Outsourcing group Serco reported pretax profits up by 21% to £213.9m in the year to end-December 2010 (2009: £177m), with revenues up 9% to £4.327bn.

The full-year dividend was increased 17.6% to 7.35p (2009: 6.25p).

At period end, the group's order book stood at £16.6bn, compared with £17.1bn at the end of 2009. During 2010 Serco signed £4.2bn of contracts and was appointed preferred bidder for £1.4bn of contracts.

Serco said 40% of revenues were generated outside the UK, with strong growth in the Americas and AMEAA.

Christopher Hyman, CEO, said: "Our colleagues across the world deliver essential services and their achievements have led to a strong financial performance in very challenging times. We expect Serco's position in new, diverse and expanding international markets to deliver ongoing benefits. Our agility and capacity to innovate underpins our confidence in continued growth across all our regions."