Betfair, the world's largest betting community, says it has saved 1.65 million in attrition costs by ditching recruitment agencies, and hiring direct.

A partnership with capital management company True North has seen it develop its careers website so applicants can join direct. The company now hires 86% of all new joiners direct - up from 40% 18 months ago. It has also found directly hired candidates stay three times longer than those hired by agencies. As a result attrition levels dropped below 20% for the first time in three years.

Betfair, which employs 1,800 staff, says the change was needed to attract better employees.

Dickson Moon, head of recruitment at Betfair, said: "Betfair needs a recruitment and retention policy that is best in class and we provide this. In addition to recruitment activities we are coaching all line management in the use of assessment tools, interview training and offer management techniques. We are determined to find, recruit an keep all the best candidates in this market. The figures for the last year show this is working."