Shearwater Regulatory News (SWG)

21 Oct 2008 07:00



21 October 2008

SCOTT WILSON GROUP PLC 

PRE-CLOSE STATEMENT

Scott Wilson Group plc ("Scott Wilson" or "the Group"), the multi-disciplinary international design and engineering consultancy for the built and natural environments, today issues a pre-close statement prior to the announcement of its interim results for the 26 weeks ending 26 October 2008, due to be announced on 9 December 2008.

Since the Group's last update on 2 September 2008, trading has remained in line with management's expectations, notwithstanding the recent turmoil in the financial markets. Overall demand remains robust both within the UK and across our international businesses. Long term budgetary planning frameworks continue to underpin a significant proportion of our work on infrastructure development, enhancement and replacement. Our strong order book has benefited from many significant new or extended projects won during the current financial year including Crossrail, Manchester Waste, East London line, London Gateway Port, campus redevelopment at Kingston University, nuclear sector commissions in the UK, national highway projects in India and Sri Lanka, the Grand Mosque in Bahrain, property development in Tianjin and power related projects in Greece, Indonesia, Pakistan and Qatar.

Organic revenue growth in the current year to date is in excess of 10% and, in line with our strategic plan, our activities in the international market are making a greater contribution. In addition, the three acquisitions made in the first half of the year, Terence Lee Partnership, Strategic Leisure and Benaim are integrating well and performing in line with internal forecasts.

The Board, therefore, anticipates reporting interim results consistent with current market expectations for the full year.

As previously announced, and in line with the Group's commitment to planning for senior executive succession and Board structure over the long term, Geoff French, currently Executive Chairman, will become Non-Executive Chairman of the Group with effect from 1 November 2008.

~Ends~

Scott Wilson Group plc

Scott Wilson Group plc, with over 6,000 members of staff, is a multi-disciplinary international design and engineering consultancy for the built and natural environments. The Group has doubled in size over the past few years and from its UK headquarters currently controls a worldwide network of 80 offices.

www.scottwilson.com