Recruiters have greater oportunities in Northern Ireland following increased political co-operation, said Jo Sellick, a director with Manchester-based financial and legal specialist the Sellick Partnership.

He told Recruiter that the changed political climate meant more businesses were coming to the province.

"The ceasefire has seen more European money come into Northern Ireland, money which would, in the past, have been used for [military spending and] defence," said Sellick.

"The fact that both sides [Sinn Féin and the Democratic Unionist Party] are getting round the table at Stormont has definitely helped us."

Sellick is shortly to set up a new construction sector-focused division in Northern Ireland, operating from the organisation's Belfast office.

This would represent something of a departure for the Sellick Partnership, which has previously specialised in the financial and legal markets.

"It's an area we've researched and there is a gap in the market," explained Sellick.

Established in 2002, the Sellick Partnership also has offices in Newcastle, Chester and Stoke-on-Trent and is on target to turn over round £13m this year.