Celebrating 15 Years at Bond Williams – Suzanne Sherriff

Recruitment & Client Insight

1. What first brought you to Bond Williams 15 years ago?
   Having worked for both independent and national recruitment companies, I relocated to Bournemouth and spent three years recruiting locally with another agency. While working with clients and candidates in the area, Bond Williams kept coming up in conversation, for all the right reasons. Their professionalism and reputation really stood out, and I knew they were the kind of agency that aligned with my values and service standards.
2. What’s kept you here so long?
   The people. I’ve been lucky to work with some fantastic professionals who’ve become lifelong friends. I’ve learned so much from each of them. I love the job, the team, and the business we’ve built together. It’s that simple. Plus, we’ve had plenty of laughs along the way!
3. How has your role evolved over the years?
   I started as a temp’s consultant, then became a team leader overseeing both temp and perm recruitment. I was later promoted to Associate Director, and now I’m proud to be a Director.
4. How has recruitment changed since you started?
   When I began in 2007, everything was manual! We used physical cards with handwritten details and Polaroid photos stored in a trolley file. We’d flick through it to match candidates with bookings. CVs were handed in at the office, and job ads came from newspapers or cold calling via the Yellow Pages (yes, really!).

Fast forward to today, tech has transformed everything. We now use advanced CRMs, AI-powered screening, video interviews… the list goes on. But the core hasn’t changed: it’s still about relationships and finding the right match.

5. What’s a common misconception clients or candidates have about recruitment today?
   That all recruiters work the same way and that it’s just about filling roles quickly. Finding the right fit takes real time, care, and understanding. It’s not just about experience on a CV; cultural fit is just as important.

Also, the idea that working with multiple agencies on a role will get more candidates, it can actually dilute your brand. Quality over quantity every time.

6. Is there anything clients are often surprised to learn we offer at Bond Williams?
   Yes, many don’t realise we have specialists that cover all departments across a corporate environment, from Reception through to CEO, as well as Finance, IT, HR, Engineering, Science and Space.
7. What sets Bond Williams apart from other agencies?
   We’re personable and genuinely care about doing the right thing, for both clients and candidates.
8. What do you wish more clients knew about how we work behind the scenes?
   There’s so much that goes on! We offer benchmarking, CV and job description advice, salary guides, and market insight. We’re always listening, because helping someone find the right job can have a huge impact on their life and wellbeing.
9. What challenges do you often help clients solve, without them even realising?
   We dig deep to find the right person, not just any person. We go beyond the job spec, understanding the company, team dynamics, and values before we even start shortlisting.
10. How do you build long-term trust with clients?
    By being myself. What you see is what you get. I listen, I’m honest, I manage expectations, and I make myself available. Clients and candidates know they can speak openly with me.
11. What’s changed most in what clients expect and how have we adapted?
    Today, we’re seen as true partners. Clients want consultative, value-added relationships not just someone to “fill a job.” We’ve embraced that and continue to deliver more than just CVs.
12. Can you share a placement that made a real difference?
    No single one stands out because I hope they all make a difference. But helping someone move forward in their career or giving them a confidence boost that’s what makes it worthwhile.

Personal Reflections & Milestone Moments

1. What are you most proud of during your time at Bond Williams?
   The strong relationships I’ve built and watching the company evolve over 21 years. Despite life’s challenges, we’ve remained a close, ethical, and supportive team. The brand we’ve built speaks for itself, recommendations from happy clients and candidates mean everything. And yes, the laughter and wine along the way helped too!
2. What’s been the most memorable moment of your career so far?
   So many! A few that stand out:

• • My first recruitment job in London where we had to stand to make cold calls, I was shaking!
  • A candidate who was on minimum wage, supporting three children. He just wanted a chance. I guided him through the process, and he landed a role that changed everything for him.
  • Being shortlisted as Temps Consultant of the Year at the REC Awards.
  • And buying my first Mulberry Roxanne handbag after earning a nice bonus, it was a goal I set, and it felt amazing when I hit it!

3. What do you enjoy most about working at Bond Williams?
   The autonomy, being listened to, and feeling genuinely valued.
4. What’s something people might not know about your day-to-day role?
   It’s so much more than matching candidates to jobs. I’m a counsellor, coach, negotiator, business advisor and occasionally a unicorn finder! Most of what we do is a free service that takes time, effort, and a lot of heart.
5. What advice would you give someone starting in recruitment or joining Bond Williams?
   Play the long game. Build and nurture relationships. Be curious, ask questions, and don’t assume there’s one right way. Most importantly, don’t take things personally (though I still work on that myself!).

Recruitment is a rollercoaster of highs and lows, but it’s also incredibly rewarding. No day is ever the same. And yes, cheesy as it sounds, smile while you dial and don’t forget to laugh.

Congratulations Suzanne on this amazing milestone and thank you for everything you’ve contributed over the past 15 years. We’re so lucky to have you on the team.