It has been three weeks since RCSA crowned the winners of its 2024 Industry Awards at Melbourne’s Crown Palladium. The night went off without a hitch with more than 500 recruiters in attendance to celebrate excellence in the staffing industry.
RCSA caught up with the 14 award recipients just minutes after their crowning moments. These are their raw and unfiltered reactions.
Excellence in Candidate Care – Sponsored by Prime Super
people2people recruitment
“This win is amazing news for everyone. I'm really surprised to win three times in a row. It is just awesome. It's my favourite award without a shadow of a doubt because I'm really passionate about candidate service and it's what our business was built on. I think what got our entry over the line was a mix of innovation versus just getting back to the basics of treating candidates with respect.” – Ben Wheeler, people2people Managing Director.
Excellence in Social Purpose
Troocoo
“For the team it's incredible. We've done so much in this space. It's really important and at the core of who we are as a business. It aligns with our values and that's why it's so important to us. This win will drive the team really hard.” - Scott Horton, Founding Director Troocoo.
Excellence in Safety & Wellbeing Culture – Sponsored by Pay Australia
Connect Staffing Group
“We were very surprised and very humbled. It's my first submission for awards. I think what we do internally and externally stands out. We care for our on-hire staff with regular check -ins, keeping across how they're going on client sites etc. Internally we have been trialling 9-day fortnights and the staff appreciate the mental health days that gives them. The team will be cheering when they see that we have won.” - Eva Jakobson, Connect to Staffing HR Business Partner.
Excellence in Business Innovation – Sponsored by Xeople
xrecruiter
“This means so much to us and the team. It is our first industry award and it is always good to get that tick of approval.” – Declan Kluver, xrecruiter Co-Founder.
“I don't think anyone's innovating like xrecruiter, so I think it was an obvious choice. We are really excited to be able to make an impact in the recruitment industry and to take home this award on behalf of our team.” – Blake Thompson, xrecruiter Co-Founder.
Excellence in Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging
Aquent Australia
“Fantastic. It is an absolute credit to the team and their hard work. It was tough competition in the category, so we were preparing to walk away gracefully. It is amazing to be able to win this. We've really tried to go across all of the verticals of DE &I, not just focus on one thing. Be it First Nations, LGBTQIA+, Age, Disability, Accessibility, we've tried to embrace that across all of our internal business and our external business.”- Monique Richards, Aquent Australia Managing Director.
Excellence in Client Service – Sponsored by Citation HR
Horner Recruitment
“The calibre was really high. We were up against some amazing agencies, so this is absolutely brilliant. I'm just overwhelmed. Our team do such an amazing job on a daily basis, servicing our clients and wanting to go above and beyond all of the time. We have such a level of loyalty within our client base. Most of our clients have been with us for over 20 years. That is a testament to the true partnership we have with them.” - Kylie Heffernan, Horner Recruitment CEO.
Outstanding Agency - Up to 10 Staff
Rainy Day Recruitment
“We only opened our doors in January 2021, so we are just over three years’ old. I'm on the RCSA Council and the Professional Practice Committee and it's about trying to make the industry better for everyone. Rainy Day has achieved so much in such a short period of time. Our turnover is in the millions and we are on state and federal government panels. We are all about ethical recruitment and giving back.” -John Camm, Rainy Day Recruitment Co-Founder and Managing Director.
Outstanding Agency - Up to 30 Staff – Sponsored by Kamal
SMAART Recruitment
“To be nominated and shortlisted is a great honour, particularly with the other finalists we're up against. I think any of us could have won. For us as an agency, we have a great history of staff sticking around. That's not a traditional trait of a recruitment agency. People come in and go out very quickly but we have a leadership team that has been there for a long time and longstanding senior management and entry level consultants. We want our clients to know that we're the best of breed. We are a happy and dedicated team trying hard to deliver the best for them in a competitive marketplace.” - James Witcombe, Smaart Recruitment Director.
Outstanding Agency - Up to 80 Staff – Sponsored by JobAdder
Fuse Recruitment
“It's 14 years of hard work that's got us here and we're a great team of people. I think that everyone internally just loves working at Fuse and winning gives further recognition around what a great company we are. We're trying to grow as a company, but we want to be a big little business. The family culture we have must always shine through.” - Mathew Westcot, Fuse Recruitment Managing Director
Outstanding Agency - Over 80 Staff – Sponsored by RCSA Insurance
people2people recruitment
“It’s a huge honour to win the large outstanding agency award. The team puts in so much hard work from our candidate care to our client service. I think we always keep front and centre that we can make an impact in people's lives. We're so fortunate to have so much diversity across our business and I think what our business does well is celebrate people's strengths and embraces all those strengths and diversity and that's where we produce the greatest work.” – Erin Devlin, people2people Managing Director.
Rising Star 2024 – Sponsored by Astute Payroll by Deel
Lynette Cardinal (Vertical Scope Group)
“I actually cannot believe I won. I think it is the work that I've done in the diversity, equity and inclusion space that got me over the line. I am committed and supported by a really great company that invests in my growth. Recruitment is not easy, and this definitely puts the cherry on top of the cake. It re-affirms that everything I've worked hard for in the past two years is paying off.” – Lynette Cardinal.
Recruitment Professional 2024 – Sponsored by SEEK
Martyn Hill MRCSA (Zenith Search)
“I was absolutely blown away to be a finalist, let alone win. It’s fantastic. I put a lot of time and effort in with RCSA but every hour I put in I get back tenfold. It is worth its weight in gold. It is so nice to pick up an award and be recognised amongst so many great people and companies.” Martyn Hill.
Recruitment Leader 2024 - Sponsored by TargetRecruit
Sarah Swiderski (PERSOLKELLY)
“I've worked in recruitment since I was 19 and I feel like our industry is really tough. To get this recognition just shows what we put in day in and day out is appreciated. We have the ability to change people's lives and I say to my team, your success is my success. This award is for everyone.” – Sarah Swiderski.
CEO Outstanding Contribution Award
Clint Dal Santo (Hays Specialist Recruitment)
“I do a lot of work with Charles and Brooke on the regulatory side and spend a lot of time with them. RCSA is like a family so everyone looks after each other, sharing ideas and problems. Winning this award confirms that I’m on the right track and doing the right thing. I’m a bit of a behind the scenes sort of person so the recognition is humbling.” – Clint Dal Santo.
RCSA once again congratulates all of its finalists and winners and we can’t wait to crown our New Zealand Members in Auckland next month.