Growth in Morson’s aerospace and defence business has helped the firm increase revenue for the year ended 31 December 2009.

Chief executive Ged Mason told Recruiter that revenue in aerospace and defence had increased by around 15% on 2008 and now accounts for a third of group revenue.

The group’s results reveal:

• Group revenues rose 1.2% to £436.6m (2008: £431.4m)
• Group net fee income (gross profit) fell 5.3% to £34.8m (2008: £36.7m)
• Profit before tax increased by 22.5% to £9.7m (2008: £7.9m)
• Profit after tax up 24.4% to £7.2m (2008: £5.8m)

Mason adds that the firm’s growth had come from a combination of new contract wins and present business. In the past year the firm has added Thales and Bombardier to its client list, while Mason says the firm has been working with the MoD supporting RAF bases and has also seen growth in the civil aircraft industry.

Mason told Recruiter that while there were no plans to extend its 22-strong office network, there are plans to increase Morson’s international footprint. “We have 22 operations across the UK - there is no place to expand the network. We have a good footprint and have the ability to stay close to customers. There may be opportunities if there are acquisitions. We are still looking. We may broaden our sector coverage and geography.

“We are looking to develop our overseas business. We have people on the ground on international locations. We will be announcing details about our international overseas programme over the course of the year. We are finalising with our customers where the opportunities are. We would look at Europe and South America.”