Oliver James Associates drives forward growth plan
A FAST-growing recruitment firm, which specialises in the financial services sector, is looking to hire and enter new markets on the back of booming financial results.
Manchester-based Oliver James Associates, which has offices in London and Hong Kong, is moving its headquarters from Parsonage Gardens in the city centre to Vantage Point in the heart of Spinningfields, where it has taken 6,655sq ft.
The business, which has just topped industry magazine Recruiter’s 2013 FAST 50 survey, was founded in 2002 by Oliver Castle, 36, James Rogers, 38, and Nick Godson, 37.
Revenues have rocketed over the last couple of years – doubling to £36.4m in 2011 and rising to about £45m in the year to December 2012.
Growth is projected to continue this year, with gross profits of £14.5m on turnover of £55m.
OJA initially focused on supplying accountants to insurance companies. Since then it has branched out in other areas of financial services such has hedge funds, actuarial, risk and compliance.
It is now looking at entering the oil and gas sectors – which continue to be buoyant despite the uncertain global outlook.
Mr Castle told TheBusinessDesk.com: “We have not really shouted about our growth at all, just keeping our heads down and grown the business, but we feel we have something to shout about.
“We have been really pleased with the talent we have been able to acquire in Manchester and we are looking to grow even more. I think our initial plan was to move back to London – but that’s changed now.
“The new office is a testament to our commitment to Manchester and we’re really pleased as it is a great environment for our people and our clients too.”
With 45 staff Manchester is OJA’s biggest office, followed by London with 35 and the most recent, Hong Kong with 10.
OJA’s clients include some of the biggest names in global financial services such as AXA, Swiss Re, Invesco, Aviva, HSBC and Goldman Sachs.
Mr Castle expects the Manchester office to reach around 100 within 18 months, while more overseas offices in New York and Houston and in the Far East are also on the cards.
“We have grown strongly and organically and are in the midst of a period of huge investment. We have an unique culture in the business – we want people to join us and develop their careers. James, Nick and I want to get to the position where we become less and less important.
“I think the recruitment industry has a terrible reputation for keeping people – there is so much movement in a saturated market place. Retaining good people who can grow with us is vital.
“We have lost only two people to competitors in 10 years so we must be doing something right.”
