Multidisciplinary practice of the year

Amec
Repeat business has been a driving force at Amec. The percentage of return clients rose 8.3% to 65% in 1998. Fee income lifted 0.7% over the year to £276m and operating profit increased 1.6% to £25m. The firm's multidisciplinary competence is perhaps best seen in the £34m pharmaceutical and analytical laboratories for AstraZeneca in Loughborough. The most challenging aspect of the job was the building services design, which was carried out in close co-operation with the firm's architectural, structural, civil, interior design and commercial arms.

WS Atkins
Last year saw the completion of the 321 m high Arabian Tower in Dubai, which involved the full range of professional services from WS Atkins, including architecture, design, management and building services engineering. UK and overseas fee income stood at £425.7m in 1999, up 16.4% on the previous year; operating profit reached £23.8m.

WSP Group
WSP scores on its diversity of skills and its ability to win repeat work. Appointed civil and structural engineer on J Sainsbury's millennium store in Greenwich, south-east London, WSP has been working with the retailer for more than 40 years. The practice has also developed its own 3D design techniques through links with technology outfits. Fee income is projected to leap 29% in 1999 to £100m, with operating profit expected to rise 23% to £6.3m.

Has made considerable effort to measure added value and set standards for specialist suppliers

An integrated national and international company offering a wide range of services to clients throughout the world

Should be complimented for their involvement in research, particularly the development of 3D modelling and visualisation techniques