Careers in recruitment: Meet SRG’s longest-serving staff – Pt 2

At SRG, we pride ourselves on our ability to provide our people with opportunities that both challenge and empower their careers. 

In fact, 13 members of our team have been with SRG for over 10 years. 

In this two-part series, we’ve interviewed 7 of our 13 long-serving teammates, discussing their experiences and asking them for advice on what it takes to forge a successful career in recruitment. 

This article features: Kelly Morton our STEM CEO, Bec Johnston our Billing Team Leader, Emma Lees our Programme Manager, and Claire Lomas our Business Support Executive and PA to Kelly.

You can read Part 2 here.

Expect to discover:

• Some of the different avenues your career in recruitment could take
• What makes SRG a great place to work
• Our people's greatest achievements at SRG

Note: As part of Impellam, the largest staffing business in the UK and sixth-largest MSP worldwide, SRG is well linked to the wider recruitment industry on an international basis and offers a breadth of options for staff that inspire loyalty

Meet SRG's Longest Serving Staff

Early days

When I started as Operations Manager at the Manchester SRG Science Branch, we transformed what was an underperforming branch, into the highest performing at SRG in less than 12 months. We still have people with us today who were instrumental across this turn around.

Promotion

Later I developed our engineering business that has gone from strength to strength over the last 10 years. I was then promoted to Regional Director, where I looked after all our Northern offices, including Science and Engineering. In 2016, I took the role of UK Operations Director and became the MD for SRG in 2016. I am now the CEO for the Impellam STEM Portfolio.

Achievements

My greatest achievements so far have been growing the business, building great relationships with customers, and most of all, creating a culture of family and trust. I have always practiced radical candour, as I think feedback in the moment not only helps people understand their impact on others, but also reflect on and change their behaviour. 
I have always tried to create an open and honest culture that creates psychological safety so that people feel supported and open to feedback.
People really do care at SRG. We have managed to retain our family feel and I promote bottom-up management so that everyone has a voice, feels heard, and can contribute to the future direction of our organisation. I don’t always get it right, and I love it when people tell me there is a better way, and to ‘stop the stupid’.

Advice for someone joining SRG

My advice for someone starting their career at SRG would be to be the best version of yourself and embrace every moment. There are lots of great people to learn from, so be open and embrace difference.

Early days

I began working at SRG as a Senior Consultant. Having had no scientific experience before starting out at SRG, I spent the first 2 years familiarising myself with all the various disciplines and sectors that we support. 

Promotion

I then became Team Leader, and now look after MedTech and Molecular Diagnostics organisations for our Southern Hub. I particularly enjoy working closely with Start-Up ventures, supporting their growth and evolution. I also work closely with Researchers on my team, coaching and developing them through their recruitment journey. 

Achievements

My greatest achievement so far has been partnering with a medical device SME in Cambridge on their recruitment process for their Industrial Placements for the past 5 years. 
I coach the students from initial enquiry, through their application, interview preparation, feedback and onboarding. Supporting grass-roots entry into the STEM sectors is something incredibly important to me, and I have found working in this partnership to be very rewarding.

Advice for someone joining SRG

At SRG, you will be given autonomy and responsibility to hone your craft, find your niche and develop your career in STEM recruitment, in an inclusive and output-focused way - all the while being surrounded by other scientists and commercial experts alike.
I would advise anyone looking to start their career at SRG to be bold, be excited by our clients’ work, don’t be afraid of trying something new, and find your own style.

Early days

I started working at SRG in 2009 as Business Support Co-ordinator for SRG Manchester, and SRG Engineering.

Promotion

Over time, I’ve worked in a variety of Compliance/Central Support roles, as well as Account Manager/Client Support roles. This has given me the opportunity to learn about many aspects of the business, including Finance and Payroll, HR and Employment Law, Client Solutions, and IT integrations – all of which provides a solid base for my current role as Programme Manager. 

Achievements

My greatest achievement so far has been helping set up the very first Ask@SRG Team, which is a central services team that blends compliance with candidate and client communications. Following its success, Ask@SRG is currently being rolled out as a central team to various other Impellam brands. Other achievements I’m proud of include leading the company to success in a variety of internal and external compliance and quality audits over the years, as well as gaining my Prince2 qualification.

Advice for someone joining SRG

I would advise anyone looking to start their career at SRG to dress for the job you want, not the one you have. While this is a bit old fashioned and goes back to a time where formal office attire was a thing… or even when offices were a thing, the premise is the same – ‘act UP’ if you want to be noticed.

Early days

My first position at SRG was as Business Support Coordinator for SRG Manchester. I was hired by Kelly Morton when she managed the Manchester team in 2003.

Promotion

I’ve since been with the company for 19 years and have supported a range of areas. After returning from my first maternity leave, I moved over from SRG Manchester to the Engineering team which had grown and needed admin support. On returning from my second maternity leave in 2009, I moved into the role of PA, supporting Kelly who had become MD for SRG. 

Achievements

While I don’t feel I have had any stand-out achievements, I still love my job after 19 years – so things must be going ok!

*Note from the editor – Whilst Claire is too modest to shout about her achievements, we’ll give you a short summary instead. Claire takes on many, many projects behind the scenes, to ensure SRG is a fantastic place to work. She is probably one of the most helpful people you will meet and takes organisation to a whole new level.  

Advice for someone joining SRG

SRG is a successful business with lots of great people. The culture is very open, and the management and senior management teams are really accessible. For someone willing to work hard, there are lots of opportunities to develop and have a successful career at SRG.
I would advise anyone starting out at SRG to ask lots of questions, and to listen to the advice of your colleagues and managers. There are lots of great people in the business that will help you develop and grow, so don’t be shy!