We’re so excited to announce that First Choice Recruitment is now officially Employee Owned through an Employee Ownership Trust (EOT)! This is a truly special moment for our team, clients, and candidates as we take the next step in our journey together.
After over 30 years of providing top-tier recruitment services, this new chapter means our amazing staff now have a direct stake in the business, ensuring that First Choice Recruitment remains the company you know and trust, while offering even more opportunities for our team to grow.
It all started on a chilly morning in February 1993, when Anne and Andy opened their first office in the heart of Wakefield. As Andy fondly recalls:
"At that time, we could never have imagined the incredible journey we were about to embark on—the thousands of lives we’d positively impact while helping boost the local economy by connecting talented people with great companies."
Now, nearly 32 years later, Anne and Andy began reflecting on the future of First Choice Recruitment. What’s the best path for the business, for the team, for our clients, and for themselves? While they weren’t quite ready for retirement, they also didn’t want to sell the business. That’s when they realised that an Employee Ownership Trust was the perfect way to safeguard the business’s future and preserve everything they’ve built.
What This Means for Our Team and Clients
Anne shared her thoughts on this exciting transition:
"Over the last 32 years, First Choice Recruitment has been our lives (Andy and I) and we are proud of our achievements. Putting the ownership of the company in the hands of our employees is an achievement that is hard to put into words as it is an emotional time. Still, the experience of going through the EOT transaction allows Andy and I to think more about the future legacy, and our purpose and to develop a business that continues to create value for our team, our clients, and the candidates for many more years to come”.
Heidi Wood, who has been with us for over 16 years and now sits on our board of trustees, reflected on her time with First Choice:
"I am excited about the next chapter for First Choice Recruitment and honoured to sit on the board and looking forward to continuing to work with Anne and Andy who are the DNA of First Choice. The transition to an EOT represents a unique opportunity for all employees to have a hand in its future and continue our mission together - positively changing people’s lives.”
We’d also like to take a moment to thank our advisors in the process of becoming an EOT. Robert Postlethwaite of Postlethwaites and Sean Hackemann of SAS. Their expertise and support have been invaluable as we’ve worked through this transition.
Looking Ahead with the Same Values
As we move forward, you can rest assured that we remain just as committed to the values that have guided us from the very beginning - people, partnerships, and performance. We truly believe that this new phase will only enhance our relationships with both clients and candidates, as we continue to provide the personalised recruitment solutions you’ve come to expect from us.
Thank you so much for your ongoing support. We’re excited about what the future holds, and we can’t wait to continue this journey with you!
