Shares in outsourcing giant Capita plc went into free fall today after the company issued a profits warning.
Capita holds the lucrative BBC TV Licensing operations contract.
Jonathan Lewis, who started as the company's chief executive two months ago, said "significant change" was required for the business.
"We are now too widely spread across multiple markets and services, making it more challenging to maintain a competitive advantage in every business and to deliver world class services to our clients every time," he said.
The company intends to raise £700m from shareholders and has suspended dividend payments until it generates "a sustainable free cash flow". It also plans to sell its much maligned car park management business, ParkingEye.
Under the terms of its BBC contract, Capita undertakes the majority of TV licence administration and enforcement work. It employs TV Licensing customer service and field enforcement staff. It has to be stressed that the BBC, as Television Licensing Authority, retains full legal responsibility for the administration, collection and enforcement of the TV licence fee. However much the BBC tries to distance itself from the caustic TV Licensing brand, the buck ultimately stops at New Broadcasting House.
Capita has attracted widespread media criticism for the way it conducts its TV Licensing business. Undercover video footage obtained by the Daily Mail revealed some of the dirty tricks used by TV Licensing goons and encouraged by some of their managers. These include concealing their true identities, selectively gathering evidence and spying through the windows of unlicensed properties.
The company's financial woes could put additional strain on its relationship with the BBC, as it will undoubtedly attempt to save costs and cut corners. We're certainly hoping that Capita succumbs to adverse market conditions in the same way Carillion did.
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".......deliver world class services to our clients every time"
ReplyDeleteWhat a shame they don't deliver world class services to the people their Goons fit up on suspect TV Licence evasion charges.
Removing the Goons commission incentive would the 1st step in a very long direction in bringing a fair balance to this total mess.
I had the satisfaction of helping a friend cancel her tv licence two weeks ago. The refund check arrived this week and the next day she receiver her first threat. I suggested she used it to clear up dog crapita.
ReplyDeleteIt seems surprising that an extremely wealthy and established broadcaster such as the BBC is still dedicated to using threat-o-grams and clown-goons to bring in cash, despite the stress and worry that their unfair practices bring to vulnerable groups in society. Or maybe the extreme wealth has brought a sense of entitlement to the organisation and now it thinks it can behave just as it thinks fit. I am proud to say I stopped funding the arrogant BBC more than 20 years ago and I certainly won't be sending them a penny in the future.
ReplyDelete