A commercial energy and sustainability consultancy has vowed to help its customers through the energy crisis as inflation forces prices to rise.
Inspired PLC, which is headquartered in Lancashire, has also revealed it returned to making a pre-tax profit during 2021.
The AIM-listed group has reported pre-tax profits of £1.1m for the year, up from a loss of £4.5m in 2020.
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Inspired PLC's revenue also increased by almost 50% from £46.1m to £67.9m over the same period.
Chief executive Mark Dickinson said: "Despite the changing landscape, we are delighted to report on a period of significant progress across the Group in 2021, both financially and operationally.
"The performance reflects the continuing recovery in energy consumption, alongside a return to on site access to client premises, accelerating the delivery and implementation of energy optimisation services.
"Turning to current trading, we are pleased that Q1 has started in line with expectations, and we are continuing to successfully manage the uncertain macroeconomic and geopolitical backdrops. Inspired remains focused on helping its clients manage their costs and sustainability challenges through this crisis.
"Looking ahead, the trend towards greater ESG focus coupled with strong growth of the group's revenues, and adjusted EBITDA in the year, has created a strengthened platform capable of generating long-term growth, and underpins the board's confidence in achieving our financial goals."
On the energy crisis, the company added: "The impact of the energy crisis experienced during H2 2021 has continued into 2022.
"The impact on domestic energy consumers, including the raising of the price cap, has been well documented.
"The unprecedented nature of the crisis has and will present a number of challenges to society as a whole.
"However as corporate businesses do not benefit from an energy cap, the price inflation will impact those businesses more significantly.
"It is important to note that group revenues and profits are not directly impacted by changes in energy commodity prices.
"Market conditions, including record high commodity prices, have led to some customers delaying renewals of supply contracts, which is predominantly the point at which assurance customers contract with the group.
"Management believes this is a point of timing, not contraction of demand, with customer retention remaining consistent with previous years during the period at c.85%.
"Inspired plc is focused on helping its clients manage their costs through this crisis and note that the economics of projects that reduce customers' energy consumption and carbon emissions offer a materially enhanced return on capital in this environment.
"The group is well placed to help clients address this once the macro environment normalises."
