Ex Shandwick Chief's new empire ups profits

Huntsworth PLC , made a pretax profit of £5.02 million in the six months to June 30 2006, jumping from just £1.31 million the prior year.

Continuing revenue grew to £70.1 million stg from £40.7 million.

Chief executive Lord Peter Chadlington said the first half has given the group a strong start and a firm foundation for the full year.

'We have been encouraged after the summer months by the marked pick up in new business activity which gives us confidence for the full year.'

In the first half, the group's Public Relations revenues grew on a like-for-like basis by 6% and Non Public Relations activities (primarily event management) declined by 18% giving an overall like-for-like growth of 3.4%.

Consultancies in the Huntsworth group include:

• Avenue HKM
• Brand Health International Ltd.
• Broadstreet
• Huntsworth Health
• Jago Pearce
• PBC Group
• VB Communications

• Citigate Belgium
• Citigate Cunningham
• Citigate Demuth
• Citigate Dewe Rogerson
• Citigate France
• Citigate Gramma
• Citigate Italy
• Citigate Sanchis
• EHPR
• Grayling
• Harrison Cowley
• Haslimann Taylor PR
• Momentum
• NBS Public Relations
• Park Avenue
• PR Force Belgium
• PR Force Netherlands
• RS Live
• SCPR London
• The Red Consultancy
• Trimedia

• Citigate Public Affairs
• Grayling Public Affairs
• Momentum
• The Global Consulting Group