Reed is synonymous with recruitment. But what many people don’t realise is the strength of the personal service available to clients, candidates and the local business community alike. Online processes have become a major factor in the recruitment sector, but the team at Reed Milton Keynes firmly believe nothing can replace a one-to-one approach.
Getting to know employers, potential employees, the local market and the people who work in and around it is, according to Reed Senior Area Manager Kristine Bokane Da Silva, fundamental to ensuring the right candidate is found for the right job.
“We are a team of people who live, work and play in Milton Keynes, and we know and understand the local area,” said Kristine. “Yes, Reed is a large organisation, but within each office there are people who are passionate about getting to know what clients and candidates want.
“I would like people to see us as a recruitment partner – an extension of their business or recruitment team. This is especially important to SMEs because they often don’t have a recruitment or HR specialist within their business, and so we’re here to support them through the entire process.
“Because we are local, we can spend time with clients. It’s important that we get to know their ethos and culture, visit their premises, find out more about the role and meet the team, so that we have a good idea what they are looking for in a candidate.
“Similarly, we do all the groundwork with candidates, gathering as much information as we can so that when we are working to fill a role, we can put forward four or five very suitable, fully screened, compliant interviewees.
“For the client, it’s like starting out at second interview stage because all the background work has been done.”
Reed delivers recruitment services for businesses across a range of industry sectors, with experts working in their accountancy, business support, HR, procurement and supply chain functions, to name a few. Roles recruited for can range from receptionist, admin and customer service, qualified accountants and accounts assistant roles right through to C-Suite Executive Search – all on a permanent, interim and temporary basis.
The Business Support & Accountancy and HR team in Milton Keynes, which is headed up by Kristine – who also specialises in HR recruitment – and overseen by Regional Director Chris Willsher, comprises Wendy Eckersley and Leon Henry working on temporary and permanent business support roles, Alison Cowdrill on temporary and permanent support for national accounts, and Andrew Stribling in temporary and permanent delivery for accountancy clients.
By offering contingent temporary employees, alongside permanent processes, Reed is able to provide cover in a range of situations, including on projects and for sickness or holidays. This allows the team to become an extension of their client’s team in the way that Kristine highlights as being so important.
Furthermore, all the candidates Reed places on a temporary basis are referenced, vetted and come with an easy-to-use electronic timesheet and payroll system.
The work they do is all geared towards giving clients the level of support they need to recruit the very best people. The services provided are backed up by flexible guarantee packages that offer peace of mind for those taking what can be a major step into recruiting new staff.
Chris Willsher said:
“Because we are confident in the services we offer, we are happy to provide clients with guarantees that we will not only be with them every step of the way, from them coming to us with a role to the new employee starting, but beyond that.
“Recruiting can be a big investment, particularly for our main client base in the SME market, and if, for any reason, an appointment doesn’t work out in the first few weeks or months, that can be devastating. Our guarantees remove some of the worry and give peace of mind that we are confident we’ll help them find the right person.”
Kristine added:
“As a recruitment partner it’s not just about putting forward good candidates. We might advise on the package that is on offer – it’s a different marketplace now, we do this every day so we can help!”
“People are interested in things other than salary these days, whether that’s flexibility in working hours or working from home, employee benefits, or extra annual leave. One of the main barriers to someone accepting a job is almost always the counter offer. If everything is based around a good salary, it might not be too difficult for a current workplace, or another potential employer, to offer more to retain or attract that person.
“It has to be about more than that, so our consultative-led approach is invaluable.”
Reed’s commitment to its clients is backed up by a desire to contribute towards the economy of Milton Keynes and to be at the heart of the city’s business community. As a company which has been present in the heart of the city for more than 30 years, Reed is very proud to be part of the Milton Keynes business community.
The team believe that maintaining local relationships is vital, with the city offering many opportunities to new businesses and start-ups. The company aims to support the growth of those businesses and to help them flourish.
Milton Keynes is hugely attractive to businesses, especially the kind of innovative firms which are creating high-quality jobs to make the most of a local skilled workforce. The city has officially topped the UK’s most competitive city for business, according to UK Competitive Index for 2023, which ranks places on how well they are set up to help businesses flourish.
Kristine added:
“Reed Milton Keynes has built a strong reputation for excellence in the area. With a well-established presence, we take pride in delivering top-notch services to both candidates and businesses.
“Our approach is one of partnership, working closely with companies to understand their unique needs and culture. This enables us to source and secure the right talent that not only meets the required skill set but also fits seamlessly into the company’s environment. Our commitment to our clients is evident in our thorough process and the successful outcomes we consistently achieve.
“Staying connected by attending local networking events and celebrating local business successes is something we love the most. Most recently, attending the Women Leaders Awards, an annual celebration of the remarkable women living and working in the MK area that is an inspiring and joyful evening.”
Find out more about Reed via their website.
