A RECRUITMENT company is celebrating 20 years in Northallerton with a move to new offices.

IRS Recruitment was founded in 1991 to provide personnel for the oil and gas sector. It has expanded into other fields, including business services, office support and renewables.

Until now, the company, whose headquarters are in Suffolk, has been based in rented offices in Bank Chambers, above the NatWest.

However, it will mark its anniversary next month with a move to 67 High Street, former home of the National Farmers’ Union, which it has bought.

The move provides room for growth, with additional recruitment consultants due to be taken on later this year.

IRS is also celebrating after being ranked in the UK’s 50 fastest growing private recruitment businesses for the third year running.

Helped by the bouyant offshore sector, Susanne Barker, chief operating officer, said it was also down to experience and a strong track record.

She said: “We have an enviable reputation for consistent delivery and excellence to candidate and client alike.”

IRS is helping to find engineering, project support and office support staff for a major Tyneside engineering firm building a £150m oil production platform for the North Sea as part of a 20-month contract.

Michelle Rowley, who has headed the Northallerton branch since 2004, said: “Although set up to cater to the offshore industry, IRS provides staff to a multitude of industries.

This includes an increasing number of clerical, commercial and management positions.”