An interim dividend of 2.0 pence per share was paid in November 2020.
The Board is proposing a final dividend of 2.0 pence per share (2019: Nil pence per share) reflecting the resilient trading performance, strong financial position and our confident outlook. Subject to shareholder approval at the Annual General Meeting to be held on 9 June 2021 the final dividend will be paid on 2 July 2021 to shareholders whose names are on the Register of Members at close of business on 4 June 2021. The ordinary shares will become ex-dividend on 3 June 2021.
The Board continues to closely monitor the dividend policy, recognising the Group's need for investment to drive future growth and dividend flow to deliver overall value to their shareholders.
Other financial highlights include:
Revenues of £70.5m, a 0.9% decline (2.0% at CER) on prior year (2019: £71.1m), demonstrating resilience in the face of COVID-19 disruption to key markets
Underlying EBITDA decreased by 8.0% to £12.1m (2019: £13.1m) mainly due to increased investment in growth in second half, partially offset by reduced SG&A spend in the first half
Statutory profit before tax, incorporating non-underlying items, increased to £0.2m (2019: £1.6m loss), with reported basic profit per share at 0.4 pence (2019: 2.2 pence loss per share)
Continued strong underlying cash conversion of 102.9% (2019: 118.4%)
Net debt further reduced by £4.2m to £13.6m. Net debt to underlying* EBITDA leverage ratio reduced to 1.1 times (2019: 1.4 times)
