PROPERTY agents Mouchel, has seen its profits boosted by 50 per cent after extending the services it offers and improving its operational and commercial management.

The company's Northallerton office became the base for engineering and land and property consultancy in the county when the former county council consultancy business unit was externalised in 1999.

It employs around 75 staff across North Yorkshire with bases at Skipton and Pickering, alongside its main office in Northallerton.

Profits grew from £2.4m to £3.5m for the year ending July 31, 2000, with turnover up 12 per cent.

Chairman and chief executive Jim Harding said new services were a major part of its financial success which has seen turnover rise to £62.4m.

"New services now account for more than half of our turnover, compared with only 40 per cent a year ago," he said.

"We now provide a broad range of business and technical services - from strategic advice, planning and project delivery through to maintenance and operational support of clients' infrastructure assets for their whole life cycle."

In September last year Mouchel landed an award from Scarborough Borough Council for its work on the millennium bridge in the harbour.

It has already won awards from Ripon civic society and for its business commitment to the environment

Mouchel has exploited its expertise in infrastructure and support services to become a leading force as both a front-end advisor to central and local government, and a long-term service provider under partnering deals.

Mr. Haring added: "This year marked another step in the realization of our strategy to win contracts across the range of our key clients and to achieve a strong and growing financial performance for the business.

"With the continuing increase in contract opportunities, we are confident that we will achieve further significant growth next year."

The Mouchel group employs 1,300 people and has headquarters in West Byfleet, Surrey.

Many employees have benefited directly from Mouchel's improved profits, as staff now hold an interest in 87 per cent of the company.

The ShareSave scheme and annual Share Shop have proved so succesful that further shares will be issued in the future