REG - Character Group PLC - Trading Update & NED Appointment

CharacterAnnouncement

Wed 07:00

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RNS Number : 5090B  Character Group PLC (The)  01 October 2025

 

Wednesday, 1 October 2025

 

 

THE CHARACTER GROUP PLC

("Character," the "Company" or the "Group")

Designers, developers, and international distributor of toys, games, and
giftware

 

Trading Update

and

Non-Executive Director Appointment

 

 

 

Trading Update

The Board of Character (AIM:CCT) provides the following trading update ahead
of the publication of the Company's 2025 audited annual results.

 

As previously highlighted in our April 2025 trading update, the effect on the
global economy following the imposition of tariffs on imports to the USA has
been profound and resulted in uncertainty regarding the Company's likely
trading performance in the second half of the financial year ended 31 August
2025.  Consequently, this led to the withdrawal by the Company of its market
guidance for the financial year, however with an expectation that the Group
would remain profitable for the financial year ended 31 August 2025.  Whilst
full year revenue has reduced by c. 20% when compared with the previous year
as a result of customers reducing their commitments, the Board expects the
Group's audited adjusted profit before tax for the financial year to be at
least £1.0m.

 

Looking ahead, the indications in the lead up to the all-important Christmas
2025 trading period are positive, with the Group's ranges selling well.  It
is also pleasing to report that new additions to our catalogue have previewed
well at the Toy Fair in Los Angeles last month.  With a strong product
portfolio, backed by a resilient balance sheet and continuing good cash
position, the Board looks to the year ahead with optimism, and expects the
adjusted profit forecast to increase when compared to the year ended August
2025.

 

The Group is scheduled to publish its audited report and accounts for the
financial year ended 31 August 2025 in December 2025 and the Board looks
forward to updating shareholders and the market further at this time.

 

Board Appointment

The Board is also pleased to announce the appointment of Kevin Wall as an
independent non-executive director with immediate effect. He has also been
appointed as a member of each of the Company's Audit, Remuneration and
Nominations Committees.

 

Kevin has extensive experience in the banking and finance sectors, having
spent four decades working for Barclays Bank in various senior leadership
roles in the UK and overseas. Prior to retiring in 2020, his last role was as
CEO and Board member of Barclays' European subsidiary, as well as being a
member of the Barclays Bank PLC executive committee.

 

Kevin is a non-executive director at Wessex Water Services Limited, where he
also is a member of the Audit and Risk, Health and Safety, Environment and
Public Value, Remuneration and Nomination committees. In addition, Kevin
chairs the Wessex Water Pension Scheme Trustee Limited Board. He also
currently acts as a senior adviser to Panmure Liberum, a board observer at
Zero Gravity Tech Limited (an online educational platform) and, Chair of
FreeMarketFX Ireland Limited (a payments provider).

 

Previous non-executive director roles held by Kevin were with Which? Limited
and the Business Growth Fund. He also served as a Trustee Director for the
Barclays Pension Fund.

 

Commenting on the appointment, Character's Chair, Carmel Warren said:

 

"On behalf of the Board and all stakeholders I am delighted to welcome Kevin
to the business. He brings additional capabilities and leadership experience
gained in his executive and NED roles which will further strengthen the
Board."

 

Additional information regarding Kevin Wall is set out below. Other than this,
there is no further information required to be disclosed under Rule 17 or
paragraph (g) of Schedule Two of the AIM Rules.

 

 Full name: Kevin Charles Wall

 Age: 66
 Current directorships/partnerships:           Previous directorships/partnerships

 Wessex Water Services Limited                 (last five years):

 Wessex Water Pension Scheme Trustee Limited   BGF Group Plc

 FreemarketFX Ireland Limited

 

 

 

 

This announcement contains inside information for the purposes of Article 7 of
EU Regulation 596/2014 as it forms part of domestic law of the United Kingdom
by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018, as amended (together,
"MAR"). Upon the publication of this announcement, this inside information is
now considered to be in the public domain. The person responsible for
arranging the release of this announcement on behalf of Character is Kiran
Shah, Joint Managing Director.

 

 

 

 

 The Character Group plc

 FTSE sector:  leisure goods:

 FTSE AIM All-share: symbol: CCT

 Market cap: £51m

 Email:  info@charactergroup.plc.uk (mailto:info@charactergroup.plc.uk)
 Group website: www.thecharacter.com (http://www.thecharacter.com)

 Product ranges can also be viewed at www.character-online.co.uk
 (http://www.character-online.co.uk)

 

 

 Enquiries to:

 The Character Group plc

 Jon Diver, Joint Managing Director

 Kiran Shah, Joint Managing Director

 Hamun Shah, Group Finance Director

 Office:  +44 (0) 208 329 3377

 Panmure Liberum (Nominated Adviser and Joint Broker)

 Atholl Tweedie, Investment Banking

 Rupert Dearden, Corporate Broking

 Tel:  +44 (0) 20 7886 2500

 Allenby Capital Limited (Joint Broker)

 Nick Athanas, Corporate Finance

 Amrit Nahal / Tony Quirke, Sales & Corporate Broking

 Tel:  +44 (0) 20 3328 5656

 TooleyStreet Communications Limited (Investor and media relations)

 Fiona Tooley

 Tel:  +44 (0) 7785 703523

 Email: fiona@tooleystreet.com (mailto:fiona@tooleystreet.com)

 

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