Trading & Contract Gains Update
Aukett Fitzroy Robinson Group Plc, the AIM-quoted international group of
architects and designers, is pleased to advise the market that it expects its
financial performance in respect of the year ending 30th September 2007 to be in
line with market expectations.
The group’s overall order book for 2008 remains buoyant with International
Hotels, Green Retail in the UK, and Russian projects providing the best
opportunities for growth underpinned by a consistent office portfolio of work
from its retained client base. The Group is also pleased to report that net cash
has increased by £1.86 million during the year to 30 September 2007.
Since the previous contract gains update in February 2007 the following are the
most notable commissions won:
International Hotels
Two new branded hotels and full interior design services totalling 600 bedrooms
in Abu Dhabi, U.A.E.
A new resort development comprising 1600 hectares on Cape Verde with an initial
planning phase covering 2.5m ft2.
Green Retail
A total of 4 stores, new and remodelling for a national retail operator with an
estimated construction value of £200m.
Russia
A further 4 new project signings this year including a 45,000m2 “Volga” hotel
and office development for Shater in Moscow; a 90,000m2 residential development
for Stroyprogress to be carried out in conjunction with the Warsaw office; a
serviced aparthotel in the Sochi resort also for Shater totalling 95,000m2; and
a series of interior fit-outs for HSBC as part of a European framework. This
brings total new project work in our Russian subsidiary to over $900m with new
fees for agreed work stages of $3.3m.
Czech/Slovakia
Three new commissions including a 12,705 m2 office for DGV consulting in
Trnavska, and two €20m commissions for ISM in Senec and large 1930’s office
building refurbishment in Prague. The Czech Republic order book also benefits
from the HSBC framework arrangements with 6 current commissions, two of them
new.
UK Offices
A total of 6 major new office-led projects including: Carnival Cruises HQ in
Southampton for Development Securities (£30m), a new mixed-use business park in
Birmingham for Goodman (£60m), a further instruction on an existing business
park in East London for a retained client (£15m), a new HQ and fit-out for NAPP
pharmaceuticals on Trinity College’s science park in Cambridge (£20m), a new
City HQ for Commercial Estates group in Bristol (£40m) and a new speculative
office HQ for Castlemore at temple Quay in Bristol (£25m).
Planning consent has been received for a 6,500sqm office development on behalf
of Linden Homes, part of the ‘New College Campus’ landmark mixed use project
within a conservation area on The Avenue, Southampton.
Outlook
We have created an international architectural services group that offers both
international and geographical diversity. This places the group in a strong
position and we look forward to the future with confidence.
Announcement of results
Aukett Fitzroy Robinson expects to publish results for the year ended 30
September 2007 on 15 January 2008.
Enquiries:
Aukett Fitzroy Robinson Group Plc
020 7636 8033
Nicholas Thompson, Chief Executive
Duncan Harper, Finance Director
JM Finn Capital Markets Ltd
020 7600 1658
Clive Carver
Adventis Financial PR
020 7034 4759
Chris Steele