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MD Mark Bull and HR director Jason Silk spoke to DeeDee Doke about the construction recruiter's future international and UK ambitions
When a highly charismatic leader leaves a company after many years, observers often wonder how the business left behind will carry on. Can it thrive 'under new management'? Can it even survive?
Construction recruitment firm Hill McGlynn found itself under a pall when founder and executive chairman Stephen Hill died suddenly last June. Hill, well-known and widely admired throughout the recruitment industry, had instilled an "inspirational spirit", as his colleagues described it, in the growing business. What would happen next?
It has continued to grow, thrive and prosper "tremendously", says Hill McGlynn managing director Mark Bull. In fact, Bull says, "2007 was our best year ever. Everyone picked up the mantle and ran with it. We're growing at a rate of well over 20% per annum. We continue to move forward."
Over the last 12 months, Hill McGlynn has opened a second Middle East office, this time in Abu Dhabi, an office in Glasgow and the first of what Bull expects will be three offices in Canada. Internationally speaking, Hong Kong and Singapore are queueing up on the company's agenda for new branches. Later this year, the existing Dubai business will need bigger offices.
Expanding operations in the UK requires the company to move its Southampton head office from its picturesque marina location to larger quarters. Expansion means moves also for the company's UK branches in Bristol, London and Newcastle later this year and early next. Even the recently opened Glasgow operation needs "a larger set-up", the MD says. Bull further has his eye on launching a new office in England's "far East", perhaps in Cambridge.
The company also launched a new, individually-branded business, Invenio Executive Search & Selection, to recruit for senior roles in construction and property.
In terms of staffing, Bull expects to add "another 30 to 40" to his company's 398 employees this year.
"The bulk of Hill McGlynn is still very much UK-centric, and that is probably still where I will plan to spend 70% of my time," Bull says. "It's been very internationally focused so far this year, but that's because we've been getting things off the ground....