Quantica saw turnover rise following acquisitions but profit was flat. 

Pre-tax profit for the six months to May was £1.14m, compared with £1.16m for the same period a year earlier.

Chairman and chief executive Les Lawson said the legal and manufacturing recruitment businesses “have faced challenges” in the early part of the second half as they absorbed new fee earners.

Turnover rose to £22.8m, from £17m, thanks largely to the acquisition of RK Group.  The shares fell in early trade.