Dunfermline firm upbeat after debt write-off

Agency moving forward with stronger care services division

Fife recruitment company Avenue Scotland believes it is well placed to take advantage of future opportunities after writing off a significant bad debt.

The Dunfermline-based firm, run by Scottish football figure Ian Campbell and his wife Rona, reported a loss of £28,000 in 2015 from a turnover of £10.95 million.

The turnover was up 16% from the revenue of £9.4m in 2014, when the company made a pre-tax profit of £93,817.

Mrs Campbell, one of the firm’s two directors with husband Ian – assistant manager of Arbroath FC – said the £28,000 reported loss for 2015 included a write-off of a significant bad debt of £182,000.

Ian’s twin brother Dick, Arbroath’s manager, is Avenue Scotland’s general manager.

Despite the loss, the directors considered 2015 to have represented the beginning of the next phase of the growth of the business.

Avenue Scotland provides temporary and permanent recruitment across a range of industry sectors including engineering, manufacturing and care services.

Mrs Campbell said: “A strengthening of the core business, and in particular the care services division, means that the directors believe the company is well placed to take advantage of opportunities in 2016.”

The outlook for the economy offered an element of uncertainty post-Brexit, but she said the key industry sector in which Avenue Scotland is focused predicts continued demand.

Avenue Scotland has grown into one of the largest independent recruitment agencies in the country serving a range of more than 2,000 clients across the UK from offices in Dunfermline. Its database of 25,000 candidates is supported by systems and processes which the firm says lets it respond quicker to client needs in its four divisions.

Avenue Logistics Recruitment fills vacancies in the driving and warehouse industry and has become a key supplier for many blue-chip companies.

Avenue 4 Forces finds employment for ex-military personnel for employers seeking candidates with skills including engineering, project management, security, training, IT and communications, marine and aviation

Avenue Care Services was established to provide a service of support and care to fill sessional relief social care and social care officer vacancies.

In Avenue Business Bootroom, Ian Campbell offers his expertise from football to show how its strategies can transform other businesses. business@thecourier.co.uk

Ian Campbell, right, with brother Dick. Fife recruitment company Avenue Scotland believes it is well placed to take advantage of future opportunities after writing off a significant bad debt.