(L - R): Sim Hall, Managing Director at Populus Select, and James Smith, Operations Director.

North East specialist recruitment firm appoints new director amid job creation

Specialist recruitment firm Populus Select has promoted James Smith to Operations Director as it continues to grow its head count, thanks to new contracts with ‘cutting-edge’ science-based businesses across the world.

After just 12 months with the Tees Valley headquartered company, James’s contribution to the business has seen him promoted from Associate Director to Operations Director.

His development of the business’s strategy and structure has played a pivotal role in facilitating Populus Select’s continued growth, driven by new contracts in the pharmaceuticals, aviation, and energy sectors.

Most notably, the business has established a presence in Germany after securing a strong pipeline of work in the pharmaceutical industry there.

In his new expanded Operations Director role, James is also growing Populus Select’s own team with the appointment of two new delivery-side colleagues who will support the sourcing and hiring of highly skilled specialists within science-based industries.

Sim Hall, Managing Director at Populus Select, commented: “It’s been great working with James over this last year. He has become a crucial part of our business, and this promotion is well-deserved.

“He has been instrumental in formulating a comprehensive strategy and organisational structure to cater for our expanding roster of clients.

“As we continue to win new work and expand into new countries and industries, many of which are at the cutting-edge of technological and scientific developments, James will play a vital part in Populus Select’s future.”

James Smith, Operations Director at Populus Select, added: “It’s been an incredible journey with Populus Select during the last 12 months. Sim and the rest of the team have welcomed me with open arms and together we have grown the business’s presence in new industries and countries.

“Overseas recruitment has grown to be more than half of all our work, and we have proven ourselves to many well-established multinational businesses so I expect this to continue to grow in the future.”

By Matthew Neville – Senior Correspondent, Bdaily