Atkins reveals workforce fell by 2,500 in 18 months

Atkins has revealed that it reduced its workforce by 2,500 in the past 18 months.

Chairman Allan Cook said that the company had reduced staff numbers to 15,500 becaues of falling workloads. In March 2009 Atkins had around 18,000 employees worldwide.

The consultant engineer said that results for the six months to the end of September were in line with expectations.

At the company’s AGM yesterday Cook said that Atkins had seen particularly strong performance in water and energy sectors, but that the highways and transportation business would be hit by government cuts.

He said: “I am pleased to report to shareholders that, as confirmed in our Interim Management Statement of 2 August 2010, the resilience of the group has continued to enable it to perform well in difficult market conditions. The group’s results for the six months to 30 September 2010 are anticipated to be in line with expectations.

“Consistent with our previous approach, we have continued to adjust our resource levels to meet expected demand and our headcount is now around 15,500.  We remain prepared for a period of tighter UK Government spending.”