Member Article

Warrington’s Optionis creates new jobs in recruitment spree

Professional services group Optionis has reached the halfway mark in what it describes as an “unprecedented” recruitment drive that will see the creation of nearly 60 new jobs.

The Warrington-headquartered company, which provides support services to freelancers, contractors, small businesses and recruitment firms, has filled 27 new posts since June.

It is now on the lookout for another 31 new starters, with vacancies in areas such as IT, accountancy, sales, marketing and customer service. Roles range from management positions through to apprenticeships.

Derek Kelly, group managing director at Optionis, described the hiring spree as the company’s largest to date.

He said: “Our ambitious growth plans mean we’re always on the lookout for talented people, but this is new territory for us in terms of the sheer number of jobs being created.

“Not one of these roles is a like-for-like replacement – they are all brand new positions that will bring fresh skills and ideas to the table, grow capacity and enhance our ability to deliver a first-class service.

“For me, creating new jobs is undoubtedly one of the most exciting and rewarding parts of running a business, so this is a fantastic time to be part of the Optionis management team.”

The Optionis group is home to three operating brands; ClearSky Contractor Accounting, Parasol and ClearSky Business. Group turnover for 2013/14 was £316m.

In addition to its two offices on Centre Park in Warrington, Optionis has bases in Middleton, London, Poole and Dorchester.

The current recruitment drive will take the number of office-based staff working at Optionis to nearly 300, including around 40 apprentices. Total headcount is expected to reach 350 by March 2016.

Optionis employees working across core head-office functions have the chance to work a ‘condensed’ week over four days and take either Mondays or Fridays off.

Benefit packages include private healthcare, childcare vouchers, paid time off for volunteer work, free gym membership, free fruit and a complimentary lunch once a month.

Optionis recently launched the Ideas Bank – a reward scheme enabling employees who come up with original initiatives to pocket a share of savings or profits.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Simon Malia .