Financial staffing specialist Michael Page, like Hays, has pointed to overseas success as a major driver of bumper results.

The company reported revenue of £523.8m in 2005, up from £433.7m in 2004. Chief executive Terry Benson described the short-term outlook for the firm as “encouraging”.

The fastest growth was in continental Europe, where sales rose to £159.2m, from £124.3m. France was a strong market, with permanent recruitment especially buoyant. The company opened an office in Warsaw, its first operation in Eastern Europe.

UK turnover rose to £269.6m, from £234.8m. Accountancy Additions, which specialises in lower-level finance and accounting positions, opened another two offices, taking its total to 32.