Dignity going strong on back of growth strategy

SUTTON Coldfield funeral services group Dignity has performed strongly in the first half of the year, seeing an increase in both turnover and profit.

Interim results for the 26 week period ending June 29 reveal revenue is up by 8% over the corresponding period last year at £116.5m (2011: £107.7m). Its profit before tax was up by 11% at £27.2m (2011: £24.5m).

Acquisition activity has continued in the second quarter with the group buying eight funeral locations and opening nine satellite locations in 2012.

The group also began operating one crematorium and three cemeteries on behalf of Haringey Council and will be opening its crematorium in Essex in the third quarter of 2012.

Unfulfilled pre-arranged funeral plans have increased since December 2011 by approximately 10,000 to 275,000, with plan sales significantly ahead of the prior period. These plans continue to represent future potential incremental business for the funeral division.

Chief executive Mike McCollum said: “This is a strong first half performance. Over 99% of clients say that we met or exceeded their expectations; the core business has performed well; we have expanded our portfolio of funeral locations and crematoria; and the book of pre-arranged funeral plans continues to grow.

“The group remains on track to achieve the board’s expectations for the full year.”