Manchester-based car finance company Zuto has hired 100 new staff members since June 2020 to increase its workforce by 40% during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Since June 2020, the company said it has continued to push forward with recruitment including 88 Manchester-based roles and 10 Macclesfield based positions. Within the new hires were six graduates and one apprentice.

James Wilkinson, Zuto's chief executive, said “We had two guiding principles going into this pandemic. One was to put Zutonites first and do everything possible to support them during this difficult time. Second, was to maintain our growth mindset. Continuing with our hiring plans was part of this, so once we’d agreed on the guiding principles, it was the right thing to do.

“We are really excited to welcome all the new hires to the company. We know it has been an especially difficult time for graduates trying to enter the work force and we are really pleased to have been able help young people get started in their careers.”

The expansion follows as the company celebrates it’s 15-year anniversary. Since it was founded in 2006 by ex-professional footballer James Wilkinson, the business has gone from strength to strength, including securing £7 million of funding in 2019 to support the growth of the company.

Wilkinson said: “When we started the business, it was to bring trust and transparency to buying a car. As the years have gone by our purpose has got bigger, believing that we can make a bigger difference to society.

“We whole heartedly believe that if we are going to live in a better/fairer society, it’s down to businesses to make this happen and we are excited to be part of this movement. 2021 looks set to be an exciting year for the business and we look forward to celebrating many more milestones over the coming years.”