A RECRUITMENT group in the region has changed hands and new boss Gary Watson plans to double the size of the business within the next five years.

Mr Watson, managing director of Newcastle-based Newgroup, has set himself the target of increasing turnover to £7m by 2013 after taking over the day-today running of the company from founder Brian Sharpe.

He said: "We are keen to grow the company organically through further recruitment to our team, but also via acquisitions and joint ventures.

"While our aims for the company are ambitious, we feel they are realistic in light of the opportunities that are out there."

Newgroup, based in Collingwood Street, provides recruitment services in specialised fields including industry, engineering and logistics. Mr Sharpe handed over the company after more than a decade of ownership.

He said: "I have to confess it is difficult to let go of something that has been so much a part of my life up to now, but I'm extremely confident that Gary will take Newgroup on to even greater heights and I will, of course, follow its progress with interest.

"I suppose I see myself as a kind of mentor to Gary.

"I try to keep away and allow him the freedom to achieve the targets he has set for the company."

Mr Watson is a well-known figure in the regional business community, having been head of commercial services at the North East Chamber of Commerce.