Relay boosts services with Stafforce deal

YORKSHIRE staffing specialist Relay Recruitment has been acquired by growing national player Stafforce Recruitment in a move which aims to expand its services and geographical reach.

Relay said its directors drove the move, looking at options to achieve its growth plans. Now they intend to take Relay’s turnover from its present £9m to £40m.

Relay’s brand, culture, branches and workforce will remain the same.

Managing director Steven Street has led Relay with co-founder, Laurence Elliott, since its inception in 1996.

He said: “Recently, we have spent a lot of time and energy looking at how to grow while continuing to add value to employers working in demanding markets.

“We decided that joining forces with a larger, better established group is the best way to preserve all that is great and distinctive about Relay, while ensuring the investment, critical mass and commitment to development needed to carry on bringing competitive advantage to our host companies.”

“Stafforce is on our wavelength. Like us, it has always placed great emphasis on ethical practice and bringing top performers to sophisticated employers who realise the benefits a superior workforce,” he added.

“Beyond that, we both offer wider business consultancy and constantly update clients about upcoming employment law, social and demographic changes – then help them manage these.”

Relay, which has bases in Leeds, Bradford and York, said employers will now benefit from direct access to various managed services that the company has only been able to provide via third parties up to now.

Ian Anderson, chief executive of Rotherham-based Stafforce, added: “Stafforce has exciting and ambitious plans for the future and I am delighted to announce that we have taken the next important step forward and Relay Recruitment is now officially part of the family.

“I am confident that our combined assets, capabilities, people and potential will form a business that will achieve great things.”