One of the UK’s leading recruitment agencies, Newport-based Acorn has launched its new senior executive search division, in response to the increasing demand it has been experiencing from businesses not only in Wales but also across the UK.

The company has appointed senior recruitment specialist Paul Bennett to head up the new division. Paul has 25 years’ experience in the senior recruitment market, including 10 years running his own successful business.

Paul said: “For many years Acorn has been an industry leader in many areas of recruitment including specialist areas like IT and digital, engineering and commercial; this new division will develop our business further as we support clients with their senior appointments across a range of leadership and management functions.

“It was a fantastic opportunity to be invited to join the team at Acorn, a business I have admired for many years. Acorn is one of Wales’ leading businesses and is a recognised authority in the recruitment sector not just across the UK but also globally - it is therefore the perfect place for me to join to help set up this ambitious new division.

“From my point of view, I know that there is a pool of extremely employable senior people out there who have grown out of their current employment and are ready for a new challenge, it is these people that I’m particularly keen to connect with over the coming months.

“As well as tapping into this talent already existing within Wales, we’re hoping to target people who have either lived or worked here and are now plying their trade elsewhere. Wales has changed a lot in the last few years and we’re keen to emphasise this, hopefully attracting Welsh business talent back over the Severn Bridge.”

The Senior Executive Search Division will be based in Acorn’s head office in Newport, primarily focusing on Wales, the South West and the M4 corridor. However, with assignments already being worked on UK-wide, Acorn is expecting to increase its team significantly over the next two to three years.

The new division will also be working closely with its Acorn Global arm, which was launched in 2013, helping to place senior professionals internationally.