Our story

I’ve enjoyed a successful career in recruitment and like everyone else, I’ve had to work my way up.

I was first given my chance during the recession in 1994. I’d completed an apprenticeship and had been working as a tradesman in the construction industry, when I approached a recruitment agency to help me find alternative work.

I was shocked to be offered an opportunity as a Trainee Recruitment Consultant, but I grasped it with both hands. I worked hard to quickly rise through the ranks from Consultant to Branch Manager. Further promotions led to a Regional Manager role, which I eventually swapped for Managing Director some 19 years ago.

Having worked for two large national recruitment organisations early in my career, I was fortunate to receive excellent training and work alongside some great recruiters, who I feel have taught me well.

I’d always been fairly ambitious and starting Fillmore was always the natural progression for me. Although I was starting from scratch, I had confidence in my own ability and knew that the experience and skills that I had picked up along the way were always going to be a big help in making the business a success.

Building a company that helps to provide employment opportunities to people within the local community has been deeply satisfying and I still get a real buzz out of working closely with local business leaders to source high-calibre candidates that genuinely make a positive contribution.

And the name? I got the idea when visiting the Fillmore West in San Francisco. It’s an iconic music club with an amazing history and where some of the biggest bands in the world started out, Hendrix to The Who, Zeppelin to Tom Petty. It’s a really cool place with a fantastic atmosphere and I just loved it… so it just had to be.

Gary Richards, MD of Fillmore Recruitment Ltd