In recognition of this achievement, New Directions, along with just four other businesses who have also achieved three entries out of the 127,000 entrants who have applied for Wales Fast Growth Fifty status in 2005, were given special awards on the night to highlight the success.

"Companies earning a single entry into the Wales Fast Growth Fifty are examples of excellence in growth and development within the Welsh economy!" Professor Dylan Jones-Evans, founder of the Wales Fast Growth Fifty commented.

"The criterion is based upon a three year accounting period, so growth has to be sustained over that period for a company to even qualify as a Fast Growth Fifty company. This year, the fifty companies averaged 171% growth over the three year accounting period between 2002 and 2004.

"Sustaining that level of growth over even longer periods is an incredibly laudable achievement and we wanted to acknowledge the five companies who have achieved three successive entries during the seven years we've been publishing the Wales Fast Growth Fifty. They can all be proud of their achievements."

Peter Gosling of New Directions said,

"It's great news that we've got into the Fast Growth Fifty again."
"It gets increasingly difficult year after year because the high standards and numbers of companies submitting their entries improve, along with having to start from a higher turnover as the base for entry each year as our growth continues. It's testament to the hard work everyone at New Directions puts in day in day out.

"It's a good sign for the recruitment industry as a whole to see four other young recruitment companies in the Wales Fast Growth Fifty for the first time."

We wish them all well and hope they achieve further entries into the Wales Fast Growth Fifty as they develop their businesses. It's proof that the recruitment industry has a major part to play in the Welsh and UK economy, with the five of us turning over almost £25,000,000 between us in 2004.

"Now we'd like to the Cardiff Blues lift a hat trick of trophies this season - The Celtic League, The Powergen Cup and The Heineken Cup."

New Directions are specialist recruiters for the Education, Social Care, Pharmacy and Veterinary sectors with their registered head office in St Mary Street, Cardiff. They can be contacted on 029 2039 0150 or by email at recruit@new-directions.co.uk