One of the most high profile figures in Birminghamís professional services sector, Richard Boot, has joined two senior recruitment consultants, formerly with KPMG, in founding their own executive search and selection consultancy targeting the cream of UK company bosses.
Richard, who together with Stephen Bryan and Bernard Grant, have launched Active Human Capital, is looking to grow the business quickly ñ adding to their team of high calibre consultants and acquiring other high level consultancies.
Richard said: ìOur blue chip clients include a number of leading plcs - which has given us a flying start. However, our business plan targets rapid growth and we are firmly on the acquisition trail as well as looking to attract more of the right people into the company.î
Active Human Capital, which has offices in Birmingham and London, delivers recruitment and assessment services at executive and board level, including non-executives, focusing on high-achievers with salaries of 75,000 and above.
Richard, a shareholder and chairman of the new company, is a national council member of the Institute of Directors and was a key player in growing the IoD in Birmingham.
He is also a regional chairman of Coutts & Co private bank, a director of Europackaging Group and of Ryland Group, and a former partner in KPMG consulting and corporate finance units.
Stephen, who is managing director of Active Human Capital, and Bernard, who is a director, both held senior positions until recently with KPMG. Stephen was Director, KPMG Search & Selection, while Bernard was a principal consultant there for more than 10 years.
When the global audit, tax and advisory group closed its executive recruitment operations in March this year, they saw it as an opportunity not a blow.
Stephen said: ìKPMGís decision was a strategic one. Recruitment consultancy did not fit with its strategy so it withdrew from the market.
ìIt means that Active Human Capital has that rare but valuable combination ñ it is driven by the energy and ambition of a new company but has 30 years experience behind it. We are new maturity on the block.î
As well as identifying and placing ëhigh-fliersí in the corporate finance and professional service sectors, and in consumer and industrial markets, the company provides consultancy on board competency and effectiveness, and management performance.
A number of issues currently high on the executive recruitment agenda include security of employment, availability of the right talent and assessment of competence.
Stephen said: ìAs organisations need to change in response to todayís challenging market conditions, you have to be able to assess your team and recruit the very best people to help your business stay ahead.
ìIt is the people in your company that is the essence of the differentiation between you and your competitors, which is where Active Human Capital comes in. Our assistance allows companies to ensure they employ the best staff available and retain their most exceptional star performers.î
Active Human capital hits acquisition trial as business gets a flying start
Richard Boot, has joined two senior recruitment consultants, formerly with KPMG, in founding their own executive search and selection consultancy targeting the cream of UK company bosses
