• Launching our Customer Insight Space programme to provide monthly pragmatic cyber advice for senior executives • Shareholder engagement throughout the IPM acquisition and change in CEO • Effective engagement with Members of Parliament and Peers on the Computer Misuse Act Further details on stakeholder engagement are provided on pages 24 to 27 Colleagues We are a people-centric business and our technical colleagues are at the core of our customer offer, supported by agile sales and professional functions. We seek to provide meaningful and rewarding career paths for all our colleagues. Following our colleague engagement survey, we will continue to create a great place to work and focus on becoming the employer of choice in our markets. We are also embracing more flexible ways of working and intend to continue with that flexibility as we anticipate returning to a hybrid office/remote way of working. In addition, through our colleague resource groups we create conversations inherent to an inclusive culture, and focus on making NCC Group an organisation where everybody feels safe to be their authentic selves. Further details on this are provided on pages 47 to 54 On behalf of the Board, I therefore offer our sincere thanks and appreciation to all colleagues for their continued commitment and professionalism in delivering this performance. Sustainability NCC Group recognises the importance of an environmental, social and governance (ESG) framework that underpins our operations as a key indicator of the Group’s sustainability and ethical impact. The Group has developed an ESG framework, which continues to evolve, and has been reflected in our 2022 Sustainalytics rating moving from the Medium Risk category to the Low Risk category, compared to the 2021 rating. We have also partnered with Planet Mark this year to map NCC Group’s net zero by 2050 journey and certify our carbon footprint. In addition to this, we are reporting for the first time against the Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) framework, and laid the foundations for launching our first green car salary sacrifice scheme for all UK colleagues in this new financial year. We have continued to invest in our colleague resource groups and to expand our sponsorship activities to support making a career in cyber accessible for all. Further details on sustainability are provided on pages 36 to 55 Outlook • We have made a positive start to the year and are confident in meeting management expectations for the full year. • CEO strategy update to be unveiled at half year results. • Unchanged final dividend of 3.15p (2021: 3.15p) per ordinary share.
Dividend We are recommending an unchanged final dividend of 3.15p (2021: 3.15p) per ordinary share, making a total for the year of 4.65p (2021: 4.65p). The final dividend of approximately £9.8m will be paid on 11 November 2022, to shareholders on the register at the close of business on 14 October 2022. The ex-dividend date is 13 October 2022. Board governance and effectiveness As Chair, I am responsible for providing leadership to ensure the Board operates effectively in all aspects of its performance. We have established an experienced Board, which actively oversees the Group’s strategic development, monitors the delivery of its business objectives and considers risks and mitigating actions. Our performance and decisions made during the year are testament to the Board’s effectiveness. Further information on risk management and the key risk identification procedures is set out on pages 64 to 72 Board and executive management composition During the year, we made strides to improve the diversity around our Board table and in the executive management team and completed successful searches for a new CEO and independent Non-Executive Directors. • On 1 January 2022, Julie Chakraverty was appointed as a new independent Non-Executive Director and became a member of NCC Group’s Audit, Cyber Security, Nomination and Remuneration Committees. • On 27 January 2022, Jonathan Brooks, our independent Non-Executive Director, retired and stepped down from the Board, with Jennifer Duvalier taking on the role of Chair of the Remuneration Committee and, in turn, Julie Chakraverty taking on the role of designated Non-Executive Director to lead the Board’s colleague engagement programme (taking over from Jennifer). • On 17 June 2022, Adam Palser, Chief Executive Officer, stepped down from the Board and Mike Maddison joined us on 7 July 2022 as our new Chief Executive Officer. I assumed the role of Executive Chair for this three week period, before reverting back to my usual role of Non-Executive Chair. • On 1 September 2022, Lynn Fordham was appointed as a new independent Non-Executive Director and became a member of NCC Group’s Audit, Cyber Security, Nomination and Remuneration Committees. Further details on our Board composition are provided on pages 82 to 92 Further details on our executive management composition are provided on pages 80 and 81 Stakeholder engagement Successful stakeholder engagement is a key area of focus for NCC Group. During the year, we have engaged with our customers, our colleagues, our industry network and our shareholders. Certain highlights include: • New monthly team briefings as a way of consistently sharing information with our colleagues and connecting them to what is happening across our global business • Design and launch of a new global Giving Back programme that enables colleagues to match fund and take a day’s paid leave to volunteer for local good causes
Chris Stone Non-Executive Chair 6 September 2022
1 S ee Note 3 for an explanation of Alternative Performance Measures (APMs) and adjusting items. Further information is also contained within the Chief Financial Officer’s Review and the Glossary of terms on pages 56 to 63 and 203 and 204 respectively.
NCC Group plc — Annual report and accounts for the year ended 31 May 2022
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