Business and IT consultant Charteris unveiled strong half time figures to January, with total revenues lifted 50% to £8.9m, continuing revenues coming in 41% loftier at £8.3m and pre-tax profits surging to £438,000 (£34,000). Cedalion, the Edinburgh-based technical consultancy bought last October, contributed £600,000 to the top-line, and has added a fourth practise to the Charteris cannon. Charteris' David Pickering flagged up further broadening of the business, with revenues balanced nicely across the retail, manufacturing and services (31%), financial services and media (34%), and government, legal, utilities and energy 35% practises. Growth in the latter was particularly impressive at 86%, thanks to project work on key accounts like the Cabinet Office, and good demand for services offering advice to help clients manage complex, IT-related contracts. Charteris has made a good start to the year, and though overall industry growth remains modest, Pickering sees opportunity in 'hot spots' of the market where he feels the group can profit. Significantly, Charteris has been selected by ITV Broadcast as its Microsoft Technology partner, and has also snared a contract with the London Borough of Harrow worth £600,000-plus over 18 months, for the supply of a social care information management system. Tipped as a recent Growth Company Investor Company Profile at 28.5p, Charteris has been a stellar performer, but the shares have dropped through our 47.2p stop-loss. Nevertheless, we feel potential remains. Hold.