Property recruitment firm Deverell Smith has announced plans to double in size over the next 12 months in response to soaring demand.

In total, it is looking to hire a further 70 members of staff.

Five have just started work at the firm, with a further five due to begin in the New Year.

CEO Andrew Deverell-Smith said: “The market potential in property for recruitment is huge.

“We have expanded to provide recruitment services within every sector of the industry, and in some sectors, although we are market leaders, we really are still only scratching the surface.

“By attracting the best talent in recruitment and knowledgeable property professionals to our company, we plan to become the UK’s driving force in property recruitment.”

Chris Long, talent development director for Deverell Smith who is tasked with recruiting and developing staff, said the firm is not necessarily looking to hire people with experience of recruitment.

The firm is also looking for people with military, sports and sales backgrounds.

He said: “Historically, some of the best hires we have made have not come from a recruitment background.

“To attract others from a broader spectrum of professional backgrounds on a larger scale, we have redefined our training programme, introducing a four-week property recruitment training academy specifically designed for those making the transition into our sector.”