A Sussex company led by two young entrepreneurs is taking the market by storm.

Karen Cole and Neil Quarendon, co-founders of Alexander Lloyd, are heading for a nought-to-£2million turnover by the firm's second birthday in July.

The phenomenal success story of the Crawley-based accountancy and insurance recruitment specialists is even more astounding when the age of the founders is taken into consideration.

Karen was just 24 and Neil 35 when they started the company.

Now they are the driving force behind a firm which employs 19 consultants and has a growing list of clients, based in the heart of the M23/London corridor.

Commercial director Karen said: "We are very proud of what the company has achieved and of our staff, too, who have helped the company grow to what it is today.

"It was a bit nerve-wracking when Neil and I started in business but the risk was a calculated one. We had both done an incredible amount of research into the feasibility of starting a firm in Crawley, and soon realised, as our approach was so unique, the opportunity to exploit the limited competition was even greater."

Seeing that gap in the market and acting on it at a crucial time helped underpin Alexander Lloyd's success.

Karen added: "Neil and I had met three years previously when we were both working for a city accountancy recruitment specialist but they had never successfully made the move into the South-East market place.

"Once we did our homework and knew our unique approach was what was needed, we made the move."

Even in the very early days with just one employee, Karen and Neil deliberately adopted a more confidential, consultative approach to recruitment.

She said: "Within three months we knew it was going to work. We moved into our present offices in the June with no clients and no candidates but by July 4 we had three people starting new jobs that same day.

"Not least, we have worked hard to secure a reputation which means, when people deal with us, they get solutions and actions, not problems and excuses."