AN e-commerce firm supporting fashion brands aims to create 50 jobs after completing a management buyout.

Visualsoft, which employs more than 150 workers, says it wants to take on staff as it looks to treble turnover by 2017.

The buyout, led by founding director Dean Benson, follows a record-breaking year when the company achieved multi-million pound turnover.

The firm, which has its headquarters in Stockton, has launched almost 1,000 online stores for retailers such as Boxfresh, Gola, Jules B and Canterbury, and now has a base in Australia.

Bosses say they also want to add to existing e-commerce partnerships with Google, PayPal, Amazon, eBay and Sage.

Under the buyout, Mr Benson has been joined by business development director Tim Johnson, technical director Matt Burton, and online marketing director David Duke.

Mr Benson said: “We have come a long way since our humble beginnings as an online training venture 16 years ago.

“We have grown in tandem with the e-commerce sector, capitalising on the surge in online retailing that has largely escaped the recession.

“I’m thrilled to be taking Visualsoft forward with a new management team and outstanding staff to drive the business forward.

“We are determined to remain the very best in the industry.”

Mr Benson also thanked the companies who helped guide Visualsoft through its buyout, including Endeavour Partnership, Barclays and chartered accountants Clive Owen and Co.