Birmingham lawyer and businessman John James has been appointed to a top position at a company owned by Pertemps boss Tim Watts.

Mr James was appointed non-executive director of Midlands-based Network Group Holdings, a public company taking in former niche spin-offs from Pertemps.

NGH is an AIM listed umbrella organisation encompassing a growing band of recruitment companies. The organisation, which floated in September 2007, was created to bring together successful and sustainable recruitment businesses. There are currently more than 20 companies, all operating in niche markets.

Mr James will sit as an independent director on the public company board, chair its audit committee and monitor compliance of legal and statutory obligations. He will also support executive board members and contribute to the development and implementation of the company’s strategic plan.

Well-known Birmingham figure Mr James has worked in the Midlands since 1970 covering roles from a leading commercial partner in one of the largest Midlands law firms to co-founder and CEO of Birmingham Forward.

He has experience in education, where he opened the Birmingham College of Law in 2000 and was Chairman of South Birmingham College for 10 years, and is a former regional chairman of the Institute of Directors.

He said: “I am delighted to be working with Tim again and look forward to making a positive contribution to an already successful business.“

Entrepreneur Mr Watts is CEO of Network Group Holdings, as well as owner of Pertemps and a millionaire with a personal fortune estimated at £35 million. He is also a good friend and former colleague of Mr James.

He was appointed to the board of NGH himself in June this year following a reorganisation and the acquisition of the Pertemps People Development Group niche company by NGH. PPDG was later sold to an Australian firm earlier this month.

Formerly chairman and chief executive of Pertemps, he has over 40 years’ experience in the recruitment industry and has been instrumental in the national growth of Pertemps Group.

Mr Watts said: “I have known John for over 30 years and worked on many projects and business ventures with him, including the very successful Nechells Baths Regeneration Project, of which John is CEO and which was created by the Birmingham Foundation of which I am proud to be President.

“I am delighted John has agreed to join the NGH Board and I know his legal knowledge, commercial experience and knowledge of the professional advisory and voluntary sectors make him a very valuable asset to the group.”

A spokesman for NGH said: “The experience Mr James brings is particularly relevant to the Network Group, which primarily operates around people and industry, especially given the focus of the group on professional services.”