Contract wins lift Charlton House

Charlton House, the UK's third largest independent contract caterer, has boosted profit by nearly 40% this year, despite a highly competitive market.

The group, which employs 1,000 people, reported last week that contract wins had boosted the company's pre-tax profit from £503,000 last year to £700,600 for the year to September. Turnover was up by nearly 25% to £32.3m.

Robyn Jones, the caterer's chief executive, said it had been "a fantastic year". "We are very pleased with the results, given the difficult business environment."

The company improved turnover and profit by winning new business. "We have picked up some nice big contracts in the last 12 months," said Jones. Wins included more deals with City law firms and four new sites in London's Docklands in the past six months, including a big deal with Tube Lines, a London Underground infrastructure company, previously serviced by Sodexho.

Charlton House had also gained a foothold in Scotland, where it now had two sites and a dedicated manager for the area.

Jones was buoyant about the next 12 months: "We are very positive. We are in a strong position. We are viewed favourably when tenders come up."