星空传媒

T Clarke has posted a rise in pre-tax profits of 28% in 2002 from 拢8.42 million in 2001 to 拢10.79 million. This is on a 9% rise in turnover to 拢143.99 million from 拢131.79 million in the previous year. "2002 was a cracking year for T Clarke," commented chair Russell Race at the announcement of the company's annual results. Operating profit was up to 拢10.18 million.

"We have delivered record results and built the scale and diversity of the group considerably. We have strengthened our regional coverage with the acquisition of three thriving businesses and we anticipate growing the proportion of our work derived from the public sector," said Race.

However, when forecasting the group's prospects for the next year, Race sounded a note of caution. While acknowledging the recent buoyant markets, he warned that this is coming to an end. "In the last few months there is some evidence of order deferral and cancellation, particularly with respect to larger commercial projects in the South East," warned Race. "This is likely to mean that our record of steady progress in turnover and profits will be broken this year," he predicted.

Race rested the group's future on a healthy balance sheet and the ability to win a good share of the available work in the next year. He sees the economic slowdown as 'representing only a temporary break' in T Clarke's progress.

Race concluded his statement on the company's prospects saying: "We derive considerable comfort from the strength of our balance sheet, which we see being sustained through the current year. In fact, the board is confident that during the current market conditions, opportunities will arise that will contribute to the ongoing growth of the Group."