Business
Statement re Government support for UK ceramics
Portmeirion Group PLC welcomes the UK Government's announcement of a £120 million fund to support the UK ceramics industry, a sector that has faced significant challenges from energy costs, which totalled approximately £2.8 million for Portmeirion in FY25. The company, which employs over 660 skilled individuals, including 433 in Stoke-on-Trent, and exports over £35 million of UK-manufactured products globally, views this support as crucial for maintaining global competitiveness. This initiative reinforces Portmeirion's confidence in its investment strategy to elevate its heritage brands and expand its export business, particularly with its "Made in Stoke-on-Trent" strategy aiming to significantly increase UK production. Disclaimer*
About this update from Portmeirion Group Plc
21 May 2026 Portmeirion Group PLC ("Portmeirion", the "Group" or "Company") STATEMENT RE GOVERNMENT SUPPORT FOR UK CERAMICS SECTOR The Board of Portmeirion Group PLC, the global homewares brand group, welcomes the announcement from UK Chancellor today that the UK Government will provide a £120 million fund to support the UK ceramics industry. Portmeirion's heritage brands Spode, Portmeirion and Royal Worcester are widely respected globally. Alongside being an employer of a highly skilled workforce of over 660, with 433 colleagues based in the heart of the UK ceramic industry in Stoke-on-Trent, the Group exports over £35m of UK-manufactured product to over 60 countries worldwide. Recent years have seen the UK ceramics industry grapple with crippling energy costs along with wider cost pressures. The Group's UK energy costs in FY25 totalled c£2.8m, with costs being forward hedged until April 2027. The Group has long called for meaningful Government support, including a fairer deal on energy costs and inclusion in the Government's British Industry Supercharger scheme in order to ensure that in this current challenging macro and political trading environment, UK Ceramics can continue to compete competitively on a global stage. Commenting, Michael Scheepers, CEO of Portmeirion Group said: "It is encouraging to see His Majesty's Government listen and take action today to support UK ceramics with the announcement of a £120m fund that recognises the important role that our sector contributes to British industry. We look forward to finding out further details of how the scheme will function and working with industry partners to make best use of the funds. This action underpins our confidence to continue our investments as we look to elevate our heritage brands to a wider global consumer and drive our export business. Portmeirion is a champion of UK ceramics and our stable of brands are steeped in the rich heritage of British craftmanship and design. We are already a major sector employer and exporter of UK ceramics and the international opportunity for our brands is at the heart of our growth plans as we execute our 'Elevating Portmeirion' strategy. In 2025, we committed to UK manufacturing and the City of Stoke-on-Trent with the launch of our 'Made in Stoke-on-Trent' strategy which will significantly increase UK production of our branded ta...
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