11th Mar 2026 12:24
(Alliance News) - Breedon Group PLC on Wednesday announced its 'British Cement Advocacy' campaign, after reporting an increased dividend and revenue for last year.
The Derby, England-based construction materials firm said Chief Executive Rob Wood has written to the relevant ministers and key officials, including Energy Security & Net Zero Secretary Ed Miliband and Business & Trade Secretary Peter Kyle, on the matter.
Breedon noted that it has over 300 sites across the UK, meaning that around 25% of British members of parliament have one of its operations in their constituencies.
The firm said it is calling for "significant government intervention in 2026". Its requests include addressing "wider competitiveness challenges"; promoting the public procurement of domestically produced cement; and increasing support for carbon capture technologies, alongside a "robust Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism" in light of what it called "uneven carbon regulation".
"The government's ambitions to deliver 1.5 million new homes and invest in schools, hospitals, transport links and green energy infrastructure simply cannot be realised without cement," Breedon stated. "At the same time, increased imports of cement risks exporting jobs, investment and emissions overseas, while leaving the UK exposed to supply chain disruption and geopolitical shocks."
Wood commented: "Using public procurement policy to support domestically produced cement would unlock huge opportunities and ensure the government's investment in housing and infrastructure delivers wider economic growth. It would also protect thousands of highly skilled, well-paid jobs across all four nations.
"We will continue our engagement throughout 2026 as we strongly encourage the government and our customers to 'Back British Cement'."
Earlier on Wednesday, Breedon reported revenue of GBP1.71 billion for 2025, up 9% from GBP1.58 billion in 2024, but down 3% on a like-for-like basis.
Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation rose 4% to GBP269.2 million from GBP258.3 million. Underlying Ebitda increased 3% on a reported basis to GBP278.8 million from GBP269.9 million, within the GBP275 million to GBP280 million guidance range Breedon announced in November.
Pretax profit fell 16% to GBP105.3 million from GBP125.4 million. Free cash flow rose 17% to GBP133.2 million, which Breedon said was a post-Covid record, from GBP114.1 million.
Breedon declared a total dividend of 15.00p per share for the year, up 3.4% from 14.50p for 2024. This includes a final dividend of 10.25p, up from 9.5p the previous year.
"We achieved a great deal in 2025 despite challenging markets, political uncertainty and weak business and consumer confidence, the missing ingredients for construction project activity," Wood commented.
Looking ahead, he added: "We will continue to adapt to the uncertain fiscal, economic and geopolitical factors as they develop, leveraging our operational excellence, well-invested assets, and first-class team, confident that Breedon is primed and ready for when our end-markets resume growth."
Breedon shares rose 5.3% to 339.00p each in London early on Wednesday afternoon.
By Emma Curzon, Alliance News reporter
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