Vickers Neal Recruitment

Over the last decade Emily Neal (maiden name Vickers) has built a formidable reputation in internal and external recruitment and specialist workforce management. After working for various recruitment companies, Emily saw a gap in the market for a tailor made search and selection solution. In 2006 Vickers Neal Recruitment Solutions (VNRS) was launched and has grown year on year. Married, with 2 young daughters the pressure would be daunting to many but Emily takes it in her stride because of her genuine passion for the business.

VNRS provides a range of customised recruitment solutions both locally and abroad with a personal touch. Rather than a traditional off-the shelf, one size fits all approach, Emily’s business ethos is to listen, understand and design services to individual client’s requirements. This includes learning the brand, culture, campaign constraints (budgets, time-scales etc.) and long-term business plans.

Whether a role is permanent or interim Emily can provide a range of solutions to suit. From working on-site with local SMEs to organising large blue chip candidate assessment centres, Emily will take time to learn client needs, shape attraction and retention strategies. This could mean implementing new policies, promoting roles overseas or structuring flexible packages to attract the right candidate. To Emily, understanding her clients’ current and future objectives is just as important as understanding potential employee’s career objectives and ensuring long-term fit.

VNRS does things differently and that’s why their clients always return and are happy to recommend their services. 90% of business comes from referrals. Unfortunately over the last few years Emily has become increasingly aware of other recruitment companies using tactics such as placing anyone just to fill a role, or re-contacting newly placed candidates to entice elsewhere to earn a dual fee in a short time.

Even those with more ethical approaches are struggling to gain clients, particularly in the SME market because of challenging economic times. Emily believes the reason VRNS is bucking this trend and growing in this area is because most are failing to understand key recruitment barriers for SME’s.