Profits drop at Dataforce owner Twenty

LONDON - Twenty, the group behind Dataforce and Emaginating, has reported a 33% drop in first half pre-tax profits to £233,025.

However, revenues grew by 87% to £9.5m, in part thanks to the acquisition of Emaginating, a data analysis specialist, in December 2006.

The company, which started its acquisition trail in April 2006 with Dataforce, acquired e-commerce provider Ominor for up to £7.9m in August this year.

Ian Lancaster, chief executive of Twenty, said: "Unfortunately, Dataforce has experienced some contract slippage on two key accounts, firstly due to the delay in the roll out of the Home Information Packs and secondly as a result of an extended TUPE [Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment)] process with a major leisure company client.

"Consequently the out turn for the year is expected to be below market expectations."

The company's share price dropped this week from 16.25p to 13.5p.