Engineering and design consultant Hyder Consulting has published improved results for the year ending 31 March.
Turnover increased from £115m to £122m, with pre-tax profits jumping from £1.5m to £2.2m.

The results are the first full-year figures published since Hyder reversed into the listed shell company Firth Holdings in October 2002. Hyder's order book grew from £158m to £168m.

Chief executive Tim Wade said the new figures showed a platform for future growth was in place and predicted further acquisitions.

He said: "We are earning more of our income from higher margin advisory services while pushing more work through our fixed-cost base. Our strategic acquisition programme should enable us to make further advances."

Wade added that the Hyder board would be recommending a maiden dividend to shareholders.

We are earning more from higher margin services

Tim Wade, chief executive, Hyder

Sir Alan Thomas, chairman of Hyder, said: "We have improved our operating margin, our order book is good and there is considerable potential to further grow shareholder value."

Hyder is currently working in Dubai on the Snow Dome, an in-house ski resort that creates an artificial –2°C environment compared with an outside temperatures of up to 50°C. The firm is design co-ordinator for the 6000-tonne structure.

The consultant is also reported to be looking at the potential of working in Libya, following the thawing of relations between Colonel Gaddafi and the West.