Calibre to double staff as it sees recruitment requests hit a high

The company, which specialises in recruitment for the construction, engineering and marketing sectors, has relocated to larger premises based at Victoria Wharf in Leeds city centre.

It was previously based in Burley.

The current team is based across sites in Leeds, Manchester and London and the new office provides space to increase the headcount in Yorkshire as well as introducing new sector specialists covering IT.

Calibre Search director Matthew Finlay said he would hope to take on another five people in the Leeds office and another three or four in the Manchester office this year.

He said: “Demand for new staff is certainly outstripping supply at the moment across all sec- tors.

“Companies are struggling to attract and retain high calibre talent, and we’re working hard with all our clients to help them maintain and grow their workforce to enable them to take advantage of opportunities as the market recovers.

“With talk of thousands of jobs needed in the construction sector especially, our expansion plans focus on industry areas where rapid growth is expected.”

Calibre Search’s clients are based in Yorkshire, the North West, the Midlands and the London.

Skills shortages remain a threat to the construction sector, the Construction Industry Training Board said recently, as it reported that careers advice to young people is failing to support the growing need for apprentices in the region.

Data from the CITB’s 2013 Construction Skills Network report showed that in the Yorkshire and Humber region it is estimated that around 3,170 new construction recruits are required annually from 2014 to 2018.

To help achieve this, it is likely that the industry will need to recruit in the region of 2,500 apprentices every year for the next five years, according to the CITB.

Mr Finlay said: “Our new Leeds office will help us raise our profile with both employers and candidates, and we’re confident that the investment we’ve made in our infrastructure and processes will mean we can deliver for our clients and help them grow their businesses too.”

Calibre Search recorded a turnover of £2m last year and expects to reach £3m this year. It forecasts growth of between 30 and 50 per cent the following year.

Meanwhile, the firm’s gross profits last year were £700,000, which it expects to rise by 70 per cent over the next three years.

“We’re all excited about our prospects for 2014 and the new office gives us a great space and the facilities to help us achieve our plans,” added Mr Finlay.

“We had capacity to get a couple more people in where we were but it’s much bigger.”

Mr Finlay said that Calibre Search has a senior team who have long-standing relationships with their clients.

DTZ in Leeds acted on behalf of Calibre Search on its move to Victoria Wharf, a 19th century renovated office building alongside the River Aire.

Mark Holmes, surveyor at DTZ in Leeds, said: “I am delighted to have secured Victoria Wharf for Calibre; the building provides an inspiring workplace, fusing period features along with contemporary aspects such as LED lighting, raised floors and also benefits from a recently refurbished reception, showers and communal areas.

“With the ongoing development of Sovereign Square and the new South Entrance from the station, this is an exciting move for Calibre and will enable their staff to enjoy all the city centre has to offer.”

Greg Davison, asset manager for the Landlord GE Capital, said: “We are pleased to welcome Calibre Search to Victoria Wharf.

“It is a truly unique building with a rich history, benefitting from exposed brickwork, architectural ironwork and heritage windows, yet offering practical and modern features. I look forward to finding tenants to occupy the last remaining suites.”