Merry Christmas from BR

I shamefully asked a client the other day “how have you manoeuvred the challenges of 2020”. . . what utter nonsense. I’m ashamed of myself. 9 months of working from home has clearly turned me into the most boring corporate recruiter out there, I needed a break. I've therefore took some time to step out of my "covid compliant" bubble - appreciate the challenges we've faced this year and reflect on what we've achieved.

Whilst 2020 has been a year of firsts, some good - learning what the word furlough meant, first time I’d laughed at a politician crying (Hancock blubbering on Good Morning Britain) and some bad – bed bound with covid19 for a week in March, first time genuinely unsure how the business was going to survive a global pandemic. It has not, however, been the first time I’ve been extremely proud of the work we do at Beeken Reeves and immensely grateful for the partnership our clients entrust in us. I read a quote recently which said “just making it to December is cause for celebration” and I wholeheartedly agree – so for those reading this who have fought and battled on, whether winning or losing, consider just making it here a win.

There is no doubt the Recruitment market has challenges which lie ahead, but with the continued empathy and good nature I see in people around the world, I have no doubt we will all succeed in our own way. My optimism has been challenged but I enter the Christmas period with a few figures reflecting what BR has achieved throughout 2020:

62% of our Candidates Placed are Female – this stat is more a measure of our clients, those who are making genuine strides to ensure a more diverse workforce. The credit here goes to them.

From April onwards (i.e. post lockdown) 71% of our business has been outside of the UK – with the slowdown in the UK market, our team has leveraged our international relationships and knowledge to place globally. 47% in Asia, 16% in continental Europe and 8% in the US.

29% of our work continues in the UK – a credit to our existing network in the UK who have remained loyal and indeed those new businesses who we have had the pleasure to partner with in 2020, I remain encouraged by the UK’s resilience in the face of such challenges. We all expect this to bounce back next year.

70% of our business has been with entirely new clients – there is without doubt pockets of activity around the world and we’ve had the pleasure of uncovering and partnering with a huge range of new clients throughout 2020. I look forward to working closer in the new year and of course finding even more new clients as we expand BR in the months ahead. . . we have big plans.

2020 has proved to be the year where we go back to basics. Proactive, tenacious and intelligent business has been matched with a kind hearted, empathetic approach. No one could have wished for the year we’ve all endured, but I’m proud to say we have fought through with a smile.

From the beginning of 2021 we will be rolling out a series of interviews, In conversation with, and showcasing some of our success stories from 2020. I look forward to sharing these with you and catching up with you all in person when we can.

Until then, stay well, stay safe, thank you all for your support and seasons greetings from the team at Beeken Reeves.