The Board of The Character Group plc will be recommending to shareholders a final dividend of 3.0 pence (2019 H2: 13.0 pence per share). This constitutes an increase of 1.0 pence over the interim dividend declared in May 2020 and evinces the board's commitment to re-establishing a progressive dividend policy. This, together with the interim dividend of 2.0 pence per share paid in July 2020, makes a total dividend for the year of 5.0 pence per share (financial year 2019: 26.0 pence). The 2020 final dividend is covered approximately 3.6 times by underlying annual earnings (2019: 1.66 times). Subject to approval by shareholders at the annual general meeting on 22 January 2021, the final dividend will be paid on 29 January 2021 to members on the register as at the close of business on 15 January 2021; the shares will be marked ex-dividend on 14 January 2021.