Employees.
Up to and including March 31, 2008, the headcount for the Group as a whole rose by 635 to 9,014 compared to September 30, 2007. This increase in numbers was to support growth in Services and the Group’s international expansion in fast-developing markets.

The addition of 635 employees is partly accounted for by the 223 staff included from the Group’s holding in prosystems IT GmbH, Bonn. Of these employees, 103 are permanent members of staff.

Report on Major Related-party Transactions.
During the period under review, no transactions of a material nature were entered into with related parties.