International recruiter Hays has appointed Nigel Heap as UK & Ireland managing director.

He moves from the role of managing director for the Asia Pacific region at Hays, and replaces Royston Hoggarth in his new role. Hoggarth had been UK & Ireland managing director for just over a year and a half.

Heap has been with Hays for nearly 25 years, the last 15 of which were spent within the group’s Asia-Pacific business, which is now its largest profit contributor.

Heap remains a member of the group’s management board and continues to report to chief executive Alistair Cox.

As part of the shake-up, Nick Deligiannis will take over as managing director, Australia & New Zealand. Christine Wright is appointed as operations director, Asia, responsible for the day-to-day operational management of business in China, Hong Kong, Japan and Singapore.