Full Year Highlights
· Good underlying growth in both revenue and profit
· Business line structure delivering benefits ahead of schedule in its first full year
· Increased rate of revenue growth in Core Growth businesses in second half
· Further operating margin improvements, up 70bps in the year
· Excellent free cash conversion at 142% of adjusted profit after tax: investments targeted to Core Growth opportunities
· Return on invested capital further improved to 8.5% (7.9%)
· Dividend up 9% in line with our progressive dividend policy
Iain Ferguson, Chairman of Berendsen, commented
"We are pleased to report this strong set of results, with our business line structure delivering benefits ahead of schedule in its first full year. The board expects trading trends in 2013 to be similar to last year and for Berendsen to achieve another year of good progress."
