ATA reported that turnover for the recruitment part of its business was £5.55m in the first half of the year, up from £4.39m a year earlier.

Operating profit rose to £300,000, from £89,000. It said the performance of ATA Selection improved during the period in permanent recruitment and “further material progress” was made in contract recruitment.

But chairman Bill Douie added: “In common with most of our peer group, we continue to experience difficulties in attracting and retaining consultants of satisfactory quality and consultant numbers in both permanent and contract recruitment are broadly similar to those at the last year end.”

The company’s biggest recruitment activity is in the engineering sector.