SOFTWARE specialist Bond International has teamed up with a Belgian company to launch a European sales drive.

Bond, which is based in Cowfold, near Horsham, has formed a partnership with Brussels-based Consultus to bring two new recruitment products to the European market.

Steve Russell, Bond's chief executive, said: "We are extremely excited about the partnership and the move into Europe, both of which mark a new era in the development of the company.

"Joining forces with Consultus ensures that we are not only expanding our market place, but we are further enhancing our capabilities."

The two new software systems, ResourceAid and RecruitAid, are designed for use by companies with a workforce of 1,000 or more.

Consultus is headed by managing director John Holmes and sales director Laurence Penn who, together, have 30 years experience in IT recruitment.

Mr Holmes said: "The traditional methods of recruitment are riddled with flaws and poor communication. We thought there must be a better way, which would cut out all the time-consuming paperwork."

In the partnership the Brussels company will handle the marketing and selling of the new products while the Sussex firm takes care of the post sales operation such as product implementation and helpdesk support.

This month Bond International and its 90-strong workforce will re-locate its corporate headquarters from Cowfold to Worthing where it has taken over and restored Courtlands, a Grade Two listed building at Goring.

It also has offices in the U.S., South Africa and Australia.

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