RECRUITMENT firm Catalyst is moving into the IT sector with a major infrastructure development and a key appointment.

Catalyst’s business model is based on home-working employees which demands sophisticated and powerful IT and communications technology.

It has just completed a project to transfer its IT to a cloud-based system with the help of Newcastle-based Atlas Infrastructure Management, AtlasIM.

All its data is stored offsite in a secure data centre allowing staff to access it remotely via the internet.

AtlasIM business development director Peter Watson said: “Data stored in the central data centre is absolutely secure which is essential for a recruitment business but Catalyst’s staff can work anywhere in the world as long as they can connect to the internet.”

Catalyst has also taken on Nicola Reid, a respected North East IT recruitment specialist, who will also be working from a home office.

She said: “Working from home means a much more productive day for me. I don’t spend any time commuting and sitting in traffic jams. That means more time for my daughter and our horse, so it’s much easier to be behind my desk ready for work by 9am.”

Catalyst owner Paul Wilson said: “The recruitment of Nicola and the work done by AtlasIM are both significant moves for Catalyst. Nicola is one of the most experienced, best connected and respected experts in IT recruitment in the North East.

“The IT sector is an important and growing part of the economy and with Nicola’s recruitment Catalyst becomes a key player in IT recruitment.

“Our own IT investment also massively increases the capacity of the business. All our operations are now faster and more run more smoothly and this move allows us to roll out even further our home working model which is very green, very staff friendly and gives a better service to the client.”