Javier Ballester
Managing Director, Spain
Trevor Thomas
Managing Director, Gibraltar
Spain and Gibraltar Housing
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Adapting to challenging markets
Spain and Gibraltar strategy
- Deliver high quality homes in popular locations in Spain that appeal to both foreign and Spanish buyers
- Service the luxury apartment market, selling off plan well in advance of construction
| Spain and Gibraltar key performance indicators | 2007 |
|---|---|
| Operating margin* | 3.4% |
| Order book as a percentage of 2007 revenue | 129% |
| Average outlet numbers | 29 |
| Customer satisfaction Spain | 83% |
| Health and safety Spain (incident rate per 1,000 employees and subcontractors) |
0.67 |
| Health and safety Gibraltar (incident rate per 1,000 employees and subcontractors) |
0 |
| Sales rate (per outlet per week) | 0.1 |
Spain and Gibraltar opportunities
- Build on successful UK marketing operations
- Increase proportion of Spanish buyers
Spain and Gibraltar housing market
Market conditions in Gibraltar and Mallorca remained relatively stable during 2007, supported by strong demand and relatively limited supply.
Our markets in mainland Spain continued to suffer from oversupply of new properties and also experienced reduced demand from British purchasers.
Performance
In Spain and Gibraltar we completed a total of 212 homes in 2007 (2006: 379) at an average selling price of £279,000 (2006: £205,000).
Operating profit* of £2.2 million, was below the £26.8 million achieved in 2006 as a result of the weaker market conditions and a oneoff land sale in the Malaga area undertaken during 2006.
We achieved an operating margin* of 3.4% (2006: 29.1%).
The landbank has remained at similar levels to last year as we have become increasingly cautious in our approach to land purchases. Our year end order book stood at £83 million (2006: £100 million).
We have undertaken a review of the carrying value of our landbank in Spain, which has resulted in a land and work in progress write down of £6.3 million (2006: nil).
Going forward
Market conditions are expected to remain weak in mainland Spain during 2008.
* Profit on ordinary activities before finance costs, exceptional items and amortisation of brands.