Edinburgh based digital and IT recruitment specialists Be-It Resourcing have their sights set on London.

Managing director Gareth Biggerstaff has also revealed his long-term plans for the fast-expanding business include opening a branch office in Germany.

Two years after establishing the niche recruitment company, the 10-strong team has moved into new Queen Street offices with scope for doubling staff numbers over the next 12 months.

Building on first full year turnover of £2.5 million, Mr Biggerstaff (44) is projecting the company’s next annual figures will be in the region of £7.5 million.

With clients spanning software, technology, government, oil and gas, manufacturing and the financial services sectors, the Irishman said: “We are a niche supplier, concentrating on IT and digital skills, with around 100 jobs to be filled at any given time.

“Demand for these skills is escalating across Scotland and that trend can only continue.
“In 2016 we are aiming to open an office in London to tap into the Financial Technology market.
“We have a model that is different from our competitors and that business blueprint will be very attractive in the London market. It is about growing the business in a healthy and sensible way.
“London is a huge market compared with Scotland.
“At one stage recently there was a healthy demand for 581 developers in Edinburgh. Yet that same week in London the number was 82,000.
“We anticipate even more demand for digital specialists from banks, investment houses and fund managers seeking secure software that ultimately tracks how much money is being made.
“Financial services are coming under ever greater scrutiny through the regulatory aspect and technology is key.”
Assessing the health of the current Edinburgh market, Mr Biggerstaff noted: “The rate of growth in the digital sector is exceptionally strong.
“There is overwhelming demand for IT change and digital professionals, geared around the modernisation of business and regulatory change within the banking sector.
“There is growing confidence. We are not back to the old days but confidence is returning within banking and investment management.
“There is a distinct upturn in the hiring demands of these organisations.
“There is a massive demand for on line development skills given the speed of digitalisation in all aspects of society, in both the private and public sectors.
“The projection is that this will pick up even more pace through 2016.”