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Richard East is the founder and CEO of RE Recruitment, based in Cheltenham.

Hereford-born Richard started the company in 2001 and it now has six offices, 85 staff and a turnover of £50 million.

The business is a general recruitment company working in IT, tech and manufacturing, but in 2011 Richard also launched Safe Hands Recruitment and two years ago founded Safe Hands Healthcare, a specialist healthcare recruitment business.

Richard's business - which also works in the poultry sector - is approaching its peak season.

Richard left school at the age of 16 did his A levels at night school before going onto university.

His first business was running Woody's cafe in Montpellier Courtyard, Cheltenham, but he ended up going bust.

Mark Owen, editor and owner of Punchline-Gloucester.com, finds out more about Richard's business, how he grew the company, the touch lessons he's learnt, things he would have done differently, his previous 'starter' businesses, his younger years and finally he rounds off with his top three business tips.

Richard also talks about what the effects of a potential increase in the minimum wage will have on the sector.

For more information on RE Recruitment, go to https://www.rerecruitment.com.