Vedior is pleased to announce that Select Appointments PLC, its traditional staffing brand, has acquired an 80% interest in Calibre Recruitment Ltd, trading as Calibre International (“Calibre” or “the Company”), a leading hospitality staffing specialist in the UK.

Calibre specialises in the supply of temporary and contract personnel, mainly to the London market. The Company provides all categories of catering staff from restaurant managers and chefs to kitchen porters as well as hotel support staff for housekeeping, cleaning and front of house duties.

The hospitality industry is probably the world’s fastest-growing, job-creating profession. According to research published in March 2007 by the purchasing consortium, Beacon, recruitment is the biggest single problem facing the UK hospitality industry today, Among 2,000 hotels, clubs, pubs and restaurants surveyed, 78% reported they were struggling to fill vacancies. The likelihood is for these skill shortages to become even more acute in the lead up to the London Olympics in 2012.

The acquisition of Calibre complements the Group’s existing Select Hospitality brand in the UK which focuses solely on permanent placement within the hospitality sector.

Zach Miles, Vedior’s Chief Executive said, “Calibre has an excellent reputation within the hospitality sector and a strong client base. In a market with increasing demand, we look forward to helping them to develop their business by leveraging from Vedior’s global resources.”

Originally founded in 1987, Calibre achieved (audited) annual sales of £8.2 million (€12.1 million) up to 28 February 2007.
Calibre’s existing management team will continue to develop the Company and the outstanding 20% interest will remain with management.