Global programme management and construction consultancy Turner & Townsend increased its turnover for the financial year to April 30, to R7.2-billion, with turnover in Africa up 3% to more than R290-million.

The R7.2-billion was up 11% on the R6.8-billion achieved in the prior year.

Turner & Townsend attributed the increase to a yearly growth rate of 9.88% on the continent between 2011 and 2015, as well as the implementation of its long-term strategy of diversification, geographically and across its three core sectors of property, infrastructure and natural resources, which successfully absorbed the recent volatility in the oil and gas market.

“Despite ongoing challenging conditions in natural resources, our diversity of services allowed us to build on our local presence and knowledge, supporting global clients in Africa in our core sectors,” Turner & Townsend Africa MD Ian Donaldson commented.

He added that the growth was secured through numerous new projects, which included international clients such as Barclays and General Electric, in South Africa, and the Aga Khan Health Service, in Tanzania.

“Locally, we secured projects with Bombela and Debswana Diamond Company and several projects with clients in East and West Africa, including Toyota and Nigeria’s National Petroleum Investment Management Services.

“Our continued development and investment into our East and West Africa hubs saw increased income from our Kenyan and Ugandan operations.

“The property and infrastructure sectors remain growth areas in the Africa region. Over the next year, we will continue to invest in our service model, to build further on our expertise in major programme set-up, assurance, contract services and information modelling,” Donaldson pointed out.

Its global property business grew its revenue by 12% to R3.37-billion, while its infrastructure business experienced strong performance, showing 20% in revenue growth, to R2-billion. 

Turner & Townsend CEO Vincent Clancy added that the company’s diverse business model allowed it to adapt successfully to the shifting marketplace, delivering “some exceptional results” in emerging markets, as well as in the more mature regions.

“Our record turnover of R7.2-billion is an endorsement of the consistent investment we’ve made in the company – and in our staff – over the past five years, and an important milestone in our long-term plan for sustainable growth.”