Western Mail

Recruiter Acorn Rail goes from strength to strength

- CHRIS PYKE Business reporter chris.pyke@walesonlin­e.co.uk

SPECIALIST recruiter Acorn has made two rail industry appointmen­ts to support the company’s growing client needs.

Acorn Rail, part of the Acorn Group and formerly known as Exxell, has seen the team grow as the UK rail industry – particular­ly in Wales – goes from strength to strength.

To help drive their offering forward, Acorn has appointed Kevin Morris as head of the division, with Stephen Giles joining the company as senior rail consultant.

Boasting more than 24 years of industry knowledge, Mr Morris has previously worked closely with highprofil­e companies across the UK to find and place skilled rail workers for major projects.

With an impressive array of knowledge and contacts, Morris’ appointmen­t sends a strong message from Acorn Rail, who are intent on continuous­ly developing their reputation for anticipati­ng the daily pressures of such a rapidly changing sector.

Speaking about his new role, Mr Morris said: “I’m excited to be leading Acorn Rail at such a significan­t time for the rail industry.

“With so many projects going on up and down the country, our focus will be to ensure, as a support function and recruitmen­t partner, that project deadlines and budgets are met by providing the right workers with the appropriat­e skills.

“I hope to continue building upon the success and profession­al reputation Acorn Rail has within the industry and look forward to continuing business relationsh­ips with both employers and rail workers.”

Stephen Giles was ready to retire after 42 years in the rail industry before being headhunted by Acorn.

Having held senior positions with a number of high-profile names, including Network Rail and EIMCO, Acorn Rail believe Mr Giles brings “invaluable key insider industry knowledge”.

Mr Giles said: “I’m thrilled to join Acorn as senior rail consultant.

“We have a great team in Acorn Rail, and I’m looking forward to developing the division further and excited to see the opportunit­ies we’re currently seeing come into fruition.”

Acorn’s Group commercial director Scott Liddle said: “We’re thrilled to have Kevin and Stephen on board to further expand our specialist rail offering.

“There are many exciting changes currently taking place in the Welsh rail landscape, and we feel it’s crucial to have a strong, experience­d team in place to lead the way in providing skilled recruitmen­t support as the industry continues to develop.

“I’m confident that we have achieved this – with Kevin and Steven in place alongside our already skilled team, I am excited to see Acorn Rail grow from strength to strength over the coming years.”

Based in Newport, Wales, the division provides recruitmen­t solutions within the rail and civils industry in south Wales, London and other key cities within the UK, working closely with industry-leading clients including Network Rail, Alun Griffiths Rail, Hammonds ECS and Babcock.

 ?? Huw John, Cardiff ?? > Senior rail consultant Stephen Giles, left, and Kevin Morris, head of division for Acorn Rail
Huw John, Cardiff > Senior rail consultant Stephen Giles, left, and Kevin Morris, head of division for Acorn Rail

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