From 1 January, Nick Kirk (below) becomes the company’s new CEO and joins PageGroup’s board, succeeding Steve Ingham (above), who held the role of CEO for 17 years.

Kirk was identified and appointed as CEO in October after “a thorough and rigorous selection process, led by the Nomination Committee of the Board”, a company statement said.

The statement said Kirk had “exceptional experience of the group and the sector”. He joined as a consultant in 1995 in Michael Page Sales in the UK. He was promoted to lead that discipline in 2007. In 2009, he transferred across to Page Personnel with a brief to transform the operating model. He was subsequently promoted to regional managing director in 2013 and took on the additional responsibility of Michael Page Finance. In 2018, he became UK MD and delivered significant progress in the area of diversity, equality & inclusion. In January 2021, in addition to running all UK operations, Kirk became responsible for the group’s North American business.

Angela Seymour-Jackson, chair, commented: “Nick has been critical to the success of the group to date, having a proven track record of leading the business in key markets such as the UK and North America. Nick’s extensive understanding of the company and its culture will ensure PageGroup continues on its successful growth trajectory.

“Steve Ingham has been an exceptional and inspirational CEO over the last 17 years. He will be missed by employees, candidates and clients alike. Under Steve's leadership since becoming CEO in 2006, the Group has tripled its headcount and gross profit, with operations now in 37 countries. The board, along with his many friends at PageGroup, wish him the very best, not least in respect of his endeavours to raise the profile, and progression, of disability rights in the workplace.”

PageGroup has also announced the appointment of Babak Fouladi, who will join the Board as an independent non-executive director on 10 April 2023.

The company also announces that Patrick De Smedt, senior independent director, does not intend to seek re-election to the board at the company’s Annual General Meeting to be held in 2023, having served on the board for seven years.

The company will announce in due course who will take over the role as senior independent director when De Smedt steps down.

Fouladi will be a member of the Audit, Nomination and Remuneration Committees.

Babak is currently chief technology & digital officer and member of the Board of Management at Koninklijke KPN NV. Before this, he held a number of senior technology positions in the telecoms sector.