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What a year 2021 has been. We’ve navigated the ups and downs of the ongoing Covid-19 situation, managed our disbelief at the much-awaited revelation of H’s identity in Line of Duty and watched on agog as cryptocurrencies and non-fungible tokens (NTFs) have taken the world by storm.
The hiring market has had its fair share of newsworthy moments too, with UK job vacancy numbers hitting a record high earlier in the year and rumours of ‘The Great Resignation’ getting ready to turn the employment arena on its head.
Businesses have faced candidate and skills shortages amidst a wave of career uncertainty from UK workers, at the same time circumnavigating the post-lockdown return to offices, endeavouring to prevent employee burnout and handling the increased spotlight on environmental and social governance (ESG), particularly thanks to the COP26 summit.
Meanwhile, employees have faced the return to work and associated challenges themselves. In many cases, having to settle back in to office life has come as an unwanted requirement following the unavoidable rise of hybrid working during the height of the pandemic. The UK workforce got a taste of the benefits that working from home flexibility can offer and now it is seen as an essential aspect of job criteria, rather than an added bonus.
As we approach the end of the year and somehow try to quash our disbelief that it’s nearly over already (seriously, where has the time gone?), we thought it fitting to close out 2021 with some final pieces of news from team MERJE.
2021 IN NUMBERS
We’ll be reviewing the full year in early 2022 but so far, this year has seen us partner with around 200 businesses across the UK and we’ve supported over 700 candidates in finding permanent and interim positions. We’ve also added 12 people to the MERJE team, well in line with our hiring plans laid out at the beginning of the year, and we have even more ambitious growth to come.
PROMOTIONS
We have delighted in announcing five very well-deserved promotions as we move into 2022.
Each of these individuals has showcased drive, determination, ambition and commitment, not just this year but throughout their time with MERJE, and we’re excited to recognise their achievements and continue to support their recruitment careers as they rocket to even dizzier heights.
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Paul Clayton, Business Manager, Compliance & Risk
Sally Cordwell, Managing Consultant, Front-Line Talent
Michael Ayres, Principal Consultant, Compliance & Risk
Pritesh Chudasama, Principal Consultant, Financial Crime
Mandy Abelson, Senior Resourcer, Finance & Audit
WINTER SOCIAL
After two long years of being unable to gather as a business, we took the opportunity in December to let our hair down and enjoy the festivities. In fact, after two years of increased hiring efforts amidst a plethora of lockdowns, this was the first time that many of our employees were able to meet!
The afternoon started with a tasty selection of pizzas and hot drinks thanks to Pick Up a Pizza’s mobile kitchen and local coffee aficionados The Smart Bar.
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Our Q4 team meeting saw the announcement of our 2021 promotions, as well as rewarding more team members with spins of the Wheel of Festive Fortune, following which the annual tradition of MERJE Secret Santa took place, with a variety of fun, thoughtful, comedic and tongue-in-cheek gifts exchanged as always.
The evening continued with the MERJE team heading into Manchester city centre to enjoy drinks, food, dancing to live music and ice skating at Winter Wonderland at Escape to Freight Island.
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It was quite the night and the team is very much looking forward to the next time we can all get together – hopefully in early 2022!
SEASON’S GREETINGS
And so, after all that merriment and a very busy 2021, we wind down for the final weeks of the year. The MERJE offices officially close at lunchtime on Thursday 23rd December, but we all know that recruiters never really switch off, no matter how much we encourage them too!
We’ll be back and raring to go on Tuesday 4th January 2022, ready to tackle whatever next year throws our way.
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January will see us review 2021 as a whole and lay out our plans for growth and improvement. In the meantime, we say thank you to all our candidates, clients, contacts and network for your continued partnerships and support, and wish you a happy and safe festive period and a joyous new year!
Edward, Richard & Jonathan
MERJE MDs
