Key highlights:
Continued strong post-tax cash returns. Up 180bp on pre-12 investment to 24.8%(i)
Group revenues up 10.3% to £1,077.6m and underlying operating profit up 30%(ii) to £90.0m
Overheads reduced 9% (ii); down 2.8ppt as a percentage of revenues to 12.6%
Strong cash generation (before net growth capital expenditure, share buybacks, dividends and non-recurring items) of £142.6m or 15.3p per share
Underlying earnings per share up 36% (ii) to 7.3p
Prudent financial position maintained with net debt of £173.8m (0.5x net debt:LTM underlying EBITDA)
Strong banking support: Key banking facility increased to £550m and maturity extended to 2021, with option to extend to 2023
11% increase in interim dividend to 1.55p (H1 2015 : 1.4p)
Full year profit expected to be in line with management expectations
