| £m | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 |
| Revenue | 5,942.9 | 4,490.4 | 4,036.8 | 4,045.7 | 3,093.6 |
| Profit before interest, taxation, amortisation of acquisition-related intangible assets and exceptional items | 416.4 | 312.1 | 274.4 | 255.0 | 165.5 |
| Profit/(loss) after taxation | 194.0 | 160.6 | 109.9 | 90.7 | (65.4) |
| Profit/(loss) attributable to shareholders | 151.2 | 147.2 | 96.5 | 80.8 | (72.3) |
| Non-current assets | 3,388.0 | 2,148.3 | 1,946.2 | 1,966.7 | 1,876.0 |
| Net assets | 1,470.7 | 1,123.0 | 971.5 | 969.9 | 909.9 |
| Net debt | 1,347.7 | 804.9 | 672.8 | 657.3 | 586.4 |
| Net debt/equity (%) | 92 | 72 | 69 | 68 | 64 |
| Return on net assets (%) (profit/(loss) after taxation/net assets) | 13 | 14 | 11 | 9 | (7) |
| Adjusted earning per ordinary share (pence) | 16.7p | 13.4p | 12.1p | 11.2p | 9.5p |
| Dividends for the year per ordinary share (pence) | 6.43p | 4.96p | 4.21p | 3.54p | 1.85p |
| Average headcount (number) | 561,875 | 507,480 | 440,128 | 395,771 | 306,313 |
