Swindon recruitment firm Outsource UK has made its fourth acquisition in as many years by taking over a business specialising in providing high-level engineering staff to the defence and engineering sectors.
The addition of PA Recruit makes it the third Manchester firm to be snapped up by Outsource. Its former owner Peter Ainsworth and his team have transferred to Outsource’s office in the city and new staff have already been recruited to strengthen its offering.
Outsource, launched by chief executive Paul Jameson, pictured, in 1991, now employs 70 people and this year has a projected turnover of £45m, making it one of the UK’s largest independent IT and engineering staffing businesses. 
It works with across the UK and Europe, supplying contract, permanent and interim staff for IT, financial services, engineering and defence firms.
As well as its Swindon and Manchester offices it also has a base in Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire.
Mr Jameson said further acquisitions were on the cards as the firm looks for further growth in its key sectors.
The company has been included in a number of fastest-growing company lists including Recruiter magazine’s Fast 50 and the Sunday Times’ Virgin Fast Track league table. It was recently named by the London Stock Exchange as one of the top 1,000 businesses to inspire Britain.
He said: “We are really pleased to be able to bring PA Recruit into the Outsource fold. This move complements Outsource’s existing customer base and provides us with new opportunities for growth. Outsource is a well-respected and expert supplier of IT and engineering contract and permanent staff and we are certain that PA Recruit’s candidates and clients will see real benefits from being part of a larger group.”
Peter Ainsworth added: “The team at Outsource have years of experience in IT and engineering recruitment and are true specialists in their field.
“I know that our clients will really benefit from the breadth of skills this now gives us. It is also great for us to be part of a much bigger company with all the benefits this brings in terms of structure and support. We’ve already seen the addition of an extra resource to help service some of our larger valued customers.”
Financial details of the PA Recruit deal have not been disclosed.
