The ability to deliver quality candidates tops a list of qualities UK firms seek in a recruitment agency, according to research from professional staffing recruitment consultancy Barclay Meade, part of the AIM-listed recruitment business Matchtech Group.

The research shows that 61% wanted recruiters to have the ability to deliver the right candidates, 60% to provide good quality candidates - 60%, 55% a knowledge of the market in which they operate in, 53% to be cost effective and to demonstrate client understand, and 43% to provide excellent customer service.

The research also shows that word of mouth and press advertising are preferred methods of recruitment over the use of recruitment agencies.