The Association of Online Recruiters (AOLR), a body representing job boards, has parted company with the recruitment industry's major trade organisation, the REC.

Members of the AOLR had been increasingly concerned about the ability of the REC to represent the interests of job boards, because the majority of its members are recruitment agencies, who are often job board clients.

The body was concerned that this could create a potential conflict of interest in the ongoing consultation with the DTI over job boards, which are heavily regulated in new employment agency regulations.

The AOLR has now joined forces with the Online Recruitment Marketing Council (ORMC).

Bill Shipton, chairman of the AOLR, said: "We recognise the important role the REC plays in representing the industry as a whole, but we believe the interests of job boards will be better served within the Online Recruitment Marketing Council."