Consultant’s strategy of diversifying into growing markets sees underlying profit jump 7.5%

Atkins has revealed a 7.5% increase in underlying pre-tax profit to £102.7m in its year-end results.

Despite ’difficult’ market conditions Atkins increased turnover by 12.7% to £1.564bn for the year ended 31 March 2011.

Real-time Share Price
Real-time Share Price
The consultant reported a strong year in the Middle East, where diversification into infrastructure and the recovery of debt helped push profit up by 70%.

Atkins also added 2,000 staff to its payroll largely through the acquisition of American consultant PBSJ.

The group said it would continue to diversify into regions and sectors with strong growth prospects.

Dividend rose by 5.5% to 29p.