IT and telecommunications recruiter Penta has announced another healthy growth in turnover and profits for the first half of 2005.

The privately-run firm has announced a turnover of £22m, an increase of 73% compared with the same period in 2004. This follows its turnover figures of £30.8m in April 2005, a rise of £15m compared with April 2004.

The Surrey-based firm also announced a half-yearly profit increase of “at least 73%”, but refused to disclose precise figures.

Managing director Paul Clark announced that the firm has entered into partnership deals to open offices in China and Brazil and is also considering opening a wholly-owned office in Dubai. Penta has had a partnership deal in Dubai since 2004.

“The way the market is going, telecommunications companies are effectively becoming software companies, such are the technological developments,” he said.

“With the continuing mergers in the IT and telecommunications markets, we therefore feel we are in a strong position for this year.”