An ambitious recruitment business is primed for its next phase of growth after
appointing serial entrepreneur Mark Mills as its chairman.
Workforce People Solutions, which is based in Bolton, employs 40 staff and turns
over £10m a year.
It is led by chief executive Simon Hayton, who completed a management buyout of
the business in 2016 in a deal worth £13m.
Workforce recruits highly-skilled labour for blue-chip and SME clients in sectors
including healthcare, furniture and textiles, hospitality and leisure, automotive,
transport and general engineering.
Through its Recruit, Relocate and Retain business model, Workforce places
candidates from across Britain and Europe in UK industries which are suffering from
severe skills shortages, initially on temporary contracts, with many leading to
permanent roles.
Simon, who has more than 20 years’ experience in the recruitment industry, aims to
double the size of the business over the next three years.
Mark was the founder and chief executive of Cardpoint, which he grew to £100m of
revenues before selling the business for £170m in 2006
Since then he has worked with several North West companies, guiding them through
various stages of growth.
They include Mini-Cam, which was sold to listed technology business Halma,
Velocity Composites, Healthcare Communications (UK), which was bought by IMI
Mobile, Tactical Solutions (UK), and Garside and Laycock Group, which was sold to
SPIE Group.
Simon said: “I am delighted to welcome Mark as our chairman. His track record of
working with dynamic businesses as they look to scale is second to none.
“His strategic advice and support, and his ability to spot opportunities, will be of great
benefit as we push ahead towards our ambitious growth targets.”
Mark said: “As soon as I met with Simon and he talked me through the business
model, I was hooked. Workforce is doing something very worthwhile by providing a
vital solution to many sectors which are suffering from skills shortages and are
literally crying out for its services.
“It’s a fantastic company which is adding real value to a range of top UK clients and I
am extremely excited to be working with Simon and his team as we look to scale the
business.”
