Northern Ireland headquartered John Graham, which operates across the UK and Ireland on projects from university buildings to roads, recently won a deal to to build the Higgs Centre for Innovation in Edinburgh.

Its subsidiaries specialise in building and civil engineering, fit-out, project investment and asset management.

After building a strong presence in Scotland over the years the contractor has consolidated its expansion into England, securing several London projects in the last 12 months.

In accounts filed at Companies House, John Graham also said its pre-tax profit rose to £16.9m for the year to March 2016, up from £6.9m. Revenue hit £507.9m, up from £491.1m.

Also the main contracting business Graham Construction more than trebled pre-tax profits to £8m on turnover slightly ahead at £438m in the year ending March 2016.

This improved performance saw construction operating margins recover to 1.8 per cent from 0.5 per cent the previous year, swelling cash to £21m.

Staff headcount rose 6 per cent over the year to top 1,000 employees at the main contracting arm.

The separate asset management business, which now employs around 750 staff, lifted turnover 13 per cent to £70m, generating a pre-tax profit of £3m.

“The group has considerable financial resources together with long term contracts with a number of customers and suppliers across different geographic areas and industries,” said group finance director Courtney McCormick.

“As a consequence the directors believe that the group is well placed to manage its business risk successfully despite the current uncertain economic outlook.

“Overall, our group businesses continue to deliver robust performances in a market that shows strong signs of growth, with investment in infrastructure a key focus area for both the public and private sector.”

He added: “Our four main business units provide us with a well-balanced service offering within the group, and are all underpinned by a healthy forward order book.

“We are encouraged by the continued development of our asset management business and believe its success in generating long term partnerships with clients, coupled with its continued service diversification, investment in new technology and regional growth, leave it with a strong platform for sustained growth.”