Pre-tax profit hike rises from £13.1m to £18.2m, thanks to strong performances from affordable housing and fit-out divisions.

Construction group Morgan Sindall reported a 39% jump in profits for the first half of the year.

Pre-tax profits across the group rose from £13.1m to £18.2m. Turnover increased slightly by 2% to £615m across the same period.

The profits rise was driven largely by the firm’s affordable housing division, Lovell, and its fit-out arm.

Lovell reported a record £7.7m profit off the back of refurbishment contracts in Cheltenham and Sheffield, while the fit-out operation saw profits rise 41% to £7.9m.

John Morgan, Chairman, said: “Morgan Sindall continues to perform. I am pleased with the achievements of all of our divisions and excited by the challenges and opportunities that present themselves for the foreseeable future.”