Q&A with the Falmouth Fairfax Team...
What fuelled the idea of starting up FF?
John (Founder) - After 10 years with a larger practice, we realised we wanted to create and build something that really embodied our principles that a recruitment business should be focused on delivering to clients based on expertise and knowledge rather than volume.We wanted to create modern business with a core Real Estate focus that ticked all three boxed:1 - High level delivery to our clients - supporting their businesses in long term partnerships, 2 – Being experts in our sector and consulting with clients and candidates, 3 - Having a great team culture with work life balance and the whole team share in the success of the business with good salaries and bonuses.
Lucy (Founder) - Probably two things for me 1) The idea of being able to create a truly knowledge and experience based recruitment offering for the real estate and development market. One where you can could offer a bespoke service which is completely tailored to a client’s particular needs, and then layer in Director level knowledge and experience into their process was an exciting one and one that a lot of recruitment companies weren’t offering. Senior figures in the recruitment market usually move away from recruitment and into internal management roles. But what if they didn’t and they were recruiting, and clients and candidates directly benefitted from those 10/15 years of experience? John and I saw a gap for that in the recruitment market and wanted to create that offering. 2) Creating a supportive and fun working environment. Recruitment and sales companies can be tough places sometimes but we wanted to provide an alternative to this - a considered, professional and fun working environment with kind and fun people in it.
What's been the biggest highlight of joining FF?
Bronwyn (Consultant) - FF are working with some incredible clients. We have developed close relationships with these clients so we understand the team dynamic, their strategy and hiring process. This makes it all the more enjoyable when recruiting for them!
Bea (Marketing / Office Manager) - The biggest highlight of joining FF is that the team are friendly and relaxed. The team is also small so you feel like you have lots of responsibility and potential to grow with the business.
Jay (Associate Consultant) - My biggest highlight of joining FF is the opportunity to grow my knowledge and expertise within the Real Estate and Development industry as both Lucy and John have extensive experience within both sectors.
What has been FF's biggest achievement?
John (Founder) - Our start date was unfortunate in that we had left our previous roles before COVID became apparent in the UK. So, setting up in the height of the pandemic and being able to succeed in the first year and be in a position to grow the business after 8 months was a great achievement.
Lucy (Founder) - Not just surviving, but thriving and growing in a global pandemic. We started the business in the first lockdown and to get through that in the way we did and be where we are now, that is something to be proud of I think! We have always been a pandemic business so its exciting to be emerging from that now and see where we can go as a business.
What's the biggest challenge FF has faced?
John (Founder) - Setting up a business in the height of COVID is hard not only for developing new relationships with clients without being able to meet them but more so trying to set up and agree all the baseline principles, terms, website, database, and strategy for a business when both founders are isolated in separate houses. Sending drafts and editing documents back and forth and having strategy or website design conversations over the phone or on zoom is certainly not ideal. There is no substitute for face-to-face meetings to get the creative juices flowing.
Lucy (Founder) - Trying to business develop and introduce FF during the pandemic. Not the best timing to introduce a new recruitment business!
Bronwyn (Consultant) - We are working in a very tight market at the moment, so it’s been more important than ever to know your market.
What are FF's biggest perks?
John (Founder) - Working within a business that really cares about developing your career and sharing the success of the company with all employees. That and obviously the bonuses, flexible working, great clients, work trips abroad and a fun culture.
Lucy (Founder) -The flexible and fun culture, I think. We have flexi working, a relaxed office environment and a fun team culture. Sales roles can be stressful, so it is nice to spend the working part of it in a chilled and friendly environment with fun people. And the holiday trips aren’t bad too! Our recent trip to Bruges was a lot of fun!
Bronwyn (Consultant) - We really do adopt a ‘work hard, play hard’ mentality. We all get our heads down and this is rewarded whether it’s in the form of a bonus, European weekends away, an early finish or a nice meal! Besides this, there is the opportunity to have ownership and autonomy over your work.
Bea (Marketing / Office Manager) - We are rewarded for our small achievements with a bonus which is a great way to stay motivated, the office environment is nice and chilled and the team trips are great!
Jay (Associate Consultant) - We have a Central London office in Victoria with some great restaurants and bars nearby. Furthermore, as we are a small team we go on work outings and team trips and they are brilliant.
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