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David Chipperfield has said it doesn鈥檛 expect its workload in the EU to slip because of Brexit 鈥� but admitted it has faced more red tape because of 鈥渙perational challenges鈥� since the UK finally left the bloc at the beginning of the year.

The firm, which has two offices on the continent in Milan and Berlin, said there were no indications 鈥渁t present鈥� revenue would be hit by Brexit.

But it added: 鈥淭here have been operational challenges relating to recognition of professional qualifications and standards that have had to be overcome.

鈥淪ome of the recent changes arising from the Brexit deal still remain unclear and some problems with delivering service to some EU countries may be expected [but] the business has worked with authorities in most EU countries to overcome any potential restrictions.鈥�

It said work in Europe had fallen with turnover from the region and the Middle East down from 拢2.9m in 2019 to 拢2.7m last year.

In updated 2020 accounts, which have been filed at Companies House, the firm said income from the UK was down 24% to 拢3.3m. But work from North and South America more than tripled to 拢3.7m.

Chipperfield said the business had expanded since the start of the covid crisis with 2021 turnover expected to be in excess of 拢9m. Staff numbers will remain above the 80 mark during the year, it added.

It said it had adapted working practices to allow staff to work from home since the pandemic struck and added: 鈥淲e remain ready to take whatever steps that may be reasonably necessary to keep the company financially strong.鈥�

It said at the end of 2020 it had just over 拢2m in the bank compared to 拢644,000 for the year before.

Revenue was up 17% to 拢9.7m last year with pre-tax profit coming in at 拢273,000 from a 拢546,000 loss last time.