Having taken the decision to withdraw the final 2019 dividend and not pay an interim 2020 dividend due to the impact of the global pandemic, the Melrose Industries Board is pursuing the stability and performance of the Group and since then has enabled a proposed final dividend for 2020 of 0.75 pence per share (2019: nil). With no 2020 interim dividend having been paid, this represents the total dividend for the year (2019: 1.7 pence). It should be noted that all payments received by the Group under the UK Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme were fully repaid last year.
The Board recognises the importance of dividends to its shareholders and, with the worst of the COVID-19 crisis hope behind and actions taken to reshape the Group, the Board expects to return to its progressive dividend policy for future periods. The final dividend will be paid on 19 May 2021 to those shareholders on the register at 6 April 2021, subject to approval at the Annual General Meeting ("AGM") on 6 May 2021.
