Profit rise for Robert Walters

The company, which was floated on the London Stock Exchange last year, saw its pre-tax profits grow from £11.2m to £18.3m in the period to December 31 2000. Its sales also jumped 22 per cent, from £178.5m in 1999 to £216.8m. Chief executive, Robert Walters said the group had had an "extremely busy and productive" year, and confirmed that demand for its services remained strong amid a continuing shortage of skilled staff.

The group also announced that it had purchased an Australian recruitment company, Dunhill Group, for a cash price of up to £13.2m. Walters said the acquisition would expand the company's presence in the Asia Pacific region and would help it to source candidates from South Africa, Australia and New Zealand.