Sweett unveils growth plan

The firm has opened branches in Exeter and Cambridge and is understood to be looking at establishing a north eastern office.

The plan follows a strong 2005 for the firm. Recent contract wins include the £1bn Titanic Quarter development, which Cyril Sweett claims is the largest mixed-use waterfront development in Europe.

The firm has 49 framework agreements in place in the UK, which are expected to generate total revenues of £6m in the financial year to March 2006.

Chief executive Dean Webster told QS News last autumn the firm would reach a turnover of £42m for the year to March 2006.

The 500-strong firm increased turnover by 18.5% to £36.4m in the year to March 2005, compared to £30.7m for 2004.

Cyril Sweett has also been recruiting staff and recently took on Gary Fraughen, former head of building surveying at rival Currie & Brown.

Outside the UK the company is carrying out risk and value work with DG Jones on a £1.13bn project for Kuwait University. Members of its whole life team are also teaming up with DG Jones on a £566m project in the UAE for Al Ain University.

In China, Cyril Sweett has won a contract from Madame Tussauds to work on a 900ft2 leisure and attraction development.

In France it is providing cost consultancy for a fit-out of 14 floors of the AIG Tower in La Defense, Paris.

Other consultancy projects include a study for the Environment Agency into the whole life efficiency of its property portfolio and research for the Carbon Trust into the effect of low carbon buildings on rental revenues.

Webster said: "Our strategy of complete regional coverage, combined with strength of service in our key sectors, continues to allow the business to develop."