AN asbestos and environmental consultancy has created jobs and doubled the size of its headquarters as bosses seek to take advantage of strong growth and new market opportunities.

Franks Portlock has moved from Washington, Wearside, into 3,000sq ft offices at Sunderland’s Hylton Park.

Officials say the switch has allowed the business to recruit eight workers and extend services, while they have also refused to rule out office expansions across the UK.

The £1.7m-a-year turnover business, which employs more than 30 people and has further bases in London, Scotland and at Cumbria’s Sellafield nuclear site, provides asbestos consultancy, inspection, testing and management.

It conducts asbestos surveys, air tests and laboratory analysis, while also issuing official clearance certifications, and plans to launch an accredited soils analysis offering at its Sunderland base, alongside additional occupational and environmental testing.

Phil Franks, co-founder of the business, which was established in Sunderland in 2007, said: “Asbestos awareness is at an all-time high and the recent spotlight on areas like schools is driving better standards, particularly in terms of asbestos management – although arguably there is still an awful lot to do.

“Internally, we have worked to move the company on by recruiting in key areas such as commercial, quality system and technical competence.

“Since our launch, we’ve carried out work from the tip of the Shetlands to Penzance, so we are very much a national organisation, and more offices around the UK are in the pipeline.

“We aim to create new jobs at all of our offices, with Sunderland likely to see the most.”

The firm’s relocation was supported by Sunderland City Council’s business investment team.

Councillor Michael Mordey, the authority’s deputy leader, added: “The company’s success not only highlights the enterprising approach of its founders, but also underlines why Sunderland, with its excellent links to the A1 and A19, is a great location from which to run a national business.”