We have also continued to review and strengthen our governance practices, learning from best practice and adapting to the evolving needs of our business. This includes ongoing engagement with our shareholders, listening to their views and incorporating their feedback into our decision making. Looking to the future With strong foundations in place – strategic clarity, stakeholder trust, empowered people and robust governance – we are well positioned to embrace the future with confidence. We are continuing to build strategic client relationships, scan the market for smart acquisition opportunities and focus on operational efficiencies that will make us stronger and more agile. Our partnerships are deepening, our Manila office is flourishing and our global teams are united by a shared sense of purpose. I am confident that we have the right people, the right strategy and the right values to succeed. Together, we are building a stronger, more resilient NCC Group – one that is ready to seize the opportunities of tomorrow. Share buy-back programme Reflecting the Board’s continued confidence in the future prospects of the Group and the strength of the Balance Sheet, regardless of the outcome of the Escode review, we announced in October 2025 our intention to commence an initial share buy-back programme. This will be carried out utilising our current shareholder authority and in accordance with our capital allocation policy, and relevant legal and regulatory obligations. It was also noted that the initial share buy-back programme would not launch before 11 December 2025. Dividends During the year, total dividends of £19.0m were paid (2024: £14.5m), an increase due to the change in our year end and the additional dividend we gave for the four month period to 30 September 2024. The Board is proposing an unchanged final dividend of 3.15p per ordinary share for the year ended 30 September 2025, as it remains mindful of the continued need to invest in the Group’s strategy, marking 20 consecutive years of dividend payments for shareholders. The final dividend will be paid on 10 April 2026, subject to approval at the AGM on 3 March 2026, to shareholders on the register at the close of business on 13 March 2026. The ex-dividend date is 12 March 2026. Our existing dividend policy will remain unchanged by any share buy-back programme noted above. Closing thoughts In closing, I want to thank everyone who has been part of our journey this year. To our colleagues: your dedication, creativity and resilience inspire me every day. To our clients: thank you for your trust and partnership. And to our shareholders: thank you for your continued support and belief in our vision. We do not take any of these relationships for granted. As we move forward, we will continue to listen, learn and adapt – always with the goal of creating lasting value for all our stakeholders.
VIEWPOINT
Identity at the core: Strengthening cyber resilience with end-to-end access governance and expertise
Commitment to sustainability and responsible business This year, we took significant steps forward on our climate action agenda, responding to changing requirements and also client requests. We published our Carbon Reduction Plan, developed in partnership with Positive Planet, which sets out our path to net zero and commits us to ambitious, science-based targets. We are on track to achieve SBTi verification by March 2026 and will update our plan to reflect our progress. Our partnership with Positive Planet led to the creation of a bespoke Carbon Literacy Training programme, and I am delighted that my fellow Board member Lynn Fordham was among the first to achieve certification. We are now working towards verification of our science-based targets, a further demonstration of our commitment to collaborating with other businesses to reduce our impact on the environment and will update the Carbon Reduction Plan in early 2026. This holistic approach to sustainability is reflected in our governance practices. The Board remains focused on upholding the highest standards and ensuring that our values are embedded in every decision we make, and you can read more about our progress on this from page 58. Governance and Board Leadership The Board has played an active and engaged role, providing challenge, support and guidance as we continue to navigate this critical time for the Group. We are committed to upholding the highest standards of governance, ensuring that our decisions are grounded in integrity, transparency and a long-term perspective. Our focus has been on supporting the management team, overseeing strategic reviews and ensuring that the interests of all stakeholders are represented. Poorly maintained access control processes are among the leading causes of cyber breaches and regulatory non-compliance. Up to 80% of security incidents involve compromised credentials and insufficient safeguards, giving attackers the keys to infiltrate networks, steal sensitive data, and disrupt operations. The cost? Millions in lost revenue, reputational damage, regulatory penalties, and recovery downtime. AI and autonomous agents amplify identity risks by increasing access across systems, making an already complex task even more challenging. We help our clients manage every aspect of Identity and Access Management (IDAM), ensuring human and non-human accounts are governed, monitored, secured, and maintained across the entire lifecycle. With NCC Group’s expertise and strategic partnerships, you gain resilience, confidence, and continuity so you can focus on what matters most: running your business securely.
Chris Stone Non-Executive Chair 11 December 2025
NCC Group plc — Annual report and accounts for the year ended 30 September 2025 5
Made with FlippingBook Online newsletter maker