The group has exposure to the following risks from its use of financial instruments: credit risk; liquidity risk; foreign currency risk; interest rate risk and equity price risk.

This note presents information about the group’s exposure to each of the aforementioned risks, the group’s objectives, policies and processes for measuring and managing risk, and the group’s management of capital. IFRS 7 requires certain disclosures by class of instrument which the group has determined as its segments.

The group’s major financial risks are mitigated in the way that it operates firstly through diversification of geography and secondly through decentralisation of the business model. Bidcorp is an international group with operations in United Kingdom, Europe, Asia, Australia, New Zealand, South America, Middle East and various southern African countries.

Bidcorp’s philosophy has always been to empower management through a decentralised structure thereby making operational management responsible and accountable for the performance of their operations, including managing the financial risks of the operation. The operational management report to the CEO who in turn reports to the Bidcorp board of directors. Operational management’s remuneration is based on their operation’s performance resulting in a decentralised and entrepreneurial environment.

Due to the diverse structure and decentralised management of the group, the group audit and risk committee has implemented guidelines of acceptable practices and basic procedures to be followed by divisional and operational management. The information provided below for each financial risk has been collated for disclosure based on the manner in which the business is managed and what is believed to be useful information for stakeholders.

The overall process of risk management in the Bidcorp Group, which includes the related system of control, is the responsibility of the Bidcorp board of directors. The Bidcorp Group audit and risk committee is governed by a charter and reports regularly to the board of directors on its activities.

The Bidcorp Group audit and risk committee’s (GARC) primary risk responsibilities include:

• review of the group’s risk policies and approach to risk management;
• to consider all material risks to which the group is exposed, ensuring that the requisite risk management culture, policies and systems are progressively implemented and functioning effectively;
• management is accountable to the board for implementing and monitoring the processes of risk management and integrating this into day-to-day activities; they confirm these processes through the completion of the quarterly Bidcorp management representation letter submitted to the Bidcorp GARC;
• performance of ongoing monitoring of the enterprise-wide risk assessment process to ensure risks and opportunities are adequately identified, evaluated and managed at the appropriate level in each business, and that the individual and joint impact of risks identified on the group is considered;
• to review legal matters that could have a material impact on the group, as well as considering the adequacy and effectiveness of the group’s procedures to ensure compliance with legal and regulatory responsibilities; and
• consideration of reports provided by management, internal assurance providers and the independent auditors regarding compliance with legal and regulatory requirements.

Due to the breadth of the geographical spread of the Bidcorp operations, Bidcorp has adopted a globally relevant risk management strategy. This strategy has been communicated to, and implementation thereof delegated to, the respective local management teams. Bidcorp believes using a common group framework for the management of risk creates a shared foundation from which a view of the global risk universe is developed, but embraces the locally relevant risks faced by each business. The Bidcorp Group risk management policies are established to identify and analyse the risks faced by the group, to set appropriate guidance and parameters within which risks are to be reported to the Bidcorp GARC. Bidcorp continues to grow and develop a robust and constructive control environment in which all employees understand their roles and responsibilities.

Each business reports to one of five divisional audit and risk committees (DARC), which subscribe to the same philosophies and practices as the Bidcorp GARC. The DARCs report quarterly to the Bidcorp GARC. The DARCs oversee how operational management monitors compliance with the Bidcorp Group policies and guidelines in respect of the financial reporting process, the system of internal control, the management of financial risks, the audit process (both internal and external) and code of ethics. The DARCs are assisted in their oversight role by Bidcorp internal audit. Internal audit undertakes both regular and ad hoc reviews of financial and operational risk management controls and procedures, the results of which are reported quarterly to the respective DARC and consolidated for quarterly reporting to the Bidcorp GARC.

Credit risk is the risk of financial loss to the group if a customer or counterparty to a financial instrument fails to meet its contractual obligations, and arises principally from the group’s receivables from customers, investments, guarantees and cash and cash equivalents.

Bidcorp has implemented a delegation of authority matrix which provides guidelines to the divisions as to the level of authorisation required for various types of transactions.

The carrying amount of financial assets recorded in the financial statements, which is net of impairment losses, represents the group’s maximum exposure to credit risk after taking into account the value of any collateral obtained.

The carrying values, net of impairment allowances, amount to R13 391 million (2017: R12 631 million) for trade receivables (refer note 7.4 for credit risk disclosure), R149 million (2017: R114 million) for investments (refer note 9.2) and cash and cash equivalents of R5 965 million (2017: R6 348 million).

The impairment allowance account in respect of trade receivables is used to record impairment losses unless the group is satisfied that no recovery of the amount owing is possible; at that point, the amount which is considered irrecoverable is written off directly against the respective assets.

Impairments of investments classified as fair value through other comprehensive income or fair value through profit and loss are written off against the investment directly and an impairment allowance account is not utilised.

The group has a general credit policy of only dealing with creditworthy counterparties and obtaining sufficient collateral, where appropriate, as a means of mitigating the risk of financial loss from defaults. In accordance with the decentralised structure, the operational management are responsible for implementation of policies to meet the above objective. This includes credit policies under which new customers are analysed for creditworthiness before the operation’s standard payment and delivery terms and conditions are offered, determining whether collateral is required, and if so the type of collateral to be obtained, and setting of credit limits for individual customers based on their references and credit ratings. Many operations in the group have a policy of taking out credit insurance to cover a portion of their risk. Operational management are also held responsible for monitoring the operations’ credit exposure. For cash and cash equivalents reputable financial institutions are utilised for investment and cash management services.

Liquidity risk is the risk that the group will not be able to meet its financial obligations as they fall due. The group’s approach to managing liquidity is to ensure, as far as possible, that it will always have sufficient liquidity to meet its liabilities when due, under both normal and stressed conditions, without incurring unacceptable losses or risking damage to the group’s reputation.

The group manages its borrowings centrally for each of the segment. The divisions within each segment are therefore not responsible for the management of liquidity risk but rather senior management for each of these segments are responsible for implementing procedures to manage the regional liquidity risk.

The expected maturity of financial liabilities is not expected to differ from the contractual maturities as disclosed above. There were no defaults or breaches of any of the borrowing terms or conditions.

Market risk is the risk that changes in market price, such as foreign exchange rates, interest rates and equity prices will affect the group’s income or the value of its holdings of financial instruments. The objective of market risk management is to manage and control market risk exposures within acceptable parameters, while optimising the return on risk.

Foreign currency risk

Currency risk is the possibility that the group may suffer financial loss as a consequence of the depreciation in the measurement currency relative to the foreign currency prior to payment of a commitment in that foreign currency or the measurement currency strengthening prior to receiving payment in that foreign currency. The group also has translation risk arising from the consolidation of foreign operations into South African rand.

Borrowings are matched to the same foreign currency as the division raising the loan thereby limiting the division’s exposure to changes in a foreign currency which differs to its functional currency. Interest on borrowings is denominated in currencies that match the cash flows generated by the underlying operations of the group thereby providing an economic hedge for each class of borrowing.

The group incurs currency risk as a result of purchases and sales which are denominated in a currency other than that entity’s functional reporting currency. It is group policy that group entities hedge all trade receivables and trade payables denominated in a foreign currency which differs to its functional currency. At any point in time the entities also take out economic hedges over their estimated foreign currency exposure resulting from sales and purchases. The group entities hedge their foreign currency risk exposure either by taking out forward exchange contracts (FECs) or alternatively by purchasing in advance the foreign currency which will be required to settle the trade payables. Most of the forward exchange contracts have maturities of less than one year after the reporting date. Where necessary, the forward exchange contracts are rolled over at maturity. It is the group’s policy not to trade in derivative financial instruments for speculative purposes.

Changes in the fair value of forward exchange contracts that economically hedge monetary assets and liabilities in foreign currencies (in relation to the operations’ functional currency) and for which no hedge accounting is applied are recognised in the statement of profit or loss. Both the changes in fair value of the forward exchange contracts and the foreign exchange gains and losses relating to the monetary items are recognised in operating profit (refer note 4.2).

The periods in which the cash flows associated with the forward exchange contracts are expected to occur are detailed below under the heading “Settlement”. The periods in which the cash flows are expected to impact profit or loss are believed to be in the same timeframe as when the actual cash flows occur.

Interest rate risk

The group is exposed to interest rate risk as it borrows funds at both fixed and floating interest rates. This risk is managed by maintaining an appropriate mix between fixed and floating borrowings and by the use of interest rate swap contracts. Investments in equity securities accounted for as held for trading financial assets and trade receivables and payables are not exposed to interest rate risk.

The group’s exposure to interest rates on financial assets and liabilities are detailed in the various notes within the financial statements.

The variable rates are influenced by movements in the prime borrowing rates.

Sensitivity analysis

Group borrowings have been categorised by geographical location and the percentage change used for each category has been selected based on what could reasonably be expected as a change in interest rates within that region based on historical movements in interest rates within that particular region.

This sensitivity analysis has been prepared using the average borrowings for the financial year as the actual borrowings at June 30 are not representative of the borrowings during the year. This analysis assumes that all other variables, in particular foreign currency rates, remain constant. The analyses are performed on the same basis as 2017. A decrease in interest rates would have an equal and opposite effect on profit after taxation as detailed below.

Equity price risk

Equity price risk arises from investments classified at fair value through profit or loss or investments classified at fair value through other comprehensive income (refer note 9.2). Unlisted investments comprise unlisted shares and loans are valued at fair value using a price earnings (PE) model. A sensitivity analysis for investments at fair value was not performed as the fair value balance is insignificant.

The carrying amounts of all financial assets and liabilities approximate their fair values, with the exception of borrowings which have been accounted for at amortised cost. The fair value of borrowings, together with the carrying amounts shown in the statement of financial position, classified by class (being geographical location), are as follows:

The methods used to estimate the fair values of financial instruments are discussed in note 3. The interest rates used to discount cash flows, in order to determine fair values, are based on market-related rates at June 30 2018 plus an adequate credit spread, and range from 0,0% to 24,8% (2017: 0,0% to 19,8%)

Fair value hierarchy

When measuring the fair value of an asset or a liability, the group uses market observable data as far as possible. Fair values are categorised into different levels in a fair value hierarchy based on the inputs used in the valuation techniques categorised as follows.

The following table shows the carrying amounts and fair values of financial assets and financial liabilities, including their levels in the fair value hierarchy for financial instruments measured at fair value. It does not include fair value information for financial assets and financial liabilities not measured at fair value if the carrying amount is a reasonable approximation of fair value.

Valuation techniques and significant unobservable inputs

The following table shows the valuation techniques used in measuring the puttable non-controlling interests and vendors for acquisition fair values at June 30.

Finance charges comprise interest payable on borrowings calculated using the effective interest method. The interest expense component of finance lease payments is recognised in the statement of profit or loss using the effective interest method.

Borrowing costs directly attributable to the acquisition, construction or production of assets that take a substantial period of time to prepare for their intended use or sale, are added to the cost of those assets, until such time as the assets are substantially complete.

Capitalisation is suspended during extended periods in which active development is interrupted. All other borrowing costs are expensed in the period in which they are incurred.

The expected maturity dates are not expected to differ from the contractual maturity dates.

The group had the following put options with non-controlling shareholders:

Distrubuzione Alimentari Convivenze SPA (DAC)

The non-controlling shareholders have the option to put their 40% interest in DAC to the group, using a market valuation formula on or about December 31 2018. The discount rate used for the DAC put option was 1,99% (2017: 1,99%).

Quartiglia Food Service S.p.A. (Quartiglia)

The non-controlling shareholders have the option to put their 40% interest in Quartiglia to the group, using a market valuation formula on or about July 1 2020.

Guzmán Gastronomía and Cuttings (Guzman)

The non-controlling shareholders have the option to put their 10% interest in Guzman to the group, using a market valuation formula on or about June 30 2021. The discount rate used for the Guzman put option was 2,0% (2017: 2,0%)

Acquisitions during the year resulted in the following put options being granted to the following non-controlling shareholders:

D&D S.p.A. (D&D)

The non-controlling shareholders have the option to put their 30% interest in D&D to the group, using a market valuation formula on or about July 1 2020. The discount rate used for the D&D put option was 0,5%.

Frustock Foodservice, S.A. (Frustock)

The non-controlling shareholders have the option to put their 20% interest in Frustock to the group, using a market valuation formula on or about June 30 2020. The discount rate used for the Frustock put option was 1,65%.

Cárnicas Sáenz, S.L. (Saenz)

The non-controlling shareholders have the option to put their 25% interest in Saenz to the group, using a market valuation formula on or about June 30 2022. The discount rate used for the Saenz put option was 1,65%.

Pier 7 Holding GMBH (Pier7)

The non-controlling shareholders have the option to put their 30% interest in Pier7 to the group, using a market valuation formula on or about June 30 2021. The discount rate used for the Pier7 put option was 2,0%.

Bidfood Malaysia Sdn. Bhd. (Aeroshield)

The non-controlling shareholders have the option to put their 15% interest in Aeroshield to the group, using a market valuation formula on or about June 30 2022. The discount rate used for the Aeroshield put option was 5,7%.

Famous Fresh (Pty) Limited (Bidfresh SA)

The non-controlling shareholders have the option to put their 30% interest in Bidfresh SA to the group, using a market valuation formula on or about June 30 2021. The discount rate used for the Bidfresh SA put option was 9,0%.

Put options held by non-controlling interests in the group’s subsidiaries entitle the non-controlling interest to sell its interest in the subsidiary to the group at predetermined values and on contracted dates. In such cases, the group consolidates the non-controlling interest’s share of the equity in the subsidiary and recognises the fair value of the non-controlling interest’s put option, being the present value of the estimated future purchase price, as a financial liability in the statement of financial position. In raising this liability, the non-controlling interest is derecognised and any excess or shortfall is charged or realised directly in retained earnings in the statement of changes in equity.

The unwinding of the present value discount on these liabilities is recorded within finance charges in the statement of profit or loss using the effective interest method. The financial liability is fair valued at the end of each financial year and any changes in the value of the liability as a result of changes in assumptions used to estimate the future purchase price are recorded directly in retained earnings in the statement of changes in equity.