A high-profile former international rugby coach is to become a recruitment manager.

Mike Ruddock, who coached the 2005 Grand Slam-winning Welsh rugby team, has been appointed as the new commercial manager at training and recruitment specialist Acorn, based just outside Newport in South Wales.

His role will be to help the company achieve its ambition of increasing annual turnover from £40m to more than £100m in the next three years. It will also involve working closely with Acorn’s business development team as

well as developing the leadership and management programmes of its training and learning division .

“To have secured Mike’s services is great news for our company,” said Matt Southall, Acorn’s managing director and founder.

“He brings particular skills and abilities as well as enormous respect earned during his days as one of the world’s top rugby coaches.”

Acorn, established in 1992, has branches throughout South Wales, Wrexham, Bristol, Manchester and Edinburgh. It had a £38.5m turnover in 2004/2005 and employs more than 230 staff.

Its specialist divisions include Acorn Perms, European Services, Contract Management, Technical and Engineering and Learning and Development.

Ruddock abruptly quit his role with the Welsh rugby team in February.