Jardine Lloyd reports positive start to 2013

At a statement made during its annual general meeting on Tuesday, Jardine Lloyd Thompson Group said it had made a 'positive' start to the year and told investors it was pleased with its overall trading performance.

The international group of risk specialists and employee benefits consultants said its financial position has continued to be robust with a strong balance sheet and extensive committed borrowing facilities that have 'considerable' available headroom.

Dominic Burke, Chief Executive said: "We have carried our momentum into the new year and we continue to invest for growth in line with our specialty led strategy. We remain confident that the group will make financial progress in 2013.

"Within the Risk & Insurance group, organic growth remains in line with expectations, with a particularly encouraging first quarter in JLT Re. We continue to recruit leading industry professionals to capitalise on the market opportunities we see.

"The Employee Benefits group continues to make progress. Within the UK, the integration of Alexander Forbes Consultants & Actuaries is progressing well and internationally our operations are delivering satisfactory growth."

The company also said that as a result of recent acquisitions and organic growth achieved in certain businesses, it anticipates that the contribution of its various businesses to group underlying profits will result in a more equal weighting of profits between the two halves than was the case in previous years.

NR