The turn around helped to lift adjusted group pre-tax profit from around £700,000 last time to £4.2m in the year ending March 2014.

WSP focused on securing quality work and as a result saw group turnover remain flat at £127m.

The UK region generated revenue of £73m with an operating profit before separately disclosed items of £1.9m, compared to a £200,000 loss last time.

Paul Hamer, chief executive officer, said: “WYG is now in better shape than it has been for several years, with a highly differentiated consultancy offering, a financial structure which fully supports its potential, and clear momentum in its order book. ”

“The emphasis this year has been on improving the quality of the top line and therefore the overall profitability of the group.

“Although we have seen only a modest increase in revenues, acute focus on project selection and delivery combined with a further reduction in overhead costs has enabled us to deliver on this challenge.”

He added that profit expectations werer upgraded twice during the year and net margins have continued to strengthen.

“The widely reported improving trading environment in the UK has driven increased activity in many of our sectors and we see the outlook for consultancy as encouraging, albeit with some variability regionally and with pricing remaining competitive.”

Major longterm framework agreements for key clients now underpin the consultancy business.

The firm was re-appointed on key framework agreements with the Northern Ireland CPD and Sainsbury’s.

It also won places on new frameworks with the NHS, Defence Equipment & Support Technical Services Team within the Ministry of Defence and Royal Mail.

Today WYG also secured a new major three-year programme worth up to £28m to support the Libyan security and justice sector.

A new £15m trade finance facility has been agreed by Santander significantly reducing WYG’s interest payments.