
Insurance service expenses
Incurred claims and other directly
attributable expenses
|
-
|
(25.3)
|
118.1
|
4.6
|
-
|
97.4
|
|
|
Adjustments to liabilities for
incurred claims
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
(2.1)
|
(0.1)
|
(2.2)
|
|
|
Losses and reversals of losses on
onerous contracts
|
-
|
41.1
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
41.1
|
|
|
Amortisation of insurance
acquisition cash flows
|
1.9
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
1.9
|
|
|
Insurance service expense total
|
1.9
|
15.8
|
118.1
|
2.5
|
(0.1)
|
138.2
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Insurance service result
|
(134.2)
|
15.8
|
118.1
|
2.5
|
(0.1)
|
2.1
|
|
|
Net finance expenses from insurance
contracts
|
173.7
|
0.4
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
174.1
|
|
|
Effect of movements in exchange
rates
|
(60.7)
|
(1.8)
|
(1.1)
|
(1.5)
|
-
|
(65.1)
|
|
|
Total amounts recognised in comprehensive
income
|
(21.2)
|
14.4
|
117.0
|
1.0
|
(0.1)
|
111.1
|
|
|
Investment components
|
(167.6)
|
-
|
167.8
|
-
|
-
|
0.2
|
|
|
Cash flows
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Premiums received
|
151.5
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
151.5
|
|
|
Claims and other directly
attributable expenses paid
|
-
|
-
|
(279.0)
|
(4.0)
|
-
|
(283.0)
|
|
|
Insurance acquisition cash
flows
|
(2.5)
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
(2.5)
|
|
|
Total cash flows
|
149.0
|
-
|
(279.0)
|
(4.0)
|
-
|
(134.0)
|
|
|
Insurance contract liabilities as at 30 June
2024
|
3,918.1
|
103.8
|
119.2
|
34.1
|
1.1
|
4,176.3
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
(ii) Movements in insurance contract balances for
the period 1 January 2023 to 30 June 2023
(restated)
|
|
Liabilities for Remaining
Coverage
|
Liabilities for Incurred
Claims
|
|
|
|
Unaudited
|
Excluding Loss
Component
|
Loss
component
|
For contracts not under
PAA
|
PV of future cash
flows
|
Risk
adjustment
|
Total
|
|
|
|
£m
|
£m
|
£m
|
£m
|
£m
|
£m
|
|
|
Insurance contract liabilities as at 1 January
2023
|
3,582.2
|
83.6
|
116.0
|
38.2
|
1.6
|
3,821.6
|
|
|
Changes in the statement of profit and loss
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Insurance revenue
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Contracts measured under the fair
value approach
|
(30.0)
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
(30.0)
|
|
|
Contracts measured under the full
retrospective approach
|
(88.5)
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
(88.5)
|
|
|
Insurance revenue total
|
(118.5)
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
(118.5)
|
|
|
Insurance service expenses
Incurred claims and other directly
attributable expenses
|
-
|
(33.1)
|
106.2
|
5.9
|
0.1
|
79.1
|
|
|
Adjustments to liabilities for
incurred claims
|
-
|
-
|
(0.1)
|
(2.9)
|
(0.2)
|
(3.2)
|
|
|
Losses and reversals of losses on
onerous contracts
|
-
|
25.1
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
25.1
|
|
|
Amortisation of insurance
acquisition cash flows
|
1.7
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
1.7
|
|
|
Insurance service expense total
|
1.7
|
(8.0)
|
106.1
|
3.0
|
(0.1)
|
102.7
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Insurance service result
|
(116.8)
|
(8.0)
|
106.1
|
3.0
|
(0.1)
|
(15.8)
|
|
|
Net finance expenses from insurance
contracts
|
146.9
|
0.2
|
-
|
(0.1)
|
-
|
147.0
|
|
|
Effect of movements in exchange
rates
|
(88.3)
|
(2.4)
|
(1.5)
|
(3.3)
|
(0.1)
|
(95.6)
|
|
|
Total amounts recognised in comprehensive
income
|
(58.2)
|
(10.2)
|
104.6
|
(0.4)
|
(0.2)
|
35.6
|
|
|
Investment components
|
(140.7)
|
-
|
140.7
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
|
Cash flows
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Premiums received
|
505.1
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
505.1
|
|
|
Claims and other directly
attributable expenses paid
|
-
|
-
|
(261.7)
|
(4.5)
|
-
|
(266.2)
|
|
|
Insurance acquisition cash
flows
|
(3.2)
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
(3.2)
|
|
|
Total cash flows
|
501.9
|
-
|
(261.7)
|
(4.5)
|
-
|
235.7
|
|
|
Insurance contract liabilities as at 30 June
2023
|
3,885.2
|
73.4
|
99.6
|
33.3
|
1.4
|
4,092.9
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
(c) Movements in insurance contract balances - Analysis
by measurement component - contracts not measured under the
PAA
(i) Movements in insurance contract
balances for the period 1 January 2024 to 30 June
2024
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Unaudited
|
Present value of future cash
flows
|
Risk
Adjustment
|
CSM (new contracts and
contracts measured under FRA)
|
CSM (contracts
measured under FVA)
|
Total
|
|
|
|
£m
|
£m
|
£m
|
£m
|
£m
|
|
|
Insurance contract liabilities as at 1 January
2024
|
3,908.0
|
52.5
|
170.7
|
27.5
|
4,158.7
|
|
|
Changes that relate to current service
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CSM recognised for services
provided
|
-
|
-
|
(8.8)
|
(1.8)
|
(10.6)
|
|
|
Change in risk adjustment for
non-financial risk for risk expired
|
-
|
(3.3)
|
-
|
-
|
(3.3)
|
|
|
Experience adjustments
|
(22.8)
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
(22.8)
|
|
|
Total changes in estimates that relate to current
service
|
(22.8)
|
(3.3)
|
(8.8)
|
(1.8)
|
(36.7)
|
|
|
Changes that relate to future service
Contracts initially recognised in
the period
|
(4.3)
|
0.3
|
5.5
|
-
|
1.5
|
|
|
Changes in estimates that adjust the
CSM
|
(7.5)
|
2.0
|
1.1
|
4.4
|
-
|
|
|
Changes in estimates that result in
losses or reversals of losses on onerous underlying
contracts
|
39.0
|
0.8
|
-
|
-
|
39.8
|
|
|
Total changes in estimates that relate to future
service
|
27.2
|
3.1
|
6.6
|
4.4
|
41.3
|
|
|
Insurance service result
|
4.4
|
(0.2)
|
(2.2)
|
2.6
|
4.6
|
|
|
Net finance expenses from insurance
contracts
|
172.4
|
(0.7)
|
2.0
|
0.3
|
174.0
|
|
|
Effect of movements in exchange
rates
|
(58.9)
|
(0.9)
|
(3.5)
|
(0.2)
|
(63.5)
|
|
|
Total amounts recognised in comprehensive
income
|
117.9
|
(1.8)
|
(3.7)
|
2.7
|
115.1
|
|
|
Cash flows
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Premiums received
|
146.8
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
146.8
|
|
|
Claims and other directly
attributable expenses paid
|
(279.0)
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
(279.0)
|
|
|
Insurance acquisition cash
flows
|
(2.3)
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
(2.3)
|
|
|
Total cash flows
|
(134.5)
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
(134.5)
|
|
|
Insurance contract liabilities as at 30 June
2024
|
3,891.4
|
50.7
|
167.0
|
30.2
|
4,139.3
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(ii) Movements in insurance contract balances for
the period 1 January 2023 to 30 June 2023
(restated)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Unaudited
|
Present value of future cash
flows
|
Risk
Adjustment
|
CSM (new contracts and
contracts measured under FRA)
|
CSM (contracts
measured under FVA)
|
Total
|
|
|
|
£m
|
£m
|
£m
|
£m
|
£m
|
|
|
Insurance contract liabilities as at 1 January
2023
|
3,587.3
|
46.0
|
105.7
|
40.7
|
3,779.7
|
|
|
Changes that relate to current service
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CSM recognised for services
provided
|
-
|
-
|
(9.4)
|
(2.7)
|
(12.1)
|
|
|
Change in risk adjustment for
non-financial risk for risk expired
|
-
|
(3.4)
|
-
|
-
|
(3.4)
|
|
|
Experience adjustments
|
(22.7)
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
(22.7)
|
|
|
Total changes in estimates that relate to current
service
|
(22.7)
|
(3.4)
|
(9.4)
|
(2.7)
|
(38.2)
|
|
|
Changes that relate to future service
Contracts initially recognised in
the period
|
(69.6)
|
9.0
|
62.6
|
-
|
2.0
|
|
|
Changes in estimates that adjust the
CSM
|
(14.3)
|
12.2
|
1.1
|
1.0
|
-
|
|
|
Changes in estimates that result in
losses or reversals of losses on onerous underlying
contracts
|
27.8
|
(5.2)
|
0.5
|
-
|
23.1
|
|
|
Total changes in estimates that relate to future
service
|
(56.1)
|
16.0
|
64.2
|
1.0
|
25.1
|
|
|
Changes that relate to past service
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Adjustments to liabilities for
incurred claims
|
(0.1)
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
(0.1)
|
|
|
Total changes in estimates that relate to past
service
|
(0.1)
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
(0.1)
|
|
|
Insurance service result
|
(78.9)
|
12.6
|
54.8
|
(1.7)
|
(13.2)
|
|
|
Net finance expenses from insurance
contracts
|
144.4
|
0.4
|
1.7
|
0.5
|
147.0
|
|
|
Effect of movements in exchange
rates
|
(85.7)
|
(1.3)
|
(4.3)
|
(0.5)
|
(91.8)
|
|
|
Total amounts recognised in comprehensive
income
|
(20.2)
|
11.7
|
52.2
|
(1.7)
|
42.0
|
|
|
Cash flows
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Premiums received
|
499.6
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
499.6
|
|
|
Claims and other directly
attributable expenses paid
|
(261.7)
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
(261.7)
|
|
|
Insurance acquisition cash
flows
|
(3.2)
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
(3.2)
|
|
|
Total cash flows
|
234.7
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
234.7
|
|
|
Insurance contract liabilities as at 30 June
2023
|
3,801.8
|
57.7
|
157.9
|
39.0
|
4,056.4
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(d) Movements in reinsurance contract balances -
Analysis by remaining coverage and incurred
claims
(i) Movements in reinsurance contract
balances for the period 1 January 2024 to 30 June
2024
|
|
Assets for Remaining
Coverage
|
Assets for Incurred
Claims
|
|
|
|
Unaudited
|
Excluding Loss-Recovery
Component
|
Loss-Recovery
component
|
For contracts not under
PAA
|
Future cash
flows
|
Risk
adjustment
|
Total
|
|
|
|
£m
|
£m
|
£m
|
£m
|
£m
|
£m
|
|
|
Reinsurance contract assets as at 1 January
2024
|
124.0
|
6.2
|
23.3
|
14.9
|
0.2
|
168.6
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reinsurance expenses - allocation of
reinsurance
|
(27.3)
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
(27.3)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Amounts recoverable from reinsurers:
Recoveries of incurred claims and
other directly attributable expenses
|
-
|
-
|
25.8
|
1.2
|
-
|
27.0
|
|
|
Changes in the expected recoveries
for past claims
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
(0.8)
|
-
|
(0.8)
|
|
|
Changes in the loss recovery
component
|
-
|
(0.1)
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
(0.1)
|
|
|
Net
(expenses)/income from reinsurance contracts held
|
(27.3)
|
(0.1)
|
25.8
|
0.4
|
-
|
(1.2)
|
|
|
Net Finance expenses from
reinsurance contracts
|
2.5
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
2.5
|
|
|
Effect of movements in exchange
rates
|
0.5
|
(0.1)
|
(0.2)
|
(0.6)
|
-
|
(0.4)
|
|
|
Total amounts recognised in comprehensive
income
|
(24.3)
|
(0.2)
|
25.6
|
(0.2)
|
-
|
0.9
|
|
|
Investment components
|
(1.0)
|
-
|
1.0
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
|
Cash flows
|
27.0
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
27.0
|
|
|
Premiums paid net of ceding
commission
|
-
|
-
|
(30.0)
|
(1.1)
|
-
|
(31.1)
|
|
|
Total cash flows
|
27.0
|
-
|
(30.0)
|
(1.1)
|
-
|
(4.1)
|
|
|
Reinsurance contract assets as at 30 June
2024
|
125.7
|
6.0
|
19.9
|
13.6
|
0.2
|
165.4
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(ii) Movements in reinsurance contract balances
for the period 1 January 2023 to 30 June 2023
(restated)
|
|
Assets for Remaining
Coverage
|
Assets for Incurred
Claims
|
|
|
|
Unaudited
|
Excluding Loss-Recovery
Component
|
Loss-Recovery
component
|
For contracts not under
PAA
|
Future cash
flows
|
Risk
adjustment
|
Total
|
|
|
|
£m
|
£m
|
£m
|
£m
|
£m
|
£m
|
|
|
Reinsurance contract assets as at 1 January
2023
|
130.1
|
4.5
|
26.6
|
15.2
|
0.3
|
176.7
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reinsurance expenses - allocation of
reinsurance
|
(27.5)
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
(27.5)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Amounts recoverable from reinsurers:
Recoveries of incurred claims and
other directly attributable expenses
|
-
|
-
|
21.5
|
1.6
|
-
|
23.1
|
|
|
Changes in the expected recoveries
for past claims
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
(1.4)
|
(0.1)
|
(1.5)
|
|
|
Changes in the loss recovery
component
|
-
|
0.6
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
0.6
|
|
|
Net
(expenses)/income from reinsurance contracts held
|
(27.5)
|
0.6
|
21.5
|
0.2
|
(0.1)
|
(5.3)
|
|
|
Net Finance expenses from
reinsurance contracts
|
(2.9)
|
-
|
-
|
(0.1)
|
-
|
(3.0)
|
|
|
Effect of movements in exchange
rates
|
0.9
|
(0.2)
|
(0.4)
|
(1.3)
|
-
|
(1.0)
|
|
|
Total amounts recognised in comprehensive
income
|
(29.5)
|
0.4
|
21.1
|
(1.2)
|
(0.1)
|
(9.3)
|
|
|
Investment components
|
(1.3)
|
-
|
1.3
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
|
Cash flows
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Premiums paid net of ceding
commission
|
20.4
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
20.4
|
|
|
Recoveries from reinsurance
contracts held
|
-
|
-
|
(23.3)
|
(1.4)
|
-
|
(24.7)
|
|
|
Total cash flows
|
20.4
|
-
|
(23.3)
|
(1.4)
|
-
|
(4.3)
|
|
|
Reinsurance contract assets as at 30 June
2023
|
119.7
|
4.9
|
25.7
|
12.6
|
0.2
|
163.1
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(e) Movements in reinsurance contract balances -
Analysis by measurement component - contracts not measured under
the PAA
(i) Movements in reinsurance contract
balances for the period 1 January 2024 to 30 June
2024
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Unaudited
|
Present value of future cash
flows
|
Risk
Adjustment
|
CSM (new contracts and
contracts measured under FRA)
|
CSM (contracts
measured under FVA)
|
Total
|
|
|
|
£m
|
£m
|
£m
|
£m
|
£m
|
|
|
Reinsurance contract assets as at 1 January
2024
|
106.9
|
15.2
|
26.4
|
5.6
|
154.1
|
|
|
Changes that relate to current service
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CSM recognised for services
received
|
-
|
-
|
(1.4)
|
(0.2)
|
(1.6)
|
|
|
Change in risk adjustment for
non-financial risk for risk expired
|
-
|
(1.1)
|
-
|
-
|
(1.1)
|
|
|
Experience adjustments
|
2.4
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
2.4
|
|
|
Total changes that relate to current
service
|
2.4
|
(1.1)
|
(1.4)
|
(0.2)
|
(0.3)
|
|
|
Changes that relate to future service
Contracts initially recognised in
the period
|
(2.6)
|
0.1
|
2.5
|
-
|
-
|
|
|
Changes in estimates that adjust the
CSM
|
0.4
|
2.0
|
(1.0)
|
(1.3)
|
0.1
|
|
|
CSM adjustment for income on initial
recognition of onerous underlying contracts
|
-
|
-
|
0.1
|
-
|
0.1
|
|
|
Changes in recoveries of losses on
onerous underlying contracts that adjust the CSM
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
|
Total changes that relate to future service
|
(2.2)
|
2.1
|
1.6
|
(1.3)
|
0.2
|
|
|
Net
(expense)/income from reinsurance contracts held
|
0.2
|
1.0
|
0.2
|
(1.5)
|
(0.1)
|
|
|
Net finance income from reinsurance
contracts held
|
2.7
|
(0.4)
|
0.2
|
-
|
2.5
|
|
|
Effect of movements in exchange
rates
|
0.9
|
(0.1)
|
(0.5)
|
-
|
0.3
|
|
|
Total amounts recognised in comprehensive
income
|
3.8
|
0.5
|
(0.1)
|
(1.5)
|
2.7
|
|
|
Cash flows
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Premiums paid net of ceding
commission
|
25.6
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
25.6
|
|
|
Recoveries from reinsurance
contracts held
|
(30.0)
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
(30.0)
|
|
|
Total cash flows
|
(4.4)
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
(4.4)
|
|
|
Reinsurance contract assets as at 30 June
2024
|
106.3
|
15.7
|
26.3
|
4.1
|
152.4
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(ii) Movements in reinsurance contract balances
for the period 1 January 2023 to 30 June 2023
(restated)
|
Unaudited
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Present value of future cash
flows
|
Risk
Adjustment
|
CSM (new contracts and
contracts measured under FRA)
|
CSM (contracts
measured under FVA)
|
Total
|
|
|
|
£m
|
£m
|
£m
|
£m
|
£m
|
|
|
Reinsurance contract assets as at 1 January
2023
|
112.6
|
14.3
|
26.1
|
7.9
|
160.9
|
|
|
Changes that relate to current service
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CSM recognised for services
received
|
-
|
-
|
(1.7)
|
(0.3)
|
(2.0)
|
|
|
Change in risk adjustment for
non-financial risk for risk expired
|
-
|
(1.1)
|
-
|
-
|
(1.1)
|
|
|
Experience adjustments
|
(2.2)
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
(2.2)
|
|
|
Total changes that relate to current
service
|
(2.2)
|
(1.1)
|
(1.7)
|
(0.3)
|
(5.3)
|
|
|
Changes that relate to future service
Contracts initially recognised in
the period
|
(1.7)
|
0.5
|
1.2
|
-
|
-
|
|
|
Changes in estimates that adjust the
CSM
|
3.1
|
0.7
|
(2.2)
|
(1.6)
|
-
|
|
|
CSM adjustment for income on initial
recognition of onerous underlying contracts
|
-
|
-
|
0.3
|
-
|
0.3
|
|
|
Changes in recoveries of losses on
onerous underlying contracts that adjust the CSM
|
-
|
-
|
0.7
|
-
|
0.7
|
|
|
Total changes that relate to future service
|
1.4
|
1.2
|
-
|
(1.6)
|
1.0
|
|
|
Net
(expense)/income from reinsurance contracts held
|
(0.8)
|
0.1
|
(1.7)
|
(1.9)
|
(4.3)
|
|
|
Net finance income from reinsurance
contracts held
|
(3.1)
|
-
|
0.1
|
0.1
|
(2.9)
|
|
|
Effect of movements in exchange
rates
|
1.5
|
(0.4)
|
(0.8)
|
-
|
0.3
|
|
|
Total amounts recognised in comprehensive
income
|
(2.4)
|
(0.3)
|
(2.4)
|
(1.8)
|
(6.9)
|
|
|
Cash flows
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Premiums paid net of ceding
commission
|
20.3
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
20.3
|
|
|
Recoveries from reinsurance
contracts held
|
(23.3)
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
(23.3)
|
|
|
Total cash flows
|
(3.0)
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
(3.0)
|
|
|
Reinsurance contract assets as at 30 June
2023
|
107.2
|
14.0
|
23.7
|
6.1
|
151.0
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
11 Borrowings
|
|
Unaudited
30 June
2024
|
31
December
2023
|
|
|
|
£m
|
£m
|
|
|
Tier 2 Debt
|
200.7
|
200.6
|
|
|
Amount due in relation to
financial reinsurance
|
3.6
|
5.3
|
|
|
Term finance
|
1.8
|
2.0
|
|
|
Total
|
206.1
|
207.9
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The fair value of amounts due in
relation to Tier 2 debt at 30 June 2024 was £168.4m (31 December
2023: £148.4m).
The fair value of amounts due in
relation to financial reinsurance at 30 June 2024 was £3.0m (31
December 2023: £5.1m).
Term finance comprises capital
amounts outstanding on mortgage bonds taken out over properties
held in the unit-linked policyholder funds in the UK. The mortgage
over each such property is negotiated separately, varies in term
from 5 to 20 years, and bears interest at fixed or floating rates
that are agreed at the time of inception of the mortgage. The fair
value of the term finance is not materially different to the
carrying value shown above.
12 Approval of consolidated report
for the six months ended 30 June 2024
This condensed set of consolidated
financial statements has been approved by the Board of Directors on
9 September 2024. A copy of this report will be available to
the public at the Company's registered office, 2nd Floor, Building
4, West Strand Business Park, West Strand Road, Preston, PR1 8UY
and at www.chesnara.co.uk
FINANCIAL CALENDAR
10
September 2024
Results for the six months ended 30
June 2024 announced
19
September 2024
Interim ex-dividend date
20
September 2024
Interim dividend record
date
11
October 2024
Last date for dividend reinvestment
plan elections
01
November 2024
Interim dividend payment
date
31
December 2024
End of financial year
KEY CONTACTS
Registered and head office
2nd Floor, Building
4
West Strand Business
Park
West Strand Road
Preston
Lancashire
PR1 8UY
T: 01772
972050
www.chesnara.co.uk
Advisors
Burness Paull LLP
Exchange Plaza
50 Lothian Road
Edinburgh
EH3 9WJ
Auditor
Deloitte LLP
Statutory Auditor
4 Brindley Place
Birmingham
B1 2HZ
Registrars
Link Group
Central Square
29 Wellington Street
Leeds
LS1 4DL
Joint Stockbrokers and
Corporate Advisors
Panmure Liberum
Ropemaker Place
Level 12,
25 Ropemaker Street
London
EC2Y 9LY
RBC Capital Markets
100 Bishopsgate
London
EC2N 4AA
Bankers
National Westminster Bank
plc
135 Bishopsgate
London
EC2M 3UR
Lloyds Bank plc
3rd Floor, Black Horse
House
Medway Wharf Road
Tonbridge
Kent
TN9 1QS
Public Relations Consultants
FWD
15 St Helen's Place
London
EC3A 6DQ
ALTERNATIVE PERFORMANCE
MEASURES
Throughout this report we use
alternative performance measures (APMs) to supplement the
assessment and reporting of the performance of the group.
These measures are those that are not defined by statutory
reporting frameworks, such as IFRS or Solvency II.
The APMs aim to assess performance
from the perspective of all stakeholders, providing additional
insight into the financial position and performance of the group
and should be considered in conjunction with the statutory
reporting measures such as IFRS and Solvency II.
The following table identifies the
key APMs used in this report, how each is defined and why we use
them.
APM
|
What is it?
|
Why do we use it?
|
Group cash generation
|
Cash generation is used by the
group as a measure of assessing how much dividend potential has
been generated, subject to ensuring other constraints are
managed.
Group cash generation is
calculated as the movement in the group's surplus own funds above
the group's internally required capital, as determined by applying
the group's capital management policy, which has Solvency II rules
at its heart.
|
Cash generation is a key measure,
because it is the net cash flows to Chesnara from its life and
pensions businesses which support Chesnara's dividend-paying
capacity and acquisition strategy. Cash generation can be a
strong indicator of how we are performing against our stated
objective of 'maximising value from existing business'.
|
Divisional cash generation
|
Cash generation is used by the
group as a measure of assessing how much dividend potential has
been generated, subject to ensuring other constraints are
managed.
Divisional cash generation
represents the movement in surplus own funds above local capital
management policies within the three operating divisions of
Chesnara. Divisional cash generation is used as a
measure of how much dividend potential a division has generated,
subject to ensuring other constraints are managed.
|
It is an important indicator of
the underlying operating performance of the business before the
impact of group level operations and consolidation
adjustments.
|
Commercial cash generation
|
Cash generation is used by the
group as a measure of assessing how much dividend potential has
been generated, subject to ensuring other constraints are
managed.
Commercial cash generation
excludes the impact of technical adjustments, modelling changes and
corporate acquisition activity; representing the underlying
commercial cash generated by the business.
|
Commercial cash generation aims to
provide stakeholders with enhanced insight into cash generation,
drawing out components of the result relating to technical
complexities or exceptional items. The result is deemed to better
reflect the underlying commercial performance, show key drivers
within that.
|
Economic Value (EcV)
|
EcV is a financial metric that is
derived from Solvency II Own Funds. It provides a market consistent
assessment of the value of existing insurance businesses, plus
adjusted net asset value of the non-insurance business within the
group.
We define EcV as being the Own
Funds adjusted for contract boundaries, risk margin and restricted
with-profit surpluses. As such, EcV and Own Funds have
many common characteristics and tend to be impacted by the same
factors.
|
EcV aims to reflect the
market-related value of in-force business and net assets of the
non-insurance business and hence is an important reference point by
which to assess Chesnara's value. A life and pensions group
may typically be characterised as trading at a discount or premium
to its Economic Value. Analysis of EcV provides additional
insight into the development of the business over time. The EcV
development of the Chesnara group over time can be a strong
indicator of how we have delivered to our strategic
objectives.
|
Economic Value (EcV) earnings
|
The principal underlying
components of the Economic Value earnings are:
- The expected return from
existing business (being the effect of the unwind of the rates used
to discount the value in-force);
- Value added by the writing of
new business;
- Variations in actual experience
from that assumed in the opening valuation;
- The impact of restating
assumptions underlying the determination of expected cash flows;
and
- The impact of
acquisitions.
|
By recognising the market-related
value of in-force business (in-force value), a different
perspective is provided in the performance of the group and on the
valuation of the business. Economic Value earnings are an
important KPI as they provide a longer-term measure of the value
generated during a period. The Economic Value earnings of the
group can be a strong indicator of how we have delivered against
all three of our core strategic objectives.
|
EcV operating earnings
|
This is the element of EcV
earnings (see above) that are generated from the company's ongoing
core business operations, excluding any profit earned from
investment market conditions in the period and any economic
assumption changes in the future.
|
EcV operating earnings are
important as they provide an indication of the underlying value
generated by the business. It can help identify profitable
activities and also inefficient processes and potential management
actions.
|
EcV economic earnings
|
This is the element of EcV
earnings (see above) that are derived from investment market
conditions in the period and any economic assumption changes in the
future.
|
EcV economic earnings are
important in order to measure the additional value generated from
investment market factors.
|
Commercial new business profit
|
A more commercially relevant
measure of new business profit than that recognised directly under
the Solvency II regime, allowing for a modest level of return, over
and above risk-free, and exclusion of the incremental risk margin
Solvency II assigns to new business.
|
This provides a fair commercial
reflection of the value added by new business operations and is
more comparable with how new business is reported by our peers,
improving market consistency.
|
Solvency
|
Solvency is a fundamental
financial measure which is of paramount importance to investors and
policyholders. It represents the relationship between the
value of the business as measured on a Solvency II basis and the
capital the business is required to hold - the Solvency Capital
Requirement (SCR). Solvency can be reported as an absolute
surplus value or as a ratio.
|
Solvency gives policyholders
comfort regarding the security of their provider. This is
also the case for investors together with giving them a sense of
the level of potential surplus available to invest in the business
or distribute as dividends, subject to other considerations and
approvals.
|
Funds under management (FuM)
|
FuM reflects the value of the
financial assets that the business manages, as reported in the IFRS
Consolidated Balance Sheet.
|
FuM are important as it provides
an indication of the scale of the business, and the potential
future returns that can be generated from the assets that are being
managed.
|
Acquisition value gain (incremental value)
|
Acquisition value gains reflect
the incremental Economic Value added by a transaction, exclusive of
any additional risk margin associated with absorbing the additional
business.
|
The EcV gain from acquisition will
be net of any associated increase in risk margin. The risk margin
is a temporary Solvency II dynamic which will run off over
time.
|
Leverage / gearing
|
A financial measure that
demonstrates the degree to which the company is funded by debt
financing versus equity capital, presented as a ratio. It is
defined as debt divided by debt plus equity, as measured under
IFRS.
|
It is an important measure as it
indicates the overall level of indebtedness of Chesnara, and it is
also a key component of the bank covenant arrangements held by
Chesnara.
|
IFRS capital base
|
This is the IFRS net equity for
the group plus the consolidated CSM net of reinsurance and
tax.
|
It is a better measure of the
value of the business than net equity as it takes into account the
store of deferred profits held in the balance sheet, as represented
by the CSM, including those as yet unrecognised profits from
writing new business and acquisitions.
|
Policies / policy count
|
Policy count is the number of
policies that the group manages on behalf of
customers.
|
This is important to show the
scale of the business, particularly to provide context to the rate
at which the closed book business is maturing. In our open
businesses, the policy count shows the net impact of new business
versus policy attrition.
|
|
|
| |
GLOSSARY
AGM
|
Annual General Meeting.
|
ALM
|
Asset Liability Management -
management of risks that arise due to mismatches between assets and
liabilities.
|
APE
|
Annual Premium Equivalent - an
industry wide measure that is used for measuring the annual
equivalent of regular and single premium policies.
|
CA
|
Countrywide Assured plc.
|
CALH
|
Countrywide Assured Life Holdings
Limited and its subsidiary companies.
|
CASLP
|
CASLP Ltd (formerly Sanlam Life
& Pensions UK)(.
|
BAU cash generation
|
This represents divisional cash
generation plus the impact of non-exceptional group
activity.
|
BLAGAB
|
Basic life assurance and general
annuity business
|
Cash generation
|
This represents the operational
cash that has been generated in the period. The cash
generating capacity of the group is largely a function of the
movement in the solvency position of the insurance subsidiaries
within the group and takes account of the buffers that management
has set to hold over and above the solvency requirements imposed by
our regulators. Cash generation is reported at a group level and
also at an underlying divisional level reflective of the collective
performance of each of the divisions prior to any group level
activity.
|
Commercial cash generation
|
Cash generation excluding the
impact of technical adjustments, modelling changes and exceptional
corporate activity; the inherent commercial cash generated by the
business.
|
Core surplus emergence
|
Absolute surplus movement of the
divisions including Chesnara entity but adjustments will be made
for the impact of items such as FX, T2/T3 restrictions, acquisition
impacts and shareholder dividends as deemed appropriate. Note:
Any adjustments will be subject to Board approval (and Remco
approval if they impact remuneration) and will be transparently
reported.
|
Divisional cash generation
|
This represents the cash generated
by the three operating divisions of Chesnara (UK, Sweden and the
Netherlands), exclusive of group level activity.
|
CSM
|
Contractual Service Margin (CSM)
represents the unearned profit that an entity expects to earn on
its insurance contracts as it provides services.
|
DNB
|
De Nederlandsche Bank is the
central bank of the Netherlands and is the regulator of our Dutch
subsidiaries.
|
DPF
|
Discretionary Participation Feature
- A contractual right under an insurance contract to receive, as a
supplement to guaranteed benefits, additional benefits whose amount
or timing is contractually at the discretion of the
issuer.
|
Dutch business
|
Scildon and the Waard Group,
consisting of Waard Leven N.V., Waard Schade N.V. and Waard
Verzekeringen B.V.
|
Economic profit
|
A measure of pre-tax profit earned
from investment market conditions in the period and any economic
assumption changes in the future (alternative performance measure -
APM).
|
EcV
|
Economic Value is a financial
metric that is derived from Solvency II Own Funds. It provides a
market consistent assessment of the value of existing insurance
businesses, plus adjusted net asset value of the non-insurance
business within the group.
|
FCA
|
Financial Conduct
Authority.
|
FI
|
Finansinspektionen, being the
Swedish Financial Supervisory Authority.
|
Form of proxy
|
The form of proxy relating to the
General Meeting being sent to shareholders with this
document.
|
FSMA
|
The Financial Services and Markets
Act 2000 of England and Wales, as amended.
|
GMM
|
General measurement model - the
default measurement model which applies to insurance contracts with
limited or no pass-through of investment risks to
policyholders.
|
Group
|
Chesnara plc and its existing
subsidiary undertakings.
|
Group cash generation
|
This represents the absolute cash
generation for the period at total group level, comprising
divisional cash generation as well as both exceptional and
non-exceptional group activity.
|
Group Own Funds
|
In accordance with the UK's
regulatory regime for insurers it is the sum of the individual
capital resources for each of the regulated related undertakings
less the book-value of investments by the group in those capital
resources.
|
Group SCR
|
In accordance with the UK's
regulatory regime for insurers it is the sum of individual capital
resource requirements for the insurer and each of its regulated
undertakings.
|
Group solvency
|
Group solvency is a measure of how
much the value of the company exceeds the level of capital it is
required to hold in accordance with Solvency II
regulations.
|
HCL
|
HCL Insurance BPO Services
Limited.
|
IFRS
|
International Financial Reporting
Standards.
|
IFA
|
Independent Financial
Advisor.
|
KPI
|
Key performance
indicator.
|
LACDT
|
Loss Absorbing Capacity of Deferred
Tax
|
Leverage (gearing)
|
A financial measure that
demonstrates the degree to which the company is funded by debt
financing versus equity capital, usually presented as a ratio,
defined as debt divided by debt plus equity, with the equity
denominator adding back the net of tax CSM liability, as measured
under IFRS
|
London Stock Exchange
|
London Stock Exchange
plc.
|
LTIP
|
Long-Term Incentive Plan - A reward
system designed to incentivise executive directors' long-term
performance.
|
Movestic
|
Movestic Livförsäkring
AB.
|
Modernac
|
Modernac SA, a previously
associated company 49% owned by Movestic.
|
New business
|
The present value of the expected
future cash inflows arising from business written in the reporting
period.
|
Official List
|
The Official List of the Financial
Conduct Authority.
|
Operating profit
|
A measure of the pre-tax profit
earned from a company's ongoing core business operations, excluding
any profit earned from investment market conditions in the period
and any economic assumption changes in the future (alternative
performance metric - APM).
|
Ordinary shares
|
Ordinary shares of 5 pence each in
the capital of the company.
|
ORSA
|
Own Risk and Solvency
Assessment.
|
Own Funds
|
Own Funds - in accordance with the
UK's regulatory regime for insurers it is the sum of the individual
capital resources for each of the regulated related undertakings
less the book-value of investments by the company in those capital
resources.
|
PAA
|
Premium allocation approach - a
simplified measurement model which can be applied to short term
contracts.
|
PRA
|
Prudential Regulation
Authority.
|
QRT
|
Quantitative Reporting
Template.
|
RA
|
Risk adjustment is the additional
reserve held for non-financial risks.
|
RCF
|
3 year Revolving Credit Facility of
£150m (currently unutilised) renewed in July 2024.
|
Resolution
|
The resolution set out in the
notice of General Meeting set out in the FY23 accounts.
|
RMF
|
Risk Management
Framework.
|
Robein Leven
|
Robein Leven N.V.
|
Scildon
|
Scildon N.V.
|
Shareholder(s)
|
Holder(s) of ordinary
shares.
|
Solvency II
|
A fundamental review of the capital
adequacy regime for the European insurance industry. Solvency II
aims to establish a set of EU-wide capital requirements and risk
management standards and has replaced the Solvency I
requirements.
|
Solvency (absolute) surplus
|
A measure of how much the value of
the company (Own Funds) exceeds the level of capital it is required
to hold
|
Standard Formula
|
The set of prescribed rules used to
calculate the regulatory SCR where an internal model is not being
used.
|
STIS
|
Short-Term Incentive Scheme - A
reward system designed to incentivise executive directors'
short-term performance.
|
SCR
|
In accordance with the UK's
regulatory regime for insurers it is the sum of individual capital
resource requirements for the insurer and each of its regulated
undertakings.
|
Swedish business
|
Movestic and its subsidiaries and
associated companies.
|
S&P
|
Save & Prosper Insurance
Limited and Save & Prosper Pensions Limited.
|
SS&C
|
SS&C Technologies
|
TCF
|
Treating Customers Fairly - a
central PRA principle that aims to ensure an efficient and
effective market and thereby help policyholders achieve fair
outcomes.
|
Tier 2
|
Term debt capital (Tier 2
Subordinated Notes) issued in February 2022 with a 10.5 year
maturity and 4.75% coupon rate.
|
Transfer ratio
|
The proportion of new policies
transferred into the business in relation to those transferred
out.
|
TSR
|
Total Shareholder Return, measured
with reference to both dividends and capital growth.
|
UK
or United Kingdom
|
The United Kingdom of Great Britain
and Northern Ireland.
|
UK
business
|
CA, S&P,CASLP and Canada
Life.
|
VA
|
The Volatility Adjustment is a
measure to ensure the appropriate treatment of insurance products
with long-term guarantees under Solvency II. It represents an
adjustment to the rate used to discount liabilities to mitigate the
effect of short-term volatility bond returns.
|
VFA
|
Variable fee approach - the
measurement model that is applied to insurance contracts with
significant investment-related pass-through elements.
|
Waard
|
The Waard Group.
|
NOTE ON TERMINOLOGY
As explained in the IFRS financial
statements, the principal reporting segments of the group
are:
|
UK
|
which comprises the original
business of Countrywide Assured plc, the group's original UK
operating subsidiary: City of Westminster Assurance Company Limited
(which was acquired by the group in 2005) the long-term business of
which was transferred to Countrywide Assured plc during 2006;
S&P which was acquired on 20 December 2010. This business
was transferred from Save & Prosper Insurance Limited and Save
& Prosper Pensions Limited to Countrywide Assured plc during
2011; Protection Life Company Limited which was acquired by the
group in 2013, the long-term business of which was transferred into
Countrywide Assured plc in 2014, as well as the portfolio of
policies acquired from Canada Life on 16 May 2023 and reinsured
into Countrywide Assured plc. The business of CASLP Ltd (formerly
Sanlam Life & Pensions (UK) Limited) which was acquired on
28 April 2022 was transferred to Countrywide Assured plc on 31
December 2023, using the Court approved scheme under Part VII of
the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000.
|
Movestic
|
which was purchased on 23 July
2009 and comprises the group's Swedish business, Movestic
Livförsäkring AB and its subsidiary and associated
companies;
|
The Waard Group
|
which was acquired on 19 May 2015
and comprises two insurance companies; Waard Leven N.V. and Waard
Schade N.V.; and a service company, Waard Verzekeringen; Robein
Leven NV acquired on 28 April 2022; and the insurance portfolio of
Conservatrix acquired on 1 January 2023
|
Scildon
|
which was acquired on 5 April
2017; and
|
Other group activities
|
which represents the functions
performed by the parent company, Chesnara plc. Also included
in this segment are consolidation adjustments.
|