ACORN RECRUITMENT, the largest company of its type in Wales, has just become a bit bigger with the acquisition of Treforest-based Pegge Thomas Executive Recruitment.

Pegge Thomas was founded in 1993 following a takeover of the Welsh regional office of pan-European recruitment giant Hoggett Bowers.

Since then it has helped several hundred companies across Wales and beyond to find chief executives, directors and key management players.

Co-founder Tony Pegge and executive consultant Paul Thorburn, the former Wales rugby international, will continue to spearhead the business which will become a specialist division of Acorn Recruitment.

Acorn founder and managing director Matt Southall said: "Pegge Thomas has a reputation as the leading provider of executive placements in Wales.

"This, coupled with its UK and international business is a valuable addition to the Acorn portfolio of recruitment solutions."

Employing over 130 staff and turning over £24 million last year, Acorn recently established itself at new headquarters on the Celtic Spring business park on the outskirts of Newport.

Last summer it acquired Cowbridge-based recruitment consultancy G-Force which specialises in temporary skilled staff for the engineering, manufacturing and construction industries.

According to Mr Southall: "We've demonstrated our ability to grow the business organically and by acquisition.

"In addition to our recruitment business during the last five years we have also developed a very strong training division and this is continuing to enjoy buoyant trading."

PICTURE: Acorn's Matt Southall, centre, with Tony Pegge, left, and Paul Thorburn