CER appoints new managing director

Education recruitment specialist CER has promoted long-serving regional director David Parsons to managing director, reinstating the position after several years.

David has spent almost 15 years with the business, joining in 2012 as senior recruitment consultant before progressing through a series of operational and leadership roles.

He became senior divisional operations manager in 2015, regional operations manager in 2020 and regional director for the North East in December 2021.

During his tenure, he secured CER's first managed service contract for temporary staffing with a major North East multi-academy trust.

In his new role, David will oversee CER’s teams and operations, working alongside the wider Affinity Workforce Solutions leadership team to support continued growth.

David said: “It’s a real privilege to take on this role at a business I’ve been part of for almost 15 years. 

“CER has always been about relationships – with the schools we support and with the teachers and support staff who work with us every day – and that won’t change. 

“I’m looking forward to working with our teams to build on that, grow our partnerships with schools and trusts, and make sure every candidate who works with us feels supported and valued.”

David’s appointment follows Affinity’s acquisition of education training platform Training Toolz in September, which has since launched as Affinity Elevate.

Affinity places around 2900 temporary staff in schools each day through 15 offices across England and Scotland.

Its brands include CER, Career Teachers, Monarch Education, The Protocol Group and Affinity Partnerships, providing recruitment, compliance and workforce solutions to schools, colleges and training providers across the UK.

Esme Bianchi-Barry, chief executive of Affinity Workforce Solutions, added: “David is a brilliant example of what’s possible when you invest in your people. 

“He started out as a consultant placing staff into schools and has grown with CER every step of the way, including securing its first managed service contract with a multi-academy trust. 

“He understands schools, he understands supply staff and he understands what makes CER special. 

“Reintroducing the managing director role is a statement of our ambition for CER, and there’s nobody better placed to lead it into its next chapter.”

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