The former owner of a Midlands business magazine is bankrolling a new specialist recruitment consultancy in Birmingham.
Paul Esherwood, who founded BFM before selling it in 2004, is backing Rebecca Gallimore and Holly Boden who have launched Staffbook Recruitment in Victoria Square.
Mr Esherwood invested in his own recruitment business almost five years ago and he is confident the pair have what it takes to succeed.
He said: “I have been waiting for an opportunity to come back to Birmingham and although some might say now is not the right time for a new business venture, especially one in recruitment, I really believe in Rebecca and Holly’s drive to succeed.
“Although the economy is difficult at the moment, there are still lots of opportunities for clever, creative businesses to prosper. I built a business from scratch in Birmingham some years ago on the principals of client care, attention to detail and a passion to succeed and Rebecca and Holly share my views on how to be successful. They are both highly motivated and very talented recruiters – I am certain they will be a big hit in the city.”
Ms Gallimore believes the company’s focus on people will be the key to making the business a success.
She said: “We both used to work in a very traditional shop front-style agency in the suburbs and although our experience taught us a lot about recruitment, our passion has always to been to work in the professional services sector.
“We are highly committed, ambitious and dynamic and intend to build a business based on using a knowledge and technology-led approach to recruiting whilst maintaining our commitment to exemplary client care and attention.
“We feel strongly that too many agencies use a standardised approach to recruiting with antiquated methods of attracting candidates and clients. We firmly believe that relationship-based recruiting is far more effective at both ends of the process so we work very hard to put some meaning behind the word ‘consultant’.”
Staffbook has set up office in Victoria Square and the pair have already began building their contacts through membership of organisations such as Birmingham Forward and the Chamber of Commerce.
Ms Boden said: “The last three weeks, our first in business, have been manic. But it’s been a lot of fun meeting all the key players in Birmingham and with Paul’s connections it has really helped open some doors.”
