Swindon-based independent specialist staffing firm Outsource UK announced that it has acquired RZ Group, a UK-based specialist recruitment firm.

RZ Group, previously known as Recruitment Zone, specialises in filling vacancies within the finance, technology, oil and gas and engineering sectors. The company has offices in Bolt and Edinburgh.

The company was founded in 1998 by directors Andy Barton, David Bedford and Lisa Kwiecinska. Following the sale, Barton and Bedford will leave with immediate effect.

“We are delighted to announce our new acquisition and look forward to exploiting the mutual benefits of bringing the two organisations together,” Nick Dettmar, CEO of Outsource UK said:“We share a lot of common traits with both organisations being contract-heavy providers of technology and change professionals into similar sectors."

Outsource added that it had spotted a cultural and market alignment between the two businesses, and an opportunity for Outsource UK to gain a Scottish presence.

Barton commented, “Outsource are an excellent business. It was clear from our initial meeting that they were a very strong match for us. The newly enlarged business offers huge opportunities for the future, with significantly more client offerings, a wider geographical spread and lots of development opportunities for the staff.”

Outsource UK was founded in 1996 by Paul Jameson. The company specialises in placing temporary and permanent talent with employers operating in technology, change and engineering. This acquisition will see the company move to operate out of seven locations nationwide and increase headcount to well over 100.

Advising Outsource UK on the purchase was Gambit Corporate Finance while legal advice was provided by Clark Holt. Advising RZ on the sale was Optima Corporate Finance and legal advice was provided by Harper Macleod LLP.

Metrics for the transaction were not disclosed.