A fast-growing veterinary recruitment agency is looking to double its workforce and establish an overseas client base over the next year.
Exeter-based JHP Recruitment specialises in recruiting permanent and locum vets and nurses, as well as other staff, for veterinary practices throughout the UK.
The business, which currently employs a team of 12 at its offices as Exeter Airport Business Park, has said it is now winning an increasing amount of work in both Europe and the US.
Managing director Justin Powlesland, who has worked in veterinary recruitment for more than 10 years, said he originally founded the venture in his garage in 2016.
Mr Powlesland said “within a matter of months” JHP Recruitment had secured work with some of the biggest companies in the industry.
He added: “Within three months there were three of us and we’ve never looked back, having quickly established a vast client base that includes nearly all the large corporate veterinary groups, as well as independently owned veterinary practices that are based all across the UK.
“In addition, our reputation is spreading and we’re now working with a growing list of veterinary practices in Europe and the USA, which is a major growth area for us, and aim to double the size of our team by the end of next year.”
The entrepreneur attributed the company’s success to the partnerships it had built with clients, and being “proactive” within the industry, though helping to sponsor young vets during their training and promoting the industry as a career in schools and colleges.
Mr Powlesland said the growth had been “accelerated” during the pandemic, which he said had seen a “boosting” in the number of people buying pets.
The businessman said this in turn had put “a strain” on veterinary practices, as there are currently fewer vets coming to work in the UK from the EU.
He added: “As a result, it’s a particularly good time for vets and nurses that are looking for new positions and we’re also advising practices on the packages they need to offer to attract and retain the best talent. All this combines to make it an exciting time for JHP Recruitment.”
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