Bristol specialist recruitment agency Heat aims to double in size within two years after being acquired by one of the UK’s leading suppliers of temporary staff.
Cardiff-headquartered Smart Solutions Group said the deal came at “an exciting time for both businesses”, allowing them to combine skills and resources and expand further across the UK.
Smart Solutions, which has a turnover of £100m-plus, said by extending Heat’s services under its ownership, its 50-strong team could double in size in the next two years.
Heat Recruitment was launched in Bristol in 2005 by managing director Steve Preston, pictured, right, with Smart Solutions CEO Rob Webb, to supply talented permanent and contract staff to firms in the professional services and digital sectors.
has since grown to become one of the South West’s leading specialist recruitment companies and also has an office in Manchester.
Smart Solutions Group was founded in 2007 with a single branch in Pontypool and has grown into a major player in the temporary recruitment industry, supplying outsourced labour across the UK and Europe.
It now has four UK branches – in Cardiff, Swansea, West Bromwich and Leeds – as well as an office in Warsaw.
Heat Recruitment will continue to operate under its own brand and name as a separate entity, servicing all its existing clients and individuals, with the corporate backing of Smart Solutions.
As well as a “significant investment”, Heat Recruitment will also benefit from additional support, experience and knowledge from across the Smart Solutions Group – including access to Smart Solutions’ operations and back-office team – a move the firms said would enable it to enhance its existing mission and vision.
Heat Recruitment CEO Steve Preston said: “This strategic move marks a significant milestone in our journey.
“The integration of Heat Recruitment not only strengthens our position in the market but also opens up new avenues of opportunity for both professional development and business expansion.
“We believe that this collaboration will not only enhance our capabilities but also foster a dynamic environment for innovation and success.”
He said the diverse skills and expertise brought together by the move would drive the firms’ collective achievements to new heights.
“I am truly excited about the prospects that lie ahead,” he added. “This venture has set the stage for a robust and thriving organisation, and we look forward to continuing this journey together. We are poised for a future filled with growth, prosperity and continued excellence.”
Smart Solutions CEO Rob Webb said Heat’s acquisition presented a fantastic opportunity to diversify the group’s portfolio and accelerate its services into a period of sustainable growth.
“What initially interested us in conversations with Heat Recruitment was their specialism in professional services, and it is essential that we retain the brand, identity, and expertise offered by the company,” he added.
The integration of our companies allows for a collaborative pool of resources by coupling the professional services offered by Heat and utilising the expansive back-office functions within the Smart Solutions Group.
“This move gives Heat Recruitment the platform to be able to take 18 years’ worth of diligence to the next level with the corporate backing of a £100m-plus turnover group of companies.
“It also allows for the geographical expansion of the Smart Solutions Group with offices based in both Bristol and Manchester, coupled with a heavy corporate presence across UK cities such as London.
“The integration of our companies into a wider family is part of a strategic vision that goes beyond financial investments and focuses on the development of our people and its services.”
Financial details of the acquisition have not been disclosed.
