All looks very positive -21 May 2021 10:15
"Overall Group trading improved in the second half of 2020, with an increase in revenues and all three divisions returned to underlying operating profit, on a continuing basis, exceeding revised expectations.The momentum in the second half of 2020 continued into 2021 and the Group made a strong start to the year, with revenue and underlying operating profit ahead of expectations for the first quarter despite the lockdowns implemented for the duration of the period across the UK and Ireland. The Group has continued to benefit from sustained demand from essential food and logistics services, as well as e-commerce. The Group is now also seeing increased activity from clients in some of those sectors most adversely impacted by Covid-19, such as manufacturing, high street retail and convenience foods. There is an increasingly positive market backdrop, with independent data showing that recruitment activity rebounded sharply in March 2021........With the proposed strengthened capital structure in place, the Board believes that the Group would be in a strong position to take advantage of the increasing opportunities arising from improving business confidence and the wider Covid-19 economic recovery............As a result of this strong performance, the Company confirmed that both revenue and underlying operating profit were expected to be ahead of expectations with all three businesses ahead of budget.