Directors’ report

Information Services

Our Information Services segment comprises our Publishing Services and Contact Centre operations. Organic revenue growth of 3.7 per cent has been driven through a combination of increased advertising revenues within our directory products and strong activity levels on specific customer contracts within the contact centre operations.

The increase in activity levels has in turn resulted in a £0.4 million improvement in EBITDA and Adjusted profit from operations.

Subsequent to the financial year end, the Group disposed of the 118800 retail directory enquiry operations for £1.45 million. The Group has entered into an arrangement to continue to provide wholesale directory enquiry services to the new owners.

Information Services


Financial highlights

  • Revenue from continued activities
    £14.1m (2007: £13.6m)    up 3.7%
  • Adjusted profit from operations
    £3.6m (2007: £3.2m)    up 12.5%
  • Number of employees
    (2007: 307)    283

Business highlights

  • Long term contract with Connectivity Limited
    for 118 directory enquiry services
  • Hull Colour Pages delivers strong performance
  • Successful publication of local Know classified directories

Targets for 2008-09

  • Delivery of advanced 118 services
  • Continue to expand directory publishing and online advertising revenue