The contractor also beefed up its operations paying £20m to buy Adcock Refrigeration and Air Conditioning, as well as opening new regional bases in Bristol, Cambridge and Glasgow during the year to August 2024.

Its return to delivering strong trading profit after being impacted by subcontractor insolvencies in 2023 saw group operating margins return to 2.7%.

Chairman Jack Kirkland said that the group’s construction division once again led the way, supported by steady returns from its property, construction services and homeland security businesses on both sides of the Atlantic.

Bowmer & Kirkland ended the year with £485m in cash and net assets rising to £633m, giving it major financial headroom for future investments and opportunities.

Staff numbers increased by 16% to 1,962 as the group continued to invest heavily in training and development while keeping employee turnover low.

In a boardroom move, Kevin McDonald – who joined Bowmer & Kirkland as a junior IT assistant back in 2000 – was promoted to director and now heads the fast-growing Soncell homeland security division.

Kirkland said the group’s strong balance sheet left it well placed to serve clients, withstand difficult times and take advantage of opportunities that present themselves in the years ahead.