The proposed final dividend by PageGroup PLC for 2019 of 9.40p per ordinary share, or £30.2m, which was due for payment in June 2020, was cancelled as a result of the ongoing uncertainty as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The proposed interim and special dividends were not approved by the Board at 30 June 2021 and therefore have not been included as a liability.
The proposed interim dividend of 4.70p (2020: nil; 2019: 4.30p) per ordinary share and special dividend of 26.71p (2020: nil; 2019: 12.73p) per ordinary share will be paid on 13 October 2021 to shareholders on the register at the close of business on 3 September 2021.
Other financial highlights include:
Group operating profit of £64.3m (H1 2020: £0.4m; H1 2019: £75.6m)
Conversion rate increased to 15.9% (H1 2020: 0.1%; H1 2019: 17.4%)
Gross profit per fee earner up 10.7% on H1 2019 to £75.8k (H1 2020: £53.2k, H1 2019: £70.7k)
Total headcount increased by 381 (5.7%) to 7,075 at the end of June, but remains down c. 8% on pre COVID-19 levels at the end of 2019
Strong Balance Sheet, with net cash of £163.8m (H1 2020: £161.7m, H1 2019: £81.7m)
Outlook upgraded on 7 July 2021, full year operating profit expected to be within the range of £125m - £135m
