Driving, construction and industrial recruitment firm Jark Recruitment has embarked on an ambitious expansion plan with the acquisition of Ipswich-based rival C&C.

The deal adds £1.6m to Jark's £19m annual turnover and C&C is now part of Jark's Ipswich office, which employs 14 construction and industrial consultants.

According to chairman John Buckman, the plan is to make further acquisitions and expand Jark's presence outside the east of England. In its last financial year, the company reported a profit of £2.5m and Buckman has earmarked the firm's cash reserves for expansion in the areas in which it already excels, rather than branching out into new sectors.

"We've been trying to build up our war chest," he told Recruiter. "I believe if you're good at something you should keep at it and build on it. But if we get the right team to enter another market then we'll do it."

Jark Recruitment is part of Jark Resourcing, which owns medical recruitment firm Nevis Healthcare and generalist agency Universal Personnel. The firm gains £26m of its £39m turnover from recruitment.

One of the highlights of the acquisition for Buckman is that he will be reunited with one of his best consultants, Amanda Smith, who left Jark two years ago for C&C. Smith will manage the Ipswich branch.