Group ChiefExecutive’s reviewReview ofoperationsOur business development activityof recent times began to show in theimproved results of <strong>2012</strong>. We areincreasingly well placed, thanks to ourcore strengths in both the commercialand prime residential sectors, to expandour business by meeting the developingneeds of our worldwide client base.Jeremy HelsbyGroup Chief Executive14<strong>Savills</strong> <strong>plc</strong> <strong>Report</strong> and Accounts <strong>2012</strong>
Our strategy1. Commitment to clients2. Business diversification3. Geographical diversification4. Maintain financial strength5. Strength in both prime residential andcommercial propertyOperating highlights– Revival in prime commercial property; UK commercialtransactions profits up 52% reflecting increasedmarket share in Prime Central London transactions– Total underlying profit margin increasedto 7.5% (2011: 7.0%)– Record level of reported profits from our PropertyManagement segment– Asia report record level of profit of £32.6m– Continued geographic expansion of ourResidential operationThe strength of our key commercial and residential marketpositions drove an improved performance for <strong>Savills</strong> in <strong>2012</strong>.As anticipated, we experienced a quieter first half followed byprogressive improvement thereafter, with Group revenuegrowing to a record £806.4m (2011: £721.5m), 12% aheadof the previous year.Our business in the Asia Pacific region had a record year and thetwo main UK businesses, in their last year as separate entitiesbefore the merger into <strong>Savills</strong> UK, also posted strong resultswith a particularly significant improvement in the CommercialTransaction Advisory business. The US business saw a slightdecline, but we anticipate a stronger performance in 2013.Cordea <strong>Savills</strong> underlying business continued to grow, butprofitability was affected by expansion costs. In ContinentalEurope we substantially reduced losses in markets whichremained challenging during the year. This was due toimprovements in a number of countries as the Groupbenefited from previous restructuring activities. Overall, thestrength of the Group enabled us to increase our underlying profitbefore tax (‘underlying profit’) by 21% to £60.8m (2011: £50.4m).On a statutory basis, profit before tax increased 36% to £54.2m(2011: £40.0m).<strong>Savills</strong> geographic and business diversity were key toachieving the year’s result. Our performance analysed byregion was as follows:Revenue £m Underlying Profit/(Loss) £m<strong>2012</strong> 2011 % growth <strong>2012</strong> 2011 % growthUK 399.1 352.3 13 45.9 41.5 11Asia Pacific 331.0 297.4 11 32.6 27.7 18Continental Europe 70.2 65.5 7 (7.0) (9.6) 27USA 6.1 6.3 (3) (2.1) (1.4) (50)Unallocated Cost n/a n/a n/a (8.6) (7.8) (10)Total 806.4 721.5 12 60.8 50.4 21Our Asia Pacific business represented 41% of Group revenue(2011: 41%) and our overseas businesses as a whole continuedto represent 51% of Group revenue (2011: 51%), despite a yearof strong revenue growth in the UK. Our Commercial TransactionAdvisory businesses in both Asia and the UK grew strongly on theback of increased international inflows of investment capital. OurResidential Transaction Advisory business represented 14% ofGroup revenue for the year (2011: 16%).Overall our Prime Commercial and Residential Transactionbusiness revenues together represented 38% of Group revenue(2011: 38%). Our Property and Facilities Management businessescontinued to perform well, growing overall revenue by 8% torepresent just above 37% of revenue (2011: 39%). Consultancyincreased slightly to 21% of revenues (2011: 20%).On the following pages we provide an overview of the Group’sprogress over the last five years using the KPIs we havedeveloped.Operational developmentDuring the year we have focused on integrating the various smallacquisitions and the teams and individuals we had recruitedaround the world over the course of the market downturn. Thebenefit of this was seen in substantial improvements in revenueand profitability in key transaction markets such as CentralLondon. Our Consulting and Property Management teams alsobenefited from past acquisitions and we undertook significantstructural reorganisations in both the UK and Hong Kongbusinesses, which are designed to enhance client service andcreate improved operating platforms for future growth. In the UKwe commenced the merger of our two main businesses, whichhad hitherto operated separately, to form <strong>Savills</strong> (UK) Limited.This took significant preparation during <strong>2012</strong> and the merger tookeffect on 1 January 2013. As part of the merger, we also plan toamalgamate the two West End head offices and move into onenew head office at 33 Margaret Street. The building, currently atfit out stage, will be occupied from mid May 2013 and will not onlybe a physical manifestation of <strong>Savills</strong> UK, but will create significantopportunities to improve our client service across the Company.PeopleI am delighted that <strong>Savills</strong> business was awarded propertyagency of the year awards in the UK, Hong Kong, Singaporeand Vietnam. Also in the UK, <strong>Savills</strong> was named the PropertyIndustry Superbrand of the Year and we won the Times GraduateRecruitment Award for Property for the sixth consecutive year.These awards are a testament to the strength of our people andI thank them for their commitment, loyalty and hard work.Our business Our governance Our results<strong>Savills</strong> <strong>plc</strong> <strong>Report</strong> and Accounts <strong>2012</strong> 15
Change language