Meet The Team: Rebecca Hildage, Office Manager, GCS Associates
Tell us about your career so far?
I worked for a Financial Services company in Altrincham for 8 years within the finance dept, gaining my AAT accounting qualification there. I then went on to an Assistant Accountant role for a Technology company then moved into a Executive PA role as I wanted to gain experience in other business areas and widen my skill set.
Around 6 years ago I become Cash Manager withing the inflight entertainment industry with a Global multinational dealing with cross currency bank accounts. I finished with the company in September 2020 and gave birth to my daughter in October 2020 – I had a lovely maternity leave with her and here I am today.
Why did you join GCS?
I was impressed with the wording in the job advert, it wasn’t run of the mill, it was interesting and quirky. When I googled the company, I was impressed with the passion that came across when perusing. I initially spoke with Tony on the phone and then came in to meet with Mike who gave me an overview of the company along with what the role would entail.
I got a great feel for the place. The role is flexible; it fitted in with my childcare and travel needs so I was happy when Mike called and offered me the job. I’m looking forward to getting stuck in and improving processes to save the company time and money.
What’s your role at GCS?
My role is primarily admin and accounting work. I will be responsible for liaising with debtors/creditors, managing the financial accounts and many other office management duties. I will also be reviewing all processes and making improvements/automating where needed.
How you help clients/ candidates?
I wouldn’t say my role directly helps clients/candidates, however, by taking work and admin off the sales team this then feeds through to allow more time to help clients and candidates more efficiently.
Rebecca Hildage
What kind of projects are you working on at the moment?
I have begun working on an accounting system and have also started streamlining our internal processes. I have many more projects in the pipeline which will improve efficiencies internally.
What do you do outside of work?
I love running – it clears my head and allows me to gather my thoughts and refocus. Socialising with family and friends, I’m very close to my family so I’m happy the lock-down’s have ended and we can socialise properly once again!
For more information on how GCS Associates can help your business recruit the best talent in the market, contact us.
e: enquiries@gcsassociates.com
t: 0161 660 2548
Meet The Team: Tony Llewellyn, Commercial Director
Tell us about your career so far?
I can’t really remember doing anything other than recruitment! My mother tells me my early career was in the RAF followed by a stint in financial services – but maybe she’s just covering for me?
Why did you join GCS?
I was impressed by Mike Parry’s integrity and enthusiasm for the business and his passion for the clients he’s working with in the building products sector. For me, it is important to be working in a business where I feel I’m making a difference and one where I can utilise all the skills and experience I’ve picked up over many years!!
What’s your role at GCS?
As Commercial Director, I am responsible for the opening of our new office in the East Midlands and the continued growth thereafter. I am still dealing with select clients too, some of whom I have know for many years and some new ones that generally come through word of mouth and referrals.
The majority of my roles are executive positions in either the building products industry or the food manufacturing sector. However, most executives have highly transferable skill-sets and so the sectors I work in can vary immensely, I’ve even been asked to place a CEO in a Veterinary practice in the past… the brief was to find a strong ‘commercial’ leader who could double the turnover in a five year period – I believe he did it in three.
What kind of roles are you working on?
Most of the roles I am asked to work on are highly confidential.
What I can say is that I’m also working with some highly talented executives at the moment, assisting in their search for a new challenge. Leaders that are either transformational leaders and ‘turnaround’ specialists or business builders; highly experienced at increasing the EBITDA through innovative ideas and processes. I also have some very talented Sales, Operations and Finance Directors that currently work in either the food manufacturing or the building products sectors and are looking for a new opportunity.
Tony Llewellyn, Commercial Director
What’s the market expectation at the moment?
There are multiple vacancies at some levels but very few at others. People are surmising that Brexit is to blame for a lack of candidates, others that the pandemic has caused people to migrate away from certain roles and who are not now prepared to return to them.
There is still some uncertainty in the executive market but we are seeing an improvement already with a lot of investment being considered by both business groups and venture capitalists.
At GCS, we are always happy to go that extra mile for our clients and candidates – sourcing the best talent and helping people further their career is what we do!
For more information on how GCS Associates can help your business recruit the best talent in the market, contact Tony.
e: tony.llewellyn@gcsassociates.com
t: 07809 433 882
Meet The Team: Chris Whitlock, Executive Consultant, GCS Associates
Tell us about your career so far?
I have spent almost all my career in Timber and Building Materials. I joined Malden Timber in 1984 as a graduate trainee, then spent 14 years with Travis Perkins, followed by 13 years with Saint-Gobain where I held two Managing Director roles.
I then spent two years as a freelance operator including an enjoyable year in the global Telecoms industry with Colt – which was my one excursion away from Builders Merchants! I then spent happy three years at Harlow Timber as Managing Director.
I have spent much of the last three years as a freelance operational contractor, specialising in relocating businesses and opening new branches in the wider materials industry. I also work as an Executive Consultant for GCS Associates.
Why did you join GCS?
I was introduced to GCS through a mutual acquaintance in 2020. My involvement with GCS grew through many discussions with Mike Parry about the market, clients, and candidates until, ultimately, it made sense for me to become a member of the team.
What’s your job/ responsibilities/ specialist sectors at GCS?
I assist the GCS senior team with governance and growth planning, and with client and candidate relations. I usually spend a day or two a month at both our Altrincham and Loughborough offices.
What are you working on at the moment?
I am working on management recruitment for a materials supplier’s new branch programme – strictly confidential, at the moment!
What’s the market expectation at the moment?
Building materials has experienced a double boom in the last year – both in terms of volumes as home improvement spend has rocketed, and in value as material cost have soared across the board. This has led to a very active recruitment market, and an extremely busy GCS recruitment team!
Chris Whitlock, Executive Consultant
Tell me about how you help clients/ candidates?
I engage with both clients and candidates- many of whom I have worked with in some capacity, at some point. I assess opportunities and partnerships for both sides.
Anything else to share about yourself?
I grew up and still live in Leicestershire – stunning countryside, a great city, and one of Britain’s best kept secrets! I have two fantastic grown-up children and a very supportive wife who continues to enjoy her long career in Marketing and who generally despairs of me not having a marketing bone in me!
CONTACT GCS IF YOU ARE HIRING IN 2021 OR WOULD LIKE TO DISCUSS FINDING A NEW ROLE.
e: enquiries@gcsassociates.com
t: 0161 660 2548