20. Share capital

Group and Company

Authorised

2021

2021

2020

2020

Number

€m

Number

€m

Ordinary shares of par value €0.065 each

450,000,000

29.3

450,000,000

29.3

Redeemable shares of par value

€0.00001 each

4,500,000,000

-

4,500,000,000

-

29.3

29.3

Allotted, called up and fully paid

2021

2021

2020

2020

Number

€m

Number

€m

Ordinary shares

At beginning of the financial year

186,980,390

12.2

187,419,390

12.2

Share issue

379,177

131,000

-

Share buyback

(4,565,000)

(0.3)

(570,000)

-

At end of the financial year

182,794,567

11.9

186,980,390

12.2

There were no redeemable shares in issue at 31 December 2021 or 31 December 2020.

The Company has one class of share unit, an ICG Unit, which at 31 December 2021 comprised one ordinary share and nil redeemable shares. The share unit, nor any share therein, does not carry any right to fixed income.

The number of ICG Units issued during the year was 379,177 (2020: 131,000) and total consideration received amounted to €0.7 million (2020: €0.2 million). These ICG Units were issued under the Group’s and Company’s share option plans.

During the year, the Company bought back 4,565,000 (2020: 570,000) ICG Units on the market at prices of €4.25 (in respect of 3,565,000 ICG units) and €4.37 (in respect of the remaining 1,000,000 ICG units purchased) (2020: €3.10) per ICG Unit. Total consideration paid of €19.8 million (2020: €1.7 million) was charged against retained earnings. The nominal value of the shares cancelled of €297,000 (2020: €37,000) was retained in a undenominated capital redemption reserve. The buybacks were conducted in line with the Group’s capital management policy at prices which the Directors considered were in the best interests of the remaining shareholders.

Holders of ordinary shares are entitled to such dividends that may be declared from time to time on such shares and are entitled to attend, speak and vote at the Annual General Meeting of the Company. On return of capital on a winding up, the holder of ordinary shares is entitled to participate in a distribution of surplus assets of the Company.

Redeemable shares do not entitle holders to any dividend nor any right to participate in the profit or assets of the Company other than to the repayment of a sum equal to the nominal value of 0.001 cent per share on a winding up of the Company. Redeemable shares do not entitle the holder to attend, speak or vote at the Annual General Meeting.