10 Years of Loyalty
02 Feb 2018
Whether it’s the opportunities to progress within the company and enhance your career, or the friendly atmosphere and company benefits, First Recruitment Group is the kind of company that once you’ve settled into it, you stay.
We have a massive 10 employees who have been with us for over 10 years. Take a look at their journey…
Anna Machin
Accounts Team
Joined 2001
"I first started working at First in 2001 and was the only person in the accounts office, in charge of the weekly payroll, accounts and credit control."
"In 2002 we moved to Chadwick House in Birchwood and as the business grew I expanded the team. This is when Claire Fearnley and Ellie Sorton joined me and we are still working together today."
"I then progressed to assisting our Financial Director with the company accounts. In 2012 I left on maternity leave and came back to work part time and I now assist the finance manager with various day to day duties."
Why have you stayed with First?
"I enjoy working at First and am lucky to work with a great team who always keep me motivated."
Claire Fearnley
Payroll Queries Manager
Joined 2002
“I started working as the office Junior in 2002 manually scanning and processing all CV’s onto the business system, then in 2013 I moved into the Accounts department to work as Anna’s assistant and began to learn how to process payroll.”
“I worked my way up to become Payroll Manager and helped train the new payroll staff we have had over the years.”
“I left on maternity leave in 2013 and returned to the payroll department. As well as overseeing the weekly payroll I am also involved in Contractor Care.”
Why have you stayed with First?
“I have stayed with First because of my colleagues and the atmosphere in the office, I couldn’t imagine working anywhere else.”
Samantha O’Toole
Operations Support Manager
Joined 2003
“I started working as an Office Junior in 2003 doing general office duties, then after working in admin for a few years, I tried my hand at recruitment.”
“Recruitment wasn’t really for me, so in 2008 I become the Operations Support Manager along with a PA role to the Operations Directors. In 2014 I left on maternity to have my son Aidan, and then I returned to the role of Operations Support Manager and also took on the position of signing off contracts.”
Why have you stayed with First?
“The staff! Everyday someone makes me laugh. I have a great working relationship with a lot of people in the office and a lot of them have become close friends”
Kathryn Dawber
Recruitment Manager – Accounts & Delivery
Joined 2003
"I started at First Recruitment Group straight from University in 2003 in the Ops Support team while I looked for a ‘proper job’. After a heart to heart with one of the owners, Steve Farthing, expressing my need for a more challenging role, I moved into recruitment."
"Since then I’ve moved around various departments working in specific industries or disciplines as a Consultant through to Management. In my current role I’m managing a delivery team as well as several key accounts in the business, so my role is really varied."
Why have you stayed at First?
"I’ve stayed at First because you’re allowed to work independently as long as you achieve results - I couldn’t work for a company where I was micromanaged, this wouldn’t get the best out of me. First has grown significantly since I started 14 years ago, but there are still a core number of people from the early days which has allowed the business to keep the family atmosphere and values which I think is important."
Sharon Kenyon
Joined 2006
"I joined First as a Trainee Recruiter in the Mechanical and Piping department. Within my first 2 years I was promoted to Senior Consultant and earned myself a Company Car, then progressing to Team Leader on Mechanical and Piping. An opportunity then came up to manage the Civil and Structural Team."
"In later years, following a company restructure, I was given the role of Business Group Manager where I was responsible for managing a team and a number of key clients."
"Then in April 2017 I was offered the role of Training Manager so that I could share the 11 years of knowledge I have gained with new starters and existing staff."
Why have you stayed at First?
"First Recruitment have given me lots of opportunity to grow and develop my skills across the whole business from recruitment, account management, and now training. They have supported me and provided external courses to develop and enhance my skills. I have also made lots of very good friends whilst working here and I enjoy coming to work and spending time with them."
Tony Fallows
Client Development Manager
Joined 2006
“I started as a Recruiter in the Mechanical team, then after a year I became a Senior Recruiter in the Process department, over time becoming Manager of the department.”
“After the company restructured I moved to the business group covering for the South of the UK and managing the Accounts for a variety of major energy clients. Then finally 3 years ago I became Client Development Manager now working with new and existing clients to develop our relationships.”
Why have you stayed at First?
“It’s a friendly place to work and the people do make it fun. I think the company is very flexible in terms of working hours etc. and the fact that I have done several different jobs whilst at First has kept things interesting and fresh for me.”
Nick Catterall
Business Group Director
Joined 2006
“I began as a Trainee Recruiter when I joined First, soon moving into the area of Safety Engineering recruitment, helping that department to grow. I spent 10 months on secondment to First’s Australia office, then returned to join what was then called “Team North”, working on engineering roles in the North of the UK. I also started studying for a degree in Fire Engineering.”
“Over time I worked more and more on the client relationship side of things and soon spotted an opportunity to create a new division working on business support roles such as admin, sales, HR and finance. This Commercial Team has gone from strength to strength as is now a strong area of the business.”
“Finally, after being given responsibility for managing our permanent recruitment department and a contract delivery team, I have been appointed Business Group Director. I continue to build strong client relationships, whilst overseeing my recruitment teams.”
Why have you stayed at First?
“I’ve stayed for numerous reasons. Continuous progression, I share the same values as the company, I enjoy the challenges and results, I enjoy watching the company develop, I like being a part of the history, I feel respected and I enjoy the independence but have the support when needed. The list goes on.”
Laura Bagguley
Senior Recruitment Consultant
Joined 2007
“I joined First Recruitment in 2007 as Trainee Recruitment Consultant, progressing my career over the years by working within several departments including, EC&I, Site & Construction, Candidate Relations and Water.”
“I’ve been on maternity leave twice to have my two children, after which I came back to work in a full time position.”
“Currently I work back within Site & Operations, where I am now the Delivery Lead for the department and I’m keen to continue to develop my career further within First.”
Why have you stayed at First?
“I have stayed working at First due to my colleagues and the general friendly atmosphere here, as well as being given the opportunity to progress with my career. I have made a lot of good friends along the way too.”
John Urpi
CEO
Joined 2007
“I was initially invited to work with First as an independent consultant by founders of First, Steve Farthing and Andy Cartledge. I worked hard to create a more client-focused culture and was pleased to see people progress within the company.
“In my role as CEO, I have overseen the business through economic crisis, market and sector changes, and moving offices as the business expanded. Watching our UK growth as well as expansion internally and most recently into the Managed Service area of recruitment, the possibilities are endless.”
Why have you stayed with First?
“First has always been a company full of opportunities for the right people to grab hold of. I’ve been lucky to watch some of those people grow and develop, but I still believe there is so much we can achieve. I’m driven by our past success, and our future ambition.”
Ellie Sorton
Accounts Team
Joined 2007
“I started working as a Payroll Assistant in 2007 processing timesheets and expenses. Then after working in payroll for a few years, I moved over to assist with company accounts.”
“In 2013 I moved into the role of Payroll Manager helping to set up the contractor care team, and in 2016 I left on maternity leave. I gave birth to my son Jaxx, then returned to working part-time in the accounts team.”
Why have you stayed with First?
“I’ve tried a few different roles over the years, and this does keep the job interesting, but most of all, I love the team I work with. These ladies have become some of my best friends, and make it a pleasure to come to work.”
