Quoted engineering consultant White Young Green achieved double-digit margins for the first time last financial year, it revealed this week.

The company, which has grown through acquisitions to become an international business, achieved a 10% operating margin for the year to 30 June 2005.

John Purvis, the chief executive, praised the achievement, particularly as other sectors of the industry were struggling to match it. He said: “We deserve to be properly recognised for this.”

Turnover for the period was £144m, a 60% increase on last year, and pre-tax profit rose 40% to £8.1m. Shares in the company rose 3% to 8.5p when the results were announced on Tuesday.

Purvis said 12% organic growth was also a driver behind the strong results.

He said: “Highways, urban regeneration, health and education, and private development have been particularly important in terms of organic growth, up 25% each.”

Purvis identified project management and property management as targets for growth.

The board recommended a total dividend of 6.5p a share, up 10%.