An Edinburgh recruitment firm has won a new contract supplying technical staff for all of United Biscuits’s sites across the UK.

DRNewitt & Associates is a specialist agency supplying the food and drinks industry and has just 10 consultants. But the contract proves agencies don’t have to be high street giants to win business from major firms.

Managing director Stephanie Newitt, who founded the firm two years ago, said her firm had won the contract because of an existing working relationship with United.

The value of the contract is confidential but Newitt said it would involve placing development, quality assurance and other technical staff with the company.

She added: “This is a testament to the professionalism and high standards of the team here. When I started the company many said my market base would be confined to Scotland, but 85% of our business comes from contracts in England.

“I know we can achieve our vision and increase the business by 60% by offering a first-class recruitment service in the next year.”

United owns some of Europe’s best-known biscuit and snack brands, including McVitie’s, Penguin, Go Ahead!, Jaffa Cakes, and Mini Cheddars.

Last year, United achieved sales of £1.3bn, with branded products accounting for 87% of sales. It is the market leader in biscuit production in the UK and Spain and number two in France, employing a total workforce of 10,000 people.