In a trading statement at Healthcare Locum’s AGM today, Alan Walker, chairman of HCL, announced the following figures for 2008.

- Revenue up 23% to £166.4m.

- A 44% rise in adjusted operating profit to £21.2m.

- A 45% growth rate in gross margin in the second half of 2008 compared to the second half of 2007.

Walker says: “We are delighted to report an excellent performance for 2008.  We have continued to grow and have further consolidated our market leading position.  

 “Our strategic objectives for the year have been: to deliver strong organic growth, to maintain or improve our net margin, to increase our marketshare and to develop our international placement division.  

“These results were driven by significant increases in demand in each of our divisions in the UK, and internationally.  

“We have started 2009 with strong trading in all of our divisions and we expect this trend to continue throughout this year and beyond. Current annualised run rate turnover is over £189m (£185m in February) and annualised run rate gross margin is £61m (£56m in February).

“We look forward with confidence to another successful year in the development and growth of HCL and the delivery of long-term returns to shareholders.”

The board recommends paying its shareholders a final dividend of 1.2p per share.