‘Ethical’ recruitment firm set for growth with six figure NPIF loan

A Leeds recruitment company is planning to double in size with the help of a £150,000 loan from NPIF, Mercia Debt Finance, which is managed by Mercia and part of the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund (NPIF).

Marmion has increased the size of its team from four to eight since 2021 and is now planning to add a further eight staff in the year ahead. The company, which aims to provide a ‘personalised, ethical recruitment service’, specialises in working with fast-growing start-ups and businesses to help them put the right people in place to scale their business.

Marmion recruits for permanent roles at all levels and manages the entire process, from writing job descriptions to advertising the role and screening candidates. It also offers a HR consultancy service. All the Marmion team are qualified recruiters and 96 per cent of the candidates they place are in the role for a year or more.

Marmion was founded in 2016 by Janet McGlaughlin, who has over 30 years’ experience in the sector and was previously a consultant to Lloyds Bank, where she managed the recruitment of 250 contractors to deal with payment protection insurance (PPI) claims.

Janet, who also hosts the weekly Ethical Recruitment Podcast, said: “Taking on a new employee or committing to a new role is a big decision so we invest time and resources in understanding the needs of both parties to ensure that the introductions we make are worthwhile.

We are not a ‘database search agency’ because we do not register everyone and we use only trained staff who can read between the lines of a CV to see if candidates are a good match. However, our track record speaks for itself. The funding will enable us to invest in technology and marketing and help attract more high-quality candidates for our client companies.“

Gary Whitaker, investment manager with Mercia, added: “Janet is a very determined founder who has built an impressive operation based on her tried and tested approach to recruitment and her belief in ethical business. We are pleased to be able to provide the funding she needs to grow the business and help more fast-growing firms to put the right teams in place.”

Sean Hutchinson, senior manger at British Business Bank, said: “The UK labour force is experiencing a shortage of skilled workers, which is why it is important, now more than ever, that innovative HR agencies with a different perspective are connecting the right people with the right companies.

“We know that the North is hub for growth, and Janet has created a growing business which is on its way to the next stage supported by the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund.”

Bipin Mistry, growth manager at Leeds City Council, provided fundraising advice and business support to Marmion.

By Mark Adair – Correspondent, Bdaily

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