Specialist communications recruiter VMA Group has continued its recruitment drive with the appointment of six new staff members for its London and Manchester offices.

Joanne Watkins and Lindsay Wienand join the external communications practice in London bringing with them public relations and communications experience. Watkins will work alongside VMA Group senior consultant, Lucy Keogh, on mid-level to senior roles.

Wienand will work with the external communications team on mid-level roles in the £30k-£55k bracket both in-house and in consultancy.

Lucinda Moores will now handle interim roles within the external communications practice, joining with strong recruitment experience developed over seven years with Hays.

VMA Group in Manchester is also consolidating its PR agency practice with the addition of Rachel Powell to the team. Powell joins from ad agency McCann in Manchester.

In addition, VMA Enhance, the professional development arm of VMA Group, has taken on Saskia Webster-Zazzi in a support role. And Alex Wallington joins VMA Group as a team assistant to provide full support for the team of internal communications specialists.

Claire Tuffin, managing director of VMA Group UK, says: “We are very pleased to be able to plan for 2011 with real assurance. We are seeing a marked increase in business and a return in confidence from clients and candidates alike. We plan to be ready to take advantage of this new buoyancy. We are delighted to have so many high calibre people joining the firm.”