Architect Archial Group has posted a pre-tax profit of £1.5m in 2008 after falling £5.2m into the red in 2007

Turnover was down slightly from £44.2m to £42.5m and Chris Littlemore, its chief executive, said 2008 marked a turnaround in the fortunes of the company formerly known as SMC Group.

He said: “We’ve delivered significant cost savings and revenue diversification against difficult market conditions.”

Net debt fell by £5.7m to £14.3m but Littlemore said the company was focused on organic growth unless “a real opportunity” came along.

Meanwhile, architect Aukett Fitzroy Robinson has announced that Raúl Curiel, chairman of European operations, will retire as an executive director on 30 April.