Whizzy WYG increases profit by 20% as chairman steps down

Multi-disciplinary group White Young Green has increased its pre-tax profit by 20% to £6.9m for the year end 30 June 2004.

WYG said seven acquisitions in the last six months helped the Group to drive profit and increase turnover by 17% to £89.9m. Purchases included project manager IMC Consulting, which the Group said would be instrumental in pushing international growth.

WYG’s order book of £200m was bolstered by new long-term framework agreements, which increased by 34% in the last year to £106m. Public sector clients provided most of the growth and included the Home Office, the Department of Constitutional Affairs and the Scottish Office.

John Purvis, chief executive said: “The recent acquisition activity and a continued focus on underlying organic growth has provided a platform from which to deliver enhanced growth in future years.”

The Groups said it expects public sector investment in health, education, law and order and transportation to continue at a high rate and said it detected a recovery in private sector markets such as retail, residential, commercial development and financial services.

Chairman of WYG Gareth Cooper is to be replaced by Peter Wood in November 2004.