ALF Recruit reports 100% placement success after doubling first-year targets

Greater Manchester-based recruitment firm ALF Recruit has reported a 100 per cent placement success rate in its first year of trading, after more than doubling its internal performance targets during its inaugural 12 months.

Launched in January 2025 and operating from Fire Up Rochdale, the business completed 65 permanent placements across finance, accountancy, financial services and business support roles. During the same period, ALF Recruit worked with more than 30 client organisations and conducted over 130 candidate meetings.

The firm also held 28 face-to-face client meetings and attended 18 networking events as it built its regional presence, while receiving more than 40 five-star Google reviews within its first year of operation. ALF Recruit was named a finalist in the Rochdale Business Awards in the Turnover under £1m category.

Founder and Director Gavin Reynolds said the first year had been focused on execution rather than scale. “From the outset, our priority was to deliver consistently and build trust with both clients and candidates,” said Reynolds. “Doubling our internal targets while maintaining a 100 per cent success rate reflects a disciplined approach to recruitment and a focus on quality rather than volume.”

Team expansion formed part of the firm’s early growth strategy, with recruiters Joanne Sizer and Cassidy Rae Pinder joining during the year. Further headcount growth is planned in 2026, with the business aiming to expand to a team of four recruiters.

Director Joanne Sizer said the firm’s consultative model had been central to its early traction. “We’re grateful to the clients who have trusted us with their hiring and to the candidates who have allowed us to support their career journeys,” said Sizer. “We’ve also had strong support from the wider business community, which has played an important role in our first year. With that foundation in place, we’re looking ahead to 2026 with clear plans for continued growth.”

Service expansion during the year included the launch of a Temporary and Interim recruitment offering, and the firm say they’re gearing up to introduce another new service line; an employee retention support service designed to help employers improve staff retention and long-term workforce stability, called ALF Retain.

In March 2025, ALF Recruit secured its first Preferred Supplier List appointment with a large Greater Manchester-based financial services group. This was followed by a retained recruitment win with a fast-growing fintech business headquartered in Manchester city centre later in the year.

Alongside its commercial activity, ALF Recruit has been involved in a number of community and CSR initiatives. These included delivering mock interview sessions and work experience placements at Rochdale Sixth Form College, sponsoring grassroots sports teams across the North West, and contributing to charitable initiatives such as the Sedulo Christmas Toy Appeal.

The business reports that a high proportion of its revenue in year one was generated through repeat instructions and client referrals, contributing to performance exceeding internal targets during its first year of trading.

ALF Recruit enters 2026 with plans to continue scaling its team and service offering while maintaining its focus on professional services recruitment across permanent, temporary and retained roles.