Develop North plc

The first nine months of the financial year have seen the base rate decrease to 4.0% after a narrow vote to hold them at that level at the November 2025 meeting. Market consensus is that rates will continue to fall during 2026 with Capital Economics forecasting a drop to 3.0%. September 2025 inflation figure showed CPI at 3.8%, unchanged from July and August 2025. The Bank of England believe inflation has now peaked and will gradually fall back in 2026 before settling at the target 2% range in 2027. Year on year house prices are up by 1.9% across the country (Halifax House Price Index September 2025). DVNO renewed its facility with Shawbrook for a further year and increased the limit to £7m. DVNO also made two exciting announcements in recent months. The first was the appointment of Dr Sameer Al Ansari as a Non Executive Director and Deputy Chairman with effect from 2 May 2025. Dr Al-Ansari, an internationally respected figure in finance, investment and corporate governance, will play a key role in shaping Develop North's future investment and wider fund strategy. His appointment will also significantly support the fund's ambitions to raise its international profile, drive new investment into the Company, and promote economic growth across the North East region. The second announcement, made in July, was the Board proposes to change the investment policy and potentially raise further capital to enhance shareholder value through a broader, more diversified portfolio of investments predominantly focused in the North East of England.