A TECHNOLOGY specialist in the North-East expects to break through the £10m turnover mark within a year and double it to £20m by 2011.

IT Professional Services (ITPS) has added to its 70-strong workforce in Gateshead and is looking to take on up to another 12 staff at senior management level to support its growth plans.

The firm, which was set up six years ago, provides IT systems and data management for clients including ICI, Hartlepool Primary Care Trust, Greggs and Blackett Hart & Pratt.

Managing director Garry Sheriff said ITPS has grown turnover by an average of 24 per cent year-on-year.

ITPS recently took on Lisa Richardson as marketing manager, Keith Rowe, as business development manager, Julie Southern, as business process expert and Avtar Matharoo, as a sales consultant.