**Summary of SSP Group PLCs 2025 Full Year Results Announcement**
**Financial Highlights (Underlying Pre-IFRS 16):**
**Revenue** £3.6 billion, up 8% on a constant currency basis, with like-for-like (LFL) growth of 4% and net gains of 4%.
**Operating Profit** £223 million at actual FX rates
£233 million on a constant currency basis, up 13% with a 30 bps margin improvement.
**Free Cash Flow (Pre-Dividend)** £80 million, after £99 million working capital inflow and £212 million capex.
**Net Debt/EBITDA** Improved to 1.6x from 1.7x last year.
**EPS** 11.9p, up 25% (19% at actual FX rates), with one-off headwinds and benefits balanced.
**Proposed Dividend** 4.2p per share, up from 3.5p, reflecting confidence in future cash generation.
**Pre-tax ROCE:** 18.7%up 100 bps year-on-year.
**Capital Allocation** £100 million share buyback initiated in October 2025.
**Strategic Actions**
**TFS JV IPO:** Completed in Julywith SSPs stake now at 50.01%.
**Cost Efficiency** Delivered £30 million annualized savings from corporate and regional overhead restructuring, with £5 million realized in FY25.
**Contract Performance** Strong renewal rate (>80%) and net gains of 4%.
**Margin Improvement** Focus on driving margins, particularly in Continental Europe, targeting >3% in FY26.
**Shareholder Value** Aiming for EPS towards the upper end of 12.9p-13.9p in FY26, with free cash flow >£100 million.
**Continental European Rail Review** Launched a wide-ranging review to address underperformance.
**TFS Value Realization** Exploring options to realize value for SSP shareholders in line with TFS free float requirements.
**FY26 Outlook**
**Trading Momentum** Total revenue up 6% year-on-year in the first eight weeks of FY26, with 4% LFL growth.
**EPS Target** Confidence in delivering towards the upper end of 12.9p-13.9p EPS range.
**Free Cash Flow** Expected to improve to >£100 million.
**ROCE** Further progress towards medium-term target of 20%.
**Board Actions**
**Leadership Transition** Mike Clasper stepping down as Chair, with Carolyn Bradley as Interim Chair if a successor is not appointed by the 2026 AGM.
**Focus 26 Review Committee** Formed to oversee managements operational plans.
**Board Composition** Strengthened with Karina Deacons appointment and plans to add a new Non-Executive Director with industry experience.
**Operational Plan (Focus 26)**
**Profitable Growth** Prioritizing high-growth, high-return markets with mid-single-digit sales growth.
**Continental Europe Recovery** Increasing operating margin to >3% in FY26 and c.5% in the medium-term.
**Cost Efficiency** Delivering £30 million annualized savings and further efficiency opportunities.
**Capital Discipline** Reducing capex to <£200 million in FY26 and de-prioritizing M&A.
**Cash Flow** Strengthening free cash flow through operational performance and disciplined allocation.
**Additional Value Creation Levers**
1. **Continental European Rail Review** Addressing underperformance with potential strategic options.
2. **TFS Value Realization** Exploring options to realize value from the TFS investment in line with free float requirements.
**CEO Statement (Patrick Coveney)**
Highlighted resilient performance with revenue and EPS growth, and a pivot to positive free cash flow.
Acknowledged challenges in Continental Europe and outlined initiatives to strengthen performance.
Expressed confidence in FY26 prospects, supported by early momentum and strategic actions.
**Medium-Term Framework**
Focus on sustainable growth, profit conversion, cash flow generation, and disciplined new business development.
**Technical Guidance for FY26**
Net finance costsc.£40 million.
Associatesc.£10 million.
Effective tax rate22-23%.
Minority interestsc.£60 million.
Capex<£200 million.
LeverageTarget range of 1.5x to 2.0x (Net Debt: EBITDA).
**Conclusion**
SSP Group PLC demonstrated resilient performance in FY25, with strong revenue and EPS growth, despite macroeconomic challenges. The company is focused on accelerating shareholder value in FY26 through operational improvements, cost efficiency, and strategic initiatives, particularly in Continental Europe. The Boards actions and the Focus 26 plan underscore a commitment to sustainable growth and enhanced shareholder returns.