Andersen Consulting will hire 150 new executives in Dublin over the next two years to cope with increased business, the firm said last night. The recruitment drive, which begins this week, will target senior-level consultants as well as graduates.

"We're looking for individuals within a range of having a few years' experience to having quite a number of years' experience," said Mr Leo Blennerhassett, managing partner of Andersen Consulting Ireland.

The firm already employs 250 people at its Dublin offices and specialises in advising companies on managing change and strategic development.

"We have enjoyed significant organic growth since the Dublin practice was established back in 1989 with only a handful of employees," Mr Blennerhassett said. "Our growth has been such that we need to recruit people at more senior levels to continue to deliver top quality service to our clients."

He said Ireland was becoming a knowledge-based economy and current developments in the world of business - from information technology development to the setting up of share services operations - were driving his company's business.

Mr Blennerhassett would not indicate how much the company would pay its new recruits but said salaries at every level would have to be "top tier" to attract the right personnel.

The company hopes to draw some Irish consultants and managers currently living abroad back home.

Globally, Andersen Consulting employs more than 60,000 people in 46 countries. It has a combined turnover of $6.6 billion (£4.7 billion).