Bluestones Supply Chain is pleased to announce an exciting new joint venture with Skill Force Recruitment founder Dan Wilde. The partnership brings together two highly experienced recruitment professionals and marks a significant step in strengthening the company’s presence and service capability across the North West.
The new business, Bluestones Supply Chain (North West) Limited, will combine Bluestones Supply Chain’s established expertise with Dan’s extensive industry knowledge and local connections, creating a stronger and more scalable platform for clients and candidates throughout the region.
A partnership built on experience and shared values
For Krista Flannagan, Managing Director of Bluestones Supply Chain, the joint venture was a natural and positive decision.
Krista Flanagan
Managing Director
“Partnering with Dan felt like the most natural next step for Bluestones Supply Chain. We’ve known each other for well over a decade, and throughout that time we’ve built a working relationship based on mutual respect and an instinctive understanding of how each other operates. Our skillsets complement one another perfectly — my background is rooted firmly in the driving sector, while Dan brings deep industrial expertise and an impressive network across the North West.
Dan is highly regarded within the industry, and for good reason. He brings a calm, measured approach and a genuine understanding of what businesses need from their recruitment partner. Having worked both as a recruiter and within a neutral vendor environment, he sees the sector from every angle — and that well-rounded perspective adds real value. It’s one of the things that sets this joint venture apart.
This partnership also aligns seamlessly with our long-term strategy. With Dan based in the North West, it strengthens our footprint in the region and enables us to broaden our reach by bringing together our collective experience, resources, and connections.
Our professional relationship began many years ago when I first worked with Dan while he was operating as an Account Manager for a neutral vendor. Even then, his attention to detail, level-headedness, and ability to navigate complex requirements stood out. We have stayed connected ever since, and when the opportunity arose to expand Bluestones Supply Chain, he was the first person who came to mind. Approaching him about a joint venture felt like the right step, and I’m genuinely excited that we are now bringing this partnership to life.”
Strengthening service, support, and scalability
For Dan, the opportunity to merge his business with Bluestones Supply Chain came at the right time and aligned with both his experience and long-term ambitions.
“I have known Krista for around twelve years, and even before we met, I was aware of her reputation within the industry. In recruitment, strong operators naturally stand out, and her name was one I heard often. When we first met, I was working as an Account Manager for a neutral vendor, and I was immediately impressed by her conviction, persistence, and ability to secure the contracts she targeted.
Dan Wilde
Director
More recently, I have had the opportunity to work directly with her. She is highly skilled, strategic, and has successfully grown and managed Bluestones Supply Chain in Scotland, the North East, and the North West for more than a decade. Her professionalism, politeness, and tenacity are qualities that set her apart.
When the opportunity arose to explore a joint venture, it felt like a natural step. With the merger of my business into Bluestones Supply Chain, we have created a stronger platform that allows us to support SMEs as well as large blue-chip organisations more effectively.
One of the things that stood out to me about Bluestones Supply Chain was the depth of support available, the involvement of the directors, and the potential within the existing client base. While I had been working extremely hard to drive growth independently, there is only so far you can scale as a single individual. This partnership removes those limitations and opens the door to much greater opportunity.
With the support now in place, I believe we can deliver significant growth. Our clients will have more expertise to draw on and a wider team to support them, while candidates will continue to receive a consistent and positive journey.
Looking forward, our focus is on maximising our existing connections by engaging closely with both clients and candidates. This will help drive short-term growth while positioning us to expand further in the medium term. As the workload increases, growing the team will become a natural and necessary next step.
I am joining a capable and ambitious team that is committed to driving the North West forward. Supporting their development as we grow the business is something I am genuinely excited about. In the longer term, our aim is to extend our reach across the UK and eventually establish permanent offices that allow us to deliver on a national scale.
I bring 23 years of experience in recruitment across the driving, industrial, and construction sectors, primarily within temporary staffing but also delivering permanent placements. Over the years, I have implemented a wide range of contracts, from small agreements to large onsite solutions, and there is very little I have not encountered within the recruitment landscape. With Krista’s drive and my own determination, I am confident that this partnership has enormous potential.”
Creating greater opportunities for clients and candidates
Bluestones Supply Chain (North West) Limited will build on the strengths of both businesses. Clients will benefit from an expanded team with deeper expertise across the driving, industrial, and construction sectors, while candidates will gain access to a broader range of opportunities supported by a highly experienced recruitment team.
The joint venture also enhances Bluestones Supply Chain’s long-term strategy by strengthening its presence in the North West and expanding its ability to service existing and new clients with greater scale and efficiency.
Looking ahead...
The combined team will focus on building strong relationships throughout the region, supporting current clients, developing new business, and expanding service delivery as the venture grows.
We’re proud to welcome Dan Wilde and look forward to the exciting journey ahead as Bluestones Supply Chain begins an exciting new chapter.