IT and telecoms recruitment provider Net-Consulting is gearing up to grow its recruitment process outsourcing (RPO) business in India and make it a 24-hour a day operation.

Managing director Peter Trant told Recruiter that in the downturn he expects to see a large increase in RPO activity.

He says his Indian operation, based in Dehradun, is the perfect place for RPO because it is not affected by the weak pound and Trant has headhunted experienced consultants from the competition out there.

“My profits are up by 30% since the beginning of the year,” he says. “We have 25 consultants working in India at the moment and we are planning organic growth next year. I am very confident the RPO side of things will be very successful.”

Trant says the RPO business will need to go 24-hours-a-day to cater for global clients in around 80 countries.

He adds he is in regular talks with investors and is considering acquisitions next year.

“I have got the backing of the banks but you need to buy companies at the right time,” he says. “I am interested in forward-thinking companies but if you buy at the wrong time they could continue to lose value.”

Trant also predicts a large increase in US and European recruiters taking advantage of the weak pound and merging and acquiring UK firms.

He also predicts the value of the Euro to reach the parity with the pound within six months.