Chris Chivers, chief executive of specialist heritage contractor Killby & Gayford, has said procurement officers are 鈥渋ncreasingly twitchy鈥� about giving work to medium-sized firms

Speaking after unveiling solid results for the year to 31 December 2008, Chivers said more clients were asking for performance bonds.

He said: 鈥淚t鈥檚 a minor irritant but doesn鈥檛 stop us getting work. Bondsmen have their own financial issues and when I compare us to them I know who I would bet on being here at the end of the recession.鈥�

Killby & Gayford boosted turnover 14% from 拢76m to 拢86.9m in 2008, which Chivers said was the result of an emphasis on repeat business.

Pre-tax profit climbed from 拢2.9m to 拢3.4m, which pushed the profit margin up from 3.9% to 4.1%. Net debt at the year end was 拢14.3m, which the company cut by 拢2m in 2008.

Killby & Gayford鈥檚 clients include the royal household and its projects include the 拢1.3m Royal Academy of Music in London and the 拢1.25m Bedford magistrates鈥� court. Earlier this year it worked on the refurbishment of 10 Downing Street.

It鈥檚 like having sex. For some builders it鈥檚 鈥榳ham bam鈥� but others ask 鈥榟ow was that for you?鈥�

Chris Chivers, Billby & Gayford

Chivers said the heritage market was holding up well in the recession. He said: 鈥淲e haven鈥檛 seen any marked change. Churches are still finding money to do work and inquiry levels are as good as ever.鈥�

But he was in more regular contact with clients than was usual last year to ensure that relationships were maintained. He said: 鈥淚t鈥檚 like having sex. While for some builders it鈥檚 a quick 鈥榳ham bam鈥� others ask 鈥榟ow was that for you?鈥� or 鈥榳hat can we do better next time?鈥欌��

He described 2008 as a year of consolidation for the company, which is 45% owned by investor Close Brothers Growth Capital after a 拢15m management buyout in September 2007.

The company also does fit-out work and Chivers said there was scope for growth in the food retail and education markets.

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