Think Global Recruitment

A NIGHT AT S1 JOBS RECRUITMENT AWARDS – APRIL 2015

Last night I attended S1 Jobs Recruitment Awards at the Crown Plaza in Glasgow.  It had the makings of an interesting night, where many recruitment people from all over Scotland congregated together.  I was delighted to have been invited as a guest on Bull Horn’s table and would also like to thank Martin Kay or Route 2 who also offered me a place on his table.   There is only one of me, so I went with the first invite and enjoyed the good company of the lovely people from Bull Horn, James Fleming from Jimmy Red, Hazel from Gillespie People Solutions, Tori Long from Head Resourcing IT Recruitment, Niel Rafferty of NSK Recruitment, Graham Cross from Mazars and Michael Young of MBN Recruitment Solutions/ Chairman of APSCO amongst others.  The evening started at The Grand Central Champaign Bar at Central Station, courtesy of Bull Horn.  At 7pm we jumped in taxis to the Crown Plaza.

I was slightly disappointed to hear that the dress code was ‘casual smart’.  I am a believer that if you are giving out awards, it should be an auspicious occasion to honour the winners which merits a black tie event.  However, it seems I wasn't the only one and many of the attendees had ignored the dress code and made the effort.  Mostly, everyone looked great all glammed up.

On arrival to the Crown Plaza we were handed a lovely glass of champagne, courtesy of Fire Fish (the glass even had a fish on it).   We were quickly called to take a seat at our tables.   The first thing you saw on everyone’s table was a stress bull, these bulls quickly had pictures taken in various poses which were tweeted out for the world to have a giggle.  What great publicity for Bull Horn!

The evening was compared by a comedian, a little too obvious for my taste of humour, but many of the crowd found him funny, in particular those that must have had a few more pre dinner drinks than I had.  S1 Jobs got on the stage and started well by speaking about how recruitment companies Improve Lives, but then the speech went down hill by becoming a very long sales pitch for a) a tool that could be a competitor to the recruitment consultancies b) a tool that is a direct competitor to their main sponsor for the evening and c) well I have not idea because I had switched of by that part.  The speaker had not read the audience at all and carried on to finish his entire speech regardless to the fact 90% of the audience had started chatting amongst themselves.  What a shame!

Steven from Bull Horn with Myself (Abigail)

It seems that because Mr S1 Jobs hogged so much of the time, the 18 awards were rushed through quickly.  I would have loved to have seen the 3 shortlisted web sites, recruitment videos etc.  Hopefully they will publish links for us. 

Despite a few grumbles, I would like to thank S1 Jobs, where their speech was terribly boring, they did a great job of laying on a good evening with Music, a band, good food and wine.  I had an amazing night and will definitely be back for next year!

Graham Cross from Mazars with Myself (Abigail)

And the winners were………

Firstly, a huge well done to James Fleming, MD of Jimmy Red, who I am proud to say was on our table and had already impressed me with his story of building his niche recruitment company from 1 to 14 people in on year.  Jimmy Red won Best Small Recruitment Agency.  

James Fleming being 'cool' when they announced Jimmy Red won!

Also a huge well done to one of our favourite clients, EY, who swept up 2 awards - Best Graduate Recruitment Strategy and Best Graduate Recruitment Campaign. 

Gordon Smith, EY with Award

Best Large Recruitment Agency

• Reed - Winner

• First People Solutions
• FPSG
• Office Angels
• 9-20 Recruitment

Best Small Recruitment Agency

• Jimmy Red Recruitment - Winner

• Titan Global
• Total Recruitment Group
• Cathcart Associates
• Enigma People Solutions

Best Recruitment Consultant of the Year

• Alison Miller - Reed - Winner

• Alan McVey - Reed
• Kirsty Lloyd - FPSG
• Yvonne Kelly - Total Recruitment Group
• Carol Duncan - Office Angels

Best Employer Brand

• Clydesdale Bank - Winner

• NHS Scotland
• Sky
• Skyscanner
• Scottish Canals
• John Lewis
• Google

Best Recruitment Campaign

• MSL Group - EY - Winner

• TMP - Coventry City Council - Commendation

• Tonic Agency - BNP Paribas

Apprenticeship Award

• GAP Group Hire Solutions - Winner

• West Dunbartonshire Council Employability Service - Commendation

Best Employer Training & Development

• Mediacom Edinburgh - Winner

• Renfrewshire Council - Commendation

• Thistle Healthcare Ltd - Commendation

Best Recruitment Website

• CA3 - Avis Budget Group - Winner

• Chatter - First Group
• Havas People - Tesco
• TMP - Rental Cars

Best Recruitment Innovation

• Tonic Agency - Shell - Winner

• Havas People - Ab Inbev
• Sensée Ltd
• TMP Worldwide - Virgin Money

Best In House Team (under 1000)

• Peninsula Business Services - Winner

• Golden Charter - Commendation

• NHS Orkney - Commendation

• Sodexo Prestige Venues and Events

Best In House Team (over 1000)

• Calgary Communications - Doosan - Winner

• GAP Group Hire Solutions
• MSL Group - EY
• National Oilwell Varco

Best Graduate Recruitment Strategy

• MSL Group - EY - Winner

• Chivas Brothers
• Havas People - Deloitte

Best Recruitment Campaign Government/Public Sector

• TMP - Coventry City Council - Winner

• Scottish Canals

Best Use of Social Media as part of a Recruitment Campaign

• Andsome - Boots - Winner

• Havas People - Deloitte
• Solutions Driven

Most Effective Brand Development

• Andsome - The Original Bowling Company - Winner

• Casual Films - AB Communications
• Casual Films - Rolls Royce
• MSL Group - EY

Best OnBoarding Strategy

• CA3 - RBS - Winner

• Maxwell Bruce

Best Recruitment Video

• Casual Films - Sainsbury - Winner

• Casual Films - DAH University
• Casual Films - Rolls Royce
• QA Apprenticeships

Best HR Team of the Year

• Sheraton Grand Hotel and Spa - Winner

• Scottish Canals - Commendation

• GAP Group Limited

Chairman's Award

• Jim McColl OBE