Burton based Punch Taverns has appointed Adam Smith to oversee a UK wide recruitment campaign.

Adam, aged 37, is the company''s new head of retailer recruitment, having spent the past four and a half years as one of the company''s business relationship managers.

Adam''s appointment comes as part of a restructuring of Punch''s recruitment team. He will head up a team of seven retailer recruitment managers, seven selection co-ordinators and a selection supervisor.

He said: "I''m delighted to have been given this opportunity and look forward to driving forward a highly successful recruitment strategy for Punch at such an exciting time in the company''s history.

"Our aim is to scour the UK to find the highest calibre retailers and match them to suitable pubs which meet their business needs and aspirations.

"Punch is a fantastic company which prides itself on first class retailer support including award winning training - this is one of the many attributes we will be able to focus on when recruiting."

Punch still has its talent bank which has more than 5,000 applicants who are then matched to outlets to suit their needs. The company''s recruitment website, which can be accessed via www.punchtaverns.com also complements the work of the team as an information tool for potential retailers.

Adam added: "The knowledge and expertise of our recruitment team, coupled with our commitment to helping retailers should ensure we are the first choice for people who want to run a successful pub business."

Commenting on Adam''s appointment, Punch Taverns'' customer services director Francis Patton said: "Adam is a highly talented professional who brings with him a wealth of experience that will be invaluable in our drive to recruit the best retailers to run pubs in our estate."

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