The Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC), has appointed Jim Berrisford asregional director for Northern Ireland.

Jim Berrisford, owner of Berrisford Recruitment Search Consultancy who has been in recruitment for more than 12 years with previous positions including a senior role with recruitment agency Grafton. Prior to that, he worked in both London and Scotland, including as a general manager for a leading UK plc.

The REC has also appointed Matt Tanner of Kennedy Recruitment Ltd and Conor Rafferty of Altmore IT as members of the executive committee.

This new structure will be responsible for liaising with stakeholders including politicians and civil servants, in promoting the work of the REC and highlighting the current challenges facing recruiters and businesses in Northern Ireland.

Jim Berrisford said of the appointments: “It is very important that the interests of our industry are recognised by decision-makers especially the Department for Employment and Learning (DELNI) with whom we have already met to discuss certain issues.

“We are looking forward to working closely with the Department to ensure it is kept  up to date with the issues pertinent to recruiters in the province especially during the current difficult trading conditions which have resulted in tightening in demand for temporary staff both in the public and private sector.”

Other issues currently facing the region’s recruitment industry include the implementation of the EU Agency Workers’ Directive (AWD) in October 2011 and also procurement policies in Northern Ireland. 
Jim added: “It is vital there is a strong collective voice for the industry in Northern Ireland with which to take forward specific campaigns on these issues. At the same time, the increasing focus on jobs and skills means that the views of professional recruiters on the frontline of the Northern Ireland labour market are increasingly sought after.”

The REC has set up a regional policy forum in the province which is attended by recruiters and other business representatives. Discussions at the forum resulted in the REC staging a seminar there last month (November) that focused on the procurement strategies and how they were affecting members’ businesses. Jim is now keen to talk to REC members in Northern Ireland to hear their views and concerns.