HW Global has today announced a further acquisition in the digital recruitment market after securing a majority shareholding in Osmii.
The London-based development, cloud and digital recruitment specialist, which was founded by Xavier Osipczak and Neil Mitchell in 2011, places senior talent into disruptive start-ups, major software players and game-changing brands on a permanent, contract and interim basis.
Osmii also supports clients with advisory services, market intelligence and entity set up. Operating globally, its client base includes India-headquartered Wipro, Germany based T-Systems, US based DellEMC, with Unilever, BT and Lloyds Bank among its UK customers.
The deal follows HW Global’s acquisition of Zebra People, which specialises in hiring digital product teams, in 2019. Also London-based, Zebra was launched in 2001 by Nick Cochrane and recruits up to director level for permanent and contract roles including user experience and product design, full stack developers, product managers and delivery/project managers.
It takes the HW Global group, which also includes fast growing mid-market talent provider HW People launched last year, to £30m turnover with offices in London, Leeds and Manchester.
HW Global’s Executive Search and Interim divisions operate on an exclusive and retained basis in the £120K+ search market, also placing interims on daily rates from £700 to £2,000.
They will continue to appoint the senior leaders in their key markets – Financial Services, Consumer and Business Services, with Osmii, Zebra People and HW People building the critical capability that sits beneath.
CEO Spencer Jinks said: “Osmii is an exceptional business and fits perfectly within the HW Global group. Alongside Zebra People, Osmii will enable us to provide even greater support to our clients in the fast-moving digital and technology sectors that have quickly become a cornerstone of the global economy.
“Forming this strategic partnership is another key component in our growth strategy, offering clients end-to-end talent solution on a global basis in targeted sectors of high growth, transformation and demand.”
The strategic partnership will facilitate mutual growth for both businesses, with HW Global forecasting a group EBITDA in 2022 of £3.7m, which will include the results of Osmii.
Neil Mitchell, Director of Osmii, added: “Working closely with HW Global provides a springboard to further scale our business both in UK and international markets. We have built a strong reputation in the industry, which we can enhance further through this partnership, combining our capabilities with the expertise and global reach that exists in HW Global.”
Advising HW Global on the acquisition of Osmii was Newcastle-based RG Corporate Finance (RGCF) led by Partner and Head of Corporate Finance, Carl Swansbury, supported by CF Manager Connor McBride and CF Executive Ben Kain.
Financial and tax due diligence was undertaken by RG Partner Grahame Maughan and Director Jon Routledge. Legal advice to HW Global was provided by Philip Ashworth, Corporate Partner at Andrew Jackson Solicitors LLP, who was supported by Nicole Waldron.
Osmii received legal advice from Chris Coates, Corporate Partner at Clintons.
Carl Swansbury, Partner and Head of Corporate Finance at RGCF, said: “Since RGCF was engaged by HW Global in 2020 we have worked incredibly closely with its directors to identify businesses that would deliver upon its ambitions to enter new markets and increase market share. The digital sector is a fast-growing industry which requires expert staffing solutions and the combination of Zebra People and Osmii within the HW Global group will be of real benefit to the market, along with existing clients and candidates alike.”
Philip Ashworth, Corporate Partner at Andrew Jackson Solicitors LLP, added: “HW Global is an exciting and dynamic business with ambitious growth plans. It has been a pleasure to support and guide the business through its latest acquisition.”