SCOTTISH-BASED Change Recruitment has expanded its construction department with appointed a new senior construction specialist and five new experienced consultants.

Andrew Stephen has been appointed director of construction, property and infrastructure, bringing more than 20 years’ industry experience to head up the division.

He joined Change having previously led Search Consultancy, one of the largest construction recruitment businesses in Scotland.

He has already generated significant interest with a number of organisations looking for help to secure top talent.

Andrew has appointed five new consultants to join him and the existing team at Change Recruitment, including Michael Waugh, Emmet West, Damian Carney, Antonia Gardner and David Lockett, who all bring further construction recruitment experience.

The growth of the construction division is the first major investment by Change made possible by the formation of the Taranata Group.

Change was acquired last year by entrepreneur Paul Atkinson, who launched the Taranata Group, a group of four companies comprising Change Recruitment, Head Resourcing, Head Medical and Atkinson MacLeod.

Mark McFall, managing director at Change Recruitment said: “Andrew’s appointment marks the next step in our ambitious plans for future growth.

“We are aiming to achieve significant presence in the construction sector and build a substantial business that will help clients and candidates in this vitally important area of the economy.

“Construction and property recruitment is a huge potential market for us in Scotland, the UK and internationally.

“It offers a client base that we largely don’t serve currently.

“There’s also an opportunity to cross-sell talent into the sector from our other finance and accountancy, marketing and IT divisions.”

Plans are in place to further grow the construction team headcount during 2018 to support the delivery of a total recruitment solution for the construction industry across all roles, from general labourer to construction director.

Change is aiming to target all areas of the construction market, including civil engineers, house builders and main contractors.

Based in Glasgow and Edinburgh, Change Recruitment is a leading provider of financial services, accounting, business services and IT recruitment, both in the UK and internationally, operating from offices in Edinburgh and Glasgow.

With over 45 years of experince in the recruitment industry, the company’s areas of expertise include: accountancy and finance, energy and infrastructure, investment management and asset servicing, IT, digital and business change, professional services and risk and compliance.

The Taranata Group is headquartered in Scotland, has a total workforce of almost 150 people and a turnover of £65 million.