Alan Kent - Managing Director
I fell into recruitment in 1999 after being made redundant by Norwich Union Insurance, after trying to pursue a career as a Financial Advisor. Not knowing what I wanted to do when leaving college, this seemed to be the path I was taking, and the bills needed paying. I bought a house quite young, so this redundancy put me into a panic. I headed straight to Doncaster Job Centre to talk to an advisor. Yes, you talked to people back then.
The time of the conversation and the lady I spoke with, will be something I will never forget… it was 3:50pm and I was the only person in there. I sat down with the lady, she continued to tell me she had the most awful day and I had cheered her up with my enthusiasm and cheek (never lost it). She told me not to bother coming in everyday, she will call me instead when jobs come in. The next day, the lady called, and I had an interview with a company called Primetime Recruitment; it’s sales; recruitment; 11k a year.
I was in… not a clue what recruitment was or what it involved but I’ll give it a go. I met a guy called Dave Barber in a portacabin, on an industrial estate, attached to a pea factory. Dave said, “you’re enthusiastic and cheeky, I’ll put you in front of our MD Brent Pitcher tomorrow. Make sure you shine your shoes.”
I met the OG of cheeky chappies Brent Pitcher; he battered me in the interview (in a good way), and I got the job! All I could think about was how I can pay my mortgage. What I didn’t realise is how much pressure and hard work this role involved. It did nearly break me; however, Brent took me under his wing with Dave and my love for recruitment was created from that very moment. Without that opportunity, I believe my path would have been very different, this industry made me become a better person.
Full circle, 23 years later Brent is now part of the Venatu Team, and funny enough Mark Railton (Scunthorpe BM) was one of my first clients. So, life lesson, never burn your bridges. Do things honestly. Treat people with respect as you never know when they may appear back in your life.