A Stokesley company has enlisted a key manager, confident that the economy is beginning to show signs of recovery.

Anabas specialises in fitting out offices for companies and past clients include The Newspaper Society, Royal Television Society, Fish4 and Symbian.

The commercial fit-out sector has seen a 30pc decrease during the downturn, but Anabas recently won a major contract to manage the fit out and relocation of Norgine, a European pharmaceutical company.

It believes there are signs of recovery and has consequently appointed Andy Torlot to head up Anabas Interiors, ready for expansion.

Mr Torlot has 23 years’ experience in the sector and will operate from the company’s London offices in Islington.

He said: “Our approach is to provide individually-tailored solutions and, having both client and contractor experience, we are well-positioned to provide a very balanced service that exceeds the expectations of our clients.”

Mark Cooper, group managing director, said: “Andy has come on board at a crucial time for us and his experience is really second to none.

“He also provides us with the opportunity to grow, develop and strengthen our interiors offering, with a real understanding of how things work and the service levels that clients expect of a partner.”

Anabas, whose head office is on Stokesley business park, was established in 2003 and today employs more than 900 people throughout the UK and Ireland.