Whitbread PLC has promoted Mark Anderson to managing director of commercial and property. Anderson joined the company in 2006 as group estates director, and has driven Whitbread's expansion of its Premier Inn business, growing its rooms by 40% in five years.

Whitbread PLC recommends a final dividend payment of 37.90 pence per share, making a total dividend for the year of 57.40 pence per share, an increase of 12.0%. The final dividend will be paid on July 12, 2013 to shareholders on the register at the close of business on May 17, 2013. The company reported consolidated earnings results for the year ended February 28, 2013. For the year, the company reported revenue £2,030.0 million compared to £1,778.0 million, operating profit of the group, joint ventures and associate of £387.2 million compared to £345.9 million, profit before tax of £355.3 million compared to £305.8 million, underlying profit before tax of £356.5 million compared to £320.1 million, profit attributable to parent shareholders of £303.5 million or 169.46 pence per diluted share compared to £267.3 million or 151.19 pence per diluted share, net cash flows from operating activities of £407.0 million compared to £322.2 million, purchase of property, plant and equipment of £329.3 million compared to £305.7 million and purchase of intangible assets of £14.3 million compared to £2.2 million for the last year. Net debt as on February 28, 2013 was £471.1 million compared to £504.3 million as on March 1, 2012. Underlying profit was £313.1 million compared to £295.6 million in last year.

Whitbread PLC announced further expansion plans for its budget hotel chain Premier Inn.