A NEW Hampshire HR firm says it set to create almost 100 jobs over the next two years.

Oberon Solutions, based in Winchester, was established earlier this year as an off-shoot of Thorold Dewling, a specialist recruitment agency for the oil and gas sector.

Company boss George Reed said there was growing demand for extra services on top of recruiting including payroll and drawing up employment contracts.

Oberon has now secured funding from Lloyds Bank to expand the firm, which currently has just six staff.

Mr Reed says Oberon has growth targets of 300% over the next twelve months and the business expects to create up to 90 new jobs over the next two years.

Oberon offers a range of HR services, from hiring and employees to managing pensions and benefits, developing training programs and overseeing compliance.

It supports small and medium-sized (SME) businesses around the UK with turnovers of up to £20M – including retailers, manufacturers and even a bee farm – who do not have the time or resources to manage their own human resources (HR) needs.

“The SME market is the mainstay of the UK economy – and the services we provide allow businesses to dedicate their time and resources to invest in their key, revenue-generating activities," said Mr Reed.

He said Oberon also had plans to offer outsourced marketing and IT services in the future.

The company is currently based at serviced office space at Southgate Chambers in Southgate Street but will need larger premises.

"I'd like to stay in or around Winchester, I live her and my children go to school here, said Mr Reed, 39.

Paul Spencer, the executive director of Winchester BID (Business Improvement District) said the Oberon announcement was good news for the city and he hoped the company would be able to remain in the area.

"It's really good news and it shows that office space like that in Southgate Street and our centre in Parchment Street are offering a good place for businesses to grow."

He added that Oberon's growth showed the demand for larger office units in the city , some of which would be met by new developments like that at Station Approach.

Marcus Carolan, associate director at Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking, added: “Oberon Solutions is an ambitious business that is helping to drive the local economy, and create employment opportunities in the region. It’s providing much needed HR solutions in an innovative way to support its clients. Supporting Oberon Solutions development is just one example of how we’re helping Britain prosper.”