PA’s record profits

PA Group has announced record operating profits — up 19 per cent to £5.7 million for the year ending 2005 compared with £4.8 million in 2004.

Turnover also rose by 19 per cent from £69.7 million to £82.9 million as acquisitions and organic growth added to group revenues.

In 2005, PA acquired Meteo Consult (which adds international weather information to its information services); Sportev (which provides video to PA Sport's internet and mobile phone operations); Sport Services Group (which supplies information to the sport governing body community); and the celebrity photo service All Action Digital.

PA Group chairman Sir Harry Roche said: "I believe these results demonstrate the progress we are making with our strategic aim of becoming a broadly based international information business. I am optimistic that the expansion of our business, both nationally and internationally, and the increase in our product range, will enable us to continue our growth."

Highlights of 2005 included the development of multimedia services for the broadband and 3G mobile sectors.

International expansion saw the opening of the PA Data Centre in Mangalore and PA Sport Asia's new Hong Kong bureau.

Paul Potts, PA Group's chief executive and editor-in-chief, said: "These results are encouraging. However, we have to keep focused on becoming ever more efficient, relevant and alert for opportunities in a rapidly changing, as well as challenging, market."