REC transforms its leadership ready to support recruiters in the recovery
Press releases
REC transforms its leadership ready to support recruiters in the recovery
The REC has made changes to its leadership team putting members at the heart of all bits of the business to ensure the industry can be supported to make the best recovery possible. As part of these changes, Kate Shoesmith has been appointed to the new role of Deputy CEO, while Richard Charnock becomes Chief Operating Officer.
In addition, the following five appointments have also been made:
- Adam Bolton, will be taking on the role of Director of Sales
- Shazia Ejaz becomes Director of Campaigns.
- Christian Fowles-Smith becomes Director of Customer Services
- Lorraine Laryea becomes Director of Recruitment Standards
- And Alasdair Reynolds becomes Director of Marketing.
Neil Carberry, Chief Executive of the REC said:
“The Covid crisis has thrown a new light onto the vital role the REC plays in supporting our brilliant recruitment industry. As we go into 2021, we’ll be keeping up the tempo of virtual events, legal support and campaigning that has worked so well this year – while focussing ever more on the opportunities of the recovery.
“Kate Shoesmith’s appointment as Deputy CEO, leading our external affairs work, will make sure we are always speaking up for recruiters in a persuasive, evidence-based and commercially-relevant way. Kate’s intuitive understanding of our members’ needs will be a huge boost to the leadership of the REC.
“Several more key appointments, on areas from Recruitment Standards to Customer Services, have been made to ensure the needs of recruiters are met by every part of the REC. This new generation of REC leadership shares a vision of delivering market-leading business support, advocacy and compliance advice to recruitment businesses. With more new members joining the REC every year, I am excited to work with this new senior team to deliver for our fantastic industry.”
Kate Shoesmith, Deputy Chief Executive of the REC said:
“I’m delighted to be taking on this new role at the REC. There’s no doubt this has been a tough year for the industry, certainly one of the toughest in my career, but we’ve met the challenge head on and the reaction from members has proven we’ve delivered. This new leadership team will ensure we can start 2021 in the best possible shape and build on the successes of launching our new brand, a new website and a new suite of products this year. We’ll keep members front and centre in everything we do. For instance in Q1 of 2021, you’ll see the launch of a major study from the REC about the true value created by the recruitment industry, aimed at helping members with recovery plans and supporting our lobbying activities on your behalf.”
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The REC's leadership team
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Neil Carberry, CEO Neil began his career in recruitment, working for a small search firm specialising in financial services. He went on to do a post-graduate degree in HR at the LSE and joined the CBI in 2004. Neil was a managing director at the CBI, leading its work on the labour market, skills, energy and infrastructure. He was also integral to delivering a range of change programmes and improving member services. Neil is a member of the council of the conciliation service ACAS and of the Low Pay Commission, which makes recommendations about the level of the National Minimum Wage. He is also a Director and former Chair of a small academy trust. Neil's first-hand experience of recruitment and membership makes him ideally placed to lead the REC. |
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Kate Shoesmith, Deputy CEO Before becoming Deputy CEO, Kate was responsible for our marketing, sales and customer contact teams at the REC. Leading these teams means Kate gets intelligence of what it's like to be in recruitment from the shopfloor, i.e. directly from our members. Kate's background is public affairs, specialising in employment and skills. She joined the REC in March 2013 having previously been Head of Policy at City & Guilds.
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Richard Charnock, Chief Operating Officer Richard has spent many years in management, with experience in the military, logistics, sales and then recruitment. He joined the REC in 2009 from a role as a front line recruiter and business owner. Whilst at the REC, Richard has demonstrated his passion for the professionalism of the industry as he has been instrumental in designing and implementing the first recruitment qualifications to be accredited by government. In his previous role as the Director of Operations, Richard focused on ensuring that all REC products work for members, ensuring they receive excellent value for money in an ever-changing market place. |
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David Vallance, Director of Finance David joined the REC in August 2001 as Head of Operations. Three years later he became part of the senior leadership team in 2004 as Director of Finance, taking on additional responsibilities as Company Secretary in 2010. David’s career in finance spans over 25 years. He has worked for every type of organisation, from non-profits and SMEs to multinational companies. He is CIMA qualified and holds the Diploma in Company Direction from the Institute of Directors. |
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Adam Bolton, Director of Sales Adam is a membership professional with over 20 years’ experience in a wide range of sectors. He has held a number of senior sales and commercial roles in professional bodies including the Institute of Directors, Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Institute of Leadership and Management, and the Association of MBAs. He holds the IoD Diploma in Company Direction and is a Fellow of the ILM. |
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Shazia Ejaz, Director of Campaigns Shazia came to the REC as a long-standing communications professional. Her experience in government comms as well as a range of business areas and political campaigns plays right into the comms and campaign work she informs as our Director of Campaigns. She worked as part of the project team that developed the REC’s new brand and website and is keen to move the needle on key campaigns for REC members using research and other content to capture the attention of the media, government and other stakeholders. |
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Christian Fowles-Smith, Director of Customer Services
Christian has spent more than 18 years in the recruitment industry and has worked for one of the UK’s largest recruiters, Staffline Group where he progressed to the level of Account Director. In his time in recruitment he has seen many changes in the industry, and gained experience across a number of sectors with British Telecom and NatWest Bank. In his previous role at the REC, Christian helped focus down on the needs of our members in the different regions of the UK, something which will continue to be a big part of his role as Director. |
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Lorraine Laryea, Director of Recruitment Standards Lorraine is a solicitor with a background employment law who has been with the REC for 12 years. Lorraine has worked in different roles, initially as a legal and commercial adviser delivering legal advice to members, and supporting both the compliance and policy functions at the REC. More recently she managed the REC’s Legal Helpline function. Lorraine has developed a robust working knowledge of the legal and compliance issues that affect recruiters and is keen to support REC members to be compliant with industry legislation and best practice. |
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Alasdair Reynolds, Director of Marketing As Director of Marketing, Alasdair Reynolds leads the REC’s marketing, digital and research teams. Alasdair joined the REC in 2014 as a Communications Advisor and became Head of Marketing & Digital in 2017, leading the organisation’s rebrand and website rebuild in 2019/20. He has a degree in English Literature from the University of Manchester, and a post-graduate Diploma in Public Relations. |
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