Ian Price, former Director of the CBI (Confederation of British Industry) Wales, has returned to leading recruitment agency Acorn By Synergie, 19 years after last being an employee with them.
Ian worked with Acorn between 1996 and 2005 and was instrumental in helping the business through a significant growth period.&nbsp;
After recently retiring as Director of CBI Wales where he represented the views Welsh businesses, Ian is now supporting local companies including Acorn by Synergie in a non-executive capacity. He will also be undertaking work for Thomas Carroll Group PLC, VIBE Youth CIC and Gower College Swansea.
Ian Price said of his new role: &ldquo;I&rsquo;m really looking forward to supporting Acorn with its continued success. I owe Acorn a great deal - I learnt so much in my first stint with the business, and it set me up perfectly to move on to the CBI. It&rsquo;s now my turn to use what I&rsquo;ve learnt in my 19 years at the CBI to help Acorn to continue to grow and prosper.&rdquo;
Acorn by Synergie Managing Director Bernard Ward said: &ldquo;I am absolutely delighted to be welcoming Ian Price back to Acorn by Synergie in a business advisory capacity almost 20 years after he was last with us.&nbsp;
&ldquo;Ian&rsquo;s knowledge and expertise will be extremely valuable to Acorn and its current focuses, including our new Acorn Impact strategy where, over the next three years, we are pledging 10,000 hours of company time to enhancing social mobility in local communities. We are really looking forward to working with him again.&rdquo;

Former CBI Wales Director Ian Price starts advisory role 

Welsh Government ministers today (9th October) attended the opening of an employment support service for steelworkers affected by the closure of the Tata Steel blast furnaces in Port Talbot, with the help of leading recruitment company Acorn by Synergie.
Secretary of State for Wales Jo Stevens MP and the Cabinet Secretary of Economy, Energy and Planning Rebecca Evans met with steelworkers, as well as Acorn by Synergie staff including Commercial Partnerships Director Mark Rudge, Engineering Manager Andrew Putterill and Head of Marketing, Danielle Hayes, plus Community Union staff and partners, in Aberafan Shopping Centre where the support centre is based.
Acorn by Synergie has partnered with the Community Union, who are working with Welsh Government, Careers Wales, the Department for Work and Pensions, Neath Port Talbot Employability, UK Steel Enterprise and Google Digital Garage to deliver training and employment support for workers affected by the closure. The training and support will be geared towards creating new employment and an economic future for Port Talbot.
Mark Rudge, Commercial Partnerships Director at Acorn said: &ldquo;I feel incredibly proud to be a part of today. At Acorn by Synergie, we are committed to helping 500 Neath Port Talbot residents get back into employment and I&rsquo;m confident that will happen, in conjunction with the other people that are here. Neath Port Talbot County Council, Careers Wales, we&rsquo;re already working together in lots of positive ways. It would be really useful for as many businesses we can get to come forward with vacancies, but there&rsquo;s a lot of positive things happening.&rdquo;
Community Union&rsquo;s General Secretary Roy Rickhuss said,&nbsp;&ldquo;I really sincerely thank our partners &ndash; we wouldn&rsquo;t be there if it wasn&rsquo;t for them. We couldn&rsquo;t have done it without your support. Acorn by Synergie - it&rsquo;s massively important that we&rsquo;ve got that facility for people to come in and we can say, &lsquo;These are jobs that are available, these are jobs you can look at training to secure.&rsquo; Many Thanks to Acorn.&rdquo;
Jo Stevens MP said, &ldquo;I know Port Talbot is a proud and strong community. It has had a proud past and it is going to have a proud future. Yes, this is a particularly challenging moment for everybody in the area, but I think the support centre epitomises the strength and solidarity of people across this town and the wider region.&rdquo;&nbsp;
Rebecca Evans MP said, &ldquo;We have that long and proud history and heritage of steelmaking and I think we can always continue to be proud of that. It&rsquo;s part of our identity.
&ldquo;The challenges facing the community at the moment are much bigger than any one organisation on its own can tackle but together we can tackle it and we&rsquo;re here for the long haul. It&rsquo;s important we come together&rdquo;
This new employment support service is part of Acorn by Synergie&rsquo;s purpose-driven strategy to promote positive community change. The leading recruiter last month announced its pledge to dedicate 10,000 working hours to tackling barriers to employment and enhancing social mobility in local communities over the next three years.
The 10,000 hours will include actively engaging with diverse communities via partnerships, networking events and jobs fairs to attract talent from under-represented groups, providing workshops and mentoring to help people progress further in their careers, plus more.
Acorn Impact also aims to reduce inequalities by providing equal opportunities for everyone, regardless of their background and reflects Acorn by Synergie&rsquo;s belief that successful businesses must play an active role in addressing social challenges.

Employment support service for Tata Steelworkers launches in Port Talbot with the help of Acorn by Synergie 

Acorn Impact Launch

<h3>Jacqueline Baxter and Lindsey Cooke return to the Acorn fold in response to demand for the UK recruiter&rsquo;s services across the commercial sector</h3>
Jacqueline Baxter and Lindsey Cooke are re-joining the UK recruiter at its Crewe branch in response to increasing demand for its services across the region&rsquo;s commercial sector, having both worked for Acorn before.
Lindsey will be driving further expansion in the North West and Staffordshire areas in her capacity as a Resourcer, alongside Jacqueline who, as a Principle Recruiter, will support candidates and businesses in Cheshire, Staffordshire, Preston, Widnes, and Wrexham too.
Jacqueline, from Nantwich, started her career in sales before moving into the recruitment industry in 2012, later becoming a Commercial Recruitment Manager with Acorn and going on to run her own recruitment business.&nbsp;
Explaining her return to Acorn by Synergie, Jacqueline said: &ldquo;The company&rsquo;s reputation for professionalism and excellence aligns perfectly with my own values and career aspirations. The dynamic and collaborative work environment Acorn by Synergy has created is exactly the kind of setting where I thrive - they are very supportive and look after their staff.&rdquo;
&ldquo;So, I'm really excited to be re-joining a successful team that continues to contribute significantly to the growth and development of the North as a whole. My colleagues here are working with great people and businesses, building a credible reputation together as the &lsquo;go to&rsquo; agency in our area, and I&rsquo;m really proud to be contributing to that further.&rdquo;&nbsp;
Lindsey, who lives in Crewe, began her career in 2001 with Advance Personnel and spent 15 years with Acorn by Synergie specialising in temporary industrial recruitment. She then went on to support Jacqueline in establishing her business, transitioning into permanent commercial recruitment in the process, and is now returning to Acorn by Synergie too.&nbsp;
Lindsey said: &ldquo;I&rsquo;m really excited to be bringing my own blend of expertise and dedication to this role, and to be enhancing the recruitment efforts of Acorn by Synergie in the North by building further on the strong, personalised relationships I take pride in maintaining with all of my clients. &ldquo;I&rsquo;ll be looking to implement fresh strategies and support further growth within the business regionally, and to foster a friendly, collaborative work environment reflective of company values to help continue the delivery of exceptional value to both clients and candidates along the way.&rdquo;
Acorn by Synergie is a multi-specialist recruitment agency that has been named top recruiter in Wales and ranks in the top 1% of all recruitment firms in the UK. As such, Jacqueline and Lindsey will both be working alongside Operations Manager Olwen Kilgannon at the company&rsquo;s Crewe office, as one of more than 30 branches operating nationwide.&nbsp;
Bernard Ward, Managing Director at Acorn by Synergie, said: &ldquo;Recruitment as an industry is very much a collaborative effort and our work in the North would not be possible without the input of businesses, job seekers, wider industry bodies and all the local communities Acorn by Synergie exists to support across the region as a whole.
&ldquo;The depth of knowledge and the relationships that both Lindsey and Jacqueline have built up working with firms of all sizes, as well as candidates, across the region over a number of years means we&rsquo;re really excited to be welcoming them back into the fold here at Acorn by Synergie.&rdquo;
&ldquo;We&rsquo;ve always had a great working relationship with them both, as colleagues here at Acorn and as industry allies during their time away from the business too, and are absolutely delighted to have them back with us working with our team from the Crewe branch,&rdquo; Bernard added.
Acorn by Synergie has received multiple awards for its outstanding services. It's been recognised as the Best UK Recruitment Firm, and more recently won Wales Business Award for Wellbeing at Work. Since its establishment in Newport, South Wales, in 1992, Acorn by Synergie has successfully placed approximately 2.7 million individuals into jobs.

Acorn by Synergie strengthens its presence in the North with two new appointments

<h3>Charity cyclists set off for the half million-pound mark along routes of up to 101km for St David&rsquo;s Hospice</h3>
Hundreds of riders take on the 2024 Acorn by Synergie Dalmatian Bike Ride to support organisers with new aims to raise &pound;500k for the cause
More than 300 cyclists took on the annual Acorn by Synergie Bike Ride this weekend and set off to raise &pound;500,000 for one of the UK&rsquo;s largest providers of hospice at home care in the process.
Riders of all ages took on routes of up to 101km for the challenge in aid of St David&rsquo;s Hospice, which has raised more than &pound;340,000 in total since it launched 12 years ago.
Now organisers of the annual five-route bike ride say their latest target for the event is to top the &pound;500,000 mark in aid of the hospice, which cares for over 3,200 patients across Wales in Newport, Caerphilly, Torfaen, Monmouthshire, and in Mid and South Powys too.
Participants of all ages signing up to complete one of five different rides ranging from 18km to 101km in length turned out to support the hospice at this year&rsquo;s event, and set the wheels in motion to hit the new target in the process.&nbsp;
 Dave Rees is the original founder of the ride, which starts and finishes in Caerleon just outside Newport every year, and a volunteer at St David&rsquo;s Hospice Care.&nbsp;
Dave said: &ldquo;We&rsquo;re absolutely delighted and truly humbled with the support shown from hundreds of riders who once more came to take part in the ride, which has come to play such a significant role in the running of the Hospice over the years since it first launched.
&ldquo;Every year we get the pleasure of meeting up with families and individual riders old and new, some of whom have literally grown up taking part in &lsquo;The Dally&rsquo; over the years it has been running, and it never ceases to amaze, or indeed move us as organisers in seeing everyone come together in aid of such a great cause.&rdquo;
&ldquo;Through their continued support and determination to challenge themselves year in year out, these cyclists have collectively managed to raise more than &pound;340,000 to support patients and their families living with life-threatening illnesses in South East Wales, which is just incredible,&rdquo; Dave added.
&ldquo;Now we&rsquo;re asking those who continue to come out and support us and make this amazing event what it is every year to help us with a new challenge we have set ourselves to hit the &pound;500,000 mark.&rdquo;
Now looking towards its 13th year, all the funds raised from the Dalmatian Bike Ride go towards the continued work of St David&rsquo;s Hospice every year.
As a longtime supporter of the event, Acorn by Synergy is among those to have helped raise awareness of and participate in the ride every year since it began.
Around 15 staff members based at the UK recruiter&rsquo;s head office in Newport took part in the June 8th event before joining all riders completing their chosen route at a special &lsquo;Finish Festival&rsquo; taking place at The Priory Hotel &amp; Restaurant in Caerleon afterwards.
Marc Jones, Director of Operations at Acorn by Synergie took part with his family and said: &ldquo;It was a fantastic family day out; myself and my son really enjoyed the bike ride and celebrations after at the family festival &ndash; made even better by the fact that we were fundraising for such a worthy cause.&rdquo;
Bernard Ward, Managing Director at Acorn by Synergie added: &ldquo;Supporting and taking part in The Dalmatian Bike Ride has become as much of a tradition for our team here at Acorn by Synergie as it has for many of the local families and other cycling enthusiasts who return to show their support year on year too.
&ldquo;It is only through this continued support, and the ongoing determination of organisers at St David&rsquo;s Hospice, that patients and families affected by life-threatening conditions within Newport and the surrounding areas can continue to get the support they so rightfully need and deserve.&rdquo;
&ldquo;As a company and as a team we feel honoured, therefore, to be so closely associated with this incredible effort, which has come to mean so much to all those involved in it over the years, and we will do everything we can to support the Hospice in achieving its future aims too,&rdquo; Bernard added.
For information on St David&rsquo;s Hospice Care, please visit www.stdavidshospicecare.org

Hundreds of riders take on the 2024 Acorn by Synergie Dalmatian Bike Ride to support organisers with new aims to raise £500k for the cause

Acorn by Synergie is once again supporting the Dalmatian Bike Ride, helping raise funds for one of the UK&rsquo;s largest providers of hospice at home care in the process.
The UK recruiter has joined forces with St David&rsquo;s Hospice Care to help keep the wheels of the annual fundraiser - which has raised more than &pound;300,000 to date - in motion for 2024.
&lsquo;The Dally&rsquo;, as it is affectionately known, is a five-route annual bike ride raising money for the hospice, which cares for over 3,200 patients across Wales in Newport, Caerphilly, Torfaen, Monmouthshire, and in Mid and South Powys too.
 Now in its 12th year, and with the continued support of Acorn by Synergie behind it, supporters are once again preparing to go the extra mile at the 2024 event, which takes place on Saturday, June 8th, with more than 300 riders expected to attend.
With a new 101km route added to the list of itineraries in 2023, participants are invited to sign up for a fee and complete one of five different rides mapped out in support of the charity in 2024.&nbsp;
Ranging from 18km to 101km in length, all riders also receive a t-shirt to wear along the way and get to enjoy the &lsquo;Finish Festival&rsquo; at The Priory Hotel &amp;&nbsp;Restaurant in Caerleon upon completion of their chosen route too.
Dave Rees, original founder of the ride and volunteer at St David&rsquo;s Hospice Care, said: &ldquo;We can&rsquo;t wait to welcome riders old and new to this year&rsquo;s Dalmatian Bike Ride, which invites cyclists to take on routes of 18km to 101km in length for a very worthy cause.&nbsp;
&ldquo;With routes to suit everyone, from families with small to children to highly experienced cyclists covering long distances, we are really looking forward to welcoming supporters to the 2024 event and are hugely thankful to Acorn by Synergie in helping us to make it happen as our lead sponsor for 2024.&rdquo;
A longtime supporter of the Dalmatian Bike Ride, Acorn by Synergy has helped raise awareness of, and vital funds for, the event every year since it began, as part of its ongoing commitment to supporting communities involved in and surrounding its work as a leading recruiter operating in multiple sectors across the UK. &nbsp;
Alongside supporting events like the Dalmatian Bike Ride, the UK recruiter is committed to creating positive social, economic, and environmental impacts within communities it works in across the UK, with soon to be announced targets for 2024.
Bernard Ward, Managing Director at Acorn by Synergie said: &ldquo;As a company we are passionate about being socially responsible and choosing to do what&rsquo;s right - after all, people are our business, and the work St David&rsquo;s Hospice does is so important and close to many peoples hearts.
&ldquo;This is why helping to run events like The Dalmatian Bike Ride every year is so important to us, not only as an organisation with its headquarters in Newport, as St David&rsquo;s Hospice also has, but as part of a much wider commitment on Acorn by Synergie&rsquo;s part to helping to build a more caring, inclusive and emotionally supportive society in general.&rdquo;
For information on the Dalmatian Bike Ride or to sign up and take part on June 8th as a family, group or individual, please visit www.dalmatianbikeride.com&nbsp;
For information about St David&rsquo;s Hospice Care, please visit www.stdavidshospicecare.org email hello@stdavidshospicecare.org / Tel: 01633 851051

Acorn by Synergie returns as lead sponsor for 12th annual Dalmatian Bike Ride 

&lsquo;The changing face of manufacturing in Wales - Why success today is about so much more than simply finding the right skills&rsquo;. &nbsp; It&rsquo;s well known that to be successful in running a business today relies on more than simply employing the staff with the right skills for the job - it&rsquo;s about proving your worth in supporting the emotional wellbeing of your employees and communities, about promoting sustainable practices in all areas, and more.&nbsp;
As one of its most synonymous and traditionally labour-intensive industries in Wales, it&rsquo;s also fair to say our manufacturing sector has been working overtime in recent years to meet these standards. And, whilst the recruitment and retention of skills is still important, the concept of facilities management is now also key to the preservation of Wales&rsquo; industrial heritage, as an emerging sector in its own right.&nbsp;
Mark Rudge, Commercial Partnership Director at Acorn by Synergie, has witnessed this change more closely than most, having spent the last 25 years working at the heart of Wales&rsquo; industrial transformation on behalf of the UK recruiter, and takes a look at where we&rsquo;ve come from, how it&rsquo;s going - and what comes next.
Manufacturing in Wales is a tradition like any other&nbsp;
To properly appreciate what the future of the manufacturing sector in Wales looks like, we first need to consider where most large-scale producers operating here today have come from.&nbsp;
In the 25 years I&rsquo;ve spent recruiting within the industry regionally and nationally too, we&rsquo;ve gone from placing hundreds of workers a day with the likes of Panasonic and Sony, to managing multiple sites for a wide range of large-scale clients delivering true managed services including Industrial Cleaning, Packaging, Grounds Maintenance solutions and more.&nbsp;
When I first started with Acorn, candidates would routinely queue outside our high street branches waiting to be placed into work that same day and our role was more straightforward than it is now. The world of work has changed, and as 360-degree recruitment consultants we take care of everything from interview and job bookings, payroll, HR and all the other functions that any employer would expect to provide to their full-time employees.&nbsp;
Transformation continues to be led by the consumer
The focus for employers in Wales and the UK has changed considerably since, however, not least for those offering manufacturing and industrial services. Consumers today want to know where the product they are buying has come from, who it&rsquo;s been produced by, and whether or not the process of creating it has been achieved in a fair and sustainable way - and rightly so.
What this means for those involved within that supply chain is a need to be transparent in meeting sustainability and other industry regulations, in supporting the wellbeing of employees involved in creating those products, and in proving consistency with regards to ESG and other activity in order to attract the right kind of custom along the way.&nbsp;
 Since the mid 2000s the role of Acorn by Synergie, for example, has diversified as a result to include managing multiple sites for large scale manufacturers and other businesses delivering contracts for Health and Safety Management (RA / JMS, Permits, Annual Plans), Chemicals, Consumables, Vehicles, Machines, Training, Innovation, the HR Management of 250+ employees, Union Relationships and more, supporting each company each with their unique &nbsp;ESG targets and requirements aligning with our own.
 Managing the way manufacturers in Wales do business today is key to their future
As manufacturers UK-wide continue to operate within an increasingly global marketplace, so the need to further integrate industrial organisations based regionally within their surrounding communities becomes ever more crucial.&nbsp;
Achieved through a heightened focus on ESG activity, and on continual improvements around sustainable practices and in supporting the overall wellbeing of employees too this is why, for manufacturers based in Wales today, Facilities Management now holds the key to the future for so many. &nbsp; &nbsp;

The changing face of manufacturing in Wales 

<h3>Lawrence Beach, Client Development Director with recruiter Acorn by Synergie, has been appointed as Chair for the Employer Advisory Board (EAB) at HMP Bristol.&nbsp;</h3>
Created to support more prison leavers in finding meaningful employment on their release, the role is a natural fit for Lawrence, who has been instrumental in championing the availability of sustainable job opportunities for under-represented groups in recent years.
His work to date has included overseeing the launch of Acorn by Synergie&rsquo;s own Reconstruct programme to help people with convictions find work in the construction industry, and working with partners including homeless charity The Wallich as well as three Welsh prisons and HMP Bristol.
In his new role as EAB chair, Lawrence will now be assisting HMP Bristol directly in creating a network of employers who can benefit from supporting prisoners upon their release, and also finding ways in which the prison can create further provisions to support employer needs as part of the New Futures Network.
Lawrence, who was appointed as part of a nationwide EAB network made up of influential business leaders, said: &ldquo;We&rsquo;ve worked really hard as a leading recruiter in the UK to open up the conversation around the rehabilitation and employment of people with convictions in recent years - both in terms of how beneficial it is for candidates, but also to employers too.
&ldquo;Innovative thinking has a large part to play in achieving success in the recruitment industry but, more than that, it is our responsibility as professionals operating within the sector to support as many people as we can in finding employment that will be beneficial to them, the organisation involved, and ultimately society and the UK economy as a whole.&rdquo;
&ldquo;I am absolutely delighted to have taken the role of EAB Chair with HMP Bristol, therefore, as a means to developing the many different avenues we are continuing to explore in supporting under-represented candidates further. I&rsquo;m really excited to see what can be achieved in working more closely with both prison leaders and those looking for work on their release from HMP Bristol too,&rdquo; Lawrence added.&nbsp;
 The New Futures Network is a specialist part of HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) which attracts and supports employers to work with prisons in England and Wales and assists prisons to create systems and infrastructure that can help more prison leavers find employment. Employment Advisory Boards were launched under the scheme to advise, support and challenge prisons on their training and employment offer to prisoners and prison leavers, and are a key part of the HMPPS strategy to get more prisoners into employment on release,&nbsp;
The Boards currently cover 92 prisons across England and Wales, with each one chaired by a business leader from companies including Lotus Cars, Sodexo and now Acorn by Synergie too, in partnership between HMPPS, New Futures Network and The Timpson Foundation.&nbsp;
Duncan O&rsquo;Leary, chief executive of New Futures Network, said: &ldquo;Statistics show us that finding employment within 12 months of release can significantly reduce the chances of prison-leavers re-offending, and provides them with an income but also a means of contributing positively to their families and communities too.
&ldquo;It also benefits employers who are able to secure committed and skilled people helping to fill gaps in our economy, which is something Lawrence Beach in his role with Acorn by Synergie also recognised some time ago, and has been actively working towards increasing awareness of within the UK recruitment industry ever since.&rdquo;&nbsp;
&ldquo;Among other things his work in bringing the recruiter&rsquo;s Reconstruct programme, which already helps people at HMP Bristol and three prisons in Wales equip themselves with the skills they need to re-enter the world of work, made him an ideal candidate for the role of EAB chair, and we&rsquo;re really looking forward to seeing what more can be achieved with Lawrence&rsquo;s expertise on board.&rdquo;
&nbsp;

Acorn by Synergie’s Lawrence Beach is appointed as chair for Employer Advisory Board at HMP Bristol

Now that spring is in the air it&rsquo;s naturally that time of year when you start thinking about making changes in your life. Spring cleaning your house or wardrobe is one thing but what about the important things in your life like making a career move or developing a new skill?
Changing your job can often be a challenging and stressful time but with some thought and pre-planning it can become a positive and rewarding experience:
Step 1 &ndash; Be honest.
Ask yourself do you want to change your job or would changes within your current role be enough? If you enjoy where you work but feel in a &lsquo;rut&rsquo; would learning a new skill or taking on new responsibility give you the new challenge you want? If you feel under-valued or need a higher salary, perhaps it&rsquo;s time to speak to your line manager and discuss the possibility of putting together a career development plan, taking on new projects or even a pay review.
Step 2 &ndash; What is your five year plan?
Finding out what you want to do and where you want to be in the future will help you plan to achieve that goal. Be realistic on whether this is achievable in one job move or whether it will take you a few incremental steps to get there. If you want to change direction completely, what skills and qualifications do you need, and will you be able to gain these in a work setting or will you need to study for them?
Step 3 &ndash; Are you prepared?
Is your CV up to date and does it demonstrate your strengths and abilities in the best possible light? Be prepared to spend time and effort on this. Ask others to give you their honest opinion on whether it highlights your best qualities. Remember to sell your achievements and transferable skills.
Step 4 &ndash; Can you be found?
Ensure that employers and recruiters can find you. This is vital in a digital world so make sure you have included all the relevant key words for the job you want to do rather than the one you already do. Always be consistent with the information you broadcast; your Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn profiles should all tell the same story as your CV.
Step 5 &ndash; Use your contacts and networks.&nbsp;
Don&rsquo;t be afraid to ask for help, advice and recommendations from your peers and contacts. Build close links with professional recruitment consultants so that they understand your strengths and requirements.
Step 6 &ndash; Be persistent.
Finding the right role may take time and it may mean revisiting the steps above. Be prepared to listen to feedback, take advice and adjust your game plan.
By taking a good look at your present situation and developing a clear approach to your career development, you will be able to focus on what is important and become more effective in your job search.
If you decide that you want to take on a fresh challenge this spring then Acorn can help.

Spring clean your career

From redundancy to recruitment for some of the world&rsquo;s biggest manufacturers - How the industry has evolved during my 25 years in the business - and the things which will never change.
Commercial Partnership Director Mark Rudge is celebrating 25 years working at Acorn by Synergie. Since then, the industrial landscape in Wales and the UK has changed significantly, and for most of that time, through his work Mark has been at the heart of it all.&nbsp;
Having taken various temping jobs through Acorn himself, Mark joined the company full-time to help others do the same, and more than two decades later, he&rsquo;s still here.&nbsp;
Here, he talks about what life was like working with some of the world&rsquo;s biggest industrial names when he first became a junior consultant in the 1990s, and what the future looks like for providing ongoing facilities management support in the UK from here.
How it started
My first contract was with Exel Logistics for Tesco at Newhouse Farm Industrial Estate in Chepstow, filling positions 24 hours a day, seven days a week. I&rsquo;d been made redundant from my job as a printer before becoming a junior consultant in April 1999.
Back then, we&rsquo;d interview at least 20 potential candidates daily and place them often immediately with the likes of LG, Sony, Panasonic and others. You&rsquo;d regularly see candidates queuing outside our high street branches to be placed into work that same day, and we&rsquo;d be dealing with more than 400 workers across daylight hours and 150 on twilight shifts.&nbsp;
It was a daunting but really exciting period in my professional life which I believe helped shape my work ethic and career that followed. It was brilliant and rewarding, and I loved it.
How it&rsquo;s going
Our service delivery has diversified since then to provide both recruitment and &lsquo;Facilities Managed Services&rsquo; to our clients as a one stop shop so they can concentrate on their own services in the process.
Since the mid 2000s, as well as expanding our recruitment offering into many different sectors, including construction, executive search, Technology and more, Acorn by Synergie has been focused on managing multiple sites for large scale clients UK-wide providing Industrial Cleaning, Packaging, Grounds Maintenance and other services. This includes all health and safety, chemical, consumable, vehicle, machine, training and HR related functions in accordance with current regulations and other guidelines in place. 
In short, we take care of all the practical elements of running an organisation so that the businesses we work with remain focused on their own core business activity in the meantime.
How things have changed
When I joined Acorn, we were filling bookings, delivering payroll, HR and all the other functions an employer then would provide to their full time employees. Today, the services clients are looking for us to provide may have changed, but they still very much rely on us for support in a &lsquo;catch all&rsquo; way.&nbsp;
Issues they look to us for help with now include regulation, CSR, sustainability, employee wellbeing and many others which, although very different to those businesses required help with in the 1990s, are no less crucial to ensure operations continue to run smoothly, efficiently and to the bottom line.&nbsp;
Advances in technology have also been a major game changer. Once upon a time, business was done using fax machines, through phone calls and in person meetings, by posting letters and job adverts in the local press, and with warehouses full of paper documents in tow. Today we have Zoom, sophisticated CRM software systems, AI, social media and more to help us reach out to candidates and clients alike. 
Some larger manufacturing businesses have also left the UK for more cost-effective options in other countries and there has been an increase in more skills based permanent placements and less temporary jobs for the masses as a result.
How I feel about marking 25 years at Acorn by Synergie
I&rsquo;ve learned so much about the UK recruitment sector and also myself as a person since I took my first steps into the industry. In those days, I was in at the deep end and the working buzz was fantastic. Today, I am NEBOSH Environmental Management qualified, IOSH H&amp;S Management Qualified and lead a team of 10 at Acorn by Synergie working to support a wide range of globally recognised brands with all their business needs.&nbsp;
In between, I&rsquo;ve been privileged enough to work on every kind of project since. From Scottish wind farms, to projects in the yachting industry and with a team of gurkhas to create a settlement in Cwmbran (some of whom I still count as friends today). I am lucky that no two days in my 25 years with Acorn by Synergie have been the same, and I still get a buzz out of what I do for the company - as well as those that we work to support - day in day out today.&nbsp;
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