Aukett Associates PLC
26 January 2000
AUKETT ASSOCIATES PLC
CHAIRMAN'S AGM STATEMENT AND TRADING UPDATE
FIRST QUARTER IN LINE WITH EXPECTATIONS
At the AGM today of Aukett Associates ('the Group'), one of Europe's leading
building design practices, the retiring Chairman, Gerry Deighton, made the
following remarks on current trading and prospects:
'Trading across the Group for the first three months of this financial year
are in line with expectations and several new commissions have been secured,
both in the United Kingdom and across Europe. In particular our 50% owned
joint venture in Madrid is beginning to justify our commitment with strong
expansion of that business continuing in both Spain and, more recently,
Morocco, with the help of several projects in the telecoms sector.
Since the balance sheet date, as previously reported, we have purchased the
50% of our Amsterdam operation which we did not already own and the benefits
of this investment should be reflected in the Group's results for the current
financial year. Further expansion possibilities within Europe are currently
under consideration.
I am retiring as a director today after 12 years as Chairman and 24 years in
the business. My statement in last year's Annual Report dated 29 November
1999 referred to the progress made during the last three years and the future
opportunities identified. I have every confidence in Andrew Lett and his team
and look forward to the Directors being able to report further progress at the
interim stage.'
ENDS
Enquiries:
Andrew Lett/Robert Warner
Aukett Associates PLC Tel: 020 7924 4949
Peter Binns/Fiona Bradshaw
Binns & Co PR Tel: 020 7786 9600