Our increasing profile has enabled us to develop successful recruitment and retention strategies, despite continuing demands for skilled staff in the sector. The acquisitions made during the course of 2007 enhanced our staff base, whilst also enabling us to develop materially our businesses in North America and Australia.

The geological, engineering and environmental skills we have are proving to be of significant value to developers of offshore wind farms around the UK coast. Working with the planning and environmental assessment capability we have in our Planning & Development business, our Energy staff have been involved in schemes which account for about 90% of the UK offshore wind farm capacity, including the London Array, the world's largest offshore scheme. The UK Government recently announced a further major expansion in offshore wind capacity; this should also benefit us. JD Consulting, acquired in December 2007 and located in Texas, is currently advising upon a proposal for one of the world's largest onshore wind farms.