Commercial sector contracts boost results at architects practice

Leeds and Loughborough-based Watson Batty Architects has reported another strong financial performance with particular strong growth across the commercial/industrial, living and learning sectors.

Despite ongoing economic challenges, including key client ISG going into administration last September, the practice has surpassed its performance target by nearly ten per cent, achieving turnover of £3.4m for the year 2024/2025.

The commercial/industrial sector saw the most notable growth, accounting for just over 31 per cent of turnover.

It is due to continued instructions from long-standing clients such as Royal Mail and Morrison Supermarkets as well as new instructions from the Ministry of Defence and Ministry of Justice.

The “living” sector delivered a strong portfolio of work, contributing around 18 per cent to the firm’s turnover.

The “learning” sector also maintains strong growth as in previous years, accounting for 13 per cent of turnover. Many instructions were halted due to ISG’s administration but are expected to be reinstated in the coming months.

Another key area for Watson Batty is sport and leisure where it has a team working across public sector and private developments across the UK. The practice says this sector is supported by a robust pipeline of opportunities for the year ahead.

Peter White, managing director, said: “As always, our good spread of work across key industry sectors helps us to mitigate any unexpected events such as ISG’s administration, although we fully expect the majority of its halted projects to be reinstated this year.

“We have made a very positive start to the next financial year with a pipeline of great projects and as we approach our milestone 50^th anniversary, we are poised to announce some very exciting succession plans in the business.”

Recent project awards include student residential schemes on Newmarket Road in Cambridge, build-to-rent developments, multiple care schemes as well as sport and leisure schemes nationwide.

Watson Batty Architects was established nearly 50 years ago and has a team of nearly 40 people.