Recruiter Quest Personnel says it checked references for Myer’s sacked executive

THE recruitment agency behind Myer’s embarrassing executive sacking says ‘detailed’ checks were made on Andrew Flanagan, and it plans to contact police.

Recruiter defends dodgy Myer hire

THE recruitment agency behind Myer’s embarrassing executive sacking has defended its role in the saga, saying “detailed” reference checks were made.

Melbourne-based Quest Personnel says it also intends to contact the police to investigate the alleged recruitment fraud.

Quest Personnel put forward Andrew Flanagan as a candidate for a senior role at the department store, but has been left red-faced after serious holes appeared in his high-flying CV.

Source: <i>The Australian</i>

Quest yesterday defended its position, saying international reference checks were made into Mr Flanagan’s glittering career claims.

But Quest managing director Lorraine Tribe admits that the agency was taken in by “incorrect and misleading information” about his employment history.

Mr Flanagan was named as Myer’s group general manager of strategy and business development last week when the department store group announced three high-profile appointments.

He claimed to have a stellar retail background, including a role as former managing director and vice-president Asia Pacific of Inditex Group, owner of fashion giant Zara.

But Myer was on Wednesday forced to swiftly sack Mr Flanagan just days after his appointment when Zara Australia said he had never worked for the group.

“It now appears that both Quest and regrettably our clients were provided with incorrect and misleading information in relation to Mr Flanagan’s employment history,” Ms Tribe said yesterday.

“Mr Flanagan was interviewed at length by several leading retailers all of whom were interested

in employing him. Some of these interviews took place at board level.”

Ms Tribe, who founded Quest Personnel in 1987, said the recruitment process that saw Mr Flanagan placed with Myer had been extensive.

“For his successful position, Mr Flanagan was interviewed by Quest Personnel and also by senior executives of the client on at least three occasions,” she said.

“Detailed reference checks were carried out both locally and internationally directly with

referees by the Quest Personnel recruiter.”

Ms Tribe said the reference checks appeared to support Mr Flanagan’s claims about his employment history but “information has since been released by the Inditex Group which contradicts these claims”.

She said that the matter would be reported by Quest Personnel to the police for further consideration.

The Herald Sun understands Myer believed Quest Personnel had thoroughly checked the candidate’s background and references before presenting him for consideration.

Mr Flanagan was interviewed in person by Myer and reportedly came across as very knowledgeable and experienced.

Myer said on Wednesday Mr Flanagan’s contract had been immediately terminated and an investigation had been launched.

Quest Personnel is a privately owned company which claims to have “a history steeped in success within the recruitment industry”.

It offers permanent, temporary and contractor recruitment services for sectors including retail, banking, mining and government.

“We have a long and successful track record of applying the same high level of sourcing and selection techniques to all positions,” the company says on its website.

Originally published as Recruiter Quest Personnel says it checked references for Myer’s sacked executive