Cenkos Securities, the stockbroker set up by Andy Stewart, one of the founders of Collins Stewart, is bullish about prospects and on the acquisition trail after pre-tax profits surged 88% to £20.8m (€30.6m) last year.

Revenues more than doubled to £32.7m from £15.6m the previous year, helping drive profits up from £11m as new teams, recruited during the year to cover investment funds and small-cap corporate broking, paid off in improved performance.