Interior Services Group boss Dave King has given a bullish forecast for the facilities management sector, predicting that the corporate PFI market was set for rapid growth.
He said: "With the development of the corporate PFI marketplace and the trend for far wider outsourcing, I am confident that this demand will continue to grow." The chairman and chief executive made the comments as ISG reported a 35% leap in pre-tax profit for the six months to 31 December 2000. Profit rose from £3.57m from £2.65m.

Fee income also increased significantly over the half year, rising 33% to £24m, from £18m in 1999. This was a result of a rise in the number of fee earners from 520 in December 1999 to 639 in December 2000.

Attention on the corporate outsourcing market has been galvanised by a series of large deals, such as the upcoming £400m contract to run the BBC's property portfolio. ISG has already won a five-year deal with BT for up to £500m of fit-out and refurbishment work.

King said the group was well-placed for the future, with an order book up 50% to £495m compared with this time last year.

Listing other developments ISG was involved with, King said Stonemartin Corporate Centres, a serviced office provider that ISG part-owns with developer MEPC, was now rolling out 20 office centres in the UK over the next four years.

The interior and facilities management group said it had now integrated former subsidiary Exterior, which it bought in July last year, into the Interior fit-out operation.

The group said shareholder Sir Robert McAlpine had sold its 17% stake in the firm. The shareholding has been taken up by institutional investors. The move follows the resignation of non-executive director Paddy Walker-Taylor, nominated by McAlpine, in December.