Based in Liverpool, civil and structural engineering firm Sutcliffe has secured contracts on projects with a combined value of £250m already this year. Tony McDonough reports

Civil and structural engineering firm Sutcliffe says profits are on the rise and says it has secured contracts on projects with a combined value of £250m already this year.

Despite the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, Liverpool-based Sutcliffe says profits for the first half of its financial year – September 2020 to March 2021 – are 5% up on the same period 12 months ago.

The multi-disciplinary consultancy, which also has offices in Manchester, North Wales and London, is well on track for another record year-end, representing five years of growth for the business.

Sutcliffe has also appointed three new directors to its board – promoting Jacqui Johnson to communications director, Anoop Jayakkar to technical director and Ian Robinson promoted to finance director.

Sean Keyes, managing director of Sutcliffe, said: “These figures represent a very strong first half for Sutcliffe and it would not be possible without hard work, graft and great people.

“I am immensely proud of the team which has continued to demonstrate great resilience and drive against the most unusual and challenging of times for our industry and country.

“Strengthened by our three new directors – who boast a combined 70 years of experience – we now look forward with confidence to a year of continued growth. I am expecting our sector to flourish post-pandemic and with a strong and experienced team in place, Sutcliffe is in the perfect position to ride the crest of the wave when the boom arrives.”

Recent project wins for the engineering firm include extensive geo-environmental investigations  for Salford City Council at Riverside Palace Fields, a major housing development at the Knoll & Uplands in Runcorn, the Jubilee Centre for Bolton Council, redevelopment at Pemberton Primary School for Wigan Council, and a large new build housing development in Anglesey, Wales.

Sutcliffe has also won a host of framework contracts across the country this year alone – including Professional Services Dynamic Purchasing System for Growth Lancashire – Blackburn with Darwen Council, Procure Partnerships Framework – North West and North Wales, Kirklees Council Professional Services Framework, Places for People with Walsall Housing Group and the Wigan Council Framework.

Sutcliffe also welcomes seasoned structural engineer, Graham Swanson, as its new associate designate in the structures team, Mike Armes as senior technician and Michael Wiggins as graduate environmental technician, representing a 5% rise in headcount since 2020.