Westaff UK is today enjoying private ownership following the acquisition of 100% of its shareholding (for an undisclosed sum), on 31 March by David Mogford, its UK managing director.

Under the terms of the management buy-out, Mogford takes personal ownership of the UK division and its 22 branches nationwide, which will now sit within the newly formed, Fortis Recruitment Group Ltd. Westaff UK Ltd previously formed part of Westaff Inc, the publicly listed group (WSTF) based out of Walnut Creek California which has extensive offices across the US, Australia and New Zealand.

Westaff Inc. was originally founded by W Robert Stover in 1948. It became a public company in 1996, with over 20,000 clients worldwide. Mogford has headed the UK operation for the past two years further to relocation within the group, following a successful career with the company in Australia.

Liz Robinson and Ian Cornes will be joining Mogford on the Fortis Recruitment Group Ltd Board. The Westaff UK Ltd Board remains unchanged. As part of its go-forward strategy the Fortis Recruitment Group Ltd has secured additional funding to facilitate acquisitive activity to complement its operation and build growth for the future.

Mogford praised the strength of his team in taking the company forward under its new management:

"It is clearly a tremendously exciting time for the business and we are now looking to focus our energies on the development of our customer service proposition and realising our strategic vision. As a team, Westaff UK Ltd has some of the ‘best in the business,’ – all bound by a common passion for excellence and success. We’ll be seeing some significant initiatives launched over the next two to five years in line with market shift, changing needs of employers and potential expansion of our own business".

Westaff UK Ltd has a strong reputation in the provision of staffing resources nationwide. It specializes in the supply of temporary and permanent workers across administration, accountancy, contact centre, technical and support services.