City recruitment firm Consensus refuse to bow to terror

Life for Londoners has been a rollercoaster in recent weeks, and City recruitment firm Consensus is no exception, like everyone else refusing to let fear override optimism.

Our picture shows the management board on the roof terrace of the Caf Royal, overlooking a sunlit and vibrant central London as the company announced its most successful quarter yet. Consensus is one of the fastest-growing recruitment firms in the construction sector.

íOne day we were euphoric because of the news of the Olympic bidís success - which means a huge boost for us and our clientsí businesses - and the next we were all thoroughly depressed about the bomb blasts,í said Managing director Martin Tyrrell. íLike everyone else, we gritted our teeth and got on with things, and that week celebrated record-breaking results -which we celebrated with a rather upbeat evening surrounded by some of our key advisers and suppliers!í

The hangovers had barely worn off when London was back on red alert with more terrorist activity. But Consensus staff, while being offered complete freedom to go home if they wished during such unstable times, instead knuckled down to meet demand from the already noticeable upturn in business since the Olympics news.

íThere are so many construction projects starting, and continuing up to and beyond 2012, that the whole industry will feel the effects up and down the country,í said Tyrrell. íHow on earth can we let some individuals jeopardise all the good thatís going to come out of this? Of course our hearts go out to those affected by the events of July 7, but Iím sure thereís not a single person - connected with the industry or not - that wouldnít agree with our stance.

íLondon is a resilient, vibrant community, has the potential to benefit greatly from the Olympic Games in terms of jobs and infrastructure and weíre proud to be at the heart of it.í