APSCo and FPR to merge

The Forum of Professional Recruiters (FPR) is merging with the Association of Professional Staffing Companies (APSCo).

The merged trade body will focus entirely on the professional sector of the recruitment market. Combined membership turnover is approximately £6billion.

APSCo chief executive Ann Swain described the merger as a "major step forward" which would "quickly generate interest"among other recruiters.

FPR chairman Tara Ricks said: "Both organisations felt that we had a common purpose in gaining recognition for the distinctiveness of the markets in which we operate, compared to those companies involved in recruiting "vulnerable workers"...We have been working in parallel for a long while now. The time is right for us to form a consolidated trade association which will have a powerful mandate and voice in the face of a toughening economic climate and a difficult legislative landscape."