Larson aims to double the staff as it moves to new HQ

The 20-strong team has recently moved into the new offices at Windsor House, Harrogate, as it prepares to double the workforce in the next 18 months. Its growth plans are backed by a £6m banking deal from HSBC.

Larson, previously based at Clarendon House in Harrogate, reported a turnover of £3.5m in the last financial year, treble the previous year’s figure, and added specialisms in marketing, medical devices and FMCG (fast-moving consumer goods) to its existing industry portfolio, which includes energy, financial and IT recruitment.

MD Martin Pollard said the group would look to introduce specific recruitment brands into its key markets, such as energy, IT and engineering, between now and 2015. The company has recently launched a new mining facility to strengthen its energy division which currently works with clients in the oil and gas sector.

“Energy is one of the fastest growing areas of our business and mining looks set to follow suit with the advancement of the potash industry in the North East and strong global demand for expertise in diamond, gold, tin and mineral exploration,” said Mr Pollard.

Mr Pollard said a new trainee programme, led by corporate trainer and former headhunter Stephen Hart, had brought new talent to its team. Recent trainee recruits include Rachael Dean in oil and gas, Camilla Cousins in the medical devices team, Stephen Quayle in mining and Kevin Hammerton, who has recently been appointed to the financial recruitment division.

“Our new offices will give us the space to build our team and recruitment is currently underway at both trainee and senior level,” said Mr Pollard. “Our initial focus is on strengthening our core business areas of finance and banking, energy and IT recruitment.”

Mr Pollard said investment in the firm’s infrastructure was a crucial part of its expansion strategy with £375,000 allocated to be spent in this area over the next three years. “The first phase of the project has already been completed with the installation of back office IT systems and new generation executive search software across the group,” he said.

Larson’s new offices have been designed to include leisure space with flat screen TV and gaming facilities along with training rooms.

“We hope by providing the latest technology to enable people to do their job well, structured training and development programmes and well designed time out facilities we can attract the best people to help us take the business forward,” Mr Pollard said.