Profit rose to 拢26m after consultant spent year focusing on work with government, local authorities and regulated industry

A focus on public sector work has helped net engineering consultant Mouchel Parkman a 29% increase in pre-tax profit over the last financial year.

Profit before tax soared to 拢26.4m up from 拢20.5m for the twelve months to 31 July. Revenue also saw a healthy increase jumping 21% to 拢374m.

Chairman Richard Benton said the results were the outcome of its strategy to work with Government, local authorities and regulated industry.

He said: 鈥淚n the last twelve months, we have strengthened our position as the partner of choice for local authorities seeking strategic partnerships with the private sector in order to contribute to local economic growth and regeneration.鈥�

Benton said the last acquisition, rail specialist ServiGroup, had performed 鈥渟atisfactorily鈥� but the chairman warned that the immediate future was challenging partly because of network rail鈥檚 procurement plans.