International IT recruiter SThree announced a 14% increase in pre-tax profits for  the six months ending 1 June 2008 to £21.8m from £19.2m for the same period in 2007. Revenue rose 23% from £240m to £295m.

The company attributed much of the improvement to its strategy of overseas expansion, resulting in a 58% rise in international gross profits. This offset weaknesses in the UK’s banking and finance sector. 

Commenting on the results, Russell Clements, SThree’s chief executive, said: “We are pleased with the performance of the Group in the first half, having once again posted strong growth… As a result we believe we remain on course to make good progress for the year as a whole.”