North East design practice Ryder Architecture has seen turnover rise 25% after sealing contracts at home and abroad.

The Newcastle based business has published accounts for the year ended April 30 2021 showing a revenue rise from £19.3m to £24.2m, despite the ongoing challenges of the pandemic, Brexit and rising inflation.

The company’s operating profit almost doubled, from £1.7m to £3.25m, while pre-tax profit also rose significantly, from £1.76m to £3.3m. Total comprehensive income for the year increased from £2.17m to £3.28m.

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In September the company established a team in Manchester, adding to those in Newcastle, London, Glasgow, Liverpool, Hong Kong, Vancouver and Amsterdam. In November it also acquired interior design firm Ward Robinson Design, adding to the group’s specialist expertise within the business.

Overall, Ryder’s workforce has grown from 250 in 2020 to 317 people.

The group is currently working on schemes across the UK and as far afield as Auckland in New Zealand and Lima in Peru.

Significant projects across the UK include West Suffolk Hospital in Bury St Edmonds, major residential projects in Liverpool and Belfast, Stockport Emergency and Urgent Care, and an ongoing portfolio of community projects throughout Scotland.

In the North East, the firm is heavily involved in the redevelopment of East Pilgrim Street in Newcastle city centre – including plans for a new base for the HMRC in Pilgrim’s Quarter – Sunderland Eye Infirmary, Whitley Bay High School, Durham NetPark and a 1m sqft manufacturing facility for LM Wind in Teesside.

Turnover for the current financial year is forecast to exceed £28m.

In the strategic report accompanying the accounts, managing partner Mark Thompson said: “Our wide portfolio of sectors involves us working with a broad range of clients – private businesses, developers, contractors, national and local Government bodies. The success of these sectors requires a strong economy, stable political climate and a positive investment and planning environment.

“The construction industry appears to be more positive than in recent years but uncertainty remains due to the pandemic, Brexit and fears of inflation. However, our pipeline for the 2022 financial year, and beyond, is strong across all our established sectors

“The directors are delighted with the financial performance in the period which has enabled us to achieve the profit share target for our people. We also exceeded our community impact target which supports charities and good causes in the communities in which we work.

“Many of our projects were recognised with design awards but, perhaps, our most significant achievement was being crowned UK Architectural Practice of the Year in the prestigious Building awards for 2021.

“We are conservatively optimistic for the ongoing and sustained growth and development of Ryder, subject to the aforementioned uncertainties.”