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Astute Recruitment Ltd named Best Regional Niche Recruitment Consultancy Of The Year 2017 By ACQ Magazine

Astute Recruitment has been named ‘Regional Niche Recruitment Consultancy of the Year’ at ACQ (Acquisition Finance) Magazine’s Global Awards.

ACQ Magazine holds its usual Global Awards programme annually to recognise firms who demonstrate ongoing outstanding performance and lead the way across the entire corporate sector including accountancy and finance.

Mary Maguire, managing director of Astute Recruitment, said: “We are absolutely thrilled to receive this prestigious award by ACQ Magazine. It caps a great year where we achieved record revenues.”

“We’re passionate about supporting local businesses by matching them with the right people and we’ve worked hard to establish a reputation as experts in this field. We already pride ourselves on being the ‘go to’ financial recruitment agency in the East Midlands but it’s an honour to be recognised on a much wider, international scale.”

“The team routinely goes above and beyond in terms of what we offer our clients and candidates, while at the same time pushing the boundaries of what has previously been thought possible for recruitment firms. One example of true innovation is the launch of our ‘Triple Point Guarantee’ for clients – unique across the recruitment sector.”

“We also have our hugely successful series of business breakfast events, with the next one in February. International guest speaker an published Author, John Dabrowski, will be speaking about mental resilience.”

“These events are designed to be educationally innovative, inspiring and powerful workshops, where SME business & professionals can genuinely take away key techniques to improve their engagement with staff and ultimately improve business performance.”

Astute has worked to secure more than 1500 jobs for local businesses and is continuing to go from strength to strength, hiring 3 new consultants in the last 6 months and launching a successful commercial division.

Derby-based business Astute Recruitment has been named ‘Best in Accountancy and Finance Recruitment 2017’ at Acquisition International (AI) Magazine’s 2017 Global Excellence Awards.

Corporate finance publications AT Magazine holds its Global Excellence Awards every year to recognise firms that demonstrate ongoing outstanding performance and lead the way across the entire corporation finance sector.

Mary Maguire, MD of Astute Recruitment, said: “We are absolutely thrilled to receive this prestigious award.”

“At Astute Recruitment we’re passionate about supporting local business by matching them with the right people and we’ve worked hard to establish a reputation as experts in this field. We already pride ourselves on being the ‘go to’ financial recruitment agency in the East Midlands but it is an honour to be recognised on a much wider scale.”

Elliot Ashbourne from AI Magazine said: “These awards showcase businesses that routinely go above and beyond in terms of what they offer their clients, while at the same time pushing the boundaries of what has previously been though possible for firms in their industry.”

“Winners are chosen through a rigorous and in-depth selection process from our in-house award specialists. The team left no stone unturned to ensure that every winner was selected based on proven performance over the past 12 months.”

Autumn Budget 2017: The Good, The Bad And The Ugly Astute Recruitment's MD Mary Maguire Airs her thoughts for SME Businesses on the Chancellor's Autumn Statement — Autumn Budget 2017: The Good, The Bad And The Ugly Astute Recruitment’s MD Mary Maguire Airs her thoughts for SME Businesses on the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement

One of our MDs was asked by East Midlands Business Link to comment on the Autumn statement made by the Chancellor yesterday. The article published is as follows: –

“Mary Maguire, MD of Astute Recruitment, said:

Philip Hammond certainly laid out some positive steps to help UK businesses in today’s budget.

For example, this budget demonstrated a commitment to investing in scale-up businesses, which was very positive. The proposed new fund for scale-up businesses is great news provided this funding is made available to every relevant start up in every corner of the UK.

The Chancellor also recognised that small businesses are under great pressure at the moment. The announcement that he won’t reduce the VAT threshold for small businesses from £85,000, and will bring forward the uprating of business rates based on the CPI inflation index by two years was most definitely music to most business owners’ ears. This was a serious concern to many start-ups and SMEs.

The National Living Wage rise is, of course, good for low wage individuals. However, SMEs will be under pressure to honour this and this could further impact inflationary pressures in the economy and affect the tight margins between profits and losses.

The Chancellor’s 12 month extension of the National Productivity Fund is also welcome news. Digital and high tech businesses will be greatly helped, especially in that growth phase from start up to scale up.

However, it would be great if there could also have been some incentive for businesses to be kept in UK ownership post start-up, rather than just have the UK as a seed facility for overseas owners to come in and buy them out.

The announcement of the OBR’s downward economic growth forecasts could be bad news. However, we partially talked our way into negative mindset in the 2008 recession – the OBR has been wrong before and Brexit is not predicated to be a financial disaster especially when the terms of trade deals with Europe are yet to be finalised.

Having spoken to MDs and FDs in local successful SMEs in the last two days I can report that uncertainty is what is holding back companies’ capital investment and strategic plans. Perhaps this was a missed opportunity to present a more balanced forecast and build and inspire some confidence. The rate of growth for East Midlands businesses, nationally, has outperformed vast tracts of the UK including London – but strangely an opportunity to balance this with the OBR’s projections in today’s Autumn Budget was missed.

David Ralph Chief Executive of D2N2 speaking at their latest Business Breakfast Breakfast at Derby Museum's Silk Mill — David Ralph Chief Executive of D2N2 speaking at D2N2’s latest Business Breakfast Breakfast at Derby Museum’s Silk Mill

07 November 2017Business Breakfast held in Derby by D2N2
Businesses heard about HS2 plans for Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire, and their role in ‘refreshing’ the economic strategy for the area, at the third of the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership’s Business Breakfasts series today (November 7).

Each year D2N2 – the private sector-led partnership of business, local authorities, skills and training providers, community and voluntary services, and others promoting economic and jobs growth across Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham and Nottinghamshire – hosts free Business Breakfasts across its area. The events are a chance to consult businesses on future LEP plans and tell them about recent successes.

This morning’s event – the third of six Business Breakfasts – was held at the Derby Silk Mill, Derby city-centre.

Around 40 delegates heard from speakers:

D2N2 Chief Executive David Ralph. He spoke about recent D2N2 projects and its ambitions to use a proposed HS2 high speed network line through its area to promote economic growth, as well as greater transport connectivity.

Guest business speaker Mary Maguire (PICTURED BELOW), co-founder and joint Managing Director of Astute Financial Recruitment (which has offices in Derby and Nottingham), about how she set up her award-winning business and her aspirations for it.
Richard Kirkland, European Structural and Investment Funds (ESIF) Officer for D2N2, on the use being made of ESIF funding from the European Union – via D2N2 – to aid the LEP area economy. Richard also spoke about D2N2’s consultation with businesses, local authorities and others on the LEP’s ‘refresh’ of its Strategic Economic Plan; the current masterplan by which it pursues over-arching ambitions such as creating 55,000 jobs by 2023 (the majority to be in the private sector).

Astute-Recruitments-MD-Mary-Maguire-Guest-Speaker-At-D2N2s-Latest-Business-Breakfast-Held-At-Derby-Museums-Silk-Mill-Biz-Breakfast-.jpg — Astute Recruitments MD Mary Maguire Guest Speaker At D2N2s Latest Business Breakfast Held At Derby Museum’s Silk Mill

Tickets are still available for the three remaining D2N2 Business Breakfasts, to be held across the LEP’s area at different locations in November. Places can be booked online via the D2N2 website Events page at www.d2n2lep.org/Events . Future Business Breakfasts’ details are:

Tuesday November 14 – Buxton Pump Rooms, The Crescent, Buxton.
Guest speakers – James Berresford, Chair of the Buxton Crescent and Thermal Spa Heritage Trust; and University of Derby Vice-Chancellor Professor Kathryn Mitchell.
Tuesday November 21 – The Best Western Lion Hotel, 112 – 114 Bridge Street, Worksop.
Guest business speaker – Claire Monk, General Manager and Brewer of Welbeck Abbey Brewery.
Tuesday November 28 – The Pavilion Room, The Derbyshire Hotel, Carter Lane East, South Normanton.
Guest business speaker – Isobel Brown, Interim Programme Director for the Midlands Engine.
Tea and coffee, and breakfast rolls, will be provided for delegates at the events.

For online booking to attend the remaining free D2N2 Business Breakfasts, go to the D2N2 website Events page at www.d2n2lep.org/Events . Alternatively contact D2N2 Social Media and Marketing Officer Sam Burbage on 0115 957 8254 or email: [email protected]

Read more about the events on Twitter at @D2N2LEP and follow the D2N2 Business Breakfasts hashtag #D2N2BB2017

Media wanting more information on the work of the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership can contact D2N2 Social Media and Marketing Officer on 0115 957 8254 or email: [email protected]

Mary Maguire one of Derby Telegraph's 250 most influential business people — Mary Maguire one of Derby Telegraph’s 250 most influential business people

It was brilliant to see our very own Mary Maguire recognised as one of the 250 most influential business people by the Derby Telegraph. To be in the company of so many established and up and coming business peers is a real priviledge and an honour for Mary and we are all really proud of her.

Astute Recruitment's 3 new consultants. From the left: Annie Adams, Guy Draper and Rose Heppell — Astute Recruitment’s 3 new consultants. From the left: Annie Adams, Guy Draper and Rose Heppell

DERBY-based recruitment agency Astute Recruitment has expanded its team with the addition of three new hires to support the business’ plans to diversify.

Rose Heppell joins the team having spent two years working in recruitment for non-finance positions, such as administration, HR and marketing, which she will continue to do in her new role as commercial consultant.

Rose said: “I’m really excited to be joining the team. Astute does great work for local businesses, which is what attracted me to the company in the first place.

“This is a brand new area for Astute too, so I’m looking forward to getting stuck in.”

Annie Adams and Guy Draper also join the team as consultants. Together they bring a total of 10+ years’ experience with them and will be working with clients across the East Midlands.

Annie specialises in a range of financial positions including ledger clerks, bookkeepers and assistant accountants, while Guy’s experience lies predominantly within sourcing fully qualified accountants for executive roles.

Mary Maguire, managing director said: “We’re thrilled to have Rose, Annie and Guy joining us. In the past we’ve always focused on recruiting for the financial sector, but with Rose on board we’re now in a position to expand the services we offer to our clients.

“All three are bringing some fantastic experience and knowledge with them, and we’re confident that they’ll be a great asset to the team.”

Astute Recruitment is a multi-award winning accountancy recruitment agency offering bespoke solutions to clients and helping candidates to find suitable positions in Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and North West Leicestershire.

About Astute:

Astute Recruitment is a specialist accountancy and office support recruitment consultancy. Working from its head office in Derby, the firm recruits permanent, temporary and contract staff across Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire. Website: www.astuterecruitment.com

This morning it was brilliant to hear from Ian Evans, Editor at East Midlands Business Link that Sarah-Louise Wykes here has successfully been shortlisted as one of the finalists in the Fastest 40 Professional category this year! We are all thrilled for her but also for all the other finalists too. These awards are designed to bring much needed recognition to all the up and coming professional businessmen and women making a valuable contribution to their respective businesses and teams.

An Overall Winner – sponsored by NTU Employability – will be selected from the winners of each category.

The awards ceremony is set to take place on Tuesday 16th May, 4pm-6.30pm at Genting Casino Riverlights Derby and it is fair to say everyone here will be there with fingers crossed for Sarah-Louise!

Congratulations to all the other finalists who are detailed below…

Fastest in Tech & Creative – Sponsored by High Growth

Mary Baird-Wilcock, The Simplifiers; Tom Craig & Aaron Dicks, Impression; Ross Davies, Strafe Creative; Jon Martin, Hallam Internet; Sam Stoffel, Profit Accumulator; Rob Twells & Liam Nelson, Frogspark; Matt Wheatcroft, Purpose Media

Fastest in Professional Services – Sponsored by East Midlands Business Link

Jahid Ali, Spearing Waite; Kay Botley, Duncan & Toplis; Simon Browning, UHY Hacker; Young Zoe Dowthwaite, Flint Bishop; Ginny Hallam, Halborns Sarah-Louise Wykes, Astute Recruitment

Fastest Restaurant and Bar – Sponsored by Poppleston Allen

Craig Bunting, BEAR; Sophie Green, The Cross Keys; Craig Poynter, The Bakehouse; Christian Wirizlay, The Pillar Box

Fastest Owner-Manager – Sponsored by Qdos Consulting

Tom Craig & Aaron Dicks, Impression; Mark Dryden, Box 09; Tim Emmony, MNE Accounting; Bradley Gough, Davies Gough Recruitment; Ed Hollands, DrivenMedia; Matt Wheatcroft, Purpose Media

Fastest in Property – Sponsored by Cartwright Communications

Arran Bailey, ALB Investments; Graham Bancroft, BB&J Commercial; Tom Drew, LK2; James Roys, David James Estate Agents

Our Managing Director, Sarah Stevenson, was delighted to be asked to feature as one of the “Leading Ladies” in the latest issue of Derbyshire Life. The popular local magazine ran a feature highlighting the leading ladies in the region highlighting how Derbyshire women mean business! In the article they turned the spotlight on some of the county’s most successful businesswomen – and discover what makes them tick. The article featured several influential women in business across the Derbyshire region including Sarah!

From the article….

SARAH STEVENSON

Managing Director

Astute Recruitment

Sarah is one of the founders of Astute Recruitment and has built an unrivalled reputation placing candidates in this market since 1997. Recent winner of the East Midland’s ‘Institute of Directors’ Director of the Year award and the Derbyshire Times’ Entrepreneur of the Year award.

What was your first job?

“Working in a bar! I must have been destined to work with people even back then.”

What is the best part of your current job?

“Getting a job offer for someone after all these years and knowing I have personally made a difference to the person. I still get a buzz when a candidate tells me they are thrilled! It is even more special when they have been looking for a while and its because my team or I have gone the extra mile for them.”

Whats your best piece of business advice?

“Never give up and surround yourself with people who have different talents to you.”

If you could change one thing, what would it be?

“Not to be so impatient!”

If you could go back and tell your 13 year old self something, what would it be?

“Patience is honestly a virtue!”

How do you unwind?

“Unwinding with my beautiful horses. I compete at shows in the Ridden Hunter class and whether competing or just taking them out by myself – its the closest thing to perfection and totally relaxes me after a hard day at work!”

Derbys Finest committee with Mayor of Derby Linda-Winter from left April Hayhurst Claire Twells Bev Crighton and Amanda Strong — Derbys-Finest-committee-with-Mayor-of-Derby-Linda-Winter-from-left-April-Hayhurst-Claire-Twells-Bev-Crighton-and-Amanda-Strong

A brand new networking group – Derby’s Finest – aiming to celebrate and support women who make a positive contribution to the city – was officially launched with a great event at Derby College’s Engine Shed restaurant at the Roundhouse in Pride Park.

This new group has been set up by Claire Twells from Smith Partnership, Bev Crighton from the University of Derby and Amanda Strong from Mercia Image Print in Little Eaton. Fifty women from a wide range of businesses and organisations attended the launch event to hear about plans for future events and about the chosen charity of the year – Prostate Cancer UK. This first event raised nearly £300 for the charity and the target is to grow this to thousands over the coming year.

Sarah-Louise Wykes and Mary Maguire went along as guests and look forward to supporting Derby’s Finest with their future events!

Dannie Alldread, Kathryn-Williams and Jo Newman

Mary Maguire, Sarah-Louise Wykes and Saima Majid

Maggie Lucas, Samantha Cotter and Debbie Leafe

Rachel-Hopkins-Liz-Fothergill-and-Mayor-of-Derby-Councillor-Linda-Winter

Emotional Intelligence and mindfulness are both of interest for employers and employees alike. In a bid to help Midlands business gain a better understanding of these terms, consultant Lisa Spencer-Arnell will be speaking at a breakfast event (17 March) at Alfreton Golf Club.

The event is the third business breakfast event of its kind, organised by specialist accountancy recruitment agency Astute Recruitment. It aims to help professionals gain a better understanding of how emotional intelligence and mindfulness can impact work and leadership.

Recently, emotional intelligence and mindfulness have become recognised and acknowledged as key elements of business and personal success, outstanding performance, happiness and good health, with events like this in demand.

Managing director of Astute Recruitment, Mary Maguire said: “Due to popular demand, we are delighted to be hosting our second event on emotional intelligence with guest speaker, Lisa Spencer-Arnell. Our first event on this topic was so popular among attendees that we have booked Lisa again for another breakfast event.

“We are proud to be holding this event and hope it will benefit those in attendance to gain a better understanding of emotional intelligence and mindfulness in the workplace.”

Lisa Spencer-Arnell is ideally placed to explain emotional intelligence and wellness through her highly successful career as an international consultant, coach, speaker and author. Lisa’s extensive work on emotional intelligence has been widely praised and recognised.

Recruitment is a multi-award winning accountancy recruitment agency offering bespoke solutions to clients and helping candidates to find suitable positions. Astute is working to create events which inspire its clients and candidates across the East Midlands.

Breakfast will be served to attendees from 7:30 am, with speakers commencing at 7:45 am and the event closing for 9:00 am

The event, which is free to attend has limited spaces and can be booked online at: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/emotional-intelligence-for-business-success-tickets-31964190755

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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.