Eximius co-founder Ed Stevens is to return the world of recruitment with the launch of a new professional services recruitment agency this autumn.

Stevens revealed his next move to Recruiter following today’s announcement of a management buyout (MBO) and sale of Eximius teams by himself and co-founder Nick Stevens.

The energy, finance and legal staffing specialist’s financial services and legal recruitment teams, based in London and Hong Kong, underwent an MBO. Eximius’ energy team was sold to energy recruiter AVA Energy for an undisclosed sum. Nick and Ed Stevens founded Eximius back in January 2008.

Nick Harrington, previously managing director of Eximius’ financial and legal teams, led the MBO and will now serve as Eximius chief executive, while Nick and Ed Stevens retain non-executive director roles at Eximius.

But Ed Stevens told Recruiter he will return to the world of recruitment in a more hands-on capacity through the launch of a professional staffing specialist agency in September after taking the summer off to spend with his family.

Commenting further on today’s announcement, Ed Stevens described the deals as a real “win-win” for everybody involved. 

“The Eximius management team, who have been very loyal for a long period of time and who are of exceptionally high quality, have a great opportunity to progress their careers – both in terms of taking more ownership in operationally running the organisation and also in terms of mid to long-term wealth creation. This offers an opportunity to become a serious shareholder in the group.

“It also offers an opportunity for myself and Nick Stevens to realise fair value for our shareholding,” he added.

It is unclear what the future plans are for Nick Stevens.

Fladgate provided legal advice to Nick and Ed Stevens, led by corporate partner Ian Brent, who specialises in the sale of recruitment businesses. Baker & Mackenzie advised AVA Energy, while Michael Harte of Bartholomew Gold advised Harrington and the MBO team.

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