Bluestones Investment Group, a UK-based specialist investment group that focuses on the recruitment sector, announced the successful acquisitions of Australasian Recruitment Company (ARC) and Home Recruitment.

Financial details were not disclosed.

ARC, headquartered in London, specialises in the placement of candidates travelling to the UK from Australia and New Zealand into a variety of white-collar, remote, and office support roles. It was founded in 2003 by Jeremy Nicholls and Samantha Webster.

Operating out of Auckland, New Zealand, Home specialises in assisting returning talent from overseas in securing permanent positions and exploring new opportunities within the country. It was established in New Zealand in 2015 by Webster and Minta Holton.

As part of the acquisition, Jeremy Nicholls and Samantha Webster will be exiting the businesses in Q1 2024. Bluestones Investment Group said it is committed to working closely with the remaining senior leadership team to support their next phase of strategic growth.

The Bluestones Group operate a number of recruitment brands operating in five staffing segments: education, generalist, healthcare, professional and technical.

Bluestones said the acquisitions of ARC and Home mark a significant milestone for the group, expanding the company’s reach internationally and reinforcing its commitment to engaging in strategically aligned investment opportunities in its chosen sectors.

“These acquisitions compliment the group’s balanced portfolio, allowing the company to continue tapping into diverse markets and offer specialised services tailored to the unique needs of each region,” the company stated.

Steven Pendergast, Bluestones Group’s CEO, said, "We are thrilled to welcome ARC and Home into the Bluestones Group. These acquisitions align seamlessly with our vision of becoming a global leader in the recruitment and staffing industry. We believe that the combined strengths of these businesses will not only benefit our clients and candidates but will also contribute significantly to our overall growth strategy."

The acquisitions were spearheaded by Trish Stratford, Divisional CEO. She said, “Both ARC and Home exemplify our ideal acquisition targets - innovative firms expanding our reach, driven by visionary leaders, a shared culture driven by exceptional service and opportunities to create value for world-class clients and candidates across critical geographies."

Supporting on the acquisition and sale of both businesses, Bluestones Investment Group was advised by RSM, with corporate finance advice provided to the shareholders of ARC and Home by Ryecroft Glenton Corporate Finance. UK law firm Irwin Mitchell's corporate team, led by partner Vicky Zivkovic, provided legal advice to Bluestones Investment Group on the deal.