SALE-based recruitment specialists Connections has reported a 20 per cent rise in the number of permanent job vacancies filled during the first quarter of 2016, compared to last year.

The company is also managing a record number of outsourced volume recruitment drives on behalf of organisations looking to recruit graduates for short-term positions during the summer.

New client wins, local business confidence and the arrival of new key staff are driving growth at the family-owned business which has offices in Manchester city centre, Sale and London.

Founded in 1985, Connections initially focussed on supplying permanent, interim and contract workers to other businesses in Greater Manchester.

Since then, it has secured more than five millions days of work for temporary workers across the area and last year opened a London office.

The business aims to double turnover to £12m before the end of 2020 and is recruiting for staff itself at all three of its offices.

Jonathan Dobkin, managing director of Connections, said: “We’ve seen a marked increase in the appetite of privately owned businesses committing to full-time, permanent staff so far this year.

"Key sectors we’re seeing growth in are e-commerce, call centre based operations, and technology. These three sectors are hungry for Greater Manchester-based sales, marketing and finance staff in particular.

“We’ve now established our London office since launching it in Covent Garden last summer and we’re now picking up a stream of good contracts from clients who are headquartered in the capital and have staffing needs in the North of England and vice versa.

“The recent appointment of Matt Fox-Rees as operations manager has boosted our capability in terms of volume recruitment as well as senior management roles. We’re looking forward to expanding our business even more as we work to our business plan.”

See www.connections-recruitment.co.uk