Despite the strange and challenging times that we live in, we are always looking forward here at Ministry of Furniture. With that in mind, we are adding a new string to our bow by launching a recruitment business with a difference – with social aims at the heart of the venture.
Ministry People will be headed up by Caroline Locke, an experienced recruitment professional who worked at national recruitment agency Hays for many years before founding award-wining agency Spotless Recruitment. The new company’s managing director will be Beverley Parker, our very own operations director at Ministry of Furniture.
The new business will primarily (but not exclusively) focus on the construction sector, matching tradespeople and other staff with potential employers. It will differ from traditional recruitment companies by allocating a percentage of its profits to a social fund dedicated to supporting local community projects relevant to the construction sites it supports.
It will also complement the work of our sister company Ministry Graphics by offering another key service required on large construction projects, builds and refurbishments: people with the skills to do the job.
As most people know, Ministry of Furniture emerged from Remploy Furniture when it closed. It was then the UK’s largest employer of people with disabilities. The social goals and commitment to inclusivity held by Remploy have been embraced by us at Ministry of Furniture. Ministry People will continue this ethos mirroring the priorities of the former Remploy Employment Services.
We see Ministry People as a natural complement to what we already do: we work side by side with contractors on large builds and construction projects. We already supply design and workplace solutions, but we can now partner with our clients at a much earlier stage in the timeline of a project: by supplying people with the skills required.
We think this will become very relevant as we slowly come out of lockdown and construction sites start to pick up again across South Wales. It’s an area where we feel well connected but by working with someone of Caroline’s experience, we believe this venture can be a big success and gain traction in the market quickly.
We are also proud of the fact that we will be putting social aims at the heart of this venture. We will be ringfencing a percentage of all profits aside to be used for community ventures agreed in partnership with the client and based on what local communities require.