Batley-born entrepreneur Lawrence Tomlinson reported strong growth for his Leeds-based LNT Group – with all group businesses meeting directors’ expectations.

The group’s accounts for 2013-14 showed turnover up by 19% to £90.6m along with a 72% improvement in group operating performance. The fixed assets of the group increased in value by £8.3m in 2013-14.

The group, based at Garforth, has interests in care homes, construction, software, chemicals and sports car manufacturing through its businesses Ideal Care Homes, LNT Construction, LNT Software, LNT Solutions and Ginetta.

Commercial director Matt Lowe said: “The LNT Group is proud to be an award-winning business, creating local jobs in Yorkshire and expanding skills in the key sectors of construction, engineering and manufacturing.

“Having secured a 10-year debt facility with Legal & General of £51m for our care homes business in 2014, we have a fantastic platform to keep growing the group.

“We’re very pleased with the performance post 2013-14 accounts and expect 2015 to be an exciting year for us.”

Since the accounting year ended, group businesses continued to go from strength to strength, he said.

Demand for LNT Construction’s Turn of Key care homes had escalated, securing “an impressive forward pipeline of development with both new and repeat purchasers”.

Ideal Care Homes continued to invest in the business and now had more than 2,000 beds across the UK. I

ts care homes maintained market leading occupancy rates at an average of 96%, reflecting “the consistent quality of care provided”.

LNT Solutions maintained investment in research and development, entering the market for providing de-icing for aircraft wings to expand on its products for de-icing runways and rail tracks.

The business continued to take a greater share of the de-icing market, winning new customers in Europe and North America.

Similarly, LNT Software had also expanded its customer base and improved operating profit.

LNT founder and chairman Mr Tomlinson said: “It is fantastic to see the Group continuing on a positive growth trajectory.

“We have an excellent team at LNT who drive the business forward.”

Last year also saw Ginetta announce that Olympic legend and now Nissan brand ambassador Sir Chris Hoy will race at Le Mans this year in a works Ginetta-Nissan car – competing in the LMP3 class.

Said Mr Tomlinson: “Ginetta Cars currently has the biggest order book the business has ever seen.

“With Sir Chris Hoy on board to drive our new LMP3 car next year, we can only imagine demand increasing further.

“LNT Construction’s pipeline is also developing at an impressive rate and we are expanding ever further south.

“This growth across the group is allowing us to employ more apprentices and develop the skills which are so desperately needed to regenerate the real economy and boost UK growth.”