Next 15 Group, the AIM-listed data and technology services group, said trading for the four months to 31 May is in line with expectations, and reiterated its forecast for like-for-like revenue and profit growth for the full year.
The standout driver is Digital Transformation, where subsidiary Transform has been appointed a lead delivery partner on the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs' ADMS+ programme, a multi-year public sector contract that the group said reflects Transform's AI-enabled capabilities on complex national digital projects.
Progress on portfolio simplification has also continued, with Next 15 agreeing the partial sale of Elvis Communications to Wonderhood Studios, retaining a profitable core representing approximately half of Elvis' current revenues, including its customer experience operations.
Broader trading across the group's B2B technology-focused agencies remains subdued, though the Track 1 businesses, which include Digital Transformation, continue to show growth.
The Mach49 earnout arbitration remains ongoing; Next 15 says its legal position is unchanged and continues to contest payment of the remaining earnout while counterclaiming for previously paid amounts.
"This has been an encouraging start to the year," said chief executive Sam Knights, citing the Defra contract and the Elvis disposal as evidence of momentum against the group's strategy of becoming "a more streamlined, data-driven business fit for an AI future."
