Search Firms In Europe Continue to Make Acquisitions
June 12, 2017 – Belgian-based search firm Pauwels Consulting has acquired healthcare and life sciences recruiters Vandycke & Partners and its sister company Mediconsult. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed. The combined firm now has more than 490 employees in the fields of life sciences, engineering and IT.
For more than 27 years, Vandycke & Partners has provided executive search and recruitment services for the healthcare and life sciences industry in Belgium. Mediconsult, meanwhile, specializes in clinical research outsourcing. Michel Vandycke, founder and CEO of Vandycke & Partners and Mediconsult, says the two companies will operate autonomously within the Pauwels Consulting group.
Complimentary Services
“When I was looking for a suitable takeover candidate, Pauwels Consulting immediately got my attention,” said Mr. Vandycke. “We instantly had a personal click and our services are perfectly complementary. I am convinced this acquisition will ensure new dynamics, which will be positive for all parties involved.”
Mr. Pauwels echoed that response. “Vandycke & Partners is a valued party with regard to executive search and Mediconsult is strong in the field of clinical research outsourcing,” he said. “These services are perfectly complementary to our own services in the field of project sourcing, recruitment and selection.”
With the acquisition, Pauwels Consulting adds 70 colleagues to the team. “This acquisition is perfectly fitting with regard to our growth strategy,” said Mr. Pauwels. “Since our cooperation with 3D Investments last year, we explicitly focus our attention on strategic acquisitions to provide services to our clients which cover many more areas than before.”
“Moreover, this acquisition offers new opportunities for our employees,” he said. “At Pauwels Consulting, we devote great attention to knowledge-sharing and we are always eager to offer our consultants the very best career opportunities. This cooperation will undoubtedly result in new opportunities, which will be profitable for our clients and employees.”
Acquisitions Across Europe
What started as a wave in M&A activity among executive search firms throughout Europe before Brexit has turned into something like a tsunami lately. Here’s a look at some recent acquisitions among search firms across Europe from the Hunt Scanlon Media archives:
Hydrogen Group recently acquired Argyll Scott for £3.3 million. Together, the combined firms will deliver recruitment services across multiple functions, industries and countries. The acquisition allows Hydrogen to accelerate international growth plans and benefit from greater strength and depth in the London market.
Walter James acquired Euromedica Executive Search Limited. The acquisition positions the firm offer an end-to-end specialist service across the entire life sciences value chain. Euromedica has always focused exclusively on the life sciences sector, with more than 3,500 senior placements across the globe.
4c Executive Search acquired MSL Search & Selection in Northern Ireland. The acquisition was the next stage in 4c’s growth strategy. Originating in London in 1955, MSL has been synonymous with executive recruitment in the U.K. and Ireland for half a century. The firm provides executive recruitment services to an extensive portfolio of private, public and third sector organizations.
Legal executive search firm Piper Pritchard acquired executive recruiters Helix Associates. The combined business will offer a seamless fee earner recruitment service to law firm clients across the U.K. It will provide non-legal professionals across all functions, and interim legal and non-legal professionals to support its clients’ evolving demands.
Argyll Scott acquired REED’s business entities in Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur and Singapore. “By bringing these companies into the Argyll Scott fold, our enlarged business will immediately attain a market leading position in our hub offices in Hong Kong and Singapore,” said CEO John Hunter.
Hanover Search Group acquired Opus Executive Search of Los Angeles, which now operates under Antony Pitt as U.S. managing director. Opus has experience in the U.S. wealth management sector and will operate from both the East and West coasts. The newly merged operation will benefit from Mr. Pitt’s knowledge within the wealth management market.
Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief; Dale M. Zupsansky, Managing Editor; Stephen Sawicki, Managing Editor; and Chase Barbe, Managing Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
