Construction group Willmott Dixon makes plea to next PM as profits rise

One of the UK’s oldest construction firms on Friday urged Theresa May’s replacement to urgently sort Brexit to help the industry, as it recorded higher profits.

Willmott Dixon, founded in 1852, boosted pre-tax profits by 55% to £37.5 million in 2018.

It benefited from repeat business and featuring on a number of local authority frameworks as one of the selected contractors to build schools, housing and leisure centres.

But sales were flat at £1.3 billion and chief executive Rick Willmott cautioned that some contractors have seen their pipeline of work fall as some property developers and investors postpone big projects until they get more details on Britain’s departure from the bloc.

He said: “We need the incoming PM to create the confidence that unlocks that flow of work.”