Company Brochure

Introduction to Rilwood Associates

Rilwood Associates are a nationwide executive recruitment consultancy with our head office in Leeds, West Yorkshire. Historically the business was set up in 2003 by two Directors; Ben Riley and Wayne Underwood with the belief that they could offer a more professional and consultative service than was currently available to their clients.

Through the realisation of this vision the company was able to expand significantly and by the end of 2004 we had moved into new offices giving the business the potential to expand to 50 people. 2005 and 2006 saw significant growth with the advent of new divisions including a specialist sales recruitment division and the training division. Staff numbers also grew in this time sufficiently to prompt another move, at the end of 2006, to the current offices which provide for upwards of 100 people. The move also saw the creation of further new divisions focusing on the IT industry, engineering and manufacturing, the marketing discipline and the retail industry.

Since then the business has progressed from being one of the UK’s largest single site consultancies to offering a multi-site approach with offices now situated in The Midlands, Yorkshire and Mayfair, London with future plans to open in Manchester and the North East providing a local service on a national scale.

In order that our clients and candidates are correctly advised and represented, Rilwood Associates’ consultants work within specific divisions including Retail, FMCG, IT/Telecoms, HR, Engineering, Construction, Lighting/Specification, Packaging, Oil & Lubricants plus a full array of further sectors across Sales & Marketing functionalities. By specialising in individual sectors, the consultants at Rilwood are able to advise and represent our clients and candidates more effectively, efficiently and most importantly, more professionally than other recruiters.

We pride ourselves on the amount of repeat business and candidate referrals that we receive through the provision of this quality of service. Last year, 73% of Rilwood Associates’ business was repeat business. This has allowed Rilwood to comfortably re-invest into the business to look at new and improved ways to continually exceed the expectations of our clients and candidates.

What makes Rilwood different?

In order to compete with more established names in recruitment we must differentiate ourselves. We firmly believe that it is the individual consultant who makes the difference and at Rilwood Associates we have some of the best Sector specific recruitment consultants in the business. It is our opinion that the only way to offer our clients a truly individual and tailored service is to provide them with a consultant who understands the issues facing their industry and the markets they operate in. This is why each member of our team operates in their own specialist area. By operating in this way it enables us to truly understand the requirements of both our clients and candidates, resulting in a highly efficient and effective recruitment solution.

Unlike many consultancies, Rilwood’s Teams operates in a highly pro-active manner. We do not simply rely on recruitment databases or on candidates coming to us but actively headhunt and network to source candidates. From experience we genuinely believe that this pro-active approach achieves the best results. We source not just the best candidates who are currently actively looking for a new role, but the best candidates full stop.

Candidate Services:

Reactive:Like most recruitment companies when an opportunity arises that matches the requirements of both candidate and client we contact the candidates and inform them of the opportunity to see if they would like to be put forward for the role and if it is of interest. However, attending an interview is a big decision for a candidate, especially if that involves taking a precious day or half day off as “holiday”. Rilwood Associates understands these concerns and supports our candidates in their decision making. We go to great lengths to provide every single candidate as much information regarding the company and role in question and help in their preparation.

Honesty is key and we professionally highlight all the positives and any potential challenges of the opportunity. Rilwood Associates passionately believes that if a full and honest description is presented, the candidate can make an informed decision on progressing to interview and ultimately accepting an offer of employment. By doing this, we’ve found that our candidates are certainly not the ones that leave a company within 8 weeks and are 100% committed to the challenges and opportunities ahead. The last thing we want is wasting the time of our candidates and clients.

Proactive:Our “Proactive” approach is surprisingly uncommon for recruitment consultancies. Rilwood are very selective with the candidates we choose to represent. Why? Because each and every consultant invests a significant amount of time in proactively making the market aware of a specific individual. As a result we want to make sure we can place an individual in the right company sooner rather than later. Working closely with a Candidate, ‘target lists’ are created of companies that they believe they can make a genuine impact within, based upon skill sets, achievements and sector knowledge.

The assigned consultant will then go about contacting each and every one of these organisations and their decision makers, looking to represent our candidate, handle any objections or preconceived ideas and highlight the benefits the candidate could bring to their business. This has proven incredibly successful with many companies creating roles for our candidates rather than just waiting for vacancies to arise.

Client Services

Rilwood is dedicated to helping our clients attract and retain the right people, with the right skills and the right attitude.

Job seekers today expect more than just a competitive salary from their prospective employer. When choosing who to work for, many place as much emphasis on company culture, work life balance and ancillary benefits as they do salary. In today’s market the best candidates also expect more from their recruitment partner. At Rilwood we offer a pro-active, transparent recruitment solution that is completely committed to delivering candidates a solution as unique as they are.

Retained Search & Selection

Search & Selection has proven to be the most effective and expedient method of recruiting talent. Search is a solution driven service which enables clients to source the strongest talent within their sector. Within each organisation there is often a core of highly competent, well-qualified individuals with the ability to deliver results. Often these individuals are content within their role, and therefore not actively looking for a career move. Consequently, it is more challenging to attract and select individuals within specialist disciplines using traditional recruitment methods.

Once identified, we approach the top tier of individuals within our client’s market, developing a long-term relationship with them whilst ascertaining their interest in moving and, more importantly, their interest in working for our client’s organisation.  Our process ensures that we offer our clients the very best talent within their market place. 

Retained Advertised Selection

Advertising provides numerous benefits and most importantly attracts exclusive candidates unavailable from any database. As a leading advertiser in the quality national/trade press and high profile websites, Rilwood offers a wealth of experience in creating and managing all aspects of advertised recruitment campaigns. We are experienced in planning integrated media solutions, incorporating the best mix of on and off line options. Advertising is a powerful method of sourcing candidates, specifically when coupled with a Search & Selection campaign.

Contingency

Whilst most of our clients prefer to retain us to handle specific assignments, incorporating a comprehensive recruitment process, we recognise that there are certain situations where companies need an ongoing source of quality candidates without embarking on a full search. Our database is a key part of our successful candidate generation process and it can be an effective stand alone method of recruitment.

Examples of some our key clients

Through providing an excellent overall quality of service and differentiating ourselves from the competition, we have built strong working relationships with some of the leading lights in Business. Equally adept at representing both blue-chip corporate clients and more entrepreneurial SME’s, Rilwood Associates specialist approach has proved a big success. Below is a just a small example of the clients we have successfully worked with.

Some examples of Companies we have recruited successfully for:

…..a few of our Client Testimonials

“From the first meeting we had with Rilwood it was clear to us that we were dealing with a professional company that fully understood our requirements and took on board the type of candidates we required. We were constantly updated and the communication was excellent.”

“Thank you for finding Kate for us. We’re excited that she’s agreed to join the team. With regards to the recruitment process itself, when I received your call I was impressed by your manner which was why I was happy to explore using Rilwood Associates. I receive many cold calls a day from search and recruitment people and have done so for many years. To be honest it can be quite irritating but I have to say that was not the case with Rilwood.

Having talked you through the role and negotiated terms, I was impressed by the speed with which you approached the assignment and also the fact that you listened to what we had said.

We will certainly utilise your services in the future for similar senior positions within the Group.”

“Thanks for all your help with recruiting such a key role within our business. The whole process was smooth from beginning to end and it was great that both sides of the process were fully briefed throughout. It was great to meet someone of Steven’s calibre and from a retailer we don’t always attract people from. We will work with you in future if we have another similar vacancy we cannot fill from within. Many Thanks.”

“Having used Rilwood for a number of assignments over the last year, I would say that I have found the team very professional, supplying candidates of a high calibre. Rilwood have communicated clearly with candidates, managing their expectations and ensured that the interests of both candidate and client are managed effectively.”

“Rilwood Associates successfully assisted Finlay Beverages Ltd in the recruitment of a Commercial Business Manager for the ASDA account. Our Business Consultant was very efficient and professional during initial business introductions and the agreement of terms of contract through to the appointment of the candidate. Candidates profiles where well presented, submitted within agreed timescales, accurate in detail and met the criteria listed under the job and person specification.”

“Philips has used Rilwood Associates successfully for both retained and non-retained recruitment.  They are knowledgeable in the sales and marketing area and we have filled several positions using their services.  They ensure they have a good understanding of the company and the role and have always provided candidates that were well matched to the required profile.  Their approach is always professional and I am confident to recommend them to others.”

“Well done on the recent recruitment process for a new team of 9 customer service reps. I liked the seriousness with which you went about understanding our company, its culture and our specific requirements for this customer service team.

The advertisement looked good and seems to have attracted a good number of appropriate candidates. The assessment centre was excellent, with the venue, the quality of the exercises and the team spirit imbued on the day first class. Thank you for your contribution to this as we felt you were very much part of the process on the day.

The finalising of contracts and your handling of the candidates has been good and I am looking forward to the new team starting later this month. I will let you know how they get on in their new adventure with Amer Sports!”

“I just want to thank you for all your hard work during our recent recruitment campaign.

After our face to face meeting I was confident you had a firm understanding of our

requirements and was not disappointed.

Having been initially dubious about the retained way of working, I was very impressed

with the level of candidates presented to us at shortlist stage and would definitely work in

this way again.

The fact that we have employed two of the candidates presented to us is testament to its

effectiveness.”

“I want to take this opportunity to thank Rilwood Associates in Sourcing Mike to our

company. Both me personally, and the rest of the senior management team have been

very impressed with the attention to detail and level of service provided by Rilwood.

I must admit, I was apprehensive and perhaps a little reluctant to proceed down the

retained route for our last campaign. However, the speed of service and quality of

candidates presented to us was a revelation.

I have no hesitation in recommending Rilwood Associates and particularly, their retained

methodology to any business looking to strengthen their sales & business development

teams.”

“You have done a great service to EOGB Energy Products Ltd in enabling us to find the

correct person for our Sales Manager requirement. When we have any further positions

to fill you will certainly be the first person we will contact.”

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank you and Rilwood for your assistance and

support in sourcing the Sales Manager required by our company.

Having been sceptical about approaching a recruitment agency, I have been delighted

with the service received and I will not hesitate in approaching you for your services

again. It was a pleasure working with you and furthermore the successful candidate is

already proving a success and I have no doubt she will play a key role in MACH4’s

growth.”

“In six months you have successfully placed four high quality candidates into sales roles

which we were struggling to fill. Your approach has been one of total commitment to

understand our needs and align that with finding suitable people in front of us. In each

case you have fulfilled your obligations extremely well.

My experience of dealing with recruitment companies has generally not been a positive

one. However I am happy to say that Rilwood have changed that perception.”

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank you and Rilwood Associates for your

assistance in sourcing the sales personnel required by our company. Finding the right

person for the job in you own can be both time consuming, costly and stressful. Rilwood

have taken away all that pressure by finding quality candidates with the qualifications

and experience we needed.

I have no hesitation in recommending your services to any business and look forward to

working with you again in the future.”

“Just a quick note to thank you personally for all the time and effort you have put in for

us on this project. I know it has taken a great deal of your time up and I really appreciate

it. I believe you have found 3 really good appointments for us and hope we can keep the

relationship going as CCI always needs a pipeline of good people.”

“Thank you for all your help recently in recruiting Paul and Martin. I found that you

matched the candidates to the candidate profile that I gave you. This saved me wasting

time interviewing candidates that did not match my requirements.

This alone set your company aside from the many other companies I have had dealings

with in the past. As a result I have no problem recommending Rilwood to any

prospective employer or employee.”

“Rilwood have always supplied me with excellent candidates that have something about

them, you totally understand what I look for in people. I can highly recommend your

services in the recruitment market.”

“To date I have employed 5 out of the 6 candidates that you have put forward for

interview with my company and all these employees are doing brilliantly within the

Group. I was impressed with the fact that you researched our industry and your

candidates thoroughly and presented me with candidates that were difficult to choose

between which was a very nice change!”

…And a few from of our Candidates:

“Being a sales professional and having lots of previous contact with recruitment agencies in the past 10 years, I must say how pleasing it was recently in dealing with Rilwood Associates. I could use every complimentary and praiseworthy euphemism in the book and all of them would apply, but I'll try and keep it brief.  I had my first general conversation with Nicola on Friday April 7th after my details had been passed on to her following a recent application I had made via 'The Grocer' magazine, we spoke again on several occasions on Monday 10th and by the end of the day an interview with an interested employer had been arranged. I was interviewed on the following Thursday and offered a position which I have subsequently accepted.

As you can imagine I'm obviously very pleased to have landed a new job and can only put this down to Nicola's input, creating a position by using excellent networking skills and conducting herself in an exemplary manner. In addition her extremely positive and bubbly approach was a real breath of fresh air.”

PLACED AT:

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank Rilwood Associates for the care and

professionalism shown to me recently during my job search.

I cannot commend Shaun and Rilwood highly enough as I have been made to feel that

he regarded my application and subsequent client interviews of personal interest and

dedication.”

PLACED AT:

“Firstly I would like to thank your company and yourself for helping me find a position of

employment with Belfield Furnishings Ltd, which I see as a great opportunity. Secondly, I

have to point out that Lee has been an absolute star from day one, opening doors to

create a job. His attitude and professionalism is a credit to both your company and

himself and may I also point out that this is also the feedback from the people who

interviewed me.

I genuinely see this as a great opportunity that I would have not come across with

Rilwood, for that I am extremely grateful.”

PLACED AT:

“I would like to write to say many thanks for finding me a new job so quickly. Being made

redundant in November was very difficult especially in current climates so I registered

with a number of recognised agencies but sadly with little response and became very

disheartened.

We spoke in December and from the Initial call from yourself I was receiving numerous

update calls from Rilwood to discuss my welfare and the opportunities you had. The 3

roles that you obtained interviews for myself were all fantastic and of genuine interest.

The effort that you made to ensure that I was fully prepared for each interview and your

communication was totally fantastic, knowledgeable and supportive and I believe a

major factor in me being offered the role of which I am very thankful.”

PLACED AT:

“I would like to express my thanks for the professional manner in which you provided

timely support and guidance during my recent search for employment.

I was particularly reassured to be kept informed of proceedings and must also thank you

for the range of documents and conversations to help in initially deciding on the

opportunity and maximising the interviews.”

PLACED AT:

“I wanted to take a minute to pass on my sincere thanks for the time and effort you put

into my recent career development. I particularly liked the way that you genuinely

listened to my needs with feeling and the way your nurtured me through the three

interviews.

I would have no hesitation in recommending you and Rilwood Associates to anyone.”

PLACED AT:

“The service you gave me was first class. From the start you were always very efficient

and informative keeping me up to date with events during the process. For someone in

my position who had been with my past employer for a considerable time, I was

apprehensive about what I would be facing during the process of interviews etc, but you

were very supportive at all times and put my mind at ease.”

PLACED AT: