Index of disclosures made in relation to the QCA principles

All QCA principles are addressed one by one in the chair’s Corporate Governance Statement in the annual report for the year ended 31 August 2025: see pages 25 – 30.

In addition and where relevant, the following signposted disclosures are identified in relation to the relevant principle.  Note that “N/A” indicates that the principle is address in the chair’s Corporate Governance Statement.

QCA Principle

 

Signposted disclosure
     

Principle 1 – Establish a purpose, strategy and business model which promote long-term value for shareholders

  

N/A

Principle 2 – Promote a corporate culture that is based on ethical values and behaviours

   N/A

Principle 3 – Seek to understand and meet shareholder needs and expectations

  

N/A

Principle 4 – Take into account wider stakeholder interests, including social and environmental responsibilities, and their implications for long-term success

  

See also 2025 ESG Report pages 13 – 19 of the annual report for the year ended 31 August 2025

 

Principle 5 – Embed effective risk management, internal controls and assurance activities, considering both opportunities and threats, throughout the organisation

  

N/A

Principle 6 – Establish and maintain the board as a well-functioning, balanced team led by the chair

  

See directors’ profiles/biographies in the “Board of Directors” tab on the company’s website: http://www.thecharacter.com/board-of-directors/

Principle 7 – Maintain appropriate governance structures and ensure that individually and collectively the directors have the necessary up-to-date experience, skills and capabilities

  

See the terms of reference for the Audit, Remuneration, Nominations and Corporate Governance committees of the board in the “Company Documents” tab on the company’s website: http://www.thecharacter.com/company-documents/

Principle 8 – Evaluate board performance based on clear and relevant objectives, seeking continuous improvement

  

N/A

Principle 9 – Establish a remuneration policy which is supportive of long-term value creation and the company's purpose, strategy and culture

  

See remuneration committee report for the year ended 31 August 2025 at page 31 of the annual report for the year ended 31 August 2025.

 

Principle 10 – Communicate how the company is governed and is performing by maintaining a dialogue with shareholders and other key stakeholders

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

See 2025 AGM proxy/voting statistics: here

See historical annual reports: http://www.thecharacter.com/financial-reports/

See AGM notices for the AGMs held in January 2018, 2019, 2020, 2023, 2024 and 2025– at end of each annual report for the years ended 31 August 2017, 2018, 2019, 2022, 2023 and 2024 in the “Financial Reports” tab on the company’s website: http://www.thecharacter.com/financial-reports/

See AGM notices for the AGMs held in January 2021 and 2022 – in the relevant circular in the “Company Documents” tab  on the company’s website: http://www.thecharacter.com/company-documents/