Premier steps up bid for Imprint

PREMIER, the Cork-based recruitment company, has increased the pressure on British firm Imprint to accept its takeover offer after buying a 23% stake in the company.

The purchase, which set Premier back £10.2 million (€13.3m), came hours after the board of Imprint urged its shareholders to reject the Irish firm’s takeover bid.

Premier, run by Pat Fitzgerald, has offered 115 pence (150 cent) a share for Imprint — a London listed recruitment company that was set up by Irishmen Brian Hamill and Pierce Casey.