In our latest blog, ORB managing director Stewart Olsen, reflects on the challenges and unexpected golden moments of 2020 for the company and the recruitment industry.
After a tumultuous year for everyone globally, 2020 has brought with it a rollercoaster of new phases for businesses, particularly in the job market. We have lived part of our lives working from the confines of home and had to navigate constant uncertainty. But it hasn’t all been doom and gloom, as community has been the common thread that has helped us through – both in business and our personal lives.
One of the golden moments for us is that we have been thrilled to see our turnover double for year two and year three, forecasting a 170% plus increase again within our business. We are on track to achieve a £6.5million turnover and we have welcomed 67 clients in the last 12 months. We also expanded our team in the first quarter of 2020, bringing on board an additional two members of staff.
Following the unsettling time that happened in that first quarter, we regrouped, strategised, developed and grew. We focused on healthcare where demand has rapidly increased for workers and increased funding into safety resources, providing 100% of workers in vulnerable settings with PPE and efficient testing. Consistent with our personable approach, we have also created resources such as our free Redundancy Support Service to help businesses and the local community during Covid-19.
By the time summertime came around this year, we were out-pacing initial growth forecasts for 2020. We also entered and received recognition in regional awards, such as Federation of Small Businesses Start-up of the Year, FSB SME of the Year, and as ORB’s managing director, I was included in Yorkshire’s 42 under 42 list 2020.
In the last year, we are proud to have contributed over £30,000 through sponsorships and charitable donations, with some of these going to Rossington Junior Football Club teams, CAST, Mayflower Animal Sanctuary and Hallam FM Cash for Kids. And through our work, direct wealth creation has been secured including £2.3 million in employment wages in the last 12 months, rising to over £5.4 million in the next 12 months.
We also took on three more talented members of staff in November 2020 and as the year comes to a close, we’re delighted to have been shortlisted as finalists in the Doncaster Chamber Awards 2020/21 in the Excellence in Corporate Social Responsibility and SME Business of the Year categories.
Overall, despite the challenges of 2020, we are determined to end this year on a positive note, most importantly remembering the importance of community in business both now and in the future.