Permanent recruitment brands IHS and SSC have gained the financial backing of joint venture partners McGinley Group Ltd.

McGinley Group has purchased SSC and IHS through its associate company Resourcing Services (UK) Ltd.

The acquisition will enable IHS and SSC to enhance their market position, particularly in their growing contract services and vacancy management activities.

The businesses will operate from offices in London and Manchester and continue to provide recruitment and outsourcing services to the healthcare, pharmaceutical, medical and laboratory sectors. McGinley's will work alongside the IHS-SSC recruitment teams to provide clients with all existing and future requirements.

"Over the last few years the recession brought many serious challenges to our business," said Seamus McGinley, Chairman of McGinley Group Ltd. "However, we have been successful in managing our way through these difficult times. We envisage that our partnership with IHS-SSC will assist us in strengthening our foothold in healthcare and pharmaceutical markets."

In its nine years, IHS has become established in the healthcare and pharmaceutical industries as one of the UK's leading providers of sales, marketing, medical, and management staff at all levels, including permanent recruitment services, contract services, assessment centre design and management, campaign management and interim supply.

SSC is the UK's largest and longest-established 'employment agency' dedicated to the recruitment of sales and executive staff within the healthcare, medical devices, medical equipment and laboratory sectors.

McGinley Group Ltd employs over 150 staff and deploys some 2,000 personnel throughout the UK and Europe.