Record year for NEC caterer as it serves up 20% revenue growth

The catering arm of the NEC Group has enjoyed the strongest trading results in its 40-year history.

Amadeus saw revenue growth of 20% on 2015/16 and a 44% growth in EBITDA.

Across the group’s home venues – which include the NEC, ICC and Barclaycard Arena – EBITDA increased by nearly a third (29%) at the NEC and by more than a quarter (26%) at the ICC.

There has also been exponential growth in the company’s external venues business over the last year, with the catering business securing a record amount of new contracts worth more than £30m, including the East of England Arena and Event Centre, Delapré Abbey Preservation Trust and Compton Verney art gallery.

It also won two major contracts in Northern Ireland to provide catering and hospitality services for Belfast Waterfront and sister venue Ulster Hall and a further four visitor attractions including Belfast Zoo, Belfast Castle, Malone House and the Stables coffee shop in Sir Thomas and Lady Dixon Park.

These achievements add to the company’s last five years of success, which has seen Amadeus revenues grow from £25m to £42.2m and profit by 223%.

Kevin Watson, Amaedus managing director, said: “This is an exciting time for Amadeus as we continue to expand at pace.
“Investments in new technology to improve the customer service across our venues and extensive staff training and development has played a key role in the company’s growing success. We are set to expand further in the coming year with an exciting pipeline on the horizon.”