Swindon’s Outsource UK, one of the country’s largest independent recruitment businesses, has broadened its area of expertise with the acquisition of the Manchester-based digital recruitment consultancy known as Chrysalis Digital Recruit-ment.

The deal will see the Chrysalis name disappear and the organisation rebranded as Outsource UK.

Chris Crawford and Harriet Sanders, the former owners of Creativesrus Ltd (trading as Chrysalis Recruitment) and all of the existing staff at the Manchester consultancy will transfer to Outsource.

Crawford will lead what will become Outsource’s new digital division. Paul Jameson, MD of Outsource UK said: “This is another great strategic acquisition for us. “The businesses are very complementary and this new digital division will expand our IT expertise and broaden our area of reach. “Chrysalis specialise in recruiting staff for the digital sector so this acquisition complements our IT specialism and provides new opportunities for growth. This is our third acquisition in three years and is another important step in expanding the business and strengthening Outsource’s competitive position. “We plan to continue to grow through strategic acquisitions as well as continuing our period of growth as the economy recovers and the demand for staff increases.”

Chris Crawford said: “Chrysalis are specialists in an expanding market so becoming part of a much larger group will allow us to develop and to gain more market share. “When I met Paul Jameson and Outsource, it soon became apparent that we have shared ethics and real synergy in how both organisations work. “Like Outsource, Chrysalis was built on a foundation of developing relationships with our clients and focusing on investing in our staff in order to provide a first class quality service.”

Outsource UK Ltd is a national staffing business specialising in the supply of contract and permanent IT and engineering resource to businesses across the UK. The company now employs 60 people and this year has a projected annual turnover in excess of £40 million.

MD Paul Jameson started his business in his bedroom in 1991. It is headquartered in Swindon, but has offices in Midlands, Manchester and in London.