BREWIN Dolphin, parent company of Tyneside and Teesside-based stockbroker Wise Speke, has reported a 43 per cent increase in pre-tax profits.

The company saw a strong growth in the number of clients, and in the value of funds under management.

Total income for the year to September 30, rose by 43 per cent to £125.9m. As a result pre-tax profits rose to £25.1m, compared to £17.5m previously.

The total funds under management were in excess of £17bn.

Brewin Dolphin continued its expansion, dealing with 80,000 clients from 82 offices across the UK.

The company made a number of acquisitions in the year, including the purchase of Hill Osborne & Co in August, which has branches across the UK, including one in Scarborough.

The Broadbridge Partnership joined Brewin Dolphin in May, and its business is being merged with the company's Leeds branch.

Managing director John Hall said: "The most encouraging aspect of the past year has been the strong organic growth throughout the business. In addition we have made a number of acquisitions.

"The acquisitions fit in well with our present structure and we are confident that they will make a significant contribution to the group."

As well as the new acquisitions , Brewin Dolphin is in the process of incorporating Stocktrade, the on-line trading company, as a subsidiary company.

Stocktrade had a particularly active first half of the year, but a quieter second period.

Turnover at the company increased by 58 per cent to £12.2m, but after taking account of advertising and the cost of establishing new Internet clients, pre-tax profits fell from £977,000 to £38,000.