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Other reserves - Summary of Other Reserves (Detail) - GBP (£) £ in Millions | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2019 | Dec. 31, 2018 | Dec. 31, 2017
Disclosure of reserves within equity [line items] |  |  |  |
Beginning balance |  | £ 393.5 |  |
Exchange adjustments recycled to the income statement on disposal of discontinued operations |  | (284.0) |  |
Share cancellations |  | (47.7) |  |
Exchange adjustments on foreign currency net investments |  | (379.4) | £ 78.9 | £ (465.2)
Gain (loss) on revaluation of available for sale investments |  |  |  | 32.1
Recognition and remeasurement of financial instruments |  | 15.6 | (20.4) | (21.8)
Share purchases – close period commitments | [1] | (252.3) |  |
Ending balance |  | (501.2) | 393.5 |
Capital redemption reserve [member] |  |  |  |
Disclosure of reserves within equity [line items] |  |  |  |
Beginning balance |  | 2.7 | 2.7 | 2.7
Share cancellations |  | 0.5 |  |
Ending balance |  | 3.2 | 2.7 | 2.7
Equity reserve [member] |  |  |  |
Disclosure of reserves within equity [line items] |  |  |  |
Beginning balance |  | (287.9) | (257.2) | (247.1)
Recognition and remeasurement of financial instruments |  | 2.5 | (30.7) | (10.1)
Share purchases – close period commitments |  | (252.3) |  |
Ending balance |  | (537.7) | (287.9) | (257.2)
Revaluation reserve [member] |  |  |  |
Disclosure of reserves within equity [line items] |  |  |  |
Beginning balance |  |  | 303.4 | 271.3
Gain (loss) on revaluation of available for sale investments |  |  |  | 32.1
Accounting policy change (IFRS 9) | [2] |  | (303.4) |
Ending balance |  |  |  | 303.4
Translation reserve [member] |  |  |  |
Disclosure of reserves within equity [line items] |  |  |  |
Beginning balance |  | 678.7 | 712.8 | 1,158.3
Exchange adjustments recycled to the income statement on disposal of discontinued operations |  | (284.0) |  |
Exchange adjustments on foreign currency net investments |  | (361.4) | 69.9 | (445.5)
Accounting policy change (IFRS 9) | [2] |  | (104.0) |
Ending balance |  | 33.3 | 678.7 | 712.8
Other reserves [member] |  |  |  |
Disclosure of reserves within equity [line items] |  |  |  |
Beginning balance |  | 393.5 | 761.7 | 1,185.2
Exchange adjustments recycled to the income statement on disposal of discontinued operations | [3] | (284.0) |  |
Share cancellations | [3] | 0.5 |  |
Exchange adjustments on foreign currency net investments | [3] | (361.4) | 69.9 | (445.5)
Gain (loss) on revaluation of available for sale investments | [3] |  |  | 32.1
Accounting policy change (IFRS 9) | [3] |  | (407.4) |
Recognition and remeasurement of financial instruments | [3] | 2.5 | (30.7) | (10.1)
Share purchases – close period commitments | [1],[3] | (252.3) |  |
Ending balance |  | £ (501.2) | £ 393.5 | £ 761.7
[1] | During 2019, the Company entered into an arrangement with a third party to conduct share buybacks on its behalf in the close period commencing on 2 January 2020 and ending on 27 February 2020, in accordance with UK listing rules. The commitment resulting from this agreement constitutes a liability at 31 December 2019, which is included in Trade and other payables: amounts falling due within one year and has been recognised as a movement in equity.
[2] | Due to the adoption of IFRS 9, cumulative gains and losses on revaluation of available for sale investments have been transferred to retained earnings.
[3] | Other reserves are analysed in note 29.

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