New sales director

Leading Midlands and Gi Group-owned recruitment agency, Encore Personnel, has announced the appointment of a new Director to its Board as it continues its transitional phase to a new leadership team and following sustained turnover growth across the business’s Managed Services division.

Lucy Kuc steps into the role of Sales Director after most recently excelling as Head of Client Solutions for the Managed Services division of the business. The latest promotion to Board follows the appointment of Pete Taylor as Managing Director in 2019, who has set out clear and bold directives for the business as it moves forward from the pandemic, including its new sales direction.

Headquartered in Leicester, Encore employs more than 200 colleagues across its 10 branches plus 24 managed services sites around the country. During her time with the business to date, new Director Lucy has impressed with her expertise, ability to manage client demands smoothly and professionally at all times and her all-enduring positive demeanour.

Lucy began her time with Encore in 2017 as a Business Development Manager with a hunger for developing the agency’s selling force toward new horizons and enhancing Encore’s reputation for being the best staffing solutions provider in the Midlands.

Mum of two Lucy, who lives in Leeds and her new business development has contributed to the impressive growth of Encore’s Managed Services division over recent years, said: “I’m utterly delighted to be taking this next major step in my career at a business that simply feels like home and this appointment allows me to contribute to decisions that shape the future of the business from a sales perspective.

“My vision for the Sales team is continuation of plans to create a high performance and sophisticated sales culture which is centred on strategic wins and value-added, cross-selling approaches. We’re all about giving customers and potential customers what they need, when they need it – be that 10 or 1,000 colleagues.

“I’m stepping in to the shoes of Ian Briers, who has been one of the most supportive, guiding and inspiring leaders I’ve worked with; not only as a skilled and highly talented sales person but as an emotional rock – and I do feel the pressure to live up to his example!

“It’s such an exciting time for us as we continue to smash our targets and expand, hone and fine tune our fast-paced and innovative service offering, and I’m eager to start delivering results as Sales Director on the Board alongside Andy Lewis who has been a driving force in my career at Encore. Thank you to my colleagues for the constant support and to the Directors for giving me this opportunity to shine.”

During her time with Encore, Lucy has amassed millions of pounds of gross margin across 13 clients predominately in the Managed Services division and cross sector.

Managing Director at Encore Personnel Pete Taylor added: “We’re delighted to have promoted Lucy to our Board – there is no one quite like her in terms of tenacity, selling style and sunny determination to be the best. Lucy had aspirations for Directorship from early on, and under both Andy’s and Ian’s guidance has flourished, more than demonstrating her hunger, drive and fighting spirit for the promotion and role.

“Her focus and achievement is even more amazing given the emotional rollercoaster Lucy and her family rode with her young son when he was diagnosed with cancer, who is now thankfully firmly on the road to recovery and living a ‘normal’ life. It’s a real pleasure to work with Lucy and to see her career develop so swiftly with us. The future is bright and we’re sure Lucy is going to make it even brighter now she’s taking hold of the sales reins of the business.”

Encore specialises in engineering, manufacturing, driving, warehousing, and logistics recruitment. The business prides itself on its exceptional client and candidate service. It puts the customer and candidate/ employee experience at the centre of all strategy with dual value propositions of ‘your business, your culture, our priority’ and ‘your future, your wellbeing, our priority.’ It places its success on following its key values including avoiding negativity, creating loyalty, and communicating with a refreshing openness.

Note – Encore Personnel was acquired by Gi Group Holding in October 2022