DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION The Board recognises that diversity and inclusion is fundamental to the culture of the Group, our purpose of Home for Success and ultimately our long-term sustainability. With employees a key stakeholder and at the heart of our business, the Board’s focus is on creating a workplace where people feel they belong and are valued, supported and empowered to grow. The Board continues to oversee the development and growth of our employee forum, Culture Matters, to ensure the employee voice is front and centre and continues to shape our Great Place to Work strategy. BOARD DIVERSITY POLICY The Board and Nomination Committee drives the agenda for diversity across the business. We are making progress, but recognise we still need to do more. The objectives of the Board’s Diversity Policy are to ensure that Board and Committees of the Board appointments: (a) Are made on merit and relevant experience, while taking into account the broadest definition of diversity (which includes factors such as ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability and socio-economic background, as well as age, gender, education and professional background). (b) Ensure Unite Students has, on an ongoing basis, the most effective Board and leadership team to operate the business for the benefit of all its stakeholders. The Committee ensures that when making Board appointments, the retained search firm places an emphasis on putting forward candidates who would enhance the overall diversity of the Board and seeks to appoint search firms that are signatories to the Enhanced Voluntary Code of Conduct for Executive Search Firms where practicable. On an ongoing basis, the Committee keeps under review the tenure and experience of the Executive and Non-Executive Directors to ensure the Board, and the respective Committees, has an appropriate and diverse mix of skills, experience, knowledge and diversity. BOARD AND SENIOR LEADERSHIP DIVERSITY The Company reports our Board and Executive management diversity data, as at 31 December 2025, in accordance with the UK Listing Rules targets and associated disclosure requirements. As of 31 December 2025, the Board comprised 40% women, one of the four senior positions on the Board was held by a woman and there was one Director from an ethnic minority background. REVIEW OF SUCCESSION PLANNING During 2025, a dedicated sub-committee was created to oversee the search for a new Non- Executive Director and Chair of the Audit & Risk Committee. As announced on 24 February 2026, Duncan Cooper will join the Board on 1 June 2026 and takeover as Chair of the Audit & Risk Committee when Ross Paterson steps down from the Board on 31 August 2026 at the end of his tenure. This search was supported by external search consultancy, MWM Consultancy. MWM is a signatory to the Enhanced Voluntary Code of Conduct for Executive Search Firms and has no other connection with the Company or any individual Directors. The Committee believes the Board currently has the correct balance of skills, experience, independence and knowledge. During 2026, the Committee will focus on our wider senior leadership talent mapping and bench strength. Committee membership Richard Huntingford Chair of the Nomination Committee Nicky Dulieu Senior Independent Director Ross Paterson Non-Executive Director Ilaria del Beato Non-Executive Director Dame Shirley Pearce Non-Executive Director Thomas Jackson Non-Executive Director Professor Sir Steve Smith Non-Executive Director Angela Jain Non-Executive Director Number of meetings 3 THE UNITE GROUP PLC Annual Report and Accounts 2025 101