A global private equity investor specialising in recruitment
Empowering recruiters to build something for themselves.
Recruitment Entrepreneur is one of the most successful private equity investors in recruitment businesses. Our mission is to help founders globally, launch, scale, and eventually exit their own recruitment businesses, generating a wealth creation event. We invest in all sectors within the recruitment industry, which provides a diverse portfolio of businesses, each one a specialist in its own niche.
We have fostered a community of businesses that benefit from the expertise of our dedicated team who provide; funding, financial expertise, operational strategy, back-office support, legal advice, marketing, and talent attraction solutions, all of which enable our partner businesses to flourish.
Our founder & Chairman
James Caan CBE
Having founded Recruitment Entrepreneur in 2014, former Dragons' Den star and serial entrepreneur James Caan CBE plays a pivotal role in shaping each business within our portfolio.
James has been in recruitment for over 30 years and invests in recruitment companies of all sizes across various geographies and sectors.
Alexander Mann, his first recruitment business, sold in 2013 for £260 million. His second recruitment venture, Humana International, grew to 140 offices across 30 countries.
With 3 million followers, James was named LinkedIn’s second most influential voice of 2017. His global network, both online and offline, has assisted our current CEOs in attracting the best talent, clients and candidates to their businesses.
Meet the leadership team
James Caan CBE
Chairman
James Caan CBE
Chairman
As Chairman, James takes an active role in the investment process, working closely with the Recruitment Entrepreneur team to support you and your company. His hands-on approach enables entrepreneurs to learn from his considerable experience in founding and scaling recruitment businesses.
Alexandra Scholes
Country Manager
Alexandra Scholes
Country Manager
Alex started her career in 2006 on SThree’s highly regarded graduate training program. She had a successful career building a Contract recruitment desk specialised in Microsoft development, hitting various incentives over a period of nearly 3 years before moving to Dubai in 2009.
During the last 14 years she has had an even balance of agency and in house roles and has successfully sourced professionals and executives for a diverse range of clients in all countries of the Middle East plus, Southeast Asia, South Africa and Australia. She has developed several desks during her career including IT Contract Recruitment, Supply Chain & Manufacturing, Procurement, Construction Claims and Disputes and was part of an RPO team delivering engineering and construction personnel, prior to going in-house.
In her role with Inspire Selection she set up her own business within the Inspire brand by leveraging the many relationships she has developed over the years. And amongst other achievements became the sole source recruitment partner for a fast-growing consultancy business.
She builds strong durable relationships, has an in depth understanding of the Middle East markets and is well networked throughout.
James Kevan
Local Partner
James Kevan
Local Partner
James has lived in the Middle East for over 10 years and has built several successful multi-million-pound recruitment and outsourcing businesses in the Middle East. He is now a strategic advisor to these groups.
James is passionate about fast growing startups and is now Founder of Wayfinders an investment group specialising in investments in the “Future of Work” arena.
With James experience of growing recruitment businesses and start up investments, James as our Local Partner offers a wealth of strategic advice and support to our Middle East investments.
Melissa O'Neill
Local Partner
Melissa O'Neill
Local Partner
Melissa is a seasoned professional with 15 years of experience in the recruitment industry, is a Partner at Wayfinders, an investment group and venture builder in the Middle East. Specializing in Strategy, Business Development, and Customer Experience, Melissa has played a pivotal role in driving the success of Wayfinders and its diverse portfolio of companies, including SGP Technology, People Partners, Hotdesk, and Benchmark. A fierce advocate for female leadership and diversity, Melissa's passion and expertise have made her an influential figure in the Middle Eastern recruitment landscape.