(ShareCast News) - InterQuest Group said its first half of the year was "very encouraging" thanks to strong growth in its permanent and contract business.Both divisions enjoyed an increase in net fee income of 6% and adjusted earnings before interest and tax was up by 16% compared with the same time last year.The IT recruitment company added the approach of candidates to developing networks have given its business a good position in the market.The growth in specialist niche markets also helped the group to improve its operating margins.Also on Tuesday, InterQuest announced its chief executive Mark Baund has resigned to join Coms.However, Baund agreed to stay with the company until the end of the year and will remain on the board as a non-executive director."I will leave my role as chief executive in the knowledge that the business is performing strongly and I look forward to remaining on the Board in a non-executive capacity and supporting its continued growth," he said.