Lord Foster was paid £6.1m by Foster and Partners in the 2001/2 financial year, despite the fact that the practice's pre-tax profit more than halved in the same period, according to the latest annual results posted at Companies House.
The firms profit was £1.7m for the 12 months to 30 April 2002, down from £3.5m on the previous 12 months. Turnover increased from £34.5m to £36.7m.

The decrease in profit was largely accounted for by a £1.2m increase in staff costs to £22.8m and an increase of nearly £2.8m in operating charges. It did not pay a dividend for the second year in a row.

A spokesperson for the practice said that Foster and Partners had been hit by a slowing market. She said: "There was a downturn in the economy as well as a knock-on effect from the events of 11 September."

The accounts, which include contributions from offices in Germany, Hong Kong, the Netherlands and Singapore, were approved by the directors last month. They were signed off by directors Graham Phillips and Ken Shuttleworth.

The directors are satisfied with the group’s financial position at the year end Foster and Partners’ review