Crone Corkhill and FSS expands Thames Valley Operation

A growing demand for quality candidates has contributed to the rapid expansion of Crone Corkill and FSSí Thames Valley operations. As a result, the specialist recruitment consultancies have doubled the size of their premises in Reading to accommodate the 32 per cent increase in the number of consultants hired to satisfy the areaís recruitment requirements.

The Thames Valley continues to attract massive investment and is a renowned centre for technology, telecoms and pharmaceutical companies. It also has a strong entrepreneurial base with hundreds of start-up and SME companies, all fuelling the demand for high calibre candidates across a variety of roles.

The recruitment consultants at Crone Corkill and FSS have a wealth of experience and local knowledge of the Thames Valleyís market sectors. Each consultant is assigned a geographical area enabling them to build lasting relationships with employers and both temporary and permanent candidates. Regular employment law seminars, in conjunction with local leading employment lawyers, organised by Crone Corkill and FSS, keep companies informed of developments as well as changes in legislation and offer expert advice.

Multi-lingual candidates are especially sought after by the regionís growing international client base and this is a major factor in the 163 per cent rise in the number of multi-lingual vacancies being handled by Crone Corkill and FSS over the past six months.

Gillian Balding, Associate Director, Crone Corkill, says: ìAs our client base becomes increasingly multi-cultural Crone Corkill has significantly grown its language division to cater for the demand for multi-lingual candidates. Reflecting the predominant languages, the Thames Valley office now employs consultants that are fluent in Japanese, German, Spanish, Norwegian and French.î

Peter Lowman, Managing Director, FSS, says: ìThames Valley candidates tend to choose to work in the area for perks such as the attractive commute. In addition, traditionally companies have not had to compete salary-wise with London to attract local employees. This is no longer the case. With the increase in the number of companies relocating to the Thames Valley area, clients have to offer more than a household name and it is this factor which is pushing salaries up in the area.î

The growth of the Reading office, in Tangent House, Forbury Road, allows Crone Corkill and FSS to provide niche secretarial, administrative, finance, technology and HR recruitment services to clients across Berkshire, south Oxfordshire, south Buckinghamshire and north Hampshire.