1 Nov 08 New buyer enters Australian recruitment market with Westaff acquisition

A new private equity-backed company has entered the Australian and New Zealand recruitment industry with the acquisition of the local operations of specialist blue-collar recruitment company Westaff.

Humanis Group, which signed an agreement to buy Westaff's Australia and NZ business for $US15 million ($A19m) this week, is a new entity put together by a group of experienced investment banking, finance and recruitment executives with the aim of acquiring medium to large vertically-focused recruitment companies.

The Westaff deal is its first acquisition.

Humanis was put together by Melbourne accountant and corporate advisory specialist Vito Interlandi, experienced investment banker Angus Mason and long-term IT consulting and recruitment executive Jeff Jones.

Mason told Shortlist this week that Humanis could see opportunity to enhance human resource services and the way they are delivered. Humanis’ long-term aim is to consolidate a number of non-competing "iconic, vertically-focused recruitment brands.

He said Humanis would be looking for companies which, like Westaff, held a strong market franchise with good management focused on one clear vertical market.

These businesses would be left separate to focus on their markets, although Humanis would ultimately provide some back office, cross-marketing and other centralised business services.

Under that deal, Humanis will pay $US13.3 million up front and a further US $2.5 million in the form of a deferred payment promissory note one year after closing.

The sale is expected to settle early next month.

Mason confirmed that Westaff would retain its branding and that Westaff's long-term managing director, Nigel Haworth would continue to run the company and will become the CEO of the Humanis Group.

Sale completes Westaff international retreat. The sale of the Australian and New Zealand business completes Westaff 's divestment of its international operations.

It follows a management buy-out of the company's British operations in March, led by UK managing director David Mogford.

Westaff CEO and chairman Michael Willis said the Australian sale completed the company's divestment of its "non-core international operations" and would allow it to "sharpen its focus on the strength of its United States operations".

19 Sep 08 Australia’s Most Popular Recruiters Recognised
2008 SEEK Annual Recruitment Award Winners Announced

Australia’s recruitment industry celebrated in style last night, as the jobseekers' favourites were honoured at the SEEK Annual Recruitment Awards (SARAs).

The 2008 SARAs, supported by the RCSA and now in their 6th year, were presented at an exclusive cocktail event in Sydney where the value the recruitment industry provides to both clients and candidates was publicly acknowledged.

Based on the votes of jobseekers, Westaff walked away with the award for Best Medium Generalist Recruiter

SEEK Sales and Service Director Joe Powell said that since launching in 2003, the SARAs have evolved from a popular choice award to a highly desired form of recognition within the recruitment industry:

“The jobseeking public and recruitment industry have well and truly embraced the SARAs with another record breaking number of votes received this year. Recruiters who deliver superior customer service deserve to be rewarded and the SARAs have helped set a benchmark in this area.”

“In a highly competitive employment market, points of difference are not only important to profits and attracting new business but crucial to attracting candidates who are increasingly putting greater value on personal service.”

Following a successful partnership in 2007, Pricewaterhouse Coopers was again part of the SARAs audit process, performing an independent vote count to verify the SARA winners and runners up.

What Voters had to say about Westaff . . .

“Westaff provides honest up to date answers. They consistently follow up and have never neglected calls for assistance.”

“Good company that works hard to help not only clients but job hunters as well.”

“Westaff deliver a personalised service. They care about their candidates and the follow up I have had with them is excellent. I am always in the know about any roles that may be surfacing!”

“I have personally worked for many different agencies throughout the years and have found Westaff to be the most professional and understanding agency. Some agencies treat you like a number. Westaff has always been there for me and I have recommended them highly to friends and family. They add the human part to human resources.”

“Westaff managed to coordinate all of my temporary assignments so that I was virtually always working, never leaving me more than a day or two with out work. Their fantastic staff always made sure I was happy with the workplaces I was sent to and always answered any of my questions promptly. I recommend them to everyone I can!”

15 Sep 08 Westaff named “Best Employer” for the third consecutive time

Hewitt Associates study ranks Westaff among the Best Employers across Australia and New Zealand.

The 7th annual Best Employers in Australia and New Zealand study honoured Westaff as one of the Best Employers out of all participating organisations across the region. Conducted by Hewitt in association with the Australian Graduate School of Management (AGSM), the study is the region’s largest research project on employee opinion and market practice and examines people management practices in leading organisations.

Westaff employees enjoy a long list of benefits which have contributed to their status as a Best Employer, these include:

• paid maternity and paternity leave;
• paid grandparents leave;
• five weeks annual leave for employees who have completed three years continuous employment with Westaff;
• Study assistance along with extensive internal development programs;
• Employee Assistance Program;
• Intern program which assists university and tertiary students wishing to gain corporate work experience whilst balancing their studies.

“People are at the heart of what we do,” said Nigel Haworth, Westaff’s Managing Director. "Westaff takes great pride in creating a positive work environment for its own employees, as well as for its external workforce. We are passionate about continually striving to take our organisation to new levels, and being recognised publicly as a Best Employer, three years running is a great accomplishment.

According to the study, employees within Best Employer organisations perceive an increase in the quality of their leadership; see their leaders as being more open and honest; and believe their company delivers on its promises.

About Westaff

Westaff provides recruitment and HR services for businesses in global markets. Westaff annually employs approximately 150,000 people and services more than 15,000 client accounts from more than 230 offices located throughout the United States, Australia and New Zealand.For more information, please visit our website at www.westaff.com.au