Consultant reports £12.1m pre-tax profit and record order book of £625m in interim results

Construction group WSP has posted double digit rises in profit and turnover and a record order book for the first half of the year.

Pre-tax profit rose 33% to £12.1m up from £9.1m for the first six months to 30 June 2006. Turnover, which includes a joint venture with JV and associates, increased 19% to £215.6m from £181.8m.

The consultancy group’s order book grew to £625m compared with £540m for last year’s interims, a rise of 16%.

David Turner, chairman said: “I am very pleased to be able to report record financial results for the six months to 30 June 2006 with all of our business operations throughout the world delivering significant organic growth and improved performance.”

“Our strengthening position, supported by both new and good existing markets, ensures we are well placed to deliver diversified profitable growth. Therefore I look forward with considerable optimism to the group delivering strong performances and improved shareholder value in the coming years.”