What do you do at MRG?
I recruit work winning professional across the Midlands and North for a variety of sectors including Facilities, Construction, Civils, Professional Services, Architecture, Consultancy and Healthcare.
What are you most proud about what you have achieved in your career to date?
I think I’m most proud about my achievements in the last 6 months. With Covid still lingering and uncertainty in the market, I’ve managed to achieve the best 6 month rolling results of my recruitment career to date, placing over 20 people with some amazing companies.
How did you get into recruiting Bid management professionals and why?
I recruited within the facilities management sector for a number of years and was approached by MRG to join the Bid team, initially to focus on placing work winning professionals into the FM industry. I’d never heard of bidding before (along with everyone who asks me what I recruit for!) so it was an exciting opportunity to learn about a niche market and develop my recruitment skills.
What energizes you about working in this sector and with Bid Mangers and Bid Directors?
I like a challenge, and bidding is one of the hardest sectors I’ve recruited in as the candidate pool is small. I love working with a wide variety of clients, from small SME’s to billion-pound businesses, and sharing the market knowledge I’ve gained over the past 4 years to guide them in their recruitment process to find the right person. Bid professionals are interesting people, and I find a lot of similarities between bids and recruitment so there’s always lots to talk about!
What’s the biggest thing that’s changed in the Bid and work winning sector since you started?
I’m finding that more and more companies are starting to take their bidding departments seriously. They are a vital part of a business but haven’t always been seen that way so it’s nice to see companies investing to strengthen their bidding functions or building a bidding function that didn’t exist.
What do you think the biggest misconception people have about you is?
I think because I am relatively young (is 28 still young?), I find that sometimes people underestimate my knowledge within the market and specialism I’m recruiting in. I started in recruitment when I was 17, and it’s the only job I’ve ever done so I’d like to think I’ve learnt a thing or 2 over the past 11 years.
What’s one thing that most people don’t know about you?
I still sleep with a teddy bear that I’ve had since the day I was born! And I don’t plan on getting rid of it any time soon (against my partner’s wishes!)
What’s the best advice anyone has ever given you?
Someone told me to focus on the good things, rather than get swept up in the bad. You can always find a positive, and if you lead with positive thoughts then more will come.
What three words would your colleagues use to describe you?
This is a tough one! I think they’d say I’m resilient, strong headed and fun (hopefully!).
And finally who would play you in the movie about your life?
If I could choose anyone to play me, it would be Chelsea Handler! She’s confident, outspoken, loves dogs and never says no to a glass of wine!