Civil engineering contractor J N Bentley is benefiting from a “market-leading position” within the UK water sector, as long-term relationships with providers delivering AMP8 has seen revenue and profits soar for the North Yorkshire business.
Turnover for the year ended 31 December 2024 rose to £510.2 million from £388.3 million the year prior, generating a pre-tax profit of £18.7 million (FY2023 £:13.5 million).
Most of the company’s workload is delivered via framework agreements through its subsidiary Mott MacDonald Bentley, established in 1999, delivering into the UK regulated water sector, as well as the environmental management sector via JBA Bentley.
“Via Mott MacDonald Bentley Limited, the company has a market-leading position in the UK regulated water sector, having delivered significant AMP7 frameworks for Yorkshire Water, Severn Trent Water, Anglian Water, Northumbrian Water, Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water, and Thames Water, with all these relationships continuing into AMP8 having established themselves in AMP6 and earlier,” said J N Bentley.
“Workload with United Utilities, whilst previously significant, reduced during the early part of AMP7 but rebuilt in 2024 and it will become more significant during AMP8 with new work opportunities now available.”
It added: “Two new clients have been secured in AMP8, being South West Water and Wessex Water.”
What is AMP?
The purpose of Asset Management Plan periods, set by industry regulator Ofwat, is to increase efficiency and service levels within the sector via capital programmes.
In AMP8, water suppliers are facing both environmental and regulatory challenges, including net zero by 2030, reducing sewage spills, and to mitigate the effects of climate change.
J N Bentley declared an operating profit of £17.5 million for the year to 31 December 2024, up from £12.8 million in the previous trading period.
At the year end, the Skipton-headquartered business had net assets worth nearly £39 million, up from £29 million the year before, with improved cash reserves of £32.1 million.
The contractor reported profit for the year of nearly £14 million, compared to £10.4 million in the previous trading period.
JN Bentley was established in 1972 and is a construction, civil engineering and MEICA contractor, operating primarily within the industrial, local authority, energy, and ports and waterways sectors, via direct delivery.
The company operates out of various UK locations, including four directly managed offices and shared client locations.
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