Strategic report Governance Financial statements Other information CHAIR’S STATEMENT PURPOSE AND CULTURE DELIVERING RECORD RESULTS CONTINUED Pursuant to the agreement, Peter was entitled to the Board has commenced a search process to I am excited by Looking forward nominate one non-independent, Non-Executive identify and appoint a successor. Philip will work the future and The long-term social and economic Director for appointment to the Board, subject with Chris Hill, Chief Executive Officer, and the consequences of COVID-19 are difficult to to the applicable regulatory and governance Board to ensure an orderly transition. how we are set to predict but the foundation we have built, along framework that is observed by the Company. As a I would like to extend my gratitude to all those deliver sustainable with our relentless client focus and ongoing result, the Board announced the appointment who have left in the year for their enormous growth and play investment puts us in a great place to capitalise of Adrian Collins as the Board representative contributions, commitment and dedication on what we see as a growing addressable market of Peter. Adrian has extensive experience across a significant period of growth and our part in society and the trends within. across fund management and adjacent sectors development for the business. to empower futures. in both executive and Non-Executive roles. The pandemic has significantly accelerated the Dividend trend of people engaging, through digital means, His presence on the Board provides an avenue Hargreaves Lansdown is a financially strong to take more responsibility for their own financial to harness Peter’s wealth of experience, while business as shown by our robust balance sheet, resilience and their financial futures. From people allowing us to benefit from Adrian’s considerable surplus capital and highlycash generative starting to invest, managing family wealth, to expertise in the fund management industry. business model. In line with our stated dividend those approaching and in retirement, as the In December 2020 after a term of seven years policy, the Board recommends, subject to UK’s leading digital wealth management service, serving on the Board, Shirley Garrood, Senior shareholder approval at the AGM, payment of a we provide a trusted, high quality service to take Independent Director (SID), confirmed that she final dividend of 26.6p per share. In addition, the our clients on a journey and achieve their goals. would be stepping down at the end of 2020. As a Board has today declared a special dividend of Despite the uncertainty I am excited by the result, Roger Perkin took up the post of interim 12.0p per share. future and how we are well set to deliver Senior Independent Director on 1 January 2021, sustainable growth and play our part in society whilst we commenced a search for a new An interim ordinary dividend of 11.9p per share to empower futures. non-executive director. In June 2021 we were was paid on 8 March 2021. Taking this into On behalf of the Board, I thank all our colleagues delighted to announce the appointment of account, the total ordinary dividend for the year will be 38.5p per share (2020: 37.5p), an increase of for their dedication and commitment in putting Penny James as our new SID with effect from 3% on last year. Adding the special dividend gives us in a strong position to continue our sustainable 1 September 2021. Penny brings exceptional skills a total dividend of 50.5p per share (2020: 54.9p, and responsible growth. with wide ranging financial services experience, which included a special dividend of 8.2p relating particularly in leading digital innovation and to the gain on disposal of FundsLibrary), transformation and supports the continued a decrease for 2021 of 8%. Deanna Oppenheimer strengthening and diversity of the Board. More Chair details on all these Board appointments can be Subject to shareholder approval of the final found in the Nomination Committee report. dividend at the AGM to be held on Friday 8 August 2021 Finally in July 2021 we announced that Philip 15 October 2021, the final and special dividends Johnson, Chief Financial Officer, had informed will be paid on 20 October 2021 to all shareholders the Board of his intention to step down from on the register at the close of business on his position for personal reasons. As a result, 24 September 2021. 12 Hargreaves Lansdown Report and Financial Statements 2021