Marketing recruitment specialist Alternatives has been acquired by the Brightwater Group.

Alternatives was established by Sandra Lawler over 20 years ago and will continue to operate as a standalone brand. Lawler (58) is staying with the business and Brightwater executive Eimear Walsh has been appointed as managing partner, with Leonie Gleeson taking on the role of associate director.

Brightwater, led by Barbara McGrath (pictured), has been on the acquisition trail in recent years, and effected the takeover of Vantage Resources in October 2021. The recruitment business was the subject of an MBO in 2018 which was backed by  private equity company Duke Royalty.

Barbara McGrath commented: “The Alternatives team are extremely well respected in the market and have an incredible knowledge of the industry.

“For us it was important that any new addition to the group would share the same values and ethos as a business and it was apparent from the start that Alternatives would be a perfect match for us. 

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"By bringing Alternatives into the group, we will be able to significantly increase access to a wider pool of marketing talent for our clients as well as a broader range of roles for jobseekers in the marketing space.

“Alternatives has built an enviable reputation for providing marketing talent on an interim and permanent basis and we believe that it will be a great addition to the Brightwater Group’s platform”.

PHT Alternatives Ltd, where Sandra Lawler (above) is the sole shareholder, booked a net profit of €180,000 in the year to March 2021. The company reduced liabilities by €220,000 in 2020/21 and net worth at year-end was €413,000.

The venture employed five staff and 10 payroll contractors and trade debtors stood at €420,000 in March 2021, down from €545,000 a year earlier.