Jobs market revival sparks relocation for recruitment firm

RECRUITMENT firm Stark Brooks is taking advantage of the jobs market revival across Yorkshire with a move to larger offices.

The firm has taken a five-year lease at Bruntwood’s West One development on Wellington Street in Leeds and has also expanded its team.

Its new offices are 20% larger than its previous base in West Gate, Grace Street, and the firm says it expects to hire more staff before the end of 2014.

Stark Brooks’ latest appointment in the city is Isma Rafiq, who has joined from JWA Recruitment as a recruitment consultant.

In her new role, she is focusing on the placement of part-qualified and qualified accountants for industry clients across Yorkshire.

Associate director Mike Smith, who heads Stark Brooks’ Leeds operation, said: “We have a long history of working with many of the best-known companies on this side of the Pennines, and recruitment activity for our clients is really gathering momentum.

“The outlook among business leaders is overwhelmingly positive, with expansion being the top priority for many in an increasingly vibrant economic climate.

“We are seeing lots of new business opportunities, and we are capitalising on a number of preferred suppliers’ list agreements.”

He added: “Isma’s arrival and our office move are an indication of our confidence for the future, and we expect to make a number of further key appointments in Leeds during the rest of this year.”

Stark Brooks’ expansion in Yorkshire follows a bumper start to 2014 for the firm, which has its headquarters in Manchester.

Stark Brooks, which is led by chairman Sally Toumi and chief executive Gron Ffoulkes-Davies, celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2013.