Capita has recently agreed to sell its private sector contact centre business to Inspirit Capital for a nominal sale price of £1. This decision marks a significant shift in Capita’s operational strategy, which previously focused on maintaining a diverse portfolio of services.
Before this development, Capita’s contact centre unit was generating substantial revenue, amounting to £398.1 million in 2025. However, despite this revenue, the unit reported an operating loss of £34.9 million, highlighting the challenges it faced in profitability.
The decisive moment came with the announcement of the sale, which not only includes the nominal sale price but also stipulates that £6.5 million in cash will be retained in the business for normal working capital purposes. Additionally, there is a potential contingent consideration of up to £61.5 million expected to be paid in 2027 and 2028, depending on the business’s future performance.
As a result of this transaction, Capita anticipates a significant improvement in its financial metrics. The company expects to deliver about 200 basis points improvement in adjusted operating margin by 2027. This shift is part of a broader strategy to streamline operations and enhance profitability.
Capita aims to achieve annualised savings of approximately £40 million across 2026 and 2027, with an anticipated associated cash cost of £20 million to realize these savings. The sale is seen as a critical step in simplifying the group’s structure and reducing overhead costs.
Adolfo Hernandez, a representative from Capita, stated, “The sale of the private sector contact centre business further simplifies the group and will enhance our margin expansion.” This sentiment reflects the company’s focus on improving operational efficiency.
Experts suggest that this transaction will be value accretive for Capita, unlocking material overhead reductions as the company removes further complexity from its operations. The move aligns with a growing trend among corporations to divest non-core business units to focus on their primary objectives.
Overall, this sale represents a strategic pivot for Capita, aiming to strengthen its financial position and improve operational margins. The implications of this decision will unfold in the coming years as the company implements its restructuring plans.
