Tribal, a consultancy and support services provider to the public sector, is to continue buying companies to expand its expertise after announcing a pre-tax profit rise of some 40 per cent.

In its half year results, the company stated that it is to continue focusing on its strategic priorities that were announced last year, which include “identifying acquisitions that will strengthen or complement our existing service offering”.

Any new transaction would follow its acquisition of a majority interest in HELM Corporation in June. The financial and management consultant, which now trades as Tribal HELM, cost the group £15.1 million.

In the six months to July, Tribal’s turnover increased nine per cent to £113.3 million from £103.8 million during the same period last year with its pre-tax profits up 38 per cent to £9.5 million. Since the start of the year it has also reduced its debt by £1.5 million to £7.3 million.