Highlights
· Good progress in a challenging environment
· Top line growth - overall sales up 2.9%*
o All core sectors returned to growth in second half
o Consistently outperforming our markets during second half
· Adjusted operating profit from 3 core sectors up £2.9m
· New organisational structure achieving sharper commercial focus and improved customer collaboration
· Strong performance from Life Sciences and Performance Technologies
· Personal Care impacted by challenging first half; improving second half trend
· Accelerating innovation - sales of New & Protected Products up 13%
· Adjusted profit before tax £235.4m, 1.7% lower than 2013
· Strong cash flow supporting investment; net debt reduced to £180.2m
· Full year dividend increased by 1.6% to 65.5p
