The 1st Choice for recruitment
in Bedford, Milton Keynes, Huntingdon, Biggleswade and Chester for over 35 years!
CLICK HERE to call your local office
Celebrating 30 Years in Recruitment
in Bedford, Milton Keynes, Huntingdon, Biggleswade and Chester for over 35 years!
CLICK HERE to call your local office
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.
Gill Knight
Hugely proud and respectful of all the 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 the 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!
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.
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 Director, Bedford
I joined 1st Choice 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 I am 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!
If you are interested in a role working with any of our branches at 1st Choice please contact me Clairep@1stchoicerec.com
Debs Kelly, Finance Manager
28 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!
Registered Office: 8 St Loyes Street Bedford MK40 1EP
Co Registration No: 07972006
VAT Registration No: 476186512
Bedford (Head Office) - Tel: 01234 210025 Milton Keynes - Tel: 01908 695599 Biggleswade - Tel: 01767 316767 Huntingdon - Tel: 01480 459141 Northampton - Tel: 01604 212169
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