Strong results for LUC in its 50th year

Independent planning, landscape design and ecology consultancy LUC, which recently opened two offices in the North West, has reported a strong set of financial results.

Turnover is up nearly 12% to £8.3m, and operating profit up by nearly 50% to just above £300,000 in the year ended December 31, 2016. Staff numbers increased by 20% during the year to 130.

It has been a busy 12 months for LUC in the North West. The consultancy recently opened offices in Manchester and Lancaster and is currently recruiting more staff to add to the new team already in place.

LUC, which is the lead consultant on the restoration and redevelopment of the historic Hulton Park Estate in Bolton, also completed a major Green Belt study for Greater Manchester to inform options for growth of the city.

LUC was one of the first multi-disciplinary environmental consultancies set up in the UK by eminent and influential environmentalist and former director general of the Nature Conservancy, Max Nicholson, in 1966. As well as the new offices Manchester and Lancaster the company has sites in London, Bristol, Edinburgh and Glasgow.

Jeremy Owen, managing director of LUC said: “2016 was a landmark year for LUC. We celebrated 50 years in business, involving both clients and staff in a number of exciting and topical events held throughout the year.

“On top of this we were able to deliver a strong set of financial results. We continue to deliver high quality services to our clients, which were reflected by LUC receiving almost a dozen industry awards and commendations in 2016.

“Looking ahead, we are acutely aware of the great changes politically and globally that could affect the environmental consultancy sector, not least the outcome of the EU referendum.

“We believe that the effects of Brexit will take time to unravel, but that there will be an ongoing need for environmental safeguards to ensure that the country’s landscapes, wildlife and heritage are protected from damaging development, and that our climate, air, water and soils remain free from pollution.

“At the same time, the acute need to deliver more housing, invest in infrastructure, maintain economic competitiveness, and improve health and well-being, will require both the public and private sectors to turn to expert advisers for creative and robust solutions.

“We believe that LUC is well placed to provide such advice, drawing on our in-depth knowledge and specialist skills garnered over 50 years of successful operations.”