Greythorn hoped to be a 'global player'

4-Oct-2006

Graham Palfery-Smith wants to make Greythorn a "genuine global player" by 2009, with a turnover of £200m.

Palfery-Smith, who completed the purchase of IT specialist Greythorn last month, told Recruiter: that he would look to grow the company by acquisition "over the next few months", and he was particularly looking at the creative and telecoms sectors.

Global chief executive Palfery-Smith's buyout of Greythorn was backed by private equity house Englefield Capital, although Palfery-Smith declined to reveal how much he had paid for the company.

"We need to think globally but act locally," said Palfery-Smith, "but there's no reason why we can't be a £200m-plus business in three years' time." The company turned over £60m last year.

"The company is also a fantastic springboard to the Asian market which will allow us to build and identify new business."

Greythorn was established in London in 1976 and also has offices in Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra and Seattle. Its UK headcount is 34.

Palfery-Smith has a long history in recruitment. He was the former chief executive of HW Group - now Hudson - and also held senior positions at Badenoch & Clark and Robert Walters.