Atkins expands in improving market

Multi-disciplinary consultant Atkins has started hiring following years of responding to difficult markets.

In a trading statement, it said that staff at the firm had grown by 2% since the turn of the year, with trading so far in line with expectations.

With the firm employing over 16,000 staff in 2012, a 2% rise equates to the hiring of more than 300 employees.

It said continued problems with project delays in its Middle East business meant that expected profits would be more heavily weighted to the second half of the year, but nevertheless its performance was “steady.”

The firm’s UK business had a “strong” first half, and the firm said it was seeing good growth across its highways, rail, water and environment, defence and aerospace and management consultancy businesses in its home market.

It’s statement said the firm’s outlook remained “unchanged and in line with our expectations.”