Fri, 20 May 2016

FROM JUNE's RECRUITER MAGAZINE

Where were you on 4 May? It was a night to remember, with recruitment’s stars out in force to celebrate the past year’s successes at the Recruiter Awards 2016. Attendees – winners, judges and guests – shared their thoughts on their 2016 wins, past wins and on the evening itself

Ed Vokes Director, Evolve Hospitality – Winner, Best New Agency

“We try and do everything to the best of our abilities. We look after our people. We just try and be as good as we possibly can.”

James Ballard Partner, Annapurna Recruitment

“To have won three awards last year is probably the biggest accolade we have ever received as a recruitment agency, and in terms of being able to acquire great people – it’s made a massive difference. We have been riding on a high for a year. Sounds a bit cheesy but it was probably the best night of my life, as well as the birth of my two babies.”

Sakshi Munglani Lead – lateral hiring, Tata Consultancy Services – Winner, Best Graduate Recruitment Strategy

“Awesome. We worked very hard towards it.”

Richard Waite Talent & resourcing senior manager, Grant Thornton – Winner (with the Project Box) Best Candidate Experience 

“We’re really, really pleased to have won the Best Candidate Experience award. We’re in a really noisy and competitive marketplace, with some really big players competing for talent. I think by nailing candidate experience it means we’re able to hire great people and it’s a true differentiator.”

Kate Nicholls School leaver programme manager, Pret A Manger – Winner, Best Apprentice/School Leaver Recruitment Strategy

“I’m quite shocked but delighted.”

Andrew Pirie Marketing director, Sanctuary Personnel – Winner, Best Candidate Care

“Very proud to win this award. Happy to support our candidates and clients with the work that we do with them every day.” 

Russell Thompson Group managing director, LMA Recruitment – Winner, Recruitment Agency of the Year (Up to 75 Employees)

“This is our seventh year of entering and we have been shortlisted seven times. To win is unbelievable – I’m over the moon.”

Rob Aylward Head of recruitment, Great Western Railway – Winner, In-House Recruitment Team of the Year 

“We have been on a big journey for probably 18-24 months. We brought in a lot of people into the team, a lot of direct sourcing and we put in a lot of controls and processes. How does it feel to win? It’s fantastic – it’s testament to the work that we’ve done. Probably the most prestigious awards that we can be in and so great to be around peers and recognised for the work we have done.”

Romesh Ranganathan Comedian and host of the awards

“Holy sh*t mate – the Recruiter Awards. I’ve been waiting for this one! Oh my God!... This is what it’s been building up for.”

Matthew Jeffery VP, head of global sourcing and employment branding SAP – Winner, Most Effective Employer Brand Development 

“I am really delighted for the whole team that we have won this award. It’s great to have been recognised for our work on employer brand that is an important area for us as a B2B company. This was the award we really wanted to win.”

Barry Roback Director, Anderson Group

“We are proud to be associated with such a prestigious event that celebrates the integrity and the professionalism of the recruitment sector and showcases it in such a glorious fashion.”

Helen Schofield Director, permanent recruitment at TTM Healthcare – Winner, Best Public Sector Recruitment Agency 

“To have won this award as an Irish business that has only been in business for five years is amazing.”

David Potter Director, Evolution Recruitment Solutions – Winner, Best IT Recruitment Agency

“From the top down, our staff are outstanding. We invest quite a lot in our staff and it’s what makes our people successful. Another reason is because we are specialists in what we do.”

Greg Latham Managing director, Encore Personnel

“It’s a great way to celebrate that the industry is alive and buoyant and to do that with your team and celebrate their hard work.”

Harald Ackerschott Ackerschott and Associates

“It is a great platform of exchange, dialogue and feedback, and thinking in a condensed way, because I don’t think there is any other occasion when you get so many recruiters in the same place. But it goes beyond conversation, and into learning from each other.”

Samantha Hurley Operations director, APSCo 

“It’s a great night, and I think we should keep on celebrating the best.”

Kate Nicholls UK independent anti-slavery commissioner

“No profit margin should be worth a human life.”

Tony Goodwin Group CEO and chairman, Antal International and Recruitment Entrepreneur of the Year 

“I have been wanting to win this award for the last 10 years. It’s the Champions League of recruitment awards.”

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