Confidence 'returning to UK architects', says Sheppard Robson

Revenues returned to Sheppard Robson Ltd as the firm said there was now more optimism about upcoming workloads in the UK.

The firm said its turnover in the year to March 2014 was up to £9.3m, up from £9m the previous year. Among the schemes it completed during the period was the Siemens Middle East headquarters (pictured) in Abu Dhabi.

Operating profit slipped from £655,000 to £290,000 but in a statement accompanying the results, the firm said: “The positive performance is in line with increased confidence in the construction and property markets.

“The directors expect the general level of activity to increase and they look forward to the future with confidence, owing to there being a strong pipeline of new business.” The number of staff employed by the firm stands at more than 280, up from the 222 last time.

In a statement, the firm said: “These figures are the results of Sheppard Robson Limited (SRL) and are not the group accounts which consist of the Sheppard Robson Partnership and the practice’s subsidiary limited companies, one of which is SRL; the Sheppard Robson Ltd accounts are not at all representative of the practice’s total turnover and profit.”