BILL KENWRIGHT’S theatre and film group enjoyed a huge leap in profits as it continued its run of stage successes.

The Everton Football Club chairman’s company, Bill Kenwright Productions, made a pre-tax profit of £2.4m on sales of £39.1m.

He earned £1.43m and has proposed a further £3m dividend for this financial year.

A group restructure means that these results, for the 13-month period from December 2, 2008, to December 31, 2009, aren’t directly comparable with pro forma figures for 2008, which showed a pre-tax profit of £446,000 on sales of £46.1m.

Its 2009 productions included Blood Brothers, Scrooge and Cabaret, while the company, which employs about 300 people, is also involved in television and film production.

Mr Kenwright said: “Despite a challenging economic climate, the group’s core business, of producing quality theatrical plays and musicals, continues to yield reliable returns.

“A strong balance sheet allows the group to embark on new projects and to seek out appropriate opportunities for investment.”