A recruitment consultant at a St Allbans IT business has won the first ever Institute of Recruitment Professionals (IRP) award for Best Newcomer.

Tom Rankin, 19, joined Understanding Recruitment 18 months ago as an apprentice.

Since then he has been promoted a couple of times; first to Trainee Recruitment Execcutive, then to Recruitment Executive in March this year.

He is now working towards the role of Senior Recruitment Execuitve.

Mr Rankin said the role and success has allowed him to see and do things he never thought he would, but he is most proud completing his college course at the same time.