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Strategic report
OCU Group | Annual report and financial statements 2025
Governance
Financial statements
Chair’s statement
Accelerating change with strategic acquisitions
Looking forward As we look to the future, OCU Group is
The integration process for each has been well planned and executed, ensuring that the unique strengths of each company are preserved while aligning them with our broader strategic objectives and ways of working. We have established robust mechanisms to facilitate smooth transitions, with a focus on maintaining continuity and realising synergies across the Group. It has been a great encouragement for me to see leaders of acquired businesses taking up key roles within our organisation, bringing their fresh insights and valuable expertise. This deepens our leadership experience and enhances our strategic decision-making ability. Together we are driving forward our collective goals and ensuring the ongoing success of OCU.
Moreover, these acquisitions have allowed us to tap into new market segments, further diversifying our business and increasing our presence in high growth markets. The enhanced scale and capabilities from these acquisitions enable us to compete more effectively, thereby solidifying our position as industry leaders. Sustainability and community engagement Our commitment to supporting the UK’s transition to net zero has been a significant focus this year. We have undertaken projects to upgrade the UK’s power grid and develop battery energy storage systems (BESS), wind power, and electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure. Our efforts in sustainability have not only enhanced our environmental impact but have also strengthened our leadership in the delivery of renewable projects and programs. Community engagement remains at the core of our strategy. We have initiated numerous programs that promote local employment, education initiatives and environmental stewardship. This year, the OCU Foundation has provided a structured approach to our charitable activities, further embedding our commitment to the communities we operate in.
exceptionally well positioned to continue our growth across our core markets of regulated power, energy transition, water, and digital infrastructure. We remain focused on delivering strong growth with industry-leading margins, enhancing our service offerings, and fulfilling our sustainability commitments. In closing, this year has marked another twelve months of strong progress for OCU Group, maintaining momentum and solid foundations for future success. I am deeply grateful to our executive leadership team, dedicated staff and the Board for their hard work and commitment, and to our clients and stakeholders for their continued trust and support.
This year, OCU Group has made substantial strides in solidifying our leadership across the energy and utilities markets through a series of strategic acquisitions. These acquisitions have added new operational capabilities, geographical coverage, clients and presence in key target markets.
The acquisitions in 2025 comprise:
• RJ McLeod – This acquisition has been transformational, significantly strengthens our presence in the Scottish market and bolsters our capabilities in energy transition markets in the UK. • Purestream – Purestream specialises in advanced water treatment and management solutions, aligning perfectly with our expansion goals in the water sector and enhancing our environmental sustainability offerings. • McCormack Drilling – Known for its work in trenchless technology, the acquisition of McCormack Drilling has allowed us to extend our reach into specialised trenchless construction methods, crucial for minimising environmental impact and enhancing efficiency. OCU is now the clear market leader in horizontal drilling in the UK; a critical service which we offer clients across multiple sectors.
Industry-leading innovation The acquisitions this year have not only
David Taylor-Smith, MBE Non-Executive Chair
expanded our geographical and technological reach but have also positioned OCU Group at the forefront of industry innovation. By incorporating these new capabilities, we are better equipped to address the evolving needs of our markets and to offer more comprehensive solutions to our clients.
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