Company scraps dividend for billionaire owner despite profit

DESPITE an increase in sales and profit during its most recent financial year, Specsavers has decided to forgo the substantial dividend it typically awards to its billionaire owners.

- JON ROBINSON

In each of the last two financial years, the company has paid out £15m to founders Dame Mary Perkins and her husband Doug.

During this period, Specsavers' turnover rose from £3.39bn to £3.98bn in its latest financial year ending February 28, 2025.

However, pretax profit saw a decrease, falling from £449.5m to £339.3m over the same two reporting periods.

Specsavers does not release full group accounts for Specsavers International Healthcare Limited due to its Guernsey headquarters.

The only available results are those filed with Companies House, which cover the majority of its operations.