Couple complete MBO at IT recruitment specialist
IT sales recruitment company Finlay James Associates, headquartered in Didsbury, Manchester, has announced a management buyout by husband-and-wife John and Sara Gaughan.
The have completed the purchase of 100% of the shareholding and ownership of the company
Finlay James Associates, founded in 2003, has offices in Didsbury, Birmingham and St Albans and currently employs 42 people who source permanent IT, sales and digital staff for clients worldwide.
Chris Holden of Manchester-based accountants and business advisers Saffery Champness was appointed as deal adviser on the MBO, whilst Richard Hepworth and Emma Thomas of law firm Brabners provided strategic legal advice. John Sheridan from RBS also assisted with the purchase.
John Gaughan previously served as joint managing director alongside Mark Neilan, who has left the business to pursue other ventures.
As part of the change in ownership, John will now become chief executive whilst Sara takes on the role of HR director.
James May will stay on as operations director and Richard Gibbard assumes the role of director of talent acquisition and training, leading internal recruitment and training for the new Finlay James Academy. Ruth Farrar will head up the Birmingham office, as managing consultant.
The announcement promises exciting changes for the company. John plans to increase headcount by 50% to service growth across the company within the next financial year.
Plans are already place to open a new office in central London before the autumn.
He said: “I am thrilled to have completed the MBO and whilst we can be proud of our achievements so far, we have big plans for an even more exciting future.
“Against this background of strategic change, the company will be maintaining a ‘business as usual’ focus – enabling our IT, sales and digital clients to gain a competitive advantage through the talent that we supply.”
