Glasgow-based recruitment firm, Search Consultancy, announced that it has appointed Richard Vickers as CEO with effect from 23 September 2019.

Vickers has worked for Page Group in both the UK and the US & Canada, most recently as Regional Managing Director, North America since 2012.

He replaces longstanding CEO, Grahame Caswell who will be retiring in September 2019.

Caswell has been with the group since leading its first management buy-out in 2000. He led the investment from H2 Equity Partners in May 2017, and has presided over growth in Search Consultancy to over £200 million turnover with 800 staff across 16 offices nationwide.

Grahame is a veteran of the staffing industry going back to 1978. He started his first business, Xpert Recruitment, in 1981, which was sold to Kelly Services in 1991. In the same year, Grahame was appointed UK Managing Director for Kelly Services.

After a short hand-over period Caswell will continue to remain involved with the business as a shareholder and non-executive board member.

“This is the right moment for me to step away from the business, and I believe the time to welcome a new CEO who will be here longer term to drive and grow this business from the great position it is in today. I truly believe we have found that person in Richard Vickers,” Caswell said.

“I am delighted to be joining the Search Group at an incredibly exciting time for everyone in the recruitment industry. What most attracted me to the role was the chance to build upon great foundations and take the group to the next level of success,” Vickers said.

Search Consultancy most recently acquired Henderson Scott, a specialist provider of executive search and recruitment solutions in technology.