The architecture practice run by Sir Norman Foster almost doubled its profits as it expanded in the Middle East and gained new business despite pandemic lockdowns.

Total revenues fell by £33m to £200m in the year ending 30 April 2021, accounts for Foster + Partners, the practice’s main trading company, show. But profits before tax almost doubled to £36.2m during the year, compared with £19.8m in the previous year.

At the start of the pandemic Foster + Partners braced for a severe financial hit. The company furloughed about 70 staff at the start of lockdown in March 2020 because they were unable to work from home.

However, the accounts show the firm had “remarkable financial resilience” and said it had gained new projects throughout various global lockdowns. The company later said it had repaid in full about £500,000 in furlough money once it was clear there was no financial peril.

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