Image credits: Focus Cloud
Focus Cloud, a London-based IT recruitment group, announced on Tuesday that it has acquired a specialist Microsoft recruitment firm, Cognitive Group, to form a new global brand named Focus Cloud Group.
The new brand will provide global recruitment solutions across major cloud platforms like Microsoft, Workday, SAP, Salesforce, ServiceNow, and the Life Science and Cyber Security industries.
Founder of Focus Cloud, Lloyd Gordon, will lead Focus Cloud Group as its new CEO. Jonathan Wright, the current Chairman of Cognitive, will be the chairperson for the new enlarged group.
The partnership combines the experience and success Cognitive has in Microsoft recruitment solutions with Focus Cloud’s Workday, SAP, Salesforce, ServiceNow, and Cyber Security recruitment services.
This move unites two key organisations in the cloud staffing market, giving both of them a chance to provide an improved service.
Focus Cloud: What you need to know
Founded in 2015 by Lloyd Gordon, Focus Cloud is a UK-based company specialising in Workday recruitment across Europe.
Lloyd Gordon says, “When I set the business up in 2015, I did so with one thought in mind, to build a global cloud recruitment powerhouse that everyone could be proud of. Despite the global pandemic hitting a few years later, the company has gone from strength to strength. Throughout the Covid crisis, we focused on doing everything we could to support business growth and our clients, candidates, and people.”
He adds, “The solutions we’re able to offer have diversified since the company’s inception, and moving into the Microsoft recruitment space was a natural step for the business. Having seen the growth of Cognitive in my days as a recruiter before starting my recruitment consultancy, I knew that they were leaders in their field, but it was only when I sat down with Jon that the real potential of this deal struck home. The cultural match between the two brands and the focus we jointly have on supporting our people go hand in hand. The new group offers a unique value-creation opportunity for our high-performing employees.”
Cognitive Group: What you need to know
Cognitive Group is Microsoft recruitment specialists. The company has placed more than 2500 professionals in projects over 14+ years. Upon the merger, Cognitive Group joins six other brands sitting under the Focus Cloud umbrella – each with its specialist tech focus. They are:
• Focus Cloud – Workday
• Focus Salesforce
• Focus Life Science
• Focus Service Now
• Focus SAP
• Focus Security
Jon Keen, CEO of Cognitive Group, says, “This deal is good for the future of both businesses as we aim to grow Cognitive and the wider Focus Cloud Group internationally. Our staff owns 20 per cent of the Cognitive brand, and this investment enabled all shareholders to benefit, with further significant equity opportunities for this next period of expansion. While there have been other opportunities to gain investment into the brand in the past, the cultural fit has never really hit the mark for us, but with Lloyd and the Focus Cloud team, there’s an incredible match in visions and values that make this a perfect fit.”
He adds, “Since we launched Cognitive Group back in 2007, our focus has always been on providing the best experience for our colleagues, our clients, and our candidates, and Lloyd’s passion and enthusiasm not just for the business but perhaps more importantly, the people that make Focus Cloud a success, resonates with what Cognitive Group believes in. The team at Cognitive – who have done a terrific job, especially during the challenges of the past three years – are all looking forward to supporting the growth aspirations of our clients, our candidates, and the new Focus Cloud Group over the years ahead.”
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