Statement of Directors’ responsibilities

The Directors are responsible for preparing the Annual Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and regulation.

Company law requires the Directors to prepare financial statements for each financial year. Under that law, the Directors have prepared the Group and Company financial statements in accordance with UK-adopted International Accounting Standards. Under company law, the Directors must not approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Group and Company and of the profit or loss of the Group and Company for that period. In preparing the financial statements, the Directors are required to:

• select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently
• state whether applicable UK-adopted International Accounting Standards have been followed subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements 
• make judgements and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent
• prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the Group and Company will continue in business.

The Directors are responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Group and Company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

The Directors are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the Group’s and Company’s transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the Group and Company and enable them to ensure that the financial statements and the Directors’ Remuneration report comply with the Companies Act 2006.

The Directors are also responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the Company’s website. Legislation in the United Kingdom governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.

Directors’ confirmations

The Directors consider that the Annual Report, taken as a whole, is fair, balanced and understandable and provides the information necessary for shareholders to assess the position and performance, business model and strategy of the Group and Company.

Each of the Directors in post as at 05 April 2026, whose names and functions are listed in their biographies, confirm that, to the best of their knowledge:

• the Consolidated and company financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with UK-adopted International Accounting Standards, give a true and fair view of the assets, liabilities, financial position and profit of the Group and Company
• the Group CEO’s review includes a fair review of the development and performance of the business and the position of the Group and Company. A description of the principal risks faced by the Group and the Company is provided here.