Latest news with #PERSOLKELLY
The Sun
31-07-2025
- Business
- The Sun
PERSOLKELLY Evolves into PERSOL, Strengthening Regional Alignment and Scale
KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA - Media OutReach Newswire - 31 July 2025 - Asia Pacific's leading HR solutions provider, PERSOLKELLY, has officially rebranded as PERSOL, unifying its operations across 13 markets under one cohesive brand from today. This marks a major milestone in the company's regional growth and strengthens its position as a modern, tech-forward workforce solutions partner. The rebrand retires the Kelly name after years of successful collaboration, bringing all PERSOLKELLY-branded businesses under one scalable, region-wide identity. It offers clients and jobseekers a more seamless experience – while preserving the trusted local teams and relationships that remain at the heart of our success. With Asia Pacific having contributed an impressive 60% of global economic growth last year[1], PERSOL is well positioned to continue bridging the region's workforce needs with high quality employment opportunities. From automation and demographic shifts to rising demand for skillsets in technology and sustainability, the way we work is changing, and PERSOL is designed to help organisations and professionals respond with clarity and confidence. In Malaysia, underemployment among emerging executives and young professionals remains a key challenge, driven by a persistent gap between graduate skillsets and market expectations.[2] This disconnect between education and employability continues to impact both employers and jobseekers. PERSOL's solutions – from career readiness programmes to demand-driven hiring – are designed to bridge this divide and support young talent in transitioning into future-ready careers. 'Over the years, we've built trusted client relationships and deep local expertise under the PERSOLKELLY name, expanding our business across the APAC region to help businesses and professionals meet emerging workforce challenges,' said Brian Sim, Managing Director and Country Head, PERSOL Malaysia. 'Becoming PERSOL reflects how far we've come – and where we're going. It unifies our strengths under one brand, allowing us to scale smarter, deliver consistently, and innovate faster,' he added. Rethinking Work: AI, Skills and Shifting Expectations Employers and jobseekers are navigating a time of unprecedented disruption. Work is changing rapidly – with automation, AI, green industries and borderless talent transforming how and where people work. Employers now face mounting pressure to hire flexibly, build long-term capability, and compete for emerging skillsets across markets. PERSOL's refreshed brand reflects a clear response to this shift. Its services span agile hiring, digital-first recruitment, reskilling support and regional talent mobility – giving clients a future-ready talent strategy designed for speed, scale, and sustainability. From Legacy to Future-Focused Workforce Transformation Although the brand name has changed, PERSOL's mission remains rooted in local partnerships. Since introducing the PERSOL brand in 2016 in Japan – followed by PERSOLKELLY across Asia-Pacific, the leading HR Solutions company has accelerated its regional growth and presence. The rebrand marks a strategic shift, strengthening PERSOL's ability to scale with consistency while responding to the unique dynamics of each market. By aligning local insight with regional reach, PERSOL empowers organisations and professionals to navigate a workforce landscape shaped by transformation, technology, and mobility. 'Becoming PERSOL and unifying our business across Asia-Pacific means we can deliver smarter, more consistent solutions across borders – while staying responsive to the unique needs of each market,' said Brian Sim. More information on PERSOL's expanded services is available at For background on the company's history and presence in Asia Pacific, view the full factsheet here. [1] PERSOL APAC Industry Insight Report Feb 2025, p. 3. [2] PERSOL Malaysia Salary Guide 2025, p. 29.
Fashion Value Chain
31-07-2025
- Business
- Fashion Value Chain
PERSOLKELLY Evolves into PERSOL, Strengthening Regional Alignment and Scale
Asia Pacifics leading HR solutions provider, PERSOLKELLY, has officially rebranded as PERSOL, unifying its operations across 13 markets under one cohesive brand from today. This marks a major milestone in the companys regional growth and strengthens its position as a modern, tech-forward workforce solutions partner. The refreshed PERSOL logo marks a new chapter across 13 APAC markets The rebrand retires the Kelly name after years of successful collaboration, bringing all PERSOLKELLY-branded businesses under one scalable, region-wide identity. It offers clients and jobseekers a more seamless experience – while preserving the trusted local teams and relationships that remain at the heart of our success. With Asia Pacific having contributed an impressive 60% of global economic growth last year[1], PERSOL is well positioned to continue bridging the regions workforce needs with high quality employment opportunities. From automation and demographic shifts to rising demand for skillsets in technology and sustainability, the way we work is changing, and PERSOL is designed to help organisations and professionals respond with clarity and confidence. 'Over the years, weve built trusted client relationships and deep local expertise under the PERSOLKELLY name, expanding our business across the APAC region to help businesses and professionals meet emerging workforce challenges,' said Francis Koh, Chief Executive Officer, PERSOL APAC. 'Becoming PERSOL reflects how far weve come – and where were going. It unifies our strengths under one brand, allowing us to scale smarter, deliver consistently, and innovate faster,' he added. Rethinking Work: AI, Skills and Shifting Expectations Employers and job seekers are navigating a time of unprecedented disruption. Work is changing rapidly – with automation, AI, green industries and borderless talent transforming how and where people work. Employers now face mounting pressure to hire flexibly, build long-term capability, and compete for emerging skillsets across markets. PERSOLs refreshed brand reflects a clear response to this shift. Its services span agile hiring, digital-first recruitment, reskilling support and regional talent mobility – giving clients a future-ready talent strategy designed for speed, scale, and sustainability. From Legacy to Future-Focused Workforce Transformation Although the brand name has changed, PERSOLs mission remains rooted in local partnerships. Since introducing the PERSOL brand in 2016 in Japan – followed by PERSOLKELLY across Asia-Pacific, the leading HR Solutions company has accelerated its regional growth and presence. The brand change enhances PERSOLs ability to connect local insight with regional scale – helping organisations and professionals navigate a workforce landscape defined by transformation, technology, and talent mobility. Its services are designed to address a broad spectrum of labour market needs – from tackling youth underemployment in Malaysia, supporting agile and digital hiring in Singapore, to enabling tech talent pipelines in Australia.[2] The rebrand strengthens PERSOLs ability to connect these local insights to a broader regional strategy – helping businesses and professionals adapt to the forces reshaping the world of work. 'Becoming PERSOL and unifying our business across Asia-Pacific means we can deliver smarter, more consistent solutions across borders – while staying responsive to the unique needs of each market,' said Francis Koh. More information on PERSOLs expanded services is available at For background on the companys history and presence in Asia Pacific, view the full factsheet here. Note to Editor: All statistics referenced in this release are sourced from the PERSOL APAC Industry Insight Report Feb 2025, which explores workforce trends, hiring challenges, and talent strategies across Asia Pacific. The full report is available for download at: (1) PERSOL APAC Industry Insight Report Feb 2025, p. 3. (2) PERSOL APAC Industry Insight Report Feb 2025, pp.12-15 (MY & SG) and pp.6, 19, 32 (AU). About PERSOL in APAC PERSOL is Asia-Pacifics leading Staffing and HR solutions partner, operating across 13 markets with deep local insight and regional scale. With more than 140 offices and decades of experience, we deliver integrated workforce solutions that are tailored, tech-enabled, and designed for the dynamic world of work. We combine human expertise with smart technology to help organisations solve workforce challenges, unlock potential, and stay ahead of change. From recruitment and talent management to workforce strategy and advisory, our collaborative approach puts your goals at the centre. In 2025, we came together under the PERSOL name – reflecting our bold vision for the future of work and our Groups Vision: Work and Smile. Whether youre building teams, growing careers, or transforming how work gets done, were here.
Malay Mail
31-07-2025
- Business
- Malay Mail
PERSOLKELLY Evolves into PERSOL, Strengthening Regional Alignment and Scale
The new identity is unveiled at an opportune time in Asia Pacific, with the region's young, digitally native workforce set to be an outsized contributor to the global economy The refreshed PERSOL logo marks a new chapter across 13 APAC markets. The PERSOL Malaysia team sharing a moment. KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA - Media OutReach Newswire - 31 July 2025 - Asia Pacific's leading HR solutions provider,, has officially rebranded as, unifying its operations across 13 markets under one cohesive brand from today. This marks a major milestone in the company's regional growth and strengthens its position as a modern, tech-forward workforce solutions rebrand retires the Kelly name after years of successful collaboration, bringing all PERSOLKELLY-branded businesses under one scalable, region-wide identity. It offers clients and jobseekers a more seamless experience – while preserving the trusted local teams and relationships that remain at the heart of our Asia Pacific having contributed an impressive 60% of global economic growth last year[1], PERSOL is well positioned to continue bridging the region's workforce needs with high quality employment opportunities. From automation and demographic shifts to rising demand for skillsets in technology and sustainability, the way we work is changing, and PERSOL is designed to help organisations and professionals respond with clarity and Malaysia, underemployment among emerging executives and young professionals remains a key challenge, driven by a persistent gap between graduate skillsets and market expectations.[2] This disconnect between education and employability continues to impact both employers and jobseekers. PERSOL's solutions – from career readiness programmes to demand-driven hiring – are designed to bridge this divide and support young talent in transitioning into future-ready careers."Over the years, we've built trusted client relationships and deep local expertise under the PERSOLKELLY name, expanding our business across the APAC region to help businesses and professionals meet emerging workforce challenges," said Brian Sim, Managing Director and Country Head, PERSOL Malaysia."Becoming PERSOL reflects how far we've come – and where we're going. It unifies our strengths under one brand, allowing us to scale smarter, deliver consistently, and innovate faster," he and jobseekers are navigating a time of unprecedented disruption. Work is changing rapidly – with automation, AI, green industries and borderless talent transforming how and where people work. Employers now face mounting pressure to hire flexibly, build long-term capability, and compete for emerging skillsets across refreshed brand reflects a clear response to this shift. Its services span agile hiring, digital-first recruitment, reskilling support and regional talent mobility – giving clients a future-ready talent strategy designed for speed, scale, and the brand name has changed, PERSOL's mission remains rooted in local partnerships. Since introducing the PERSOL brand in 2016 in Japan – followed by PERSOLKELLY across Asia-Pacific, the leading HR Solutions company has accelerated its regional growth and rebrand marks a strategic shift, strengthening PERSOL's ability to scale with consistency while responding to the unique dynamics of each market. By aligning local insight with regional reach, PERSOL empowers organisations and professionals to navigate a workforce landscape shaped by transformation, technology, and mobility."Becoming PERSOL and unifying our business across Asia-Pacific means we can deliver smarter, more consistent solutions across borders – while staying responsive to the unique needs of each market," said Brian information on PERSOL's expanded services is available at . For background on the company's history and presence in Asia Pacific, view the full factsheet here Hashtag: #PERSOL The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. About PERSOL in APAC PERSOL is Asia-Pacific's leading Staffing and HR solutions partner, operating across 13 markets with deep local insight and regional scale. With more than 140 offices and decades of experience, we deliver integrated workforce solutions that are tailored, tech-enabled, and designed for the dynamic world of work. We combine human expertise with smart technology to help organisations solve workforce challenges, unlock potential, and stay ahead of change. From recruitment and talent management to workforce strategy and advisory, our collaborative approach puts your goals at the centre. In 2025, we came together under the PERSOL name - reflecting our bold vision for the future of work and our Group's Vision: 'Work and Smile'. Whether you're building teams, growing careers, or transforming how work gets done, we're here.
ABC News
14-07-2025
- Politics
- ABC News
Reputation hit from 2021 state election caused WA Electoral Commission to outsource polling day staff recruitment, documents suggest
The WA Electoral Commission took the unprecedented step of outsourcing almost all of its election workforce recruitment, in part because it was concerned the previous state election had damaged its reputation. In reality, the 2025 poll experienced far more reported issues, including reports of long wait times at polling booths and some locations running out of ballot papers. Those problems were so great the government ordered a special inquiry to probe what went wrong and why the commission contracted labour hire company PERSOLKELLY. Documents released to the ABC under Freedom of Information laws show, for the first time, why that decision was made. The documents also highlight how the WAEC and PERSOLKELLY downplayed the scale of the outsourcing in the days following the election. It comes after the ABC revealed the chaos inside the commission in the lead-up to the state election, with one senior official saying they had warned of issues with the labour hire company as much as four months before the poll. In a procurement plan compiled in the first half of 2023, the WAEC set out its reasons for wanting to outsource its temporary election workforce. It noted an audit after the 2021 election, which found there were "some issues", including with a different labour hire company used in a limited capacity under a government-wide contract. "Service delivery expectations were not met, [temporary election workforce] staff expressed deep dissatisfaction and the WAEC's reputation and performance suffered," it reads. The plan noted the commission did "not have the internal resources available (human resources and systems) to best manage projects of this size". "The aim of this [tender] is to address the recommendations made to the WAEC … to ensure that elections are run cost effectively and to a high standard into the future," it reads. But a senior WAEC source who worked both the 2021 and 2025 elections said the earlier poll was "positively functional". "Delivery of materials was underdone, the logistical side of things," they said. WA's Shadow Electoral Affairs Minister Shane Love agreed while there were a few issues in 2021 it was "nothing like the collapse that we saw in 2025". "What I can see here is a commission just outsourcing, washing their hands and saying, not our problem. Well, it is your problem," Mr Love said. In the days after the election, as the full scale of problems came to light, both the WAEC and its contractor sought to play down the role outsourcing could have played. "There have been a number of election events where the WAEC has engaged contractors for the provision of recruitment services," a spokesperson told the ABC about a week after the election. Do you know more about this story? Contact Keane Bourke. "This is not a new or uncommon practice. Previous state and federal electoral commissions have appointed recruitment companies to provide support staff in a similar way," a PERSOLKELLY spokesperson said the following day. But the procurement plan shows that was not the full picture. While it noted other states have had similar issues trying to staff elections themselves, none had outsourced the entire job. "The approach of the WAEC to outsource a significant part of the requirement is new and is not currently being undertaken in any other jurisdiction," the plan reads. In a statement to the ABC, PERSOLKELLY maintained its position that the scale of outsourcing was not new or uncommon. The WA Electoral Commission said it would be inappropriate to comment until the special inquiry report was released publicly. The tender document rated the overall risk of outsourcing as "low/moderate". But it noted one of the most significant risks was "contractor unable to provide sufficient staff at relevant locations" and that potential impacts included "public unable to vote" — with some voters complaining that long delays and a shortage of ballot papers discouraged voting. The plan identified one of the controls for that risk was "the contractor has experience in an electoral process, preferably in WA", which it said would help reduce the risk from "significant" to "moderate". PERSOLKELLY said it had supported the Australian Electoral Commission to run federal elections in WA in 2013, 2017 and 2025, as well as the New South Wales state election in 2015, on top of decades of experience providing staff to all levels of government. "This includes support to government agencies, including elections, locally and nationally along with similar experience in multiple countries outside of Australia," the company said. In a statement following the election, the WAEC said PERSOLKELLY had "deployed the personnel requested … in line with the project's requirements" and that all 682 polling locations were staffed and operational. It said its role was limited to recruiting and onboarding staff. The document also indicated "appropriate funding has been confirmed by Robert Kennedy — Electoral Commissioner" to cover the estimated total value of $30 million. But government records show the value of the contract awarded was more than double that at $86.9 million. The WAEC said the initial figure "reflected all relevant information available to the Western Australian Electoral Commission at that time". "The final contract award estimate … reflects the maximum value of the contract if all extension options are exercise based on the agreed pricing structure with PERSOLKELLY Australia." An earlier version of the procurement plan, also released to the ABC, shows the commission had initially planned to offer a six-year contract for the outsourcing, which would run until after the 2029 state election. However, a Department of Finance staffer managing the tender noted that would require an "internal exemption" to go over a five-year limit. Future versions of the document refer to a four-year contract with the option of a two-year extension. The future of the contract is uncertain though, with the Acting Electoral Commissioner telling budget estimates earlier this month the contract would be reviewed after local government elections in October. "Part of that process will involve looking at what the future looks like with PERSOLKELLY," Dennis O'Reilly said. On Monday, Premier Roger Cook confirmed the contract was "addressed in the context of the report" without providing specific details. "We certainly need to make changes to ensure that the WA Electoral Commission can conduct the local government elections which will take place in October this year, but we'll table the report first and then our response," he told reporters. Questions have been raised about the commission's ability to conduct those elections after its Director of Election Operations resigned. Commissioner Robert Kennedy and Deputy Commissioner Courtney Barron are on leave. Both commissioners have been temporarily replaced by senior public servants, with staff brought in from the Australian Electoral Commission to help run local government elections. "We look forward to the outcome of the special inquiry into the planning and delivery of the 2025 WA state election, and welcome learnings that will come as a result," a PERSOLKELLY spokesperson said. That report is expected to be released when parliament next sits in mid-August.
ABC News
13-07-2025
- Politics
- ABC News
Stark warnings about election staffing in seat of Roe before polling day, documents reveal
Documents obtained by the ABC have laid bare the chaos of planning for the 2025 WA election across one of the state's biggest seats, as a wider inquiry into what went so wrong on polling day remains sealed. The problems voters across the state experienced — including reports of long queues and some places running out of ballot papers — were so serious the government ordered a special inquiry into what went wrong. Part of the probe's remit was to look at the WA Electoral Commission's (WAEC) decision to outsource its temporary election workforce to a labour hire company, PERSOLKELLY. The ABC can now reveal the commission had been warned about those issues as early as four months prior to polling day. PERSOLKELLY previously said it was responsible only for recruiting and onboarding staff, and that 100 per cent of polling places it was responsible for were open on the day. As election day loomed in the vast electorate of Roe, which stretches from just east of Collie and just north of Albany all the way east beyond Esperance, the situation was worrying staff. In early February, Electoral Commissioner Robert Kennedy publicly said he was still looking for 50 to 60 staff in Roe. But late on the Monday before the election, a senior official wrote directly to him, bypassing their chain of command, saying their concerns had not been taken seriously. "Without adequate, minimum staffing, the WAEC runs the risk of being unable to safely conduct an election in the District of Roe (and likely other districts experiencing similar issues)," they wrote in an email released to the ABC under Freedom of Information laws. At that stage, they said, less than a quarter of their polling places were fully staffed. "I raised the risk of staffing and what contingencies the commission had in place in December when … we had 13 applications for 80+ senior positions," they said. The opposition's spokesperson for electoral affairs said he had heard similar reports. "I think that what we've seen there is one returning officer voicing concerns that I think many others also held," Shane Love said. A senior WAEC worker told the ABC a major problem was higher-ups not listening to the concerns of returning officers — who are responsible for elections in each electorate. The person, who wished to remain anonymous for fear of breaching their contract, said they were also concerned about PERSOLKELLY's processes resulting in personal connections being lost. Do you know more about this story? Contact Keane Bourke. "The level of experience we lost was devastating," they said. Roe MP, Peter Rundle, said he had heard of previous staff having issues signing up with PERSOLKELLY in the lead-up to the election. "From my perspective, the loss of experience was probably the biggest factor," he said. "We also heard stories of people at the count … with very little experience at all. "In actual fact, some of our scrutineers had a lot more experience than the people that were counting votes." In their email, the election worker said they had brought the issue up "at least once per week" but was told: "[PERSOLKELLY] have promised us staff. We have to see if they can fulfil." "If this dismissive approach is the official line of the commission, I sadly believe it has lost its way," they wrote. The following day, Commissioner Kennedy replied saying he understood PERSOLKELLY had been finalising appointments with "one to two vacancies still being worked on". He acknowledged there had been some "pushback" from applicants about having to use an electronic application and onboarding system but said that would have been similar even if the WAEC ran its own staffing. "I fear that staffing regional districts is becoming more difficult every election as population shrinks in those districts and the traditional cohort of temporary staff we relied on ages and ceases to work for us," he added. A PERSOLKELLY spokesperson said: "Staff involved in previous elections were contacted by the WAEC and encouraged to reapply." After further discussion, the worker told the commissioner if minimum staffing levels were not met they would instruct staff to close polling booths. That prompted a terse reply from the commissioner, now two days out from the poll. "Returning Officers do not have legislative authority to close a polling place," he wrote. The reply did little to allay the worker's concerns. "We have been pulling [presiding officers] from the proverbial ledge for weeks now, wanting to quit due to uncertainty," the worker wrote before quoting from the state's Work Health and Safety Act. "It is unsafe to operate a place of business without minimum staffing. "I am personally liable for any contravention of the act and I cannot in good faith compel people to work when it is not safe. "I just need reassurances on contingencies in the likely event of last minute staff no-shows etc." When Deputy Commissioner Courtney Barron followed up that evening, she said one polling location would be closed, offered a dedicated contact person at a higher level and said hard copy forms would be provided if staff needed to be hired on election day. PERSOLKELLY did not respond when asked if any staff were hired on the day, or if those staff completed the onboarding training required by the commission before starting work. In the end, Mr Rundle comfortably won the seat on first preferences with 53.3 per cent of the vote. "As it turned out, in general terms … the returning officer actually did a reasonably good job despite the challenges that were put in front of him by the Electoral Commission," he said. WAEC results show about 86 per cent of Roe electors cast ballots — in line with the 2021 election. A week after the election, PERSOLKELLY said: "100 per cent of the 682 polling locations that required PERSOLKELLY Australia support staff were operational. The WAEC determines all the staffing requirements." The WAEC declined to answer questions about issues in Roe and the loss of experienced staff, saying the "resourcing, planning and management of polling places" formed part of the special inquiry. "It would be inappropriate to comment further until the report is released," a spokesperson said. The trove of documents released to the ABC also showed there had been warning signs of potential issues elsewhere. In mid-February, an unnamed official in the Department of Premier and Cabinet emailed Ms Barron, referring to previously raised concerns around "challenges with pre-polling centres and staff availability in the Kimberley/Pilbara", offering to help. "Numbers have actually started to improve for us," Ms Barron replied. By the day after the election, the scale of issues was seemingly becoming apparent. "From Facebook, emails and calls yesterday seems queues and issues weren't confined to just a few areas," one staffer wrote to their director. Later in the day, the director replied asking the staffer to advise those taking calls from the public to record details of people raising issues to work out "the location and extent of any issues". Commissioner Kennedy is currently on leave until the end of the year. Deputy Commissioner Barron is also on leave but is not expected to return. The special inquiry report was completed in late June, but the premier told parliament it had to be cleared by government lawyers before being publicly released.
