Jardine Lloyd Thompson (JLT) saw the profits of its UK retail arm rise by 14% in 2004.

Trading profits rose from £8.95m in 2003, to £10.2m in 2004. Revenue also increased by 14%, rising to £46.4m from £40.7m in 2003.

Overall, the company's risk and insurance divisions fared less well on a global scale. While revenue grew by 10% to £383.7m, pre-tax profit fell by 14% from £104.2m in 2003 to £90m in 2004.

The company recorded a pre-tax profit of £81.3m overall, compared to £107.8m in 2003.

Executive chairman Ken Carter said: "Our results for 2005 are likely to be significantly affected by the weak US dollar and continued softening in insurance markets.

"However, a combination of JLT's strong international position and established strategy of being a leading broker on selected fields offers it many opportunities for growth over medium and longer term."