A NORTH-EAST HR consultancy has marked the start of the new year by securing its first office and winning a major deal.

Professional People Management (PPM) is building on last year’s growth by securing business premises at the Quadrus Centre, in West Boldon, Wearside.

The business, launched last year by two former human resources (HR) managers at Northern Rock, has also been named as the preferred HR supplier to the South Tyneside Manufacturing Forum for the next 12 months.

The new premises also signal a new direction for PPM, which previously worked with clients in and around Newcastle, but is now looking to expand.

Monique Ewart, PPM director, said: “After setting up the business less than a year ago we never imagined that we would need to move into permanent office accommodation so quickly. The business has gone from strength to strength and we are looking forward to forging links with organisations across South Tyneside.”

John Wood, South Tyneside Manufacturing Forum’s manager, said: “It is great that new companies are setting up within South Tyneside and we welcome PPM to the borough.

“HR is a specialised area of management often overlooked by small businesses, at their peril. Therefore, it is good to see young professionals prepared to apply their knowledge of employment law in a way that will support the business community, and that is why the Manufacturing Forum has negotiated preferred supplier terms with PPM for its members.”