Dividend
The Board is recommending a final dividend of 29.0p resulting in a total dividend of 44.0p for the year, aligned with 2014. Dividend cover (being the ratio of earnings per share from continuing operations before exceptional items and intangibles amortisation, to dividend per share) is 1.8 times. If approved at the Annual General Meeting, the final dividend will be paid on 6 June 2016 to shareholders on the register on 29 April 2016. The Board is also recommending a scrip dividend scheme to replace the current Dividend Reinvestment Plan. The proposed scrip dividend scheme will give shareholders the option to receive new fully paid Ordinary Shares in the Company in place of their cash dividend payments. The Board intends that the necessary resolution to introduce the scrip dividend scheme will be put to shareholders at the Annual General Meeting on the 28 April 2016. Further details will be provided with the Annual General Meeting documentation when it is sent to shareholders. If the scheme is approved by shareholders, the last date for receipt of scrip elections will be 25 May 2016.
