Insurance retailer Hastings Direct has announced it will create 200 new jobs this year, due to continued growth from its car, home, van and bike insurance divisions.

The firm also plans to start college and university leaver job schemes later in the year.

According to a statement from the company, the new positions will come “across the jobs spectrum from entry level to senior management”.

The firm created 400 new jobs last year, trebling its profits and growing by 30%.

All applicants must be aged over 18, and the firm says it is open to consider job sharing and part-time workers.

Amanda Menahem, the firm’s HR director, says: “As our business expands, we need to fill roles in all areas from finance to facilities, IT, marketing and our call centres.

“We are committed to growing our people and continue to invest heavily in staff development; we have doubled our leadership and development programme and will create college leaver and graduate schemes later in the year.”