Following successful careers with a global recruitment firm, James Allen and Ben Lane established Allen Lane in 2004. They wanted to use the experience they had gained in recruiting senior professionals into the public sector to offer a fresh, down to earth approach to recruitment based on relationships and exceptional customer service.
Realising some of the frustrations our candidates and clients face, James and Ben saw an opportunity to move away from the methods adopted by large corporate recruitment brands and provide a more personal service founded on honesty, flexibility and long term objectives. Today, every member of the Allen Lane team shares this approach – we view public sector recruitment as a career and not a job.
By recruiting and retaining some of the most established consultants in the sector, Allen Lane has developed a far reaching influence and presence. Despite our significant growth in reputation, turnover and market share, we pride ourselves in retaining a service more akin to a smaller ‘owner run’ business.
We view our candidates as we do our clients. Both have an equally important role to play in our development and reputation and we look to build lasting relationships from the moment first contact is made.
Our candidates, temporary or permanent, come from all backgrounds and sectors. We speak frankly on first contact as to the prospects of securing work. If we feel we can’t help a candidate immediately, we will advise on the best course of action for them and if appropriate recommend other organisations.
Within finance, our main area of expertise is at the CCAB* qualified level and above but we also place CCAB part qualified candidates, project managers and senior executives on a permanent, temporary or interim basis. We source employment for people who have come directly from practice, industry, financial services as well as the public and not for profit sectors.
On the HR side, our candidates come from all levels; from HR officers to HR directors. Our main focus is at the CIPD qualified level but we also have a presence amongst CIPD licentiates and associates.
We are proud of the number of candidates that have been referred from others and this has been a keystone in our establishment. Also reflecting our long term approach is the fact that over 50% of our current 300+ contractors are not on their first assignment through Allen Lane. We reward good performance and go the extra mile to ensure that those who perform well have as continuous a stream of employment as possible.
*Qualifications recognised by the Consultative Committee of Accountancy Bodies. In the UK this includes ICAEW; CIFPA; ICAS; CIMA and ACCA.
Our public and not for profit clients are normally in London and the Home Counties. These organisations are often instrumental in impacting on the lives and welfare of local and national communities or giving help or support to people in need.
In times of downturn in the private sector, our clients remain comparatively buoyant and offer short, medium and long term careers with significant benefits often including an opportunity to make a difference to a worthwhile cause.
Whilst we focus exclusively on recruiting to the public sector on both a temporary and permanent basis, we help people from the public and private sectors and sector experience is not a prerequisite to register with us or work for our clients.
Click on the CAMPAIGNS tab to see some of the clients that Allen Lane has recruited for.
Allen Lane’s objective is to become the leader in public sector financial and HR recruitment and since our formation in 2004, we have taken significant strides towards this goal.
James and Ben started the business in a spare bedroom with limited resources but plenty of ambition and a strong network of key public sector contacts. Within 6 months, they moved to a small office in Central London and had already started to build a reputation in the sector.
Repeat business led to stability and increasing new business enabled quick growth. After a year of operating as a duo, Allen Lane doubled its headcount in 2005 adding 3 more in 2006 as it became more established. After its second year of trading, Allen Lane’s turnover stood at just over £1million but in contrast to the industry norm, Allen Lane grew its headcount steadily, appointing people who shared James’ and Ben’s passion and career focus.
More and more clients were appointing Allen Lane as ‘preferred supplier’ and 2007 saw Allen Lane’s contractor base grow from 100 to 170. The company also outgrew its workspace and moved to its own permanent office on Pall Mall.
In 2008, 6 more joined the Allen Lane team and turnover after our fourth full year of trading stood at over £16million; this growth saw Allen Lane ascend to number 12 in the Sunday Times Fast Track 100 companies based on growth (December 2008). Allen Lane enjoyed another fine year in 2009 seeing turnover increase to over £23 million and again appearing on the Fast Track 100 companies list. Allen Lane currently employ 20 people.
Allen Lane has again increased its headcount this year taking us to 19 full time staff covering both financial and HR recruitment in the sectors that we feel passionate about: the public and not for profit sectors.
There are certain values which have been at the heart of making Allen Lane one of the fastest growing financial recruitment consultancies in the UK.
Our knowledge of the public and not for profit sectors is a defining feature; Allen Lane consultants have an average of 7 years’ recruitment experience which far exceeds the industry average of 18 months. This experience enables us to add value to clients on matters such as pay and how to attract the right people and helps our candidates navigate the sector and find the roles they are best suited to.
We earn loyalty from our candidates and clients by delivering the best possible service. This includes conducting thorough searches and developing targeted shortlists - invariably a small list of candidates who have been interviewed, thoroughly briefed and proven themselves capable - rather than a quantitative and less qualified approach.
We know that some candidates find recruitment consultancies cold. For this reason, respect for our candidates is paramount and our consultants would rather lose business than respect. We keep in regular contact throughout the job search, offering support and advice along the way and we stay in touch afterwards to ensure appointments are successful and relationships can be built.
Our current team has made us one of the fastest growing financial recruitment consultancies in the UK for the last four years. We’re looking to strengthen it.
We look for a successful track record in recruitment and a strong educational background. If you’ve got public and not for profit or finance experience, that would be great. From there, we’re looking for what you have in common with us and what makes you different.
Every individual at Allen Lane brings a unique approach to recruitment and they are often contrasting. Although there are a few fundamentals to good consultancy, it’s our confidence in our consultants to let them work in the way they think best that appeals to experienced recruiters particularly.
That doesn’t mean a lack of management or training. As well as employing an external training company to challenge our skills, the directors take a hands-on interest in the development of staff – not just regular one-to-ones but daily on-the-desk support on everything from the management of the recruitment process to better decision-making.
That’s part of the reason why Allen Lane consultants are set up to succeed. Whether you’re breaking into a new client or recruiting for a trusted one, you’ll have access to one of the strongest databases of candidates in London and guidance from some of the most successful recruiters in the public sector.
Success is one of the main reasons why people enjoy working here. It helps that the rewards are excellent – we know from suppliers that we offer one of the best commission structures in recruitment on top of a competitive basic salary. It also helps that we work very hard for each other - a bit of good competitive rivalry notwithstanding - and that we get on really well and have some terrific nights out (some of them planned).
There’s a great deal of potential at Allen Lane. We’ve already realised some of it - a turnover of £23 million in year five - but there’s a lot more to do. The approach that we use will be successful in each new area we enter because it’s based on a respect for clients and contractors and that’s something every sector needs. We need to add to the team to realise the rest.
If you’re interested in knowing more about Allen Lane, please contact James on 07795 097 730 or Ben on 07956 839 272.
