BNB Recruitment Solutions, owner of the Norman Broadbent and Barkers recruitment advertising businesses, has appointed Pascal Gueissaz as interim chief executive.

In January last year, executive chairman Simon Grinstead had to take leave of absence because of ill health. Initially, his responsibilities were taken up by other members of the board, including finance director Paul Turner. Roderick MacLeod was appointed non-executive chairman.

Grinstead is still expected to return to the company, say sources, and Gueissaz has not been appointed to the main board of BNB.

MacLeod said: "We are delighted that Pascal has agreed to act as interim chief executive officer. He has made a significant contribution to the development of the Apollo group of businesses, which he founded and which became part of BNB in April 2004."

BNB recently admitted that Norman Broadbent's 2006 profit had been hit by investing in consultants who were "not yet fully productive". Its Outsourced Solutions business has increased its net fee income "considerably", but significant investment in new contracts and business development staff had affected profitability.