Private equity firms 'playing bigger role in recruitment'

Private equity firms are taking a more significant role in the recruitment process of the businesses they back, according to executive recruitment experts.

Private equity firms are taking a more significant role in the recruitment process of the businesses they back, according to executive recruitment experts.

Executive search and selection company the Hitchenor Wakeford Group has noted that private equity backers are placing emphasis on the recruitment process to ensure their businesses weather the economic climate.

Commenting on the issue, Adrian Hitchenor, chief executive officer of Hitchenor Wakeford, said: "There has been a dramatic increase in the number of private equity firms getting involved in the recruitment process. Private equity firms that have backed companies in the region are increasingly reviewing the management teams they have backed."

He added that many are adding extra management to their companies or altering responsibilities within the existing management team.

"With such large sums of money at stake it makes commercial sense for them to take a proactive position during the recruitment process as it is these appointments that will generate their return on investment," he concluded.