Wales-based recruitment firm Hoop Recruitment has transitioned to employee ownership, reports Insider Media.

Hoop Recruitment has offices in Cardiff and Swansea and employs about 40 members of staff. It specialises in recruiting for the nursing, social care, social work, education, HR and professional services sectors. Founded in 2016, the firm offers recruitment solutions at all levels throughout Wales and the Southwest.

Founders Paul Lewis and Hywel Roberts feel that the employee ownership trust (EOT) model is critical for the future success of the business.

“My co-founder, Hywel Roberts, and I started the business with a clear mission - to create a recruitment agency that genuinely puts people first, breaking away from the industry’s sometimes challenging reputation,” Lewis said. “Since then, we’ve grown steadily, and this year, we reached a significant milestone by transitioning to an EOT. This change has given our team a real stake in the future of Hoop and aligning with our commitment to building a business based on trust, collaboration, and long-term thinking.”

There are no plans for the co-founders to leave the business, with Paul Lewis remaining as the CEO and Hywel Roberts as the COO, and both will remain on the company board.

Acuity provided legal advice to Hoop Recruitment on its EOT transition, with BPU advising on its valuation.