YouGov reports strong earnings growth

The firm’s adjusted operating profit was £18.3m, up by 45% compared with the previous year, while adjusted EBITDA (earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation) grew by 37%.

Revenue from the Data Products and Services divisions grew by 32% to £78.7m, with underlying business accounting for over half ( 56%) of the total.

The Data Products division, which includes YouGov BrandIndex and YouGov Profiles, grew its revenue by 36%, while revenue from Data Services, which consists of the company’s fast-turnaround research services, including YouGov Omnibus, increased by 28%. Custom Research revenue increased by 2% to £60m.

YouGov business in the UK grew revenue by 31% while the US grew by 17%.

This was the last year in a five-year plan for the company, aimed at moving away from reliance on project-based market research towards a subscription-based data model.

Stephan Shakespeare, chief executive (pictured), said: "We remain very ambitious. This year was also the first year of our next five-year plan and we have made a great start, delivering strong growth in earnings. We have been winning more clients, taking on larger contracts and projects, and strengthening our position across the globe. At the same time, we have continued to invest in our products and technology.”

He added: “Trading in the current year has started in line with the board’s expectations, and our outlook for the business remains strong."

Nick Jones, chair of YouGov’s audit and risk committee, is stepping down from the board in December. Board member Ashley Martin will take over in the committee role, while Rosemary Leith, chair of the remuneration committee, will take on Jones’ position as senior independent director.