Strategic report
Governance
Financial statements
7 OCU Group Annual report and financial statements 2026
CEO report continued
Investing in people, technology, safety and sustainability continued Alongside the development of a global shared services centre, these tools provide a repeatable backbone for integrating businesses without removing the local expertise and accountability that make them successful. Above all, safety of all our stakeholders remains our first priority. The continued development of our safety culture, supported by OCU One, leadership engagement and operational assurance, reflects our commitment to protecting our people, clients and communities. Safety is not a program or initiative; it is a core part of who we are and how we operate. We are pleased to have significantly improved our already industry‑leading safety performance during the year. That focus has contributed to a rolling Accident Frequency Rate of 0.028 (UK – June 2026), alongside continued leadership engagement, stand-downs and the use of data to identify and address risk. Our responsibility extends beyond safety. During the year, 99% of waste was diverted from landfill, alongside continued investment in fleet transition and colleague wellbeing across OCU. Our wider sustainability program continued to focus on climate resilience, resource efficiency, skills and social value. We have made progress, but we remain clear that integration, contract risk, adaptation and data quality require sustained management attention as OCU grows.
Looking ahead As we move into FY27, OCU is well positioned for the next phase of its development. We operate in markets supported by long-term investment drivers, maintain strong relationships with leading clients and continue to enhance the capabilities that differentiate our business. Our combination of technical expertise, operational excellence, commercial discipline and dynamic culture provides a strong platform from which to pursue future opportunities. However, we recognise that yesterday's performance does not guarantee today's. As an organisation, we remain committed to a program of continued enhancement and investment that will enable us to provide the highest level of service possible to clients. Our priorities for FY27 are therefore clear: deliver safely and consistently for clients; embed the businesses and capabilities added during FY26; improve productivity and visibility through technology; and continue developing the people who will lead the next stage of OCU's growth journey. We will carefully deepen our position in the UK and Ireland, build ANZ in a measured sequence and remain connected to multinational client strategies where they create a clear, credible route into other markets. Any further step will be demand-led, capability-led and supported by the strong Group platform already in place. The year ahead will bring new challenges and new opportunities. We remain focused on delivering safely, supporting our clients, developing our people and creating long-term value for all stakeholders.
Lastly, I would like to extend my thanks to all colleagues, clients, partners and shareholders for their continued support. Their commitment, professionalism and expertise remain the foundation of OCU's ongoing success.
Michael Hughes Chief Executive Officer
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