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.

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.

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!