“As is customary, I would like to give you an update on trading now that we are five months into the current financial year.
I have worked within the James Halstead Group for 70 years, 55 years as a Group Director, including the last 17 years as Chairman. I am very proud of how the Company has grown over that period which has been achieved by a first class team effort and I am leaving the Company in very good hands.
I congratulate Anthony Wild on his new role as Chairman and Stephen Hall on becoming the Senior Independent Director and also welcome Russell Whiting and Michael Halstead to the Board.
I would also like to record my great appreciation of the contribution made by my fellow director Eberhard Lotz who is also stepping down today and wish him a long and happy retirement.
Current year trading continues in line with our budgets against competitive headwinds.
It is pleasing that the Board is once again proposing a record dividend of 9.25p and given that an abundance of new ranges and designs are being launched in 2018 I remain confident in the prospects of the Company going forward.”