SThree is gearing up to open an office in New York this month, its first venture outside Europe.

An Information and Communication Technology (ICT) recruitment firm, SThree announced strong first-half results, and is aiming to reduce its dependence on the UK.

Chief executive Russell Clements told Recruiter some five or six people would work in the New York office initially.

Some 16% of revenue, up from 12% a year ago, now comes from non-ICT sources such as banking and human resources. Clements said: "Our historical strength in IT with investment banks has helped us logically progress into other banking positions." He said staffing for hedge funds has been a source of growth.

Pre-tax profit for the six months to 31 May rose to £12.45m, from £8.9m a year ago. Turnover rose to £178m, from £143.5m. The number of permanent placements in the period has risen to 3,475, from 2,633 a year earlier.

SThree's biggest brands are Computer Futures, Progressive and Huxley Associates.

The company recently opened its second office in Paris, and it will be opening German offices in Frankfurt and Munich later this year. Non-UK business now accounts more than 25% of profit.

Clements said: "We remain confident that the first half positions us well to make further progress for the year as a whole."

SThree is now a member of the FTSE 250 mid-cap index, and Clements said he was making more presentations to investors, and attracting more interest.

The company's headcount grew 12.8% to 1,210 over the half-year. Clements told Recruiter he expected this to grow further.