The Elephant Insight – Elephants Explained, Market Movements & Standout Talent

Welcome Message from Matt

🎉 Welcome to April’s Brellis Bulletin!

April has flown by here at Brellis HQ—and not just because both Zoe and I celebrated our birthdays this month (yes, cake was consumed!). It's certainly been another interesting month in the local recruitment scene.

In this edition, we’ve got plenty to share:

• 📢 Local Agency Liquidation – News about another local recruitment agency closing its doors and what it means for the market.

• 🌟 Candidate Showcase – Meet three fantastic candidates who could be exactly what your team needs.

• 🐘 Why an Elephant? – Discover the quirky story behind our beloved Brellis logo.

• 📉 Recruitment Snapshot – How we fared in April, plus insights from the latest Totaljobs Hiring Trends Report.

Grab yourself a coffee, settle in, and enjoy this month's roundup—let’s dive in!

Recruitment: The Hard Part Isn’t Starting—It’s Lasting

In the past six months alone, over 120 recruitment companies have gone into liquidation. Dig a little deeper, and the story behind these failures is pretty telling:

It’s rarely a story of “market forces” killing these businesses. More often, it’s poor financial control, poor decisions, or sometimes just pure arrogance. Some agencies got caught up chasing image over profit.
They focused on funky branding, swag, events...
...and forgot that, at its heart, recruitment is a business. It has to be sustainable.

• Tax debts are huge — in many cases, VAT and PAYE arrears topping £100k+.

• Money transfers between businesses, directors, and "related companies" show up in the liquidators' reports — often movements that don't stack up when cash is tight.

• Phoenixing, where directors close one company and open another overnight, doing exactly the same thing, is happening more and more, although HMRC and the Insolvency Service are now clamping down harder on it.

One Small Oxfordshire-based agency (we won’t name names, but it's public if you know where to look) built a flashy image but ended up owing over £400k — including massive tax arrears — before quietly folding and reappearing under a new name.

At Brellis, we’ve deliberately built something different. Both Zoe and I had senior director-level experience before launching Brellis. We run tight, flexible systems designed to handle the ups and downs.
We don't overspend, we don't assume "this month will be better," and we certainly don’t build a business based on Instagram likes.

Both of us are billing managers, meaning we cover our own costs and then some. We’re not relying on a team to "feed" us. We’re hands-on, day-to-day, making sure the numbers add up — every single month.

Starting a recruitment agency could be described as easy. Building one that’s financially bulletproof? That takes experience, discipline, and a proper plan.

🌟 April's Got Talent – Ready to Make an Impact

One of the best parts of our job here at Brellis is getting to meet fantastic professionals who are ready for their next opportunity. Whether it’s for temporary cover, permanent growth, or simply strengthening your team, the right person can make a huge difference—and that’s where we come in.

This month, we’re showcasing a small selection of standout candidates we’ve recently met. Each one brings something a little different to the table, but what they all share is professionalism, flexibility, and a genuine drive to add value from day one.

From HR and compliance to administration, technical support and customer service, if you’re planning a hire or just want to stay ahead of the curve, these are names worth knowing.

Let’s take a look… 👇

🌟 Meet Nicky – Experienced SHEQ and HR Professional with a Passion for Wellbeing

📍 Based: Warwickshire/North Oxfordshire | 💰 Salary Expectations: £40k - £45k

Introducing Nicky, a dedicated and adaptable professional with extensive expertise across Health & Safety, Quality & Compliance, HR, Recruitment, and Administration. Passionate about fostering workplace wellbeing, Nicky combines regulatory know-how with genuine people skills, making her an asset to any team.

📌 Why Nicky Shines:

✅ SHEQ Expertise:
Experienced in managing and maintaining integrated management systems (ISO45001, ISO14001, ISO9001), Nicky has successfully led compliance initiatives, internal audits, and training sessions, consistently driving continuous improvement.

✅ Health & Wellbeing Champion:
A qualified Mental Health First Aider and proactive advocate for employee wellness, Nicky has successfully launched mental health strategies and initiatives to boost morale and productivity.

✅ Versatile Trainer:
Certified instructor in First Aid, Manual Handling, Working at Height, and Asbestos awareness, demonstrating a strong ability to engage and educate teams effectively.

✅ Exceptional Organisational Skills:
Proven experience managing teams, arranging large-scale corporate events, and ensuring smooth daily operations in demanding, fast-paced environments.

✅ HR and Recruitment Background:
A seasoned recruiter and HR manager, Nicky has successfully recruited, onboarded, trained, and supported staff across multiple industries, enhancing retention and engagement.

With her robust skill set, proven adaptability, and sincere passion for both compliance and employee wellbeing, Nicky is ready to bring immediate value to a new role.

📩 Interested in meeting Nicky? Get in touch—we’d love to connect you!

🌟 Meet Dita – Temp Administrator/Customer Support Ready for Immediate Start

📍 Based: Leamington Spa | 💰 Salary Expectations: £25k+ | 📆 Availability: Immediate (Temp or FTC)

Dita is an experienced and highly capable professional, seeking an immediate temporary or fixed-term role to transition smoothly back into full-time employment after running her own photography business. With a strong background as a Business Analyst, she’s an ideal fit for administration or customer service positions.

📌 Why Dita is a Great Hire:

✅ Analytical & Organised:
Bringing valuable experience from roles at Codemasters and National Grid, she’s skilled at managing complex systems (SAP, SuccessFactors, ServiceNow), improving workflows, and ensuring meticulous attention to detail.

✅ Customer-Centric:
Her previous roles have consistently involved direct client interaction, problem-solving, and effective stakeholder communication, making her adept at handling customer service responsibilities.

✅ Tech Savvy & Adaptable:
Experienced in Microsoft Office, SAP SuccessFactors, and various HR and project management systems, Dita quickly adapts to new technologies and processes.

✅ Proven Track Record:
From project management to HR system implementation and training new staff, Dita has consistently demonstrated an ability to deliver exceptional results and enhance organisational efficiency.

✅ Immediate Availability & Flexibility:
Eager to bring her skills back into the workplace, Dita is immediately available and flexible regarding the role type and duration.

Proactive, approachable, and a fantastic communicator, Dita is ready to make an immediate impact.

📩 Interested in Dita? Let’s talk—she could be exactly who your team needs!

🌟 Meet Adam – Adaptable, Tech-Savvy Support Professional with a Unique Background

📍 Based: Stratford-Upon-Avon | 💰 Salary Expectations: £30k+ | 🔎 Looking for: Admin, Technical Support or Customer Service Roles

Meet Adam, a calm, capable, and analytically minded professional with strong experience in technical support, customer service, and office-based systems management. With a naturally methodical approach and excellent communication skills, Adam is now looking to bring his capabilities into a business support role where he can continue making an impact behind the scenes or on the frontline.

📌 Why Adam Stands Out for Office Roles:

✅ Problem-Solving Mindset:
Adam has worked in technical support, remotely diagnosing and resolving a wide range of software and systems issues—ideal for roles that involve systems troubleshooting, IT coordination, or customer tech support.

✅ Process-Driven & Detail-Oriented:
He has experience managing manuals, updating documentation, and ensuring processes are followed precisely—skills that translate well into administration, compliance, or data-entry-focused roles.

✅ Excellent Communication & Customer Handling:
Adam has worked in client-facing environments, confidently resolving queries and explaining technical issues in clear, jargon-free language—making him a strong fit for customer service or helpdesk roles.

✅ Fast Learner & Highly Adaptable:
Having recently relocated back to the UK, Adam is keen to transfer his technical and organisational skill set into a professional office environment, and is quick to pick up new systems and tools.

✅ Quirky Bonus?
He also happens to be a qualified Flight Instructor and commercial pilot—so while you may not need him to land a plane anytime soon, you can trust he knows how to stay calm under pressure and follow procedures to the letter.

Adam is available immediately and brings a professional, positive attitude to any team environment.

📩 Think Adam could be the right fit for your team? Let us know—we’d love to tell you more!

📈 April Recruitment Update – Steady as We Go!

After a record-breaking start to the year, April saw a slight dip in permanent placements, dropping from 13 each in February and March down to 11. But fear not—this gentle slowdown isn't cause for panic. Historically, April is a notoriously tricky month for recruitment, with Easter holidays and school breaks making diaries a nightmare and decision-making that bit slower.

In perspective, 11 placements for April is very much on par with our average, albeit slightly behind the 15 placements made in April 2024. Clients are cautiously voicing concerns about the recent Employer National Insurance hikes, which adds understandable friction to the hiring process.

However, we've continued to support a variety of fantastic local businesses this month, making successful placements across industries including:

• 🚗 Automotive: Customer service roles supplying parts for a prestigious supercar manufacturer and a financial role for a Tier-1 automotive client.

• 💼 Financial Services: Supporting an innovative company providing services to the investment sector.

• 🍴 Food Industry: Recruitment for a food ingredients supplier and a flexible packaging business.

• 🐑 Agricultural: A unique role placed with a sheep pedigree company (yes, you read that correctly!).

• 🏕️ Education & Leisure: Filling a role for a company specialising in school trips and activities.

• 🚀 Temporary Placements: A couple of temp placements, swiftly deployed to keep local businesses running smoothly.

📊 Wider Market Snapshot – What's Happening Locally?

According to Totaljobs' latest April 2025 Hiring Trends Report, the UK job market continues to show resilience, particularly in the West Midlands. Vacancies across the region have grown modestly, although employers are navigating increased costs and talent shortages. Notably, office-based roles within administration, customer service, and HR remain highly competitive, with demand for quality candidates staying strong​.

The takeaway? Although recruitment feels slightly slower at the moment, quality candidates remain highly sought-after. Employers are cautious, yet still committed to strategic hiring, particularly within office-support sectors. The West Midlands remains resilient, suggesting the current pace is simply a steady adjustment rather than a lasting slowdown.

Bring on May—let's see what it has in store!

🌷 Wrapping up April – Onwards and Upwards!

That's a wrap for April. Despite the holiday-induced slowdown, the market remains robust, candidates remain eager, and businesses continue to grow. As always, we're grateful for your continued support and look forward to working with you throughout May.

Remember, whether you're hiring, looking for career advice, or just fancy a chat (or some leftover birthday cake), the Brellis team is always just a call away.

Here's to more sunny days, more successes, and hopefully fewer rainy-day umbrellas—although we've got you covered just in case!

#BringOnMay #RecruitmentBuzz #BrellisBirthdays