32816-Lucy-Group-AR-2025 web ready spreads_FINAL
Report of the Directors
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Investment property The Group’s investment property is included in the Statement of Financial Position at fair value, after taking independent professional advice. Changes in fair value during the year are included in the Income Statement. Events since the balance sheet date No significant events have occurred since the year end. Business reviews and future developments Business reviews and future developments impacting the Group are disclosed in the Strategic Reports. Employees, policies and engagement Details of the average number of employees are set out in the financial statements. We promote an inclusive workplace and, as such, our employment policies are designed to respect employees’ human rights, ensure equal opportunity, and promote diversity, including for disabled persons. Performance Indicators section of this report. We value the commitment of our employees and continue to communicate with them about the development of the business. Business relationships Details of how the Directors continue to build business relationships with suppliers, customers and others are in the section on Relations with Stakeholders. Health and safety We are committed to health and safety best practice as an integral part of our business activities. Good health and safety management safeguards our employees and those who may be affected by our activities. It also supports the Group in achieving its business objectives. Corporate governance The Corporate Governance Report is on pages 84 to 89 and is incorporated by reference into this Directors’ Report. The Board sets the tone for the way in which the Group operates and is committed to running the business responsibly. The Board considers current performance, strategy and acquisitions, risk management and internal controls continually. Executive management disseminates the values and standards of the Board throughout the Group. Details of the Group’s goal and performance on employee engagement are set out in the Key
Research and development The Group’s policy is to invest in innovation and development at a level that ensures it retains and enhances its market position. Slavery and human trafficking statement The Group has published an updated slavery and human trafficking statement for the year ended 31 March 2025 pursuant to section 54 of the Modern Slavery Act 2015. The statement sets out the steps that the Group has taken to address the risk of slavery and human trafficking occurring within its own operations and supply chains. This statement can be found on the corporate website at www.lucygroup.com GHG emissions and energy consumption Information on greenhouse gas emissions and energy consumption is set out in the Key Performance Indicators on pages 26 to 27. For compliance purposes, we are required to disclose the greenhouse gas emissions of Lucy Electric UK Ltd (LEUK), a large UK subsidiary. The emissions were 1,917 tCO 2 e in 2025 and include scope 1 (Direct), Scope 2 (Energy Indirect) and Scope 3 (Other Indirect) figures and those associated with Lucy Electric EMS employees based at the LEUK Thame facility. Electricity usage was down by 6.1% since 2024 to 586,300 kwh, equating to 6.8 kwh/£k sales, a 10% increase on 2024 due to a drop in turnover. Gas usage equated to 234,867kwh and transport fuels to 886,076kwh. Emissions intensity in 2025 decreased by 11.8% on tCO 2 e/£m turnover since 2024. The company is committed to health and safety best practice as an integral part of its business activities. Good health and safety management safeguards our employees and those who may by affected by our activities and supports the Group in achieving its business objectives. The Total Recordable Incident Rate (TRIR) decreased to 3.9 from 5.15 in 2024. The data is based on working hours. Financial instruments Information on the Group’s use of financial instruments, including financial risk management, the objectives and policies of the Group, and the exposure of the Group to certain financial risks, is in the Group Accounting policies on pages 105 to 112 and Note 27 on pages 130 to 134.
Donations Total charitable donations during the year were £90.3k (2024: £111.2k). These comprised £56.4k for community projects (2024: £75.8k), £4.0k for educational projects (2024: £2.0k) and £29.9k for other projects (2024: £33.4k). No political contributions were made (2024: £nil). Close company provisions The Company is a close company within the meaning of the Income and Corporation Taxes Act 1988. Directors’ liability insurance As permitted by the Company’s Articles of Association, Directors’ and officers’ liability insurance was maintained throughout the financial period. Disclosure of information to Auditors Insofar as the Directors are aware: | there is no relevant audit information (information needed by the Company’s Auditors in connection with preparing their report) of which the Company’s Auditors are unaware, and; | the Directors have taken all the steps that they ought to have taken to make themselves aware of any relevant audit information and to establish that the Company’s Auditors are aware of that information. External Auditors Wenn Townsend have expressed their willingness to continue in office as Auditors of the Company and, in accordance with section 485 of the Companies Act 2006, a resolution proposing their reappointment will be put to the members at the 2026 Annual General Meeting. By order of the Board.
The Directors present their report on the affairs of the Group, together with the audited accounts for the year ended 31 December 2025. Directors Membership of the Board is set out on pages 82 to 83. The current Directors served throughout the year. Financial results The financial results can be found in the Financial Statements section of this report on pages 98 to 147. Dividends The Board recommended a final dividend of 186p per share which, taken together with an interim dividend of 128p per share, gives a core dividend payment of 314p per share for 2025. This dividend will be payable on 5 May 2026, subject to shareholder approval at the Annual General Meeting on 22 April 2026. There was a special dividend of 400p per share paid in December 2025, reflecting the Group’s performance. The following charts show dividend payments paid and proposed over the last ten years. The 2019, 2020 and 2021 numbers have been normalised to remove the impact caused by the Covid-19 pandemic on the timing of dividend payments. Dividends paid and proposed
0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800 900 1000
Pence per share (p)
2017 2018
2016
2019 2020 2021 2022 2023
2025 2024
Special dividend
Dividend
RPI vs year-on-year core dividend growth
Madeline Laxton Company Secretary 24 March 2026
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
2016
RPI % increase 2017 2018
2019 2020 2021 2022 2023
2025 2024
Dividend % Increase (excluding special dividends)
90
|
Lucy Group Ltd Annual Report & Accounts 2025
LUCYGROUP.COM
|
91
Made with FlippingBook - Online catalogs