Michael Parry’s journey into recruitment was far from ordinary. He began his career in the import and distribution sector, a world quite different from the one in which he would eventually excel. When he moved into recruitment, he initially worked across a variety of sectors but soon found the lack of focus unfulfilling. Determined to specialise, Michael set his sights on a single industry where he could develop expertise and cultivate lasting relationships.

In 2005, almost by chance, he discovered the construction supplies and building materials sector. His first client was Wolseley, and their early success together highlighted the potential within this niche. Seeing the opportunity, Michael established a dedicated recruitment desk for the construction supply industry. Two years later, in 2007, he made a bold move by founding his own recruitment consultancy, driven by a clear vision: to provide a genuine, informed, and committed consultative service to the construction supply chain, built on trust and meaningful relationships.

The business initially concentrated on National Merchants, securing its first placement with Alex Rampton, then a Regional Director at Travis Perkins. From there, Michael expanded the company’s scope, nurturing relationships with both large FTSE organisations and smaller, independent merchants. Over time, the business also developed partnerships with specialist distributors, manufacturers, and the hire equipment sector, which has since become a key area of expertise.

Throughout his career, Michael has observed considerable changes in the construction supply industry. Yet one constant has remained: the people—a factor he considers the industry’s greatest asset. Over the years, he has built invaluable connections, witnessing many of his contacts thrive and progress in their careers.

Looking to the future, Michael is as ambitious as ever. He is excited about what lies ahead for himself, his business, and the dynamic sector he has come to love.

Outside of work, Michael is a proud father to two wonderful children and has a skittish dog who also serves as the office mascot. He enjoys travelling and spending time outdoors, whether it’s exploring remote landscapes, unwinding on beaches, or hiking in the mountains. A keen sports enthusiast, he has a particular passion for tennis and, more recently, crown green bowling!

Rebecca serves as the Finance and HR Manager at GCS Associates, bringing extensive experience from a career spanning various sectors. Her roles have included Assistant Accountant within Financial Services, Purchase Ledger Team Lead in a Connectivity business, and Treasury Accountant managing multi-currency accounts for an Inflight Entertainment company. With a strong foundation in accounting processes and team management, Rebecca plays a pivotal role in driving efficiency and growth.

Rebecca is also a devoted mother to her 4-year-old daughter, who inspires her dedication and focus. Passionate about fitness and nutrition, and believing in the importance of nurturing both body and mind, Rebecca attributes a healthy and balanced lifestyle to achieving happiness and success. An enthusiastic runner, she has completed numerous 10k races and four half marathons, with plans to take on a full marathon in the future. She is also an active member of a local pop choir, participating in regular gigs that bring her immense joy.

Having been with GCS for over three years, Rebecca initially focused on streamlining processes. In early 2022, she successfully implemented a new accounting and HR system, significantly enhancing efficiency and saving the company both time and money. Her responsibilities now encompass finance and accounting, people management, and overseeing job boards.

Rebecca values the strong work ethic, supportive team dynamic, and flexibility that define GCS Associates. She believes the company’s success lies in its people, emphasising trust, flexibility, autonomy, and effective communication as the cornerstones of motivation and achievement.

Looking ahead to 2025, Rebecca is committed to supporting Mike in driving the business forward while remaining true to GCS’s core values. She aims to achieve this through continuous process improvement and exemplary people management.

Adam has been an integral part of GCS for over seven years. Joining the company when it operated from a small office, he has witnessed and contributed to the business and team’s remarkable growth during this time. His journey with GCS began when he was seeking a new opportunity and was introduced to Mike Parry, the Managing Director. Mike painted an inspiring picture of a career in recruitment, emphasising the satisfaction of helping people find new roles. Intrigued by the challenge and variety recruitment offered, Adam was convinced this was the right path for him.

From the outset, Adam felt that GCS was the perfect environment to develop his skills and become part of a thriving business. His work focuses on the construction supplies sector, a field he finds immensely rewarding due to the strong relationships built with both clients and candidates. His expertise lies in headhunting—understanding clients’ specific needs and identifying top-tier talent to meet those requirements. However, Adam firmly believes that success in recruitment isn’t just about finding the right person for the role, but ensuring the position is the perfect fit for the candidate. By fostering genuine connections and understanding candidates’ priorities, Adam has helped maintain a high retention rate for clients.

Over the years, Adam has navigated the ever-changing landscape of recruitment, witnessing industry highs and lows, including the challenges brought on by the Covid-19 pandemic. Through it all, GCS has remained a trusted and adaptable name in the sector, responding swiftly to client needs. Adam attributes this resilience to the company’s supportive culture, which balances independence with guidance. He fondly recalls the unique opportunity he had to work remotely from Barcelona for 18 months—a fantastic experience, though he suspects he was called back because the team, particularly Simon, missed him too much!

Outside of work, Adam enjoys spending time with his wife and young daughter, particularly as they have recently settled into a new home near the office. A long-time sports enthusiast, he has recently stepped away from playing rugby but stays active by playing tennis, including the occasional competitive match with Mike.

At GCS Associates, Chris’s role as a Director involves overseeing the company’s growth while focusing on business development, a responsibility he thoroughly enjoys.

Chris holds his colleagues at GCS Associates in the highest regard, recognising them as diligent, reliable, and extremely knowledgeable professionals. Each team member has built their career in recruitment, the Building Materials (BM) industry, or technical roles prior to joining the organisation.

Chris became part of GCS Associates in 2020 after an extensive 36-year career on the front lines of the Building Materials industry. His journey began on a graduate scheme with Malden Timber, before moving to Travis Perkins, where he served as a branch manager in London for many years, eventually managing the company’s largest branch.

He subsequently joined Saint-Gobain, progressing through roles including Regional, Operational, and Managing Director, before moving on to serve as Managing Director of the independent merchant Harlow Timber. In 2018, Chris stepped away from general management to establish his own business, Brockbarn, which specialises in opening new branches for clients in the BM industry. This venture continues alongside his role at GCS Associates.

Chris’s enduring commitment to the Building Materials industry stems not only from its diverse operational and commercial opportunities but also from the inspirational individuals he has encountered—whether mentors, colleagues, or team members. As a people-focused sector, his work at GCS Associates allows him to continue supporting industry peers, both clients and candidates, in achieving their ambitions.

Residing in his home county of Leicestershire, Chris makes the most of his free time by enjoying outdoor pursuits such as golf, sailing, tennis, and long-distance walking.

Kimberley Hollis is a specialist Recruitment Consultant at GCS Associates, dedicated to the Building Materials sector. With a background as a Customer Service Adviser at Buildbase, she brings hands-on industry insight and a deep understanding of trade professionals’ needs to her role. After joining GCS, Kimberley completed a rigorous recruitment apprenticeship—balancing full-time work with study in finance, marketing, business development, and recruitment—graduating with a record-breaking 99% distinction.

In her day-to-day, Kimberley excels at sourcing top talent, advising candidates on career progression and interview readiness, and forging strong partnerships with clients to deliver tailored staffing solutions. Her resilience and problem-solving mindset help her navigate challenges like counter-offers and shifting industry perceptions. Passionate about promoting diversity, she champions opportunities for women and young people in a traditionally male-dominated field. Kimberley’s proudest achievement is seeing her placements flourish—proving that apprenticeships not only build skills but also launch rewarding careers.

David has been working in the HR and resourcing industry for the majority of his professional career and has extensive expertise in talent acquisition and workforce solutions. David specialises in helping organisations identify and secure talent to achieve their strategic goals. His deep understanding of market trends, combined with a commitment to fostering strong client relationships, has earned him a reputation as a trusted adviser in the human resources field.

Throughout David’s career, he has worked for several market leaders, including Manpower, Adecco, Randstad, and Impellam Group. David has been instrumental in delivering innovative staffing solutions, driving organisational success through tailored recruitment strategies. His collaborative approach ensures that both clients and candidates achieve their objectives, creating impactful and sustainable workforce connections.

More recently, David has joined GCS Associates as a Client Service Consultant to support the growth of both existing and new clients. GCS is recognised as the market-leading provider of talent within the building materials industry, with over 20 years of experience. David is excited to bring his wealth of expertise to this dynamic and thriving sector.

Outside of work, David is married, has two children, and is passionate about holidays, sports, and always losing to his wife at Fantasy Football!

Simon began his professional journey at Reeds Rains Estate Agents in Manchester City Centre. Over the course of eight years, he gained extensive experience across various branches, specialising in the rental market. By 2009, he had progressed to managing the Middlewich branch, where he oversaw both sales and lettings operations.

In 2012, seeking a fresh challenge, Simon transitioned to Illingworth Ingham Timber Merchants as an Assistant Branch Manager. Demonstrating exceptional leadership and business acumen, he was soon entrusted with managing the Crompton Road branch in Macclesfield. During his tenure, Simon achieved remarkable success, increasing turnover by 2.5 times. In 2019, he returned to the Hurdsfield branch to replicate his success, driving significant growth there as well.

After a decade at Illingworth Ingham, Simon decided it was time to embark on a new chapter. Having become familiar with GCS Associates, a recruitment firm specialising in the Merchant sector, Simon recognised the opportunity to leverage his extensive industry knowledge and sales expertise. In February 2022, he joined GCS Associates as a Recruitment Consultant, focusing on the Construction Supplies sector.

Simon’s primary responsibility lies in the resourcing side of recruitment. Utilising an array of advanced tools and techniques, he identifies, attracts, and engages top-tier candidates actively seeking new roles. His approach goes beyond skillset evaluation, delving into cultural compatibility to ensure a perfect fit for both client and candidate. Simon is adept at headhunting, a proactive approach that forms the cornerstone of his recruitment strategy, ensuring access to the best talent in the market.

Stephanie Beaumont is a highly skilled marketing professional with over a decade of experience spanning recruitment, telecoms, financial services, and now the construction supplies sector. For the past four years, she has been a driving force at GCS Associates, where her enthusiasm for the industry and passion for diverse, hands-on work have helped elevate the company’s brand and outreach. Stephanie’s ability to adapt her expertise to new challenges, coupled with her enthusiasm for the construction supplies sector, makes her a valued asset at GCS Associates.

Her career journey includes roles such as Head of Marketing UK&I at The Adecco Group, where she enhanced regional branding efforts; Global Marketing Manager at First Point Group, leading worldwide marketing strategies; and Senior Marketing Executive at Lloyds Banking Group, where she played a key role in impactful campaign delivery.

Outside of work, Stephanie is passionate about fostering technology and exploring innovative ways to connect with audiences. She also enjoys travelling, spending time with her family, and walking her two beloved dogs, Bella and Benji.