Chairman's Message

Scott Wilson continues to perform well in Asia-Pacific markets, particularly in Hong Kong and Mainland China.

Scott Wilson’s most recent results for the 26 week period ending 1 November 2009 demonstrated increased profits, a robust order book and significant progress in the international business, notably in Asia-Pacific. The Group’s international revenue was up 16% compared to the first 26 weeks in the previous period, the adjusted operating profit increased by 4.1% and the order book stands at over US$450 million.

The Asia-Pacific Region has made a significant contribution to both the growth in international markets and Group performance, by recording a 25% increase in revenue over the previous year and with many key new project awards in Hong Kong, Mainland China, South East Asia and Australia in Strategic Consultancy, and across the Railways, Roads, Buildings & Infrastructure, and Environment & Natural Resources sectors.

Over the past few months we have seen a number of award wins and short-listings which endorse our achievements. These include the UK Queen’s Award for International Trade which recognises our exceptional geographic reach and a highly skilled work force around the world. We also won the UK Royal Town Planning Institute’s ‘Planning Consultancy of the Year’ award, and the 2009/10 British Expertise International Awards. Scott Wilson was a finalist in the NCE / ACE Consultants of the Year Awards and in the ACE Engineering Excellence Awards.

In Hong Kong, Scott Wilson has just announced the award of a new detailed design consultancy package on the MTR Corporation’s Shatin to Central Link, the Ma On Shan Line Modifications and Hin Keng Station. Other recent project awards are a term consultancy for electrical & mechanical systems design for MTR’s operating railways in Hong Kong, the Laemchabang Port expansion in Thailand, services for the new low cost carrier terminal and third runway at Kuala Lumpur International Airport, alternative designs for major road projects for contractors, marina developments in southern China, supermarkets for TESCO, electrical and mechanical services for the Daqing Sheraton Hotel in Heilongjiang, China, a museum in Tianjin’s Eco-city and an extension to our environmental impact assessment for the Macau light rail transit phase 1.

Our constructability experts, Benaim, are helping contractors by providing innovative and cost-saving solutions for MTR Express Rail Link tenders, and also for Central - Wan Chai Bypass, Tuen Mun Road Improvements and Widening of Tolo Highway / Fanling Highway in Hong Kong.

In the meantime, our on-going work on many of the mega projects in the region continues apace. We are nearing completion on the detailed design of MTR’s South Island Line C902 package for 5km of tunnels and two underground stations on Hong Kong Island, continuing to check the Hong Kong Government’s Tamar Development, supervising the construction of the site formation for the Kai Tak Cruise Terminal, carrying out technical audits of post quake reconstruction facilities in Sichuan, project managing the Wuxi Integrated Transport Hub in Jiangsu Province which incorporates the new high-speed rail link from Nanjing to Shanghai, completion of two pavilions for World Expo 2010 in Shanghai, and the detailed design of maritime elements for the Port Botany Expansion in Sydney. For the Kai Tak Cruise Terminal project in Hong Kong, Scott Wilson fast-tracked the detailed design of the site formation, so that the works were awarded one month ahead of schedule.

Our commitment to sustainability remains at the centre of all we do and is demonstrated by our expertise in green buildings, waste management, renewable energy, climate change and environmental and social management. To ensure sustainability is embedded across all of our services, we are preparing a Sustainability Plan for the Group’s global operation. As a provider of consulting services for projects in the built and natural environments, we take seriously our role in managing climate change and helping clients to reduce their carbon footprints.

So you can see despite the recent challenging operating environment we are thriving and growing our business. Our teams in the Asia-Pacific Region, and worldwide, are working smarter, harder, more creatively and collaboratively with clients, contractors, financiers and other partners to meet their objectives. I would like to express my deep gratitude to all our staff for the contributions they have made to our success.

We are keen to continue to support our clients and partners with our trusted network of global offices, people and know-how. If you would like to find out more of our latest developments and how we might assist you, please browse through our website or contact me at Simon.Davies@scottwilson.com.hk.

Simon Davies