Adecco's acquisition of Spring creates one of the largest recruitment companies in the UK

The deal followed a period of consultation since Adecco declared its initial interest in acquiring Spring Group on 11 August. Spring's staff will be redeployed under the Adecco banner, creating one of the largest forces in UK recruitment and staffing.

Searl said: "This deal will see the best qualities of two very successful recruitment firms combined into one large organisation, and I am honoured to be charged with the responsibility of ensuring that Adecco Group UK & Ireland enjoys the full benefit of this major acquisition."

"From my own experiences of being country head of Adecco UK & Ireland in the past, and most recently CEO at Spring Group plc, I know that both these organisations are filled with passionate, dedicated people who will be determined to meet the challenges of a more difficult market head on, and I'm pleased to be leading them".

The portfolio of existing brands within Adecco's UK and Irish set up - which, alongside the mainstream staffing operation, include secretarial specialist Office Angels, Computer People, Roevin and Ajilon - will continue to operate as they did prior to the acquisition, as will the Spring Group brands.

Adecco Group today also announced the acquisition of MPS Group, a provider of professional staffing services.

On the acquisition of MPS, Searle said "The combination of Adecco, Spring, and the MPS Group will give us an even stronger platform to significantly expand our professional staffing business in the UK and further enhance our ability to provide compelling staffing solutions to all our clients."