North East specialist recruitment firm sees “rapid expansion” alongside job creation

An increase in overseas instructions and investment within STEM industries has supported North East based executive placement firm Populus Select to grow its revenue by 20 per cent and create three new jobs.

Populus Select, which matches professionals, executives, and CEOs to organisations in the sustainable technology, engineering and manufacturing sectors worldwide, had a record year as it grew its overseas operations.

Populus Select continues to benefit from a “competitive jobs market”, both at home and abroad. It has already achieved record sales during the first quarter of 2022 with its turnover in the year to April 50 per cent higher than 2020, and nearly one-third more than the same period in 2021.

Exports, which accounts for around 40 per cent of the business, have also seen a significant increase with clients in the UAE, USA, Papua New Guinea and Europe using Populus Select’s services to source candidates for senior roles and open new operations.

Sim Hall, managing director at Populus Select, said: “I am delighted that Populus continues to go from strength-to-strength.

“We are lucky to be well-positioned to benefit from the rapid expansion of high-tech science industries across the world, driven by the need for alternative energy sources and innovations within life sciences, as well as a rebalance of workforces driven by the global pandemic.

Populus Select’s increased workload is allowing it to invest in new team members, with Kashmira Kotecha joining the company as an associate researcher. She holds a master’s degree in chemical engineering and will use her knowledge to source experts within the field and support original client research.

In addition, a new head of life sciences position, responsible for driving the development of Populus Select’s presence within the sectors, has been created, with a consultant role also currently available.

Sim concluded: “I’m delighted that our continued success is supporting the creation of further roles within Populus as we continue to grow our roster of clients and instructions.

“Since being established in 2007, we have cemented a reputation for helping niche businesses to find high calibre leaders and experienced professionals that can help support businesses to grow.”