Public Recruitment Group saw turnover rise to £49.3m for the first half of the year, up 20% on a year earlier.

Pre-tax profit rose 51% to £1.23m. Turnover in the education division rose by 28% to £23.5m.

Rich Benton, chairman, said: “We are growing revenues and improving both gross and net margins. The outlook remains positive and the Board looks forward with confidence.”

Shares in the Sheffield-based company were 20% higher in mid-morning trade, recovering ground lost in recent days.