My Weblog

Pip Sanford, Director, BWF

This has been one of my busiest weeks at BranWell Ford, as I have been project managing our new service  BWF 'Pension Temps'.  BranWell Ford's temporary payroll facility has been tested for the past two weeks and is now available to all our clients.  This is extremely helpful for short term projects, or headcount issues, and we have a mix of administrators and managers who are available for work immediately.  Do call any of our Consultants to discuss this further.

Helen Caldwell, Director, BWF

I'm afraid not a lot of positives to report to job hunters in the pensions industry this week.  More redundancies with further expected.  However, we have had successes in placing some very grateful individuals in new roles - proof that it is not all doom and gloom and that some companies are still recruiting.  Hopefully the weather and the tennis will help to create more positives in the business world - or am I just too much of an optimistic at heart?  For BranWell Ford we are pushing forward to expand in order to help the increased number of candidates and to spend more time sourcing new vacancies.  Nikki Haupt, an experienced Recruiter joins us next week and we will be focusing on getting her up to speed with pensions issues as quickly as possible.

Jane Crawley, Managing Consultant, BWF

Next week BranWell Ford is looking forward to welcoming a new member to our team.  We have Sarah Parker joining us in the capacity of office manager and she starts with us on Monday morning.  I am sure Sarah will prove a valuable addition and will put her many skills to use.

 

We are beginning to see a slight increase in the number of pensions’ vacancies being registered with us, although this is still heavily outweighed by candidates and each job is still highly contested.

 

Jane Crawley, Managing Consultant, BWF

The economic climate continues to affect the recruitment sector and we have seen an unprecedented number of high calibre pensions’ candidates become available.  Companies that can manage to find the budget to recruit are certainly being spoilt for choice at the moment and are able to secure some rare talent.

 

BranWell Ford is looking to recruit a new Consultant to assist these candidates in their search for a new position.  If you know of an experienced recruiter or you yourself would be interested, please contact Pip Sanford on 01279 859000 or email pip@branwellford.co.uk

Pip Sanford, Director, BWF

It's been a very busy week, there has been further redundancy ripples in the industry and I think we have to accept that although there are still vacancies, the tide has turned and there is a shortage of pension jobs.  Therefore for anyone who is attending an interview, it is so important to prepare beforehand and speak to your Consultant to ensure that you have a full understanding of what to expect.  There are a number of extremely good pension specialist websites, so do log onto www.branwellford.co.uk, www.pensioncareers.co.uk, www.professionalpensionjobs.com and www.totalrewards.com

Helen Caldwell, Director, BWF

So summer has finally arrived and in our house the BBQ has been seeing a lot of action.  Historically however, the warmer weather is not great for business for us recruiters as it generally signals new candidate apathy - why spend the weekend online applying for jobs when sitting in the garden is far more appealing?  However, the current economic climate has changed all that and we are regularly registering outstanding pension professionals with excellent qualifications and strong experience.  So, for all you pension departments struggling with workload or holiday cover, why not consider recruiting on a short-term contract?  I think you will be impressed with the quality on offer.

 

Pip Sanford, Director, BWF

I am not sure how many people actually get to read the PMI News, but I was very disappointed in an article in last month's issue regarding  the services of Head Hunters compared to Recruitment Consultancies.  As I was out of the office last week on a short trip to Spain for a re-charge of the batteries, I took the decision to draft a 'right to reply' which will hopefully be printed in next month's magazine, but if anyone is interested in receiving my comments prior to this, do e-mail me pip@branwellford.co.uk.

 

Helen Caldwell, Director, BWF

I've been fortunate enough to have just had a week off and am pleased to report that in my absence there has been plenty going on in the pensions recruitment market (as the size of my in-box on my return can confirm!).  We have had some very nice vacancies registered - there are still companies recruiting out there!  As a business owner I approach bank holidays as a bit of a mixed blessing - great to have some time off, but it can really slow business down, so for these jobs to be registered in a bank holiday week is even more encouraging.  For all of us here, it is noses back to the grindstone to start the hard work to win the Professional Pensions award for the 3rd time in 2010 - so if you are looking for work, please stay in touch as things can change very quickly.

Jane Crawley, Managing Consultant, BWF

Another bank holiday weekend is approaching fast! 

 

Three of our consultants are off to sunnier climes (lets hope not too much sunnier..) and no doubt will return bronzed and lovely.  The rest of us are hoping for some decent weather here.  Good weather on an English bank holiday???  It has been known (I think).  

 

This week has been great as we have received a lot of very lovely congratulatory messages following our announcement that BranWell Ford won the Pensions Award for Recruitment Consultants of the Year for the second year running.  So thank you to everyone for their kind words.  

Hayley Brockwell, Senior Consultant, BWF

This week has been a great week at Branwell Ford. Two members of staff had birthdays and of course BranWell Ford retained the title of Pensions Recruitment Consultancy of the Year 2009 at the Professional Pensions Awards.  The awards were a glittering affair, held at The Grosvenor House Hotel.  It was a great night and we enjoyed seeing many of you there.  As you can imagine we have had  lots of celebrations this week.   We would like to thank all our clients and candidates for their continued support.