While the group’s technology business saw NFI fall 4% year-on-year from £8.8m to £8.5m, this was offset by the group’s engineering business, which delivered a 3% increase in NFI from £23.5m to £24.2m.

NFI growth was recorded across the group’s regions of operation, with 5% growth for the group’s international operation from £6.8m to £7.1m and 1% growth for its UK operation from £32.2m to £32.7m.

While the group’s contract business posted a 1% increase in NFI from £56.4m to £56.7m, its permanent business saw NFI increase 21% from £18.3m to £22.1m.

Gattaca chairman Patrick Shanley pointed to the second half of the year as a period in which the group saw steady progress as it worked to stabilise and simplify its business. 

“We are pleased with the performance of UK Engineering and encouraged by the improving trend we saw across Q4 in the majority of our business units. In UK Technology we were pleased with the performance in our IT division, and Internationally our offices in the Americas, in particular, continue to grow strongly.

“We are currently reviewing our international footprint and expect to update the market in the coming months, and our cost containment measures are on track. We are also pleased to report that our CEO recruitment process is at an advanced stage.”

Previous CEO Brian Wilkson resigned from the role back in February.

The group adds it expects to announce its full-year results for the 12 months to 31 July 2018 on Thursday 8 November 2018.

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