APSCo Outsource will be led by managing director Melanie Forbes, most recently group MD at Rullion, and has been developed to represent the interests of managed services providers (MSP), recruitment process outsourcing (RPO) and recruitment outsource providers.

Forbes has worked in the outsource market for over two decades, including roles of MD of Managed Solutions at Alexander Mann Solutions and CEO of Guidant Global.

According to a statement from APSCo Global, the new trade body will have a wide remit. It will “act as the collective voice of the outsourcing market to lobby government on the impact of legislation and policy on the sector; create a peer-to-peer network to debate, discuss and share knowledge, produce research specific to the outsourcing market and provide a trusted badge of quality which will be recognised by end-user clients as best in class”.

Outsource already has over 20 founder members, including: Advantage xPO, Allegis Global Solutions, Avencia, Alexander Mann Solutions, Capita, Giant Group, Guidant Global, Harvey Nash, Intelligent Resource, Kelly OCG, LA International, Lorien Resourcing, ManpowerGroup, Morgan Hunt UK, NES Advantage, NHS Professionals, Page Outsourcing, Pro Unlimited, Project People. Randstad Sourceright, Resource Solutions, Rullion, Sanderson Solutions and Volt. 

“The outsourcing market has evolved exponentially over the last decade to become a highly sophisticated sector in its own right,” says Forbes, “a sector that is distinct from staffing but, until now, had no distinct trade body representation. I’m incredibly proud to be leading this new trade body and I am looking forward to the journey.”

Sam Smith, vice president and MD for Kelly OCG EMEA, described the new trade body as “a welcomed and essential voice for service providers”. 

“Given the rapid evolution of the outsourced recruitment industry, it seems only right that we have a centralised and neutral body with a laser-like focus on improving the quality and overall standards across the whole marketplace,” added Olly Harris, director of Page Outsourcing.

Read more about APSCo Outsource in the upcoming Jan-Feb 2021 issue of Recruiter magazine.

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