Jarvis, the support services group, has provisionally agreed to sell its private finance initiative unit to Hochtief Projek-tentwicklung, the German construction company. A sale of the unit, which would end Jarvis's involvement in bidding for new PFI projects, was expected as part of its restructuring.

Jarvis said the sale, which is subject to due diligence, would be good for both the company and clients. "This is very positive. We want to do the best by our clients."