Temps help agency recruit more staff

Mar 26 2008 by Chris Knox, The Journal

A HUSBAND and wife team hope to double the turnover of their recruitment company after moving into the lucrative temp market.

Peter and Sarah Nixon hope to hit a turnover of £2m by 2009 at their Gateshead-based firm Recruitment Now, with its workforce expected to rise from 18 to 30 in the same period following the recent launch of a temporary recruitment division.

The division has already helped 130 people find temporary employment in the North East, and the pair believe this will grow to 300 by the end of the year.

The couple recently appointed four employees to manage the new division and expect this to treble by 2009.

Sarah Nixon, director, said: “The new appointments are settling into their new roles and we are looking to expand further by recruiting more consultants. The new division extends the business immeasurably and we are expecting a major jump in our turnover as a result.”

Sarah and Peter are also hoping to move out of their rented property on the Team Valley Trading Estate by 2010 and are looking to buy their own office space in the North East.

However, the pair’s impressive growth plans come at a time when many are predicting a downturn in recruitment rates as employers prepare themselves for tougher economic times.

Peter said: “The slowdown in the economy is something we are aware of. However, I don’t think it will have a massive impact on our business.

“Many of the firms that we speak to view the current situation as an opportunity to push ahead of their competitors and see expanding their workforces as one way of doing this.”

Recruitment Now has established a solid reputation among employers in the region, especially within the hotel and catering market, and has placed Michelin-standard chefs with such clients as Close House Country Club, Matfen Hall, Horton Grange Hotel and Toms Companies.