A Bradford firm's plans to double its staff have been boosted now it has been taken over by the Skipton Building Society.

EuroDirect Database Marketing has been bought by the Skipton for £4 million and is now pressing ahead with recruitment plans to increase its 29 staff to 60 over the next three years.

The firm, based in Onward House, Baptist Place, was set up by brothers Mike and Graham Green in 1991 and now has a turnover of £3 million.

The company, which will retain its management team, specialises in the development and marketing of information databases and marketing information systems.

The firm already has a number of major UK clients including Royal Mail, Thomas Cook, and the Skipton Building Society.

It uses census information as a marketing tool and is also pressing ahead with plans to expand into Europe. The firm has already spread its wings into Spain and is looking at other European Union countries. The company is also planning a series of strategic alliances with other marketing firms in Europe in a bid to expand quickly.

Mike Green said today: "We are delighted to become part of the Skipton Group as this move adds a new depth of maturity to our business.

"EuroDirect is one of the most innovative technology companies in direct marketing. We believe our specialist skills will bring significant operating advantages to other Skipton Group companies and we are all looking to the much wider opportunities now available."

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