BUSINESS IS REVVING UP FOR PETERBOROUGH RECRUITMENT FIRM

A new Peterborough recruitment firm working with a number of FTSE 250 food companies and Formula 1 manufacturers is enjoying the recipe for success.

The Collective Network has been going from strength to strength since it opened – despite launching in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The company has grown to six employees and recently moved to newly revamped offices in Tesla Court in Lynch Wood to create a permanent base from which to further expand in the future.

The company recruits for the motorsport and food and drink industries, with a focus on production and engineering roles, and they have recently taken on a number of new clients.

“From our side, a few people questioned the timing to open in the middle of the pandemic in 2020, but we were always confident in our offering which still gave us a great deal of demand from both sectors and, as a result, we had an extremely good start last year,” says director Tom Fitzjohn who co-founded the company with Jason Parrott.

While Tom leads on the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) side, thanks to his experience building partnerships in the food and beverage industry, Jason uses his background as a competitive driver in the world, European and British karting championships to provide expert staff to the motorsport and automotive industries.

And the pair’s authentic approach is helping to build trust as well as developing new relationships with both clients and candidates.

“We always strive to do what we say we are going to do – that is one of our core values,” explains Tom. “We are committed to keeping people on both sides updated rather than just sending out CVs and hoping something sticks. That isn’t how we operate, for us it is much more about creating lasting relationships that are built on trust and true industry knowledge”. “Our success is based on the old saying “people buy from people” not just if we get someone a job or not. And having an extensive network of contacts is what can really set us apart. I truly believe what we’re doing here”.

“We are focused on that type of organic growth of our network through the right channels. We would always prefer a longlasting relationship – we are not in this to make a quick buck.”

That sustainable long-term view is clear from the effort the pair have put into their new Lynch Wood premises as well as their approach to leading their own company, after first meeting as colleagues in another agency.

“We’re both committed to working hard to make it a success,” adds Tom. “We work around the clock to make things happen for our clients and our candidates and being true specialists in those sectors really helps us do what we do.”