Work Group has posted a pre-tax profit of £1.9m for 2006, up from £834,000 a year earlier.

Simon Howard, executive chairman, commented: ”2006 was a year of real progress for Work Group. We delivered on organic and acquisitive growth while at the same time strengthening management. We are optimistic for our prospects in 2007 and the decision to declare a maiden dividend is just one indication of our confidence in the performance of the company.”

During the second quarter of 2007 the company will be opening an office in New York. This follows Work Group being appointed to handle the global campus marketing activities for JPMorgan.  It has also won US based work for Chase, the retail banking arm of JPMorgan Chase. In addition, Armstrong Craven, its headhunting and research business, has an active client base in the US.

Work Group operates through three divisions; executive research, employer marketing and recruitment process outsourcing and provides services from its seven offices in the UK.