James Caan, star of TV's Dragons' Den has launched a new recruitment company in NI.

In partnership with Colin Anderson, Chairman of communications company ASG, he is bringing his own approach to recruitment to Ireland, North and South.

With a significant investment and offices in Belfast and Dublin, webrecruit Ireland is targeted to grow to employ 20 staff.

The launch was hosted in Belfast by the Northern Ireland Science Park and was attended by directors, managers, recruitment agencies and professional employment advisers.

With nearly three out of four jobseekers now using the internet to find a job, companies and organisations are increasingly turning to the internet to advertise their vacancies and the webrecruit approach is proven to succeed.

Speaking at the launch, Colin Anderson (pictured greeting the entrepreneur) said: "We have a well-established position in the recruitment market, but we understood this could be enormously advantaged if more use were made of the internet.

"I liked the look of the James Caan business model and am delighted that we have been able to put together a company which will meet a business need.

"The timing for this launch could not be better, given the pressure on business costs because of the recession."

Mr Caan said companies were now realising the benefits of using online recruitment – both in terms of cost and quality.

"Our effective use of technology has dramatically reduced costs, puts employers in touch with their ideal candidate and, ultimately, is changing the dynamics of the recruitment industry," he said.

(BMCC/GK)