Shareholder returns information

Shareholder returns guidance

We are committed to striking the right balance between investing in the business to drive future growth and returning capital to shareholders, whilst maintaining a strong balance sheet.

For 2024, 2025 and 2026 we expect to return 50% of the Underlying cash result to shareholders. This will comprise 18.00 pence per share in annual dividends declared with the balance returned through share buy-backs. Shareholder returns declared for 2024 were in line with this guidance.

The Board intends to reassess its approach to shareholder returns for 2027 and beyond at the appropriate time.

Payment of dividends

Many shareholders elect to receive dividends directly into their bank accounts via BACS (Bankers’ Automated Clearing Services) transfer as it provides a more secure and quicker means of receiving their dividends. If you would no longer like to receive your dividends via cheque and would like to take up the option to receive your dividends via BACS, please contact Computershare using the details at the bottom of this page.

The dividend payment timetable is outlined in the financial calendar.

Dividend reinvestment plan

If you would prefer to receive new shares instead of cash dividends, shareholders will need to complete a Dividend Reinvestment Plan (DRIP) form. For further details of the scheme, please contact Computershare using the details at the bottom of this page.

Dividend history

The history of dividends for each financial year since 2015 is as follows:

	2015 pence per share	2016 pence per share	2017 pence per share	2018 pence per share	2019 pence per share	2020 pence per share	2021 pence per share	2022 pence per share	2023 pence per share	2024 pence per share
Interim	10.72	12.33	15.41	18.49	18.49	-^A	11.55	15.59	15.83	6.00
Second interim	-	-	-	-	20.00^B	-	-	-	-	-
Withheld 2019 dividend	-	-	-	-	11.22^B	-	-	-	-	-
Final	17.24	20.67	27.45	29.73	-	38.49	40.41	37.19	8.00	12.00^
Total	27.96	33.00	42.86	48.22	49.71^B	38.49	51.96	52.78	23.83	18.00^

^A The Board decided not to pay an interim dividend and make only a recommendation for a final dividend for 2020 when it was better able to assess the impact that COVID-19 had on the business.

^B In April 2020 the Board made the decision to withhold 11.22 pence of the 2019 final dividend, until such time when the financial and economic impact of COVID-19 became clearer. The withheld amount of 11.22 pence per share was reinstated as a further 2019 interim dividend and was paid on 24 March 2021 to shareholders on the register on 5 March 2021.

^ Subject to approval at the AGM on 13 May 2025.

View a history of dividend payments since 2006

You can check the value of dividends you have received by using our dividend calculator.

Dividend calculator

Announcement	Commencement date	Completion date	Buy-back amount	Shares purchased	Average purchase price (pence)
Half Year 2024	27 August 2024	13 September 2024	32.9	4,590,083	716.7626

Computershare Investor Services plc

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Bridgwater Road
Bristol
BS99 6ZZ
Tel: 0370 702 0197
email: [email protected]
Website: www.investorcentre.co.uk

Investor relations enquiries

Director – Investor Relations

Hugh Taylor

Email: [email protected]

Shareholder returns information