The company operates an equity based share option scheme to certain employees which provides additional remuneration for those employees who are key to the company. The options are granted under an approved EMI option plan, a CSOP plan and a US-Sub Plan, with the exercise price equalling the nominal value of the shares. The options expire ten years after the date of the grant. Employees are not entitled to dividends until the shares are exercised. All options granted have performance conditions relating to the relevant employee remaining in the employment of the company at exercise.
A reconciliation of share option movements during the year ended 28 February 2026 is shown below:
2026 2025
Weighted Weighted
average average
Number of exercise Number of exercise
options price options price
Outstanding at the beginning of the year: 21,544 £ 5.80
Granted during the year: 41,596 £ 3.01 21,544 £5.80
Forfeited during the year: 1,076 £18.82
Exercised during the year: 1,973 £0.001
Outstanding at the end of the year: 60,091 £ 3.83 21,544 £5.80
The company is unable to directly measure the fair value of the share options. Instead the fair value of the share options granted during the year is determined using the Black-Scholes model. The model is internationally recognised as being appropriate to value share option schemes similar to that of the company.
Equity settled schemes - charges arising: £684,777 (2025: £399,940)