We’re in your corner: work with us, be part of what we’re doing

Moments of crisis reveal what you are truly made of. Recruiters are resilient, and we've seen that in spades this year.

And I'm proud of how the REC has stepped up for you in 2020. You can read more about our year of impact but some personal highlights for me include:

• Getting round the (virtual) table with government and business to craft the furlough scheme, and then getting the guidance that recruiters need about it - and being publicly thanked by the Chancellor for the input we and others made. The REC has been appointed to a string of new Government roles this year - making sure recruiters are heard.
• We went digital and remote - successfully handling record levels of support calls from you, as well as launching a new website, online exams, new business growth podcasts and webinars, and turning all our events virtual. This included our flagship conference, REC2020, which had 1,000 attendees, making it the largest ever REC event.
• REC Legal have updated and simplified our contracts, to make them easier to use and ensure they are IR35 ready, six months ahead of the scheduled change.
• The Jobs Recovery Tracker, launched in June, has become an essential data source for client conversations, complementing our other outputs: Report on Jobs and JobsOutlook.
• We created the mental health and wellbeing support series to help all of us in recruitment deal with this most stressful of times.

We've had your back over the last 12 months, and I pledge we'll keep it that way.

That is why we have agreed with our Board that membership subscription bands for 2021 will remain at 2020 levels.

Like you, we've been hit by this year. The income we traditionally earn from events evaporated on lockdown. But we are member-owned and it is right and proper that we stand shoulder to shoulder with you.

In return, we will remain in your corner.  In 2021, we will bring you:

• A landmark study on the economic and social impact of the recruitment industry - for you to use in client pitches and business planning, and for us to use in lobbying government and in the media.
• A new business advice service to support key boardroom discussions and your strategy development.
• New legal guides and templates that respond to regulation changes as they happen - trade, immigration, tax changes, worker rights and enforcement will be high on that list in 2021.
• Refocused commercial support via our business partners to save you time and money.

These are just some of our planned activities. With Brexit, visa changes, IR35, plus global competition and technology changing faster than ever - there will not be any let up in 2021.  But the REC will be with you, by your side, and always fighting your corner.

It has been hard work but it has been really rewarding to be part of this dynamic and resilient sector over the last 12 months and I look forward to working with you over the next 12.  Work with us, be part of what we're doing.

If you are responsible for renewing your business's Corporate membership, you can do so now online.

After a tough 2020, I look forward to building back together in 2021.