IRI Group is pleased to announce the appointment of Richard Evans as Director of Group investments.

In this new role Richard will report directly to the Board and will be responsible for the day to day management of the portfolio of investments made by International Recruitment Investors across Asia. This involves him in working closely with each of you at a strategic level in areas such profitability, performance, talent acquisition and special projects. 
 
Richard began his career in recruitment at the age of 21 with Brook Street Bureau, in London as a consultant, providing him with the foundations for his career in the employment services sector, focused on administration and support staff.
 
At the age of 23, having gained experience in the full recruitment cycle and developed his skills in sales and client relationship development, he continued his career by joining Kompass Group, a boutique firm with two offices in London. During his time with the company, the Group grew to five generalist offices across London and launched Austen Smythe, which specializes in the Banking and Financial Services Industry. By the time he left the business he was a Director and shareholder in the company.
 
In 1993, with the desire to broaden his experience in international markets, Richard made the decision to relocate to Asia, sold his share in Kompass and moved to Hong Kong. There he joined a locally owned firm, The Wright Company which specialized in executive recruitment in the media, marketing and advertising sectors. As Operations Director, he worked closely with the owners in developing the business across the region as well as managing functions such as research until its sale to Morgan and Banks two years later.
 
At this point, Richard was particularly interested in the rapidly expanding market in China and decided to join Corporate Connections as the company was expanding with Joint Venture operations in Beijing and Shanghai. He joined in late 1995 and, over the next four years, rounded out his business knowledge as the business expanded to cover the IT, Industrial, Manufacturing, Consumer Goods, Food and Beverage sectors.  As Regional Operations Director, Richard managed recruiting teams, research, finance as well as administration aspects of the company. 
 
He then joined Manpower Inc as the company initiated its entry into the permanent recruitment sector across Asia, working within the company for over 10 years, through roles which took him into the sales and delivery arena, training, development and best practice, across nine countries in Asia. This culminated in the role of Director and Country Manager for Manpower Philippines for four years. During this time, he developed an in-depth understanding of solutions selling, outsourced services as well as leadership. He was also part of the Manpower Inc Global Senior Leadership Team and extensively involved in corporate social responsibility.
 
In 2009 he returned to Hong Kong, joining The MRI China Group for a period of two years as Group Operations Director, focusing on business performance as well as process/best practice development across the region and China.