PE-Backed Talent Group Appoints CEO
September 10, 2021 – IT-focused recruiting firm Talent Group has appointed industry veteran Matthew J. Ripaldi as chief executive officer. The appointment comes on the heels of a recently completed rebrand to better reflect the company’s identity as a full suite recruitment services provider poised for continued growth. Michael Babb, managing partner of Osceola Capital, which invested in Talent Group in 2018, said: “We are very pleased with our partnership with Talent Group and their continued success depends on the value they provide to clients. As they continue to develop as a highly valued strategic business partner we are thrilled to work with Matthew, an industry executive whose comprehensive experience will further build their business.” Mr. Babb said the rebrand reflects management’s vision “as they deliver an unparalleled level of excellence across their global organization.”
Formed in 2018 by the combination of two IT recruiting firms, Talent Group today manages a network of specialized delivery teams that offer a full suite of recruitment services for the IT, life sciences, engineering, and finance and accounting sectors. Headquartered in Houston, the company operates from four main hubs and five satellite offices in the U.S., and has a global delivery center in Hyderabad, India. Talent Group serves start-ups to large enterprise Fortune 500 companies.
Mr. Ripaldi has over 20 years of experience within the IT staffing and solutions industry. Prior to joining Talent Group, he was CEO of professional placement firm Simon + James Group. Before that, he was executive vice president of IT and professional staffing firm Collabera Inc., and served in senior leadership positions with The Adecco Group and its related companies for 18 years, most recently as senior vice president of Modis.
“As we continue to grow and build trust with the clients, consultants and candidates we serve, our enhanced brand identity better represents the full range of our staffing solutions that help our clients identify and hire the best talent that adds immediate value to any organization,” said Mr. Ripaldi. “Our updated digital presence brings greater relevance to our industry and also accentuates the evolution of our company as we continue to experience a period of enhanced growth.”
Investing In Search Firms
Osceola Capital is a Tampa, FL-based private equity firm that invests in lower middle-market services companies, typically with EBITDA of $2 million to $10 million. Osceola has extensive experience partnering with management teams to execute buy-and-build strategies and drive long-term value creation.
In 2018, Osceola Capital acquired Deegit Inc. and Mercom Group to form Talent Group. “We are believers in the ongoing growth and transformation of the technology-based economy, which requires growing numbers of skilled technical personnel,” said Mr. Babb. “Talent Group is well-positioned to benefit from and ultimately facilitate that trend.”
“PE’s recognition of the all-important role that human capital plays in making portfolio companies successful is a major reason why PE investors have become increasingly interested in recruiting firms and staffing companies as an investment,” said Scott A. Scanlon, co-founder and CEO of Hunt Scanlon Media and leader of the company’s M&A ventures platform. Hunt Scanlon Ventures is actively engaged with firms from across the talent management sector seeking merger partners, growth capital, or direct private equity investment.
Private equity firms see talent as a key lever in their investments. “Talent drives value,” said Mr. Scanlon. “And, so, PE already understands the value of search and staffing firms. They are now buying into the tremendous growth runway that we see ahead.”
Related: Hunt Scanlon Media Launches M&A Advisory Service for Recruiters
Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief; Dale M. Zupsansky, Managing Editor; and Stephen Sawicki, Managing Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
