• Recruiters
    • For Recruiters
    • About NPAworldwide
      • About NPAworldwide
      • International Recruiters Network
      • Practice Groups
      • Geographic Areas Facilitate Split Placements
      • Split Placement Network Return on Investment
      • Split Fee Network Leadership
      • Governance of NPAworldwide’s Recruiting Professionals Network
      • Meetings & Events
    • About Membership
      • About Membership
      • 9 Reasons to Join NPAworldwide’s Split Network
      • Group Discounts for NPAworldwide Members
      • Join Our Recruiting Professionals Network
      • Cost of Membership in our Split Fee Recruitment Network
    • Recruiting Resources
      • Recruiting Resources
      • Help
    • Find A Member
  • Employers
    • For Employers
    • About NPAworldwide
      • About NPAworldwide
      • How NPAworldwide Works
      • The Benefits of Working with NPAworldwide Recruiters
    • Services
      • Services
      • Recruiting Resources: Contracting Employees
      • Recruiting Resources: Background Checks
      • Recruiting Resources: Pre-Employment Testing
      • Recruiting Resources: Outplacement
    • Links for Employers
    • Find A Member
  • Job Seekers
    • For Job Seekers
    • About NPAworldwide
      • About NPAworldwide
      • How NPAworldwide Works
      • The Benefits of Working with NPAworldwide Recruiters
      • Practice Groups
    • Find A Member
  • Sponsorship Opportunities
  • Job Board
  • Resources
  • Blog
    • Independent Recruiting Blog
    • Press Releases
    • Video Testimonials
  • Ready to Apply?
  • Contact Us
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • YouTube
  • Instagram
  • —
  • —
  • —
  • —
  • Job Seeker Resources
NPAworldwide - Global Recruitment Network
  • Recruiters
  • Employers
  • Job Seekers
  • Blog
  • Member Login
NPAworldwide - Global Recruitment Network
Apply Today
  • Navigation
    • Home
    • Recruiters
    • Employers
    • Job Seekers
    • Blog
    • Member Login
    • More
      • Recruiters
        • For Recruiters
        • About NPAworldwide
          • About NPAworldwide
          • International Recruiters Network
          • Practice Groups
          • Split Placement Network Return on Investment
          • Split Fee Network Leadership
          • Governance of NPAworldwide’s Recruiting Professionals Network
          • Meetings & Events
        • About Membership
          • About Membership
          • 9 Reasons to Join NPAworldwide’s Split Network
          • Group Discounts for NPAworldwide Members
          • Join Our Recruiting Professionals Network
          • Cost of Membership in our Split Fee Recruitment Network
        • Recruiting Resources
          • Recruiting Resources
          • Help
        • Find A Member
      • Employers
        • For Employers
        • About NPAworldwide
          • About NPAworldwide
          • How NPAworldwide Works
          • Advantages of Working with NPAworldwide
        • Services
          • Services
          • Recruiting Resources: Contracting Employees
          • Recruiting Resources: Background Checks
          • Recruiting Resources: Pre-Employment Testing
          • Recruiting Resources: Outplacement
        • Links for Employers
        • Find A Member
      • Job Seekers
        • For Job Seekers
        • About NPAworldwide
          • About NPAworldwide
          • How NPAworldwide Works
          • The Benefits of Working with NPAworldwide Recruiters
          • Practice Groups
        • Find A Member
        • Job Seeker Resources
      • Sponsorship Opportunities
      • Job Board
      • Resources
      • Blog
        • Independent Recruiting Blog
        • Press Releases
        • Video Testimonials
      • Ready to Apply?
      • Contact Us
      • Social Media
        • Facebook
        • Twitter
        • LinkedIn
        • YouTube
        • Instagram
      • International
        • —
        • —
        • —
        • —

Mergers and Acquisitions in the Global Recruiting Industry

by Dave Nerz

for sale signAs with most things in business, the global financial crisis impacted the number of global recruiting mergers and acquisitions done in the past few years, as well as the value of those deals. Staffing Industry Analysts reports results of global recruiting business acquisitions on a quarterly basis. These facts can be found on their website, staffingindustry.com. According to Staffing Industry Analysts, the number of global deals done in the 3rd quarter of 2009 was at a record low, and even quarters into 2011 showed great weakness in the number of global recruiting acquisitions completed.

More recruiting company purchases are focused on firms doing contract employment and temporary staffing. These types of firms have higher multiples on the sale of a recruiting business because contract employment is considered much more of an annuity than a direct hire placement. Contracts renew and can last for years while direct hire placements can be a “once and done” event. While experts disagree on the multiples, most quote a range of 2 to 4 times EBIDTA. There are many factors that can change this multiple up or down, including the location of the business, the mix of contract to direct hire, and the sector or segment of focus.

The most popular recruiting business sale segments right now are IT, healthcare and industrial. Not a surprise. Again there is  a larger multiple on the sale of a recruiting business from these segments and hence, more frequently a deal completed.

A new trend is the global recruiting business acquisition. The reason for the growth in global acquisitions is obvious to me, but maybe I’m too close to the topic of global recruiting to understand why it would not be obvious to all. I see it like the stock market….diversification is good. The same with growing global recruitment companies. They need coverage and diversification into more market areas and more economies. This should help them tap growth markets while diversifying their business portfolio. Global recruiting is expected by more clients as they grow their search for talent. So firms in the US need an Asian presence, and global recruiters based in the UK or Australia may need a North American location.

Has anyone sold a recruiting business recently or done the work to estimate multiples? I am interested to know your experiences.

Tags: mergers and acquisitions, selling a recruiting firm | Posted in: Global Recruiting

One Reply to “Mergers and Acquisitions in the Global Recruiting Industry”

  • Ann says:
    14-April-2016 at 9:52 PM

    Hi Dave,
    Thank you for sharing your article interesting one !
    Keep posting !

Comments are closed.

  • Explore Membership Split-Fee Sample
  • Subscribe to our Blog
  • Recent Posts

    • Navigating Salary Negotiations with Confidence
    • Mastering the Art of Employer Branding
    • Introducing NPAworldwide PowerUp Conferences
    • What Are Soft Skills and Why Are They Crucial for Career Growth?
    • Building Trust in a Recruitment Network
  • Press Releases

    • Taufik Arief of People Search International Receives Prestigious 2025 NPAworldwide Chair’s Award
    • NPAworldwide Welcomes New and Returning Board Members to Drive Strategic Growth and Innovation
    • NPAworldwide Unveils Bold Brand Evolution to Reflect Global Growth
  • Blog Topics

    • Navigating Salary Negotiations with Confidence
    • Mastering the Art of Employer Branding
    • Introducing NPAworldwide PowerUp Conferences
  • Quick Links

    • For Recruiters
    • For Employers
    • For Job Seekers
    • Apply Today
  • For more than 60 years, NPAworldwide has been connecting independent global recruiting firms to facilitate split placements. NPAworldwide is the oldest recruiting network of its kind, with an international membership of recruiting firms located throughout Europe, Asia, Australia, Africa, and the Americas.
    ©2025 • NPAworldwide
    Privacy Policy
    Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility