'In early December Baker & McKenzie LLP reviewed its Secretarial Services PSL. The Head of Secretarial Services and I met with 15 agencies as part of the review. We also asked our new joiners to provide us with feedback about the agencies they had experience of dealing with.
During the review meeting, Anna Wallbank came across as being very knowledgeable about the market, she had a clear understanding of the Firm and understood our recruitment needs. In addition, the feedback from our new joiners was incredibly positive, with comments about efficiency, being matched to the right role and honesty throughout the recruitment process.
Owen Reed is one of only four agencies on our secretarial PSL. They were our first choice agency following the review. Since working closely with Owen Reed, we have received a very high level of service. Our main point of contact is extremely helpful, committed and dedicated to helping us fill our roles quickly with the right candidates. Not only have Owen Reed helped us to fill a number of key temporary and permanent secretarial vacancies, the team have also helped us with recruitment in Finance for example. It is this flexible approach which we really appreciate. In our main contact's absence, I have been very impressed by how helpful and responsive the rest of the Owen Reed team are - they are an absolute pleasure to work with.
I have no hesitation in recommending Owen Reed.'
Baker & McKenzie LLP, London
'My experience of dealing with Owen Reed has only ever been a positive one, so to make a referral as the occasion and opportunity arise is both a natural and practical thing to do.
I am more likely to come to Owen Reed as a client rather than as a candidate in future. I am currently engaged in setting up an office in the City for US-based firm Locke Lord LLP. I will see where this leads over the course of time, but in the event of any future need for temporary legal secretarial staff, you would be my first port of call.'
Locke Lord LLP, London
'I have dealt with Owen Reed for all legal secretarial and support recruitment for the past five years, during my time at Beachcrofts (maternity cover), in my role as HR Manager at Kennedy's, and now at Debevoise & Plimpton LLP.
I have found Owen Reed to be very professional and efficient in all their dealings. They put a lot of time into getting to know the culture of the firm to ensure that all candidates put forward for any positions are a good match to the role. Candidates are always well briefed on the firm and the role before they come for an interview, and feedback on the candidates comments after the interview are provided as soon as possible following the interview.
Owen Reed are always willing to provide up-to-date information on the legal market, salary benchmarking and other recruitment related queries. The candidates who have joined us from Owen Reed have all spoken very highly of the level of service provided by Owen Reed and their staff.
I have no hesitation in recommending Owen Reed as a preferred supplier. '
Debevoise & Plimpton LLP, London
'Background
Kester Cunningham John has used Owen Reed for almost 4 years. As a medium-sized law firm in East Anglia, Owen Reed helped raise the quality of secretarial recruitment across all 4 offices, which has been essential for the firm’s success.
They stand apart from the national agencies operating in the area, and match the high standards I experienced working with the preferred supplies engaged by Clifford Chance, Ashurst and Credit Suisse in London.
Scope
Owen Reed have displayed a highly professional approach, flexible to travel across East Anglia to ensure candidates are the best ‘fit’ with partners and fee-earners. Good listeners, they offer creative solutions to recruitment challenges seeking out high quality candidates with sound transferable skills. Always keen to learn more about the different areas of law provided.
Delivery has been achieved within strict recruitment timelines, and quality rather than quantity candidates provided. Their management of candidates during the process has been impressive and, to date, the firm has never ‘lost’ a candidate to another offer. Energy and enthusiasm levels are high, together with a well-developed sense of humour essential when working with people.
The approach is ethical, with high standards relating to diversity and other areas of employment law. Salary survey data is always well presented, together with guidance on salary bands and job descriptions.
On the temporary recruitment, they have met the challenges of sourcing quality candidates. Some of these temporaries have become permanent, other ‘career’ temporaries have returned to the firm for further assignments, and others have taken up training contracts.
Owen Reed has grasped the firm’s values, and endeavours to provide candidates to match. When things go awry, they are quick to rectify problems.
On the whole, their delivery is impressive and I have no hesitate in recommending them as recruitment consultants.'
Kester Cunningham John, Bury St Edmunds