Fast growing Flame Heating Group has its sights set on further job creation, after increasing its staff count by 80% over the last 12 months.

The North East-based heating and plumbing merchant, which operates eight branches across the region, currently has 45 employees, up from 25 in September 2016.

This figure is set to rise as Flame continues to invest in further branch launches throughout the region, as well as into Scotland, with three outlets set to open in Edinburgh and Glasgow this autumn.

The company’s most recent opening was in Cramlington, which marked Flame’s second North East launch of 2017, following its Newcastle opening in March.

Flame most recently appointed Simon Williams to the role of Group Financial Controller, who will be based at its Gateshead headquarters.

Simon is a former ‘Big Four’ accountant at KPMG and has also worked in lead accountancy positions at owner managed businesses, which includes Technology Services Group.

It has also created and recruited additional posts over the last year, including a Warehouse Manager in Gateshead, an Investor Director and Branch Supervisor at its Cramlington branch, as well as several internal promotions across Flame’s North East outlets.

Following the raft of appointments, Flame is looking to build on its current £14.5m revenues, which more than doubled from 2016 and have grown year-on-year since it was established in 2011.

John Savage, Managing Director of Flame Heating Group, said: “We are continuing to invest in our infrastructure, which is helping to build a strong workforce that is supporting the company’s growth and development. Flame has enjoyed great success over the last six years, with further plans in place to grow our presence regionally and, one day, nationally.

“Things are already beginning to take shape as we gear up for our launches in Scotland over the next three or four months, and none of this would have been possible without the support of our employees, who have all bought into and share Flame’s values and ambitions.”

Simon Williams said: “I am excited to embark on the next stage of my career at a thriving business. It presents a challenging, yet exciting opportunity at one of the region’s fastest growing companies, and I am now ready to roll my sleeves up and drive Flame’s long-term aspirations.”