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OCU GROUP LEADING THE ENERGY AND UTILITIES INFRASTRUCTURE REVOLUTION

OCU GROUP

MAKING THE ENERGY TRANSITION A REALITY, OCU GROUP IS TAKING ITS INFRASTRUCTURE ENGINEERING CAPABILITIES GLOBAL. Leading the Energy & Utilities Infrastructure Revolution

PROJECT MANAGED BY: TYLER WARNER

It cannot be disputed that the world in which we live is changing fast. Soaring temperatures and growing populations are just two of the critical challenges our society faces – both of which are made more problematic by largely outdated infrastructure. W hile it is widely agreed that decarbonisation and a clean energy digital, and energy markets. The company combines market-leading capabilities

transition are vital for the survival of our planet, it’s fair to say that, in many cases, there is more conversation around the topic than action. This, however, is not true of OCU Group – an organisation leading the way in the practical delivery of a better, cleaner future. “So much of the Western world’s water, gas, and energy infrastructure was built around 60–70 years ago,” explains OCU Group CEO Michael Hughes. “It needs refreshing, replacing, maintaining, and improving – especially if it is to be fit for the energy transition that OCU is helping to usher in.” In practice, OCU provides end-to-end infrastructure engineering for the utilities,

with cutting-edge technology to ensure delivery of some of the industry’s most complex projects. “We are out there, on the ground, doing the heavy lifting for the energy transition,” Michael affirms. “We design, we build, we commission, and we provide maintenance, which makes OCU a full turnkey operation from conception to completion.” A BROADER, DEEPER RANGE OF SERVICES Thanks to a series of strategic investments and acquisitions, OCU can offer a broader, deeper range of services than many of its competitors. Whether it’s a battery energy storage system,

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The Specialist Civils Supplier

OCU GROUP

CID GROUP: YOUR SPECIALIST CIVILS SUPPLY PARTNER WHO WE ARE At CID Group, we’re proud to be the specialist supplier to the civil engineering, utilities, and construction industries. Since we were founded in 2008, we’ve built our reputation on being fast, reliable, and deeply knowledgeable about the sectors we serve. Our motto— “Consider It Done”—is more than a tagline; it reflects how we do business every day. From our headquarters in Leeds, we deliver thousands of essential products to infrastructure contractors across the UK. Our catalogue includes everything from cutting & drilling tools, traffic management equipment, PPE, reinstatement materials, and site consumables, all sourced from trusted brands like Diatech, GIANT, EVO Tool, Ground Pro & more. WHAT MAKES US DIFFERENT? It comes down to three things we do better than anyone else: • We deliver same-day & next-day, on our own fleet, with full control over logistics. Our drivers are paid by the hour, not by the drop, so we can guarantee an exceptional delivery experience, no matter where your site is. • We offer a “No Back Order Guarantee” on all our stocked products. If it’s in our catalogue or on our website, it’s in stock - guaranteed! • We provide real support from real people—order with us via phone, email, online, or even WhatsApp. With recent growth, including new depots in Perth (Scotland) and London, and a new sales office in Belfast, Northern Ireland, we’re positioned to support clients nationwide with faster response times and even more local expertise. HOW WE SUPPORT OCU GROUP CID Group has been a trusted supplier to OCU Group for several years, supporting their growth into one of the UK’s leading utility and infrastructure service providers. As OCU has expanded into new sectors like fibre networks, EV charging, and energy grid upgrades, CID has been right there with them—providing the critical supplies they need to deliver compliant, high-quality work on time, every time. Whether it’s branded PPE for site teams, specialist tools for fibre installations, or Chapter 8 traffic management equipment and signage for highway & footway works, we make sure OCU’s teams have what they need, exactly when they need it. Our next-day delivery service, backed by our no back order guarantee, has been instrumental in keeping OCU’s projects moving without delays. For us, it’s not just about delivering boxes. It’s about being a genuine partner to OCU’s success—making sure their teams are always site- ready, safe, and supported. We take pride in knowing we’ve helped enable their incredible growth journey, and we’re committed to continuing that support as they scale even further. To request a catalogue, please contact CID Group. www.cidgroup.co.uk | 0113 201 1340 | sales@cidgroup.co.uk

IF IT'S IN THE BOOK OR ON THE WEBSITE, IT'S ON THE SHELF.

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Power & Telecom Solutions Provider Power Duct systems approved by all UK DNO’s

» Diamond Blades » Hand Tools » Site Supplies & Fixings » PPE & Safety Clothing

» Reinstatement Materials » Traffic Management » Power Tools » Plant & Equipment

ADDITIONAL SERVICES: » Branded traffic management products » In-house signage design and print » In-house branded clothing production » Secure PPE & clothing recycling » Traffic Management closed loop recycling

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Emtelle Jedburgh, UK Oxnam Rd, Jedburgh, TD8 6NN, UK +44 (0) 1450 364 000 info@emtelle.com

0113 201 1340 I SALES@CIDGROUP.CO.UK I CIDGROUP.CO.UK LEEDS I PERTH I LONDON I BELFAST

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sustainable water reservoir, or a windfarm, the organisation operates across the entire value chain. “We have a high level of operational discipline, and we are very innovative when it comes to finding solutions for our clients,” Michael notes. “Some of our competitors might be able to deliver a single part of a project, but we can do it all. When one company oversees all elements of a project, it takes away the execution risk that can occur when different parties are involved at varying stages.” The diverse nature of OCU’s work makes it hard to showcase the organisation’s full impact through only a handful of projects. However, some of the company’s most recent activity has included major infrastructural work in North Wales and Scotland.

“We’ve been working on the Vyrnwy Aqueduct in Wales, which brings drinking water to the UK’s Northwest,” Michael states. “That’s a two-year relining project on behalf of United Utilities. “In Scotland, we’ve delivered over 110 wind farms, while elsewhere, we’re leading on half a dozen battery storage plants. Renewable energy is great, but on days when the wind doesn’t blow and the sun doesn’t shine, battery storage is important for maintaining and stabilising electricity to people’s homes and businesses.” As Michael suggests, the work OCU performs across the UK is having a material impact on the lives of people and their communities. The company’s ongoing success in doing so is proof that modern businesses can be both ethical and profitable.

“As a society, we take energy and utilities for granted – we don’t notice them until they are gone – but at OCU, we are actively making people’s lives better. The work we do allows communities to function effectively. From charging your vehicle to simply watching TV, we are the people that facilitate that.” SAFETY, INTEGRITY, AND CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT In order to provide meaningful results on such a major scale, OCU relies upon around 2,200 employees and nearly 3,000 contractors. This community of more than 5,000 people is united by the organisation’s focus on culture, which celebrates values of safety, integrity, and continuous improvement. “We really believe in hiring people that fit with our culture,” says Michael. “We value people who are hardworking, diligent, thoughtful, and respectful to the communities in which we operate. We also need problem solvers because almost every project you encounter will have some quirks that need addressing. Ultimately, OCU is built on people who take pride in their job and that support the person at the desk, or with the shovel, beside them.” Led by its workforce, OCU exhibits its values in UK communities through its work, but also through its charitable efforts. Schools, sports teams, and local charities have all been among the company’s most recent beneficiaries. “On a day-to-day basis, we urge our people to leave sites better than they found them, but this sentiment carries through into other areas of our operation,” Michael reveals. “We operate a charity days scheme so employees can step

“THE WORK WE DO ALLOWS COMMUNITIES TO FUNCTION EFFECTIVELY. FROM CHARGING YOUR VEHICLE TO SIMPLY WATCHING TV, WE ARE THE PEOPLE THAT FACILITATE THAT.”

daughter in Sydney. We are not just upgrading electricity infrastructure, but ensuring that a nurse, upon finishing a 12- hour shift, can come home to a microwavable meal and hot water.

“When it comes to our work, I encourage our people to see the bigger picture,” Michael remarks. “We are not just digging a hole and laying fibre, we are helping a grandmother in Ipswich FaceTime her

Michael Hughes, CEO, OCU Group.

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away and support a charity during the year on full pay, and in 2024, we launched the OCU Charitable Foundation. Our employees really go the extra mile to be good people, and they are proud of their work in a way that, I hope, makes them stand a little taller.” A unique element of OCU’s talent and recruitment process is a commitment to the British Armed Forces. Around 7% of the organisation’s team has armed forces experience, and OCU was awarded Gold status in the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme. A COMPLETELY FRESH APPROACH Guided by its morals, and backed by vast capabilities, OCU now enters a future that it will play a significant role in shaping. The energy transition will be a multi- decade investment, with some solutions still in development, but OCU is well-positioned, and wholly prepared, to facilitate the new green world of tomorrow. “We, as a society, need to take a completely fresh approach to how we view energy and utilities, so we can expect to see a shift towards more regional infrastructure, as well as a proliferation of data centres,” Michael predicts. “It’s nothing short of an energy revolution and it’s needed across the world. I’ve got two daughters, so the world we leave behind to the next generation really matters to me.” The global nature of the challenges Michael discusses has led OCU to enter the next phase of its evolution – international expansion. In July 2025, the organisation confirmed the acquisition of a majority shareholding in Australia’s All Energy Contracting (AEC), a multidisciplinary contractor specialising in renewables and energy infrastructure services.

“This investment represents a measured next step in our international journey,” Michael concludes. “AEC has built a strong reputation in energy infrastructure, and the alignment of values and ambition between our teams makes this a natural fit. “A number of our energy transition clients operate internationally and have asked whether OCU can support them beyond the UK. We are already pursuing opportunities in Australia with several of these clients, creating further growth potential for AEC. Together, we have the opportunity to deliver greater impact across Australia and New Zealand’s energy transition landscape.”

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