Imprint reports strong start to the year and announces offer talks for Dubai Recruitment Firm

Imprint Plc, the multi-disciplined international recruitment business quoted on the AIM market, issues the following statement from Pierce Casey, Chairman of Imprint, to coincide with its Annual General Meeting today at 10am:-

Imprint made excellent progress in the financial year ended 31 December 2005 and we were delighted to have been able to announce a dividend to our shareholders for the first time in the Groupís history.

ìThe commercial environment for all of our sectors remains positive in 2006, which has led to a successful performance throughout the Group for the year to date, in line with the Board’s expectations. The strategy that we have laid down to build a leading multi-sectored international recruitment business is unchanged and we believe this strategy will continue to deliver shareholder value through further growth in earnings.

ìWhile organic growth continues to be the focus for Imprint this year, the Group is also committed to a strategy of growth through targeted acquisitions that will strengthen our position in our chosen markets and deliver sustainable earnings growth. With this in mind, I would like to announce that we are in advanced negotiations to acquire, subject to local regulatory approval, one of the leading recruitment companies in Dubai. This is a market that represents considerable opportunity for Imprint, both locally and as a platform to develop the Groupís operations in the Middle East.

ìIt is expected that the acquisition, the consideration for which will be heavily contingent on future performance, will provide the Group with a low risk introduction into this exciting market. The Group will fund this acquisition from existing working capital facilities. Further details will be announced in due course.

ìI would like to thank our shareholders for their continued support, and also extend a vote of thanks on behalf of my colleagues on the Board to our managers, employees and clients.î