Chester data specialist saw profits rise by third over last 12 months

Chester based GB Group saw a 55% increase in operating profit over the last 12 months.

The global identity data intelligence specialist also saw a 37% increase in revenue to £119.7m.

The rise in operating profit was from £17m to £26.3m over the last 12 months. Group profit before tax rose by a third to £13.4m.

The company said its international revenues increased from 31% to 34% of the total business and the group now employs over 800 people across 18 countries.

New customers to the portfolio include LEGO, KBC Ireland and Nordstrom and the overall customer base now stands at over 17,000 businesses and organisations, across 79 countries.

According to the annual results the new financial year is trading in line with expectations.

Chief executive Chris Clark said: “This has been another strong year for GBG across all of our core products and markets.

“We have a clear strategy for sustainable, long-term growth based on building ever-closer customer relationships while continuing our international expansion through both acquisitions and investment in our people and technology.

“GBG is becoming a truly global business with more than 34% of revenues coming from overseas markets.

“Today, our customers include more than 17,000 businesses and organisations, in 79 countries and we’re continuing to expand and invest in our operations in APAC, North America and EMEA.

“ We believe there are exciting opportunities across all our sectors, in all our markets and that gives us great confidence for the future.”

GB Group is a global specialist in identity data intelligence.

Based in Chester and with people in 18 countries, the firm has some of the world’s biggest organisations as its customers, from established brands like HSBC, Zurich Insurance, Lego and Lufthansa, to disruptive newcomers such as Stripe and Plus500.