Aukett Europe, the UK's only listed architect, has reshuffled its senior management after revealing losses of £1.64m for the six months to 31 March.
Andrew Lett has switched from chief executive to deputy chairman and is now responsible for client relations, professional standards and corporate planning.

Lett had been executive chairman until March, when he ceded the role to Ian Mavor.

Geoff Harwood has been appointed managing director of UK operations and John Thake is responsible for the group's European businesses. Finance director Robert Warner is to leave the company in July.

A spokesperson for the company said Lett remained the most senior executive director as the post of chief executive will not be filled. Instead Lett, Thake and Harwood will report to Mavor, and those four will form the group's executive committee, responsible for its business plan.

Last year's loss compared with a £500,000 profit for the same period in 2000/1. The losses include an exceptional charge of £713,000 to cover losses on joint ventures in Europe. Aukett's turnover, including joint ventures, nearly halved from £11.54m in 2000 to £6.76m last year.

The group's UK operations lost £1.16m, against a profit of £220,000 in 2001. Its European division posted a £480,000 loss compared with a £280,000 profit in 2001.

Mavor said the group had been hit by a drop off in new projects in the UK and Europe.

He said: "This has been a tough trading year for Aukett. However, we have taken steps to build for the future, which include a new management structure and a lower cost base. I look forward to the results of our recovery plan and a return to profit."

Aukett's share price fell 15% to 4.5p last week.