ISG, the international construction services company with a key base in Bradford, has announced its best-ever financial performance, just three years after the business was taken into private ownership.

Published headline figures for 2018 show that turnover at the UK’s largest office fit-out and retail sector contractor has breached £2 billion for the first time in the company’s 30-year history at £2.2bn, posting £38.5m profit before tax and a £1.4bn forward order book.

ISG’s 2018 Annual Report shows a third consecutive year of record growth and profitability for the company, which now employs around 3,000 people and operates in 24 countries across the globe. Sustainable growth has been achieved across ISG’s Fit Out, Construction, Engineering Services and Retail operations, with the company’s international businesses also generating record growth and profitability.

The new £17.5 million Sedbergh Sports and Leisure Facility in Bradford is one of its projects.

ISG has increased its turnover in Continental Europe by over 100 percent to circa £400m and said it has seen no discernible Brexit impact from its global customer base, with a 54 percent increase in revenue from its predominantly London office fit-out business – which in 2018 accounted for a record £609m turnover. The overall scale of projects has also increased significantly, with ISG securing and working on three projects at £200m-plus and one project at £300m-plus during 2018.

Paul Cossell, CEO of ISG, said: “Instead of waiting for new incumbents to disrupt our industry, ISG has used its 30 years’ experience as a market leader to tackle the productivity and cyclical financial issues that have plagued our industry for too long.

“Traditional operating practices and central command structures do not work in our dynamic society or for agile global customers, so we have embraced change, empower our people to be creative and encourage radical thinking, with technology and innovation at our core.

“What’s clear is that ripping up the old rule book and learning from our tech-led customers has proved transformational for our business. Our people are already generating the ideas and innovation that are proving instrumental in moving our industry forward.

“From the launch of a new Level 3 qualification, which is already changing the conversation about careers in the built environment, to developing a standard component design for classrooms, or our very first filed patent for in-house developed technology, it is the quality of our people and the supportive structure around them that sets our business apart.”

As one of Europe’s top three datacentre solutions providers, ISG said it is continuing to grow this highly specialised area of its operations.

The company said it has combined this expertise, with its sector leading retail experience, to significantly grow its exposure to large-scale distribution centres in the UK and Europe for global internet retailing brands.

High-profile teaching and R&D projects for science and healthcare projects have seen its Engineering Services business boost turnover to £469m.

ISG’s UK Construction business has boosted revenue to £520 million and has again increased the volume of work secured through public sector frameworks. The overall scale of projects from its three operating regions continues to rise, and notable wins in 2018 include a major retail development at Waterloo Station and the new headquarters in Watford for a leading high-street retailer.

ISG has recently joined the 5% Club – formalising its commitment to ensuring at least five percent of its workforce are in ‘earn and learn’ positions, and during 2018 the company supported 3,890 apprentice weeks and engaged with 6,419 students. Promoting diversity remains a core focus and ISG’s Executive Committee board, which has equal gender representation, continues to drive change to attract a diverse mix of talent into the business and the wider industry through a range of initiatives, including the company’s Level 3 PCP qualification and WOWEX work experience programme.