18 Years of Recruiting Success
Corks were popping for Chester’s longest established recruitment firm The Business Connection last week as the company celebrated its 18th birthday.
Surprise bottles of fizz were presented to all the candidates visiting for interview on Tuesday at The Business Connection’s offices in Heritage Court, Lower Bridge Street.
Kirsty Craig, managing director of The Business Connection, and Rachel Hough, business services manager, also took time out to visit Marks & Spencer Money and presented them with an award for being the longest standing client of The Business Connection’s. Back in 1989, Paula Chaloner started work here as a direct result of The Business Connection’s developing recruitment services and Marks & Spencer Money’s need for great staff. Paula has been promoted since and is now Human Resources Business Partner for the firm based at Chester Business Park.
Paula Chaloner accepted The Business Connection’s award on behalf of Marks & Spencer Money. She said:
“I never imagined back in 1989 when I came for my interview here that I would be accepting this award today. I remember that I was very excited about the prospect of being offered a job by M&S and thrilled when this offer was made. Many things have changed over the years for example, the recruitment process is now more sophisticated and the importance of making the right recruitment decisions is a very high priority. The Business Connection supports M&S Money by supplying them with high quality candidates with values that fit the organisation. In my personal experience as both candidate and recruiter I have found the Business Connection to be both extremely hard working and professional. I have really enjoyed the 17 years I have worked for M&S Money and am very grateful for the opportunities they have given me to develop my career.”
Kirsty Craig added: “We are absolutely delighted that The Business Connection has such a robust and enduring relationship with Marks & Spencer Money. Seventeen years is a long time for a business partnership these days, for any size of company. We are also really pleased to be able to follow Paula’s career and progress during this time. Paula is now responsible for recruiting for various departments herself and I’m sure the support we offered then and continue to offer now, helps her in her role.”
Wendy Moore, Marks & Spencer Money resourcing officer, said:
“M&S Money have enjoyed a long standing and strong relationship with The Business Connection. They have consistently delivered quality candidates in the required timeframes for our contact centre and administration roles. We were delighted to discover that we were their oldest customer and believe that working with them for such a long period has enhanced their understanding of our business and the types of people we recruit. Paula Chaloner was their first placement into M&S Money. Paula is now a HR Business Partner and an invaluable member of the HR team.”
ENDS: 481 words
Photos are downloadable from www.marketingprojects.co.uk
CAPTION: (From left to right) The Business Connection’s managing director, Kirsty Craig with Paula Chaloner, Human Resources Business Partner, Marks & Spencer Money, Rachel Hough, Business Services Manager for The Business Connection and Sharon Harman, Human Resources Administrator at Marks & Spencer Money.
The Business Connection is an independent and privately owned company which has been providing practical and tailored recruitment solutions for candidates and employers since 1988. Passionate about people, The Business Connection’s professionally qualified team is committed to delivering convenient and uncomplicated solutions to the employment issues facing clients and candidates today. Specialising in the office staffing, contact centre and management sectors, The Business Connection uses tried and tested methods of assessment and selection to match candidate with client and client with candidate, ensuring a successful outcome every time. The Business Connection has produced a 21 step guide for employers looking to recruit successfully. The 21 step guide is available by contacting The Business Connection through www.tbc-recruit.com
Kirsty’s husband Tim Craig, director of The Business Connection, has a particular strength in financial crime markets. Tim’s expertise could be of assistance to his son, the new Chester born James Bond, Daniel Craig, whose first Bond film Casino Royale is due for release at the Chester regional premiere on November 15.
Marks & Spencer Money (originally called Marks & Spencer Financial Services) was founded in 1985 as the financial services division of Marks and Spencer Group plc, initially to administer the M&S Chargecard. It is now a significant player in financial services, offering a wide range of products in the credit, investment, insurance and savings sectors. Business growth has been steady across all sectors and the company now employs approximately 1,500 staff at its award winning headquarters in Chester (UK). In November 2004, Marks & Spencer sold M&S Money to HSBC, one of the world’s largest banking and financial services organisations with over 10,000 offices in 76 countries and territories. Marks & Spencer and HSBC have entered into a 50:50 profit sharing partnership with HSBC.
Press contact: Jane Harrad-Roberts Mobile: 07785 395705 Marketing Projects PR Email: jane@marketingprojects.co.uk Tel: 01244 330000 Web: www.marketingprojects.co.uk Contact: Kirsty Craig Tel: 01244 350303 Web: www.tbc-recruit.com 4 Heritage Court, Lower Bridge Street, Chester, Cheshire CH1 1RD
Return to Business Connection listings
> Return to Client Press Office
