In a trading update today, the firm said underlying operating profit before interest and taxation of circa £8.6 million (2017: £7.3m) and revenue of circa £320m (2017: £311m).

The underlying operating profit margin is 2.7% (2017: 2.3%) and the group remains on track to achieve its medium term margin target of 3%.

An established strategy “to selectively target projects that we believe will add value and strengthen the margin profile of the group” has resulted in a record £411m forward order book, representing a 22% growth year on year (2017: £337m).

The firm’s technologies sector has been the main driver of this increase, up almost 400% to £54m.

The company is currently debt free, with £12.4m net cash.

The company said: “The Board remains encouraged by the continued opportunities available to the group, particularly on high profile projects working with clients who value our ability to deliver large, complex projects successfully.

“The group remains on track, with good progress being reported from each of its businesses and it remains on target to achieve the market expectations during the course of the current financial year.”

CEO Mark Lawrence added: “We are working on three UK data centres and our Building Controls Division acquired in August 2017, can now boast its largest ever order book and the continued success in our other markets has led to the record forward order book for the T Clarke Group as a whole.

“The Board continues to look forward with optimism and we remain focussed on delivering an improving financial performance as we move through the year.”