Celebrating 30 Years in Recruitment
At 1st Choice we value our teams, nurture them, and develop them. We have our own culture which really is work hard and have fun. Our ethos is “happy people make money” – it is so important for any management team to identify what it is that makes each individual happy and feel cherished. We have recognised some of the following priorities identified by our teams:-
Our staff across the business currently benefit from these things and the results are great it really is true…happy people do get great results.
The Managers pictured left have service from 15 to 28 years at 1st Choice (combined service of 130+ years!)
We are all very different people but all work to the core values of the business as well as keeping our teams motivated is our joint aim!
Left to right: Claire- Bedford Ops Manager, Debs-Finance Manager, Gaynor (top) Biggs Manager, Emma (sitting) MK Ops Manager, Lizzie – Hunts Ops Manager, Gill – Managing Director
See below for some real life examples of why our people are dedicated to 1st Choice and successful in their roles.
If you are in sales or recruitment and when you have read our information, think you might like to be part of our team in one of our 4 branches email me telling me why, Gill@1stchoicerec.com
Gill Knight, Managing Director 
Hugely proud and respectful of all my teams across the branches as I know that the business we operate is massively dependent on our staff their success and their passion and dedication to recruitment through the years. Whilst we have many new faces we also have a strong bank of long serving and loyal staff that have been with us for many years, who are the backbone of the business and the strong platform from which we operate year in and year out. I am lucky enough to have worked with my team for a combined total of something like 135 years!! Incredible.
Carmen Wicks, Senior Recruitment Executive, MK
I joined 1st Choice Staff Recruitment in November 2018 as a Resourcer and I have worked my way up to Senior Recruitment Executive. I honestly feel that we are not your traditional recruitment agency, we are a unique blend of individuals who all work together to make us as successful as possible, and everyone has their role to play and is vital in making us one of the top three recruitment agencies in Milton Keynes and that is something I am very proud to be a part of.
We place high importance on our candidates experience and establishing long-standing relationships with our clients and this is the reason I love my job as it gives me great satisfaction to feel like we always offer the best possible service and go above and beyond!
Shelly Simpson, Account Manager, MK
I began my journey with 1st Choice back in 2020 when I registered as a candidate and met with Emma to discuss opportunities. After spending years in recruitment (and swearing I’d never go back!) I was struck by the professionalism of the business and the genuinely lovely atmosphere in the office so, when Emma offered me a role with the MK team, I couldn’t resist.
After some time away during the pandemic, I returned to the team last year and am now the Permanent team Account Manager and I love the flexibility of working part time but, best of all, I get to work with an amazing bunch of ladies!
Tammy Bowles, Senior Recruitment Executive, Huntingdon
I started my journey with 1st Choice originally in 2003 as a Branch Administrator and have returned twice to the business during my career! I am now the Senior Recruitment Executive at our Huntingdon Branch and can honestly say working for 1st Choice is like having an extended family, you are made to feel part of the Business which is a rare find in the world of Recruitment!
You are encouraged to succeed and supported to do so through great training and continued guidance from day one, not just from the branch you are working within but from the branch network teams we have and from the company as a whole.
The overwhelming pride 1st Choice has on delivering exceptionally high standards of recruitment services to both the clients and to the candidates is incredible and shown in our google reviews! This, along with many other factors makes me proud in saying I work for 1st Choice Staff Recruitment and have done for the majority of my career!
Becca Rose, Recruitment Assistant, MK
I was contacted by Emma from the Milton Keynes branch after applying for a job advertised online. 1st Choice instantly stood out to me because of their friendly and approachable manner and their genuine interest in helping me find the right job. I was invited to visit the Milton Keynes office in person to register, which was a lovely personal touch that hadn’t been offered by other agencies. When I arrived at the office, I was bowled over by the warm and welcoming atmosphere in the office and how lovely everyone was. When Emma discussed with me the opportunity to join the Milton Keynes team I was absolutely delighted to accept!
I’m now in my 4th month working with 1st Choice and I love it! Everyone works as a team and it is a very supportive environment. I can genuinely say that I am truly happy to come to work every day, it’s a pleasure to work alongside such lovely people and to feel that my contribution is valued.
I love that the focus is very much on quality over quantity, working with integrity and finding the right candidate for the right role rather than meeting arbitrary targets. I’m proud to work for a company that truly cares about the candidates and clients they serve.
Chloe Devine, Recruitment Assistant, Bedford
I joined the team at 1st Choice Bedford just a short time ago, wow! My time here has flown by!! I previously came from a temporary role where I did not feel important or secure, 1st Choice changed this immediately for me! I was issued a permanent contract straight away and felt like part of the team from the get go. I absolutely love being with 1st Choice, I have learnt so much here already and I am continually growing and developing whilst being supported the entire way!
I look forward to progressing with my career with 1st Choice and my amazing team who I now look at as family.
Maria Panczyszyn, Temporary Recruitment, Bedford
I started my journey with 1st Choice Recruitment last September. I actually applied for a permanent role with 1st Choice Recruitment for their client, desperately trying to get out of a role I was stuck in and did not enjoy! Claire who is the Manager at the Bedford branch called me and asked me to come in and see her, she offered me a role within the Bedford team after we had a chat. I was very sceptical at first as the company I worked for was another Recruitment Agency where I was extremely unhappy and I guess I was very anxious about the Recruitment World!
Six months into this role and I would like to say I fit like a glove. The team is amazing especially our Manager Claire who has been in the business for over 21 years! She is extremely patient and cares very much about her team both professionally and personally.
I see myself in this company in the future and I am looking forward to progressing myself professionally with 1st Choice. One of the best decisions I ever made!
Carly Dunstan, Recruitment Executive, MK
I have recently joined 1st Choice Staff recruitment after 12 years within Sales and Management roles.
Ever since I have joined the team have been so welcoming and supportive and I couldn’t imagine working anywhere else! No wonder they are the no 1 rated recruitment agency in Milton Keynes!
Everything they do is to ensure they are finding the right candidates, the right role for their clients. Focusing on quality instead of quantity unlike other agencies out there.
Every Consultant works closely with candidates and clients to ensure they are receiving a 5* service to be forever remembered.
Emma Mist, Operations Manager, MK
In 2008 I joined 1st Choice as the MK Branch Receptionist, since then I have progressed through various roles within the business from Account Management to a Commercial Consultant and now I manage the branch.
Over 14 years later and I still LOVE my job! You only need to look at the length of service of each of the management team to realise how 1st Choice look after their staff, so you don’t want to leave! The culture that has been created is very unique. We are very traditional in our approach and are all about providing the highest levels of customer care and it’s a brand I feel proud to represent.
We are not thrashed with unrealistic sales targets; instead we are left to breathe and get on with delivering a quality service to our candidates and clients alike.
The variety within the role leaves you constantly feeling stimulated and challenged. I also enjoy the flexibility of working for a smaller company with strong family values, where you aren’t just a number.
I personally couldn’t ever imagine working anywhere else.
Claire Phillips, Operations Manager, Bedford
I joined 1st Ch
oice in 2001…and can honestly say that I have never thought about leaving! I joined as a trainee and have developed through the business over the years and now head up a team of 8 in our Bedford branch. Training is always available, internal workshops and external recruitment specialist training has helped me progress and excel in my role. Having the support there when I need it, always feeling appreciated and respected as well as having that flexibility required as a Mum are all reasons that I am so happy here as well as the ability to earn great money and drive a great car!
Debs Kelly, Finance Manager
25 years at 1st Choice Staff Recruitment Ltd, I think that says it all!
From a part time accounts assistant to Finance Manager, bringing up children and caring for elderly parents , 1st Choice have been there with me, every step of the way. The support in both my professional and personal life has been more than I could ever have wished for.
A great place to work where I feel respected, listened to and allowed to have a voice. The training and rewards have been great. Looking forward to another 10 years of working together!
If you are in sales or recruitment and think you might like to be part of our team in one of our 4 branches email me NOW Gill@1stchoicerec.com
