Communisis upbeat as it sees profits more than double

The group, which has operations in Leeds and Halifax, said profits rose from £1.3m to £2.9m in the six months to June 30.

Communisis said it is now “fully on board” in Copley, Halifax following the award of a lucrative ten-year contract by Lloyds Banking Group for customer communication services.

The group’s chief executive Andy Blundell said the number of staff in Halifax and the two sites in Leeds has doubled to 800.

The company announced its intention to lay off about 75 employees at its Cross Gates facility earlier this year.

Finance director Nigel Howes, who is moving up to strategic and corporate development director, said most of the £8.1m capital expenditure over the half year was spent at Copley and the group will spend another £2.8m on the site in the second half of 2014.

“Copley now has advanced technology,” he said.

In his new role Mr Howes will focus on mergers and acquisitions, updating the group’s strategy and looking after the group’s international business. He will be replaced by Mark Stoner, who moves from group director to finance director.

In addition, Helen Keays, a non-executive director at Majestic Wine and Domino’s Pizza, is to join as a non-executive director.

“Helen is an expert consumer marketer,” said Mr Blundell.