Laois-based Group CEO of FRS Co-Op Colin Donnery has received a top European recruitment honour after being named in the prestigious Staffing 100 Europe.
The prestigious award was made to the Coolrain man by Staffing Industry Analysts (SIA) in their annual list, which recognises European staffing leaders “boldly shaping tomorrow’s staffing ecosystem today”.
The recognition highlighted the Laois man’s outstanding leadership, vision and contributions to the recruitment industry in Ireland and beyond.
Mr Donnery has served as Group CEO of FRS Co-Op since 2021. Before then he was General Manager of FRS Recruitment, one of Ireland’s leading recruitment agencies with 10 offices across the country, including at the low-carbon business hub – The Cube in Portlaoise.
He originally joined FRS in 2004 and was also the co-founder of Turas Nua who manage the JobPath programme which has helped more than 60,000 people secure employment.
Living with his family in Coolrain, he is also former President of the National Recruitment Federation, where he was awarded an honorary fellowship in 2015 for services to the industry. He has previously served as a non-executive director with Macra na Feirme.
Mr Donnery spoke about the latest recognition. MORE BELOW PICTURE.
“I’m greatly honoured to have been named on this list and to be included amongst so many remarkable figures from the world of recruitment. Of course this award was only possible thanks to the tremendous work carried out by my FRS colleagues over recent years. We have managed to grow our recruitment business into one of the leading operators in this country and this recognition is testament to the work we have all done over that time,” he said.
Speaking about Colin and the other award recipients, SIA President Ursula Williams said: “Europe’s staffing industry has demonstrated remarkable resilience and adaptability in recent years. Our 2024 Staffing 100 Europe honourees have not only navigated challenges with skill, but have emerged as pioneering leaders, shaping the future of work.
“Their innovative strategies and unwavering commitment have transformed obstacles into opportunities, driving the industry to new heights. We are proud to celebrate these visionaries who continue to guide the world of work towards unprecedented success and into the future.”
FRS Recruitment has expanded since its start as a farm cooperative in 1980. Apart from Portlaoise, the business has offices in Dublin, Cork, Galway, Tipperary, Limerick, Kerry, Kilkenny, Offaly and Cavan.
The company is leasing the first floor of the The Cube on Towerhill. It moved there in 2023. FRS says the Portlaoise office is home to its Commercial Recruitment Team, Agriculture Recruitment Team, Temporary Recruitment Team, IT Recruitment Team and sister company WrkWrk.
The office is used by existing FRS staff who currently commute from Laois to other counties or work remotely at home in Laois.
FRS describes itself as a multimillion euro social enterprise co-operative with operations and multiple business units.
Headquartered in Roscrea, Co Tipperary and previously known as FRS Network, it rebranded as FRS Co-Op in 2024. It employs 2,000 people and has an annual turnover of circa €100 million.
A ceremony to recognise the Laois man and the other award recipients across Europe will be held in London in December.
Mr Donnery and other award recipients were selected from the recruitment sector across Europe, an industry valued at an estimated €224 billion. Others named on the list are C-suite executives, technology specialists, legal representatives, operations experts, and more.
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