International recruiter Robert Walters has witnessed recruitment activity accelerate “markedly” in Q2, according to a trading update for the second quarter.

The update reveals:
 

·      Group Q2 net fee income up 59% to £39.7m (2009: £24.9m)

·      Asia Pacific Q2 net fee income up 99% to £19.5m (2009: £9.8m)

·      UK Q2 net fee income up 36% to £11.6m (2009: £8.5m)

·      Europe Q2 net fee income up 25% to £7.8m (2009: £6.2m)

·      US, South Africa and South America Q2 net fee income up 119% to £0.8m (2009: £0.4m)

·      Group headcount of 1,539 (30 June 2009: 1,260)

Robert Walters, chief executive, says: “Recruitment activity accelerated markedly in the second quarter and as a result Group net fee income for the half year was up 45% to £72.3m (2009: £50.0m). Our Asia Pacific business has delivered an outstanding performance and we intend to continue growing our office footprint across the region to build on our market leading position.

“Our UK business has also experienced increased levels of activity, most notably in the financial services sector. In Europe, the group has done well to grow net fee income against a backdrop of continuing economic uncertainty.

“We have invested significantly in the business during the first six months of the year, increasing headcount by 21% to 1,539 and further developing our IT, training and marketing infrastructure to underpin the group’s strategy for growth.”

The group will publish its half-yearly financial results for the six months ended 30 June on 26 August.