Shareholder information

The Company’s registrars, MUFG Corporate Markets (formerly known as Link Group), are replacing the existing Signal Shares portal with Investor Centre. This is a new web-based platform and app through which you will be able to manage your Croda shares.  It has enhanced security features, including Multi-Factor Authentication and biometric login and provides a secure and intuitive experience accessible at all times.

In November, shareholders will receive details about how to access Investor Centre and register an account.

Below are some FAQs which should help you with any questions you might have.   

 

What is Investor Centre?

Investor Centre is a simple, convenient, and secure platform that you can use to manage your share portfolio online.  Through Investor Centre you can access and manage all your shareholdings overseen by MUFG Corporate Markets.

 

How do I access Investor Centre?

You can access Investor Centre on a web browser via uk.investorcentre.mpms.mufg.com and then follow the instructions. Investor Centre also has a mobile app available to download free on all smart devices.

More information about how you can easily access Investor Centre will be available on the day of migration.

 

Is the platform secure?

Investor Centre uses Multi-Factor Authentication, which is a multi-step account login process that required users to enter more information than just a password to ensure a high level of security.

Why is Croda making the switch to paperless payments?

The move to paperless dividend payments is being made for reasons of efficiency and security as well as to reduce the volume of paper used in dividend mailings. 

Please provide your UK bank or building society details for the account you wish future payments to be made via a mandate form. 

When is this happening?

The 2024 final dividend to be paid on 28 May 2025 will be the last payment supported by the issue of a cheque. This means that with effect from the interim dividend, which we expect to pay in October 2025, shareholders will no longer receive dividend payments by cheque.  

What do I need to do?

1. If you have not already done so, you will need to register a mandate via the Share Portal (www.signalshares.com) to enable payment of dividends direct to your bank.  Dividend confirmations will also be available on the Share Portal.
   
   
2. Please register your bank account details for the payment of future dividends as soon as possible using one of the following methods:

•  Via the Share Portal at www.signalshares.com. If you have not previously registered for the Share Portal you will need your investor code.  Your investor code can be found on your share certificate or tax voucher. This is also where you will be able to obtain future dividend confirmations.
  
  
• Calling MUFG Corporate Markets on 0371 664 0300 (from the UK) or +44(0) 0371 664 0300 (from overseas). To locate and help you, the Customer Service team will need to complete a security check so please have your personal details ready. Calls are charged at the standard geographic rate and will vary by provider. Calls outside the United Kingdom will be charged at the applicable international rate; lines are open 9.00am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday excluding public holidays in England and Wales.
  
  
• Completing a dividend mandate form here and returning it to MUFG Corporate Markets, Central Square, 29 Wellington Street, Leeds LS1 4DL.
• Sending a signed instruction to MUFG Corporate Markets, Central Square, 29 Wellington Street, Leeds LS1 4DL. Make sure that your letter includes:

1. The name of the company that you hold shares in
2. The name of the shareholder
3. The signature of the shareholder or legal representative
4. The bank account details including Sort code, Account number and Roll number (if your account is at a building society)

Advantages for Shareholders

Rather than having to wait for a cheque to arrive in the post and then for it to clear in your account, you will now receive dividend funds directly into your account on the payment date. 

Dividend reinvestment plan (DRIP)

The DRIP allows ordinary shareholders to use dividends to buy further shares in Croda.  The DRIP is offered to shareholders resident in the UK only by MUFG Corporate Markets, a trading name of MUFG Corporate Markets Trustees (UK) Limited which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. You can sign up to this service via the Share Portal (www.signalshares.com).

What happens if I do not provide my bank details?

If you do not provide bank details, your future dividend payments will not be made until this information has been provided. Your dividends will not accrue interest while they are being held for you and there may be a fee for the release of payments.

What will happen to any outstanding dividend cheques that may be out of date and I haven’t presented for payment?

Outstanding payments can be re-issued to you, however, only direct to your bank or building society account. If you do happen to come across any dividend payment cheques that are out of date, you can return the cheque(s) to MUFG Corporate Markets with a mandate form and payments will be re-issued. Alternatively, you can contact MUFG Corporate Markets, detailing the cheques you have found and they will get back to you. Please note that dependent on the value of the cheque(s) outstanding, there may be a fee for the re-issue of the payment(s). 

Can I change the bank or building society that the dividend currently gets paid into?

Yes, you can provide a new mandate at any time. You can make the change online via the Share Portal (www.signalshares.com), contact MUFG Corporate Markets directly to update your details, or you can complete a mandate form and return it to MUFG Corporate Markets by post.

I live overseas, how can I provide my bank details?

If you have a UK bank or building society account, you can provide those details to MUFG Corporate Markets in the same way. If you do not have a UK bank or building society account or would like to be paid in a different currency, MUFG Corporate Markets offer an International Payment Service (IPS). The IPS is available to holders who receive individual dividend or interest payments of £10 or more. The dividend will be credited to your account automatically - normally just a few days after Croda’s dividend payment date. For more details, please visit the MUFG Corporate Markets website at https://www.mpms.mufg.com/en/for-individuals/uk/shareholders/international-payment-service/.

Shareholders can arrange to have dividends paid direct into their bank account.

Your dividend reaches your bank account on the payment date
It is more secure: cheques can be lost in the post
Avoids the inconvenience of depositing a cheque
Helps to reduce fraud
Those living outside the UK can choose to receive their next dividend in their local currency. MUFG Corporate Markets has partnered with Deutsche Bank to provide a service that converts GBP sterling dividends into local currencies at a competitive rate. You can choose to receive payment direct to your local bank account or can receive a currency draft.

Sign up to these services at www.signalshares.com by clicking on ‘your dividend options’ and following the instructions, or by contacting the Customer Support Centre. 

For more information contact MUFG Corporate Markets.

Beneficial owners of shares who have been nominated by the registered holder of those shares to receive information rights under section 146 of the Companies Act 2006 are required to direct all communications to the registered holder of their shares rather than to the Company’s registrar, MUFG Corporate Markets, or to the Company directly. 

Share fraud includes scams where investors are called and offered shares that often turn out to be worthless or non-existent, or an inflated price for shares they own.

Protect yourself: if you are offered unsolicited investment advice, discounted shares, a premium price for shares you own, or free company or research reports, you should take the name of the organisation or firm contacting you and use the Financial Services Register at www.fca.org.uk to ensure they are authorised, using the details on the FCA register to contact the firm.

Remember: if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. If you use an unauthorised firm to buy or sell shares or other investments you will not have access to the Financial Ombudsman Service or Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) if things go wrong.

Croda International Plc (Croda) has partnered with its Registrar, Link Group (Link Group is now known as MUFG Pension & Market Services), engaged a professional asset reunification service, AssetTrace+, to trace and contact shareholders  who have, for one reason or another, become disconnected from their Croda shareholding and have unclaimed dividends owing to them.
Croda appreciates that shareholders can lose touch with us for a variety of reasons. Some shareholders do not notify our Registrar when they move home or circumstances change so details on the share register may be out of date. Shareholders may also simply forget about or be uncertain about their shareholding.
We want to drive shareholder engagement and reunite as many shareholders as possible with their lost assets and have asked AssetTrace+ to contact all shareholders with unclaimed dividends over 12 months old. If you have received a letter from AssetTrace+ please take action.

Why is this entitlement due?

Cheques that have been issued in respect of dividends paid by Croda may have been returned undelivered and/or remain uncashed.  Croda has instructed AssetTrace+ to try to find and assist shareholders or their legal representatives with the repatriation of unclaimed monies to which they may be entitled.

Who are AssetTrace+?

AssetTrace+ is a trading name of Link Market Services Limited and is part of Link Group who are the Croda Registrar.  Asset Trace+ operates a service which helps reunite individuals, or their legal representatives, with unclaimed assets relating to companies in which they are or were a shareholder.

What should you do if you have received a letter?

AssetTrace+ will only send a letter to an address where they have a high level of confidence that the shareholder, or their legal representative, resides – whether that is a newly identified address or the existing address on the share register.  The programme is designed to facilitate the recovery of entitlements and make the process as easy as possible.  Please follow the instructions provided in the letter and either claim your entitlement online or, where required, return the signed and dated form (along with any necessary documents to Asset Trace+.

What is dividend forfeiture?

The Croda Articles of Association allow unclaimed dividend payments that were paid six or more years ago to be forfeited.  This means that if you do not respond by the deadline specified on the Claim Letter then these outstanding dividends will be forfeited and returned to Croda.

How do I contact AssetTrace+?

AssetTrace+ is part of Link Group who are Croda’s Registrars.

Email: reunification@linkgroup.co.uk

Telephone: UK 0333 300 1935 or from overseas +44 333 300 1935

Lines are open Monday to Friday, 8.30am – 5.30 pm UK time excluding public holidays in England and ales.  Calls are charged at the standard geographical rate and will vary by provider.  Calls from outside the UK will be charged at the applicable international rate.

Post: AssetTrace+, Central Square, 29 Wellington Street, Leeds, LS1 4DL

What should I do if I do not want to use the AssetTrace+ service?

To make your own arrangements to recover your entitlements please contact our Registrar, Link Group. Please be aware that there may also be charges for the services provided by Link.

Email: shareholderenquiries@linkgroup.co.uk

Telephone: UK 0371 664 0300 or from overseas +44 371 664 0300

Lines are open Monday to Friday, 9.00 am - 5.30 pm UK time excluding public holidays in England and Wales. Calls are charged at the standard geographical rate and will vary by provider. Calls from outside the UK will be charged at the applicable international rate.

Post: Link Group, Central Square, 29 Wellington Street, Leeds LS1 4DL on 0800 169 7775. Lines are open 8.30am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday (excluding UK public holidays).

If you are approached about a share scam you should tell the FCA using the reporting form at www.fca.org.uk/scams. You also can find out about the latest investment scams here. FCA consumer helpline: 0800 111 6768.

If you have already paid money to share fraudsters, call Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040