2024 Winners
THE Liquid Friday business services team of the year
- Morgan Hunt
Judges praised Morgan Hunt for their effective use of dashboards, and transformation into a data-centric business, led by a dedicated Business Optimisation Manager. This has enabled strong performance metrics, including turnover growth, impressive retention rates, and improved consultant productivity.
- Highly Commended: Signify Technology
- Finalists: Antal International, ersg Ltd, NHS Professionals, Radley James and Roc Search.
THE Sourcewhale CLIENT SERVICE AWARD
- Xcede Group
Xcede Group were praised for their innovative solutions and client impact, evidenced by strong profitability. Judges commended their successful promotion scheme, effective mentorship program, and impressive performance metrics, including increases in contractor revenue and revenue per fee earner.
- Finalists: Franklin Fitch, Hudson RPO, Oyster Partnership, Randstad and The Barton Partnership.
THE Bullhorn best use of technology award
- Engage Partners
Judges praised Engage Partners for their tech solutions driven by employee feedback, their innovative use of engaging, self-service tech to meet candidates’ needs, and operating seamlessly as both an agency and an online platform. Their impressive achievement of doubling the number of candidates onboarded over the year further highlighted their effective use of technology.
- Finalists: Antal International, iXceed Solutions, Matchtech and Source Group International.
THE FORE:TWO GROUP CANDIDATE experience AWARD
- Tile Hill
Judges praised Tile Hill for how their training, headcount growth, and automated feedback platform have created a strong candidate experience. This has also been enhanced by their Employee Value Proposition, and a deep commitment to diversity and inclusion through an ED&I health checker and a candidate-driven website design.
- Finalists: Franklin Fitch, Kemp Recruitment, Matchtech.
THE scale up recruitment company of the year
- Bridge of Hope Careers Ltd
Judges praised Bridge of Hope Careers as a standout in the category, recognising their innovative model and approach to service delivery with an array of impressive supporting metrics. Judges expressed admiration for their employee experience, and felt this was a company they would love to work with themselves based on what they do for the people they represent.
- Finalists: CLM Search, Connecting Experts, Navitas and Socium.
THE Ascen INNOVATION AWARD
- Morgan Hunt
Morgan Hunt were praised for their innovative, data-driven focus on diversity, equity and inclusion, and partnership with the Black Leadership Group to create an inclusive job board. Judges recognised their impact in helping clients adopt inclusive hiring practices and maximising their ATS, making them stand out with innovation around inclusive recruitment.
- Highly Commended: Xpertise Recruitment
- Finalists: Kemp Recruitment, Nexus Search Limited and Xcede Group
THE qdos growth recruitment company of the year
- Amoria Group
Judges praised Amoria Group for achieving impressive metrics during a challenging period for the industry and demonstrating the power of their talent strategy. Judges were particularly impressed by how they aligned purpose with profit with their initiatives to support ex-offenders, veterans, and disadvantaged populations, their commitment to corporate social responsibility, and a comprehensive DE&I strategy, which set them apart.
- Finalists: InterEx Group, Methods Professional Services, Nexus Search Limited, Tile Hill and VHR.
THE Workwell international recruitment company of the year
- VHR
VHR were recognised for their innovative approach and exceptional international growth. Judges were impressed by excellent metrics, including standout independent ratings from Gallup and Glassdoor. Despite economic challenges, VHR have made timely investments to enhance their systems and processes, adapting to client demands and achieving remarkable financial performance.
- Finalists: Approach People Recruitment, Franklin Fitch, InterEx Group, NES Fircroft, Radley James and Robert Walters.
The specialist recruitment company of the year (Up to £50M)
- VHR
Judges recognised VHR for their exceptional innovation, particularly in their tailored service offerings to niche market sectors, which go well beyond the scope of traditional recruitment. VHR’s strong commitment to ethical recruitment practices on a global scale was clearly evident, proving their dedication to living and upholding core values aligning purpose and profit.
- Finalists: EMR, Engage Partners, Mane Contract Services Ltd, Radley James, Signify Technology and Source.
THE GRANT THORNTON SPECIALIST RECRUITMENT COMPANY OF THE YEAR (over £50M)
- TeacherActive
TeacherActive were recognised for their clear strategy and deep understanding of the sector. Judges praised their commitment to service quality, employee wellbeing, and empowerment, which has driven strong organic growth and financial performance. They also showcased effective leadership, a focus on DE&I with measurable impacts, and innovative practices supported by positive candidate feedback.
- Finalists: ersg Ltd, NHS Professional, Robert Walters and Xcede Group.
THE PARASOL TEMPORARY RECRUITMENT COMPANY OF THE YEAR
- Engage Partners
Judges praised Engage Partners for their innovative use of technology to enhance processes and differentiate their service, creating a strong client and candidate journey. Engage Partners’ emphasis on educating and upskilling recruiters through safeguarding courses demonstrated their commitment to understanding client and contractor needs as well as social responsibility in education recruitment.
- Highly Commended: Mane Contract Services Ltd
- Finalists: New Directions, Roc Search and The Best Connection Employment Group.
THE Trowers & Hamlins LLP BEST RECRUITMENT COMPANY TO WORK FOR (£5M TO £50M)
- Signify Technology
Judges praised Signify Technology for their clear vision and significant investment in their people, with impressive benefits and strong DE&I metrics; which have supported an increase in female developers and numerous promotions. Signify’s focus on employee needs, innovative offerings, and dedication to supporting the community exemplify their exceptional service and leadership in fostering a positive work environment.
- Highly Commended: Tile Hill
- Finalists: Approach People Recruitment, EMR, Franklin Fitch, Masentó Group, Nexus Search Limited and Xpertise Recruitment.
THE Saffery BEST RECRUITMENT COMPANY TO WORK FOR (£50M - £100M)
- Source Group International
Judges praised Source Group International for their heartfelt business success stories, with a well-presented submission that clearly showcased why it’s a great company to work for. SGI effectively highlighted key initiatives, supported by strong testimonials, and demonstrated a comprehensive approach to learning and development, talent growth, DE&I, and career progression.
- Finalists: Extrastaff Ltd, InterEx Group, New Directions, TeacherActive and Xcede Group.
THE Blackwood Capital BEST RECRUITMENT COMPANY TO WORK FOR (Over £100m)
- Amoria Group
Judges praised Amoria Group for its consistent investment in their employees against the backdrop of a challenging recruitment market. Judges were impressed by a wealth of compelling metrics, clearly demonstrating how investing in talent delivers profitable growth with purpose. It’s clear their leadership has had an impact in building a great employer and partner brand.
- Highly Commended: La Fosse
- Finalists: ersg Ltd, HCRG Workforce and Sugarman Holdings Ltd, NES Fircroft, Robert Walters and SThree.
The Mishcon de reya Recruitment Leader of the Year
- Matthew Wragg, CEO, Gattaca
Judges unanimously agreed that Matthew is a truly transformational leader, and were impressed by the breadth and speed of his impact as a CEO in a large organisation. As a humble, effective, people centric leader, Matt embodies Gattaca’s employer brand and has proved the ROI on a range of employee initiatives. This is clearly demonstrated by the loyalty of long-serving employees and those that have returned to Gattaca over the last year.
- 2024 Finalists
- Lorna Conn, Chief Executive Officer, Cpl
- Tim Millward, CEO & Founder, Extrastaff Ltd
- Ollie Whiting, CEO, La Fosse
- Sasza Bandiera, CEO, Oyster Partnership
- Carmen Watson, Chair, Pertemps Network Group
- Nicholas Barton, Founder & CEO, The Barton Partnership
The Mercury Hall of Fame Award
- Mark Cahill
This Award honours an individual with a distinguished career in the recruitment sector who has had a major impact on the industry and achieved exceptional success as a business leader.
The 2024 recipient is Mark Cahill for his distinguished career at ManpowerGroup.