Belfast-based software company Kainos has been awarded a digital transformation contract with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) worth up to £150 million, understood to be the largest public sector deal in the company's history. The contract, reported by Irish News, covers an initial four-year period with an option for a one-year extension and falls under Defra's application, development, maintenance and support procurement process.

The engagement spans application development and maintenance support across a broad range of digital initiatives covering Defra and its arm's length bodies. Kainos will contribute expertise across DevOps, digital transformation, build and transition, end-to-end development and data management.

Daniel Kemp, digital services director at Kainos, said: "We are proud of our 12-year history working together to deliver critical programmes such as EU exit, border target operating model and digital inspection systems to protect biosecurity, and we are looking forward to contributing to the protection of our natural resources moving forward."

The award follows a two-year £54.5 million digital support contract Defra awarded Kainos in 2021 and comes less than two weeks after the company reported a 17% increase in annual revenue. Kainos posted adjusted pre-tax profit of £67.1 million on revenue of £431.1 million for the 2025/26 financial year.

CEO Brendan Mooney noted the company was enjoying a steady flow of major contracts over longer periods, reflecting growing demand for sustained digital transformation partnerships rather than shorter-term engagements.

Kainos employs approximately 3,200 people and is listed on the London Stock Exchange.

Get the complete picture on Kainos's Defra contract win and its public sector growth strategy in the full article.