The Business On: Ruby McGregor-Smith: Chief executive of Mitie

What is it about those Kingston Poly alumni?

Kingston University now and don't you forget it. For all the snobbish sneering at "new" universities, it's worth noting that Kingston has been touched by the hand of god when it comes to business. It's produced John Tiner, the former head of the Financial Services Authority, and Ruby McGregor-Smith, the chief executive of outsourcer Mitie, an all-too-rare female and non-white boss of a FTSE 250 company.

Should shareholders have true faith?

The New Order fan is upbeat about prospects as both public and private sector organisations beat a path to her door in the hope that Mitie, which looks after property and energy and all sorts of other services, can save them money. Yesterday she reported a 1 per cent rise in pre-tax profit to £48m on revenue up 5.8 per cent to £972m.

So no blue monday?

Well the shares didn't exactly set the world in motion, but investors have had a fine time over the last 12 months because they've risen by a fifth, so they won't be suffering much regret. Mitie's not a company to stand on ceremony – its not exactly a household name – but since joining as finance chief in 2002, Ms McGregor-Smith has been promoted twice, to chief operating officer in 2005 and chief executive in 2007.

Time to gaze into the crystal ball?

Well Ms McGregor-Smith is hellbent on adding to her list of blue chip customers, which range from Tesco to the Royal Opera House. In the current economic climate who'd bet against many more clients succumbing to temptation and calling. The former accountant, who has been known to wear, ahem, bio sculptured nails, looks to be on a winner as the outsourcing sub-culture booms.