Global specialist recruiter PageGroup has seen UK gross profit (GP) increase 12.5%, according to an interim management statement for the three months to 30 September.

The statement, published this morning, reveals UK GP of £39.7m, up from £35.3m in the same period last year.

The group noted positive results for its property & construction, legal and HR divisions, while its retail business faced “difficult” market conditions. 

Good growth was recorded across all UK regions, with London the standout performer across both Michael Page and Page Personnel. Michael Page produced its strongest results in the Midlands, and Page Personnel did so in the North. 

Across its operations, the group posted overall GP of £139.2m the quarter, up from £132.9m in Q4 2014.

Quarter-on-quarter GP rose across all regions except the Americas, up to £51.7m from £49.6m in Europe, Middle East & Africa (EMEA) and to £28.3m from £28m in Asia-Pacific.

In the Americas, GP fell from £20m to £19.5m. While the group’s North American operations saw an 8% increase in GP over the period, GP fell 5% in Latin America, with a 30% reduction in Brazil.

Also included in the results was the announcement Robin Buchanan is to retire and step down as non-executive chairman. Buchanan will leave the board once a successor has been appointed. The date of his retirement will be announced in due course.

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