Rowan completes first acquisition

Rowan Executive Search has acquired Claro Search & Selection, the company's first deal in its ambitious growth strategy.

Warrington-based Claro is a specialist recruiter in the life sciences sector. The division will be rebranded as Rowan Life Sciences and led by Claro founder Josh Guest, who has nearly a decade’s experience in the industry.

Before setting up Claro, Josh ran the life sciences practice at Recruitment Management Group, placing senior executives in privately owned and AIM-listed businesses.

The newly formed division will specialise in recruiting for senior, niche sector roles such as chief medical officers, chief technology officers and heads of research and development, as well as positions in critical functions such as innovation and intellectual property.

The deal was supported by strategic investor LCap Group. Managing director Paul Waite said Rowan, which has an office in Chorley, remains on the takeover trail, with a focus on search and selection businesses specialising in the technology, e-commerce and wholesaling sectors.

He said: “With LCap’s backing we are well placed to develop the business significantly over the coming years and we are excited to welcome Claro to the group.

“We had identified the potential of life sciences as a key high growth market, and we jumped at the opportunity to acquire Claro.

“Josh and his team will benefit from working under the Rowan brand and the support of our wider team to develop our presence in the sector, which we can see from the private equity and SME markets has enormous growth prospects.”