Business process outsourcing (BPO) and professional services company The Capita Group today issued its interim management statement covering the 10 months to 31 October 2009.

According to the statement, Capita performed well in the second half of this year. “Businesses across the group are trading robustly and the market for outsourcing remains active,” it continues.

“We are making excellent progress meeting our key financial targets for the year. We have also maintained strong cash generation, contained capital expenditure and retained an efficient capital structure with relatively low gearing.

“Capita’s financial strength and stability continues to be an important differentiator with clients seeking sustainable long-term partnerships.

“The breadth of our resources and capability position us well in the market for outsourcing in the UK. We have secured 15 major contracts, worth a total of £1bn, so far this year and are seeing a good level of bidding activity across a broad cross section of our target markets spanning both the private and public sectors.”

Since announcing its half-year results in July, Capita has secured five outsourcing contracts:

* NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) — for the provision of dental contract support services (DCSS) and a managed IT service (MITI) to support the NHSBSA. Contract to be finalised at the end of this year and expected to be worth more than £100m over seven years.

* Becta — to manage grant administration for the government’s Home Access programme. Contract is valued at £15.7m and will run to June 2011.

* BBC Audience Services — re-awarded contract, worth £45m over nine years, to handle feedback from viewers and listeners about how audiences feel about BBC content.

* Capita’s local government services business has secured two contracts worth a total £25m with Hart District Council and Havant Borough Council.

The statement continues that the group is still interested in acquisitions “as an important part of our growth strategy. We look to acquire small to medium-sized businesses that will strengthen our position in our target markets or bring complementary skills and services”.

The statement concludes: “Trading across the group remains strong and we are confident we will deliver underlying profit growth for 2009 in line with market expectations. We are encouraged by prospects across the group, providing us with a strong platform for further growth in 2010 and beyond.”