The information contained within this announcement is deemed by the Company to constitute inside information stipulated under the Market Abuse Regulation (EU) No. 596/2014 as it forms part of UK domestic law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018. Upon the publication of this announcement via the Regulatory Information Service, this inside information is now considered to be in the public domain.
10 October 2025
Hydrogen Utopia International PLC
(the "Company" or "HUI")
Director and Employee Share Option Repricing
Hydrogen Utopia International PLC (LSE: HUI), a company developing technology to convert non-recyclable waste plastics into hydrogen and other clean energy, announces that the Remuneration Committee, led by Steve Medlicott and Paul Formanko, has undertaken a review of director and employee remuneration and incentive arrangements.
Over the past twelve months, the Company has operated with a minimal cost base, during which both executive and non-executive directors have forgone the majority of their salaries to preserve cash resources. During this period, the Company has also revised its strategic focus, which, despite operational progress, has coincided with a decline in the Company's share price. As a result, previously awarded share options are now substantially out of the money.
Following careful consideration, the Remuneration Committee has resolved to reprice certain existing share options and to grant new options to directors and employees in recognition of unpaid remuneration and to provide appropriate long-term incentives aligned with shareholder interests.
1. Repricing of Existing Share Options
| Director |
Number of Options |
Previous Exercise Price (p) |
New Exercise Price (p) |
| Paul Formanko |
1,720,000 |
5.00 |
1.65 |
| Steve Medlicott |
3,440,000 |
5.00 |
1.65 |
| James Nicholls-May |
1,729,730 |
9.25 |
1.65 |
| James Nicholls-May |
645,161 |
3.88 |
1.65 |
2. New Share Options Granted (in lieu of unpaid salaries)
| Director |
Number of Options |
Exercise Price (p) |
Value of Unpaid Salary (£) |
| Howard White |
3,636,363 |
1.65 |
60,000 |
| Aleksandra Binkowska |
3,636,363 |
1.65 |
60,000 |
| Paul Formanko |
1,515,152 |
1.65 |
25,000 |
| Steve Medlicott |
1,515,152 |
1.65 |
25,000 |
3. Issue of Shares for Their Services ( Past and Future)
| Recipient |
Number of Shares |
Issue Price (p) |
Value (£) |
Purpose |
| Novum Securities Limited (AlbR Capital Limited) |
2,307,692 |
1.625 |
37,500 |
Advisory Fees |
(These shares have already been announced with the omission of the number of shares; thereafter, it is a clarification).
New directors Richard Fish was allotted shares at a nominal value for his invaluable connections and introduction to the InEnTec technology, which was previously announced upon his appointment, and Naser Nuredini was allotted share options at market value upon his appointment. The Remuneration Committee considers these adjustments to be a fair and proportionate measure recognising the long-term commitment of directors who have supported the Company over an extended period, often without remuneration, while ensuring that all board members, new and long-standing ones, are aligned going forward.
The executive directors have also personally demonstrated their commitment to the Company. They have jointly secured an option for the TRL 9 InEnTec Technology using their own funds, underpinning HUI's access to advanced hydrogen and waste-to-energy solutions. Furthermore, Aleksandra Binkowska, the Company's Chief Executive Officer, has taken a loan against her own shares to assist the Company during a period of financial strain, further evidence of the Board's belief in the long-term potential of Hydrogen Utopia International.
Despite the lack of remuneration and the challenging market conditions, both executive and non-executive directors continue to serve on minimal salaries, deliberately avoiding unnecessary cash burn and disruption to the market where such action is not required . The Board remains extremely optimistic about the Company's ambitions in the MENA (Middle East and Africa), especially, GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) region, where significant opportunities are emerging for hydrogen and circular-economy technologies, and believes that HUI is well positioned to capitalise on these developments.
The company's current position and prospects, particularly given the progress expected to unfold in the near term.
The Board believes these actions are in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders as a whole, recognising the substantial unpaid remuneration of directors and employees while aligning incentives with the long-term success of the Company and the renewed strength of the hydrogen sector globally.
As Chief Executive Officer, I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to everyone whose dedication and hard work continue to drive the success of the Company.
For further information, please contact:
Hydrogen Utopia International PLC
Aleksandra Binkowska
+44 20 3811 8770
Alfred Henry Corporate Finance Limited (LSE Corporate Adviser)
Nick Michaels/Maya Klein Wassink
+44 20 8064 4056
AlbR Capital Limited (Broker)
Jon Belliss/Colin Rowbury
+44 20 7399 9400
Capital Plus Partners Limited (Broker)
Dominic Berger
+44 7799888544
About Hydrogen Utopia International PLC
HUI aims to become one of the leading new European companies specialising in converting non-recyclable mixed waste plastic into hydrogen and other carbon-free fuels, new materials or distributed renewable heat.
A HUI facility uses non-recyclable mixed waste plastic as feedstock and turns it into syngas from which new products and energy can be produced. HUI anticipates that its revenues will be derived from a variety of sources, dependent upon location and configuration of the HUI facilities, including the sale of syngas, hydrogen and other gases, electricity and heat sales, and the payment to it of fees for a given quantity of non-recyclable mixed waste plastic received at a HUI facility.
HUI will target areas where there is significant private sector interest or potential, financial backing is accessible and or where substantial EU and/or government funded sources of grants and loans are or may be available. The global increase in fossil fuel-based energy prices reinforces the need for alternative, price competitive energy sources, which HUI's business model can provide.
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