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BY MICHELLE DRYBURGH

Acorn Global Recruitment has officially launched its new name, Synaco–

a hybrid of the company’s UK origins and global partnership with Synergie.The multi-award winning group delivers local and international recruitment from over 600 branches across the globe. It is instrumental in placing more than 6500 people into temporary assignments for up to 1000 companies across the world every week.Also delivering training to more than 1000 individuals each month, Acorn posted a record turnover of-$200 million last financial year.As founder and managing director Matt Southall explains, it hasn’t always been this way. The business started out relatively small in the UK in 1992, but quickly expanded with the addition of new branches, acquisitions and award wins.“I started in the recruitment industry in 1985 when it was very much a young emerging market in the UK, fast moving, ever changing and enjoying high margins,” Matt recalls.“The opportunity to earn big bonuses and help

people find work was both exciting and satisfying. I also enjoyed the chance to build relationships with clients while servicing their ongoing needs, something totally different to my previous job selling capital equipment.”Partnering with global recruiter Synergie in 2007, Acorn was launched into the international market. The boost came at a time when it was needed most. The Global Financial Crisis and subsequent UK recession had left employment reeling, but new opportunities were opening abroad in the growing sectors of mining, oil, gas, infrastructure, IT and healthcare.Acorn’s arrival in Australia followed conversations with an existing Australian client which resulted in 20 skilled tradesmen being transferred to Western Australia from the UK.The first candidates arrived in September 2011 and the initial success prompted Matt and Director of Operations Scott Liddle to visit Australia for further talks.“The sales activity was predominantly targeted at the blue collar requirements within the mining sector,” Matt recalls.

“The interest generated was incredible with multiple orders received from a variety of clients, for significant volumes of skilled trades required urgently.” The Australian division of the group, Acorn Global Recruitment was incorporated in 2012, and a head office opened in Adelaide along with the appointment of Director Mike Otty.A Perth office opened shortly after, followed by the Darwin office in January 2013.Under its new title, Synaco Global Recruitment will look to expand its acquisitions and provide even greater assistance to industry across Australia. “The company will continue to evolve its service offerings, ensuring we support our clients’ needs in a proactive fashion to underpin their success and growth,” Matt says.“We also aim to continuously develop a company culture that makes us an employer of choice for our internal staff and contractors, and uphold our commitment to continuously promote their success, support their weaknesses and provide a career path for one and all.”

An international recruitment

company operating on a grassroots

level in the Northern Territory

is welcoming 2015 with a new name

and a new look…

THE NEW FACE OF A GLOBAL LEADER IN RECRUITMENT

INTRODUCINGSYNACO

The newly branded Synaco has been hard at work in the Territory for the past two years.Arriving in Darwin in 2013, Acorn has established itself as a reliable and effective recruitment agency, servicing more than 20 local organisations, including local government. Australian director Mike Otty explains Synaco also provides consulting services to proactively map clients’ future resource requirements while delivering currently required skills.The result is a pool of work-ready candidates who are qualified, referenced, and readily available at short notice.“We provide labour hire and permanent recruitment services across all blue

collar and white collar disciplines, continuously refreshing our candidate searches nationwide. This assists in catering to the often transient nature and seasonality of the Northern Territory labour force,” Mike says.Synaco’s Territory clients consist largely of referrals from other existing clients, proving the power of word of mouth and referral by proven reputation.Mike says the company’s commitment to the Territory goes beyond recruitment, and Synaco intends to invest in community development programs including assisting the disadvantaged to reach their full potential.“We are all too aware

that in areas such as Darwin, credibility is not given overnight. A positive reputation is earned through a lasting commitment to the region, its community and

promoting its growth, through in Synaco’s case, the provision of a quality recruitment service”Managing the local office is Michael and Hannah. Michael is an ex-military serviceman who has lived in Darwin for 13 years. Prior to joining Acorn he worked in other state management roles.“He embodies the

trustworthy, good bloke character that leaves our Darwin clients very at ease. He never over commits, and delivers his service with the personal pride he had

when wearing the Rising Sun.”Hannah, like so many others in Darwin, is a new arrival to the Territory capital.“Originally from Kalgoorlie, Hannah was drawn to Darwin initially by the climate, but has since fallen in love with the people and lifestyle.”For niche skills not available in the Darwin market,

Synaco has a global sourcing team centralised in the UK, drawing on the 600 offices worldwide. Mike says the team is dedicated to sourcing and identifying skilled personnel who complement clients’ needs proactively, often before any request is made.“Members of the sourcing team regularly visit Darwin to understand the culture and workplace environments, ensuring a robust process is possible to identify the right character, as well as skill group.

“We facilitate a complete solution, assisting companies to become registered sponsors of overseas employees, sourcing the perfect candidate, managing the visa and relocation process and then crucially, the resettlement process for six months after they arrive in Australia.”By achieving this, Synaco’s vision is to be recognised as an employer and service provider of choice in the Territory.

GLOBAL NETWORK LOCAL OFFICE

“We invest and sponsor local community

initiatives in the Northern Territory” says Mike.

Level 1, 46 Smith Street Mall, Darwin 0800+61 (0) 8 8981 5154michael.prentice@synacoglobal.com.auhannah.craig@synacoglobal.com.au

SYNACO GLOBAL RECRUITMENT

S Y N A C O . W O R K I N G F O R T H E T E R R I T O R Y