Annual pre-tax profits have shot up 67 per cent for property firm DTZ, which recently moved its Birmingham office into prestigious No 1 Colmore Square.

The company says that profits for the year to April 30 climbed from £11 million to £18.5 million, while turnover rose 17 per cent, from £ 166 . 3 million to £194.4 million.

Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) increased by 43.5 per cent to £24.3 million - the highest in the group's history.

Earnings per share rose 86 per cent, from 10.8p to 20.1p, and DTZ has increased its final dividend by 18 per cent, from 4.25p to 5p per cent, taking the total payment for the year up from 6.5p to 7.5p.

DTZ chairman Tim Melvlle-Ross told shareholders: "The year to April 30 has been highly successful, both financially and in terms of the development of our strategy and the board continues to be confident about the prospects for your group.

" We are making good progress in offering a full range of real estate advisory services in an integrated global manner and the evidence shows that both our strategy and the way in which our services are being delivered are appreciated and valued by our clients.

" We continue to make strong progress in the improving markets we have seen in the recent past, and we are confident that the strategy we have put in place will ensure that we continue to add value for shareholders."

Chief executive Mark Struckettsaid that DTZ's balance sheet was strong, with net cash up from £6.6 million to £14 million.

In the UK, the main part of the group's business, DTZ Debenham Tie Leung, performed strongly, with turnover rising 20 per cent to £125.8 million.

"Unsurprisingly, given the strength of the investment markets, transactional work increased, relative to nontransactional work, rising to 44 per cent from 35 per cent of relevant UK turnover," said Mr Struckett.

"The split between London and the regions saw London's share increase to 65 per cent from 62 per cent of UK turnover, with this again attributable primarily to the strength of the investment markets as well as a number of significant occupational agency transactions in the City."

Geoff Thomas, DTZ's Birmingham-based regional chairman for the Midlands and South-west, said: "This is an excellent performance in a year when demand for office and industrial properties has been low.

"Investment, professional and consulting services have performed particularly well, reflecting the breadth of skills in our Birmingham office.

"Highlights of the year for Birmingham included our move to new offices at No.1 Colmore Square and the subsequent investment sale of the building to Anglo Irish Bank for £90 million.

"We also sold a 365,000 sq ft distribution centre in Stafford to Pirelli for £18 million and undertook valuations of 354 petrol filling stations."