Yorkshire businessman Andy Taylor has purchased Bolton-based firm Matthews Harris, which specialises in senior executive recruitment, for an undisclosed sum.
Andy Taylor, supported by his wife Gill Taylor – owner and managing director of the successful Aqumen Recruitment Group Ltd – has acquired Matthews Harris from husband and wife team Andrew and Jacqueline Harris who plan to emigrate to New Zealand following the deal.
Andy Taylor has operated at both executive and director level within a number of northern businesses and has many years of experience in the recruitment of senior and executive staff. Gill meanwhile has worked in all fields of recruitment for nearly twenty years and set up the northern-based Aqumen Recruitment Group Ltd seven years ago.
Two Harrogate-based solicitors acted for the parties: Neil Large at commercial specialist Davidson Webber represented Andrew Taylor while Simon Morris from Raworth’s handled Matthews Harris.
Andrew Taylor commented: “Having amassed a wealth of expertise in the field of recruitment we were keen to acquire a successful company with an established and positive reputation. The Matthews Harris team has developed a strong business and we are looking forward to taking it to the next level.
“Successful recruitment businesses need to be ruthless about the quality of the candidates they introduce to clients, whilst ensuring that the candidate experience is also positive. The mission of every effective recruiter should be to add measurable value to the companies it works with and Matthews Harris fits this profile.
“The synergies between the two businesses are phenomenal and wholly complementary both in terms of market segmentation and geography; the fit is almost perfect. This acquisition creates fantastic opportunities to offer a more comprehensive range of services to an already large client base. The opportunities for profitable growth are excellent! The Matthews Harris Consulting brand is strong and well thought of by the market. We expect both the Matthews Harris Consulting brand and its Bolton location to remain intact for the foreseeable future.”
Neil Large, corporate partner at Davidson Webber LLP, added: “Andrew Taylor and his wife Gill have a first class pedigree in the recruitment market and undoubtedly have the skills, abilities, drive and ambition to build on the Mathew Harris’ success to date.
“The deal was particularly challenging as paperwork that is usually addressed after completion had to be finalised before also requiring the legal documentation to be structured accordingly. The transaction is a great example of local firms collaborating, which we are keen to continue as we develop.”
