Hamill poised to launch prestige search business

14-May-2008

Recruitment entrepreneur Brian Hamill formally launches his new search business Redgrave Partners on 21 May.

Redgrave was created from Hamill's management buy-out earlier this year of search brands Imprint Search and Selection and WoodHamill, which were part of the AIM-quoted recruitment group Imprint.

Speaking exclusively to Recruiter, Hamill joked that the launch of his latest enterprise continues what has almost become a tradition for him, in launching new ventures on the cusp of an economic downturn.

"I seem to time it right on the dot," he said. "But my experience is, good companies make as much money in a bad market as in a good market." Redgrave, of which Hamill is chairman, will focus on jobs paying £100,000 and above across a variety of sectors. The candidates will typically be what Hamill calls "fast track" high achievers.

The company will initially focus on the UK market, but Hamill plans to open offices abroad in Dubai, Hong Kong, Singapore and Tokyo next year once international non-compete requirements of the MBO agreement expire. Nevertheless, Redgrave is already placing candidates abroad from the UK.

Unlike his previous business, the Imprint group, Hamill is committed to keeping Redgrave a private company and off the stock market. The twice-annual reporting requirements of a public company do not mesh well with the long-term assignments climate in the search business, he said, adding it was difficult to predict fee income when mandates can last anywhere from six to 18 months.

When operating privately, he said: "You can focus on building the business instead of on institutional requirements."

Hamill left the Imprint group, which he established in September 2001, last October. "I just thought, 'I don't want to do this any more'," he said.

Hamill's new partners are James Howells, managing director; Paul Fox, partner, commerce and industry; and Somerled Macdonald, partner, financial services. Redgrave has 50 staff in London, a figure Hamill expects to rise to 80 by the end of the year.