This September marks a significant milestone in the career of Matthew Breakwell, co-founder of Brellis Recruitment, as he celebrates 25 years in the recruitment industry. On September 6th, 1999, Matthew began his career in a landscape vastly different from today’s digital-driven environment. At that time, there was no National Minimum Wage or mandated holiday pay, and job advertisements were only ever placed in local newspapers. In a modest office, Matthew and his colleagues shared a single PC used solely for payroll, with all other records kept on index cards spread across their desks.
Over the past quarter-century, the recruitment sector has undergone a remarkable transformation. Today, agency workers benefit from fairer wages, and interviews are often conducted remotely using platforms like Microsoft Teams and Zoom. Job boards now provide access to millions of CVs, streamlining the recruitment process significantly.
Matthew’s areas of expertise have evolved notably throughout his career. His journey began with placing his first temporary worker, Lydsey, at British Optical as a production operative. He later managed recruitment for renowned brands such as IKEA, Pets at Home, and Argos. Fifteen years into his career, Matthew shifted his focus to onsite recruitment, dealing with high-volume placements, notably for a major automotive manufacturer where he and his team placed thousands of temporary workers weekly.
The launch of Brellis Recruitment, co-founded with Zoe Ellis, marked a new chapter in Matthew’s career as he transitioned to permanent recruitment. He started by placing personnel in Customer Service and Administration roles and has since expanded to include managerial, technical, and director-level positions across various sectors, including Sales, Marketing, Engineering, Health and Safety, Human Resources, and Finance.
As we look to the future, the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) to further shape the recruitment industry cannot be overstated. AI technologies are poised to revolutionize the way recruiters like Matthew identify and engage with talent. Predictive analytics could enable more precise matching of candidates to job roles, enhancing the efficiency of the recruitment process. Moreover, AI-driven tools are expected to automate administrative tasks, freeing recruiters to focus on the human aspect of their roles—building relationships and providing strategic consultancy.
In the next 25 years, we can anticipate AI facilitating a more personalized recruitment experience, where AI algorithms help tailor job recommendations based on nuanced understanding of candidate preferences and career aspirations. Additionally, AI could enhance candidate screening by analysing vast amounts of data to predict candidate success more accurately than ever before.
As we celebrate Matthew’s 25 years of impact and innovation, we also look forward to the exciting possibilities that AI may bring to recruitment, ensuring that agencies like Brellis Recruitment continue to lead the way in connecting exceptional talent with outstanding opportunities. The future of recruitment is not just about adapting to changes—it’s about leading them, and with forward thinkers like Matthew at the helm, the industry is in good hands.