The highest number of candidates ever are seeking to fill positions on the Association of Professional Staffing Companies’ (APSCo’s) governing body, the Executive Committee. Eighteen recruiters are vying for nine slots designated for full APSCo members, while four representatives of suppliers to the recruitment industry are seeking election to one position open to affiliate, or supplier, members.

The Executive Committee is rounded out with chief executive Ann Swain, director Marilyn Davidson and finance director Matthew Brown of giant group. There is also an option for discretionary positions, which would be appointed by APSCo leaders.

Davidson told Recruiter: “It is the members of the board who set our strategy and guide us to achieve our objectives. They use their tremendous experience and knowledge to ensure that our association delivers value and support to our members. It is clearly important that members take the opportunity to vote for the candidates they would like to represent them in the coming year.”

For the first time, Recruiter is showcasing the candidates seeking office in a trade body governing group to help drive voter interest in selecting the best representation possible. APSCo members have until 17 March to vote.

Below are the candidates for the full members’ slots. See recruiter.co.uk for information about the candidates for the affiliates’ position.

Uzair Bawany*, CEO, Contact Recruitment Group: “I chair the (APSCo) Rest of the World Forum, and our planned trade delegation to Singapore in May is a key opportunity as we help our members open up new international markets.”

Avi Bradman, chairman, Goodman Masson: “As a result of my involvement at many levels of business, I have developed an acute understanding of the challenges faced by medium-sized, privately owned recruitment businesses.”

Emma Brierley*, founder & chairman, Xchangeteam Group: “I will help APSCo extend its reach into marketing recruitment through the ’M²’ sector group, which will represent the interests of recruiters in the marketing sector and ensure that they have a strong voice.”

Gavin Crocker, MD, GR Law: “I would welcome a professional body such as APSCo having more of a role to ensure proper standards are maintained, and if our clients or candidates feel that we have not met those standards APSCo will take action to reprimand the member.”

Paul Farrer, chairman, Phee Farrer Jones (pfj):”I would like to play a part in raising the recruitment industry’s profile and our value to the economy, to help APSCo fight the bureaucracy of legislators, and to help APSCo prove our value proposition to employers.”

Ashleigh Fitzgerald, operations director, Montreal Associates: “I can offer an insight into the workings of a multi-cultural medium-sized recruitment agency. I would ask many questions and ensure the most complex of issues are unravelled.”

Miles Hunt, founder and CEO, Empresaria Group: “My involvement is based on a desire to offer my support, and whatever influence I possess, to help APSCo enhance its services to existing members, to help broaden its representation to new members and to promote the social and economic contribution made by our industry.”

Rodney Jackson, MD, Randstad Technologies: “My participation in the wider UK Randstad Leadership Team gives me detailed insight into many factors affecting our industry, at a time when the underlying picture of the economy remains volatile.”

John Mortimer, CEO, Angela Mortimer: “It might be that APSCo…could be more representative of an industry where 70% of its GDP is produced by people who I believe to be close to operations and strongly committed.”

Victoria Maloney, UK & Ireland operations director, SThree: “I am committed to improving career progression for women within recruitment without positive discrimination and also to ensuring that we act with professionalism while setting high standards within the industry.”

Kevin McLaughlin, commercial director, First Point Group: “I hope to build on the already strong foundations laid by our organisation in support of UK recruitment exports.”

Philip Pitt, business development director, Sand Resources (Interquest): “I am committed to raising industry standards generally, in particular around providing value, service and establishing long-term relationships.”

Graeme Read, group MD, Antal International: “Having been involved in launching and operating a number of recruitment businesses in over 30 countries I can offer a wealth of international experience. Our members need to tap into the overseas potential, and these markets need more professionals like APSCo members to raise standards.”

Tara Ricks*, MD, Joslin Rowe/Martin Ward Anderson soon to be Randstad Financial & Professional: “I am committed to ensuring that APSCo members and the sector we represent enjoy a strong voice at the highest levels to ensure the government is educated on the vital nuances of recruitment of professional sector staff.”

Alan Rommel*, MD, Parity: “It is important to work with peers and suppliers to our industry to improve the service we provide. Along with other APSCo members, I want to raise standards, challenge unnecessary bureaucracy and maintain professional integrity.”

Stephen Rookes*, group commercial & legal director, NES Group: “I have contributed to strategic initiatives that position APSCo as a thought leader. These include the new AWR Impact Assessment Tool, which will enable agencies to work with end-users over the coming months.”

Jo Sellick*, MD, Sellick Partnership: “One of my major concerns is the quality of entrants into recruitment. I feel that the sector does face an ’up hill battle’ over image and quality of service which lies with the individuals at the sharp end with the relationship.”

Sean Zimdahl, MD, Aston Carter: “My strengths are understanding the key issues in driving organic growth both in the UK and internationally, leading an MBO with a private equity investor, managing that process and exiting this arrangement after a trade sale.”

* denotes APSCo committee member