Randstad chief executive Fred van der Tang told Recruiter's Annual Forum that if the Vedior acquisition is agreed the joint company will control 8% of the global recruitment market.

Speaking to recruiters from around the world, van der Tang said he would be able to "reveal all" in about a month about the e3.3bn (£2.6bn) deal to buy Vedior, which controls a 4% share in the market like Randstad.

He said despite the ageing population in Europe over the next 40 years, there is the potential for recruiters to tap into an additional pool of 56 million people, who will be retiring unless recruiters get involved in "shaping the world of work". Van der Tang said that a decision over who would manage a joint company would not be rushed.

The Dutch recruitment firm's proposed offer for rival Vedior was given the seal of approval by its shareholders at an extraordinary general meeting on 23 April, giving the go-ahead to create the second biggest recruitment company in the world in terms of revenue after Swiss giant Adecco.

The offer will be made unconditional should two thirds of Vedior shares be purchased before the 9 May providing any acceptance period is not lengthened.

Randstad shareholders approved the offer last week but Vedior shareholders have yet to announce their decision.

Vedior executive board members Greg Netland and Brian Wilkinson have been appointed to Randstad's executive board. Vedior supervisory board members Beverley Hodson and Henri Giscard d'Estaing join Randstad's supervisory board.