Project management, training, software and services group Admiral Plc, Camberley, Surrey, which derives much of its income from the defence, government, manufacturing and finance sectors, continues an admirable upwards climb against a backdrop of doom and gloom, pre-tax profits up 6% at UKP3.5m for the year to December 31 on turnover up 23% at just over UKP26m. The group’s cash pile grew even healthier, up 36% at UKP3.8m, and staff numbers increased a further 20% to 509. Clay Brendish, executive chairman, expressed his delight at the figures, and said that the year had seen a profitable first year of trading for Admiral’s training company, built from the merger of two acquisitions in 1990 (CI No 1,626). All other UK subsidiaries performed well too – they are Admiral Computing Ltd, Admiral Management Services Ltd and Admiral Software Ltd. Admiral Computing Australia, meanwhile, has continued to build on its success, the chairman reports, winning some prestigious contracts in the federal government arena. ITEC Pte Ltd, Admiral’s Singaporean joint venture, increased its range of services over the year and the group is now actively pursuing computer-based training opportunities in Singapore, where it claims to have been short-listed for several significant projects. Brendish says the group plans to continue investing in staff and in broadening its range of skills.
