Strong execution delivers 2025 financial performance in line with guidance, with all business units contributing to growth. Good strategic progress underpins our confidence for 2026 and beyond.
LONDON, Jan. 14, 2026 /PRNewswire/ —
Highlights
- Underlying Group sales growth of 4% for the full year, with Q4 accelerating to 8%.
- Group adjusted operating profit of £610-615m at £:$ of 1.32 for the full year, up c.6% on an underlying basis.
- Strong cash generation with free cash flow conversion of more than 95%1 plus £0.1bn State Aid repayment.
- Delivered against our 2025 strategic priorities, with Q4 highlights including:
- Leading on the application of innovative technologies with the launch of Communication Coach – an AI-powered learning solution integrated into Microsoft 365, enabling professionals to enhance communication skills seamlessly within the flow of work, marking our first go-to-market collaboration with Microsoft (link here).
- Ongoing Enterprise momentum, including a new strategic partnership with IBM (link here) and winning a strategic vocational skilling contract for the construction sector in Saudi Arabia. Pearson Professional Assessments (formerly known as Pearson VUE) selected to be the test delivery provider for Google Cloud certifications.
Omar Abbosh, Pearson’s Chief Executive, said:
“In 2025 we successfully delivered against our financial and strategic priorities by expanding our partnerships, growing our Enterprise reach, and advancing the use of AI to improve learning and upskilling. All of this was achieved thanks to the strong delivery of our people, who have been focused on executing for our customers. We enter 2026 with momentum, are excited about the opportunities that lie ahead, and remain well positioned to deliver value to our stakeholders.”
Underlying Group sales growth of 4% for the full year, with Q4 accelerating to 8%
- Assessment & Qualifications sales grew 4% for the full year with all sub-business units contributing to growth. Pearson Professional Assessments secured several new contracts, with continued strong customer retention supporting future growth. US Student Assessment renewed and extended several key contracts in the year, although lost the contract with New Jersey, which will be a headwind in H1 2026. In Clinical Assessment, sales grew due to the continued traction of our products in the market, pricing and digital product growth. UK & International Qualifications benefited from volume, pricing, and International growth. Sales growth accelerated in Q4, with sales up 8%, driven by new contract launches in Pearson Professional Assessments and the return to growth in US Student Assessment as phasing normalised. …