1700 Group PLC
09 April 2008



9 April 2008

                                 1700 Group Plc

                                (the "Company")

                                 Trading Update


The Board of 1700 Group Plc (previously Steppingstone Associates Plc) the
specialist media and publishing recruitment group, incorporating Hamblyn
Selection Limited and Inspired Selection Limited, (together the "Group"), today
announces the following trading update.

Inspired, the Group's publishing recruitment subsidiary, traded at anticipated
levels throughout the six-month period ending 31st March 2008.  Hamblyn, the
Group's media recruitment subsidiary, experienced challenging market trading
conditions in the run up to Christmas, which continued across January and
February. Although trading in March returned to anticipated levels, the results
for the Group for the year ended 31st March 2008, whilst remaining profitable,
are likely to be lower than current market expectations

The pipeline of new business is now notably strong and the Board believes that
the improvement experienced in March will continue into the new financial year
from April 2008.

The Company will continue to pursue its stated strategy for the acquisition of
related specialist recruitment companies and is mindful of the opportunities
that future market conditions may provide.




Contacts for further enquiries:

Steve Hyde,
Group CEO                                                 020 7440 1505

Gerry Beaney / Fiona Kindness, Grant Thornton UK LLP
(Nominated Advisor)                                       020 7383 5100

Ian Callaway / Peter Manfield, SVS Securities plc
(Broker)                                                  020 7638 5600




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