Join us as we mark 20 years since our Bournemouth agency began its journey in 2005, growing from a startup into a prominent recruitment company across the UK. Discover how our unwavering ‘people-first’ philosophy, dedication to transparency, and commitment to consistently going above and beyond for everyone we partner with have been central to our story.
Want to uncover the key to enduring success? Keep reading!
Celebrating Two Decades of a Bournemouth Agency
Think back to 2005. The digital world was still finding its feet; dial-up internet was standard, and job hunting often felt like an uphill battle. Those long, multi-page CVs were a real challenge! The process felt impersonal and disconnected, usually reducing individuals to mere data points on a screen.
In this frustratingly detached landscape, the founding directors of Platinum Employment experienced a moment of clarity. As they sought out the right people for their first company, Platinum Components, they encountered many shortcomings in recruitment. Behind their then-clunky computer screens, an idea sparked:
“What if we could bring a truly human approach to connecting with people and finding them the right role?“
This simple, human-centred idea became the catalyst for Platinum. The director’s vision was to create a recruitment agency prioritising genuine interaction and meaningful conversations over the isolating digital barriers of the time. And so, in 2005, Platinum Employment came to life. This foundational belief in ‘real people‘ and honest engagement inspires us daily and has been key to our success over the past two decades.
Our Bournemouth Agency’s Journey: Navigating Towards Success
Like any new venture, establishing Platinum had its share of bumps in the road. It required dedication, resilience, and weathering a few “no’s“. Remembering our first accountant’s blunt assessment, we still smile: “You should stop this business now. You can’t make it a success.” Our founding directors took that as a direct challenge, responding with a resounding, “Watch us.”
Now that you know our origin story – our drive to bring a personal touch back to recruitment – you might be asking: How have we kept the momentum going, celebrating two decades of successful hires and partnerships? Grab a virtual brew; we’re about to reveal what makes us tick: Our Proven Roadmap for Two Decades of Growth.
Our Bournemouth Agency Roadmap: Direction One
Finding Our Niche, Then Expanding Our Horizons
This first principle isn’t about avoiding every obstacle; it’s a foundational truth we learned early in our two-decade journey. A harsh lesson quickly became clear: when you attempt to cater to everyone, you risk excelling for no one.
This insight led us to make a pivotal decision that set our course. We focused our energy and expertise squarely on the vibrant world of hospitality. This moment solidified Platinum’s identity as a dedicated hospitality agency, laying the groundwork for everything that followed.
So, what led us down this specific path? That story begins with one of our earliest team members, Rob Cotton.
Charting Our Hospitality Focus: The Catalyst for Growth
When Rob, a former chef who transitioned into recruitment, joined Platinum in 2006, he brought invaluable depth of knowledge, experience, and fresh perspectives. Bringing Rob into our small team was a key catalyst that propelled us toward becoming hospitality specialists. But what drew Rob to Platinum, and how did his background shape our original direction?
“At the time, I had a young family and a mortgage, so joining a new startup felt like a significant gamble,” Rob recalls. “However, I firmly believe that your work environment is everything. The main question I asked during my first meeting with the directors was about longevity. Thankfully, they were open and honest from day one and promised me a career I could be proud of. It seemed like an exciting opportunity I couldn’t pass up.”
In those days, Rob operated solo from a single desk, making relentless calls to prospective clients. Eventually, the first placement came after three months, and the first candidate was on the payroll by month four. Rob remembers, “I was doing whatever it took. I even took on small jobs in Cornwall for three months for minimal fees.“
Nine months in, Director Paul Sinclair stepped back from Platinum Components to focus on recruitment. In their first year, Rob and Paul guided the company from a deficit of £50,000 to an impressive £14,000 profit (a substantial achievement for a small startup in 2006!)
Without a doubt, that early leap of faith and our keen understanding of hospitality’s distinct recruitment challenges became our guiding stars, pushing us to become the committed hospitality experts we were in those early years.
The Broader Horizon: Platinum Employment Today
This foundational success in hospitality, built on strong relationships and a deep understanding of specific industry needs, didn’t just define us; it also gave us the expertise and confidence to look beyond. The same people-first approach and commitment to specialised recruitment that flourished in hospitality proved incredibly effective in other sectors.
Today, while Platinum Hospitality thrives, our overarching recruitment expertise has expanded significantly under the Platinum Employment umbrella. We now proudly connect talent with opportunities across various industrial, commercial, automotive, plant, healthcare, and education sectors. This evolution is a testament to our enduring principles and ability to adapt and grow while maintaining our high standards during our early days in hospitality.
Our Bournemouth Agency Roadmap: Direction Two
The ‘People First’ Principle: More Than Just a Phrase
We often discuss putting ‘people first,’ but what does that mean in practice? To illustrate, let’s introduce you to Todd Higgs.
Todd has been a key part of the Platinum family for many years – like that reliable, long-standing tool in your kit that’s always there when needed. He’s worked with us on temporary assignments between roles, trusted us to find him a significant management position at a highly regarded company, and even returned to us later as a client searching for top-tier staff for his team.
In his own words, Todd shared, “The team is always incredibly professional and has consistently taken the time to understand my requirements, whether I was a candidate seeking a role or a client needing temporary staff. They placed me in some excellent positions with well-established local organisations.”
Going the Extra Mile: Beyond the Expected
Fast forward to the challenges of COVID-19. Like countless others, Todd faced redundancy, making it incredibly difficult to secure stable work during the lockdown. Compounding this, Todd had significant personal circumstances requiring security and a consistent income. Our focus wasn’t just on finding him a job; it was about providing the stability he urgently needed during a profoundly uncertain time. Consequently, we worked tirelessly to keep Todd employed, adapting to ever-changing restrictions and ensuring he had the consistent work required. Todd commented, “Without that security and support, my family’s plans could have been jeopardised.”
Todd’s story isn’t unique. Exceptional candidates and clients like him are the very heart of what we do. So, ‘people first’ isn’t just a catchy phrase for us. Instead, it’s about active listening, unwavering support, and sometimes even putting in extraordinary effort to ensure things work out. That’s because it’s not just about filling a role; it’s about the individuals behind it.
Today, Todd is an Account Manager for Country Fare Food Service, one of South England’s remaining independent, family-run fresh produce suppliers.
Our Bournemouth Agency Roadmap: Direction Three
The Power of Candour: Building Lasting Connections
We’ve covered finding our initial direction and unwavering commitment to putting people first. But how do you cultivate relationships that endure for two decades? For us, it boils down to a core, non-negotiable principle: Is it Fair? Is it reasonable?
You’re likely familiar with common recruitment frustrations: vague emails, promises that don’t quite materialise, and the nagging feeling that you’re not getting the whole story. We actively steer clear of that. Our approach is built on genuine, transparent communication, free from smoke and mirrors. We believe in being direct and transparent at every stage, whether you’re a candidate seeking your next significant opportunity or a client searching for that ideal team member.
Dedication Beyond the Transaction: Support and Guidance
Ultimately, your success is ours. We see ourselves as being in this together. That means no jargon, just straightforward and honest dialogue.
We’ve Got Your Back (And Your CV)
Is your CV not quite hitting the mark? We’ll work with you to refine it for maximum impact.
No Detail Too Small: Preparing You for Success
Need some last-minute tips or a confidence boost before an interview? We’re here to help you feel fully prepared.
More Than a Match: Hiring for Culture and Capability
We don’t just fill vacancies; it’s about finding individuals who are the perfect fit for your team and your company’s environment.
Your Success, Our Ongoing Commitment
Do recruits need ongoing guidance in their initial weeks? Our commitment extends beyond the placement; we’re dedicated until all parties are completely satisfied.
Our Blueprint for Success: Platinum Alumni
Sometimes, the most significant insights come from those who’ve seen us grow from the inside. Debbie Macleod, formerly an Employer Relationship Coordinator for Locomotivation and now a full-time mum, was with Platinum in our formative years. To truly understand how people perceive us, we asked her to describe Platinum in just three words. Here’s what she shared:
Innovative: Always one step ahead, ambitious in their plans for the future.
Supportive: This is not just in the workplace but in your personal life, too.
Genuine: Friendly, hard-working people with a great work ethic.
Debbie highlighted Platinum’s distinctive personal and professional development approach: “They truly invest in the people who work for them. It wasn’t until I started working for Platinum that I noticed my confidence blossom. I knew they always had my back and genuinely wanted the best for me, personally and professionally.“
Debbie’s insights underscore the core of our commitment: We believe in nurturing talent and fostering an environment where individuals can grow confidently, both professionally and personally.
The Platinum Approach: Celebrating 20 Years of Success
So, there you have it: the guiding principles that have kept our Bournemouth agency thriving for two decades. It’s neither magic nor a single, glitter-infused secret formula. It certainly wasn’t an overnight success. Instead, it’s been a relentless focus on our people-first philosophy, a steadfast commitment to honest conversations, and a genuine passion for connecting talent with opportunity across various sectors.
Our journey from humble beginnings has been built on bold decisions and going the extra mile to support our candidates and clients. But above all, it’s the incredible individuals we have the privilege to work with who have truly defined our story – dedicated team members like Rob and Debbie, our valued clients, and talented candidates like Todd.
As we celebrate this 20-year milestone, our vision for the next chapter is clear: to continue building lasting connections, advancing careers, and helping businesses reach new heights. We’re excited to see what the future holds and invite you along for the ride as Platinum continues to grow.
Thank you for 20 amazing years. Here’s to many more!
