ENTIER, the energy sector catering specialist, has lifted turnover by nearly 25 per cent to £40.1 million in what directors said had been an "exceptional year of development and growth."

The growth led the company, which serves the oil and gas, education and business sectors, to declare it is on track to achieve a key five-year target of increasing turnover to £50m.

The rise in turnover came as Entier reported a drop in pre-tax profits to £738,615 in the year ended September 30, down from £966,817 in 2013.

Accounts newly filed at Companies House show directors' remuneration at the Aberdeen-based company leapt by nearly £150,000 to £645,649, with the highest-paid seeing pay soar to £333,206 from £257,761 the year before.

"Entier continues to focus on its key strategic objectives of service delivery and quality and the results posted in 2014 demonstrate that achievement and represent a key milestone of reaching £50m in turnover in five years," the directors note in their strategic report.

"We are now on course to exceed that turnover number after breaking through the £40m barrier in this year. We look to the next five-year plan and set our goals to become a significant force in the industry and major player in our markets."

The directors of Entier, which also provides catering for hotels and functions such as weddings, highlight a series of milestones achieved by the business in its latest financial year.

These include the opening of an office in Houston, Texas, where it appointed a business manager and secured a contract with Technip, the oil and gas engineering services company.

The company highlighted contract wins with onshore companies such as Helix, Archer, Dana Petroleum and Stork, and noted it had welcomed new offshore clients in the shape of J. Ray McDermott & Odfjell Drilling.

"We have also extended offshore contracts with Technip, Rowan and Siem Offshore," the directors said. "Total annualised new business sales gained in this year were £9.9m with £4m being realised in the year.

"Entier has now achieved maturity and financial stability."

The year saw the company launch its first retail concept by rolling out the Fresh brand at Prime Four Business Park in Aberdeen, where people can eat in, take food away or order catering for events such as business meetings. The directors also noted that the company had moved to a purpose-built office, where "considerable investment" has been made in the development of a new kitchen facility and a training academy.

"The new kitchen facility will allow us to continue to train and develop our students through our successful award-winning Fresh Olives apprentice scheme," the directors said.

Three apprentices have been taken on this year, while the two taken on in August 2014 have graduated and remain with the business. Entier has also recruited a trainee operations manager on a three-year apprenticeship programme.

"This is true investment in our future," the directors stated.

Entier employed an average of 486 staff during the year, up from 136 in 2013.