Nineteen candidates representing small to the very largest UK recruitment firms have thrown their hats in the ring for six corporate directors’ roles on the Recruitment & Employment Confederation (REC) Council. Eligible corporate members may vote for six candidates.

Online and postal voting began last Friday for both corporate and individual directors roles and will end on 20 June. Eligible members who did not vote online or by post will have a final opportunity to cast their ballots at the REC’s AGM on 22 June.

A total of 25 people sit on the REC Council including 17 corporate directors, seven individual directors and the chief executive officer. One-fourth of the council is appointed each year.

The seven candidates for the five individual directors’ roles on offer this year will be featured in the 15 June issue of Recruiter.

• *Jim Berrisford, Berrisford RSC, and REC regional director, Northern Ireland: “I will take the time to build bridges with disillusioned members, listening to ideas and concerns.”
• *James Berry, joint managing director, Flex Recruitment Plus, and chartered accountant: “I would like to participate in the continued development of the ethical and statutory standards requirement on behalf of both REC members and the wider business community.”
• *Di Bradbury, MD, Huntress: “My focus… has always been that our staff are trained, developed and motivated to offer an excellent level of service to all our clients and candidates - I think all industries should know what we can offer.”
• **Jeff Brooks, chairman, Primesourcing and chairman, REC Technology Sector Group. “I will continue to work to improve member engagement and member value… and ensure that the REC focuses on achieving those objectives.”
• *Christine Helen Dolby, MD, Lightning Recruitment: Dolby hopes to represent the voice of independent agencies operating outside major urban areas if elected.
• *Peter Dunphy, Darwin Rhodes Group: Acts as part-time special adviser to his business and director of certain subsidiaries after stepping down as CEO. Also a councillor on the Corporation of the City of London. “This combination of government/ political and senior recruitment experience can provide… invaluable expertise.”
• *Mike Gawthorne, MD, Advance Resource Managers: Keen to represent the technical marketplace working with white collar, skilled professionals. “I am an advocate of standards across the industry.”
• *Jacqueline Hilton, MD, Fidelis Partners: “I want recruitment to be a profession of choice and to attract talented individuals to the industry. This can only be achieved if those of us within it collectively agree on professional standards.”
• *Tawhid Juneja, CEO, Midas Rec2Rec: “I am an influential communicator, lateral thinker… and I create and manage collaborative partnerships – all of which I would like to bring to the Council.”
• *Alta Keyter, non-executive director, Quality Teaching Staff: “I feel particularly passionate about youth unemployment and would like to help raise the profile of the recruitment industry by being part of the solution.”
• *Faith Olding, founder, Apollo Teaching Services: A former teacher who “would be able to represent education companies from across the country regardless of size while also consider the needs of other areas of the recruitment industry”.
• *Andrew Pettingill, MD, Blue Arrow: “My philosophy has always been, ’you work for your people, they don’t work for you’. I am passionate about our industry and keen to see it strengthen.”
• *Stuart Pyle, director, Inplace Personnel Services: “I am frustrated with the lack of clarity on key issues such as use of umbrella organisations at or near National Minimum Wage, non-genuine self-employment solutions and the numerous illegal practices conducted by many recruitment businesses”.
• **Peter Searle, CEO, Adecco UK & Ireland, and vice chairman, REC: “I believe the REC is a pivotal platform from which to represent and uphold the standards and professionalism of our industry.”
• **Neil Smith, MD, Kinetic and current REC chairman: “The Council’s role is one of direction, strategy and scrutiny. I will ensure the Council does all of these to the best of our collective ability.”
• *Brian Stahelin, MD, Stafflex, believes that “the future of this industry will depend on good recruitment and within the industry, continuous training and development, considerate management and leadership… and development of long-standing relationships with employers, employees and applicants”.
• *John Stanton, chairman, Mynt Recruiter: He wants to “help drive forward the changes and driection that this industry needs and be a vocal spokesperson on behalf of its members… and have a desire to ensure best practice at all times”.
• **Theresa Swann, founder and MD, Swann Recruitment: “I feel passionately that recruiters who work ethically and responsibly should not be undermined or undercut by less conscientious operators… and pledge to continue advocating fairness and professionalism across the recruitment industry.”
• *Grant Wilson, director, Driver Hire Aberdeen and chartered accountant, offers “unique insight” into developing a small local business within the sphere of a national major operator and in-depth knowledge of how the industry operates at “a grass roots level”.

* denotes new candidate
** denotes candidate who currently serves on Council