The directors present the strategic report for the year ended 31 March 2025.
A full review of the business is provided below.
Within the group, the necessary framework has been established to ensure sufficient review of the risks and the opportunity to review regularly the adequacy and effectiveness of our mitigating controls and strategies.
Risk management supports the company's vision to build a lasting reputation and our core values by:
building and protecting the Company’s reputation by championing a responsible approach to business;
achieving brand and business resilience supported by effective risk management;
developing the culture and capability across the Company to manage changing risks and opportunities; and
ensuring the safety and well-bring of employees and others who could be affected by our business activities.
The risk management strategy enables and supports the company to identify and manage its own risks. This is accomplished by embedding risk management and translating risk management into operational ownership, defining clear responsibilities and measuring risk management performance. The main risks arising from the company's activities are credit risk, foreign currency risk and liquidity risk.
Credit risk
Credit risk is the risk of financial loss to the company if a counterparty to a financial instrument fails to meet its contractual obligations and arises principally from the company’s intercompany receivables. As the company’s debtors are almost entirely intercompany, the company believes that its financial assets are of good credit quality.
Foreign currency risk
The company’s principal currency exposures are to fluctuations in the exchange rate between Sterling and the Euro and between Sterling and the US Dollar. The company generally holds equivalent financial assets and liabilities in these key currencies, thus mitigating its exposure.
Liquidity risk
Liquidity risk is the risk that the company will not be able to meet its financial obligations as they fall due. The company’s principal financial liabilities are to fellow subsidiaries of STERIS plc. The company has received confirmation of continued support from STERIS Limited.
Impairment risk
The main risk to the company is impairment risk of investments.
The company’s key financial performance indicators during the period were as follows:
| 2025 | 2024 |
| £000 | £000 |
Turnover | 865 | 815 |
Operating (loss)/profit | (16) | (134) |
Net profit | 16,876 | 72,017 |
The company is the holding company of the Synergy Health group of companies. It incurs administrative costs managing the group and net financing costs, against these it receives dividend income and management fees from its subsidiaries.
During the year the company received £18,685,000 dividend from subsidiary companies (2024: £76,918,000). The dividends received each year are part of a group-wide cash repatriation project. The amounts included each year will vary depending on the performance and cash requirements of the group as a whole. In the previous year, the dividends received were used to pay off intercompany loans, leading to reduced interest costs.
Section 172 states a director of a company must act in the way he considers, in good faith, would be most likely to promote the success of the company for the benefit of its members as a whole, and in doing so have regard (amongst other matters) to:
(a) the likely consequences of any decision in the long term,
(b) the interests of the company's employees,
(c) the need to foster the company's business relationships with suppliers, customers and others,
(d) the impact of the company's operations on the community and the environment,
(e) the desirability of the company maintaining a reputation for high standards of business conduct, and
(f) the need to act fairly between members of the company.
Synergy Health Limited is a 100% owned subsidiary within the STERIS plc group, and as with many international groups the directors delegate the day to day management of the company to local teams. The directors of the company are U.S. based and are members of the STERIS plc management team. The company’s local management is structured to align the company’s objectives with that of the group, and to ensure the company follows group policies. Further details on these can be found in STERIS plc’s financial statements, which are available online or from 70 Sir John Rogerson’s Quay, Dublin 2, D02 R296, Ireland.
The directors of the company, and the board as a whole, receive routine reporting from their delegated management team and have regular updates to ensure the company continues to meet the directors’ expectations. Details of the KPIs monitored by the directors and the results for the year are detailed above.
The company is a management fee company within the STERIS group, that does not trade. As such the company identifies its stakeholders as its shareholder, employees and regulators. The directors acknowledge that the views of, and effects on, these people in regard to key business objectives and decisions are of critical importance to the continued success of the company. Each of these stakeholders will have different expectations of the company and these are as follows:
Shareholder – the shareholder expects the company to continue to provide a return on its capital and to continue to provide growth for future returns via its subsidiaries.
Employees – the company’s employees want the company to provide a stable employment, for the company to engage and develop their skills and expertise and to provide fair remuneration.
Regulators – The key regulator for the company is HMRC. HMRC expects the company to meet all compliance requirements and submit returns and payments as required, accurately and on time.
Other interaction with key stakeholders
The group holds employee forums and work councils and aims to communicate with employees about all areas of the business wherever possible.
Key business decisions
The company paid dividends of £13,132,000 during the year to 31 March 2025. The impact on the stakeholders was considered and viewed to be minimal.
The directors feel that the above actions continue to promote the success of the company as a whole.
We help our customers create a healthier and safer world by providing innovative healthcare and life science products and services around the globe. Inspired by our Customers’ efforts to create a healthier and safer world, and guided by our legacy of leadership and innovation, we strive to be a great Company. This means we will make a difference by providing world-class products and services for our Customers, safe and rewarding work for our People, and superior returns for our Shareholders. Sustainability is built into the fabric of our organization in our efforts to fulfill our Mission.
Synergy Health Limited is a wholly-owned subsidiary within the STERIS plc group of companies. STERIS plc is a public limited company formed under the laws of Ireland (Company Number: 595593). STERIS plc is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol “STE” and is a registrant with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. STERIS plc indirectly owns many subsidiaries, including Synergy Health Limited. As a result, Synergy Health Limited leverages STERIS plc’s existing frameworks, policies and processes with respect to corporate governance and risk management, including with respect to climate-related issues and compliance with local laws and governmental regulations.
The Corporate Responsibility function is led by the Vice President of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG). With support from the Chief Executive Officer, General Counsel and other senior executives, the Corporate Responsibility function works to actively develop and refine ESG strategies, programs, and policies with the Global Sustainability Steering Committee.
The Global Sustainability Steering Committee is a cross-functional team of senior leadership, subcommittee chairs, and subject matter experts from the commercial business teams and Legal, Investor Relations, Human Resources, Continuous Improvement, Compliance, Facilities, and Health, Safety & Environment functions.
Oversight of the enterprise risk management process, which is the integrated, process-oriented approach to managing key business risks and policies, practices, and programs, including those related to ESG matters, is the responsibility of the Board of Directors of STERIS plc and led by our Chief Compliance Officer. The Nominating and Governance Committee of the Board of Directors of STERIS plc has the responsibility of assisting the Board of Directors of STERIS plc in its oversight of ESG matters. The Vice President of ESG provides reports to the Nominating and Governance Committee concerning ESG efforts, including evaluating carbon emissions, reporting ESG metrics, and preparing for regulatory requirements, including climate related disclosures.
STERIS plc may be adversely affected by global climate change or by existing and future legal, regulatory or market responses to such change. The long-term effects of climate change are difficult to assess and predict. The impacts may include physical risks (such as rising sea levels or frequency and severity of extreme weather conditions), social and human effects (such as population dislocations or harm to health and well-being), compliance costs and transition risks (such as regulatory or technology changes) and other adverse effects. The effects could impair, for example, the availability and cost of certain products, commodities and energy (including utilities), which in turn may impact our ability to procure goods or services required for the operation of our business at the quantities and levels we require. We may bear losses as a result of, for example, physical damage to or destruction of our facilities (such as distribution or fulfillment centers), loss or spoilage of inventory, and business interruption due to weather events that may be attributable to climate change, which could materially and adversely affect our business operations, financial position or results of operation. There has also been an increased focus from regulators and stakeholders on greenhouse gas emissions and climate-related risks. Both the standard setting and regulatory landscapes are extremely complex and present significant compliance challenges. Many different organizations are promulgating reporting standards and rules that focus on addressing greenhouse gas emissions and climate-related topics.
STERIS plc is in the process of conducting a CSRD-aligned double materiality assessment. The CSRD requires companies to consider both the impacts of our business on people and the environment (impact materiality), and on how sustainability matters, including climate change related matters, affect our business (financial materiality). This assessment is the first step towards CSRD compliance and will be used to determine which topical standards in the ESRS we will need to report on.
STERIS plc has an Enterprise Risk Management process ("ERM") to manage risk, which is led by our Chief Compliance Officer. Identifying and managing key risks to our business operations are essential to our future growth, profitability, and successful execution of strategic plans.
Key management sponsors are responsible for participating in the risk assessment process, including a periodic review with the Board of Directors. The objective of ERM is to identify key risks, the potential impacts of compliance failure, identify key mitigating activities, develop potential improvements for managing the risks, and to ensure execution of oversight activities on a monthly, annual or as needed basis.
STERIS plc’s ERM process identifies risks on an annual basis which includes climate risks as applicable to specific areas of the business.
We completed TCFD aligned climate scenario analysis in fiscal 2025. We are evaluating how this information will inform global reporting requirements.
STERIS plc has not established sustainability or carbon reduction targets. Companywide, we address climate risks and opportunities by improving the efficiency of our global operations. Additionally, STERIS plc purchases renewable energy and has facilities with solar panel installations.
To demonstrate awareness of climate change impacts, STERIS plc tracks greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and we publicly report our direct (Scope 1), indirect (Scope 2) energy use and emissions. We recognize that a significant portion of our carbon impact is as a result of our value chain, outside of electricity and energy consumption at our global sites. We also track and publicly report aggregate Scope 3 (upstream and downstream) emissions. Certain STERIS entities within the United Kingdom perform Streamlined Energy & Carbon Reporting (SECR), which includes entity level emission reporting and other climate related improvements undertaken during the year. Subsidiaries that are critical suppliers to the UK NHS have established carbon reduction plans to achieve Net Zero emissions by 2050 (as aligned with the UK net zero target adopted pursuant to the United Kingdom Climate Change Act 2008, as amended).
On behalf of the board
The directors present their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2025.
The results for the year are set out on page 10.
Ordinary dividends were paid amounting to £13,132,000 (2024: £72,017,000). The directors do not recommend payment of a further dividend.
The directors who held office during the year and up to the date of signature of the financial statements were as follows:
In accordance with the company's articles, a resolution proposing that Ernst & Young LLP be reappointed as auditor of the company will be put at a General Meeting.
The Company’s business activities, together with a review of the business and the impact of the principal risks and uncertainties have been described in the strategic report. For the year to 31 March 2025 the company made a profit amounting to £16,876,000 and had net assets of £395,105,000. Although the company is expected to be profitable, the company has also received confirmation from its intermediate parent undertaking, STERIS Limited, of its intention to provide support, where needed, for a period of 12 months from the date of approval of the accounts. The directors have assessed the ability of STERIS Limited to provide support, and therefore have a reasonable expectation that the company has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Accordingly, the directors continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements.
Company law requires the directors to prepare financial statements for each financial year. Under that law the directors have elected to prepare the company's financial statements in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice (United Kingdom Accounting Standards and applicable law), including Financial Reporting Standard FRS 102, The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland ("FRS 102"). Under company law, the directors must not approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the company and of the profit or loss of the company for that period.
In preparing these financial statements, the directors are required to:
select suitable accounting policies in accordance with Section 10 of FRS 102 and then apply them consistently;
make judgements and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
present information, including accounting policies, in a manner that provides relevant, reliable, comparable and understandable information;
provide additional disclosures when compliance with the specific requirements in FRS 102 is insufficient to enable users to understand the impact of particular transactions, other events and conditions on the group and company financial position and financial performance;
in respect of the company financial statements, state whether applicable UK Accounting Standards, including FRS102, have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and
prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the company will continue in business.
The directors are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the company’s transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the company and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
Under applicable law and regulations, the directors are responsible for preparing a strategic report and directors' report that comply with that law and those regulations. The directors are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the corporate and financial information included on the company's website.
We have audited the financial statements of Synergy Health Limited (the 'company') for the year ended 31 March 2025 which comprise the statement of comprehensive income, the statement of financial position, the statement of changes in equity and the related notes 1 to 22, including significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including Financial Reporting Standard 102 The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
Basis for opinion
Conclusions relating to going concern
In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that the Directors' use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate.
Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the company's ability to continue as a going concern for a period of twelve months from when the financial statements are approved for issue.
Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the directors with respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections of this report. However, because not all future events or conditions can be predicted, this statement is not a guarantee as to the company's ability to continue as a going concern.
Other information
Opinions on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006
In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of our audit:
the information given in the strategic report and the Directors' report for the financial year for which the financial statements are prepared is consistent with the financial statements; and
the strategic report and the Directors' report have been prepared in accordance with applicable legal requirements.
Irregularities, including fraud, are instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. We design procedures in line with our responsibilities, outlined above, to detect irregularities, including fraud. The risk of not detecting a material misstatement due to fraud is higher than the risk of not detecting one resulting from error, as fraud may involve deliberate concealment by, for example, forgery or intentional misrepresentations, or through collusion. The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud is detailed below. However, the primary responsibility for the prevention and detection of fraud rests with both those charged with governance of the entity and management.
We obtained an understanding of the legal and regulatory frameworks that are applicable to the company and determined that the most significant are those that relate to the reporting framework (FRS 102 and the Companies Act 2006) and tax regulation in the United Kingdom.
We understood how the Company is complying with those frameworks by making enquiries of senior management and the finance team to understand how the company maintains and communicates its policies and procedures in these areas and corroborated this by reviewing minutes of board meetings and the financial statements.
We assessed the susceptibility of the company’s financial statements to material misstatement, including how fraud might occur by meeting with management to understand where they considered there was susceptibility to fraud. We considered the processes and controls that the company had established to address identified risks, or that otherwise prevent or detect fraud; and how management monitors those processes and controls. Due to the nature of the Company and its limited level of transaction activities, we have not identified any risk of material misstatement due to fraud.
Based on this understanding we designed our audit procedures to identify noncompliance with such laws and regulations. Our procedures involved understanding management’s internal controls over compliance with laws and regulations, enquiries of management, vouching transactions to source documentation and verifying that they are recorded in compliance with FRS 102 and in conformity with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006.
A further description of our responsibilities is available on the Financial Reporting Council’s website at: https://www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our auditor's report.
Use of our report
This report is made solely to the company's member in accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the company's member those matters we are required to state to the member in an auditor's report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the company and the company's member, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.
The statement of comprehensive income has been prepared on the basis that all operations are continuing operations.
There is no other comprehensive income (2024: £Nil).
Synergy Health Limited is a private company limited by shares incorporated in England and Wales. The registered office is 2200 Renaissance, Basing View, Basingstoke, Hampshire, RG21 4EQ.
The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the company. Monetary amounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest £000.
This company is a qualifying entity for the purposes of FRS 102, being a member of a group where the parent of that group prepares publicly available consolidated financial statements, including this company, which are intended to give a true and fair view of the assets, liabilities, financial position and profit or loss of the group. The company has therefore taken advantage of exemptions from the following disclosure requirements:
Section 7 ‘Statement of Cash Flows’: Presentation of a statement of cash flow and related notes and disclosures;
Section 11 ‘Basic Financial Instruments’ and Section 12 ‘Other Financial Instrument Issues’: Carrying amounts, interest income/expense and net gains/losses for each category of financial instrument; basis of determining fair values; details of collateral, loan defaults or breaches, details of hedges, hedging fair value changes recognised in profit or loss and in other comprehensive income;
Section 26 ‘Share based Payment’: Share-based payment expense charged to profit or loss, reconciliation of opening and closing number and weighted average exercise price of share options, how the fair value of options granted was measured, measurement and carrying amount of liabilities for cash-settled share-based payments, explanation of modifications to arrangements;
Section 33 ‘Related Party Disclosures’: Compensation for key management personnel.
The financial statements of the company are consolidated in the financial statements of STERIS plc. These consolidated financial statements are available from its registered office, 70 Sir John Rogerson's Quay, Dublin 2, D02 R296, Ireland.
Basic financial assets, which include debtors and cash and bank balances, are initially measured at transaction price including transaction costs and are subsequently carried at amortised cost using the effective interest method unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the transaction is measured at the present value of the future receipts discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial assets classified as receivable within one year are not amortised.
Other financial assets, including investments in equity instruments which are not subsidiaries, associates or joint ventures, are initially measured at fair value, which is normally the transaction price. Such assets are subsequently carried at fair value and the changes in fair value are recognised in profit or loss, except that investments in equity instruments that are not publicly traded and whose fair values cannot be measured reliably are measured at cost less impairment.
Financial assets are derecognised only when the contractual rights to the cash flows from the asset expire or are settled, or when the company transfers the financial asset and substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership to another entity, or if some significant risks and rewards of ownership are retained but control of the asset has transferred to another party that is able to sell the asset in its entirety to an unrelated third party.
Basic financial liabilities, including creditors, bank loans, loans from fellow group companies and preference shares that are classified as debt, are initially recognised at transaction price unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the debt instrument is measured at the present value of the future payments discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial liabilities classified as payable within one year are not amortised.
Debt instruments are subsequently carried at amortised cost, using the effective interest rate method.
Trade creditors are obligations to pay for goods or services that have been acquired in the ordinary course of business from suppliers. Amounts payable are classified as current liabilities if payment is due within one year or less. If not, they are presented as non-current liabilities. Trade creditors are recognised initially at transaction price and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.
Derivatives, including interest rate swaps and forward foreign exchange contracts, are not basic financial instruments. Derivatives are initially recognised at fair value on the date a derivative contract is entered into and are subsequently re-measured at their fair value. Changes in the fair value of derivatives are recognised in profit or loss in finance costs or finance income as appropriate, unless hedge accounting is applied and the hedge is a cash flow hedge.
Debt instruments that do not meet the conditions in FRS 102 paragraph 11.9 are subsequently measured at fair value through profit or loss. Debt instruments may be designated as being measured at fair value through profit or loss to eliminate or reduce an accounting mismatch or if the instruments are measured and their performance evaluated on a fair value basis in accordance with a documented risk management or investment strategy.
Financial liabilities are derecognised when the company’s contractual obligations expire or are discharged or cancelled.
Equity instruments issued by the company are recorded at the proceeds received, net of transaction costs. Dividends payable on equity instruments are recognised as liabilities once they are no longer at the discretion of the company.
In the application of the company’s accounting policies, the directors are required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions about the carrying amount of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors that are considered to be relevant. Actual results may differ from these estimates.
The estimates and assumptions which have a significant risk of causing a material adjustment to the carrying amount of assets and liabilities are as follows.
Where there are indicators of impairment of non financial assets, the company performs impairment tests based on fair value less costs to sell or a value in use calculation. The fair value less costs to sell calculation is based on available market data less incremental costs for disposing of the asset. The value in use calculation is based on best estimates, group adjusted discount rates and UK growth rates. Impairment losses are recognised if the carrying amount of an asset exceeds its recoverable amount.
The average monthly number of persons (including directors) employed by the company during the year was:
Their aggregate remuneration comprised:
Directors' remuneration for all of the directors have been borne by another group company. The directors are also directors or officers of a number of the companies within the STERIS plc group. The directors' services to the company do not occupy a significant amount of their time. As such the directors do not consider that they have received any remuneration for their inconsequential services to the company for the current or preceding year.
The actual credit for the year can be reconciled to the expected charge for the year based on the profit or loss and the standard rate of tax as follows:
In December 2021, the OECD released an Inclusive Framework on Base Erosion and Profit Shifting including Pillar Two Model Rules, which aim to reform corporate taxation rules, including a global minimum tax rate. These rules are applicable for multinational enterprise groups with global revenue over €750m. The legislation implementing the rules in the UK was substantively enacted on 20 June 2023 and first has effect for the company for the year ended 31 March 2025. The company has applied the exemption under FRS102 in relation to accounting for deferred tax assets and liabilities arising from the implementation of the Pillar Two model rules.
The STERIS plc Group's assessment of the potential exposure to Pillar Two income taxes is based on the most recent tax filings, country-by-country reporting and financial statements for the constituent entities in the Group. Based on the assessment carried out so far and to the extent information is known and reasonably estimable, the Group considers that there are no countries where there is a potential impact, which would be captured in this Company. A current tax expense has therefore not been recorded in respect of Pillar Two income taxes in this Company.
Details of the company's subsidiaries at 31 March 2025 are as follows:
*Sterile Supplies is controlled by the group.
Amount owed by group undertakings due in less than one year includes £4,102,000 relating to a cash pooling structure. The amounts can be utilised on demand. The interest rate is variable, based on the group's external borrowing rates plus a margin, and is due on demand. The amounts can be utilised on demand. The interest rate is updated on a monthly basis to reflect movements resulting from changes in external borrowing rates.
All other amounts are trading balances and are repayable on demand. No interest is charged on these balances.
Included within the amounts owed to group undertakings is a loan owed to STERIS Irish FinCo. The loan is for an amount of £34,569,000 matures on 19 July 2027, and can be terminated by either party with 30 days notice. The interest rate on the loan is variable and based on the group's external borrowing rates plus a margin. The interest rate on the loan is updated on a monthly basis to reflect movements resulting from changes in external borrowing rates.
All other amounts are trading balances repayable on demand.
Included within the amounts owed to group undertakings in the prior year is a loan owed to STERIS Irish FinCo, details of which are provided in the note above.
The following are the major deferred tax liabilities and assets recognised by the company and movements thereon:
The company operates a defined contribution pension scheme for all qualifying employees. The assets of the scheme are held separately from those of the company in an independently administered fund.
Contributions totaling £10,000 (2024: £11,000) were payable to the fund at the balance sheet date and are included in accruals.
The other reserve represents the cost of share based payments granted to employees and regarded as equity settled.
Retained earnings represents the cumulative earnings of the business, net of distributions to owners.
Advantage has been taken of the exemption conferred by section 33 Related Party Disclosures not to disclose transactions with subsidiary undertakings 100% of whose voting rights are controlled within the group.