Brand new iPad asking for passcode...but I never set one up!

I've just unboxed a brand new iPad for work and proceeded to create a new Apple account for it (didn't want to use my personal Apple ID). I entered my email address and mobile phone number. There was a delay with the verification code coming through (about 5 minutes, I'm in a poor signal area) and by the time it did the iPad screen had gone dark. I pressed the home button to wake up the screen and was asked to enter the passcode. I can assure you 100% that I have NOT added a passcode to this device. I have only just unboxed it, I have been using Apple devices for years and I would know if I'd added a passcode.