IT recruiter InterQuest Group says a downturn in public sector business has been more than offset by private sector growth.

The group says in an update on trading for the year ended 31 December 2010, it has traded in line with market expectations for the year, with strong growth in financial services offsetting the anticipated decrease in public sector business. Full year results will be announced on Tuesday, 8 March.

Gary Ashworth, executive chairman, says: “InterQuest has remained profitable through the downturn and we have entered 2011 with an expanded business having established a further eight divisions.

“While we have, as anticipated, seen a decrease in our public sector work, this has been more than offset by the growth of our private sector business, particularly financial services and that positive trend has continued into 2011.”