Member Article

December's North East spotlight series welcomes: Allena Clarke

Allena Clarke, Operations Manager at Gateshead-based recruitment consultancy Westray, is the latest North Easterner to take part in our December Spotlight Series.

Enjoy!

Your business

What were the highlights for your business in 2015?

The growth of each division within our business is the biggest highlight of my year. I am delighted that we continue to retain our talented employees and have also had the pleasure of creating a number of new exciting roles within our business again this year.

The North East continues to prosper, and the strength of our client relationships demonstrate a growing positivity continuing into 2016 – and we are very proud to be part of that journey.

Looking back, is there anything you would have done differently this year?

In retrospect, we should have reacted to our own internal growth quicker, highlighting Westray’s nurturing culture to those people who are disenchanted with their current employers, and also those who are not native to the recruitment industry.

Is there anything we should watch out for your company doing next year?

We are very fortunate to have our own in-house marketing department, and we continue to reap the rewards of ‘leading edge’ marketing support in our daily activity. It is our digital marketing support which set us apart from our ‘opposition’ and our aim is to continue to invest and lead in this area.

Your favourites

Have any other North East companies impressed you this year, if so - why?

For a recruitment consultancy to name specific companies could be damaging, suffice to say we enjoy being linked with many successful and growing North East businesses.

Whilst the recruitment industry continues to grow across the board, as businesses look to make new appointments, we continue to develop working relationships with new and existing clients, both nationally and internationally.

When business life gets on top of you, what do you do to destress?

I play badminton, albeit nowhere near the level I played many years ago (I can’t wait to tell people I’ve been a league player, but I normally don’t mention that was at least 15 years ago!)

Have any social media accounts caught your eye this year, any favourite pages or people to follow? (*cough* Bdaily *cough* *cough*)

Truthfully I’ve only started reading Bdaily in the last 6 months which I am remiss to say – now I look forward to catching specific news about our region, companies and entertainment.

The what ifs

If you could do any job in the world what would it be?

Running a charity that covers adolescent mental health (I believe there’s a shortage in this area from personal experience).

If you could go back in time, which piece of advice would you give your younger self?

Going into recruitment as a profession, but continuing with academic study was the right decision to make. Don’t sweat the small stuff and always trust your first instinct.

What would be the perfect Christmas gift for you?

A hammock to lie in, surrounded by idyllic beaches, soft lapping waves, and a good book… I’ll get my passport ready!

Thanks Allena, very best from all of us here at Bdaily.