A WORKPLACE strategy of training and developing “home grown” talent is continuing to drive Russell Taylor Holdings on its ambitious expansion pathway.

As more new apprentices join the workforce at the business’ Wirral headquarters at Burton Manor, company chairman Peter Russell said: “Although we are now the fastest growing, privately-owned recruitment business in the UK, our family and business roots remain here on Wirral where we see our loyal and engaged employees as our most important asset.

“This means training and up-skilling our teams to contribute to the creation of a vibrant economy driven by a local workforce.

“By developing our own people to our high performance culture - starting with those on apprenticeships - it’s a way of us ensuring a continuous pipeline of skills to drive the business forward. This is also something that’s vital to narrowing the region’s current skills gaps.”.

Russell Taylor Holdings’ new apprentices are Isaac Heyes,18, a recruitment resourcer who has joined the company straight from school; 17-year-old administration apprentice Issy Crotty, who is also a school-leaver, and Louise Lloyd, aged 30 and mother of two young children, who is part of the company’s accounts team.

Since the company’s start-up 14 years ago as a small family business – just Peter and his son Ben, now group chief executive – the operation has grown to employing around 457 staff across many locations throughout the UK and in 2018 revenue exceeded £120 million.

Earlier this year the company was named as the fastest-growing privately-owned recruitment business in the UK, heading the 2019 FAST 50 list compiled from detailed analysis by a major global finance house.

Throughout its business journey, Russell Taylor Holdings has supported more than 50 apprentices within all its subsidiaries, most of them now firmly positioned at the core of operations. Apprenticeship programmes throughout the group have expanded in recent years to include recruitment sales, business administration, customer service, finance, IT and in leadership development, all facilitated by sector-specific industry experts.

Equally important to staff development is collaboration with a small number of learning and development partners in Apprenticeship Levy-funded bespoke training initiatives, aimed at enhancing skills of the workforce across the business. These have included Level 3 and Level 5 leadership programmes run at the Wirral headquarters and with staff travelling long distances - in all weather conditions and despite demanding day jobs - to fulfil their potential.

The company is also examining ways of utilising the Apprenticeship Levy to up-skill its considerable number of contractors.

As champion of the group’s learning and development programme, Peter Russell is now realising his life-long passion to give young people opportunities to thrive, grow and achieve their career goals.

He said: “We are very proud of our record in developing apprentices who have become valuable, loyal and committed members of the Russell Taylor team. One of the greatest incentives for me to come to work is to see the progress of so many young people, some of whom joined us at the ages of 16-18 and who have now developed into mature, high performing stars.

“As the business grows so dynamically, with more acquisitions along the way, it is imperative that our partnerships with employers, educationalists and training organisations further develop and strengthen to provide the business leaders of tomorrow.

“Our new young apprentices belong to the future of our business - as we grow so does this ‘home grown’ talent which will develop and become key members of our workforce.”