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Strategic report
OCU Group | Annual report and financial statements 2025
Governance
Financial statements
CEO report
Enhanced capabilities and extended geographic presence OCU Group has created a robust capability for sourcing, executing, and integrating strategic acquisitions. We maintain rigorous standards for potential acquisitions, engaging only with companies that meet our high criteria for cultural alignment and commercial rigour, completing approximately one in every twelve potential transactions. Many owners and leaders of these acquired companies have transitioned to become key senior leaders within OCU, bringing valuable expertise and insights that contribute significantly to our overall strategic direction. A prime example of our strategic acquisition approach is the integration of RJ McLeod, our largest acquisition to date. Since the acquisition, and in close agreement with the founding family, a planned leadership transition has been implemented. A deliberate succession plan was enacted to promote talent from within the company, ensuring continuity and the retention of invaluable expertise. This transition has not only reinforced the leadership within RJ McLeod but has also energised the organisation with new perspectives aligned with the broader goals of OCU Group. Scotland continues to lead the UK’s energy transition journey, with plans for over 20GW of new renewables capacity and £25bn of grid reinforcement expected by 2030. RJ McLeod’s presence in these markets allows OCU Group to play a direct role in enabling this critical infrastructure.
Our efforts here are part of a broader strategy to enhance service delivery and infrastructure reliability, particularly in the areas of regulated power and water, where we see continuous opportunities for growth and innovation. Parallel to our advances in the water sector, our presence in the regulated power market has seen substantial growth, driven by our ability to leverage cutting-edge technologies and processes. This year, our use of the UK’s biggest pipe pusher in major water market projects has not only demonstrated our capability in delivering complex infrastructure tasks but also attracted some of the industry’s top talent. This attraction is bolstered by our innovations like the e-hotbox, a UK first, which has played a pivotal role in retaining some of the UK’s best-regulated power teams. These teams have been instrumental in our recently renewed frameworks with Northern Powergrid, underscoring our commitment to delivering high-quality, efficient service across all our engagements. Moreover, our dedicated leadership in each of our end markets now boasts clear track records for delivering strategic client work. Our ability to offer end-to-end service delivery has become increasingly attractive to clients looking for comprehensive solutions from a single provider. This capability not only enhances our operational efficiency but also makes sure that we are able to meet and exceed the evolving expectations of our clients in a dynamic market environment. With these strategic investments and innovations, OCU Group continues to strengthen its market position and drive forward the change and future-shaping initiatives that are at the heart of our mission.
By embedding these businesses into the wider OCU Group, we leverage their unique strengths and capabilities, enhancing our collective ability to deliver superior service offerings. This integration is facilitated by a dedicated team that focuses on ensuring a smooth transition and immediate alignment with OCU’s operational practices and strategic objectives. The effective amalgamation of these companies under the OCU Group umbrella reinforces our position as a market leader capable of delivering comprehensive and innovative solutions across our sectors. This year, we made three strategic acquisitions, each of which opens new geographical territories within the UK and broadens the range of services we can provide. The companies we welcomed into the OCU family this year are: 1. RJ McLeod: acquired on 11 June 2024, mentioned in the FY24 annual report, it is now firmly a part of the Group, enhancing our energy engineering presence and capabilities in Scotland, the UK’s largest renewables market. 2. Purestream: acquired on 20 September 2024, specialising in water design services, strengthening our offerings in water and wastewater management. 3. McCormack Drilling: acquired on 22 October 2024, well known for its expertise in trenchless technology, expanding our technical reach and service capabilities. These acquisitions not only extend our operational footprint across the UK but also significantly bolster our competencies in key areas such as energy transition and water management.
Post year end, our strategic expansion took a thoughtful step forward with the majority acquisition of All Energy Contracting (AEC) in July 2025. Established in 2018 and based in Brisbane, Australia, with an operational presence in Christchurch, New Zealand, AEC has rapidly developed into a prominent provider of energy infrastructure and renewable solutions. Specialising initially in cable installation for solar projects, AEC has broadened its capabilities to include BESS, onshore wind, civil engineering, and power infrastructure projects. This acquisition provides an initial platform for OCU’s international growth, positioning us strongly within the fast-growing Australian and New Zealand renewable energy markets and enabling us to support our global clients more effectively. The integration of these companies into OCU Group also enhances our system capabilities and operational flexibility, allowing us to serve our clients more effectively. We are excited to welcome all the new team members and the unique skills they bring, further enriching our Company culture and enhancing our collective expertise. Strategic investments in regulated markets We have seen significant advancement in the water sector through our active involvement in the AMP8 phase. This strategic engagement has allowed us to support and drive substantial upgrades and sustainability initiatives, crucial for the futureproofing of water infrastructure across the UK.
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