Photo credits: Focus Cloud
Focus Cloud, an IT recruitment group based in London, announced on Tuesday that it has acquired a specialist Microsoft recruitment firm, Cognitive Group, to form a new global brand named Focus Cloud Group.
The new brand will provide global recruitment solutions on major cloud platforms such as Microsoft, Workday, SAP, Salesforce, ServiceNow, and the Life Science and Cyber Security industries.
Focus Cloud Founder, Lloyd Gordon, will lead Focus Cloud Group as its new CEO. Jonathan Wright, the current Chairman of Cognitive, will be the chairman for the newly enlarged group.
The partnership combines the experience and success Cognitive has with Microsoft recruitment solutions including Focus Cloud, SAP, Salesforce, ServiceNow and Cyber Security recruitment services.
This move brings together two major organizations in the cloud staffing market, giving them both the opportunity to provide enhanced service.
Focus Cloud: What you need to know
Founded in 2015 by Lloyd Gordon, Focus Cloud is a UK-based company specializing in Workday recruitment across Europe.
Lloyd Gordon said, “When I set up the business in 2015, I did it with one thought in mind, to build a global cloud recruitment powerhouse that everyone could be proud of. Despite being hit by the global pandemic a few years later, the company has gone from strength to strength. Throughout the Covid crisis, we have been committed to doing everything we can to support the growth of the business and our clients, candidates and people.
He added, “The solutions we offer have diversified since the company’s inception, and moving into the Microsoft recruitment space was a natural step for the business. Having seen the growth of Cognitive during my days as a recruiter before starting my recruitment consultancy, I knew they were leaders in their field, but it was when I sat down with Jon that the true potential of this deal hit home. The cultural fit between the two brands and our joint focus on supporting our people goes hand-in-hand. The new group offers a unique opportunity to create value for our high-performing employees.”
Cognitive Group: What you need to know
Cognitive Group are Microsoft’s recruitment specialists. The company has placed more than 2500 professionals on projects for 14+ years. With the merger, Cognitive Group joins six other brands that sit under the Focus Cloud umbrella – each with its special tech focus. They are:
• Focus Cloud – Workday
• Focus on Salesforce
• Focus Life Science
• Focus Service Now
• Focus on SAP
• Focus Security
Jon Keen, CEO of Cognitive Group, said, “This deal bodes well for the future of both businesses as we aim to grow Cognitive and the wider Focus Cloud Group globally. Our staff own owns 20 percent of the Cognitive brand, and this investment has allowed all shareholders to benefit, with more significant equity opportunities for the next expansion period. Although there are other opportunities to get brand investment in the past, the cultural fit never really hit the mark for us, but with Lloyd and the Focus Cloud team, there’s an incredible match in vision and values that makes it perfect fit.”
He added, “Since we launched Cognitive Group in 2007, our focus has always been on providing the best experience for our colleagues, our clients, and our candidates, and Lloyd’s passion and enthusiasm not only for business but perhaps more importantly, the people who make Focus Cloud a success, reflect what Cognitive Group believes. The team at Cognitive – who have done a tremendous job, especially with the challenges of the past three years – all look forward to supporting the growth aspirations of our clients, our candidates, and the new Focus Cloud Group in next years.”
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