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- The Elephant Insight – Sun, Sneakers & Sambuca – Brellis Behind the Scenes
The Elephant Insight – Sun, Sneakers & Sambuca – Brellis Behind the Scenes
A regular update on all things Brellis and Recruitment by Co-Owner Matt Breakwell

Welcome Message from Matt
🐘 The Elephant Insight – June Edition
So this month, we’re combining May and June into one bumper update. Why the break in May? Well, between bank holidays, team holidays, and a recruitment market that took a bit of a nosedive, it felt like the right time to pause.
April is notoriously slow in our world, think Easter breaks, long weekends, and decision-makers on holiday. But usually, things bounce back in May… only this year, it didn’t quite happen. The market has felt a little flat, and while our heads are still well above water, we’ve been running with around 15 live jobs, a noticeable dip from our usual 30–40.
So what are we doing about it? The answer’s in one of the articles below.
In this edition:
☂️ We revisit our ICE COOL BRELLIS Water Bottle giveaway – and yes, it’s the same one you’ve seen modelled across Europe by a certain podcast host...
🌟 We shine the spotlight on Alicia, our Standout Candidate of the month – a marketing powerhouse with automotive edge
⚠️ We explore the rise in employment tribunal claims and what it means for recruitment best practice
🛠️ We share how we’re tackling quieter times by taking on new industries and senior-level roles
📋 We round up the roles we’ve filled across May and June – proving the market’s slow, not stopped
🌞 And finally, we check in on what the Brellis team’s been up to outside the world of work
As always, thank you for reading—and if there’s anything you'd like to see in future editions, just let us know!
Matt & The Brellis Team
#ElephantInsight #BrellisRecruitment #JuneUpdate #RecruitmentRoundup

🎁 Brellis Bottles Are Back – Grab Yours Before They’re Gone
With the sun making a regular appearance (for once), we thought it was the perfect time to roll out our Brellis Recruitment water bottle giveaway ☀️💧 Rob pictured here, co-hosts Matt’s other passion project, the Yellow Ribbon Walsall FC Podcast. Rob’s been unofficially modelling the bottle at every opportunity, on walks, holidays, and even the odd match day. Now’s your chance to get one for yourself! We’ve got only 20 left in stock, so don’t hang around. 👉 Simply click to get your free bottle https://brellisrecruitment.co.uk/about-us/ #BrellisGiveaway #HydrateWithStyle #PodcastApproved | ![]() |

🌟 Standout Candidate: Alicia Bagga – Driving Results, Literally

This month’s standout candidate is someone who brings horsepower and brainpower to the table – meet Alicia Bagga. With experience revving up campaigns at Renault Trucks, Bridgestone Tyres, and even a pitstop at Aston Martin, Alicia knows how to steer marketing strategy with precision.
Most recently working as an Aftermarket Communications Manager, she’s the mastermind behind a van-specific campaign that drove (pun intended) a 45% increase in revenue and 61% volume growth. Serious commercial impact, no fluff.
From Salesforce and SAP to MailChimp and SemRush, Alicia’s tech stack is solid. But what really sets her apart is her ability to blend creative storytelling with strategic, data-driven thinking.
💼 Actively seeking: Permanent Marketing roles (£28k–£37k depending on level)
📋 Open to: Temp Marketing, Admin or Reception roles (£26k+)
📆 Availability: Immediately
Alicia is sharp, strategic, and ready to roll. Don’t miss out.
#StandoutCandidate #MarketingMaven #PoweredByBrellis

📈 Employment Tribunal Claims Are on the Rise – What Does It Mean for Hiring?
Recent stats show a 7% rise in employment tribunal claims year-on-year, with unfair dismissal, unauthorised wage deductions, and breach of contract topping the list.
For hiring managers and business owners, it’s a reminder that how you recruit, onboard, and manage staff matters more than ever.
✅ Clear contracts
✅ Fair processes
✅ Good communication from day one
At Brellis, we’re not just here to fill jobs, we help ensure the right people are in the right roles, with expectations set from the start. That’s good for your business and your tribunal risk.
Need advice on building a compliant, people-first recruitment process? We’re here to help.
#RecruitmentMatters #EmploymentLaw #HiringDoneRight #BrellisRecruitment #WorkplaceWellbeing

🧠 Learning New Industries, One Vacancy at a Time
It’s not all doom and gloom in the recruitment world! We’ve had some fascinating vacancies come through this month, keeping the Brellis team on their toes.
Matt has been tasked with two high-level searches for a care agency in Abingdon a newly acquired business now owned by a serial entrepreneur with bold growth plans. Despite Brellis not having worked in the care sector before, Matt jumped at the challenge to recruit a CEO and Registered Care Manager, with the full support of Hannah. As always, Matt loves immersing himself in a new industry and he’s already got candidates at final stage.
Meanwhile, Matt and Hannah have also been working closer to home, helping a Warwick-based engineering contractor recruit a Maintenance Engineer and an Engineering Manager. Matt brings years of engineering recruitment experience, and Hannah’s been learning fast, thanks in part to the highly detailed (and enthusiastic!) conversations she’s been having with engineering candidates. Because if there’s one thing engineers really enjoy, it’s telling you exactly how they do what they do. And honestly, it’s been key to Hannah’s rapid development.
Nicole has been working with a Warwick-based software company, recruiting salespeople for both their Midlands and Ipswich offices. She’s also supported one of our longstanding clients in Banbury, helping them find a Finance Admin and a Part-Time Accounts Payable professional.
And last but never least Zoe has been flat out. She’s been supporting our logistics megaclient in Nuneaton, handling a string of vacancies including HR, a Reporting Manager, and a Customs & Compliance Manager. If it moves, ships, or needs reporting on, Zoe’s probably recruiting for it.
As always, we’re proud of how adaptable the team has been and how we’re continuing to grow by taking on new sectors, new challenges, and turning them into success stories.
#CuriousByNature #AdaptableByDesign #PoweredByBrellis

🎯 Placements Round-Up – May/June Edition
Even in a slower market, the Brellis team has been busy matching brilliant people with brilliant businesses. Here’s a flavour of the roles we’ve filled in June, with some extra colour on where our candidates have landed.
👩🎓 Kate is now leading alumni engagement at a world-renowned Oxford college steeped in academic excellence and charm.
📞 Pardeep joined a well-established local authority team, bringing his customer service skills to a community-first organisation.
📊 Caroline stepped into a Finance Manager role at a forward-thinking consultancy that helps businesses become leaner, greener, and smarter.
🎳 Darren is keeping people matters rolling smoothly at a national governing body for a rather genteel but fiercely competitive sport!
🚛 Carol is now managing freight with military precision at a global logistics giant—think barcode scanners, warehouses the size of small towns, and very fast-moving parcels.
📐 Owen and 🗂 Jade both joined a family-run construction and groundworks business that’s building everything from car parks to carbon-neutral infrastructure.
📦 Sandra is supporting admin and operations at a trendy, eco-conscious packaging company that’s making waves in the drinks industry (and yes, we offered a special rate for this one 🍻).
🔧 Ryan landed a customer-facing role at a high-tech manufacturer whose products are probably inside something you use every day, without even realising.
🤝 Aleksander is bringing charm and structure to a European food distributor that ensures your favourite brands arrive fresh, fast, and in stock.
🧠 David joined a cutting-edge automotive supplier as a Business Systems Engineer, he’s the digital bridge between the machines and the boardroom.
📦 Chaimae took on a compliance-heavy role at a logistics powerhouse, helping keep inventory accurate and the auditors smiling.
👠 Bryony is now managing a flagship store for a premium British fashion brand that specialises in statement footwear (and countryside flair).
💼 Lisa joined a growing property investment firm as their Accounts Assistant, helping keep things financially sound as they expand.
🧑💼 Jas stepped into an HR role with a company that turns your holiday photos into beautiful keepsakes—because memories deserve better than a camera roll.
💷 And finally, Ginny took on a Finance Manager position with a future-focused tech firm working in the world of fibre optics, innovation, and investment.
A huge congratulations to all our successful candidates, and thank you to the clients who continue to trust us to find them top-tier talent.
#BrellisPlacements #SuccessStories #MakingMoves #PoweredByBrellis
🌴 Out of Office: What the Team’s Been Up To With May and June being a little quieter on the recruitment front, we thought we’d share a glimpse of what the Brellis team has been up to outside of the CVs and interviews… Hannah, our resident globe-trotter, has fully embraced the joys of remote working—blending business with backpacking across Vietnam, Bali, and Bangkok. Armed with a hotspot and a well-timed calendar, she worked later into the evenings to stay aligned with GMT, proving that recruitment doesn’t stop just because rice fields and rooftop bars surround you. | ![]() |
![]() | Matt was meant to be sipping ouzo in Greece, but those plans were swiftly postponed when his beloved Walsall FC made it to the playoff final. Sadly, the holiday was traded for heartbreak as they lost to Wimbledon (salt was well and truly rubbed into the Sambuca). Fortunately, Matt rallied and escaped to Pompeii and Sorrento with Zoe, Grace, and Bruce for a family recharge, which no doubt helped soothe the football wounds. |
To really sweat out the sorrow, Matt also ran the Leamington Half Marathon, clocking a rather respectable 1 hour 55 minutes. We’ll spare you his mile-by-mile breakdown (but don’t worry, he has one ready if you ask). | ![]() |
![]() | Zoe and Nicole brought their A-game to Ladies Day at Ascot, complete with fascinators, fizz, and some well-earned glamour between placements. Whether it’s pounding the pavements or plotting flight paths, we believe balance makes us better and the team has certainly made the most of the downtime before things ramp up again! |

🐘 That’s a Wrap – Until Next Time
Thanks for sticking with us through this month’s edition of The Elephant Insight. From standout candidates and sunshine-fuelled giveaways to half marathons and hiring trends, we hope it’s given you a useful (and hopefully entertaining) glimpse into life at Brellis.
Whether you're hiring, job hunting, or just having a nose through what we’re up to, we’re always here if you need us. Feel free to reach out, share your thoughts, or just say hello. And if you fancy one of those Brellis water bottles, don’t forget to grab one before they vanish faster than a British summer.
Until next time, keep cool, keep curious, and as always, thank you for being part of our journey.
All the best,
Matt & The Brellis Team
#ElephantInsight #ThankYou #SeeYouNextMonth