The REC is neither London-centric nor focused solely on big recruitment companies - and the selection of a "little man from Belfast" to chair the REC's board proves those points, said Gary Irvine, the newly-elected REC board chairman.

Chosen to succeed outgoing chairman Richard Barfield, Irvine is managing partner of the Diamond Recruitment Group, which has 10 locations in Northern Ireland and 70 staff. Barfield, who recently stepped down as chief executive from the Spring Group for family reasons, cited the same reason for leaving the REC chair's post. However, he will remain on the 19-strong board.

Irvine told Recruiter that he and his fellow board members want to come closer together and strengthen all of the UK regions, and that his selection, as the head of a small-to-medium sized enterprise, should demonstrate to REC members that SMEs are highly valued with much to contribute. "They'll take great heart from that, that a little man from Belfast and from a much smaller organisation than some of the largest recruitment companies, can be elected chairman of the REC," Irvine says.

Also high on Irvine's list of priorities is ensuring the REC's professional credibility - "that we are taken seriously by our own membership, that they really value membership and believe we stand for something. I'm very keen to look at brand awareness", he says.

Irvine is committed to seeking status as a Chartered Body for the REC, a process that trade body chief executive Marcia Roberts predicts could take three to five years. However, to become a Chartered Body chartered status, REC officials acknowledge that the organisation's credibility for upholding the highest professional standards will be on the line.

"I don't think the Privy Council will take us seriously unless we do," Irvine says, in reference to the secretariat that works day-to-day with Chartered Bodies.

In assuming the reins from Barfield, Irvine praised his predecessor for doing "a superb job". Barfield promised to continue to contribute "as much as I can" to the REC board.