Strategic report
Governance
Financial statements
4 OCU Group Annual report and financial statements 2026
Chair’s statement continued
Operational excellence and safety The Board continues to place safety above all other priorities. Our commitment to ensuring every colleague returns home safely remains fundamental to how we operate and make decisions. Throughout the year, the Group has continued to embed its 'Think Safe + Work Safe = Home Safe' culture across all operations. Supported by ongoing investment in leadership, training, technology and assurance processes, this approach continues to strengthen our safety performance and reinforce accountability at every level of the organisation. Alongside our safety focus, we have continued to invest in the systems, governance and operational disciplines required to support a business of increasing scale and complexity. These investments provide greater visibility, consistency and control across the Group, while maintaining the entrepreneurial culture that has been central to our success. As OCU has grown, governance has continued to evolve in step. During the year, the Board and its committees maintained regular oversight of performance, financial controls, acquisitions and integration, principal risks, succession and sustainability. Strong Group Services have supported clear and timely data and information, consistent assurance and effective decision‑making across our businesses. The Board has also kept stakeholder considerations central to its decisions. This includes balancing the long-term interests of our people, clients, supply chain partners, communities, shareholders and the environment. Through the ESG Committee and wider governance framework, we continue to assess, monitor and improve our social and environmental impact as the Group's footprint and responsibilities develop.
Looking forward OCU enters FY27 from a position of strength. We have a diversified portfolio of services, strong service delivery, a growing international presence, strong client relationships and a talented leadership team with deep sector expertise. The opportunities ahead remain significant. Governments, regulators, infrastructure owners and private investors continue to commit substantial capital towards the renewal, reinforcement and expansion of critical infrastructure. OCU is well positioned to support these programs through its design, build and maintain capabilities and its commitment to safe, high-quality delivery. Future development will remain selective and focused on delivering strong shareholder value creation, responding to clear client demand with relevant capability and our capacity to deliver safely. We will support management in strengthening the UK and Ireland and ANZ and evaluating further international opportunities at the appropriate time. This preserves local ownership and proximity while maintaining the consistency, visibility and control expected across OCU.
On behalf of the Board, I would like to thank our employees, clients, shareholders and wider stakeholders for their continued support and commitment throughout the year. Their contribution remains central to OCU's ongoing success and future development.
David Taylor-Smith, MBE Non-Executive Chair
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