Companies: CTG   

A slowdown in its UK software business impacted upon profits at this mixed bag support services company. Christie is split into two divisions. The first is Professional Business Services, which has a software system which values companies for takeover purposes. The second is Information Systems and Services, which is involved in EPoS and stock auditing systems. In the six months to 30 June, turnover rose to £18.5m (£16.3m), although this included a three and a half month contribution from Timeless, a French retail software company. Furthermore, an additional £500,000 was spent on international development and staff numbers in its two divisions. The Professional Business Services Division lifted turnover to £11m (£10.8m) despite the well publicised difficulties of healthcare operators in the sale and leaseback market and uncertainty over new mandatory standards for care. Within Information Systems and Services, the Y2K changeover adversley affected the performance of Venners Computer Systems. The stock auditing business Venners made signficant gains which required more staff and disruption. However since early summer it has traded at record levels of licensed activity.