Construction Recruitment Firm scoops Sunday Times Award

Construction recruitment specialist Hill McGlynn today announces its first ranking in The Sunday Times 100 Best Companies to Work For, confirming its reputation as an outstanding employer.

Headquartered in Southampton, with offices throughout the UK, Australia and Dubai, Hill McGlynn is ranked 78th in the 2006 list, and is the only construction recruitment specialist included.

The firm was particularly praised for the career progression offered to staff ñ 95% of senior managers joined as trainees ñ and the open communication maintained across the company. Staff scored the company 79% for personal growth opportunities and 78% for communicating openly and honestly.

Hill McGlynn provides specialist recruitment services to the construction industry, sourcing candidates from labourers and engineers to architects and chief executives. Hill McGlynnís clients span the entire industry value chain, from multinational organisations to family-run building firms.

The company employs more than 300 people, and produced an annual turnover of around 100 million in 2005. The firm has UK offices in Southampton, London, Leeds, Newcastle, Birmingham, Bristol, Manchester, Welwyn Garden City and Maidstone.

Hill McGlynn scored an impressive 75% for confidence in senior management, also excelling at expressing appreciation (78%) and rewarding good performance
(77% - a top twenty score among the firms on the list). The firm was the first recruitment company in the country to be awarded Investors in People status.

ìWe have always strived to recognise and reward our people for their achievements and the contribution they make to the company,î said Founder and Executive Chairman, Stephen Hill. ìInvesting in our peopleís skills and continuous professional development has always been a guiding principle for the company.

ìWeíre very proud that in our 30th anniversary year, our employees have seen fit to recognise this in return, by voting Hill McGlynn one of the UKís best companies work for.î

Employees voted Hill McGlynn an excellent employer for providing:

Unique training ñ The company has a dedicated in-house training team which ensures that consultants are always at the cutting edge of specialist knowledge required to consult to clients and candidates in the construction industry. Staff induction takes place in a unique ëVirtual Reality Branchí, where trainees make live calls to clients and candidates under the guidance of their managers ñ effectively starting work before induction is completed, in order to truly hit the ground running.

Unparalleled development ñ Continuous professional development at Hill McGlynn is so effective that trainees often progress to management and even senior management levels. The company is well known for growing its own talent; 25 members of the senior management team joined the company as trainees, as did three current board directors.

Flexible careers ñ Hill McGlynnís management excels at developing talent wherever they find it. Administrative staff regularly transfer to become recruitment consultants, consultants to become trainers and so forth.

Continuous communication between offices and between staff at all levels ñ for example, Hill McGlynn holds two staff conferences each year, featuring all staff from all offices worldwide. Staff performance, achievements and promotions are recognised at the conferences which ensure everyone feels part of one Hill McGlynn culture.

Inclusive culture ñ company culture is strongly inclusive, egalitarian and non-hierarchical. Management plays a hands-on role in all aspects of operations, making for a personable environment where everybody is on first name terms, irrespective of status of geography. Staff turnover rates are very low in a highly competitive industry.

Community involvement ñ Hill McGlynnís 30th Anniversary Charity Challenge is set to raise 30,000, through a combination of initiatives at national level (e.g. golf tournaments) and local, branch-level charity drives.