Pictured above: Helen Thorne

National recruitment firm gap personnel is forging into Northampton with the launch of a new base and creation of seven jobs.

The Northampton premises will be in the heart of the town, occupying a 1,500 square feet three storey Victorian building.

The launch will be overseen by gap personnel Daventry branch manager Helen Thorne. 

Helen, 30, has more than nine years' experience in the recruitment industry, including successfully running her own agency, which she sold before joining gap personnel three months ago.

She is immensely looking forward to the new challenge of leading the gap campaign into Northampton.

She said: "gap personnel is the UK's ninth biggest supplier of industrial staff so this is a big responsibility but it is clear gap is dedicated to making it work. We will be doubling the size of our team in this region, initially increasing overall staff numbers from five to 12."

The Northampton premises will focus on specialised industrial, commercial and driving sectors of industry. Helen's goal is to win recruitment business from the region's big name companies, which include international giants such as Coca Cola, Carlsberg, John Lewis and Asda Distribution.

From its Daventry branch gap already supplies recruits to major operations including Matalan and DHL Avon. 

Helen said: "This area is rich in industry and we are working harder than ever to sell gap personnel's high standard recruitment services to its key players. The new Northampton base will be a vital asset towards helping us achieve our goals."

Helen, who lives with her ten year old daughter in Raunds, sold her business to get back into the front line of recruitment.

"I loved running my own business but as it grew I found myself more and more involved with administrative work. That is not where my heart is. The most interesting aspect of recruitment work for me has always been dealing face to face with the clients and recruits."

She was approached by a number of agencies but was only prepared to work with a company that met her own exacting standards. gap personnel fits that bill.

Helen said: "A good recruitment firm should be about investing in the local community, building up solid relationships with business clients and recruitment candidates. gap stands out from competitors because it is completely independent and retains this very personal approach. But it also has the added strength that comes from being a national company with bases all across the UK. I am extremely excited about the new potential it will offer Northamptonshire in terms of regenerating industrial growth. "