My Journey as a Female Recruitment Agency Owner – International Women’s Day
As we celebrate International Women’s Day, I take this moment to reflect on the journey that led me to establish my recruitment agency in 2002. Coming into this industry was not a planned decision, but rather a pivot from my career as a lawyer with a young child. Part time roles for working mothers were not prevalent in the 2000’s and as a single parent at the time, my options were few. At that time, the recruitment industry was largely dominated by male-owned and managed firms. When offered a role with a legal recruiter, I was intrigued with the industry and did well. Branching out in setting up my own agency was challenging but I felt I could add to the industry and to working mothers who wanted flexibility as I did. My vision has always been rooted in three key focus areas:
Supporting Women and Girls in Leadership and Decision-Making roles.
Women continue to be underrepresented in leadership roles. It has improved however the current statistic that to achieve the parity that we need, would take us into the year 2158. My agency has dedicated itself to supporting women in these areas, providing career development opportunities, and advocating for workplace policies that create equitable career progression.
Providing Women with Access to Training in the field
Education and training are powerful tools for empowerment. Over the years, we have invested time in supporting women within the agency in gaining the necessary skills and knowledge to excel in their careers. A notable example is one of our valued employees who relocated from Poland some 20 years ago, recognising her potential and skills, we provided her with opportunities within our agency, allowing her to grow professionally while improving her English language proficiency. Today, she is our accomplished finance manager—a testament to the power of education, opportunity, and support.
Advancing Women in the Workplace Through Flexible and Inclusive Policies
Back in 2002, flexible working arrangements were virtually non-existent. However, I understood the importance of work-life balance, particularly for working mothers. I made it a priority to offer part-time and flexible working options, ensuring that talented women did not have to choose between their careers and family responsibilities. Two of my most senior consultants who remain with the agency to date, started with us in this “pilot” programme which worked well. We additionally enabled our marketing manager to continue working while traveling across the globe, proving that performance is not tied to a physical office space but to dedication and results.
Listening to and promoting talent from within has been a fundamental principle of my business. By fostering an inclusive and supportive workplace, we have seen remarkable growth stories among our employees. The progress we have made as an agency reflects the broader mission of advancing women and girls in business, leadership, and beyond.
On this International Women’s Day, I encourage all businesses to take a proactive approach in supporting women in the workplace. Whether through mentorship, flexible work policies, or training initiatives, every step counts toward creating a more inclusive and equitable professional landscape.
My hope is my ideas, and proven methods can start a conversation with other business’s whatever the size to seize the opportunity to break barriers and build a future where women thrive in all aspects of business and leadership.
