Paris, 9 April 2020 – At its meeting held today, chaired by Pierre Pasquier, Sopra Steria’s Board of Directors
reviewed the action plan implemented by the Group to address the crisis caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Business continuity
Since mid-March, Sopra Steria has ensured its ability to continue providing the services and solutions required
by its clients and strictly adheres to all regulations and guidelines from government authorities relating to the
containment of Covid-19 in each of the countries where the Group operates.
The following measures were immediately put in place:
- A crisis management team was established, responsible for monitoring developments in the economic
situation and from the standpoint of public health and empowered to take immediate decisions.
- The highest priority was placed on protecting the health of the Group’s employees, clients and
partners.
- Secure, efficient and well-adapted systems for working from home, facilitated by considerable
advance preparation, were put in place for nearly all employees.
In order to support employees with reduced work hours due to the crisis, the Group also decided to supplement
the payments made by certain governments in order to maintain their level of remuneration.
Targets for 2020
Some of the Group’s clients have already communicated their decision to postpone or suspend the services
provided. However, due to the lack of visibility into the extent or duration of the crisis, it is not possible at this
stage to make sufficiently reliable forecasts. Consequently, the targets for 2020 announced on 21 February are
suspended.
Dividend in respect of financial year 2019
In a spirit of responsibility, the Board of Directors has decided to submit a resolution for shareholder approval
at the General Meeting to forgo distribution of a dividend in respect of financial year 2019.1
Sopra Steria’s fundamentals are strong and it enjoys a solid financial position. At 9 April 2020, the Group has
access to €1.5 billion in confirmed financing, including a €900 million undrawn revolving credit facility maturing
in July 2023.
Backed by the commitment of its teams and the close relationships it has built both with its clients and its entire
ecosystem, Sopra Steria is confident in its ability to overcome this crisis.
1 In the announcement of the Group’s full-year results for 2019, published on 21 February 2020, a dividend payment of €2.40
per share had initially been proposed in respect of financial year 2019.