Updated Mar 17, 2026 by Games Workshop Group
Report · January 1, 2022
Published by Games Workshop Group
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.
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS 2022 2021 £m £m Core revenue 386.8 353.2 Licensing revenue 28.0 16.3 Revenue 414.8 369.5 Revenue at constant currency 418.6 369.5 Core operating profit 131.7 136.7 Licensing operating profit 25.4 15.0 Operating profit 157.1 151.7 Operating profit at constant currency 161.5 151.7 Profit before taxation 156.5 150.9 Net increase in cash - pre-dividends paid 79.3 93.4 Earnings per share 391.3p 372.7p Dividends per share declared in the period 235p 235p Dividends per share paid in the period 285p 185p Seetheglossary on page 84 for details on thealternative performance measures (APMs)used by the Group. Where appropriate, a reconciliation between an APM andits closest statutory equivalent is provided. CONTENTS
235p 235p Dividends per share paid in the period 285p 185p Seetheglossary on page 84 for details on thealternative performance measures (APMs)used by the Group. Where appropriate, a reconciliation between an APM andits closest statutory equivalent is provided. CONTENTS Chair’s statement 2 Strategic report 4 Directors’ report 19 Corporate governance report 29 Audit and risk committee report 35 Remuneration report 38 Directors’ responsibilities statement 49 Company directors and advisers 50 Independ
ors’ responsibilities statement 49 Company directors and advisers 50 Independent auditor’s report 51 Consolidated income statement 57 Consolidated and Company statements of comprehensive income 57 Balance sheets 58 Consolidated and Company statements of changes in total equity 59 Consolidated and Company cash flow statements 60 Notes to the financial statements 61 Five year summary 83 Financial calend
inancial statements 61 Five year summary 83 Financial calendar 83 Glossary 84 Notice of annual general meeting 85 1 Games Workshop Group PLC
CHAIR’S STATEMENT Our purpose remains unchanged. We design, make and sell the best fantasy miniatures in the world, to engage and inspire our customers, and to sell our products globally at a profit. Our decisions are focused on long-term success, not short-term gains - ‘forever’ is an important word to us. 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. This year we have built upon the good progress we made in previous years, spending more board time focused on ensuring effective engagement with and consideration of all of these key stakeholders. As a relatively new board team, we have been working together on establishing our position on things like key ESG and corporate governance principles and how these should apply to Games Workshop. From these agreed positions, we are building an action plan which will include deliverable and measurable priorities. Alongside this we are working with the executive to future proof the business. Some focus areas of our work this year include:
nciples and how these should apply to Games Workshop. From these agreed positions, we are building an action plan which will include deliverable and measurable priorities. Alongside this we are working with the executive to future proof the business. Some focus areas of our work this year include: Our customers - we were delighted to support the executives’ proposal to invest in our webstore to improve customer experience online. The progress on improving our warehouse facilities should improve shipping times back to more normal levels; The environment - our work this year on gap analysis and scenario planning in readiness for TCFD reporting, supported by the recruitment of dedicated resource, positions us well; to help us set achievable science-based targets so that we can play our part in tackling the challenge of climate change; Our suppliers - our ongoing work on ethical sourcing and supply policies have ensured that we are promoting responsible manufacture throughout our supply chain alongside our commitment to ensuring modern slavery has no place within any of our operations; Our people - our executives have updated our global communication forum into quarterly department level meetings, which all of our non-executive directors are encouraged to attend by rotation. John Brewis has been appointed as the non-executive director responsible for developing a plan for effective board and employee engagement.
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.
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.
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 2017/18 fiscal year, characterized by a 39% increase in revenue to £219.9 million and a near doubling of operating profit to £74.6 million. This growth, which propelled the company into the FTSE 250, was primarily driven by the global success of the Warhammer brand and a 54% surge in the trade segment. With 76% of sales generated internationally, the company significantly expanded its Nottingham-based manufacturing and R&D facilities, doubling plastic injection molding capacity and increasing inventory levels to £20.2 million to meet rising global demand. Strategic priorities focused on long-term infrastructure and digital engagement, including the implementation of a new ERP system and a successful relaunch of Warhammer 40,000 that drove 70 million digital community page views. Financial stability remained robust, with the company maintaining a debt-free position and increasing cash reserves to £28.5 million. While management monitored risks related to Brexit and supply chain interruptions, the return on capital rose from 72% to 120%. Governance remained stable, with the board defending the tenure of long-serving directors based on their deep industry expertise, while also implementing a revised remuneration policy to align executive pay with market rates following the year’s exceptional performance. The company’s commitment to sustainability and compliance was evidenced by a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions through solar energy investments and the achievement of full GDPR compliance. Looking forward, the company remains focused on multi-channel retail growth and IP licensing opportunities. Independent auditors confirmed the integrity of the financial statements, noting that while inventory valuation and development costs require significant management judgment, the group remains a strong going concern with high liquidity and a clear trajectory for continued global expansion.