Executives Online has signed up its first UK franchisee to grow its brand and meet the growing need for its services, it says.

The company has signed up Derek Ward to lead Executives Online North, which will cover the North-West, North-East, Yorkshire and Humberside.

Ward was previously sales and marketing director for Initial Fire and Security and UK group sales director for ADT.

Managing director Norrie Johnston says: “Our business is growing fast and there is a great demand for our mix of traditional recruitment skills which harness technology. Businesses still want a personal service but they also want to take full advantage of the vast potential of online recruitment.”

It says the North of England was a clear choice for the first franchise because growth in the region is outstripping the rest of the country.