BaxterSmith boosts jobs in Scotland

Edinburgh-based contract caterer BaxterSmith Scotland has created 200 new jobs north of the border in just eight months, according to its managing director Alan Aitken.

He said the Scottish arm of independent caterer BaxterSmith had won 12-14 new contracts since April/May last year. Half of its business is located in the central belt, with the remainder in north-east Scotland, Ayrshire and Dumfries and Galloway. The company, which was established in autumn 2002, has a total of 32 contracts with a turnover of £5m.

The caterer is expecting to notch up similar growth in the same period next year. "We should win about 12 more contracts," he said, adding that this would create another 100 jobs.

"We are doing a lot of work with the colleges throughout Scotland, explaining to them the type of people we want to employ," he added.