Multidisciplinary consultant Citex has cut seven jobs at its project services office in central London.
The office, which employs 70 staff, oversees construction management, project management and QS work in the South-east.

Chief executive Oliver Jones said the decision was a response to a downturn in January, particularly in construction management.

He said: “We have seen a number of jobs postponed in the area. It’s totally different to the rest of the country, where demand has held up very well.” Jones added: “We decided to take quick action in terms of head count rather than have serious problems later on.”

He said the cuts at the £55m-turnover group were across a range of posts and added: “It’s not something we like to do.”

Citex said last November that it expected turnover to rise by more than half to £92m for the year to 30 April 2002.