Basingstoke: Xcel Sales acquires Precise Target Recruitment

Hampshire-based lead generation agency Xcel Sales has acquired Precise Target Recruitment (PTR) for an undisclosed sum. Former PTR managing director Craig Williams and director Gavin Davis, join Xcel as shareholders and bring with them a combined experience of 31 years in sales.

Williams joins as director of client services with a remit to look after new and existing clients, while also rolling out new product lines. Davis becomes Basingstoke-based Xcel’s new operations director and is looking forward to driving the company forward. 

Williams commented: “I’m keen to get started with the scaling-up of our telemarketing operation and integrating a number of new services into our offering. We’re all very excited about our rapid growth plans.”

PTR is a leading recruitment agency for sales-related jobs. It was founded on the premise that many agencies offer very little in the way of ongoing support after a placement is made. Williams explained: “Customer service seems to be an afterthought for many recruiters, so we spotted an opportunity to create a company that focused on every aspect of customer experience.”

CEO Nicola Hartland added: “Craig and Gavin’s desire to disrupt the recruitment industry made PTR a good fit for what we do here. I founded Xcel with the intention of changing the public’s perception of sales professionals. Recruitment and sales are often seen as dishonest industries, but some of us are working hard to challenge that.”

The acquisition is part of their 1,000 day plan, which sets out a series of objectives including doubling the team size in 12 months and increasing the value of the business to £25 million by 2020. Hartland is buoyed by the progress so far.

“Over the last four years, we’ve created over £100m of sales opportunities for our clients. With the acquisition of PTR and the appointments of Craig & Gavin it will enable us to achieve our goals quicker than we anticipated.”

The plan was put together by leading technology investor Kevin Gaskell, who joined in January as chairman. Gaskell has previously led a number of iconic brands, including Porsche, Lamborghini and BMW. Since his arrival, Xcel has landed a number of high-profile clients and his experience has been influential in its continued growth.

Hartland has been recognised for her outstanding leadership in the south and recently won the Role Model Award at the Women in Business Awards, run by The Business Magazine, and presented by Baroness Michelle Mone.