The numbers were a major improvement on the previous year when the contractor suffered an £8.5m loss on a turnover of £736m.

Philip Cheevers, Group Chief Executive, said: “Our reported results show a return to profitability in the financial year, with all parts of the business contributing positively to performance.

“The business continues to benefit from a diversified portfolio of work in both the private and public sectors across our target industries, with a focus on winning new work via two-stage tender processes and frameworks, whilst developing long-standing client relationships.

“Looking forward, the current construction and civil engineering order book is in a positive position, with the majority of budgeted turnover secured for the financial year ahead.”

The business, whose principal activities are building and civil engineering contracting, property development, the operation of landfill sites, and wholesale distribution employed 872 direct employees in 2024 with many thousands more indirectly employed throughout the UK and Ireland via its supply chain.

The group enters the new trading year in a strong financial position with net assets of £58.4m and a cash balance of £147m, with no borrowings.