Autotrader Group CFO Jamie Warner Receives 1,582 SAYE Options at 390.96p Exercise Price in 2026 Scheme

Autotrader Group plc Announces 2026 Employee-Wide SAYE Scheme Launch

Autotrader Group plc, a leading UK digital automotive marketplace, has unveiled its 2026 Save As You Earn Scheme, designed to promote employee share ownership. The SAYE Scheme invites all eligible employees to subscribe for options over the company’s ordinary shares of 0.01 pence each. This initiative reflects the company’s strategy to enhance employee engagement and remuneration by aligning workforce interests with shareholder value.

The scheme is a tax-advantaged savings and share option plan allowing employees to accumulate savings via payroll deductions over a fixed term. SAYE schemes are widely adopted by listed companies to foster employee ownership culture. The 2026 launch underscores Autotrader’s commitment to enabling staff participation in the company’s growth and financial success through direct equity stakes.

Details of Jamie Warner’s SAYE Option Grant and Timing

Jamie Warner, Autotrader Group’s Chief Financial Officer, was granted 1,582 SAYE options on 21 July 2026 as part of the company-wide scheme. This grant reflects his participation as an eligible employee consistent with the inclusive nature of the SAYE programme. The transaction was officially recorded on the grant date, 21 July 2026.

As a senior executive and person discharging managerial responsibilities (PDMR), Warner’s option grant disclosure complies with regulatory requirements under the UK Market Abuse Regulation (MAR). This ensures transparency for investors regarding transactions involving key management personnel.

Fixed Exercise Price of 390.96p per Share for SAYE Options

The SAYE options granted carry a fixed exercise price of 390.96p per ordinary share, established at scheme launch and remaining constant throughout the savings contract. This price represents the cost at which employees, including CFO Jamie Warner, can purchase shares after the savings period. The exercise price is set in accordance with market conditions and regulatory guidelines prevailing at the time.

Under UK SAYE regulations, the exercise price is typically based on the share price at a specified date relative to scheme commencement. The fixed 390.96p price allows participants to benefit from any share price appreciation during the three-year savings period without price adjustments, incentivizing employee participation and aligning their financial interests with the company’s share performance.

Three-Year Savings Contract and Exercise Date of 1 September 2029

The SAYE options granted on 21 July 2026 will generally become exercisable from 1 September 2029, marking the conclusion of the standard three-year savings contract. During this period, employees save regularly via payroll deductions. The three-year term is standard for SAYE schemes, providing a clear timeline for savings accumulation and option exercise.

Participants, including Jamie Warner with his 1,582 options, may exercise their options at the fixed price of 390.96p per share from 1 September 2029, subject to scheme eligibility and completion of the savings contract. This unified exercise date fosters a collective employee share ownership event across the company.

Compliance with UK Market Abuse Regulation and PDMR Disclosure

The disclosure of Jamie Warner’s SAYE option grant complies with UK Market Abuse Regulation requirements governing transactions by PDMRs. These rules mandate timely public reporting of dealings by senior executives to maintain market transparency and investor confidence. The formal notification on 21 July 2026 includes full transaction details, supporting regulatory compliance and governance standards at Autotrader Group plc.

Details disclosed cover Warner’s role, transaction nature, financial instruments involved (ordinary shares of 0.01 pence each, ISIN GB00BVYVFW23), and transaction date and venue. These disclosures reinforce market integrity and ensure investors are informed about executive participation in employee share schemes.

Ordinary Shares and ISIN GB00BVYVFW23 Details

The SAYE options relate to Autotrader Group plc’s ordinary shares of 0.01 pence each, identified by ISIN GB00BVYVFW23. These shares confer standard shareholder rights including voting and dividends. The ISIN provides a unique global identifier facilitating trading and settlement across markets.

Upon exercising his 1,582 options, CFO Jamie Warner would acquire an equivalent number of ordinary shares at the fixed exercise price. Using ordinary shares as the underlying security ensures scheme participants obtain full shareholder status and benefits consistent with other investors.

Inclusive All-Employee Scheme Design Encourages Broad Participation

The 2026 SAYE Scheme is an all-employee plan inviting all eligible staff at Autotrader Group plc to subscribe for options. This inclusive design aligns with best practices in employee engagement and share ownership, extending participation beyond senior management to the wider workforce. Eligibility criteria are defined by the scheme’s terms.

By including executives like CFO Jamie Warner among participants receiving options on equal terms, Autotrader emphasizes company-wide involvement. This approach supports employee morale, retention, and engagement by offering tangible equity stakes linked to company performance and share price growth over the savings period.

Transaction Recorded as Outside-Venue Trade on 21 July 2026

The SAYE option grants to Jamie Warner and other employees were recorded on 21 July 2026 as transactions outside a trading venue. This classification reflects that SAYE grants are direct contractual arrangements between the company and employees rather than market trades on exchanges such as the London Stock Exchange. The outside-venue status is standard for employee share scheme transactions.

The transaction details show a price of GBP 3.9096 and volume of 1,582 options granted to CFO Jamie Warner. Regulatory notification ensures transparency despite the outside-venue nature of the transaction, which is recognized under UK Market Abuse Regulation as a reportable PDMR dealing.

Autotrader’s Position as a Leading UK Digital Automotive Marketplace

Autotrader Group plc operates as a premier digital automotive marketplace in the UK, connecting vehicle buyers and sellers through its platforms. The company’s model focuses on digital advertising and transaction facilitation within the automotive sector, leveraging technology and data to improve the vehicle buying experience for consumers and retailers. With millions of users, Autotrader maintains a strong market presence in the UK automotive digital services space.

The 2026 SAYE Scheme launch, including participation from senior executives like CFO Jamie Warner, aligns with Autotrader’s broader human capital strategy. Employee share schemes support talent retention and engagement, crucial for technology-driven companies where skilled personnel drive competitive advantage. By enabling equity participation, Autotrader seeks to align employee interests with long-term business performance and shareholder value creation.