News: Acquisition part of Rotherham group's growth strategy

Nicholas Associates Group has completed the acquisition of Smart Temporary Solutions Limited, an established recruitment agency based in Hull.

Nicholas Associates Group is headquartered in Rotherham and the strategic move strengthens its presence in the blue-collar temporary recruitment sector and enhances its ability to deliver innovative workforce solutions to clients across the UK.

Smart Temporary Solutions has built a strong reputation for providing high-quality temporary and temporary-to-permanent staffing solutions within the blue-collar sector. Recognised for their forward-thinking approach, innovative technology, and expertise in placing skilled workers efficiently, their integration into Nicholas Associates Group will further enhance the services offered to clients.

The acquisition marks another significant milestone in a growth strategy and vision to be the UK’s market leading partner of choice for talent management solutions, from Apprentice to Boardroom, and reinforces a commitment to providing high-quality talent solutions across multiple sectors.

With a turnover exceeding £86m, brands include Apprentice Employment Agency, Graduate Career Solutions, Stafforce, Nicholas Associates, Ashley Kate HR & Finance, Main-Board, and Olano.

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Paul Smith, CEO of Nicholas Associates Group, said: “Smart Temporary Solutions has established an outstanding reputation in the blue-collar recruitment market. Their innovative approach and expertise complement our existing services, making this acquisition a natural fit. We are excited to welcome the Smart team into the Nicholas Associates Group brand family and look forward to working together to drive further success.”

David Kitney, Owner of Smart Temporary Solutions Limited, added: “After nearly five successful years building and leading Smart Temporary Solutions, I am incredibly proud of what we have achieved. It was important to me to ensure the business, our clients, and our employees would be in safe hands. Joining Nicholas Associates Group guarantees continued success under the leadership of a well-respected, national organisation. I look forward to seeing the business thrive as part of the NA Group.”

Stafforce is a key part of the group and last year opened seven new hubs across the UK.

On the move, Smith added: "This ambitious growth plan is a clear signal of our confidence in our potential to lead the market.

“With the full backing of our executive team, we are committed to driving this expansion forward, ensuring that we continue to deliver outstanding results for our clients while creating new opportunities for our employees and the communities we serve.”

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News: Rotherham recruitment firm part of new £125m recruitment and staffing solutions business

The Nicholas Associates Group, which has its headquarters in Rotherham, has joined a new partnership which is aiming to join the London Stock Exchange.

Nick Cragg, Craig Buckingham, and Roger Frost recently announced the formation of an entirely new specialist recruitment and staffing solutions company called Aristotle Partnerships.

The new enlarged group will now comprise Nicholas Associates Group [NAG], Red Rock Partnership [RRP] and Syntax Consultancy (Syntax) albeit all brands will continue to operate under their trading names and maintain their existing brand identity.

All founding entrepreneurs have a long-standing reputation in recruitment and the creation of the new company "Aristotle Partnerships" is part of a strategy to expand market share and further strengthen the offering in the temporary labour market, ports and logistics, manufacturing and IT, with the ultimate goal to seek a floatation on AIM in late 2023.

Collectively Aristotle Partnerships brands will now be able to offer apprentice and graduate placement and recruitment, blue and white collar flexible, temporary and permanent recruitment, engineering, IT, finance & HR, executive search, IT consultancy, digital learning and development consultancy, and HR management software solutions.

Nick Cragg founded Nicholas Associates Group in 1977 initially supplying site engineers to the construction industry. Through diversification, organic growth and acquisitions NAG now offers apprentice to boardroom talent management solutions for SMEs through to international corporates.

Craig Buckingham is Chairman and founder of RRP which he established in 2007, and also a member of The Leaders Council of Great Britain & Northern Ireland.

Roger Frost is managing director of Syntax and has over 35 years of success in creating great partnerships with clients in the IT sector. In 2005 he enacted an MBI to buy out the previous management team of Syntax.

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Commenting, Nick Cragg said, “The name Aristotle Partnerships was chosen as Aristotle is reputed to be the first leader to mention the phrase “The whole is greater than the sum of its parts”. Being part of a larger like-minded group of companies provides greater opportunities and security for our clients, our people and our candidates. Together we are in a unique position to create stronger indispensable partnerships. By creating a single trading company we are now ideally placed to embark on our next phase of growth.

Craig Buckingham, added, “Our businesses have been built on excellence in customer service and the formation of strong strategic partnerships. The formation of Aristotle Partnerships is an extension of this philosophy. The benefits of working closely and in partnership with like-minded business leaders and their companies’ strengthens our offering to the marketplace. It will also further enhance our service to our customers, through the creation of back up supply streams, of which we are all already seeing the benefit, and the ability to cross sell into different sectors.”

Roger Frost added “At a time when recruitment and talent retention have never been more important, we believe that being a part of a larger group that share the same values and aspirations will strengthen our business. Firstly it will create closer ties with clients as we will be able to deliver a wider range of services. Secondly it will create a more secure future in terms of growth and career prospects for our talented and hardworking colleagues.”

Reccomended reading: What Should You Know About Employee Rights in Remote Work?

The integration of Syntax and Red Rock with NAG’s existing brands that include, Apprentice Employment Agency, Stafforce, Nicholas Associates, Ashley Kate HR & Finance, Olano and NA Software, makes the consolidated trading company, Aristotle Partnerships, a £125m+ turnover organisation and means the company now operates from a network of over 33 offices and branches in all key commercial locations across the UK.

The professional advisors to the deal included Sunaxis Corporate Finance who provided advice on group structuring, business planning and organisational grooming to facilitate a successful IPO.

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News: Which Rotherham companies are the best to work for?

A number of Rotherham-based companies have been named in the UK’s "Best Companies to Work For" in 2022.

The recognised scheme, which has previously been associated with The Sunday Times, has new, quarterly League Tables that are generated when organisations survey their employees – and it's their responses, based on Best Companies' unique 8 Factor methodology – that determines how engaged their people are. This produces an index score used to rank positions on the League Tables.

LifeSkills Solutions was the highest ranked local firm. The head office is based in Rotherham with other sites in Basildon, Lowestoft, Leeds and a fifth centre opening in Sheffield this August. The company deliver Study Programme and Traineeships for over 1,000 learners per year across a wide range of vocations. The awards made it a double celebration as LifeSkills celebrated their 20th anniversary last month and have worked with over 22,000 learners since it’s formation.

It is the ninth time the company has made the list.

LifeSkills was recognised as the 26th best small company to work for in the UK, achieved a 5th place finish in the education sector category and was voted as the 10th best company to work for in Yorkshire and Humberside. A total 94% of staff agreed that the organisation is keen to help people from disadvantaged backgrounds and 90% of staff stated their manager cares for them.

Spencer Fearn, owner of LifeSkills Solutions, said: "We are absolutely delighted to be recognised in such a coveted awards yet again. As well as the national, local and sector placings it was pleasing to see us noted as the highest ranked education provider in the best small companies’ awards and recognised as an outstanding company to work for. We have a great team of people at LifeSkills who are passionate about creating brighter futures for our learners."

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The Nicholas Associates Group, which has its headquarters in Rotherham, entered the Yorkshire and Humberside list at 24. It was 43rd in the National Best Mid-Sized Companies to work for in the UK and 26th in its sector - recruitment.

Bruce Allen, Finance Director - Nicholas Associates Group, said: "Throughout the pandemic, in the most difficult of times, I was immensely proud of how we banded together and actively demonstrated incredible support, dedication and solidarity for each other and our business. Our survival and success is down to the forbearance & dedication of every single member of our team."

KP Snacks is at 41 in Yorkshire and Humberside. One of the largest snack makers in the UK is headquatered in Slough but has a significant manufacturing site at Hellaby in Rotherham. Nationally, KP ranked 19th in the Best Big Companies to work for in the UK and 2nd in the food and drink sector.

Mears Group, which has its HQ in Gloucester but a significant operation in Rotherham due to its housing contract with the council was ranked at 53 in Yorkshire, 14th nationally in the Best Big Companies to work for in the UK and 7th in the construction and engineering sector.

LifeSkills website
Nicholas Associates website
KP Snacks website
Mears website


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News: Rotherham recruiter tops £100m turnover

Nicholas Associates Group has implemented a restructuring of its Board of Directors following the recent departure of the CEO.

The move sees Lisa Gainsford, who joined the Rotherham-based company five years ago as Chief Executive Officer transfer into a new role as Strategic Development Director to further support growth plans.

In a strategic realignment of the Board, the leading talent selection company will now be led by Bruce Allen, FD who has been with the business 22 years, Tony Boorman, Managing Director of Stafforce with 20 years’ service and Paul Brammer Managing Director of Nicholas Associates who joined the business back in 2010.

Following the latest filed accounts, which report Nicholas Associates Group breaking through £100m turnover, the restructure is part of an on-going expansion plan which has seen the business set significant growth targets in terms of geographical coverage, headcount and revenue.

Nick Cragg, founder and owner said the restructure puts the company in a position to realise its expansion plans.

Mr Cragg said: “We have some ambitious plans for our Group of companies and I am a firm believer that those will not be achieved unless we have the right people in the right places.”

Tony Boorman started his career with 8 years in the Fresh Produce industry; his last role being sales and account management for major high street retailers, wholesalers, and caterers. In 1997 Tony moved into the Recruitment Sector and in 2001 joined Nicholas Associates Group. He said “I was asked to join the board in 2008 and in 2013 became the leader of the Stafforce brand. When I started working for Nicholas Associates Group, we turned over £7 million and now we turnover in excess of £100 million. I am so proud of our work family and how dedicated they are to candidates and clients, truly believing that what we do changes peoples’ lives”.

Managing Director Paul Brammer stated, “The business has been on an exciting journey over the last few years and I am privileged to be part of the next period of achieving our growth objectives, working alongside such talent right across the Group.”

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The Group is also strengthening the structure of its Stafforce brand, following the promotion of Alison Cook to Operations Director.

Headquartered in Rotherham, Stafforce has a network of branches in Grimsby, Hull, Lincoln, Liverpool, Sheffield, and Woolwich as well as onsite operations within clients that are located from the north of Scotland to the south of England.

Currently Head of the Stafforce Managed Services brand, Alison will now take much wider operational responsibilities with the long term goal of aligning the internal processes, client delivery and the candidate experiences of the Stafforce Branch Network and Managed Services brands.

Typically, a managed services client will have a high volume requirement for temporary and permanent employees, particularly during peaks in seasonal demand. In order to plan strategically, workforce planning is contracted out entirely to a Stafforce Managed Services Account Team who work in-house and deal with everything from forecasting, payroll, HR and recruitment requirements.

Alison is well placed to understand both brands having started her career at Stafforce in 2005 in the Hull branch. Over the last 16 years she has steadily progressed from being a branch manager, growing the team from 4 to 10, before her appointment as senior branch manager in 2009 responsible for multiple branches across Humberside increasing the branch overall performance by 600%. She became head of Stafforce Managed Services in 2018 as a result of her knowledge, passion for customer service and ability to increase the client base.

It is this combined experience of branch and onsite services, her performance successes and her understanding of the trends in the future labour market that have led to her promotion.

Commenting Alison said, “The UK is currently experiencing some major challenges in the labour pool. Brexit has impacted the number of migrant workers in the UK and there are likely to be redundancies in the hospitality, leisure and retail sectors. It is vital that we re-position the industries we represent so that opportunities in food, manufacturing and engineering are seen as an attractive long term career choice and attract this highly skilled talent pool. Our aim is to position our clients as employers of choice and help people to retrain or transfer skills so that our vacancies are filled with the right people.”

Alison will continue to report to Managing Director of Stafforce Tony Boorman, who also leads the Stafforce business at Board level on a day to day basis.

Commenting Tony Boorman said, “Alison has the insight and past experience to help Stafforce and Stafforce Managed Services deliver our service in a way which meets both the recruitment needs of our clients and also ensures all candidates feel valued in the workplace. Each recruitment need requires a different approach depending on the industry scenario and location. Our goal is to ensure these needs are met by having the right systems and processes in place to assess candidates quickly and easily so that employers have access to the best quality workers.”

Many household names such as Young’s Seafood, Aunt Bessies, and Quorn trust Stafforce to provide a rigorous and fully-managed recruitment process, including screening, interviewing, skills training, induction and payroll. Key sectors include food and drink, manufacturing, industrial, warehousing, logistics, contact centres, retail, and sea ports.

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News: Rotherham Hospice backed by business community

Rotherham Hospice plans to do even more over the next 20 years as leaders from the local business community are set to work as the charity strives for excellence.

The only adult hospice in Rotherham for the people of Rotherham, Rotherham Hospice is an independent charity and must raise significant sums of money each year in order to pay for the quality care provided free of charge to patients, their families and carers. The charity needs £5m a year with £2.2m needed to be raised each year through voluntary support.

Chief executive at Rotherham Hospice, Christopher Duff has raided his contacts book and pulled together a dynamic eight-strong squad. It includes Pyronix boss Julie Kenny CBE, Trevor Wragg, MD of Horbury Group, recruitment boss Nick Cragg and Vince Middleton OBE, the MD of Newburgh Engineering. They are joined by Nick Alexander, MD of Garnett Dickinson Group, Jamie Sharp, former MD of steel giant Outokumpu in Sheffield, IT boss and Sheffield Eagles chief executive John Whaling, and Darren Baker, MD of JB Doors.

Duff (pictured, far right) said: "Our primary role at the hospice is to care for the people of Rotherham when they or their families are coping with terminal illnesses, but we have to run as a business and we strive for excellence in that arena, just as other companies do.

"The hospice celebrates 20 years of excellence in care this year. These people, some of the town's most successful entrepreneurs and professionals, are pooling their experience and knowledge to help me drive it to best in class so we can do even more in the next 20 years.

"They are sharp-minded people who solve problems from a local perspective. They bring a vast amount of contacts to the table.They are incredibly busy people and I am grateful and proud that they are giving up their time and energy for the hospice."

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Nick Cragg, founder of national recruitment company Stafforce and founder and chairman of investment company Nicholas Associates Group (pictured, second left), added: "I got involved because I want to be a part of an extremely valuable organisation determined to excel on a regional and national level.

"Like many business people I find it exciting and rewarding to be associated with organisations striving to be recognised as the very best at what they do. I urge other business people to join us. Together we can pool expertise and help drive the hospice to be best in class."

The "Dream Team" has already embarked on a project to benchmark Rotherham’s hospice with three others in towns with similar demographics and economic factors. Data is being analysed to identify where improvements can be made and find a way of ensuring a greater percentage of residents can access hospice care.

Duff concludes: "Each year around 2,500 residents of the Rotherham borough die. Most would prefer to die in their home or in the hospice and we are proud to say we support over 700 in their last wish. This is a remarkably high number any hospice would be proud of and we are determined to do more. We will achieve this by building on the strong foundations we have created in the last 20 years and by forging strong links with the town's business community.

"We hope other companies will join us on the journey as we harness ideas, energy, services and money."

Rotherham Hospice website

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News: Rotherham firms flying the flag

Leading Rotherham companies are amongst the mid-market firms that are driving growth in the region, according to the Yorkshire Report 2016, published by accountancy and business advisory firm BDO LLP.

Illustrating trends in the financial performance of selected companies, the report highlights that mid-market companies in Yorkshire created 21,000 new jobs last year. Turnover was up 4% to £106.2bn compared to 6.9% the previous year but overseas turnover saw a worrying 11% drop compared to a 7.7% increase the previous year. Operating profits were up 8% to £4.8bn.

The report analyses the financial performance of the top 250 companies by turnover in the Yorkshire region. Analysis is split between the 50 largest organisations and the next 200 mid-market businesses.

Mid-market companies are driving the growth in the region with the top 200 companies vastly outperforming the largest 50 firms. Their profitability soared by 200% to £861m, based on a 10% increase to £24.4bn in turnover. The top 50 managed just a 2% increase in turnover.

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Jason Whitworth, M&A partner at BDO in Yorkshire, described the mid-market firms as "Yorkshire's unsung heroes." He added: "Whilst there are many bright spots for businesses, there's no denying we continue to face challenging and uncertain times. However, businesses should not allow this to curb their ambitions and we should all pull together to grasp today's opportunities that could deliver significant growth in the future.

"What emerges from this year's Yorkshire Report is a picture of a bustling ecosystem that is well placed to take advantage of the opportunities presented by devolution. However the challenge remains that both politicians and business leaders need to unite to ensure that those opportunities are not missed, so that the region can continue to play its part in the Northern Powerhouse."

50 of the 250 where from South Yorkshire, which had a collective operating profit of £479m.

Rotherham firms in the Top 250:

- A.E.S. Engineering Limited, the parent company of award-winning Templeborough manufacturer, AESSEAL
- AMG Superalloys UK Limited, hi-spec metals manufacturer formerly known as London & Scandinavian Metallurgical Co Limited (LSM)
- ASD Limited, leading lighting manufacturer based on Barbot Hall Industrial Estate
- Falcon Capital Investments Limited, an investor and operator of care homes with a turnover of £61.8m, registered to an address in Masbrough
- Jeld-Wen UK Limited, one of the world's leading manufacturers and distributors of windows, doors and stairs
- Maplin Electronics Limited, Manvers-based retailer whose latest yearly sales figure climbed 6.3% to £237m
- New York Bakery Company Limited, operates the largest bagel production facility in Europe, based at Swinton
- Nicholas Associates, fast-growing industrial and commercial recruiter that is aiming for a £200m turnover within five years
- Schaeffler Automotive Aftermarket (UK) Limited, based at Waleswood, the global integrated automotive and industrial supplier includes leading brand, LuK
- SVM Global Limited, Parkgate firm that is the largest reseller and distributor of corporate gift cards, E-vouchers and gift vouchers in the B2B and the corporate gifting market
- T.H.S. Tools Limited, the Templeborough-based tool wholesaler is the UK's largest buying group for independent industrial distributors

Pictured is a flag-raising ceremony to celebrate AESSEAL securing the Queen's Award for Enterprise: Innovation 2016.

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News: Stafforce's national partnership to support jobseekers back into work

Rotherham industrial and commercial recruiter Stafforce Recruitment has launched a partnership with the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to support a joint ambition to provide jobseekers with the help they need to successfully and sustainably return to the workplace.

Part of the ambitious Nicholas Associates Group, Stafforce has a head office on Percy Street in Rotherham town centre and a UK-wide network of sites, offering a range of services to national clients.

The National Framework Agreement allows Stafforce branches to partner with local Jobcentres to offer work experience opportunities to jobseeker claimants, with the aim to help them learn essential workplace skills, and to transition from benefits into work successfully.

Tony Boorman, director at Stafforce, said: "We are committed to working with the DWP to build a win-win partnership. The national agreement demonstrates our commitment to working fourfold with the DWP, JCP, Jobseekers and our portfolio of clients, with the ultimate aim of providing sustainable employment opportunities that will benefit all."

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A pilot scheme in Doncaster has already demonstrated the benefits of the initiative and tells the story of Christine, who was helped to gain a permanent administrator role following a two-week Work Experience placement with the branch. The scheme is being rolled out to all Stafforce branches across the UK, leading the way in supporting the unemployed improve their skills through work experience.

Having secured a role at Rejus Ltd, Christine said: "Taking part in the Work Experience opportunity and then moving into employment has reduced the burden of being unemployed. This is not altogether related to finances; it is great to have a good reason to get up in the morning and makes everything feel worthwhile.

"The future is really bright for me now I have plans to do further courses. This would not have happened had it not been for Jobcentre Plus and Stafforce and their endeavours to get me into the right job."

Nick Jenkins, head of continuous improvement at Stafforce, added: "The partnership with Jobcentre Plus is really working for us, an early view on Work Experience is that it has provided us with the opportunity to support Jobseekers to gain more knowledge and skills about the workplace and we have already supported other people like Christine to make the transition from benefits into work via the support of Government initiatives."

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News: Nicholas Associates Group marks launch with latest acquisition

The Rotherham-based industrial and commercial recruiter which launches this month as Nicholas Associates Group has made another acquisition as it continues to push ahead with ambitious expansion plans.

The group's vision is to become the market-leading partner of choice for talent management solutions "from apprentice through to boardroom level" and brings together Stafforce Recruitment, Nicholas Associates and Apprentice Employment Agency brands, complemented by a number of other specialist offerings.

The latest addition comes with the acquisition of Ashley Kate HR, a specialist HR recruitment company, for an undisclosed seven figure sum. The deal is supported by RBS and RBSIF, and is part of an eight figure refinancing that will underpin the continued expansion and diversification of the group.

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Ashley Kate HR is regarded as one of the pre-eminent HR brands across Yorkshire and the Midlands and has delivered in excess of 35% growth in revenue and profits in the last three years, expanding the consultancy team to over 30. The group said that the acquisition is a strategic diversification of existing brands.

Lisa Gainsford, CEO at Nicholas Associates Group, said: "The acquisition of Ashley Kate HR is an essential step in diversifying our group into specialist HR recruitment. The company has an exceptionally strong brand and online social media presence, robust financial performance and a niche specialism that complements our other professional arms of Engineering, Finance and Executive recruitment. We are delighted the Vendors have given our Group the opportunity to take their business to the next level."

The Vendors of Ashley Kate HR, added: "Since its inception in 2001, Ashley Kate HR has been a recruiter of choice for HR professionals. After 15 years of running the business as an independent recruitment consultancy we made the decision to find a new home for the company that would offer growth whilst maintaining quality of service; the personal, professional and honest service that the HR professionals we have worked with have come to expect.

"We are delighted that Ashley Kate HR has now become part of the Nicholas Associates Group, a company whose values, ethos and reputation are firmly aligned with those of Ashley Kate HR's. We are confident that the investment, not just financial, from the new owners will ensure the company continues to go from strength to strength."

Paul Mann and Mae Salem from Squire Patton Boggs in Leeds advised Nicholas Associates. Advising the Vendors were Springboard Corporate Finance. DSW TS Leeds provided due diligence for the Group and RBS.

Stuart Watson, director of the corporate transactions team at Royal Bank of Scotland, said: "We are confident this acquisition will be a profitable decision and is fundamental to Nicholas Associates strategy of diversifying into higher margin sectors."

Headquartered in Rotherham town centre, the company now has 16 branches and 24 onsite operations stretching from the north of Scotland to the south coast of England. In 2014 the company recorded sales of £66m and is forecasting to grow that to £81m in 2015, with similar growth rates predicted for subsequent years. The aim is to achieve a £200m turnover within five years.

As part of the ambitious five-year growth strategy, a far-reaching restructure of its senior management team was carried out earlier this year. Established in 1977 by local entrepreneur, Nick Cragg, the growth strategy also includes preparations for longer term succession.

A deal was concluded at the end of 2015 for XL Graduate Placement, a Newcastle based company providing temporary and permanent graduate recruitment services for an undisclosed sum.

Stafforce website
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News: Stafforce to launch as Nicholas Associates Group

Rotherham industrial and commercial recruiter Stafforce Recruitment has appointed Lisa Gainsford as CEO as it heads towards a £200m turnover within five years.

Since joining the business in April 2015 in an interim role, Gainsford has worked with the executive team to formulate a strategic growth plan. This will see the launch of The Nicholas Associates Group in January 2016. The new strategy is set to reveal a vision for the firm which "breaks away from the traditional recruitment mould and offers talent management solutions from apprentice through to boardroom level."

The Nicholas Associates Group's vision is to become the market-leading partner of choice for talent management solutions. The group will bring together Stafforce Recruitment, Nicholas Associates and Apprentice Employment Agency brands, complemented by a number of other specialist offerings including graduate placement, consultancy and software. It will offer candidates an experienced partner for their entire career journey and clients, a holistic solution for candidate attraction, development and retention across every area of their business.

On taking her new role, Gainsford (pictured) said: "I was bowled over by the ethics of the company and the people in it, who are talented, committed and passionate. The opportunity to join the Group as CEO and lead the Company on this journey will be challenging but immensely rewarding."

Nick Cragg, founder and group executive chairman of Nicholas Associates Group, added: "It became clear very early on that Lisa was the right person to lead the change. She has an excellent pedigree and reputation in the industry. Under her stewardship, along with the rest of the executive team, I'm confident we are in safe but very dynamic hands."

The group has recently acquired XL Graduate Placement, a Newcastle based company providing temporary and permanent graduate recruitment services for an undisclosed sum.

XL Graduate Placement has delivered incredible growth achieving a seven-figure revenue stream since its inception in 2011 and boasts a growing number of SME and FTSE clients across the UK. The vendors will remain as consultants and believe that becoming part of the Nicholas Associates Group will "turbo charge XL's growth plans."

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On the deal, which was brokered by Squire Patton Boggs and Benchmark Corporate, Gainsford said: "We are very excited about XL joining our Group and it demonstrates our commitment to empowering young people and supporting their career journey from the start. It fits perfectly with our Apprentice Employment Agency and our software business, which, through its All Together platform enables almost 50% of the UK's 16-18 year olds to access work experience placements as well as supporting a number universities in managing student work placements."

Headquartered in Rotherham town centre, the company now has 17 branches and 24 onsite operations stretching from the north of Scotland to the south coast of England. In 2014 the company recorded sales of £66m and is forecasting to grow that to £81m in 2015, with similar growth rates predicted for subsequent years. The aim is to achieve a £200m turnover within five years.

As part of the ambitious five-year growth strategy, a far-reaching restructure of its senior management team was carried out earlier this year. Established in 1977 by local entrepreneur, Nick Cragg, the growth strategy also includes preparations for longer term succession.

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News: New director at Rotherham Hospice

Rotherham Hospice has appointed Perter Bradley as director of marketing and fundraising, a job which comes with the task of doubling the charity's fundraising income over the next three years.

The only adult hospice in Rotherham for the people of Rotherham, Rotherham Hospice is an independent charity and must raise significant sums of money each year in order to pay for the quality care provided free of charge to patients, their families and carers.

The hospice was looking to strengthen its leadership team and approached Sheffield-based Nicholas Associates, as one of the region's leading recruiters with a dedicated CSR offering, to find the right solution for this newly created position. The pro-bono collaboration resulted in the appointment of Peter Bradley, who brings more than a decade of experience and innovative fundraising success to Rotherham Hospice.

Peter Bradley, director of marketing and fundraising at Rotherham Hospice (pictured, centre), said: "I'm delighted to be joining the passionate team at Rotherham Hospice. There are 162,000 registered charities in the UK. Each and every one of them is a good cause, so it's very competitive out there. I'm looking forward to using my experience to support future plans to grow and extend the services that the Hospice provides."

Attracting the right talent to help the Hospice achieve its fundraising goals is key. The Hospice is now looking to recruit a community fundraiser to help raise its profile in the local community, as well as a corporate fundraiser to build its profile with local businesses and extend its corporate network.

Chris Duff, CEO at Rotherham Hospice (pictured, left), said: "Nicholas Associates opened up different avenues for Rotherham Hospice and the team worked extremely hard to reach out to suitable people. Nicholas Associates has brought strong professional involvement and we have also benefited because the recruitment activity has helped put the Hospice on people’s radars."

Paul Brammer, director of Nicholas Associates (pictured, right), added: "There is a growing realisation that businesses are not divorced from the communities they operate in. As a "people" business Nicholas Associates supports the local communities in which it operates and we're delighted to have been able to help Rotherham Hospice in developing its leadership capabilities to support its future fundraising success."

Nicholas Associates is part of the the successful Rotherham business, Stafforce Recruitment, the industrial and commercial recruiter that is heading towards a £200m turnover within the next five years.

Rotherham Hospice website
Nicholas Associates website

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