Welcome to the REC 2024 Annual Report. 2024 proved to be a challenging year across the recruitment landscape, with client uncertainty dominating the conversation. I had countless discussions with members from all corners of the country, many expressing the same frustration: an inability to spot clear trends even from one day to the next. This uncertainty was largely economic. While many clients remained optimistic about their own businesses, their outlook on the broader economy was persistently negative. That disconnect often resulted in potential work stalling at the final hurdle…visible, but just out of reach. In a market like this, the resilience of our profession truly shines. Not just in spirit, but through the practical skills that define great recruitment: building strong client relationships, delivering genuine candidate care and keeping our own people engaged and focused. I was deeply impressed by the grit, adaptability, and excellence I witnessed from REC member businesses across the country. We stepped up as well. Our first in-person conference since 2019, RECLive, was a standout success, earning fantastic feedback from members. But that was just one highlight in a year full of meaningful connections and mutual support through events nationwide. 

We added to members’ toolkit with business development masterclasses and the development of the new REC Academy and of course we had to address a new Government with a huge agenda for the labour market. Recognising the tough environment members were navigating, we made the deliberate decision to maintain our services and support rather than focus on the short-term bottom line. At the same time, we took steps internally to strengthen our own resilience, ensuring we remain fit for purpose as we move through this slower market. My sincere thanks go to my outstanding REC board colleagues and our dedicated REC team, whose efforts made a real difference throughout the year. As the world continues to evolve, recruiters must rise to meet this new world of work, by staying true to what sets us apart as a profession: An unwavering commitment to being unapologetically human-centric. Our role has never been more essential, or more meaningful, than it is today. We keep going, together! 

Wishing you and your business every success in the year ahead. 

Michelle Mellor MREC 
REC Chair 

Many thanks to all of you – our fantastic members – for your support in 2024. We never forget that you are at the heart of everything we do. Welcome to your annual report on our performance. As Michelle has set out, 2024 was a unique year, as the hoped-for recovery never quite came through. We saw that in our own business – while membership renewals were strong, additional sales from members had a weaker year as firms navigated the downturn. In the face of this, we chose to maintain services to support members –this is the usual approach taken by the REC when members are challenged. The REC remained an effective partner for members throughout the year. From regional and sectoral meetings to our major events like RECLive and the annual awards ceremony, the network was an effective support for members in-person. Meanwhile, we supported members ever more effectively online, by developing our new REC Academy and AI Hub, launched in January this year, bringing key knowledge to members in areas that align with the questions we are being asked, including investing in team skills and how technology is changing our industry. 

The General Election and the Labour Government’s substantial and challenging agenda for our industry was a dominant theme in our campaigning work.

From publishing our manifesto in January, to becoming the most visible sector organisation on employment issues, we have been loud in defence of what you do. Our ‘Voice of the worker’ autumn campaign, explaining the stories of workers and why they make the choices they do, was essential to building momentum – though there are many months of work still to do. Internally, we took the opportunity of a more challenging year to review the REC’s people and technology strategies and make some changes that should leave us more agile and better able to meet members’ needs. A cautious investment plan is being undertaken, though the pace of this will naturally depend on the performance of members’ markets in 2025. I also want to note the retirement of David Vallance, our Finance Director and Company Secretary, and thank him for his service. We were pleased to welcome John Glenn to the organisation in April as his successor. Thank you once again for your support. The REC is your organisation. We look forward to repaying your support across 2025 and into the future. 

Neil Carberry 
Chief Executive