Half year profit jumps to 拢8m following acquisitions as consultant boasts record order book

Acquisitions helped consultant Scott Wilson to a 120% rise in interim pre-tax profit.

Profit before tax jumped to 拢8m for the six months to 29 October 2006 up from 拢3.6m the previous year. Underlying operating profit increased 31% to 拢7.1m from 拢4.9m despite losses and restructuring costs of 拢0.8m linked with its businesses in southern Africa. Turnover also increased, up 22.8% to 拢113.2m.

During the six months the consultant, which operates in the transportation, property and environmental sectors, made two acquisitions. It bought a 30% stake in UK consultant Scott Wilson Pavement Engineering and Roscoe Postle Associates in Canada.

Geoff French, chairman of Scott Wilson said: 鈥淭he strength of our markets combined with our record order book allows us to look forward to the future with confidence.

"We now expect results for this financial year to exceed current market expectations. Our recent acquisitions have broadened the group's presence in strategically key market sectors in line with our stated strategy."