Matchtech, the engineering, built environment and support services recruiter said that in the six months ending 31 January, profit before tax was £5.7 million.

This figure was up 39% from this time last year, reflecting a boom in placements and fees.

Revenue was up 25% from the same period last year to £116.6 million, and net fee income up 22% to £15.3 million. Operating profit was up 24% to £6.2 million, and cash flow was up 112% to £8.7 million.

The company saw growth across all it key sectors - engineering, the built environment and support services. In all there was a 33% increase in permanent placements.

George Materna, chairman of Matchtech said the company had benefited from growth within the sectors it specialises in. The built environment sector grew strongest, while engineering saw a boom in oil and gas specialists, where Materna said: "The current level of oil price has led to increased capital investment."

The company has also profited from scarcity of candidates. Materna said: "Candidates and contractors remain in short supply, with wage inflation continuing in each of the sectors in which we operate." The company announced a 31% increase in permanent fees.

Materna has confidence that growth is set to continue. "We have a highly diversified and expanding customer base, which provides further opportunities for growth and adds an element of protection to our business," he said.

The company also reported that sales staff numbers increased by 39% over the year to 189. Materna said: "We believe that there are strong opportunities for continued growth, both from the significant investment made in our sales headcount at the start of the year, which we expect to show through in the second half, and from our existing business development pipeline."

The Board declared an interim dividend of five pence per share, an increase of 14%.