Regeneration and support services company Willmott Dixon – which has a £95 million contract with Birmingham City Council – has revealed a 46 per cent rise in profits.

The company, which has several offices in the city, saw pre-tax profits rise to £26.6 million last year, compared to £17.1 million in 2009.

That came despite a slight fall in turnover, from £998.9 million in 2009 to £989.5 million.

Peter Owen, managing director of Willmott Dixon in the Midlands, said the rise in profitability came against a backdrop of tough conditions.

He said: “Times ahead are set to be a challenge for the construction industry but by strengthening our regional partnerships and expanding our reach in terms of target sectors we can maintain exceptional results year-on-year.

“In the Midlands, Willmott Dixon delivered a £200 million turnover. This strong performance is testament to our strong partnerships, particularly with Birmingham City Council (BCC) which includes a live £95 million five-year contract with BCC to provide a repairs, maintenance and 24 hour call out service to 60,000 homes and properties in north & south Birmingham. Furthermore, we look to further enhance our strategic partnerships with Walsall MBC and our procurement work through the Scape national framework, as well as continuation our exceptional work on the £35 million Tamworth Landau Forte Academy with Staffordshire County Council.”

Mr Owen said the firm’s order book was already at 100 per cent for 2011 and touching 50 per cent for 2012.

“We refuse to sit still however, our forecast for growth in 2012 is at a remarkable 10 per cent,” he added.

The company’s cash balances improved slightly over the year, from £59.9 million at the end of 2009 to £62.2 million on December 31 last year.

The firm, which is the UK’s second-largest privately-owned contractor based on turnover, has a forward order book in excess of £1 billion.