Strix Group appoints Clare Foster as Chief Financial Officer

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Strix Group Plc (LON:KETL) has announced a pre-close trading update for the year ended 31 December 2023.

Despite the continued challenging macroeconomic and geopolitical environment, Strix has achieved adjusted profit after tax for the full year of £20.6m on a constant currency and £20.1m on a reported basis.

Demand in kettle controls in the key export regulated markets remains subdued, and whilst it has delivered quarter on quarter recovery during 2023 which it expects to continue, it remains c.20% lower by volume than 2021 and the recovery has been slower than anticipated. Strix’s unregulated and China markets, which represents c.20% of Strix’s kettle controls’ gross profit has shown more positive signs of growth. Following its successful integration, Billi has delivered double digit revenue and profit growth on a constant currency basis which is consistent with its strong track record over the past five years. LAICA also performed robustly with double digit revenue and profit growth on a constant currency basis.

Cash generation for the Group during the second half of the year was strong and year-end net debt will be c.£83.7m. The Company confirms this year-end position for the net debt to EBITDA was 2.15x and debt service coverage ratio was 1.15x which are within its covenants.

Strix is now focussed on delivering future profitable growth and the optimal resources required to achieve this. This will include a new internal reorganisation programme that will help the Group to continue to maximise cash generation and support debt reduction with a clear plan to get net debt / EBITDA to below 1.5x before the end of 2025. More details will be provided at the Preliminary Results in March.

Chief Financial Officer Appointment

Further to the announcement made on 27 October 2023, Strix is also pleased to announce the appointment of Clare Foster as Chief Financial Officer. Clare has over 25 years of experience working in international businesses, and was most recently the Group Chief Financial Officer at Trifast plc making her a valuable addition to Strix’s leadership team. She will join Strix on 1 February 2024 and following a handover period, will formally take office and join the Board on 2 April 2024. Mark Kirkland intends to step down as Interim Chief Financial Officer on 2 April 2024, remaining in that role until then to finalise the Preliminary Results and support an effective transition. He will continue to be a Non-Executive Director on the Strix Board.

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Notice of Results

Strix Group will announce its Preliminary Results for the twelve month period ended 31 December 2023 on 27 March 2024.

The following information is disclosed pursuant to Rule 17 and Schedule 2(g) of the AIM Rules for Companies in relation to Clare Louise Foster, aged 49:

Clare has held the following directorships in the past five years:

TR VIC S.P.A.

Precision Technology Supplies Limited

Charles Stringer’s Sons & Co. Limited

Fastech (Scotland) Limited

Fastener Techniques Limited

Ivor Green (Exports) Limited

Lancaster Fastener Company Limited

Micro Screws & Tools Limited

Rollthread international Limited

Serco-Ryan Limited

T.R. Fastenings Limited