The segment saw an operating profit of £1.2m for the first six months of 2013 compared with £0.7m for the same period in 2012 with an operating income of £4m – a 33% change from H1 2012.

As a result, the division saw an operating profit margin of 28.6% compared with 24.6% for the first half of 2012.

The company said that the return to growth in 2012 had continued into this year, in particular by the Watermelon Research business and that it expected the division to continue to grow in 2014 despite market conditions remaining highly competitive in a sector undergoing structural change.

Chime Insight & Engagement group CEO Crispin Beale said: “We are delighted to see continued improvement across all areas of the Group, with increased revenues from existing clients and a number of significant new wins. Watermelon Research and Facts International have delivered far beyond initial expectations, and the launch of these businesses in APAC have also helped drive the Group’s excellent performance.”

As a whole, Chime saw overall trading in line with expectations with operating income at £77.8m, up 6% on H1 2012 while operating profit remained unchanged at £11.3m.