Leading UK headhunter HW Global Talent Partner has hired a new finance director as it targets rapid growth both organically and through strategic acquisitions.
Rob Pettican has joined as Group FD accountable for the company’s finances, in a new position created to support the planned expansion of the group.
Rob qualified as a chartered accountant with KPMG, where he gained exposure to a broad range of clients including large PLCs, high profile sports teams and private equity backed businesses across a range of sectors including manufacturing, pharmaceutical, tourism and retail.
He also brings significant M&A experience, having worked on a number of cross-border deals on both the buy and sell side in the UK, USA, Central Europe and the Middle East.
In a busy period for recruitment, HW have also announced the appointment of new Principal Researchers Mike Langford, Anna Sharrott and Harry Spetch, and Customer Relationship Managers Laura Rushton and Marketa Simova.
Meanwhile Principal Researcher Jake Slater has joined the Interim practice from the Executive Search division to support its Consumer clients.
CEO Spencer Jinks said: “In an excellent year for HW Global which has seen revenues grow by more than 30 per cent, it has been equally busy on the internal recruitment front. We are delighted to welcome Rob to the board, in a key appointment to support our growth plans.
“Following the acquisition of UK digital recruitment agency Zebra People in May, we are currently involved in discussions with other potential M&A targets and Rob’s extensive experience in cross-border deals on both the buy and sell side will be invaluable.
“He joins Mike, Anna, Harry, Laura and Marketa, who bring a wide range of experience in executive search and financial services, as new members of our fast growing team at such an exciting time for us.”
HW Global, which has a £20m turnover and employs 50 staff based in London, Leeds and Manchester, currently operates on an exclusive and retained basis in the £120K+ search market, also placing interims on daily rates from £700 to £2,000.
The Zebra People acquisition has enabled HW Global to offer a comprehensive digital talent service to its clients, with HW Global appointing senior digital leaders and the Zebra People team building the critical capability that sits underneath.
HW Global’s medium term business strategy envisages substantial growth by acquiring leading human capital organisations operating in its key market sectors of consumer and financial services, at the tier below executive level.
Other potential acquisition targets include recruitment agencies specialising in finance, HR, technology and professional interim.
