Updated Mar 17, 2026 by Games Workshop Group
Report · August 1, 2021
Published by Games Workshop Group
Games Workshop achieved record-breaking financial performance for the 2021 fiscal year, with revenue rising 31% to £353.2 million and profit before tax exceeding £150 million for the first time. This growth was primarily driven by the successful launch of the latest edition of *Warhammer 40,000* and a 70% surge in online sales, which effectively offset the impact of global retail lockdowns. The company maintained a debt-free balance sheet and a strong cash position of £85.2 million, allowing for a significant increase in dividends to 235 pence per share and the distribution of £13.2 million in profit-share and discretionary bonuses to its global workforce. The company’s vertically integrated business model remains centered in Nottingham, UK, where it designs and manufactures its core intellectual property. While the UK remains the production hub, the business is increasingly international, with 77% of sales generated globally across 73 countries. North America stands as the largest geographic market, contributing £145.5 million in revenue. To support this global expansion, the group is investing heavily in physical infrastructure, including new warehousing in the UK and US, increased plastic production capacity, and the development of the Warhammer+ subscription service and digital licensing portfolio. Strategic priorities for the 2021/22 period focus on IP exploitation through media and digital content, alongside a commitment to environmental, social, and governance (ESG) goals. The company reported a 21% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 emissions and formalized an ESG steering group to oversee long-term sustainability. Despite operational challenges related to COVID-19, Brexit, and supply chain disruptions, the group’s high return on capital employed (184%) and robust liquidity position underscore a stable outlook for continued international growth and brand development.
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS 2021 2020 £m £m Revenue 353.2 269.7 Revenue at constant currency* 361.0 269.7 Operating profit - pre-royalties receivable 135.4 73.2 Royalties receivable 16.3 16.8 Operating profit 151.7 90.0 Operating profit at constant currency* 155.7 90.0 Profit before taxation 150.9 89.4 Net increase in cash - pre-dividends paid 93.4 70.5 Earnings per share 372.7p 218.7p Dividends per share declared in the year 235p 145p Dividends per share paid in the year 185p 145p CONTENTS Chair’s statement 2 Strategic report 4 Directors’ report 20 Corporate governance report 27 Audit and risk committee report 31 Remuneration report 34 Directors’ responsibilities statement 48 Company directors and advisers 49 Independent auditors’ report 50 Consolidated income statement
34 Directors’ responsibilities statement 48 Company directors and advisers 49 Independent auditors’ report 50 Consolidated income statement 56 Statements of comprehensive income 56 Balance sheets 57 Consolidated and Company statements of changes in total equity 58 Consolidated and Company cash flow statements 59 Notes to the financial statements 60 Five year summary 82 Financial calendar 82 Notice of annual general meeting 83 *Constant currency revenue and operating profit are calculated by comparing results in the underlying currencies for 2021and 2020, both converted atthe 2020average exchange rates as set out on page 16. 1Games Workshop Group PLC
CHAIR’S STATEMENT This is my first statement as non-executive chair of Games Workshop Group PLC, having stepped into the job on 1 January 2021. I’m delighted that we are reporting truly exceptional results in our financial year ended 30 May 2021, with revenue exceeding £350 million and profit before tax of over £150 million for the first time. This outstanding performance has been delivered in a period of unprecedented global uncertainty with the ongoing health and economic crises of COVID-19, and it is a true testament both to the strength of our operational team and to the resilience of our business model. Our culture determines what and how we deliver and achieve. It is built on the qualities of honesty, humility and courage. We are an enthusiastic and committed team. We hire people with great skills, great attitudes and great behaviours. Our sense of togetherness is very strong - even more so when the going is tough, and this year has certainly been tough. We understand that we win together or we lose together. This year we won together and our company and the Warhammer hobby continue to be in great shape.
es and great behaviours. Our sense of togetherness is very strong - even more so when the going is tough, and this year has certainly been tough. We understand that we win together or we lose together. This year we won together and our company and the Warhammer hobby continue to be in great shape. We invested £10 million in capital projects to support our growing business. We declared 235 pence per share in dividends totalling £77 million, compared with £47 million in respect of 2019/20. We were delighted to distribute £13 million equally to all of our colleagues to recognise their significant role in delivering these great results. We also paid some discretionary bonuses (like we do most years) in recognition of exceptional performance. These payments were made entirely out of surplus cash generated. We continue to have no borrowings and to retain sufficient cash both to invest in future growth and to protect the business against unforeseen risks and headwinds. The health and safety of our Games Workshop team, their families and of our customers and partners continues to be our primary concern. Many of our retail stores and some of our trade customers have been closed for a large proportion of the year. Our colleagues and trade partners are keen to get back to normal as soon as possible, and we will continue to support them in doing so safely.
artners continues to be our primary concern. Many of our retail stores and some of our trade customers have been closed for a large proportion of the year. Our colleagues and trade partners are keen to get back to normal as soon as possible, and we will continue to support them in doing so safely. As Kevin reports later in his strategic review, some of our investment projects have taken longer than we had hoped and we have also faced significant logistical and operational challenges throughout the year. The Games Workshop team have worked tirelessly to overcome these challenges, and our customers have been very understanding when we have fallen short of our normal high standards. Thank you one and all. We aim to make the best fantasy miniatures in the world, to engage and inspire our customers, and to sell our products globally at a profit. We intend to do this forever. ‘Forever’ is an important word to us and all of our decisions are focused on long-term success and not short- term gain. We know that to achieve our ambition to be around forever, running the company that we love, we have to have a responsible and principled approach in our dealings with all of our stakeholders - our colleagues, customers, shareholders, suppliers, local neighbourhoods and the world in which we live.
We know that to achieve our ambition to be around forever, running the company that we love, we have to have a responsible and principled approach in our dealings with all of our stakeholders - our colleagues, customers, shareholders, suppliers, local neighbourhoods and the world in which we live. We take these responsibilities very seriously and have spent a lot of time this year focusing on more effective wider stakeholder communication and management. Just some examples of this include the establishment of our environment, social and governance (ESG) steering group, the ongoing development of our global communication forum and the companywide review of our remuneration policies. We also reviewed our executive remuneration policy and found that we had fallen significantly behind market rate for our executives, given the complexity and size of our business. We have addressed this and made some changes to our policy as outlined later in this report. We have also spent considerable time reviewing and ensuring that our risk management processes are robust for the world in which we now operate. As we set out in some detail later in this annual report, we work hard to ensure that our long-term approach is evident across all aspects of our business and we have again made great progress this year.
Games Workshop achieved record-breaking financial results for the 2019/20 fiscal year, demonstrating significant resilience despite the operational disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Annual revenue rose 5.1% to £269.7 million, while profit before tax reached £89.4 million. This performance marks the fourth consecutive year of record growth, driven primarily by a robust trade segment—which now accounts for 52% of total revenue—and a substantial increase in royalty income from licensing agreements in the video game and media sectors. The company’s strategic focus remained on the global expansion of its Warhammer intellectual property and the modernization of its industrial infrastructure. Significant capital investments totaling £18 million were directed toward production and logistics expansions in Nottingham and North America, alongside the implementation of a new ERP system. While physical retail sales declined by 11% due to pandemic-related store closures, digital engagement and online sales saw marked growth. The company also successfully navigated the transition to IFRS 16 accounting standards, which brought £32.1 million in lease liabilities onto the balance sheet. Geographically, North America remains the company's largest market, contributing £104.8 million to total revenue. Despite the economic uncertainties of the pandemic and Brexit, the Group maintained a strong liquidity position, ending the period with £52.9 million in cash and no utilized borrowing facilities. This financial stability allowed the board to maintain its commitment to shareholders through dividends of 145 pence per share and to support its workforce by providing full pay during shutdowns and distributing profit-share bonuses to all staff. The report concludes with a focus on long-term sustainability, ethical sourcing, and continued IP exploitation to ensure future viability.
Games Workshop achieved record financial performance for the fiscal year ending May 29, 2022, reporting total revenue of £414.8 million and a profit before tax of £156.5 million. This growth was characterized by a 10% increase in core revenue and a near-doubling of licensing revenue to £28.0 million, bolstered by major agreements with partners such as Nexon. Despite macroeconomic pressures including Brexit-related supply chain costs and the conflict in Ukraine, the group maintained a debt-free balance sheet and continued its policy of returning surplus cash to shareholders, declaring £77.1 million in dividends. The group’s vertically integrated business model remains centered in Nottingham, UK, supporting a global retail network of 6,200 accounts across 72 countries. Strategic investments focused on "future-proofing" operations, including £16.7 million in design, £5.7 million in tooling, and significant upgrades to North American warehouse capacity and UK manufacturing facilities. While core gross margins faced a 5.6% decline due to rising freight and inventory costs, the licensing division’s high profitability helped offset these operational headwinds. Sustainability and governance were key areas of focus, with the establishment of a Social Responsibility and Sustainability strategy and a commitment to science-based carbon reduction targets. Although total greenhouse gas emissions rose by 5% due to business expansion, revenue-based emissions intensity decreased by 6%. Governance transitions included a leadership succession plan and the appointment of a new Audit and Risk Committee Chair. The board confirmed the group’s long-term viability through 2025, supported by robust cash reserves and a simplified executive remuneration structure that aligns leadership interests with long-term stability rather than short-term targets.
Annual Report 2025 details a landmark financial year for Games Workshop, characterized by record-breaking growth and the company’s promotion to the FTSE 100. For the 2024/25 period, total revenue rose to £617.5 million, with profit before taxation reaching £262.8 million. This performance was driven by a 14.2% increase in core sales—particularly within the trade channel and North American markets—and a near-doubling of licensing operating profit to £49.5 million, bolstered by the exceptional success of the *Space Marine 2* video game. The company continues to leverage a vertically integrated model, expanding its global footprint to 570 retail stores across 24 countries and an independent retailer network spanning 71 nations. To support this growth, significant capital investments are underway, including the construction of a fourth manufacturing facility by 2026 and a comprehensive IT systems overhaul slated for completion by 2029. While navigating macroeconomic challenges such as projected tariff impacts and supply chain disruptions, the Group maintained a robust liquidity position with £132.6 million in cash and distributed a record £20 million in profit-sharing to its workforce. Strategic priorities have shifted toward long-term value alignment, evidenced by a new remuneration policy that introduces share-based compensation for executives and a "Triennial Share Award" linked to revenue and profit targets. Sustainability remains a core focus; despite a rise in total emissions driven by global freight, the company surpassed its 2032 reduction targets for Scope 1 and 2 emissions through facility electrification. Looking forward, the Group is prioritizing internal talent development, digital engagement through Warhammer+, and a potential media partnership with Amazon to further scale the brand's global reach.
Games Workshop achieved record-breaking financial performance during the 2016/17 fiscal year, characterized by a 34% increase in revenue to £158.1 million and a doubling of operating profit to £38.3 million. This growth was balanced across all primary channels—trade, retail, and mail order—and supported by a robust gross margin of 72.4%. North America emerged as the largest geographic market, contributing £57.0 million to the total revenue. The company’s vertically integrated model, centered on its Nottingham manufacturing hub, produced 30 million miniatures and launched over 400 new products, while royalty income from licensed video games like Total War: Warhammer provided high-margin supplementary growth. Strategic priorities focused on long-term stability and cash generation, resulting in a 72% return on capital and a 76% increase in dividends per share. Despite this success, the period involved significant administrative and leadership transitions. Long-standing Chairman Tom Kirby announced his retirement, and the board addressed a technical breach of the Companies Act 2006 regarding an "unlawful dividend" payment of £1.9 million. This was rectified through shareholder resolutions to release directors from liability and treat the payment as a loan offset by future dividends. Operational investments included a major ERP system upgrade and a continued commitment to the UK Living Wage and universal profit-sharing, which saw a £4.9 million discretionary payment to the workforce. Environmental and governance disclosures highlight a reduction in carbon emissions and an 85% waste recycling rate. While the company maintains a conservative "survivalist" fiscal strategy, its strong liquidity position—ending the year with £17.9 million in cash and no debt—underpins its viability as a going concern through the 2020 horizon.