Parity Group is integrating the two businesses that make up its recruitment division Parity Professionals, according to its latest trading update. 

The company’s trading update for the year ending 31 December 2014 said that Parity Professionals has continued to automate its processes across both its talent management and IT staffing agency businesses using cloud and internal IT solutions. 

In addition, the talent management business has renewed two major graduate selection and development contracts, and continues to grow its customer base, particularly in the food and education sectors. A new range of training courses is also under development.

However, the IT staff agency business has seen margin pressure due to certain customers appointing ‘gatekeepers’ for temporary staff contracts. In response, sales efforts are being re-focused on alternative areas, which, while improving margins, have reduced short-term contractor growth.

Its trading update said: “Parity Professionals is integrating its two businesses into one service offering, and is developing a new strategic approach, targeted at improving its growth opportunity in the coming years.” 

The trading update also showed that for the year ending 31 December, the group’s earnings before interest, taxes and amortization (EBITA) was in line with current market forecast despite the restructuring of Golden Square, which it acquired in May, and slower than expected growth for Parity Professionals.