Beard, the Swindon-based contractor, has increased profit from £121,000 in 2004 to £812,000 to the end of December 2005.

Turnover at the company also rose more than £10m in the same period from £22m to £33m.

Recent contract wins included the £1.7m upgrade of the Oxford Belfry Hotel for the Marston Hotel group, and the £3m conversion of the 1920s Bath Post Office, a listed building, and neighbouring Georgian properties. These will be converted into 10 apartments, eight retail units, a modern post office and a new home for the Bath Postal Museum.

Beard started 2006 with a £24m order book, helped by framework agreements with Thames Valley Police and Oxfordshire council, which are expected to generate £17m for the company over four years.