some major firms in the region were brimming with confidence for 2005.

Rapidly-expanding CPP - Card Protection Plan - in Holgate Park, York, expects growth to continue throughout this year.

The international provider of assistance products and services, reported increased revenue last year generated by profitable partnerships with more than 350 business partners, 11.3 million customers worldwide.

It was good news for recruitment at the company's York international headquarters, as it sought to expand overseas markets, both in its traditional card protection business, as well as new innovative products such as Financial Health and Identity Protection Plan. In August 200 new jobs were added, bringing the total staff to 1,100 people.

This protection of consumers from the threat of the UK's fastest growing fraud - identity theft - is already generating interest from major financial services organisations, both in the UK and abroad.

Shaun Parker, CPP's group finance director, said: "2005 promises to be an exciting time for CPP and York. We expect to see continued growth particularly in continental Europe, while the opening of the Hong Kong office is seen as a forerunner to building a profitable business in the Asia Pacific region - all good news for CPP, its employees and the York economy."

The York-based Shepherd construction group was less clear-cut, more cautious in its predictions, in spite of its end of year results showing the highest level of pre-tax profit achieved for more than a decade, with an increase of 75 per cent to £30.3 million.

Group chairman Alan Fletcher said: "While the actions of the board over the last two to three years have resulted in improved performance across the broup, it is recognised that there is much work to be done to establish more consistent and sustainable performance".

"In the short term, continuing uncertainty in key market sectors, particularly in manufacturing and property, precludes a clear forecast, at this early stage, of performance for the full year. Nevertheless, the board remains confident about the potential of the group's businesses and of the talent and skills of its employees in continuing the process of unlocking that potential."

Updated: 09:40 Friday, January 07, 2005