ABOUT US

We established Allen Lane in 2004 having both experienced success in managerial careers at Michael Page. We wanted to use the experience we had gained recruiting senior finance professionals to offer a fresh and down to earth approach to recruitment. We base this on honest relationships, sound judgement and exceptional customer service.

Having been exposed to some of the frustrations candidates and clients face, we saw an opportunity to move away from the methods adopted by large corporate recruitment brands. We wanted to provide a more personal service founded on transparency, flexibility and long term objectives. Today, every member of the Allen Lane team shares this approach - we all view recruitment as a career and not a job.

Our success at Allen Lane is largely down to the recruitment and retention of some of the most established consultants in the recruitment market and we are proud to say that Allen Lane is a current Fast Track 100 brand; having been acknowledged as one of the UK's top 100 fastest growing businesses and as a Recruiter Fast 50 brand in 2012.

Since 2004 Allen Lane has developed a far reaching influence and presence within the marketplace, but despite this significant growth in reputation and turnover, we continue to pride ourselves in offering a service more akin to a smaller 'owner run' business.

James Allen & Ben Lane

  • OUR CANDIDATES
  • OUR CLIENTS
  • OUR GROWTH
  • WORK FOR US

We view our candidates as we do our clients. Both have an equally important role to play in our development and reputation and we look to build lasting relationships from the moment first contact is made.

Our candidates, temporary or permanent, come from all backgrounds and sectors. We speak frankly on first contact as to the prospects of securing work. If we feel we can't help a candidate immediately, we will advise on the best course of action for them and if appropriate recommend other organisations.

Our main area of expertise is at the CCAB* qualified level and above but we also place CCAB part qualified candidates, project managers and senior executives on a permanent, temporary or interim basis.

We are proud of the number of candidates that have been referred from others and this has been a keystone in our establishment. Also reflecting our long term approach is the fact that over 50% of our current 300+ contractors are not on their first assignment through Allen Lane. We reward good performance and go the extra mile to ensure that those who perform well have as continuous a stream of employment as possible.

*Qualifications recognised by the Consultative Committee of Accountancy Bodies. In the UK this includes ICAEW; ICAS; CIMA and ACCA.

Many of our clients are former candidates of ours who have taken our services with them as 'career recruitment partners'. Our success has been largely centred around getting to know our clients and building a mutual understanding and respect. We recruit to a variety of sectors and sizes of business and have established exclusive relationships with a large number of SMEs.

Our clients will often share our ambition, growth and service standards and this synergy enables blossoming, long term partnerships. Our ability to adapt and fulfil our clients needs whilst maintaining service standards has also led to partnerships with national and international firms.

Please see an example of a few of those brands that we have worked with over the past few years.

A Note Of Thanks

All of the team at Allen Lane would like to offer a note of thanks to all those clients who are and have worked with us in the past. We have been fortunate enough to enjoy working with a wide variety of clients each of whom have helped us develop as a business and we hope in return we have offered you customer service that is second to none and an honest, forward thinking and hard working business partner.

We look forward to building on these business relationships and creating new ones in the future, as our team expands and our business develops.

Allen Lane's objective is to become the leader in financial recruitment and since our formation in 2004, we have taken significant strides towards this goal.

James and Ben started the business in a spare bedroom with limited resources but plenty of ambition and a strong network of key contacts. Within 6 months, they moved to a small office in Central London and had already started to build a reputation in the recruitment industry.

Repeat business led to stability and increasing new business enabled quick growth. After a year of operating as a duo, Allen Lane doubled its headcount in 2005 adding 3 more in 2006 as it became more established. After its second year of trading, Allen Lane's turnover stood at just over £1million but in contrast to the industry norm, Allen Lane grew its headcount steadily, appointing people who shared James' and Ben's passion and career focus.

More and more clients were appointing Allen Lane as 'preferred supplier' and 2007 saw Allen Lane's contractor base grow from 100 to 170. The company also outgrew its workspace and moved to its own permanent office on Pall Mall.

In 2008, 6 more joined the Allen Lane team and turnover after our fourth full year of trading stood at over £16million; this growth saw Allen Lane ascend to number 12 in the Sunday Times Fast Track 100 companies based on growth (December 2008). Allen Lane enjoyed another fine year in 2009 seeing turnover increase to over £23 million and again appearing on the Fast Track 100 companies list. Allen Lane currently employ 23 people.

Our current team has made us one of the fastest growing financial recruitment consultancies in the UK for the last four years. We are looking to strengthen it.

We look for a successful track record in recruitment and a strong educational background. If you have got public and not for profit or finance/HR experience, that would be great. From there, we're looking for what you have in common with us and what makes you different.

Every individual at Allen Lane brings a unique approach to recruitment and they are often contrasting. Although there are a few fundamentals to good consultancy, it is our confidence in our consultants to let them work in the way they think best that appeals to experienced recruiters particularly.

That does not mean a lack of management or training. As well as employing an external training company to challenge our skills, the directors take a hands-on interest in the development of staff - not just regular one-to-ones but daily on-the-desk support on everything from the management of the recruitment process to better decision-making.

That's part of the reason why Allen Lane consultants are set up to succeed. Whether you are breaking into a new client or recruiting for a trusted one, you'll have access to one of the strongest databases of candidates in London and guidance from some of the most successful recruiters in the public sector.

Success is one of the main reasons why people enjoy working here. It helps that the rewards are excellent - we know from suppliers that we offer one of the best commission structures in recruitment on top of a competitive basic salary. It also helps that we work very hard for each other - a bit of good competitive rivalry notwithstanding - and that we get on really well and have some terrific nights out (some of them planned).

There is a great deal of potential at Allen Lane. We have already realised some of it - a turnover of £25 million in year five - but there is a lot more to do. The approach that we use will be successful in each new area we enter because it is based on a respect for clients and contractors and that is something every sector needs. We need to add to the team to realise the rest.

If you are interested in knowing more about Allen Lane, please contact James on 07795 097 730 or Ben on 07956 839 272.