TWO Scottish recruitment consultants have received financial backing from former Dragons’ Den star James Caan to launch their first company.

Mr Caan, who has tasted success of his own in the recruitment industry, is majority shareholder and chairman of Laura Drysdale and Andrew Welsh’s Edinburgh-based Meraki Talent.

Meraki is the entrepreneur’s first venture in Scotland and has already got off to a “flying start”, according to the owners, who have brought forward plans to open an office in Glasgow.

The Glasgow office is due to open next month, with the recruitment of five consultants underway. The hires will add to the company’s 11-strong team in Edinburgh’s Albany Street.

Meraki, which is broadly focused on the financial services, accountancy and energy sectors, is already planning to open an office in London in light of demand for clients who are looking to expand their presence in the UK capital.

A target of the end of 2016 has been pencilled in for an opening date.

Ms Drysdale and Mr Welsh, who are partners in life as well as business, did not secure Mr Caan’s backing as a result of appearing on Dragon’s Den, but by submitting a proposal to one of its investment directors.

That eventually led to a meeting with Mr Caan, who had been actively looking for an opportunity to invest in Scotland.

Asked if it had been tough to do business with the former Dragon, Mr Welsh said: “The deal that has been put together is a very fair deal that motivates us and offers reward to our backer, which is the end game for any venture capital business.

“Dealing with James himself is very easy – the only thing sharper than his business brain is his wit.”

“He gives us mentoring [on] how to grow a business, what the key deliverables are to build a business with value.”

In addition to Mr Caan’s guidance, Meraki is able to access “infrastructure” from the entrepreneur’s group of companies in areas like IT and banking facilities, the type of which start-ups are typically unable to access.

Meraki has also been able to bring a senior corporate financier, a former PwC chartered accountant, on to the board.

Ms Drysdale said: “I think one of the major plus points for us is that, when it comes to starting up any new business, that a lot of entrepreneurs who have bright ideas forget all about all the time it takes and the whole back end of it.

“We are very much a people-led business. We are want to go out there and do what we are good at and penetrate the market as quickly as possible.

“We have the experience behind us should we actually need that, we have go support if we need it, but it also allows us to free up our hands and crack on with what we want to do.”

Mr Welsh said Mr Caan had not set any deadline to exit the business, in contrast to some private equity backers. Asked whether Mr Welsh and Ms Drysdale has long-term ambitions to own the business themselves outright, Mr Welsh noted there were could ultimately be various exit options, such as a trade sale or even a stock market flotation. But he said the primary focus will be on “providing a great service to candidates and clients.”

Ms Drysdale said: “Unlike a lot of recruitment businesses in the Scottish market, we are not all about wanting to go out there and be the biggest. We just want to make sure we are recognised as best in class in evert single service that we offer our candidates and clients.”

Mr Caan said: “I am delighted to lend my support and advice to Meraki Talent. I believe they will offer a superb service, both in Scotland and internationally. I was instantly impressed by the authenticity and integrity of the experienced management team at Meraki, making this an easy choice as my first investment in Scotland.”