Mergers and acquisitions expert joins the team

Neil McManus has joined Specialist People Services (SPS) as group M&A director.

The recruitment services group includes Driver Hire Nationwide, Driver Hire Training, Driver Hire Australia and Driver Hire eServices in its portfolio.

SPS focuses on the provision of recruitment services to regulated, hard-to-serve sectors. In 2013 it acquired specialist rail services labour provider, ISS Labour, one of the UK’s leading providers of specialist labour for the overhead electrification of Britain’s rail network.

Neil is a key appointment in SPS’s strategy to further grow and diversify the group through increases in organic revenue and strategic acquisitions. Before joining SPS, Neil worked for Victoria Plum, the online bathroom retailer. Prior to that, he had ten year’s experience in corporate finance, including seven at KPMG. He’s also worked for Barclays Capital in the City.

His role at SPS will see him work closely with chief executive Chris Chidley as the group seeks to identify and acquire complementary businesses in niche recruitment and business support services both in the UK and overseas.

Commenting on his appointment Neil said: “SPS is a unique company with a clear proposition and the ambition to drive future growth. I’m excited by the prospect of using my experience in M&A to play a part in building SPS into a truly formidable business.”

Chris Chidley added: “Thanks to our financial strength, along with the continued backing of our equity partners, LDC, and our lenders, we are well-placed to make further strategic acquisitions as and when we identify them. With his experience of leading acquisitions, from origination to completion and integration, Neil is the perfect person to work with me as we seek to acquire businesses which will add value to the SPS group. We’ve carved out an enviable position in the market. Neil’s appointment further strengthens our senior team and will help us continue to deliver both organic and acquisitive growth in the future.”

Picture: (L to R) Neil McManus and Chris Chidley.