Here's some advice for recruiters who are considering working for master and neutral vendors: think seriously about the implications of winning the business, know what is and isn't do-able, and don't let yourself be carried away by the size of the client.

"If it won't work for you, walk away, but if it will, you have to put your heart and soul into it," advised speaker and experienced recruiter Fiona Brunton.

She was speaking to recruiters representing all sectors who met in London last week to discuss issues involved with working for master and neutral vendors. The seminar was organised by the Recruitment and Employment Confederation.

The seminar also urged recruitment companies signing up to master vendor agreements to examine the terms and conditions, and not be scared to negotiate on certain points.

The seminar heard the success story of Morgan Hunt Public Sector ,which decided to embrace the master vendor concept after many of its local authority customers introduced the system.

Managing director Helen Stokes told the seminar: "We talked and negotiated with each of the master vendors involved to make it work for us. "It was difficult and time consuming but worth it in the end."

She added: "If the vendors show us respect and pay us the margins we need to provide a quality service then vendor managed services will continue to be a success."

The seminar is part of a series being held across the UK.