Congratulations to Richard Bowe our employee of the month

With a successful career in recruitment spanning over 20 years, it has been great to welcome Richard into Astute’s team just a few, short months ago. In that time, his warm, professional manner and Northern sense of humour have endeared him to all of our team but also to many a candidate and client.

The whole team and our owners, Sarah Stevenson and Mary Maguire were delighted to announce Richard as our Employee of the Month.

His natural ability to build relationships with employers and candidates across the East Midlands areas including Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire, and Staffordshire, is second to none.

CV Magazine Award Mary Maguire Most Influential Woman in Financial Recruitment 2019

Our MD, Mary Maguire, was delighted to receive the award for “Most Influential Woman In Financial Recruitment 2019” by CV Magazine.

Here’s what Mary had to say about this achievement: –

“I’m so thrilled to be awarded “Most Influential Woman In Financial Recruitment 2019″!

Those that know me, know I’m ultra reluctant to put myself forward for awards, let alone shout about them! However, pester power from Hubby, my Business Partner, Sarah Stevenson and friends have finally won the day I posted recently on LinkedIn.

My passion is sending positive messages about business, careers, and inspiration for individuals.

As a former Londoner, who moved to Derby 17 years ago, I’m proud to say my home is in Derbyshire.

I’ve been lucky enough to get to know so many brilliant people, whether in business or not.

The East Midlands is an amazing place. Its been brilliant to share some of the successes our region has achieved. To receive an award like this means a lot.

I hope I continue to inspire, continue to provoke thoughts and sometimes raise a smile!

Thank you if you’ve enjoyed my articles and posts.

I hope I’ll continue to air and share content people enjoy, find useful and hopefully inspire their personal and professional success and wellbeing.”

It is safe to say we are all really proud of Mary’s award. It is great to see her receive an award in her own right after all the success she has achieved in securing Astute’s other 15+ award wins over the years!

Astute Recruitment’s Andy Lilliman with our team celebrating his promotion!

Congratulations on your promotion to Manager Andy! Much deserved!

Andy Lilliman joined our team here at Astute Recruitment, as a Senior Consultant two years ago, after a deeply successful career in Accountancy Recruitment straddling London and the East Midlands.

In that time he has been instrumental in the growth of our qualified accountancy division and become a huge asset to our team. Andy’s hard work has paid off handsomely with a richly deserved promotion heading up business development across the East Midlands. His professionalism, attention to detail and brilliant ability to form relationships have won him many great friends here at Astute Recruitment Ltd and elsewhere.

As an aside, it has been wonderful to see how Andy has been able to mentor, train and encourage less experienced members of our team, passing on some of his recruitment pearls of wisdom.

Sarah Stevenson and Mary Maguire are thrilled to announce Andy’s promotion, cementing his role in Astute’s continued growth and exciting plans for 2020 across the region!

This morning, only 1 day after being promoted and Andy has secured a new Financial Director role and arranged a client visit to take all the details of this role!

Jennifer Fitzgerald and Rose Heppell in our team, have dedicated spare evenings helping a great local charity called Doorways distributing food, hot drinks and packed lunches to the vulnerable and homeless in Derby. You can read their heartfelt blog HERE which they wrote themselves.

Help Astute Recruitment Ltd Help Doorways make everybody feel like a somebody

Our Directors, Sarah and Mary, have decided to support Doorways as our dedicated charity this winter and the team are spearheading a campaign for local businesses, employees and employers across Derby to donate pre-loved warm clothing, food, drinks, sleeping bags and more for this amazing charity.

If you would like to help, please contact our team on 01332 346 100 or feel free to contact Jennifer or Rose by email to: –

[email protected]

Celebrating our tenth business anniversary, the Astute Team are looking forward to hosting our Birthday Party in Derby this Thursday evening. We are trying to get round to as many candidates and clients who have supported us to say a huge thank you and celebrate with us over a couple of complimentary drinks and some cake!

At the helm of Astute Recruitment are the two MDs, Sarah Stevenson & Mary Maguire.

Sarah said, “It’s amazing to think that with just a couple of laptops and my redundancy money, we are now one of the leading accountancy and finance recruitment businesses across the East Midlands. Its all down to our brilliant team and I know I speak for Mary when I say I’m really proud of what we have achieved together.”

Astute Recruitment Ltd celebrate their 10th anniversary in business!

If you would like any information, please contact Mary Maguire either in the office on 01332 346 100 or on her email [email protected]

Once again, Derbyshire County Cricket Ground proved to be a perfect setting for our latest Business Breakfast Event. Our guests were welcomed with teas/ coffees and welcoming breakfasts on arrival.

Andy Lilliman, our talented Senior Recruiter, proved he is also a talented photographer and we’ve popped some of the photos he took below on here.

Lisa, our guest speaker, travels the world giving powerful presentations and training to corporate teams in business – empowering managers with the knowledge to tap into greater staff engagement and achieve a happier, more confident, successful and empathetic workforce. Lisa succeeding in inspiring us all with great tips and techniques for us to take away.

From left, Mary Maguire & Sarah Stevenson, MDs of Astute Recruitment Ltd with guest speaker Lisa Spencer-Arnell

On a very sunny morning, we held our latest Business Breakfast Event on how to unlock your potential. Our guest speaker, Lisa Spencer-Arnell, enthralled our 50 or so guests explaining how to use Emotional Intelligence to achieve Mindfulness.

Just some of the positive feedback from the morning included: –

“Very enjoyable – a well-organised event”

“Really appropriate subject matter, well delivered and had a great impact”

“Another great event to develop your inner-strength”

“One of the nicest networking events around”

Thanks again to everyone who came! We will host our next event in the Autumn with details to follow.

As the leader of a company, you are there to set an example, to lead and inspire a team of individuals to achieve a series of business goals. But, how do these business leaders go about their daily routine? Business Leader spoke to Mary Maguire, MD of Astute Recruitment, about her working day.

WHAT TIME DO YOU USUALLY WAKE UP?

If it’s a work day I am usually up by 5.30am. If it’s a weekend and the kids allow, then usually I get a lie in till 8.30/9am.

WHAT DO YOU TYPICALLY HAVE FOR BREAKFAST?

During the week I’m quite naughty, a couple of black coffees usually does the trick- the first one has to have three sugars in, after that it’s Sweetex all the way.

WHAT IS THE REST OF YOUR MORNING ROUTINE BEFORE YOU START WORK?

I cherish having half an hour to have a cup of coffee, read the news online and think about what I want to achieve that day.

Then I’ll head for a piping hot shower, check my hubby is awake and shoot off to work between 6.45am-7.15am. This way I can (usually!) avoid the traffic nightmare that is the A52 and get some work done before the team arrives.

WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU DO AT THE START OF YOUR WORKING DAY?

Probably boring and predictable but I check my emails, WhatsApp and texts. If there is something urgent – I can address it head on.

HOW DO YOU PRIORITISE YOUR DAY’S WORK?

I’m old-school so I have a page-per-day diary where I write down the most important things I need to get done in order of urgency – once completed I cross them off or carry over to the next day. I think I am alone in this as the rest of my team have everything on their phones, but I’d be lost without my diary.

DO YOU PLAN MEETINGS OR ARE THEY A WASTE OF TIME?

I always plan meetings – I really believe in the phrase “If you fail to prepare you prepare to fail”.

Even for staff 1:1’s, candidate interviews, any sort of meeting in or outside of work – you need to think why am I having this meeting and what do I want to achieve? Preparing for meetings saves time, shows you care and is the efficient, professional way to maximise results.

DO YOU HAVE A WORKING LUNCH OR IS IT GOOD TO TAKE A BREAK?

This depends on the day. I always have something to eat mid-morning and use that time to get away from my desk. It is definitely a good thing to have a break – just five minutes of fresh air often yields a solution to a problem or issue.

WHEN DOES YOUR WORKING DAY FINISH?

I start early and try to get home for 6pm – when I’m at home I put my mummy/ wife hat on. There are times where there is the odd call or email I have to address in the evenings, but I try and save those precious two or three hours at home to be in the moment with my kids and long-suffering husband!

HOW DO YOU PREPARE FOR THE NEXT DAY’S WORK?

Personally – my preparation is the last thing I do before leaving the office. I look at my diary and make a note of what has/ hasn’t been done – carry things forward to the next day and then I can switch off. The next time I think about the next day is the next day. This could be why I rarely have trouble going to sleep.

FAVOURITE PIECE OF TECHNOLOGY?

I hate to be predictable – but it’s my Samsung smartphone. I can use it for work emails, research ideas, check the news, draft blogs and obviously keep in touch with friends, family and work contacts. I also seem to have developed a new addiction to Candy Crush – oops!

HOW DO YOU SWITCH OFF?

Spending time with my kids and husband is amazing. I also have a lifelong passion for reading and art – on a rare moment of total freedom, like to sketch and draw. I also love swimming and find that doing something like swimming or art completely takes over my mind and allows me to completely ‘switch off’.

BEST PIECE OF ADVICE YOU’VE RECEIVED?

That’s a hard one – I have two and can’t choose one over the other, “Measure twice, cut once” and “Always treat others as you would wish to be treated”. I’ve always believed in these two and they have served me well both personally and professionally.

Leigh Timmis with the Astute Recruitment team

The 18th October, just 3 weeks after Leigh Timmis smashed the Guinness World Record for the fastest cycle across Europe –

16 days 10 hours 45 minutes; over eight days faster than the previous record!

All of us were delighted to have Leigh talk about how to deliver a world-class performance. His powerful presentation covered many evocative and emotional issues including mental health, team performance and a myriad of wonderful anecdotes that I know I’ll take away with me.

Leigh said after the morning “I took 70 business owners and senior managers behind the scenes of my record-breaking fastest cycle across Europe, explaining how I completed the 4000-mile challenge in 16 days 10 hours 45 minutes; over eight days faster than the previous record!”

He spoke honestly and passionately about his own, personal demons that he had to overcome on the record attempt, admitting that actually ‘the how I got there’ was much more rewarding to him than breaking the actual record. It was refreshing to hear someone speak so honestly and so openly of their personal setbacks – and hear how they overcame them.

Poignantly with just a road team of 4 including Leigh on his journey – loneliness was a major problem. 4,000 miles with just three people for company is a long way to travel. It is even more lonely as every single one of those 4,000 miles was made by Leigh on his own on his bike. Yes, he had his support team of three – but he had to bear up to every one of those thousands of miles physically and on his own. Psychologically, to listen to Leigh and how he and his support team coped, was one of the most inspirational parts of his presentation.

Another fascinating part of the morning highlighted why we all need to embrace our “WHY?”. Leigh described a tremendous technique to re-focus on goals is to bring your mind back to the “Why am I doing this?” and reminding yourself of not just the goal – but what you actually want to achieve along the way. Often people become absorbed in the process and the reason why they are attempting to do something is lost on the way.

Leigh himself said “My talk outlined the importance of setting goals that don’t limit you and establishing an environment that nourishes growth before exploring the decisive factors that shaped our project. With the focus on mental health and team-work, I highlighted the importance of a communication and management strategy to drive a team towards a shared goal, and what psychological interventions we implemented to ensure that I remained focused and determined.”

The audience left with anecdotes and tips about building mental resilience. They were imparted with the knowledge of how to create a positive mindset and an understanding of how Leigh was able to keep going through the most difficult challenges, and how they could apply these lessons to their personal and business goals.”

Leigh Timmis talking about the power of positive thinking and mental health

Engaging talk by Leigh Timmis

We had a brilliant audience of local professional business people from SME companies and larger firms across Derbyshire and the East Midlands. I’d like to share some of the great comments and photos from some of the people who came to watch Leigh and what they learned and took away from this inspiring morning……

Jon Ward | Senior Interim Accountant:

“I could draw similarities personally and professionally in what Leigh was saying and what I do. As an interim, you come with ideas and quite often have to ‘re-motivate’ and ‘re-energise’ a team already in situ, whereas he could build his own team. He was able to get everyone aiming at the same goals and understand “what’s their why”. I have to convince and cajole the team along to get them off their pathway and onto mine. I come in as requested as a professional interim and my “why” quite often hasn’t been shared. Plus, the expectation that I’m going to move on and leave them with my replacement (who may have a different understanding of “why”).

Leigh showed his passion retelling his story and the messages – his correlation to the audience for business, motivation, teams and leadership – were spot on. I’ve got several great takeaways out of this event and will be recommending Leigh to contacts as a speaker. An interesting, inspiring character and to do what he did by himself on a bike was exceptional!

Thanks again and for what it’s worth your team were friendly and supportive. A great team you should be proud of.”

Duncan Longson | Group Financial Controller:

“We very much enjoyed Leigh’s presentation, I think there was something in there for everyone to take away as food for thought! Thanks again for hosting the event.”

Alan Bunn FCA MBA Grad Dip CSP | Head of Finance & Business Services:

“Leigh’s talk was very inspirational, and I took away a few insights; written in your handy notebook 😊”

Ian Sackree | Chief Executive

“Thank you (and from Nadia too) very much for the invite; an inspirational start to the day.”

Amanda Strong | MD | Mercia Image Print

“I spent a long time speaking to Leigh and I agree he is so inspirational and even more so coming back from suffering from mental health himself.

It was a great morning. This successful event will be remembered and create awareness of the professional Astute Recruitment name.”

Iain McBride | Assistant Programme Manager

“Thank you ever so much for hosting the business breakfast. Leigh is an inspirational figure – with many stories to tell – and I am sure that he will engage and captivate everyone that he talks to – his journey through the last 12 months is one of sheer drive and determination and I will take away may things to try to change aspects of myself too.

Thank you also for the card draw, never been drawn out for anything other than a networking speech – so very surprised and overwhelmed!”

Lisa Richards | Partner | Dains

“Thanks, I thought it was a really great event, he was a great speaker with a really interesting story, thanks for the invite.”

Joe Butler | Head Of Accounts

“It was really interesting. Leigh’s drive is very contagious”

Feedback posted on social media: –

“An amazing presentation this morning from @leightimmis ‘Don’t be limited by your goals”

“I had a fantastic morning hearing all about @leightimmis #worldrecordbreaking ride across Europe.”

“An inspirational and engaging speaker and some great lessons learned”

Leigh Timmis with the Astute Recruitment team

Leigh Timmis is available for motivational talks, after dinner speeches, keynote speaking engagements at corporate events, schools and higher education talks and workshops. To learn more and to book him for your event, visit Leigh’s website here: https://www.leightimmis.com/speaking-engagements/

Find out what’s next and keep up to date with Leigh’s latest challenges on his Website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn

As MDs of Astute Recruitment Ltd – Sarah Stevenson and I were delighted to put this event on for local business professionals and will go on to host more events in the New Year.

Keep an eye on our Events Page

www.astuterecruitment.com

Article by Mary Maguire

MD – Astute Recruitment Ltd

Astute Marketing Derby’s “Star Bondholder Of The Week”

Proud to be Marketing Derby’s Star Bondholder This Week!

Marketing Derby is a great organisation set up to raise the profile of Derby and Derbyshire’s hardworking business community. Their work embraces all manner of SME companies from start-ups to fully fledged organisations with a global reach. The hardworking team including John Forkin, have done a huge amount of work promoting the region both through their Ambassador Club in London and elsewhere. Their efforts have seen successful investments into the Derbyshire region and raised the global profile of Derbyshire as a county that means business.

Thank you Marketing Derby for acknowledging our team’s hard work and making us the Star Bondholder this week.

We look forward to hearing who next week’s Star is!

Congratulations Leigh Timmis on your new official Guinness World Record!

We can’t believe its only 2 days until our Business Breakfast with Leigh Timmis. Leigh today received the fantastic news from the people at Guinness World Records that his cycle across Europe is officially being entered into the record books.

While Leigh is over the moon with today’s acknowledgment, for him it was how he did the journey and what got him to the end that is truly inspirational. Hear Leigh talk about how he built a world-class team for his European World Record feat and much more around Mental Health, how to achieve your goals and exceed expectations.

To view more details for Thursday’s event and confirm attendance – please click HERE.

There are only a few spaces left so you will have to be quick!

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Mike

16:04 13 Mar 23

Highly recommended! Josh and Sarah have been fantastic at Astute. They've found and placed me in 2 jobs now between them, both really responsive and excellent at keeping you up to speed with things. Very knowledgable about the roles and happy to talk to companies with any queries you have.

C R.

10:45 27 Jan 23

Great agency one of the best ones I've worked with! Liz has been a great help and support in helping me towards a new direction in my career life. She is very attentive and keeps me in the loop at all times! She makes the extra effort to work with my preferred requirements for work and even if it isn't completely attainable she meets me in the middle and does as much as she can to help! Also Liz is very funny might I add 😂 and I'm happy that I can now put a face to the name after all these years! Thank you again Liz for all your help and support! 😊

Christine

10:32 20 Dec 22

Josh and the Astute team was very swift to help me to find roles that matched my profile. They are really reliable and will help through every step of the recruitment process going out of their way to assist and follow up when needed. Could not find a better recruitment agency!

Helen Pinegar

16:19 18 Dec 22

Fantastic recruitment agency.. Josh was extremely enthusiastic, encouraging and clearly knowledgeable about what was needed from both the employee and the employers point of view. Extremely supportive especially in regards to interview preparation and endeavoured to procure feedback promptly. Wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Astute in the future to both candidates and recruiting businesses particularly for the right fit for the role!!!

Lisa Leigh

11:56 30 Nov 22

I have worked as a candidate for Astute and they have been excellent. Super friendly service and professional agents keen to fit the right person to the right job. It has been a pleasure dealing with them and I would happily work for them again in the future. Highly recommend this agency.