VAN hire specialist Northgate Motor Holdings is planning further expansion after parent company Goode Durrant saw profits rise 29% on turnover up 30% in the year to April 30 largely on the performance of its vehicle subsidiary. Pre-tax profits advanced from £19.5 million to £24.8 million after turnover grew from £78.4 million to £101.8 million.

New group managing director Alan Noble, who was previously chief executive at Northgate, said the rental company had enjoyed another outstanding year in which its contribution to overall group profits amounted to £18.1 million. Northgate's utilisation averaged 91% on a fleet which has grown by 3,800 units to 12,900 vehicles.