In a trading update today, Sweett said its audited results for the year would include £5.1m of exceptional items, up from £1.7m in 2014/15.

In February, the group was ordered to pay fines totally £2.3m after admitting to bribery offences in its Middle East subsidiary.

The fine was imposed following the conclusion of a year-long Serious Fraud Office investigation into payments made by the subsidiary to a local Dubai businessman to win contracts on a luxury hotel development.

Exceptional items for the year also include around £1m in restructuring costs related to Sweett’s decision to withdraw from the Middle East and North Africa, although the group said the process was “progressing well and at a cost lower than originally anticipated”.

Sweett will also pay “an adjustment” of between £0.5m and £1.7m following the October 2015 sale of its Asian Pacific and Indian business to Currie & Brown for £9.3m.

Last month, the buyer notified Sweett that it believed it was due an adjustment of £1.7m under the terms of the sale. The group is arguing that the adjustment should be £0.5m, and a decision on the amount is expected in June.

Excluding exceptional items, the group made a profit before tax of around £2.2m, down from £2.9m in 2014/15, while revenue was up 6.6 per cent from £51.5m in 2014/15 to £54.9m. The revenue figures do not include Sweett’s Middle East and North Africa turnover.

Sweett Group chief executive Douglas McCormick said: “We have made very significant progress during the year to meet our key strategic objectives, which will inevitably lead to improved cashflows and provide us with a platform to grow profits sustainably.

“I have been particularly appreciative of the considerable client and colleague loyalty we have seen as we have worked through and resolved the group’s legacy issues.

“The reorganisation of the remaining business into five regions has rejuvenated energy levels within the group and I believe we are well positioned for the future.”