Steve Hart - Director, Central Employment
What were your career ambitions growing up?
To be a professional footballer but realistically that wasn’t going to happen! When I joined the Central Employment, it was (and still is) a great place to work but I always dreamed of owning, running and growing a business that I could be proud of and today I am happy to say that the dream has become reality!
Tell us about your current role and what do you most enjoy?
Making and maintaining strong professional and personal relationships that help to grow the business. In business you have to play to your strengths and this is why the four directors of Central work as we all bring something different to the table.
For the past few years I have been mainly involved in the setting up and progression of our training department. I have really enjoyed the challenge of being out of my comfort zone and starting something from scratch, learning how to survive in a new industry and helping the learners we train gaining meaningful and sustainable employment.
I also enjoy seeing our wider team develop themselves and their relationships with their clients.
What is your proudest business achievement?
Couple of things really…
This is my 25th year at Central Employment which in any industry is an achievement! Six months after our MBO we were hit with a really bad debt, which taught us a massive lesson for the future and our subsequent growth and success. We still managed to trade through the debt and post profit that year and every year since.
I am also very proud along with my fellow directors that we have regularly appeared in WardHadaways Fastest 50 North East businesses since our MBO.
I am really proud of our staff retention, having retained most of the 18 staff who were with us straight after the MBO and the team has now increased and we have opened the new training division and a Teesside office.
How has your industry evolved in the last decade and what changes do you see in the next decade?
Candidates and Technology!
It is now much more of a candidate driven market than it was 10 years ago. Recruitment methods have changed with the increase in job boards and social media platforms like LinkedIn.
There are also more specialist niche recruiters now than the traditional generalist recruiters. The next 10 years will no doubt see more technology enter the industry and we will have to adapt and to embrace that to remain a market leader.
What are you currently working on?
An office move! As well as the day to day jobs we are currently making sure we are ready for our move into our new and more modern city centre office! This encompasses everything including new branding, websites, telecoms/IT along with improved staff development and a modern culture change. This new office move will hopefully enable us to accelerate our growth plans.
Tell us about the team you work with?
They are great! We have such a committed and dynamic team who are the foundations of our success.
From the consultants who are client facing and carrying out countless inductions etc to the back office and reception staff who do all the work behind the scenes making candidates are compliant and also they get paid on time! They all play such a vital part in the success of Central Employment and the future direction of our brand and business growth.
What is the best piece of business advice you have been given?
Be honest at all times. It’s so important for me to build strong relationships with the people and companies I work with. We have numerous clients who we have dealt with for 20 years or more. These solid relationship come from years of working together, trusting each other and being honest.
Where do you see yourself in 10 years time?
Ten years’ I would like to think I will have moved into more of a strategic role with my fellow directors concentrating on our wider growth plans.
We want to grow the business and brand, open additional UK and international branches and look towards acquisitions to make Central Employment a major influencer in the recruitment world!
Who would be your four ideal dinner guests, alive or dead?
Muhammed Ali, Sir Bobby Robson, Chris Evans, Prince.
How do you unwind outside of work?
Socialising and spending time with the family and good friends. I like to get out on my paddleboard, looking back at the coastline from the North Sea is brilliant!
Favourite Book and Boxset?
Boxset, I am going to say 24 staring Kiefer Sutherland. I am not much of a reader but I find James Patterson books a nice easy read and I enjoyed reading Rich Dad, Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki. I have just started to read The Chimp Paradox.