Peace Recruitment pushes into London and overseas

An Edinburgh-based recruiter has announced 'ambitious' expansion plans, extending to offer placements in London and international markets on the back of increased demand and appointing a manager for these markets.

Managing dierctor Chris Peace said the market is 'booming'. Picture: Colin Hattersley

Peace Recruitment, which covers the construction, engineering and property sectors, said it now generates a multi-million-pound turnover and as well as extending south of the Border intends to be the “construction and engineering recruitment company of choice in Scotland over the next three years”.

Founder and managing director Chris Peace said the expansion outside Scotland comes “as the market is booming currently, and increasingly more of our clients are asking us to assist them in London and abroad”.

He added that the aim for the firm is to “not only make it the construction and engineering recruitment company of choice in Scotland, but also compete in the London and international markets.

“We plan to expand our London and international team to at least five consultants over the next three years.”

The organisation said it launched as a “one-man band” in 2009 and has grown to 14 consultants, and has chosen Kenan Beverton to manage its expansion.

Beverton, formerly a director with Balmoral Global Resourcing, will join as manager for the London and international business.

He said: “I intend to capitalise on Peace Recruitment’s current client agreements, developing these relationships further into the London and International markets.

“My intention is to deliver senior-level staff to market leaders initially within the London region and to build a new recruitment delivery team.”

The construction sector is one that has faced a serious skills shortage, and Peace said in October last year that firms needed to rethink their recruitment process to avoid the skills headache persisting.

He said at the time: “We are advising clients to consider investing in graduates now, up-skill existing staff members or bring in more experienced industry professionals.”

Earlier this year an offshoot of Peace Recruitment said it was set to build its revenue to £1.8 million, marking year-on-year growth of 50 per cent, and generate more jobs. Peace Recruitment Trades and Labour, which was set up in 2012, said it had grown to more than 6,000 registered contractors, with its growth backed by a £500,000 invoice finance facility from Ultimate Finance in Scotland.