22 October 2019
By Elaine Murphy
elaine@TheCork.ie
CEO of Grafton Recruitment Tina McKenzie has opened the company’s new Cork office alongside special guest, Leader of Seanad Éireann, Senator Jerry Buttimer.
The recruitment company, founded in 1983, currently has 10 offices across the Island of Ireland and is pursuing a robust growth strategy with the expected opening of additional offices in Galway, Limerick, Sligo and Dundalk happening within the next six months.
Anthony Briody, MD Grafton Recruitment, Deirdre Griffen, Cork Chamber of Commerce, Keith Smith, Grafton Recruitment and Helena O’Keeffe, Cork Chamber of Commerce at the official opening of Grafton Recruitment’s new office at 80A South Mall, Cork, Ireland. – Picture; David Creedon
Anthony Briody, MD Grafton Recruitment and Caroline Feeney at the official opening of Grafton Recruitment’s new office at 80A South Mall, Cork, Ireland. – Picture; David Creedon
Senator Jerry Buttimer and Tina McKenzie, CEO Grafton Recruitment at the official opening of Grafton Recruitment’s new office at 80A South Mall, Cork, Ireland. – Picture; David Creedon
Speaking at the launch in Cork, Tina McKenzie who also serves as the Policy Chair of the Federation of Small Businesses in Northern Ireland said:
“I am delighted to welcome Jerry to our beautiful new Cork offices, which are located in the heart of the city. At a time when much of our work and energy have been consumed by Brexit it is important to continue to create employment opportunities for talented recruiters who help provide a pathway to work for those currently seeking employment or an opportunity to enhance their career. We feel confident that our Cork office will offer an excellent new service that greatly enhances the prospects of people living locally.
“At Grafton we have identified a number of key geographical areas right across the island that we know would benefit from the presence of a leading recruitment service, which our dedicated staff consistently deliver…. [The] opening marks the beginning of an exciting expansion plan which will see us open four new offices in Galway, Limerick, Dundalk and Sligo over the coming months. It is hoped that these offices will create up to 30 new jobs as well as identifying thousands of jobs for applicants, with plans for further expansion across the Grafton network expected in the next five years.
“In what is an undoubtedly challenging economic climate we believe it is essential that we continue to push the business forward. We feel proud of our record to date; having placed 6,200 people into permanent jobs and 8,000 daily temporary workers into roles over the past year across Ireland. Our new offices and plans for growth represent a next chapter in the growth of Grafton Recruitment and one which reflects our positive ambitions for the future.”
File photo of Senator Jerry Buttimer
Picture: Jim Coughlan
Speaking at the launch Jerry Buttimer said:
“I want to congratulate Tina McKenzie and the team at Grafton Recruitment Ireland on their new Cork office. I am particularly pleased that you have chosen Cork as the first stop on your exciting journey of expansion across the island of Ireland.
“I sincerely hope many people living in the area will benefit from the service your recruiters provide and hopefully you will be able to assist them in fulfilling their career and employment aspirations.
“Grafton already has a strong presence in the North and I am glad to see that despite the anxiety many businesses have been subject to as a result of Brexit uncertainty that Grafton has weathered that challenge and remained fixed on growing its recruitment offering into other parts of the island. I wish them continued success.”
