Two prominent North East businessmen who are founding directors of successful financial services companies Blackett Walker and BW Medical Accountants have backed newly launched recruitment company Coleman James to achieve great things.
The Gosforth based business has been launched by experienced recruiter Andrew Mackay who has years of experience recruiting within the construction, built environment and technology sector. He has ambitious plans to grow the business starting with the appointment of two consultants to be made over the next couple of months.
Andrew said: “I’ve enjoyed a successful career over the last 12 years recruiting at every level within the construction, built environment and technology sectors both in the UK and internationally. It’s something I’ve proved myself capable of doing time and again, but I’ve always wanted to step out under my own banner.”
Andrew initially became successful within the construction and built environment sector in the North East and then across the UK. During his time at global technical recruiter CDI AndersElite – he won the Presidents Club Award fending off competition from over 200 colleagues across the UK after contributing significantly as divisional manager he was responsible for the growth in the North East and Scotland.
With support from Richard Blackett and Kevin Walker – they have both taken on directorships with the new business – Andrew has now launched his own company focused on a partnership approach in order to deliver results integral to clients’ commercial ambitions and his executive candidates career aspirations.
He said: “I’ve known Richard and Kevin for a number of years and have a lot of respect for their acumen; they in turn are aware of my skill set, so we already have a solid working relationship. Their advice is available if needed but their approach is to trust in my skills and judgement as managing director and let me get on with what I’m good at.
“By basing the business in their building at BW House on Gosforth Business Park there is enough room for me to have completely separate offices with the ability to key into some of their established support services. As a result I’ve been able to hit the ground running and focus on bringing new business through the door.
“As a recruiter you are in charge of people’s careers and through this process you forge some very close relationships with individuals and businesses alike. You are guiding people through crucial choices and helping businesses deliver their growth targets. If they succeed then you as a recruiter succeed because people grow to trust your service and you build an extensive network of contacts and gain in-depth market awareness.
“For me, from this point, it’s a natural progression to want to establish and grow my own business and team; I’ve been greatly encouraged to do this with Blackett Walker in the form of Kevin and Richard backing me as a sound investment.”
Richard Blackett said: “We know Andrew and are aware of how much he is respected across the sectors he’s recruited in. He already has an extensive network of contacts throughout the North East, the UK and beyond; our job is to help provide him with the solid business foundations and structure in order to execute his skills and use his contacts without getting in his way; which I think we’ve done.”
Kevin Walker said: “We advise people on how best to invest their money and therefore it is important we are not afraid do the same ourselves. With Andrew there is a proven record of success at a very high level.
“He’s now been able to reap the benefits from this opportunity using his skills as an established leading recruiter to launch his own company. Within the first six months he’s secured contracts with some leading national organisations and already delivered significant return on our investment.
“Having proved the business model works so successfully we look forward to an exciting year ahead as Andrew looks to bring a dynamic team in around him to grow the business and take it to the next level.”
For more information about Coleman-James visit: www.coleman-james.com