At Northern Bear Plc, we’re pleased to report a period of significant achievement for the financial year ended 31 March 2025. While the broader UK construction sector has experienced its share of complexities, our Group has concluded the year with impressive financial and operational strength, reflecting a robust performance across our diverse portfolio.
This past year saw us deliver a substantial increase in our financial indicators. Our revenue successfully climbed to £78.1 million, up from £68.7 million, underscoring solid business generation. This growth was not just on the top line; we also observed a healthy rise in profitability, with adjusted operating profit hitting a strong £3.8 million. This upward trajectory in margins is a direct result of our focused approach, strategically shifting our sales mix towards higher-value areas and consistently applying rigorous contract selection and execution. Crucially, these gains were underpinned by ongoing investment in our people and their development, along with strategic business relocations designed to foster future expansion.
A standout contribution to these results came from our renowned roofing division. Our specialist teams at Jennings Roofing, Springs Roofing, and Wensley Roofing truly excelled. Their collective efforts saw this division’s revenue rise to £33.1 million. An uncharacteristically dry winter certainly provided an advantageous environment for sustained activity, but it was the operational efficiency and dedication of these teams that truly capitalised on the opportunity. This strength was mirrored across all our subsidiaries, benefiting from a balanced client mix spanning both private and public sectors.
Our financial position has also seen a significant positive transformation. We generated a remarkable £7.7 million in cash from operations, allowing us to move from a previous net debt position to a healthy £2.5 million net cash position as of 31 March 2025. This robust cash generation is a testament to our financial discipline and enables our Board to propose both a final dividend of 2.5p per share and a special dividend of 1.0p per share, reflecting the Group’s confidence in our performance.
As we step into the current financial year, FY26, we do so with considerable momentum. The first quarter’s trading has started positively, aligning squarely with our expectations. Our forward order book remains stable, providing clear visibility and a solid foundation for continued performance in the months ahead. This period of growth also brought important evolutions within our leadership. We welcomed construction industry veteran Simon Carr as our new Chairman, and Julian Davis joined us as Chief Financial Officer in May. These strategic appointments underscore our commitment to strengthening our governance and driving our ambitious growth agenda.
At Northern Bear Plc, these results are a source of collective pride. We sincerely thank our dedicated teams, subsidiaries, shareholders, and clients for their invaluable contributions and continued support. We look forward with optimism to the opportunities on the horizon and are dedicated to building on this robust foundation for sustained success.
