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Elis UK and JS Recruitment have joined forces via We Are Wakefield to harness the power of collaboration.

Elis UK is an international multi-service provider offering laundry and hygiene services. Ambitious growth plans prompted a search for talented staff to join their commercial and operations teams at the production facility in Wakefield. With over 40 years’ experience, a proven track record in recruiting for these functions and an expansive network of over 40,000 local candidates, JS Recruitment made for the ideal recruitment partner.

Jonathan Parkinson – General Manager and Jilly Spiers – Managing Director, along with their respective teams, collaborated to recruit for four key roles. This involved streamlining processes, adopting new ways of working, successfully leveraging technology, and providing a first-class candidate experience.

Through close consultation, they have built a strong partnership, mutual understanding and an effective recruitment process enabling JS Recruitment to identify candidates who are an excellent match for and aligned to the values at Elis UK.

The impact of the partnership has been to attract top talent to Elis UK and mark the organisation out as an employer of choice in the region. Crucially, roles have been filled efficiently by JS Recruitment with high calibre candidates who are already adding value to the business.

Jilly Spiers said

“The team at JS Recruitment feel privileged to act as brand ambassadors for Elis UK and are proud to support them in achieving their business goals. We know that good people can transform businesses and the right jobs transform lives. We’re more driven than ever to create opportunities for our candidates, clients, fellow We Are Wakefield members and boost the local economy.”

The collaborators win 4 tickets to Featherstone Rovers to see how teamwork makes the dream work!

The Yorkshire Broker are a commercial insurance broker who began trading in January 2023 and, with over 40 years’ experience between them, Martin and Phil are experts in all things insurance.

 The Yorkshire Broker are a true independent broker with more than 1000  products available. There’s nothing The Yorkshire Broker can’t do when it comes to commercial insurance and, it also means they can tailor products to their clients’ needs and provide choice.

 They are proud to be Yorkshire, and proud to be part of it’s community. They believe it deserves to be looked after. Yorkshire Broker believe that  many services are faceless these days and are missing the personal touch but, The Yorkshire Broker want to change this. They have built their business on providing unparalleled personal service. The many five star🌟 reviews they receive, really shows they deliver on this.

Martin said, ‘Phil and I are passionate about our business and what we have achieved so far, and our initial success is in part thanks to groups like We are Wakefield, we are delighted to become Supporters and continue to help our business community.’🎉

martin weaver-parker, dip cii

Phil Hodgson

#insurance #wakefield #wakefield businesses’

 

On 8^th March2024, We Are Wakefield, in collaboration with the Mayor of Wakefield and Wakefield Council, orchestrated a spectacular celebration at the iconic Wakefield Town Hall to mark International Women’s Day. The Kingswood Suite, adorned with history and elegance, set the stage for an event that brought together influential women leaders and a community eager to celebrate and discuss the strides made towards gender equality.

The morning kicked off with a lineup of exceptional key speakers, each leaving an indelible mark on the hearts and minds of the audience. The Mayor of Wakefield, Cllr Josie Pritchard, and Cllr Denise Jeffery, Leader of Wakefield Council, graced the stage with powerful messages of empowerment and progress. Tracy Carpenter from Mint HR and Lucy Ndlovu of Progressive Talent CIC shared their personal and professional journeys, inspiring everyone present.

Guiding the morning’s proceedings with finesse and enthusiasm was the Managing Director of We Are Wakefield, Claire Sutherley DL.

After the enlightening speeches, the audience participated in a lively quiz focused on inspirational women. Laughter and excitement filled the room as participants tested their knowledge about women who have left an indelible mark on history. The event also featured a raffle and tombola, generating enthusiasm and providing an opportunity for attendees to contribute to a noble cause.

The funds raised during the event will be directed towards the Mayor’s Charity: Andy’s Man Club and Community Foundation Wakefield District‘s Women’s Fund. In a commendable show of community support, Prosper Wakefield District pledged to generously match the funds raised, amplifying the impact on these vital initiatives.

The morning concluded with a delightful lunch and networking session, allowing attendees to connect, share experiences, and forge new connections. The historic venue provided a stunning backdrop, with access to The Mayor’s Parlour and The Old Courtroom, offering a glimpse into the rich history of Wakefield.

Chris Whittam Photography skilfully captured the essence of the event, freezing in time the moments of elation, excitement, and sheer joy that permeated the venue.

The International Women’s Day event at Wakefield Town Hall was not just a celebration; it was a declaration of commitment to inspire inclusion. The theme #InspireInclusion resonated throughout the morning, leaving attendees invigorated and empowered to continue the journey towards a more inclusive and equal society. As the event came to a close, the echoes of inspirational stories and shared joy lingered, serving as a testament to the collective strength and unity of Wakefield’s women.

 

   

 

 

JS Recruitment are a professional consultancy providing services to businesses across Yorkshire and beyond. The team have over 40 years’ experience recruiting for some of the region’s most recognisable employers and a proven track record placing staff from entry through to executive level. As members of the REC and GLAA Licence Holders JS Recruitment are recognised as being compliant, committed to world-class standards and licensed to supply to regulated sectors.

 

Founding partners and sisters Jilly and Sarah shared a vision; to create a successful recruitment consultancy which is a positive force in the community. Jilly and Sarah’s passion for service excellence and the hard work of their valued team has seen them build a trusted reputation and consultancy where employees thrive, candidates achieve their career aspirations and clients hire talented people who transform their businesses.

 

“We love being part of the We Are Wakefield community; we’ve met some great people and benefitted from some fantastic opportunities provided by the membership. In return, we’re keen to give back and invest by becoming a Supporter Member.  We whole heartedly believe in the ethos of WAW and, as such, are more driven than ever to create opportunities for our clients, candidates, fellow WAW members and boost the local economy.” Jilly Spiers, Managing Director

(13) Jilly Spiers | LinkedIn    (13) Sarah Knight | LinkedIn

#wakefield #wearewakefield #recruitment

Thornton Jones Solicitors were formed in Wakefield in 2007 by Clare Thornton and Claire Jones.  At that time, they specialised in Family Law but soon expanded to become a “full service” firm which means they offer services for all the needs of your family and business.

Their growth really happened after Claire Jones retired and Clare Thornton took on 2 more partners -Liz Fyfe and Steven Eldridge. Together they decided to grow the firm and opened their first branch office in Ossett, followed by Garforth, Sherburn-In-Elmet and recently, Mapplewell near Barnsley.

 

Clare Thornton: “We are so proud of our team of people who all live by our values – a passion for excellence, trust, community and contentment. These values were created by our team and have been used to help us ensure we can provide the best service to our clients and to make Thornton Jomes is a really great place to work. They also underpinned our win at the Yorkshire Legal Awards in October 2022 when we became law firm of the year!

I signed Thornton Jones up as a member of We Are Wakefield in March 2022 when I met Claire Sutherley. I quickly became a board member having seen how fabulous the concept was and have attended every first Friday event since!”

 

“We decided to become ambassadors because we absolutely believe in the power of local businesses working together to help and support each other. We are proud to be involved with We are Wakefield and it’s continued growth and success and hope our ambassador level membership reflects our commitment to continue to support the fabulous work Claire and the board are doing to build local strength and partnerships for all our businesses.”

 

We Are Wakefield are looking forward to working with Thornton Jones throughout 2024 as WAW Ambassadors.

Exciting News!

 

We Are Wakefield is delighted to welcome Vision IFAs as new Ambassadors for 2024, dedicated to helping you achieve your financial goals!

 

Originally founded to assist teachers with retirement planning, Vision IFAs has evolved into a dynamic financial advisory firm, working with diverse clients and businesses. Now led by the passionate husband-and-wife team, David Abel and Alana Abel, they are the principal financial advisors committed to providing balanced, bespoke advice tailored just for you.

 

At Vision IFAs, a perfect financial plan is recognised as unique to each individual. Their plain-speaking approach ensures honest, unbiased advice, free from jargon or confusing industry terms. You can count on clear communication, ensuring you always understand the advice and guidance provided.

 

What sets Vision IFAs apart is not just their expertise but also their age advantage. While the average age of financial advisors in the UK is 58, the Vision team is significantly younger, ensuring they can be with you for the long term. They are committed to supporting you through all of life’s twists and turns, focusing on your journey and doing everything possible to help you reach your financial destination.

 

Join us in welcoming Vision IFAs to the We Are Wakefield family! Together, let’s navigate the path to financial success.

 

 

#WeAreWakefield  #FinancialJourney #Ambassadors2024

Fanfare Music hosted a corporate songwriting evening on 16th January at their studio in Ossett for the WAW team and We Are Wakefield members:
Diana Holden Bid Writing Service Ltd
Solupak Ltd
Wordsmiths UnLimited
Chris Whittam Photography
Blossom CIC
Prosura

Participants came with a variety of levels of musical confidence but over the course of the evening learnt chords on the piano and about the chord structure of pop songs.
After a vocal warm up, Jenna taught participants to play the chords to two pop songs on the piano and we took it in turns to play and sing. However, the main business of the evening was creating our very own We Are Wakefield song and in teams participants wrote chord progressions and lyrics for the verses, chorus and a bridge.
When it came to recording the song, those who wanted to, sang a solo line and everyone else was involved with the chorus and the rap! It was a great evening, and we can offer something similar, or something totally different, to you and your team – musical theatre, burlesque, songwriting, rock band, learning instruments, singing, drama, improvisation, even visual art – use your imagination.

Creativity is the key to productivity in any workplace and we’d love to help unleash your team’s creative superpowers.
Drop Jenna an email: [email protected] to book some creative time in the diary for your team.

“We’re delighted to award Jenna the winning tickets for all her hard work on this collaborative event!” Jenna wins tickets to see how team work makes the dream work at Castleford Tigers!

Listen to the song here:

 

 

  

 

Hello Wakefield!

The 1st March 2024 marked another successful edition of our First Friday Events, this time at Pontefract Town Hall. Despite the chilly morning, the warmth of the We Are Wakefield family shone through as we gathered for our monthly catch-up.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Pontefract Civic Society for hosting us and enlightening us about the incredible work they do for our beloved town. It’s always inspiring to connect with organisations dedicated to making a positive impact on our community.

The event was enriched by Sharon Batty from The Prince of Wales Hospice, who shared an exciting update on the ongoing transformation of the hospice gardens to make them accessible to all patients. It’s heartening to witness such dedication to creating a welcoming space for those in need.

A special shout out to The Caring Kitchen from The Prince of Wales Hospice for catering our breakfast. The hot sandwiches and fruit platters were not only delicious but also a testament to the care and dedication they put into their work. It’s a true pleasure to support local businesses with such a meaningful cause.

The morning was beautifully captured by the talented team at KRA:FT Media. The stunning images from the event can be found by following the link below.

We would also like to express our gratitude to Dan Smith at DSM Productions for accommodating last-minute changes to the tech rider. Your flexibility ensured a seamless and enjoyable experience for everyone present.

A big thank you to all who attended – your presence added to the warmth of the event. We’re already looking forward to our next First Friday in April at The Education Exchange in Knottingley. Get booked in, and let’s continue to build connections and foster a supportive community.

Until next time, stay connected, stay warm, and keep making Wakefield an amazing place to be!

Warm regards,

The We Are Wakefield Team

 

VIEW IMAGES HERE

We are proud to announce The Nostell Estate as  Ambassadors of We Are Wakefield for 2024.

With over 350 years of history in the Winn family, The Nostell Estate stands as a testament to tradition, innovation, and community spirit. Covering 40,000+ sq ft of award-winning office space, thriving farm businesses across 4,000+ acres, and over 40 residential lets, we are honored to be part of the vibrant Wakefield region.

Owned by Lord St Oswald, who transformed the business park in 2004, The Nostell Estate is a hub of like-minded individuals working towards making Wakefield an even better place to work and live.

Peter Molyneux, Director of The Nostell Estate, shares his excitement: “The Nostell Estate is honoured to become We Are Wakefield Ambassadors. We’ve hugely benefited from discussions with various members, and having the We Are Wakefield HQ right here at Nostell Estate is a testament to our commitment to collaboration and community support. We’re thrilled to embark on this new journey as Ambassadors and contribute to the thriving business community of Wakefield.”

 

Connect with Peter HERE

 

 

Meet Ryan Cooper of Metal Depot.

Based in Castleford, West Yorkshire and servicing the whole of the UK, Metal Depot are manufacturers of Street Furniture and Metal Fabricators.

Over the years, Metal Depot have developed a reputation for manufacturing high quality products for their clients. Their experienced team provide a wealth of knowledge and expertise in product design and metal fabrication.

Metal Depot are passionate about making the concepts and ideas of their clients come to life and guide them through the entire journey, from concept, design, and drawings to manufacture, supply and delivery. They strive to provide the best service possible that is tailored to the needs of their clients.

Connect with Ryan HERE