Iceland has revealed record pre-tax profits of £184.3m – up 18.5% on 2011.

Sales for the frozen specialist were up 9.4% to £2.614bn, meanwhile.

The results mean Iceland has broken new ground for profits in each of the seven years since Malcolm Walker returned as chief executive in 2005.

Walker described the group’s latest performance as “exceptional”.

Sixteen new stores opened under the Iceland banner over the year, as well as five new Cooltrader outlets. The openings take the group’s total estate to 814.

Walker also revealed that following the £1.55bn management buyout in March, a new holding company for the group was created called Oswestry Topco.  Consolidated results for Oswestry Topco will be prepared for the financial period ending 29 March 2013.