The Capita Group has announced a number of key acquisitions and major contract deals along with a healthy profit increase for the first half of the year.

The group saw pre-tax profit rise 18% to £74.5m for the six months to 30 June, before a share-based payment charge, amortisation and one-off items. Interim dividend per share went up 20% to 2.10p.

Capita recently completed the acquisition of BMI Health Services for £10m, which will be integrated into Capita’s existing health solutions company.

In February, the firm paid £4m for Buchanan Consulting Engineers, a development and transport planning consultancy.

“Our businesses are in excellent shape for generating incremental growth and the market for business process outsourcing opportunities continues to be buoyant,” said executive chairman Rod Aldridge.