Interim report for 1 January – 30 June 2023

Organic growth was 10.4% in Q2 2023 (Q1 2023: 11.3%) and 10.9% in H1 2023 (H1 2022: 6.7%) primarily driven by price increases implemented across the Group and underlying volume growth. In H1 2023, price increases in Turkey contributed around 3%-points, and revenue from projects and above-base work were flat.

Due to inherent strategic challenges, difficult market conditions, and muted commercial development, the French business has not generated the expected financial improvements. This led to recognition of a goodwill impairment of DKK 937 million and write-down of non-monetary assets of DKK 320 million.

Operating margin before other items (excl. IAS 29) was 3.3% in H1 2023 (H1 2022: 2.9%). Non-recurring costs related to a strategic review in France negatively impacted the margin by approx. 0.2%-points. Excluding the French business, which ISS intends to divest, operating margin (excl. IAS 29) was 3.6%.

In a separate company announcement, ISS today announced the intention to divest its French business, except for Global Key Account customers. As a consequence, ISS France will going forward be classified as held for sale and discontinued operations and the results will be presented in “Net profit from discontinued operations” in the statement of profit or loss. 

Free cash flow in H1 2023 amounted to DKK (1.1) billion (H1 2022: DKK 0.6 billion). As expected, free cash flow was negatively impacted by changes in working capital as the high revenue growth led to an increase in receivables. 

The rigorous execution of the OneISS strategy continued and the commercial momentum improved, underlined by the win of a new key account IFS contract with Defra in the UK. The strengthened commercial and operating models showed visible results with improved customer engagement and the customer retention rate increased to 95% (LTM) in Q2 2023.

The strategic direction is confirmed following the appointment of Kasper Fangel as the new Group CEO from 1 September 2023. The strong focus on growth and execution of the OneISS strategy will remain unchanged, and ISS is well on track towards reaching the operating margin target of above 5% in 2024.