Abacus - Recruitment Team of Year
18 June 2010
Abacus Professional Recruitment were among the high-profile businesses which scooped the gongs at the Irish News Workplace & Employment Awards in Belfast last night.
A capacity crowd packed into the Ramada Hotel for the gala black-tie dinner, at which Department of Employment & Learning minister Sir Reg Empey congratulated all the winners for their success in placing a firm emphasis on individuals and their positive contribution to the Northern Ireland workplace.
The prestigious event, hosted by award-winning BBC journalist Karen Patterson, saw 17 main awards being presented alongside 14 commendations. Sarah Newman - RTE’s Dragon’s Den - provided whose attending with a unique insight into what makes a successful entrepreneur and what it’s like inside the Dragon’s Den.
And as well as the blue chip companies honoured, the Workplace & Employment Awards also recognised innovative organisations which are seldom thrust into the spotlight. Locally owned and managed specialist recruitment business Abacus Professional Recruitment has scored a major success at this year’s Irish News Workplace & Employment Awards. At a gala dinner held in the Ramada Hotel Belfast, Abacus was crowned “Recruitment Team of the Year”.
Company Director, Justin Rush stated:
“I have worked in the recruitment industry for 13 years, I have seen the highs and lows in the market and had the pleasure of working with a number of high-calibre, committed professionals. The current team of recruiters at Abacus is however something very special and it is testament to the consistent efforts of each team member that we have gained this much sought after accolade.”
Also on the night a special recognition was made by the judging panel to one particular member of the Abacus staff. Lianne Turley, a Senior Consultant within the firm responsible for some of the largest value commercial contracts was Highly Commended in the category of Recruitment Consultant of the Year. Miss Turley, a qualified recruiter, said after receiving her award from Sir Reg Empey,
“I am very pleased to be recognised as one of the best in my chosen profession, in truth I must recognise the help and assistance I have received from my colleagues in the last year. When the people you work with have high standards and work hard it is contagious”.
This is not the first time that this Belfast-based specialist recruiter has picked up a gong at an awards event, if anything it is starting to be a habit with this growing business. In 2008 the Abacus website (www.abacus.jobs) was awarded “Website of the Year” at the Belfast Business Awards. Abacus also won Recruitment Agency of Year in 2007 and placed 2nd in 2008 and 2009. Surely more award success is in the pipeline.
"The aims and objectives of these indigenous workplace and employment awards in the business calendar have all been met and exceeded," said Irish News editor Noel Doran. "The awards have strongly reinforced the message that people are our most important resource in what is challenging times."
Speaking at the awards, the Minister welcomed the initiative, which aims to promote and reward our key resource ¬ people. He said: “These awards recognise excellence in the workplace and reinforce the message that our people are our most important asset. It’s great to see that more and more businesses and organisations are recognising this and the need to upskill their existing workforce so that they can make the most of new opportunities. Unfortunately we live in times of economic uncertainly but as research has shown, companies that invest in the skills of their staff are two and a half times more likely to survive. The aims of The Irish News Workplace and Employment Awards go hand in hand with much of skills work being taken forward through my department.”
The awards were supported by KPMG, Tughans Solicitors, Royal Mail, firmus energy and Investors in People and have been endorsed by key industry bodies the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC) and the Chartered Institute of Personnel & Development (CIPD).
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