News at Chefs Jobs UK
Double Celebration for Recruitment Couple!
Cummins Mellor Recruitment celebrates 20 years in business on February 5th, quite an achievement considering the difficult trading conditions of the past year. It’s a double celebration because directors Richard and Michelle Mellor have also combined working together with living together, not always a recipe for success!
“People often ask us how we manage to work together and still stay married, we would say - trust each other’s judgement, give each other space to breathe, don’t talk about work too much at home and make time for other things.” (Michelle)
After marrying in 1987 Richard set up his recruitment business in their back bedroom in 1990. From small beginnings, the firm is now a major national supplier of hospitality staff,specialising in relief and emergency chefs, to the Hotel and Catering Industry. Cummins Mellor Recruitment also supplies all levels of staff across East Lancs from secretaries to sales managers. The biggest area of growth recently has been the Criminal Records Checks Department trading as www.personnelchecks.co.uk
“It’s been a real success as there is an increasing demand for CRB checks. Michelle, who’s been in the business with me since day one, has taken this thriving new department under her wing and with her excellent team is doing a great job. It’s all about speed of service and customer satisfaction.”
“Of course we haven’t built this business as a two man team, we are fortunate to have had magnificent staff support both now and over the years. They have been brilliant, without them none of our success would have been possible! (Richard)
Recruitment Agencies must now obtain a criminal disclosure (CRBs) for those placed in work with vulnerable groups and check that the work-seeker is not included on relevant banning lists.
The Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA) will verify all individuals who want to work with vulnerable people. All will be required to register and will be checked against an updated vetting and barring list which will commence in July 2010. The new checking procedure will mean that workers status is automatically kept up to date, as information is fed into the ISA from employees and the Criminal Record Bureau.
The scope of the ISA is vast; the Government expects that over 11 million people will
register with it over 5 years. It will therefore have an impact on a large number of REC
members.
For further information on Criminal Record checks visit 
Tips Code of Best Practice Launched
On 1st October, new rules came into force to ensure that thousands of workers get a fair deal on tips and wages.
The changes make it illegal for businesses to use tips to bring staff pay up to minimum wage levels.
The Department for Business, Innovation and Skils has issued a code of best practice on tips. You can read the code here.
Code of best practice on tips.
Recruitment Company provides Faster CRB Checks
Accrington based Cummins Mellor Recruitment have been an Umbrella Body for the Criminal Records Bureau for 4 years now. The company has just launched a faster, more efficient, even friendlier CRB service called ‘Personnelchecks.co.uk’ MD Richard Mellor explains;
“Personnel checks have invested in a new ‘disclosit’ facility which has reduced the turnaround time for CRB checks to between 3-14 days. We have always prided ourselves in providing an efficient service as applications are processed the day we receive them, but now with the online facility we can cut out frustrating postal delays. Our friendly staff are on call to help with any query and discretion is assured. Much of our business is through our web site www.personnelchecks.co.uk We have invested in the technology; have the specially trained staff and the room to expand and create more jobs, we just need to let people know we are here.”
Greg Pope the local Hyndburn MP popped into the offices to hear all about the service and see how Cummins Mellor Recruitment have been successfully fighting through the credit crunch.
“Recruitment agencies act as the barometer for local employment. They are one of the first to witness the peaks and troughs in the market place.” said Greg Pope
Richard Mellor commented;
“The first 6 months of this year were incredibly tough but things have really picked up now and we are busy in every department and none more so than Personnel Checks.”
Personnel checks is an official registered umbrella body for the Criminal Records Bureau but not all umbrella bodies are committed to processing applications the day they are received. The advice is – be discerning in your choice of supplier.
New HR Solutions at Cummins Mellor
Cummins Mellor Recruitment are delighted to announce their new partnership with HR consultancy Solutions InStead.
Managing Consultant Simon Stead will be based at the Accrington offices of CMR and will provide an expert,flexible, cost effective HR service. With over 20 years of HR experience in some of the largest and most challenging commercial environments Simon is well qualified to deliver practical HR solutions to business problems. Solutions InStead’s main focus will be on HR Outsourcing, Performance Management Solutions and Dispute Resolution.
Richard Mellor (Managing director of Cummins Mellor) comments:
“We are passionate about the “people business” and so is Simon, together we can realise our dream of satisfying any recruitment/ HR need that our clients may have.”
Home Office announces new measures
Recently, the Home Office announced new measures to protect the vulnerable with the launch of the new Vetting and Barring Scheme later this year. The changes planned for 12 October 2009 and the new safeguards that will be introduced to enhance the protection of children and vulnerable adults are outlined below.
From 12 October 2009:
· The creation of two new ISA barred lists. These lists will replace the existing List 99 and POCA, POVA Lists.
· Access to these new ISA lists will be available on request as part of an Enhanced CRB check.
· Eligibility for Enhanced CRB checks will expand to include more employment and voluntary positions; such roles will be known as regulated positions.
· Standard CRB checks will no longer be available for those working with children or the vulnerable.
· There is no change to the current application form or application process.
For information regarding these changes or for any CRB check inquiry please visit www.personnelchecks.co.uk or email crb@personnelchecks.co.uk or speak to our team on 01254 355688
Back to School for Children in Need
Cummins Mellor Recruitment supported Children In Need by returning to school. All the staff dressed up in uniform and the school bell was rung at 8.30am.
The Recruitment Consultants competed in an inter-House sales competition and the winning House, Drake were allowed to finish work early that day.
Other activities included a Tuck Shop Sale and £133 in total was raised for Children In Need .
Richard Mellor (Managing Director) commented:
“Everyone enjoys having fun at work whilst raising money for a very worthy cause. It is so motivating to hear laughter throughout the building and I am also convinced productivity increases. We are proud to support the Children In Need campaign”
Consultant of the Year
 June Crossley is the Cummins Mellor Recruitment Consultant of the Year 2008
Pictured here with Managing Director Richard Mellor who commented that:-
“June and I have been working together since 1987. She is the hardest working person I know and if there is a better recruiter in the UK I have yet to meet them. 2008 was another record breaking year for the Hospitality Division which now employs 7 full time staff working on a national basis in conjunction with our specialist web site www.chefsjobsuk.”
RECRUITER AWARDS
Cummins Mellor Recruitment gathered for the 2008 Annual Awards and celebrated another successful year.
Richard Mellor (Managing Director)
“Reflecting on another successful year and 19 years in the business, it’s great to be recognised in the top 100 SMEs in Lancashire. We have a fantastic team of staff whose total focus is on quality of service but it’s a bonus when an increase in profit follows on from that.”
The Accrington based multi sector recruitment agency held their annual event at Fraser Eagle, Altham and special guest Paul Warren, managing partner of Pierce chartered accountants presented the prizes.
The prize winners were Jo O'Shaughnessy (Best Newcomer); Vicky Lomas (Most Improved Performance); Fiona McDonald (Going the extra mile) and June Crossley (Consultant of the Year). The Hospitality Division was voted Division of the Year.
Cummins Mellor Dared
Cummins Mellor Recruitment dared to wear it pink for Breast Cancer Care on Friday and raised another £40.90. Cummins Mellor have now raised over £1,000 in total for Breast Cancer Care by holding various events throughout the year, such as Wear It Pink days and Quiz nights.
Around 44,000 women as well as 300 men are diagnosed with breast cancer every year in the UK and every 13 minutes someone receives the devastating news that they have breast cancer.
In September, Director Michelle Mellor (pictured centre)along with friends Caroline Aughton and Jayne McCraith took part in a very special challenge by travelling to Peru to walk the Matchu Pichhu Trail in order to raise money for this worthwhile charity.
Exciting New Appointment
Cummins Mellor Recruitment are thrilled to announce that experienced recruiter Ray Walton has joined  them as Head of Permanent Hotel & Catering Recruitment. Ray initially qualified as a chef and after a successful 12 years in the Army, where he won Army Chef of the Year, decided on a career in recruitment. He leaves Manchester based Search Consultancy to join the successful and expanding Hospitality division within Cummins Mellor.
“The Hospitality division, established 18 years ago, is the busiest department in the company and we look forward to benefitting from Ray’s drive and commitment. We are delighted to welcome him on board”
Richard Mellor, Managing Director
Criminal Records Bureau Checks – Comment
Richard Mellor, Managing director of Cummins Mellor Recruitment reports the increase in demand for CRB checks but warns that as recently highlighted in the press, the importance of using a current registered umbrella body cannot be underestimated. There have been allegations that employers are abusing the system to snoop on recruits but the response of the CRB states that:-
“Employers cannot ‘snoop’ on recruits without their knowledge – each application requires the individual’s signature to show consent to a check being made. Guidance is available to all individuals before completing the form to clarify whether a disclosure is appropriate and what information they are obliged to supply the employer. A disclosure, once issued is not public property and there are strict rules about what can happen to that information. The Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) closely monitors its Registered Bodies and where errors occur does take action.”
Source CRB website
Richard continues: 
“Our specialist personnel checks division (www.personnelchecks.co.uk) always insists on seeing original documentation whether that be passport, birth certificate etc. photocopies are not accepted, and the applicant’s signature is always required. There is a lot of confusion surrounding the issue and our staff spend a lot of time investigating whether an applicant actually needs a check and if so at what level. My advice to anyone requiring a CRB check would be to do your homework and make sure that the company offering the check service is currently registered with the CRB (the CRB reduced its Registered Body network last year to improve the quality of the service) and to watch out for hidden costs –personnel checks do not charge a registration fee but some do."
Richard Mellor Managing Director Cummins Mellor Recruitment)
chef DEAN WHALLEY wins the Temp of the Year 2008 award in conjunction with Cummins Mellor Recruitment.
  
Take one qualified Chef, add a large measure of good humour, a sprinkling of professionalism and mix with a variety of contracts from Gastro pubs to Nursing Homes. Place in a hot kitchen for three years and you have our TEMP OF THE YEAR 2008 – DEAN WHALLEY.
Dean who is currently working at the Walton Arms, Altham has been a dedicated relief chef Cummins Mellor Recruitment since 2005. He constantly exceeds expectations and goes the extra mile to ensure our clients receive outstanding service and adds value to their operation.
Dean doesn’t usually have time to ‘get his feet under the table’. He can be preparing dinner in a 4 star hotel one day and cooking fish and chips for the residents in a Nursing Home the next. In fact, such is his commitment that he has, on many occasions, responded to our last minute pleas for help and completed his day shift in one establishment and then travelled to another several miles away for an evening session. This he does without complaint – he is a Saint in Chefs Whites.
Rarely in my 15 years as a Recruitment Consultant have I seen such commitment from an unassuming, selfless and modest individual says June Crossley head of hospitality at CMR
  
Charity trekkers reach their target with cheque from Cummins Mellor Recruitment June 2008
The three mums have raised a total of £10,000 between the 3 of them for Breast Cancer Care. Bag packing, collecting at local football clubs, non uniform days, candle parties, pamper evenings and card making parties as well as generous donations from family and friends. This September, they will be taking part in a very special challenge by traveling to Peru to walk the Matchu Picchu Trail to raise money for this excellent and very worthy charity.
The trek will take them ten days and nights; sleeping will be camping with very limited facilities. They will be walking for up to eight hours a day at altitude in the Peruvian Andes over High Mountain passes and through forests as well as passing through a number of local communities; this of course will be much easier in the knowledge that a lot of people are giving their support. Details of their progress will be posted on http://cheftrek.blogspot.com/
“Cummins Mellor Recruitment is delighted to support such a worthwhile charity. Breast Cancer Care is the UK’s leading provider of information, practical assistance and emotional support for anyone affected by breast cancer. “ Richard Mellor (Director)
Around 44,000 women as well as 300 men are diagnosed with breast cancer every year in the UK and every 13 minutes someone receives the devastating news that they have breast cancer.
Pictured: Michelle Mellor CarolineAughton and Jayne McCraith
The CMR team takes part in the Legends charity football event 2008 .. .Cummins Mellor Football Team
-
Business is Booming! May 2008
Six New Recruits for Cummins Mellor Recruitment
Despite the current economic climate it is good news to hear that an East Lancs. based Independent Recruitment Company is experiencing an unprecedented growth curve and has just filled six internal vacancies .Read more>
It was business (not quite) as usual for the Accrington based Recruitment Consultancy. The CMR sales team have fun at work with a light hearted, patriotic hat competition to mark the National Day. Read more>
-
Investment in People Pays Off ... April 2008
Six successful Cummins Mellor Recruitment Consultants pass the professional exam in Recruitment Practice. This now brings the total to 17 consultants qualifying in the last three years. Read more>
-
Time for change if employers want the best chefs’ say recruitment experts
The conundrum of finding and keeping quality chefs can be an unenviable task for employers, but hospitality recruitment specialists, Cummins Mellor, who themselves employ 26 members of staff, say this need not be the case. read more>
-
REWARDING WORK November 2007
CUMMINS MELLOR RECRUITMENT celebrates another very successful year. read more>
-
Top marks for local recruiters
19th March 2007
Cummins Mellor Recruitment is celebrating a scholarly victory after four of its staff passed the Certificate in Recruitment Practice exam with flying colours. read more>
-
Local recruiters inspired by celebrity chef
Service Please..?
I recently travelled to Durham with my husband and daughter to attend the university open day. The journey took just over3 hours. We arrived ready for a bite to eat before embarking on the 3 hour show round of the wonderful city and colleges. We choose a good quality hotel and sat on beautiful comfortable sofas in the lounge area after deciding on a light bar snack to keep us going until dinner. Waiting for a member of staff to serve ..
>read more
Leading Lancashire Recruiter flies top Hospitality Consultant to Monaco >read more
    
|
