Michael Page, the professional services recruitment firm, has given the recruitment industry a boost by announcing that it will beat analysts' expectations this year.

Chief executive Terry Benson said that third quarter revenues had matched those achieved in the second quarter.

Page's businesses in the UK, Asia, Pacific and America have performed well in recent weeks, he added, but trading conditions in continental Europe remain difficult.

Benson said: "Tight cost control continues to be a key focus and assuming not deterioration in market conditions, we are likely to exceed he current consensus of analysts' earnings for the year."

Robert Lourey has been appointed non-executive director following the resignation of Martin Stewart.