AN award-winning training firm in Huddersfield has engaged the service of a “headhunter” to help recruit its key personnel.

ESTL Training and Asses sment, based at Kirkburton, has joined forces with Broad Oak Solutions, run by executive search expert Paul Mulcock.

Mr Mulcock has more than 20 years experience in the sector. He graduated from Huddersfield University with a degree in philosophy before build a career in executive search consultancy in London and Europe.

He returned to the north as head of senior appointments for a recruitment firm based in Leeds, which was twice voted best executive search consultancy in the UK.

After four years, he set up his own head hunting firm in Huddersfield.

Said Mr Mulcock: “Firms need talented people in key roles. This is true in both buoyant and recessive times – the only difference being who is doing the recruiting and what those firms are looking for.

“I’ll be providing businesses with key people who will give them a genuine competitive advantage and the means to deliver their business models.

“Having recruited everything from £25,000 sales teams in the financial services sector to directors and chief executive officers, I am able to identify real talent and ensure that my clients get the person they need with a no fuss process.”

Mr Mulcock, whose Linthwaite-based business is backed by HBOS and Huddersfield accountancy firm Wheawill & Sudworth, said he was excited to be working with ESTL and its managing director Rachel Sterling.

Said Mr Mulcock: “Rachel and I share a passion for business and supporting the local community.

“Setting up Broad Oak Solutions gives me the ability to handle the roles I want to and make a valuable contribution to my local business community during tough times.

“Getting the right person in the right role is key to any firm’s success and now is an excellent time to launch a business

“Our region has some great businesses and I plan to support them and enjoy playing my own role in ensuring it’s not all doom and gloom!”

The development comes within weeks of ESTL announcing plans to move from Kirkburton to the Folly Hall Mills development in Huddersfield.

The well-established company, which has about 100 employees, will take 6,900sq ft in the smaller of the two mills being refurbished and a further 3,000sq ft in the boiler house and 3,400sq ft in the main mill.