Optima Health targets further growth after transformational year

Tech Software & Services Written by: Ian Lyall 07:31 Mon 17 Aug 2026 --> Proactive has a commercial relationship with Optima Health PLC. This article was produced independently under Proactive's Editorial Standards Policy . Disclaimer No investment advice About this content Editorial Standards & Policies Share article About this content × About Ian Lyall Ian Lyall, a seasoned journalist and editor, brings over three decades of experience to his role as Managing Editor at Proactive. Overseeing Proactive's editorial and broadcast operations across six offices on three continents, Ian is responsible for quality control, editorial policy, and content production. He directs the creation of 50,000 pieces of real-time news, feature articles, and filmed interviews annually. Prior to Proactive, Ian helped lead the business output at the Daily... Read more About the publisher Proactive financial news and online broadcast teams provide fast, accessible, informative and actionable business and finance news content to a global investment audience. All our content is produced independently by our experienced and qualified teams of news journalists. Proactive news team spans the world’s key finance and investing hubs with bureaus and studios in London, New York, Toronto, Vancouver, Sydney and Perth. We are experts in medium and small-cap markets, we also keep our community up to date with blue-chip companies, commodities and broader investment stories. This is content that excites and engages motivated private investors. The team delivers news and unique insights across the market including but not confined to: biotech and pharma, mining and natural resources, battery metals, oil and gas, crypto and emerging digital and EV technologies. Use of technology Proactive has always been a forward looking and enthusiastic technology adopter. Our human content creators are equipped with many decades of valuable expertise and experience. The team also has access to and use technologies to assist and enhance workflows. Proactive will on occasion use automation and software tools, including generative AI. Nevertheless, all content published by Proactive is edited and authored by humans, in line with best practice in regard to content production and search engine optimisation. Optima Health PLC ( AIM:OPT OTC:OHLTF ) View Price & Profile Optima Health targets further growth after transformational year Published: 07:31 17 Aug 2026 BST Optima Health PLC (AIM:OPT, OTC:OHLTF, FRA:J3N) , the provider of workplace health and wellbeing services, said it had entered its new financial year with strong momentum and remained confident of further growth. The company pointed to structural demand for occupational health, citing sustained pressure on NHS capacity and the government's Keep Britain Working agenda as drivers reinforcing the case for employer-led health provision. It reiterated medium-term targets of £200 million in annual revenue and £40 million of adjusted earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation, implying a 20% margin. Priorities for the year ahead include bedding in its largest ever acquisition, rolling out major contracts and accelerating organic growth by deepening client relationships and converting its pipeline. Chief among those contracts is the UK Armed Forces Recruitment Service, worth up to £210 million over an initial seven-year term, which is expected to go live during 2027. The outlook followed a year defined by the £100 million acquisition of PAM Healthcare, completed in March, which established Optima as the leading occupational health provider across the UK and Republic of Ireland. Integration is running to plan, with £2.1 million of annualised cost savings delivered or underway against a medium-term target of £5 million. The deal left the company carrying net debt, excluding leases, of £94.4 million at the end of March, up sharply from £2.2 million a year earlier. Since the year end, Optima has repaid a £30 million related party bridge loan in full using proceeds from an underwritten open offer that raised around £35 million. Turning to the results, revenue rose 14.8% to £120.6 million, in line with market expectations, while adjusted earnings climbed to £20.1 million, running 10% ahead of previous forecasts. The adjusted margin held at 16.7%, and net cash generated from operations jumped to £17.3 million from £5.4 million. On a statutory basis, operating profit rose to £4.0 million, though pre-tax profit slipped to £2.5 million. Chief executive Jonathan Thomas said the year demonstrated consistent financial performance against the company's strategic objectives, with the PAM acquisition strengthening its ability to support customers. He said priorities remained clear, spanning service delivery, integration and strategic initiatives to support the next phase of growth. Continue reading