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Lawrie Haynes, chief executive of White Young Green (WYG), has outlined his ambitions to make the a key player in the energy sector.

In his first interview since joining the firm from British Nuclear Group (BNG) in the spring, Haynes says he plans to expand WYG鈥檚 fledgling energy division, launched in May. The business focuses on nuclear and renewables work. This, he says, is 鈥渙ne of the key issues鈥� for the company, partly because of the likely rise in demand for nuclear services, and partly because it could be used to spearhead expansion in other areas, such as planning.

He adds that WYG does not want to depend on any one market or client, and that other priorities are transport infrastructure and public sector work.

Haynes was speaking in the week that WYG posted its full year results. These showed a 21% rise in pre-tax profit to 拢13.4m and a 32% rise in turnover to 拢220.6m.

He says he is still conducting reviews of the business but is keen for the company to 鈥渁im higher, and pitch itself at higher-level, higher-margin work鈥�.

He says: 鈥淚鈥檓 not in a rush to make changes but I am looking at how we can develop the business.鈥�

Haynes left BNG after becoming disillusioned with the government鈥檚 insistence that the organisation should be sold piecemeal. Haynes had pushed for the group to be sold as a single entity.

To get into nuclear, in particular, you need experience in the sector

Lawrie Haynes

He says: 鈥淚 wasn鈥檛 particularly happy with the direction that BNG was going. I鈥檇 spoken to 14,000 staff about the issue and, at the end of the day, you鈥檝e got to have integrity.鈥�

He will also be looking to use his background at BNG and, before that, at Lattice Group, formerly part of British Gas, to enhance WYG鈥檚 position in the energy markets.

He says: 鈥淭o get into nuclear, in particular, you need experience in the sector.鈥� He adds that he is keeping a 鈥渃lose, watching brief鈥� on the government鈥檚 latest nuclear consultation, the results of which are due to be published next month.

Haynes says another priority is international expansion, particularly in third world countries. He will also grow the firm in Ireland, where the government has just announced a *185bn (拢130bn) development strategy.

Haynes adds that he is keen for Adams Kara Taylor, the structural engineering consultant that WYG acquired for 拢10.5m shortly before his arrival, to have a central role in the company.

He says: 鈥淭here is a drive to become more creative. Adams Kara Taylor employs an infectious group of people and I think they are a fabulous acquisition. I see them as being right at the centre of our business, and will increasingly use them to push margins across the group.鈥�