Catch 22 targets FM recruitment growth opportunities

Facilities Management recruitment specialists Catch 22 has announced a new management structure to implement its plans for future growth.

The senior team – spearheaded by chief executive officer Simon Aspinall and national operations director Scott Linnen – has also been bolstered by a significant investment in the agency.

Entrepreneur Gary Dewhurst, whose expertise is in the recruitment sector, has taken a 50 percent stake in the business after recognising the opportunities for strategic growth which the pair have identified. Meanwhile, former managing director Vince Parker, one of Catch 22’s original founders, has relinquished his role in the business but will continue to advise the team.

The Leeds-headquartered business, which also has offices in London and Manchester, currently supplies high quality temporary and permanent staff to a wide range of organisations – including more than 20 of the UK’s top 50 facilities management service providers.

As part of its ambitious plans, it is seeking to expand its nationwide reach by further developing the business outside its core areas of the South East, North West, Midlands, and Yorkshire.
Catch 22 also intends to grow its share of the technical recruitment market – providing more ‘hard services’ roles, such as those in the building maintenance, heating, air conditioning, electrical, and mechanical sectors.

Simon Aspinall said: “We have identified a number of opportunities within the FM & Workplace sector and I’m confident that, by developing these, Catch 22 can enjoy a period of extended growth.
“I’d also like to highlight the contribution being made by Gary Dewhurst. His investment is crucial to our future plans, but he also has a proven track record in founding and growing a number of successful niche recruitment businesses.”

Gary recently left his role as part-time CEO of gap Personnel Group after selling his remaining shares in the Wrexham-headquartered company, having sold a 75% stake in 2017 to Japanese-listed recruiter BeNEXT – allowing him to devote more time to invest in his portfolio of 10 companies.
Catch 22 was founded in London in 1982 and quickly developed an enviable reputation for its ability to supply high quality temporary and permanent staff across a range of roles in the Facilities Management and Workplace sector.

Scott Linnen added: “Catch 22 has traditionally excelled in providing ‘soft services’ across the support, office and executive functions of the FM sector but we intend to now grow our share of the technical market which we have identified as an area for significant growth.
“We would also like to thank Vince Parker for his many contributions that have transformed Catch 22 into the nationwide success it is today and wish him well in his future ventures.”