Liverpool commercial fit-out specialist Aztec Interiors has secured £5m of work for the first half of 2024 including one contract worth £2m. Tony McDonough reports

Commercial fit-out specialist Aztec Interiors is on track for another year of growth after securing £5m of work for the first half of 2024.

Liverpool-based Aztec, which was subject to a management buyout in 2021, last year reported annual revenues of £7m. Its £5m in deal for the first half of this year includes a £2m full fire strategy programme of works at Rainhill High School.

Aztec is building on a strong 2023 that saw the positive results of a series of major developments including the appointment of industry expert Colin Clayton to the board.

It also saw the acquisition of a specialist M&E firm and the launch of its fire strategy company, Fire Doors and Frames in February this year, in a £500,000 investment.

Director Iain Peacock said: “We have invested our time, energy and resources into the careful restructure of the business during the past two years and it’s at this point that we are realising the positive outcome of these widespread efforts.

“We are also seeing higher levels of negotiated work and joint ventures and are steering away from traditional tendering by developing long term partnerships with clients.

“This really is a new era for Aztec, as we not only consolidate our position in the marketplace for existing services, but begin to penetrate new business in the fire protection sector.”

Founded in 1988 by Neal Maxwell, Aztec became a leading player in the North West fit-out market. Neal sold the business to its management team in May 2021. He left to set up Changing Streams, a not-for-profit environmental venture.

Managing director Iain Peacock led the MBO along with Tony Pyper and Paul Ashmore. Tragedy struck in September 2021 when father-of-two Paul died aged just 37. 

Last year saw the handover of a series of major contracts including an 11,000 sq ft grade A fit out at Exchange Quay Manchester, one of the largest office campuses in the North West for IGT (Interactive Games Technology).

Aztec also handed over a 9,000 sq ft lab fit-out in Liverpool for high end research lab Inter Scientific and at Steam Mill, a Grade II-listed structure in Chester, it delivered a refurbishment programme. 

Fellow director Tony Pyper added: “2023 was a great year in terms of business growth and development. We see no sign of this level of activity slowing down for 2024, and are approaching the end of quarter one with a rapidly growing order book.”