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meet some of our people . . .
Christian Ash
Branch Manager, Preston
When did you join Acorn and what job where you doing prior to this? I joined Acorn in June 2006 to set up and manage a new branch opening in Preston. Prior to this I worked for large international recruitment firms gaining valuable experience in recruiting for large corporate clients as well as a grounding in temporary and permanent recruitment.
What attracted you to Acorn? I was offered a fantastic opportunity – to set up a new branch for Acorn, which was a great challenge. However the most important factor was that I felt I would receive the support from Acorn and the people around me to be enable me to be successful in my new role.
Acorn is an established company with a good reputation but it is also working towards some exciting expansion plans, which again were very attractive to me.
What do you like about working for Acorn? The culture of the company and the people. Acorn has a unique feel to it in that it has maintained a friendly and supportive culture whilst growing into a national player in the recruitment and training arena.
What makes Acorn different from other organisations you have worked for? The company is very flexible, both in terms of its approach to recruiting for job-seekers and in terms of the way we go about attracting our clients. I’ve found with really big companies that there are so many hoops to jump through before you get an internal decision that it impacts negatively on what you are able to do. With Acorn, decisions are made quickly and more importantly they are supported from the top.
Acorn looks after their clients, job-seekers and their own people very well, which is a refreshing change as many large companies find it difficult to do both.
What has been your best/most successful moment at Acorn? In Preston we have been able to recruit and develop a fantastic branch team and the result is that we have forged some excellent relationships with local business in a short period of time. We have won several large accounts and work together with them to ensure they have the right people when they need them.
The success of the team has been very rewarding and is something that has been recognised around the company.
What advice would you give others looking at recruitment as a possible career? Recruitment is a job that encompasses a wide range of skills and always offers something different. If you’re new to recruitment 100% effort is a must - just throw yourself into it!
If you’re from the recruitment industry join a company that offers you the flexibility and support to do the job you’re good at and more importantly allows you to enjoy it!
Cathryn Kerwin
Technical & Engineering Recruitment Consultant, Wrexham
How long have you worked at Acorn? I started working for Acorn in December 2008
What attracted you to Acorn? Acorn is such a well-known brand in the North West of England and North Wales area. In my former role I was targeting engineering roles in large factories and Industrial facilities and the Acorn name is the one that cropped up the most. I knew Acorn had a good reputation in my area of expertise.
What did you like about working for Acorn? Mainly the same reason that attracted me to the company in the first place they have a great brand and reputation in the area. They are not as well-known in the North West for engineering but I relish the challenge of building a technical and engineering desk in the area and my Manager Simon gives me the freedom to do this and embraces any ideas I have.
What makes Acorn different from other organisations you have worked for? Comparing Acorn to the other companies I have worked for I have noticed a huge difference. At Acorn I feel that the company as a whole invest time in me and my desk gaining support from the Management teams and marketing to ensure that my presence in the area and my field is highlighted.
What has been your best/most successful moment at Acorn? I have managed to obtain a meeting with one of the largest users of contract engineering labour in the Wirral area with a view to be added to small PSL. Very exciting and plenty of doors will be opened if successful.
What advice would you give others looking at recruitment as a possible career? Recruitment is a great career and it can also be very rewarding but you need to work hard speaking to as many companies as possible and building a bank of good people who will work for you and will be reliable. It takes a while but persist and the rewards are worth it.
Helen Payek
Regional Training & Development Advisor, Newport
How long have you worked at Acorn? I joined in August 2008, prior to this I was a Business Services Manager at Zurich Insurance managing the support function for the Call Centre - quality, training and administration.
What attracted you to Acorn? When I worked for my previous employer, Acorn was delivering NVQ Customer Service Qualifications to a very high standard, so I was very much aware that Acorn is highly respected in the market place and a very professional, growing organisation. I felt that the culture and values would match my own expectations.
What did you like about working for Acorn? Immediately I joined, I felt part of a friendly, open, professional, growing organisation.
My role is challenging, and varied, with every day being different.
I feel valued by Acorn and empowered to carry out my role, whilst also being given development opportunities to progress my career.
What makes Acorn different from other organisations you have worked for? I have been really pleased how everyone at Acorn has made me feel really welcome, and have provided me with superb training.
What has been your best/most successful moment at Acorn? I am delighted to have achieved my A1 Assessor Qualification, within six months, with the support of Acorn.
Also, I am very proud that all my Retail Financial Learners are making good progress with their Apprenticeships, many having successfully completed their key skills in the last few months.
What advice would you give others looking at recruitment as a possible career? Anyone looking for a challenging, rewarding, role with good career progression would find this job more than meets expectations.
Keri Harris
Commercial Recruitment Consultant, Bristol
How long have you worked at Acorn? I Have been working for Acorn for almost seven years, and never looked back. Before joining Acorn I had never worked in an office environment; I had only ever worked in factories working in production / logistics and as a supervisor. I also had experience of running my own business, so it was a drastic change but a challenge I wanted to get my teeth into.
What attracted you to Acorn? I had worked previously as a temp for Acorn at Mitel at Caldicot, so I knew the company and the people quite well. When the position of Night Shift Supervisor came to an end I was approached to join Acorn as a Contract Co-ordinator based at the Panasonic site. I was so pleased that Acorn had faith in me to do the job.
What did you like about working for Acorn? I have always been treated well by the company both as a temporary and permanent worker. I enjoy meeting people and in recruitment you have the opportunity to meet different people every day - no two days are the same. I have been given the opportunity to attend all sorts if courses and broaden/develop my skills.
What makes Acorn different from other organisations you have worked for? Acorn values your efforts and you are not just a number. I have always been made to feel that I am a valued member of the Team. Recently I have changed from co-ordinating a managed service contract into to a Commercial recruitment role and I have received excellent support and training to enable me to do this.
What has been your best/most successful moment at Acorn? There are many examples but completing NVQ Level 2 in IT gave me great satisfaction and I was grateful that Acorn gave me the opportunity to achieve this.
It always gives me a ‘buzz’ when placing people into work. It can make such a difference to people’s lives and it makes me feel like I have succeeded.
When I left the Alexandra site to return to Panasonic a group of my temporary workers presented me with a framed picture taken on site, to remember them by. They thanked me for all I had done for them and told me how much they would miss me, it made me feel special and successful - a moment I will never forget.
What advice would you give others looking at recruitment as a possible career? Recruitment can be very rewarding - it’s not always easy, It is a continuous learning curve from day one but hard work pays off. Above all you need to be a people person, putting people first and foremost.
Steve Newman
Bids Manager, Head Office
How long have you worked at Acorn? I have been with Acorn for 16 months..
What attracted you to Acorn? I wanted the opportunity to join an already successful and proven company with a defined strategy for growth where my role as Bids Manager would play an integral part in any expansion. I was looking for a challenging and exciting role and Acorn fitted the bill perfectly.
What did you like about working for Acorn? It’s a great team with a great outlook – the people make the organisation. From top to bottom everyone cares about the company and their part in its success.
What makes Acorn different from other organisations you have worked for? I have worked for some of the larger businesses in our industry and often it’s easy to ‘get lost’ and just be another employee. At Acorn we are empowered with the ability to make decisions – our opinion matters, even at the highest level. I can see my work and decisions making a difference.
What has been your best/most successful moment at Acorn? Responding to bids and tenders brings its highs and lows; to date we have been fortunate enough to win a high proportion of the contracts for which Acorn has tendered.
What advice would you give others looking at recruitment as a possible career? If you enjoy building and maintaining relationships this is the job for you – whether with clients, work seekers or colleagues people are the core of this business.
Maria Evans
Regional Director of Operations
When did you join Acorn and what were you doing before? I Joined Acorn as a temp working for a client in 1995 and then began working as a temporary receptionist in Newport Branch. Prior to this I had been a full-time mum.
In 1997 I was taken on as permanent staff and have progressed through the ranks from Junior Consultant to Senior Consultant, managing major contracts and eventually was promoted to Branch Manager of Newport Branch.
I am now Regional Director of Operations and I wouldn’t change a thing!
What attracted you to Acorn? The people. Acorn was and still is a friendly company. Even though it has grown in size those at the top have remained approachable and I count them amongst my friends.
What do you like about working for Acorn? My career has never been static – I have been given every opportunity to develop fully. I have undertaken a variety of roles which I think has developed my management skills as I have experienced these roles first hand.
What makes Acorn different from other organisations you have worked for? Even though Acorn is now a large, leading UK recruitment company it still maintains a family feel. I feel very proud to be part of its development and success.
What has been your best/most successful moment at Acorn? Following a two-year period working on a managed contract for Panasonic (which peaked at 800 temps on site) I set up the Managed Services Division and European Division.
What advice would you give others looking at recruitment as a possible career? Always take the time to listen and enjoy what you do.
Dal Limbu
Divisional manager, Head Office
When did you join Acorn and what were you doing before? Before joining Acorn in August 2005 I was a Major in the Ghurka army in Nepal. My career in the army spanned 29 years before I took retirement.
What attracted you to Acorn? Towards the end of my army career I was advising Acorn and other official sources on the opportunities of utilising the skills of ex-Ghurka servicemen following their retirement from the force.
I felt that Acorn really understood the potential of developing this relationship so when they approached me on my own retirement I had no hesitation in working for the company.
What do you like about working for Acorn? I really enjoy working with the people here; everyone is very approachable and supportive. The work is varied and challenging but very rewarding.
What makes Acorn different from other organisations you have worked for? This is my first position after leaving the army but what I believe sets Acorn apart is that there is a mutual respect at all levels of the business. The company is growing quickly and everyone who works here feels they are an important part of the company’s success.
What has been your best/most successful moment at Acorn? We have worked very hard to help our workers integrate into local communities. Whole family units have successfully settled here and are working in various roles and their children participating in the education system. It has been, and continues to be, very rewarding to be part of this repatriation project.
What advice would you give others looking at recruitment as a possible career? Don’t be afraid to try something new and different.
Adrian Davies
Director of Business Development, Head Office
How long have you worked at Acorn? I Joined Acorn in January 2009; previously I spent 12 years in charge of sales for the Vale Hotel, Golf & Spa Resort in South Wales.
What attracted you to Acorn? Acorn is a very strong brand so I was well aware of its capabilities and excellent reputation. The move gave me the opportunity to join an expanding company allowing me to develop national and multi-regional accounts; a challenge which I relish.
What did you like about working for Acorn? Acorn has that rare mix of having a relaxed atmosphere but retaining a high level of professionalism whilst delivering excellent levels of service to customers.
What makes Acorn different from other organisations you have worked for? Working for Acorn is very exciting; its future growth plans means that there will be on-going opportunities both for the company and individuals working within the organisation. Acorn values the contribution that everyone makes to the company’s success which is very satisfying.
What has been your best/most successful moment at Acorn? I was recently invited to represent Acorn at the British Embassy in Paris before the France vs Wales rugby match. It was an honour to do so but it was disappointing that Wales lost 21-16!
What advice would you give others looking at recruitment as a possible career? If you enjoy working in a fast-paced, sales environment then recruitment might be the challenge you are looking for. Many people, especially those in sales, have very transferable skills and find that this industry and Acorn in particular provides them with the job satisfaction and rewards they are looking for.
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