International recruitment firm Antal International has just announced the acquisition of its original subsidiary “Antal Russia” after having divested this business nine years ago to the FiveTen Group.

Antal Russia was sold to the FiveTen Group in 2008 for Investment opportunities and was the largest private recruitment company to be sold in Russia at the time. “We are delighted to reacquire Antal Russia allowing us to expand our reach across Europe. It fits into our global strategy” says Sagar Ruparelia, Group Financial Director of Antal International.

Reacquiring Antal Russia is a solid move; obtaining an astounding head count of 130 + staff members across 4 offices located in the capital, Moscow, as well as Saint-Petersburg, Kazan and Almaty located in Kazakhstan. The superb management team, led by Antal Russia stalwart Michael Germershausen, have continued to develop the business despite the difficulties of the Russian economy over the past few years. They will bring experience, expertise, enthusiasm, synergy and energy into the Antal International Group Companies – and they will be welcomed back with open arms.

“We are looking forward to welcoming Antal Russia back into the fold, they are definitely a terrific business, they are a recruitment firm that operates in several specialist sectors in Russia, it’s worth noting that Antal Russia has always been an ‘Antal Brand’ and only delivered the best,” says Sagar Ruparelia.

With this returning of Antal Russia to the Antal family, Antal International now has 884 staff members with a comprehensive 146+ offices located worldwide making Tony Goodwin, the CEO of Antal International, a true global entrepreneurial leader in the recruitment industry.

“My vision is to discover talent, not just in the UK but across the globe. Whether it is Moscow, Milan, Madrid, Dubai, Shanghai or Milton Keynes we will work collaboratively for the benefit of all our clients, candidates and colleagues. Bringing Antal Russia back to the group is most definitely one of our greatest accomplishments. It really is with the greatest of pleasure and personal delight that we announce in our 25th year of business not just what is a bold business acquisition, but personal completion of history for Antal and me as the founder. Bringing back into the Antal family, I would like to welcome back Antal Russia.”

“Russia has always been a country that has fascinated me throughout my life; the history, the culture (unfortunately the language beat me!) the politics, the Tsars the Romanov’s through the Bolshevik revolution (100 this year) Lenin, Stalin, Breshnev to Gorbechov, Yeltsin and Vladimir Putin. Who cannot be intrigued and fascinated by the biggest geographical country in the world, covering 11 different time zones!”

“I always wanted to do business with Russia and was sceptical of many of the bias, negative reports that came out of Russia from 1980’s. It a great country with incredibly strong, resilient, resourceful people. None better educated in the world with a perspective on life completely different to the European countries I had grown up with.”

“Whilst I know that many European businesses have struggled in Russia, Antal flourished under the guidance and leadership of Michael Germershausen, Luc Jones and Natalia Kurkchi, all of who are still with the business and have a combined tenure approaching 50 Antal years.”

“We have every confidence that the economic turnaround has begun in Russia after 3-4 lean and difficult years (which has actually strengthened Russia’s manufacturing and agriculture capabilities) and that the political landscape will also return to a more collaborative posture in the next 1-2 years.”

“I am looking forward to helping Antal Russia re-engage with the rest of the Antal world and will enjoy the party to celebrate this!” says Tony Goodwin, CEO of Antal International.

The FiveTen Group was advised on this transaction by Blackwood Capital Group. Ronny Grosman, Managing Partner of Blackwood Capital Group commented; “I believe this is a win-win situation for both the Sellers and the Purchasers. The Five Ten Group can now divert its full focus towards their home market in the UK whilst having found the optimal solution for its Russian business both for its customers and also for its loyal workforce. Antal International get their Russian business back which still carries their brand name and are present again in one of the world’s most important markets.”