the hot seat
Steve Carter, UK Managing Director, Premier Group
Premier Group was established in 1990, Nigel lynn is a UK wide specialist in accounting financial recruitment. Nigel Lynn became part of Premier Group, Ireland’s largest and most successful recruitment company in 2005. After a highly successful UK launch in 2006, , la crème, already the largest office support recruiter in Ireland is now firmly established as a leading UK office support recruiter.
What was your first job?
My first “proper job” was as a Trainee Accountant for a division of BOC in Sydney. Having turned up ready to change the business world, my boss sent me home on my push bike to get some old clothes as all trainees in all departments had to start on the factory floor. I spent a year welding, getting a forklift licence and working in the warehouse before I even saw the accounts department. But it was the best training I could have ever had, even if I didn’t appreciate it at the time, as all the knowledge is within the team, not in the boardroom!
What attracted you to the recruitment sector?
Like many recruiters, I was a candidate who was looking for a better paid job. The consultant that interviewed me suggested that I consider becoming one myself. With a chance to earn more money, I thought I would give it a try and place myself somewhere else if it didn’t work out!
What advice would you give to consultants starting their recruitment career?
Identify the very best consultants in your organisation, ask them lots of questions and replicate what they do whilst putting your own style into it. I always wanted to outperform my team so I found out what the best consultants did and then did more of it than they did. It still works!
Who’s the best manager you have ever had?
I’ve been fortunate to have had several. My first boss was a hard task master but I only really appreciated his wisdom later in my career. In the UK I have been lucky enough to work with some outstanding people. Although many weren’t my bosses, they gave me so much and taught me a great deal of lessons along the way.
What’s your worst habit and how have you overcome it?
I get a word or phrase of the week and seem to get it into every discussion. My team often points out how tiresome it is!
What’s been your best business decision?
To get involved with Nigel Lynn and Premier Group. It has shown me that you do not need to be a global titan in recruitment to be successful, provide great opportunities for your team, create a great service culture and actually build market share. Having spent almost 20 years in large institutional recruitment companies, you lose the ability to be entrepreneurial and make common sense decisions as you’re always playing ‘not to lose’. It’s great to be back ‘playing to win’!
What do you drive?
I drive a Lexus RX300 – I have 4 growing boys!
What gadget can’t you live without?
Sadly I got hooked on my Blackberry. I’ve tried to upgrade to similar devices and do without it, but I can’t!
