HAIR and beauty group Saks is on target to open its 100th salon by the end of the year and has also announced that it is to expand its North-East headquarters.

Saks is to set up a customer services department at its HQ, in Darlington, and has also launched a business development section to oversee the launch of further salons.

The company, which began in Darlington, where it also has a training academy, said a small number of jobs would be created. Several departments, including marketing and finance have taken over another office building near its HQ.

Saks opened its 89th salon in Woking at the beginning of September and plans to open at least another 15 nationwide in the next few months.

Richard Bland has been appointed general manager overseeing all departments and the Saks network, while Paul Tennant has been promoted to head of business development.