Optima swings to profit, cuts debt after Marlowe demerger

Tue, 08th Jul 2025 11:39

(Alliance News) - Optima Health PLC on Tuesday reported "strong" financial and operational progress on its annual results, marked by improved profitability and a sharp reduction in debt following its demerger from Marlowe PLC and AIM listing.

Shares in Optima were lost 8.0% to 194.20 pence on Tuesday morning.

For the year ended March 31, the occupational health services provider posted revenue of GBP105.0 million, down 5.3% from GBP110.9 million the year before.

However, statutory earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, and amortisation rose 36% to GBP13.7 million from GBP10.1 million, lifting the margin to 13.0% from 9.1%. Adjusted Ebitda stood at GBP17.6 million, broadly flat year-on-year.

Net debt excluding leases dropped to GBP2.2 million from GBP34.0 million, helped by Optima drawing GBP17 million from a GBP20 million loan facility to finance its separation from Marlowe.

Optima also swung to a pretax profit of GBP2.6 million from a GBP856,000 loss.

Chief Executive Officer Jonathan Thomas said the company delivered "strong progress against the strategy we set out at the time of the group's listing on AIM", highlighting three Ebitda-accretive acquisitions and the securing of a GBP210 million UK Armed Forces medical contract.

Looking ahead, Optima said it remains confident in delivering growth in financial 2026, supported by a growing new business pipeline, recent contract wins and further M&A.

The company acknowledged slower conversion in the second half of financial 2025 and upcoming headwinds from wage and tax changes, but said mitigation measures are underway.

By Eva Castanedo, Alliance News reporter

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Optima Health