A specialist recruitment agency has been launched in Caerphilly with ambitious expansion plans.

Profession Direct, set up by Simon Hughes, is targeting several industry sectors including financial services, estate agency, legal services, education, medicine and utilities and energy, and already the signs are promising that the approach is paying off.

As well as these areas, the newly launched firm has a consultancy contract with a large UK insurer.

“Being specialists means we have in-depth knowledge of the industry sectors we are working in,” said Mr Hughes. “We make every effort to know the particular requirements of our clients and to get to understand their business aims, company values, culture and ethos.

“Only in this way can we ensure getting the right candidate to suit the role being offered, saving our client time and money throughout the recruitment process.”

Mr Hughes has 22 years’ experience in financial and legal services, having worked with Caerphilly based DAS and other leading organisations.

In three years Profession Direct, based in the Britannia Business Centre, is aiming to have 12 staff and an annual turnover in excess of £250,000.

The launch has been supported by a Caerphilly Business Startup grant provided by Tata Steel subsidiary UK Steel Enterprise and Caerphilly Council.

Cllr Ken James, Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Planning and Sustainable Development in Caerphilly county borough said: “I am delighted that Caerphilly County Borough Council and UK Steel Enterprise have been able to provide Profession Direct Ltd with start-up assistance. The start-up grant and support that Profession Direct Ltd will provide the new business with an excellent foundation on which to grow”.

Glyn Thomas Manager in Wales for UK Steel Enterprise said: “It is encouraging to see Simon use his years of experience in the sector to launch his own recruitment business and have ambitious plans for growth.”