Channel Recruitment Solutions kick-starts expansion plans

Recruitment specialist branches into lead generation and channel-building activities and hires Andrew Cross to head new southern office

Channel Recruitment Solutions (CRS) is branching out with a new office and a move into partner and customer recruitment services.

The Northampton-based outfit, which was founded a little over two years ago, has now opened an outpost in Basingstoke. The firm claims 2011 revenue spiked 40 per cent and is banking on a diversification of its services to fuel further growth.

CRS is launching lead-generation services to help resellers locate potential new customers, and will also offer help with partner recruitment for vendors looking to build their channel. Managing director Gary Janes explained that he wants his firm to become "the UK's number one IT channel services provider".

"These two service additions build on our reputation of offering high-quality specialist services," he added. "We have specialist people offering specialist services across all three focus areas."

Backing the recruitment specialist's growth plans is the appointment of channel veteran Andrew Cross as sales director. Cross will lead operations at the new Hampshire digs, and arrives after an eight-year spell at reseller Sol-Tec. He has also held senior sales posts at Evesham Technology and Amstrad.

"My contribution will be focused on building the customer base for each of the three specialist services offered within the south of England and, over the next year or so, replicating this in other UK locations," added Cross.