Outsourcing firm Capita has reported ‘good progress’ in its half-year results to 30 June 2009.

Capita’s turnover grew by 11% to £1,311m, from £1,182m, while its number of major contracts secured was up 30% to £814m (six months to 30 June 2008: £626m).

Operating margin rose to 12.2% (six months to 30 June 2008: 11.9%), free cash flow increased by 20% to £122m (six months to June 2008: £102m).

The group also reported a 17% increase in half-year dividend to 5.6p per share   
 
Paul Pindar, chief executive of the Capita Group, says: “Capita has made good progress in 2009. The majority of our businesses across the Group have performed well and we have secured new and renewed major contracts worth £814m in the first six months of the year. Our businesses are focused on operating at optimum efficiency and harnessing our extensive scale benefits to enable continued successful growth.
 
“We remain confident regarding our prospects. Demand for outsourcing across our chosen markets continues to be buoyant, generating an encouraging volume of opportunities.

“Our successes in 2008 and progress in the first half of 2009 position us well for a successful year. We are now focused on building a strong platform for continued growth in 2010 and beyond.”