Recruitment firm swoops for tech specialist in multi-million deal

Manchester based recruitment specialist Search Consultancy has completed a multi-million deal which means it has become the market leader in its field.

The firm has announced the acquisition of Henderson Scott, a specialist in executive search and recruitment in the technology sector.

Henderson Scott works across a range of niche markets in the public and private sector and is a market leader in technology recruitment.

The acquisition will give the newly created Search Group a combined revenue of £220m and an EBITDA of more than £10m.

The new firm will employ 750 people across 17 UK offices and it will be the UK’s leading provider of technology recruitment.

Henderson Scott specializes in six core markets: enterprise architecture, IT infrastructure and data centre, enterprise cloud, digital and business transformation, cyber security and software technology.

Set up in 1999 by chief executive Mark Bailey, the business has offices in Amersham and London.

Working with range of leading names in tech, the 50 strong team – under the current leadership team – will continue to grow the Henderson Scott business under its existing brand.

Mark Bailey will also join the Search board as a part of the acquisition.

The Search Group board believes it is perfectly positioned to develop Henderson Scott and leverage the group strength, providing access to its wider service proposition.

They also see opportunity for the wider Search business to leverage opportunity for Henderson Scott via its people, relationships and reputation, to support future growth.

Search Group chief executive Grahame Caswell said: “This is the first acquisition we have undertaken since Search’s MBO and refinancing. It significantly enhances our capability in the technology space and gives us real market presence in London.

“Working alongside our existing tech and transformation vertical, we have some of the best expertise in the technology recruitment sector within our group.

“Henderson Scott has a reputation for exceptional service and an impressive network of specialist candidates, delivered by a high performing team that has kept abreast of innovation.

“With strong relationships and an expert group of people in place, the business is well positioned for growth under our ownership and we are excited to help Mark develop the business as a key part of the Search Group.

“The converging world of IT continues to present exciting opportunities and with a rapidly expanding cloud market place the acquisition of this highly scalable UK business is a clear strategic fit for the Group.

Mark Bailey said: “This is an exciting time for both businesses. I am delighted that Henderson Scott has joined a Group with the ambition for growth as well as the infrastructure to continue supporting and developing our service offering and our people.

“Backed by the scale of the Search Group, including geographical reach, complementary technology expertise and experience across its verticals, we are very much looking forward to realising our potential as part of the bigger team.”