John Davis, former president of the Institute of Employment Consultants (IEC) — predecessor to the Recruitment & Employment Confederation (REC) — and founder of FRL Recruitment, has died.

Davis began his career in recruitment in 1979, working with recruitment specialist RAG for 18 years to supply facilities personnel. He rose through the ranks in the company to become group managing director. ??

He became chairman of the IEC Education & Training Committee in 1994 and became president of the IEC in 1996, helping pave the way for the creation of the REC. Davis resigned from RAG in late spring 1999 and formed FRL in September 1999.

Angela Masters, the REC’s chair, said: “John worked tirelessly for the recruitment industry in his capacity as the IEC’s president and during this time, he was always passionate about driving up standards within it. He helped lay the foundations of the work to which the REC is now totally committed in the continuing professionalisation of the industry.

“This is a huge loss to recruitment – and we send our deepest condolences to his family.”