Financial times are as tough as ever, but it is firms such as the insurer Admiral Group PLC which proves there is room for improvement. The finances of the group are on the rise, as it posted a 21% rise in first-half pre-tax profit. And there’s good news for the employees, too. Admiral has stated that it has raised interim dividends.

The company said that 2010 is looking like a “year of great opportunity”. The pre-tax profit for the six months ended June 30 was £126.9 million, which is up from £105.3 million last year.

Chief Executive Officer, Henry Engelhardt stated that this year; "is shaping up to be a year of great opportunity and I'm extremely proud of how everyone at Admiral has stepped up to the challenge."