Insider reports that the Livingston-based group said demand for housing also lifted revenues in its timber frame manufacturing unit, though input cost rises put pressure on timber margins in the 2017 year to March.

James Walker (Leith) said government support for new build housing meant the impact of the EU referendum on housing demand was “limited” in the year.

Pre-tax profits for the year rose to £12.5 million (2016: £11m) as turnover rose 9% to £164.6m.

Operating profit rose nine per cent to £13.3m (2016: £12.2m).

The company said its facilities management and healthcare divisions performed “in line” with management expectations.

In accounts now with Companies House, James Walker (Leith) notes the coming financial year will be a “challenging” one with “ongoing political and macro-economic risks having a material effect across all business activities”.

The group adds while forward reservations for new homes has remained “strong”, assisted by government support from Help to Buy, demand for new build homes remains “fragile” and the strength of demand going forward “will be influenced by inflation and interest rate movements in the short term”.

James Walker (Leith) is parent company to a portfolio of independently managed companies spanning healthcare, residential and commercial development, property investment, timer engineering, facilities management and PVCu manufacturing.

Portfolio companies include Walker Timber (timber engineering), Walker Partnerships (healthcare), Woodbridge Timber (logistics and timber distribution), Walker Profiles (PVCu manufacturing) Dundas Residential and Dundas Commercial (developments), and Walker Residential and Walker Commercial (investments).

The company notes it employed 626 staff in the 2017 year, up from 600 in 2016.