4. Investments

4.1 Acquisitions and business combinations

Accounting policies

Business combinations

Acquisitions of businesses are accounted for using the acquisition method. The consideration transferred in a business combination is measured at fair value, which is calculated as the sum of the acquisition-date fair values of the assets transferred by the Group, liabilities incurred by the Group to the former owners of the acquiree and the equity interests issued by the Group in exchange for control of the acquiree. Acquisition-related costs are generally recognised in profit or loss as incurred. At the acquisition date, the identifiable assets acquired and the liabilities assumed are recognised at their fair value, except that:

• Deferred tax assets or liabilities, and assets or liabilities related to employee benefit arrangements are recognised and measured in accordance with IAS 12 Income Taxes and IAS 19 respectively;

• Liabilities or equity instruments related to share-based payment arrangements of the acquiree or share-based payment arrangements of the Group entered into to replace share based payment arrangements of the acquiree are measured in accordance with IFRS 2 at the acquisition date; and

• Assets (or disposal groups) that are classified as held for sale in accordance with IFRS 5 Non-current Assets Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations are measured in accordance with that Standard.

Goodwill is measured as the excess of the sum of the consideration transferred, the amount of any non-controlling interests in the acquiree, and the fair value of the acquirer’s previously held equity interest in the acquiree (if any) over the net of the acquisition-date amounts of the identifiable assets acquired and the liabilities assumed. If, after reassessment, the net of the acquisition-date amounts of the identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed exceeds the sum of the consideration transferred, the amount of any non-controlling interests in the acquiree and the fair value of the acquirer’s previously held interest in the acquiree (if any), the excess is recognised immediately in profit or loss as a bargain purchase gain.

Non-controlling interests that represent ownership interests and entitle their holders to a proportionate share of the entity’s net assets in the event of liquidation may be initially measured either at fair value or at the non-controlling interest’ proportionate share of the recognised amounts of the acquiree’s identifiable net assets. The choice of measurement basis is made on a transaction-by-transaction basis. Other types of non-controlling interests are measured at fair value or, when applicable, on the basis specified in another IFRS. When the consideration transferred by the Group in a business combination includes assets or liabilities resulting from a contingent consideration arrangement, the contingent consideration is measured at its acquisition-date fair value and included as part of the consideration transferred in a business combination. Changes in the fair value of the contingent consideration that qualify as measurement period adjustments are adjusted retrospectively, with corresponding adjustments against goodwill. Measurement period adjustments are adjustments that arise from additional information obtained during the ‘measurement period’ (which cannot exceed one year from the acquisition date) about facts and circumstances that existed at the acquisition date. The subsequent accounting for changes in the fair value of the contingent consideration that do not qualify as measurement period adjustments depends on how the contingent consideration is classified. Contingent consideration that is classified as equity is not remeasured at subsequent reporting dates and its subsequent settlement is accounted for within equity. Other contingent consideration is remeasured to fair value at subsequent reporting dates with changes in fair value recognised in profit or loss.

When a business combination is achieved in stages, the Group’s previously held equity interest in the acquiree is remeasured to its acquisition-date fair value and the resulting gain or loss, if any, is recognised in profit or loss. Amounts arising from interests in the acquiree prior to the acquisition date that have previously been recognised in other comprehensive income are reclassified to profit or loss where such treatment would be appropriate if that interest were disposed of. If the initial accounting for a business combination is incomplete by the end of the reporting period in which the combination occurs, the Group reports provisional amounts for the items for which the accounting is incomplete. Those provisional amounts are adjusted during the measurement period (see above), or additional assets or liabilities are recognised, to reflect new information obtained about facts and circumstances that existed at the acquisition date that, if known, would have affected the amounts recognised at that date.

4.2 Intangible assets

Accounting policies

Goodwill

Goodwill arising on an acquisition of a business is carried at cost as established at the date of acquisition of the business less accumulated impairment losses, if any.

Intangible assets acquired separately

Intangible assets with finite useful lives that are acquired separately are carried at cost less accumulated amortisation and accumulated impairment losses. Intangible assets with indefinite useful lives that are acquired separately are carried at cost less accumulated impairment losses.

Intangible assets acquired in a business combination

Intangible assets acquired in a business combination and recognised separately from goodwill are initially recognised at their fair value at the acquisition date (which is regarded as their cost). Subsequent to initial recognition, intangible assets acquired in a business combination are reported at cost less accumulated amortisation and accumulated impairment losses, on the same basis as intangible assets that are acquired separately.

Derecognition of intangible assets

An intangible asset is derecognised on disposal, or when no future economic benefits are expected from use or disposal. Gains or losses arising from derecognition of an intangible asset, measured as the difference between the net disposal proceeds and the carrying amount of the asset, are recognised in profit or loss when the asset is derecognised.

Movement in intangible fixed assets

See note 4.7 impairments for the cash-generating-unit breakdown.

4.3 Property, plant and equipment

Accounting policies

Property, plant and equipment is valued at acquisition cost or production cost, less accumulated depreciation and, where applicable, impairment losses.

Fixed assets under construction are valued at production cost. Production cost comprises licensing costs, direct labour costs, expenditure on services from third parties and the attributable share of other operating costs. The present value of estimated future dismantling cost related to the contractual obligation to restore leased office buildings is recorded as part of the Right-of-Use assets and depreciated in a straight line over the term of the lease, with recognition of the liability as a provision.

Movements in property, plant and equipment

The Group has beneficial ownership of the leasehold improvements, fixtures and fittings but not legal ownership, Other fixed assets mainly relate to hardware.

4.4 Right-of-use assets and lease liabilities

Accounting policies

Leasing

The Group as lessee

The Group assesses whether a contract is or contains a lease, at inception of the contract. The Group recognises a right-of-use asset and a corresponding lease liability with respect to all lease arrangements in which it is the lessee, except for short-term leases (defined as leases with a lease term of 12 months or less) and leases of low value assets. For these leases, the Group recognises the lease payments as an operating expense on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease unless another systematic basis is more representative of the time pattern in which economic benefits from the leased assets are consumed. The lease liability is initially measured at the present value of the lease payments that are not paid at the commencement date, discounted by using the rate implicit in the lease. If this rate cannot be readily determined, the Group uses its incremental borrowing rate. Lease payments included in the measurement of the lease liability comprise:

• Fixed lease payments (including in-substance fixed payments), less any lease incentives receivable;

• Variable lease payments that depend on an index or rate, initially measured using the index or rate at the commencement date;

• The amount expected to be payable by the lessee under residual value guarantees;

• The exercise price of purchase options, if the lessee is reasonably certain to exercise the options; and

• Payments of penalties for terminating the lease, if the lease term reflects the exercise of an option to terminate the lease.

The lease liability is presented as a separate line in the consolidated statement of financial position. The lease liability is subsequently measured by increasing the carrying amount to reflect interest on the lease liability (using the effective interest method) and by reducing the carrying amount to reflect the lease payments made.

The Group remeasures the lease liability (and makes a corresponding adjustment to the related right-of-use asset) whenever:

• The lease term has changed or there is a significant event or change in circumstances resulting in a change in the assessment of exercise of a purchase option, in which case the lease liability is remeasured by discounting the revised lease payments using a revised discount rate.

• The lease payments change due to changes in an index or rate or a change in expected payment under a guaranteed residual value, in which cases the lease liability is remeasured by discounting the revised lease payments using an unchanged discount rate (unless the lease payments change is due to a change in a floating interest rate, in which case a revised discount rate is used).

• A lease contract is modified and the lease modification is not accounted for as a separate lease, in which case the lease liability is remeasured based on the lease term of the modified lease by discounting the revised lease payments using a revised discount rate at the effective date of the modification.

The right-of-use assets comprise the initial measurement of the corresponding lease liability, lease payments made at or before the commencement day, less any lease incentives received and any initial direct costs. They are subsequently measured at cost less accumulated depreciation and impairment losses. Whenever the Group incurs an obligation for costs to dismantle and remove a leased asset, restore the site on which it is located or restore the underlying asset to the condition required by the terms and conditions of the lease, a provision is recognised and measured under IAS 37. To the extent that the costs relate to a right-of-use asset, the costs are included in the related right-of-use asset.

Right-of-use assets are depreciated over the shorter period of lease term and useful life of the underlying asset. If a lease transfers ownership of the underlying asset or the cost of the right-of-use asset reflects that the Group expects to exercise a purchase option, the related right-of-use asset is depreciated over the useful life of the underlying asset. The depreciation starts at the commencement date of the lease. The right-of-use assets are presented as a separate line in the consolidated statement of financial position. The Group applies IAS 36 to determine whether a right-of-use asset is impaired and accounts for any identified impairment loss. Variable rents that do not depend on an index or rate are not included in the measurement the lease liability and the right-of-use asset. The related payments are recognised as an expense in the period in which the event or condition that triggers those payments occurs and are included in the profit or loss (see note 8).

As a practical expedient, IFRS 16 permits a lessee not to separate non-lease components, and instead account for any lease and associated non-lease components as a single arrangement. The Group has not used this practical expedient . For contracts that contain a lease component and one or more additional lease or non-lease components, the Group allocates the consideration in the contract to each lease component on the basis of the relative stand-alone price of the lease component and the aggregate stand-alone price of the non-lease components.

The Group as lessor

When the Group is an intermediate lessor, it accounts for the head lease and the sub-lease as two separate contracts. The sublease is classified as a finance or operating lease by reference to the right-of-use asset arising from the head lease. Rental income from operating leases is recognised on a straight-line basis over the term of the relevant lease. Initial direct costs incurred in negotiating and arranging an operating lease are added to the carrying amount of the leased asset and recognised on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Amounts due from lessees under finance leases are recognised as receivables at the amount of the Group’s net investment in the leases. Finance lease income is allocated to accounting periods so as to reflect a constant periodic rate of return on the Group’s net investment outstanding in respect of the leases. When a contract includes both lease and non-lease components, the Group applies IFRS 15 to allocate the consideration under the contract to each component.

Movement in right-of-use assets and lease liabilities

The weighted average incremental borrowing rate (IBR) applied to the lease liabilities was 3.43% (2023/2024: 3.35%).

Maturity profile

The remaining weighted average lease term was 11.6 years (2023/2024: 12.2 years). The undiscounted value of lease commitments amounts to €289 million (2023/2024: €313 million). The maturity is as shown below.

For the off balance commitment for separate non-lease components please see note 8.3.

Lease-related amounts recognised income and expenses

4.5 Investments

Accounting policies

Investments

An associate is an entity over which the Group has significant influence. Significant influence is the power to participate in the financial and operating policy decisions of the investee but is not control or joint control over those policies. An investment in an associate is accounted for using the equity method from the date on which the investee becomes an associate or a joint venture.

Other long-term investments are financial assets not held to sell in the short term and measured at fair value through OCI.

Movement of the investments

In relation to the non-voting redeemable shares in Deloitte NSE Investments Limited (“DNSEI”), an entity within the NSE group, the Group made additional contributions. The additional amount subscribed was €321. For the purposes of these financial statements, this amount has been accounted for as a deemed distribution to Deloitte NSE LLP. The fair value of the current year's capital contribution relating to this equity instrument is €0. The fair value of the previous capital contributions associated with this equity instrument has increased by €81 this year and is recognised as a movement in other comprehensive income.

The composition of the participating assets is as follows:

Africa Talent by Deloitte (pty) ltd (50%) is a joint venture with Deloitte South Africa. The entity was established January 12, 2022. An amount of €12 was recognised as result 2024/2025.

All minority interests are valued at fair value through other comprehensive income. In respect of the equity investment made in Deloitte NSE Investments Limited, a discounted cash flow valuation methodology was used to derive the fair value. This was based on an expected return of capital from the underlying project that NSE has invested in at an estimated future point in time. Consequently, this fair value measurement is a Level 3 within the fair value hierarchy as set out in IFRS 13.

4.6 Amortisation of intangible assets and depreciation of property, plant and equipment

Accounting policies

Amortisation of intangible assets

For intangible assets acquired separately and acquired in a business combination amortisation is recognised on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives. The estimated useful life and amortisation method are reviewed at the end of each reporting period, with the effect of any changes in estimate being accounted for on a prospective basis.

Depreciation

Depreciation is based on the estimated useful life of the asset and calculated using the straight-line method based on the cost, taking account of any residual value. The assets starts to depreciate from the date the assets are ready for their intended use.

4.7 Impairment tests and impairments

Accounting policies

Goodwill

For the purposes of impairment testing, goodwill is allocated to each of the Group’s cash-generating units (or groups of cash generating units) that is expected to benefit from the synergies of the combination.

A cash-generating unit to which goodwill has been allocated is tested for impairment annually, or more frequently when there is an indication that the unit may be impaired. If the recoverable amount of the cash-generating unit is less than its carrying amount, the impairment loss is allocated first to reduce the carrying amount of any goodwill allocated to the unit and then to the other assets of the unit pro rata based on the carrying amount of each asset in the unit. Any impairment loss for goodwill is recognised directly in profit or loss. An impairment loss recognised for goodwill is not reversed in subsequent periods. On disposal of the relevant cash-generating unit, the attributable amount of goodwill is included in the determination of the profit or loss on disposal.

Impairment of tangible and intangible assets other than goodwill

At the end of each reporting period, the Group reviews the carrying amounts of its tangible and intangible assets to determine whether there is any indication that those assets have suffered an impairment loss. If any such indication exists, the recoverable amount of the asset is estimated in order to determine the extent of the impairment loss (if any). When it is not possible to estimate the recoverable amount of an individual asset, the Group estimates the recoverable amount of the cash generating unit to which the asset belongs. When a reasonable and consistent basis of allocation can be identified, corporate assets are also allocated to individual cash-generating units, or otherwise they are allocated to the smallest group of cash generating units for which a reasonable and consistent allocation basis can be identified.

Intangible assets with indefinite useful lives and intangible assets not yet available for use are tested for impairment at least annually, and whenever there is an indication that the asset may be impaired. Recoverable amount is the higher of fair value less costs of disposal and value in use. In assessing value in use, the estimated future cash flows are discounted to their present value using a pre-tax discount rate that reflects current market assessments of the time value of money and the risks specific to the asset for which the estimates of future cash flows have not been adjusted. If the recoverable amount of an asset (or cash-generating unit) is estimated to be less than its carrying amount, the carrying amount of the asset (or cash-generating unit) is reduced to its recoverable amount. An impairment loss is recognised immediately in profit or loss, unless the relevant asset is carried at a revalued amount, in which case the impairment loss is treated as a revaluation decrease.

When an impairment loss subsequently reverses, the carrying amount of the asset (or a cash-generating unit) is increased to the revised estimate of its recoverable amount, but so that the increased carrying amount does not exceed the carrying amount that would have been determined had no impairment loss been recognised for the asset (or cash-generating unit) in prior years. A reversal of an impairment loss is recognised immediately in profit or loss, unless the relevant asset is carried at a revalued amount, in which case the reversal of the impairment loss is treated as a revaluation increase.

Key accounting estimates and judgements

The recoverable amounts of these cash-generating units are determined based on value in use calculations which use the most recent historical cash flows and weighed average cost of capital of the Group as a basis. The cash generating units are relatively large compared to the allocated goodwill. The indefinite growth rate applied is -10.0% (2023/2024 -10.0%). We estimated the recoverable amounts by applying a discount rate of 20% (2023/2024 20%). As a result of analysis, the Executive Board recognised impairments of € 5,631 as of May 31, 2025 (May 31, 2024 €0). We have also performed a sensitivity analysis. The Executive Board assessed that no reasonable possible change in any of the above basis assumptions would cause the carrying values of the units to exceed their recoverable amounts.

Goodwill

Goodwill has been allocated for impairment testing purposes to the following cash-generating units:

€5.6 million of impairments of goodwill were recognised in 2024/2025 (2023/2024: €0).

Other intangible assets

Other intangible assets have been allocated for impairment testing purposes to the following cash generating units:

An impairment of other intangible assets was recognised in 2024/2025 of €60 (2023/2024: €0).