Further growth at Abacus sees new joint managing directors appointed

One of Northern Ireland’s leading recruitment businesses is heading into the New Year with two new managing directors – to help grow and expand the Belfast-based business.

Stuart John and Damian Farrell have been appointed as the joint managing directors of Abacus Careers, which is the largest part of the Abacus Talent Group.

The senior recruitment experts, who both have more than 10 years’ experience in the industry, will help shape and lead the company into 2019 and beyond – a year which is set to have its own challenges, with the UK due to leave the EU in the coming weeks. Stuart says:

“We are 18 months in to a very ambitious five-year business plan for the group. Abacus is sizing up growth opportunities across the sectors and markets in which it operates.

The promotion of Stuart and Damian from associate director roles, to top leadership positions, is something the company has real pride in. Stuart says.

“At Abacus we believe in promoting from within the team, so when the option was presented to head up the largest part of the group, we were very excited,”

It’s the next step of the Abacus journey, the pair have been lining up to take over the roles since 2017. Damian says:

“During that time, we have learned about the challenges of running a profitable business in an uncertain economic climate. We are sticking to the instincts we have developed in our careers to date and so far, they have been proven correct”.

Speaking about the challenge of taking over the leading roles in the business from company founders, Justin Rush and Alan Braithwaite, Damian says:

“Justin and Alan have been hugely supportive of the development in our careers, which has led to our stewardship of the company. They are completely transparent, 100% honest, and always put the company before anything else.  By following the example, they have set, Stuart and I will lead the business in to another successful period.”

Looking ahead to his new role, Stuart says he’s confident that the company will continue to deliver for clients, meet ambitious growth targets, and tackle any challenges head-on.”