John O'Sullivan

Macildowie Chairman John O’Sullivan has worked in senior leadership roles within some of the top global recruitment firms in the market. In 1996 he founded Best International Group, based in London, which grew to £130 million in revenue in 18 months and was then sold to Spring Group in 2003. He now serves as non-executive director, strategic advisor and chairman for ‘high potential’ recruitment firms, including as non-executive Chairman for Macildowie. He specialises in achieving rapid and sustainable growth, both organically and through acquisition.

In 2008, O’Sullivan bought the Elite Leaders Group, a peer-to-peer learning and personal development forum for the owners and directors of independent recruitment companies and is therefore extremely well placed to comment on the industry and the prevailing economic conditions in which it operates, a fact which was recognised in 2020 when SIA (Staffing Industry Analysts), the global advisor on staffing and workforce solutions ranked him in their Staffing 100 Europe list.  This annual list recognises a diverse group of influential European staffing leaders – individuals who are elevating the ecosystem and taking it forward.