recruitment reinvented

FOUNDER

After running a recruitment business for much of my career, I decided to make a change and do something a little different - hence Freedom Recruitment Group.

My overall goal now is to change and challenge the accepted norms within the recruitment sector and improve the reputation of an industry that I’m very passionate about. It’s ambitious. I know. But I’m going for it!

I’d like to think, from what people have told me, that one of my key skills is the way I see things. I like to keep everything as simple as I can. I’m in no way comparing myself to Steve Jobs, as he was a modern-day genius, however he cracked the simple thing- by keeping tech simple, everyone could access and enjoy it!

Recruitment is no different. We find a person and match them to a job. It’s that simple!

I’m not going to lie; the people part was something I struggled with for a long time and it took a number of setbacks before I finally got it. I appreciate this may sound rather cheesy, but the pain of professional failure drove me on to where I am now. Looking back, if I’m honest, I wouldn’t change a thing.

Now I understand this vital skill, my role within the group is to help set the vision and to support people with the right coaching, mentoring and training to create a culture based around developing character. I believe long term success can only be achieved by having people around you who believe in something bigger than themselves.

A little about me:

I genuinely love helping people and making them laugh. I’ve got a silly stupid sense of humour and act like a big kid at times. I’ve been told that sometimes this can give people mixed messages because, behind this humorous, laid back person is someone who is very driven and who has extremely high standards of how things need to be. This is something that I won’t make any compromises on. I also have a never-ending desire to learn, improve and constantly want to move myself forward as I just love the feeling when you grow and then achieve as a consequence of taking action.

GROUP CEO

As CEO of Group my goal is to achieve our vision of being a leading Global Recruitment Partnership organisation.

In order to do this, we will continue to grow by investing in and supporting our business partners to realise the vision they set out to achieve at the start of their Upreach journey.

With over 35 years of recruitment experience I have lead both large scale and start up businesses across a multitude of sectors. The guiding principle and belief that underpins my leadership approach is that success is created by a people first culture where innovation and strategic thinking is nurtured and encouraged.

I have always believed that the role of a leader is to create a platform and environment where others can strive, thrive and flourish. Putting people first and being driven by their ambitions is not an unusual statement for any leader of an organisation. The difference at the Upreach Group is that we go above and beyond .

It is the cornerstone of who we are .

GROUP COO

I started my journey with Think Recruitment as a perm construction specialist . I gained some great knowledge and understanding of how to diversify from a perm desk to temp desk when the financial crisis and I went on to scale a successful freelance team covering a variety of sectors across construction industry on a nationwide basis.

I have a real passion for doing the job well and wanting the best for everyone, I have dedicated a lot of time coaching and mentoring consultants and managers that really want to show excellence and push on to have high performing careers. This is something that we pride ourselves on in the group by giving back to help others grow.

It fills me with great pride to be able to say we have a great team of people here at The Upreach Group and it’s wonderful to see all their careers blossoming. I truly believe we have a great business and great business culture with our employee and stake holders.

NON-EXECUTIVE CHAIRMAN

With over 35 years in the recruitment profession, the majority of which has been spent in a senior management capacity and at board level, I have established myself as an experienced and trusted mentor/coach to business owners and directors.

Recruitment is many things, but above all it is about people. My role is to make the recruitment process fun and enjoyable - to ensure that both my clients and candidates get the most out of the recruitment process. Get the process right and everything else is simple.

I work as a trouble-shooter across a variety of recruitment sectors using my knowledge, eye for detail and management skills to help businesses to grow, develop and reach their full potential.

MANAGING DIRECTOR - THINK RECRUITMENT

I have spent most of my fifteen plus years in recruitment as a cross-functional recruiter leading or guiding recruitment teams of various sizes. I have been involved in many start-ups and growth projects and have a detailed understanding of what is required for a business to succeed. In later years, I have spent my time helping others launch, grow, and improve their business, either directly or in an independent advisory capacity.

My role at The Think Recruitment Group is to bring talented recruiters, who want to run their business and grow their own team, into the group as partners. Once engaged, the team and I work to support their vision on an ongoing basis. Throughout my career, a constant passion of mine has been helping others find their element, realizing their goals, and as a by-product, I have exceeded many of my own. I take a great deal of satisfaction from seeing others succeed, and this remains my purpose today.

I started in recruitment 15 years ago and I knew from day 1 I wanted to succeed up the ladder. Since joining Think 6 years ago it’s been very clear to me that if I work hard I can achieve my goals and have fun doing it at the same time. The people we surround ourselves with in the group really make this an easier transaction and I truly believe we all have the same goal.

I say to all my employees the moment you have that Monday morning feeling on a Sunday night you are in the wrong job, Hand on heart I’ve never had that working here!

MANAGING DIRECTOR - FREEDOM RECRUITMENT CAPITAL

I’m not actually from a recruitment background. Instead, my experience covers a broad range of business areas, including general management, strategy, branding, business and product development, marketing, project management and analysis.

Having spent my career within SME’s I understand what it takes for smaller businesses to thrive, which helps me support the clients coming into the Freedom model.

Alongside my role in managing the Freedom business, I also oversee the branding and marketing for the broader group.

My passion lies in developing stand out brands that perfectly reflect the owner’s or directors personality and values.

FINANCE DIRECTOR

I have a vast knowledge of the SME sector having worked in it for over 30 years. Having qualified as a Chartered Accountant, I became a partner in a top 20 practice specialising in the SME sector. I provide the full range of services from startup situations to companies with a turnover up to £100m. Whilst in practice I dealt with a whole range of industries and sectors.

Having been involved with a number of businesses in a Non-Executive Director role, I decided that business was where I wanted to be and I left public practice to work directly with businesses. I have been involved with a number of businesses in director/shareholder roles and have held managing director and FD/CFO positions.

I enjoy bringing my experience to a business situation. In particular, SME businesses often lack specific skill sets as a business grows, therefore helping in this situation is what I have a passion for. I have an entrepreneurial approach and look forward to a challenge and making a difference. My experience covers financial, commercial, strategic and corporate finance, including business acquisitions and disposals, therefore my skill set can add value to a business and this is what excites me.

I enjoy providing SME businesses with entrepreneurial and pro-active advice, helping and seeing a business grow and achieve their goals is very satisfying.

Working with Freedom Recruitment Group is a great challenge and opportunity to provide support to Darren’s entrepreneurial vision for change and challenge the expected norms within recruitment. This will be an exciting ride, watch this space!

FINANCE MANAGER

I started my role with Think Recruitment 10 years ago and over this time, I have developed my career in finance. I am lucky enough to manage a wonderful accounts team who support the payroll, credit control and invoicing functions. I am very excited to be a part of the new business growth in The Upreach Group.

BUSINESS MANAGER

I joined the Group in 2021 to help set up and support new businesses joining the Group. I am now the Business Manager for the group and assist in all aspects of growing each business, each business has gone from strength to strength since joining us and I am very proud to have played such an important role in each journey - I have an amazing team who also help to support each business along the way.

I have seen the high and lows of starting a new business and can definitely say the highs out way the lows .

Everyday is different, especially when you work with so many vibrant personalities!

The future for the Freedom Recruitment Group is looking very bright and I am very excited to part of it – every day brings its own challenges but “bring it on” that’s what I say…we can do this!!”

FINANCE ADMINISTRATOR

I joined the Group in 2023 as a payroll administrator, providing support for any new businesses within the group. From day one, numbers and precision have been my passion, and I've channeled that enthusiasm into honing my skills in payroll management.

In my time here, I've had the privilege of working with an incredible team and gaining valuable insights into the world of payroll, as well as developing my knowledge of different software’s and my understanding of payroll as a whole.

In my spare time, I enjoy all things artsy - sewing, knitting and painting. I am an avid reader, and am always excited to further my knowledge, both in my career and in my personal life. I also stay active by taking long walks and doing yoga occasionally

ACCOUNTS CLERK

I have worked in finance for over 21 years and joined Think Recruitment 5 years ago as the company Credit Controller as this where my passion in finance lies…I love building new relationships and also enjoy a good challenge. My journey with the Group started a year ago and what a year it has been!! I have met some amazing people and formed some great relationships within the new recruitment businesses as well as with new clients. My role offers a lot of variety (hey they say it’s the spice of life) it also keeps me very busy...just not very quiet!!

I am very proud to be part of the team and enjoy supporting each of the businesses as they grow - I am excited for the future and what it will bring for everyone involved with the Group

ACCOUNTS ASSISTANT

I started my role as an administrator for Think Recruitment back in 2012 and have been working for the group since 2022 (some would say I’m part of the furniture)

I have been fortunate enough to work within all areas of the business but most recently have been working within the accounts department.

My main role is to support the perm side of the business which includes invoicing and credit control, I also cover payroll where needed.

PAYROLL ADMINISTRATOR

I have worked in various roles during my career but found a passion in payroll.

In previous roles I felt quite limited within the role and my career progression, however this is not the case with The Upreach Group.

I am responsible for the whole process from receiving candidates information through to producing the invoices for clients .

I enjoy seeing the process the whole way through.

I have a keen eye for detail and have great organisational skills. Due to my role this has allowed my to not only build great relationships with colleagues but also with others from outside our organisation such a payroll companies.