GRAND Slam-winning rugby coach Mike Ruddock is making a move into the business world by joining a Newport recruitment firm.

Ruddock is taking up the post of commercial development manager at Newport-based Acorn, starting today.

The former Wales rugby coach, originally from Blaina, said he had a "really good feeling" about joining Acorn, and he has been thinking about a move into business "for a while".

He hopes to use coaching and management experience from his time at Swansea, Leinster and the Newport Gwent Dragons to help Acorn increase its annual turnover from £40m to £100m.

He said: "I've been hugely impressed with Acorn's growth in a relatively short time, and its huge ambitions to develop the company further."

Ruddock knew the company's marketing director Dan Langford and the two got chatting when he left the Wales job after just two Six Nations matches earlier this year.

The two held a meeting at Acorn's HQ at Newport's Celtic Springs business park, where the offer of a job arose.

The firm was established in 1992, and has 230 staff at branches across South Wales, Wrexham, Bristol, Runcorn, Manchester and Edinburgh. Its annual turnover in 2004/5 was £38.5m.

Ruddock will work closely with the business development team as well as its training and learning division.

He said he will be "talking to a lot of people out there in the commercial world about Acorn and what it can provide for customers".

He added: "I think I can bring all my skills to the company. I have developed my career and years of coaching in an ability to progress through the ranks."

Acorn's founder and managing director Matt Southall said securing Ruddock's services was "great news" for the company.

Mr Southall said: "He brings particular skills and abilities as well as enormous respect during his days as one of the world's top rugby coaches."