A RECRUITMENT consultant who campaigns for age equality in the workplace has gone into business himself at the age of 56.

John Duffield, of Middlesbrough, took over Drumquay Ltd, a recruitment company, last year, having worked with the firm for four years.

The engineering and technical recruitment specialist places staff in the oil, gas and power sectors, as well as manufacturing and, more recently, the NHS.

Mr Duffield decided that becoming his own boss would allow him to carry on doing what he enjoyed, while having more flexibility to develop the business.

Business Link helped him find funding to buy the business, and he was advised by the group on the legal and financial implications of a management buy-out.

Although Drumquay's database covers a mixed age range, Mr Duffield believes many companies overlook opportunities to take on older employees and miss out on the benefits their knowledge and experience can bring to a business.

"Too many employers these days want 25-year-olds with 20 years' experience and don't appreciate that while you can't buy experience, you can employ it," he said.

He has helped place staff with Mowlem Engineering in Billingham as well as other clients.

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