Gi Group UK announces appointment of new managing director

Following the acquisition of Encore Personnel, an established and thriving Midlands and North recruitment agency established in 2002, of which Mr Taylor was managing director, Gi Group has now successfully completed the merger of the two businesses.

Mr Taylor will now step into the role of Gi Group Staffing UK & Ireland managing director, succeeding Paul Smith who dedicated almost two decades of his career to growing and cementing Gi Group’s presence across the country.

Like Mr Smith, Mr Taylor is an industry veteran who has spent 26 years working in the recruitment sector —the last 17 of which involved building Encore into the dynamic company that Gi acquired at the end of 2022.

Mr Taylor, who is known for his impressive track record in managing and uniting teams to achieve the very best of their potential, said: “I’m honoured to be taking the baton, as it were, from Paul, who has demonstrated in the short time we have worked together how investment in and dedication to the people of Gi Group is the key to success in this very important role.

“Having steered the Encore ship through some of the choppiest waters in our history, during the pandemic and its aftermath, I feel prepared for, whilst also incredibly humbled, to be taking on the responsibility of the position of MD for our now much larger, united business, which has the combined potential to change thousands of lives for the better.

“Gi Group is one of the most respected and forward-thinking HR and recruitment businesses in the world and I know that with the added talent, passion, diverse skill sets and experience of Encore’s consultants, we are now truly a force to be reckoned with. Our mission is simple: to help candidates find fulfilling and rewarding work, while supporting our customers to grow their businesses through, always evolving industry-leading recruitment and HR strategies and practices.

“The future is bright for Gi Group and I’m delighted to be playing a key role in mapping out the next chapter for an ambitious, bold and pioneering business with much potential to drive impactful change and innovation in the labour market.”

Gi Group operates more than 26 branches and 60 sites across the UK, including at Mansfield I Centre, Hamilton Way, employing 650 people nationally.

Paulo Canoa, Gi Group UK country manager, said: “This is a time of great change and great opportunity for our award-winning business.

“We wish Paul the very best and thank him for his 18 years’ service, having been with us from the very start and being instrumental in the development of the business from a small independent recruiter to where it is now, the second largest country in Gi Group globally.

“I am delighted to announce Paul will be succeeded by Pete, who is experienced in both branch and site delivery models and comes with a wealth of experience in recruitment across multiple disciplines.

“This will be an exciting new chapter for Gi UK, and the whole business joins me in wishing Pete every success in his new role.”