The Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC) has appointed executive search specialist Harrison Winterburn to find its new chief executive, a fortnight after telling Recruiter it would be using internal resources to fill the role.

The position was also readvertised, despite the REC telling Recruiter it would not be, in The Daily Telegraph last Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday — at the trade association's expense.

The job specification is the same as the previous advert, which appeared in The Sunday Times in September, the REC said.

The advertisement asks for candidates who can demonstrate proven senior management experience, exceptional leadership, organisational and communication skills.

It also asks for strong commercial and political awareness and enthusiasm for the service sector. Along with experience of local and national government, business development and recruitment industry procedures.

Harrison Winterburn's managing director, David Winterburn, explained to Recruiter: "The board decided to readvertise the position because it's such a critical role, and to ensure the process was fair and that it was going down the right lines."

Winterburn used to be on the REC board but stepped down last year to focus on his business commitments. He said his appointment presents no conflict of interests; he was chosen because he knows what is wanted, but admitted that the role comes with "pressure".

Chair of the REC board and managing director of A+A Recruitment, Angela Masters, told Recruiter: "David is very involved with the REC, so if we had gone with anyone else we would have had to educate them about the type of person we are looking for."

Masters admits that selecting a recruiter known to the board may upset some members. "They elect us to run and plan the REC movements, but the decision was made after we talked to board members. It was the right thing to do. Our members will know David and will know it's in safe hands," she said.

The REC interviewed more than 20 candidates following the first recruitment drive.