Profits rise at Access Intelligence

The York-based group made pre-tax profits of 470,000 for the six months to May 31, compared to 169,000 for the same period last year.

The group, whose clients include RBS and Aviva, said turnover rose to 4.1m from 2.54m.

Access has seen two major developments over the first half. It bought compliance software specialist Cobent, whose customers include the United Nations, Barclays, DSG and Ladbrokes.

It also sold Wired-Gov, an online publishing business, was sold to its management in May.

Michael Jackson, the chairman, said they were confident about the future despite the public sector spending cuts.

"The tightening of the public sector purse has undoubtedly begun and will increase in severity over the coming months.

"Despite this we remain cautiously optimistic that our strategy to focus on the cost saving opportunities offered by our software and the low-cost entry that hosted solutions provide will both contribute to future growth and will, to some extent, shield the Group from spending cuts."