FEATURE
Workforce - Alina Constantinescu ( right ) and Kimberley Walton of Imperial Recruitment Group .
Imperial Workforce was working diligently to keep the food and pharma industry fully staffed . The difficulties in doing this were immense , but thanks to its dedicated consultants it was able to supply staff safely .
Jason D ’ Silva , managing director of Imperial Workforce , says : “ It has been a really challenging year for us but it ’ s been great to see that despite difficulties in the recruitment market and current economic conditions , we have still been able to sustain our business growth as planned .”
Imperial Workforce provides qualified and entry level staff to all disciplines and industries in the North-East area requiring a temporary workforce .
“ We transition in the region of 1,000 people from temporary placements into permanent positions each year , such is the quality of our recruitment ,” adds Jason . “ We ’ ve been doing this now for 17 years , so you could say it ’ s our métier .”
Imperial Professionals Since inception in 2016 , the professional arm of the group , which counts Sembcorp Energy UK as a client , has seen consistent year-on-year growth . 2021 / 22 saw its greatest ever annual financial performance , increasing sales and closing profits by more than 35 per cent . 2022 / 23 half-year figures already show over 100 per cent growth compared with sales figures for the first half-year of 2021 / 22 .
Anthony Antoniou , managing director of Imperial Professionals , says : “ To say I am proud of this collective achievement is an understatement .
“ I have worked in recruitment for more
“ Our growth and success are largely down to the ability of our team who live and breathe by one of our core values - creativity !”
than 16 years and I have to say the skill , creative ability and work ethic of this Imperial Professionals delivery team is by far the best I have seen .”
Imperial Professionals has developed a “ unique retainer model transferable to all industries and at all levels ”, adds Anthony .
“ This unique process has been designed to help top talent from our region progress their careers in some of the North-East ’ s most exciting and dynamic businesses .
“ Our growth and success are largely down to the ability of our team , who live and breathe by one of our core values - creativity !
“ It goes back to a time during the Covid pandemic when we worked with one of our clients to create a bespoke offering that suited their large-scale recruitment drive . The process was designed to ensure that it captured and assessed talent from both the active and passive markets . That process has since evolved and is now the heartbeat and style of our unique offering .”
The leadership team is not only responsible for clients ’ workforces , they are keen to look after their own workforce of 32 too .
Group finance director Trish Dodsworth said : “ We ’ re all very aware of the rising cost of living , which affects employees and businesses alike , and being aware of the needs of our staff is foremost in our duty of care towards our amazing team .
“ We have this year provided an extra sum to our staff to help meet the rising electricity and gas costs . Our teams are the backbone of our business . Without them we wouldn ’ t be here .”
The recruiter has signed a sponsorship deal with Stockton Town Football Club to support grassroots football in the area . The new Imperial Recruitment Group Suite is currently being built , with a completion date expected by the end of 2022 .
They are not all work and no play , though - Imperial staff enjoy their social outings , whether it ’ s Ladies Day at Newcastle Racecourse or a curry .
They have also introduced a number of family days . Last year , they partnered with their client Middlesbrough College for an exclusive pantomime , which they will do again this year .
They feel that even through tough times , the positivity in the North-East business community is one that the group is passionate to support and develop . Their mantra is success through people – and this is evident in their culture and operating style .
The voice of business in the Tees region | 139