International recruitment firm Hays announced the appointment of Simon Winfield as Managing Director of the Hays UK & Ireland business, effective 1 July 2018.

Winfield moves into the role from his most recent position as Managing Director for Hays in both the South West and Wales region and Ireland.

Winfield brings more than 25 years’ experience in recruitment to the position. He began his career with Hays in Australia in 2006 with responsibility for the technical recruitment specialisms in Western Australia, and in 2011 was appointed Senior Regional Director for all specialisms in Western Australia/Northern Territory and joined the operational board for Hays Australia and New Zealand. Simon returned to the UK in 2014.

With responsibility for the leadership and development of the UK & Ireland business, Simon will report to Nigel Heap, who will continue to hold responsibility for the Hays UK&I, EMEA and ANZ businesses on the Hays management board.

Nigel Heap, Regional Managing Director commented, “I am delighted to announce Simon Winfield’s appointment as UK & Ireland Managing Director, he has an exceptional track record, having overseen some of our most successful businesses in the UK and Australia. Simon's role will be crucial in reinforcing our market leadership, growing our UK and Ireland businesses and developing our people to ensure we remain in a position to adapt our business to the fast-evolving world we live in.”

Winfield also commented, “We operate in a fast moving and exciting time for the recruitment industry. I am excited to be taking on this position leading our UK and Ireland businesses to take advantage of the opportunities presented by new technology, new markets and a diverse and evolving world of work. We have a very experienced team that has led Hays to outperform the market over recent years, and I look forward to continuing to work with my colleagues across the UK and Ireland to further strengthen our position as market leader.”