Aukett Fitzroy recovery continues

12th Aug 2013 08:25

Architects and interior design specialists Aukett Fitzroy Robinson said the recovery in its profitability has continued into the second half as it bags new projects and as output in the UK service sector rises. Higher revenues are now being achieved at its UK operation with operations materially outperforming the group's previous expectations. Its jointly owned European operations also continue to provide a significant, and greater than the prior year, contribution to group profitability. "This is being led by the Berlin operation, whilst the Frankfurt operation is now making a positive contribution following new commissions from Microsoft and Jaguar Land Rover," the group explained. Both of its Russian and Middle East operations reported first half losses however its Russian operation has recently won some new commissions including concept work on the new Skolkovo innovation centre. This should allow the Russian operation to breakeven in the second half but not recover its first half losses, Aukett said. Middle East operations has recently won a hotel project for Majid Al Futtaim that should return it to profitability next year, but the gap in project work prior to this means the operation is expected to continue to be loss making in the second half of this year. Having considered the operational performances of the group's geographical sectors in the second half, the board now expects that group profitability for the current financial year to September 2013 will be comfortably higher than previous expectations, it said. CJ