MedRecruit celebrates speedy growth

WILL HINE/ The Southland Times

GOING PLACES: MedRecruit owners Sam and Claire Hazledine,are delighted the company was named the second- fastest growing one in New Zealand.

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Queenstown-based business MedRecruit has been named the second-fastest-growing company in New Zealand after recording more than 800 per cent growth in its first years.

Owned by Sam and Claire Hazledine, MedRecruit was also named the fastest growing business services company in the country, at the Deloitte Fast 50 awards in Dunedin on Wednesday night.

The awards recognise the fastest growing companies in New Zealand, with all of those in the top 50 registering growth of more than 145 per cent in the past three years.

Dr Hazledine, 30, said he set up the company in August 2006 to provide locum and permanent doctors for hospitals around New Zealand.

Employing 10 staff in Queenstown, MedRecruit had increased revenue by 857 per cent since its inception, recording more than $8 million in its last financial year.

The company was now looking at opening an Australian office and expanding its general practice recruitment services. "Australia's the next big push; its market is four times bigger than New Zealand's.

"We'll keep the base in Queenstown and are looking at whether we need an Australian office."

A former national freeski champion, Dr Hazledine said he and Claire had chosen to set up MedRecruit in Queenstown because of the lifestyle.

The company shot to prominence in December when it produced a calendar featuring naked male doctors. Funds raised from the calendar's sales were rejected by children's charity KidsCan because it was deemed an inappropriate relationship.

Deloitte partner Mike Horne said the Fast 50 was into its ninth year and highlighted both established and emerging high-growth companies across New Zealand.

"MedRecruit is an example of a relative newcomer on the scene that has experienced explosive growth over the past three years.

"They're on the list because Sam and his team are totally dedicated to MedRecruit's success and their focus on innovation, clever technology and great service has seen their young business already achieve some brilliant things."

Fast 50 companies had grown the economy by $426m during the past three financial years, creating 794 jobs in the process.

Another Queenstown business that manages luxury accommodation, Touch of Spice, was 15th on the Fast 50 with growth of 304 per cent in the past three years, while Dunedin-based New Zealand Honey Company topped the list with growth of 995 per cent.

- © Fairfax NZ News

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