New recruitment group hits back at talent shortage

A group of leading investors have backed a new recruitment company targeting talent shortages in the built environment.

Lastminute.com’s managing director Mark Jones and Julian Parmenter of Cantor Fitzgerald are amongst the group backing a team of construction recruitment specialists led by Simon Cheshire in launching the Management Recruitment Group.

Julian Parmenter, founder investor, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity. We can see a real opportunity to launch a new type of recruitment vehicle into the UK, identifying core talent that can support our booming construction industry.”

The group of private investors have agreed an ambitious funding package.

Howard Bridgwater, finance director and formerly of Hays and Berkeley Homes, said: “Our funding will enable The Management Recruitment Group to open a network of offices in the UK, kicking off with London in July and moving forward into European markets by the end of 2008.”

Cheshire, who until recently was with Hays’ European operations, added: “We have a handpicked team of recruiters, with over 50 years of experience between us. We have witnessed the ‘gold rush’ mentality that has been sparked by the talent shortage in the UK construction market and our offering is based upon feedback that we have gained from clients and candidates who are looking for something really different to conveyor belt recruitment.”

The business launches at the start of July from offices in Twickenham, south-west London.