The billionaire family behind mega-brands Primark, Fortnum & Mason and Heal's has paid itself nearly £37m in dividends after profits grew across its portfolio last year.

The family handed out £128m in dividends, £24m more than the year previous.

The Garfield Weston Foundation, which owns nearly 80% of shares in Wittington's Investments - the family's investment vehicle - made grants of £91.1m to charities.

Group revenue rose from £17.3b to £20b in the year to September 16, while profit before tax jumped 22% to £1.4b.

The majority of Wittington's profits came from its 56.2% stake in Associated British Foods, which owns brands like Twinings tea and Silver Spoon sugar.

FTSE100

The UK's flagship share index, the FTSE 100, was up five-points at 7,600 shortly after opening this morning.

Brent crude oil futures was down 0.15% today, trading at $81.51 a barrel.

Companies reporting today

  • Bellway - Trading Statement
  • Redrow - Half Year Results
  • PepsiCo - Q4 Results

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