Our 28th anniversary

This week marks the 28th anniversary of running my own recruitment business, KHR.

It’s a milestone that feels particularly special because KHR and my first daughter, Alice, share the same birth year. Both are turning 28!

The story of how KHR began is one I often look back on. Having previously worked for a recruitment agency in London, when Alice came along, I wanted to work closer to home in Kent. I also wanted to create something of my own, be my own boss and, hopefully, achieve that elusive work/life balance that so many working parents strive for.

So, with a new baby in tow and a leap of faith, KHR was born in 1998.

Little did I know then what the next 28 years would bring!

The recruitment industry has changed beyond recognition in some ways, yet in others, the fundamentals remain the same.

When we first started, every job seeker who wanted to register with us would come into the office for a face-to-face interview. We would sit down, get to know them, talk through their experience and career aspirations, and build a relationship from the outset.

And then there was the paperwork!

Every candidate had an application pack, which was carefully filed alphabetically in an enormous filing cabinet that took up an entire wall of our office. It was quite a sight, and finding the right candidate meant knowing exactly where to look!

Fast forward to today, and the world of recruitment is very different. Getting candidates to physically come into the office can be quite a challenge. The expectation is now that everything can be done online.

Technology

Technology has undoubtedly made many aspects of recruitment quicker and more efficient, but I sometimes wonder whether we’ve lost a little of the personal interaction that made recruitment so rewarding in the first place.

After all, recruitment has always been about people. Understanding personalities, motivations, ambitions and what makes someone tick. A CV and an online application can tell you a lot, but nothing quite replaces a proper conversation and getting to know the person behind the paperwork.

Challenges

Over 28 years, we’ve also experienced our fair share of challenges. We’ve navigated recessions, economic uncertainty, changing employment markets and, of course, the extraordinary impact of Covid, which turned the world of work and recruitment upside down almost overnight.

We’ve adapted, embraced new technology, changed the way we work and found new ways to support both our clients and candidates through some very challenging times.

But through all the changes, one thing has remained constant: the importance of relationships, trust, understanding and doing the right thing for people.

Running a business for 28 years has certainly been a journey of highs, lows, lessons learned, unexpected challenges and plenty of memorable moments. It has required resilience, determination and the willingness to keep evolving.

I’m incredibly proud of how far KHR has come and grateful to everyone who has played a part along the way – our clients, candidates, colleagues, suppliers and everyone who has supported us throughout the years.

Family

And, of course, as I reflect on 28 years of KHR, I can’t help thinking about Alice, who has been part of the story from day one. She and KHR have grown up alongside each other, closely followed by sisters Grace and Imogen, who have known KHR all their lives.

Here’s to 28 years of KHR, the wonderful team of people we’ve had on board over that time, some for 10, 12 and 20 years of that journey. Plus the people we’ve met, the careers we’ve helped shape, the businesses we’ve supported and the many more chapters still to come.

Happy 28th birthday, KHR. Here’s to the next chapter.

Amanda