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.

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.

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.