The firm revealed this morning that revenue last year jumped a further 15% lifting it to £491m.

But challenging market conditions, particularly impacting the Engineering Services business, saw pre-tax profits slide a quarter to £7.6m.

This meant that group operating margins fell back from 2.7% in 2022 to 1.9% last year.

Chief executive Mark Lawrence said regional and geographical expansion had helped to achieve growth targets.

Large projects outside London achieved notable growth from £37m in 2022 to £88m in 2023.

Lawrence said: “This reflected a step change across our regional operations – for example, during the year we were able to report the doubling of the average Engineering Services tender size in Scotland and a total of 19 projects of £5m + being delivered across our regions.”

TClarke’s order book grew 70% over the last year, from £555m in 2022 to £943m in 2023.

Lawrence said: “This delivers a major strategic advantage – allowing us to manage efficiently, invest for value and select future projects from a position of greater strength.”

He added: “Initiated in March 2021, our ambitious journey aimed to double our revenues through organic expansion. It is very pleasing to report that in 2023 we successfully achieved these growth plans.

 “The group boasts a robust forward order book comprising top-tier projects in our target sectors, underpinned by a strong balance sheet with our net assets having increased by 38% compared to 2022, reflecting our financial strength.

“Looking forward, we are poised to maintain our progress in our targeted markets, positioning us favourably to achieve our growth plans for 2024 and beyond.”