Strategic ReportCorporate GovernanceAccountsCapital risk managementThe Group defines “capital” as being net debt plus equity including lease liabilities.The Group’s objective when managing capital is to maintain an appropriate capital structure to balance the needs of the Group, whilst operating within its bank covenants.The Group manages its capital structure and makes adjustments to it in light of changes in economic conditions. To maintain or adjust the capital structure, the Group hasa number of options available to it, including modifying dividend payments to shareholders, returning capital to shareholders or issuing new shares. In this way, the Groupbalances returns to shareholders between long-term growth and current returns whilst maintaining capital discipline in relation to investing activities and taking any necessaryaction on costs to respond to the current environment.The Group monitors existing equity in issuance on the basis of the net debt/EBITDA ratio. Net debt is calculated as being the net of cash and cash equivalents, interest-bearingloans and borrowings. The net debt/EBITDA ratio enables the Group to plan its capital requirements in the medium term. The Group uses this measure to provide usefulinformation to financial institutions and investors. The Group believes that the current net debt/EBITDA ratio together with existing shares in issuance provides a secure capitalstructure with a strong level of financial flexibility to enable the Group to take advantage of opportunities that may arise.For the year ended 29 January 2023, there was a net cash surplus of £52.6m (year ended 30 January 2022: net cash surplus of £64.3m) with cash and cash equivalentbalances of £13.6m, short-term investments of £40.0m and bank borrowings of £1.0m (year ended 30 January 2022: cash and cash equivalents balance of £68.7m and bankborrowings of £0.3m).The Group monitors capital efficiency on the basis of the return on capital employed ratio (ROCE). In the financial year ended 29 January 2023, ROCE remained strongat 18.0% (2022: 19.9%).27. Retirement benefit obligationsDuring the year the Company operated two pension schemes, the A.G. BARR p.l.c. (2005) Defined Contribution Scheme (the “2005 Scheme”) and the A.G. BARR p.l.c. (2008)Pension and Life Assurance Scheme (the “2008 Scheme”). The 2008 Scheme comprises a funded defined benefit section based on final salary and a defined contributionsection. The defined benefit section was closed to future accrual from 1 May 2016. The defined contribution section of the 2008 Scheme and the 2005 Scheme were closedto new entrants and new contributions from 30 June 2021 and all defined contribution assets were transferred to the A.G. Barr Retirement Plan, an outsourced master trustpension arrangement, in September 2021. The 2005 Scheme was terminated on 31 May 2022. Under the defined benefit section of the 2008 Scheme, employees are entitledto retirement benefits based on final pensionable pay. No other post-retirement benefits are provided.Defined benefit scheme: Actuarial valuationThe assets of the defined benefit section of the 2008 Scheme are held separately from those of the Company and are invested in managed funds. A full valuation of thedefined benefit section of the 2008 Scheme was conducted as at 5 April 2020 using the attained age method and a deficit of £7.7m was determined at that date.The defined benefit section of the 2008 Scheme exposes the Group to actuarial risks such as longevity risk, interest rate risk and market investment risk.Responsibility for governance of the plans, including investment decisions and contribution schedules, lies jointly with the Company and the board of pension trustees.The board of trustees is composed of representatives from the Company scheme members and an independent trustee in accordance with the 2008 Scheme’s rules.187
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