Capita plc
On 31 January 2018, the Capita plc suffered a 40% drop in their share price after it issued a surprise profit warning. The group’s net worth fell to £1.3 billion, only slightly more than their estimated debt of £1.15bn.
Coming just a fortnight after the liquidation of Carillion, the latest shock down-turn in the fortunes of a major outsourcing company was accompanied by confirmation from Capita that it was undergoing a ‘transformation programme’ to try to avoid a similar fate.
With shares falling to just 190p each, their lowest level since January 2003, the group warned that underlying profits in 2018 were likely to be £270-300m; a long way from the £406m predicted by City analysts.
Capita's public sector contracts include; running London’s congestion charge scheme, operating and promoting the Gas Safe scheme, running a number of government helplines and the auto-enrolment of staff into workplace pension schemes. Capita employs around 70,000 people in the UK.
CEO Jonathan Lewis unveiled a radical overhaul of Capita’s finances, saying that the group’s operations had become ‘too complex’ and had placed ‘too much emphasis on acquisitions to drive growth’.
The overhaul includes; a £700m rights issue, the suspension of shareholder dividend payments, the disposal of non-core assets, cost-cutting and the sale of Constructionline, a provider of procurement and supply chain management services to the construction industry, which Capita purchased from the government in 2015 for £35m.
Capita Chief Executive Officer Jonathan Lewis said; “An immediate priority is to strengthen the balance sheet through a combination of cost savings, non-core disposals and new equity. We have identified a small number of quality businesses that do not fit with our core skills for which there will be better owners and a process to maximise value will commence shortly.”
[edit] Find out more
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
Featured articles and news
Key points for construction at a glance with industry reactions.
Functionality, visibility and sustainability
The simpler approach to specification.
Architects, architecture, buildings, and inspiration in film
The close ties between makers and the movies, with our long list of suggested viewing.
SELECT three-point plan for action issued to MSPs
Call for Scottish regulation, green skills and recognition of electrotechnical industry as part of a manifesto for Scottish Parliamentary elections.
UCEM becomes the University of the Built Environment
Major milestone in its 106-year history, follows recent merger with London School of Architecture (LSE).
Professional practical experience for Architects in training
The long process to transform the nature of education and professional practical experience in the Architecture profession following recent reports.
A people-first approach to retrofit
Moving away from the destructive paradigm of fabric-first.
International Electrician Day, 10 June 2025
Celebrating the role of electrical engineers from André-Marie Amperè, today and for the future.
New guide for clients launched at Houses of Parliament
'There has never been a more important time for clients to step up and ...ask the right questions'
The impact of recycled slate tiles
Innovation across the decades.
EPC changes for existing buildings
Changes and their context as the new RdSAP methodology comes into use from 15 June.
Skills England publishes Sector skills needs assessments
Priority areas relating to the built environment highlighted and described in brief.
BSRIA HVAC Market Watch - May 2025 Edition
Heat Pump Market Outlook: Policy, Performance & Refrigerant Trends for 2025–2028.
Committing to EDI in construction with CIOB
Built Environment professional bodies deepen commitment to EDI with two new signatories: CIAT and CICES.
Government Grenfell progress report at a glance
Line by line recomendation overview, with links to more details.
An engaging and lively review of his professional life.
Sustainable heating for listed buildings
A problem that needs to be approached intelligently.
50th Golden anniversary ECA Edmundson apprentice award
Deadline for entries has been extended to Friday 27 June, so don't miss out!
CIAT at the London Festival of Architecture
Designing for Everyone: Breaking Barriers in Inclusive Architecture.
Mixed reactions to apprenticeship and skills reform 2025
A 'welcome shift' for some and a 'backwards step' for others.