the hot seat

Julia Robertson, Managing Director, Carlisle Staffing Services

Carlisle Group is a leading provider of staffing and outsourced people-related services, with more than 17,000 deployed at any one time across all working environments. The Staffing Services Division provides temporary and permanent staff recruitment services and solutions through a number of market specific brands. Each brand provides a specialist, professional recruitment service to clients and candidates alike.

What attracted you to the recruitment sector?

Money! At the time, I was a trainee reporter for Dun and Bradstreet, and I saw an advert in the Evening Standard which said "Interviewers - £100 per week!. That was a fortune way back then (and also reveals my age!)

What advice would you give to Consultants starting their recruitment career?

Make sure you sit near a big biller, watch what they do and how they do it - then do the same!

Who do you most admire/been your greatest mentor?

Ginny Tate - a true lady in every sense of the word, who cared about every one who worked for her but was also the toughest and most insightful boss you could imagine! I owe a great deal to Ginny for the opportunity she gave me at Tate

What is the main key performance indicator that you monitor in your business?

GP per week and per head

What’s your greatest financial indulgence?

Three children at private school, then university!

What do you drive?

BMW 6 series convertible

What time do you start work?

I get up at 5am most days, and start working on the road or on the train from 6.30. I am generally in one of my offices before 8.30

What gadget can’t you live without?

A corkscrew