Revenues at international staffing firm Randstad increased by 16% in Q2 of 2010 compared to Q2 2009, on the back of improving global staffing markets.

“Growth has continued to accelerate through the quarter,” says Ben Noteboom, chief executive Randstad Holding. “It is great to see that by the end of this quarter we employed around 70,000 candidates more than in the same week a year ago.”

Excluding currency effects, UK revenue increased by 1% compared to -6% in the previous quarter.

UK permanent placement fees rose 15%, with growth strengthening during the quarter, compared to -13% in Q1.

There was continued growth in finance, HR and media. However, education and healthcare “faced some pressure”, says the company.

Key figures

• Revenue up 16% to €3,468m (£2,886m)

• Organic growth per working day amounted to 13%, improving from 11% in April to 15% in June

• Underlying gross profit reached €649m (+9%) with the gross margin coming down from 20.0% to 18.7%

• Underlying operating expenses of €529m flat year-on-year or +6% quarter on quarter (of which +2% caused by currencies)

• Underlying EBITA (earnings before interest taxation and amortisation) amounted to €119.7m (+79%). The EBITA margin reached 3.5% (compared to 2.2% in Q2 2009)

• Based on current trends, the company expects to be able to pay dividend over 2010.