A former chief executive officer for Adecco UK and Ireland has praised Adecco’s proposed buy of international IT, technology and professional staffing recruiter Spring.

“I think it’s a very good buy, probably at the right time,” says Rene Schuster, who held the top UK and Ireland role from October 2006 to July 2008, succeeding Spring Group’s current CEO, Peter Searle.

Schuster told Recruiter that the world’s largest recruitment company had “looked at Spring” during his tenure, which lasted from October 2006 to July 2008. However, he adds: “We were more interested in internal growth and focusing on rebuilding the business.”

If Adecco’s purchase of Spring goes through, Adecco plans to offer Searle the position of UK country manager, a move Schuster applauded. “I’ve gotten to know Peter for a while as competitor and then as a colleague - he’s a super guy,” Schuster says. “He’s exactly what the company needs, he’s one of the most talented CEOs in the UK.”

He pointed out the irony of Searle and a number of key managers who joined Spring after leaving Adecco possibly making a return to their old firm. If the deal goes through, Adecco will benefit from regaining former key players, Schuster added, saying “Spring has a very strong management team.”

Schuster is now CEO of Telefonica O2 Germany, resuming his career in the telecoms industry.