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About Us
The Understanding Recruitment Group
Our Mission
We Exist To Unlock Life-Changing Opportunities, For Everyone.
The Understanding Recruitment Group is made up of four employee owned brands with offices in the UK and the US. We’re proud to be a trusted recruitment partner for some of the best technology-driven businesses across the UK, Europe and the US, specialising in tech recruitment.
What Makes Us Different?
The UR Difference
We've received the very sought after 3-star Best Companies accreditation. As the highest standard of workplace engagement, representing organisations that truly excel, the 3-star status is awarded to organisations with a BCI score of 738 or higher and reflects 'world class' levels of workplace engagement.
Who We Are
Experts in Tech Recruitment
Our teams of specialists recruit across all areas of technology including Java, JavaScript, Python, .Net, DevOps, Machine Learning & AI, Hardware Acceleration, Digital, Data, and many more. Our brands collaborate with clients in the private, charity, and public sectors throughout the UK, Europe, and the US.
Our Values
Recruitment is pretty similar everywhere you go. It's the team environment that can really make a difference in how you feel about coming to work. We're really proud of the team-orientated culture we've created and put a lot of emphasis on supporting each other and winning together!
Our culture is based on our five values:
Reputation is everything.
We wholeheartedly embrace the value of integrity, placing it at the forefront of everything we do, because we understand that a steadfast reputation grounded in transparency and professionalism is the driving that makes us stand out from the competition.
Never, ever give up.
We embody the value of "never ever give up" as we persistently pursue our goals and overcome challenges with unwavering determination, always striving to achieve success and deliver exceptional results.
Exceed expectations, always.
We are fuelled by the unwavering commitment to exceed expectations, always. With an unyielding drive, we push beyond boundaries, go the extra mile, and consistently surpass what is expected, ensuring that our clients and candidates receive nothing short of exceptional service and remarkable results.
Together stronger.
Embracing the philosophy of "Together stronger," we recognise that unity and collaboration are the foundations of our success. By fostering a supportive and inclusive environment, we harness the collective strengths, talents, and ideas of our team, empowering us to overcome challenges, achieve remarkable outcomes, and stand stronger together than we ever could alone.
Be the very best you.
With the guiding principle of "Be the very best you," we wholeheartedly believe in the power of self-development. Encouraging personal growth and embracing individuality, we create an environment that fosters continuous improvement and empowers each team member to unlock their full potential. By nurturing a culture of self-discovery and learning, we inspire and support our team to become their most exceptional selves, driving both personal and professional success.
Understanding Recruitment Founded
Chris Jackson and Dale Swords founded Understanding Recruitment and we placed our first candidate.
First Office Opened
Our first office was opened in The Regus Office Space, St. Albans in 2008, with Rugby legend Richard Hill as our esteemed guest of honour.
Reached 10 Employee Milestone
As our team grew to 10 employees in 2009, we knew it was time for a change. So, we packed our bags and made a big move to a brand new office space in Lower Dagnall Street, St. Albans.
Moved To New Offices In The Maltings
The year 2013 was an exciting one for us. We expanded our team and moved to a new office space in The Maltings, St. Albans. Around this time, we also launched our innovative Net Promoter Score, which went on to win the prestigious 'Innovator of the Year' award at the APSCo awards. In addition, we proudly supported the Grove House Charity by participating in the Herts 10k run. To top it off, we welcomed Miles Hunt to our team as a Non-Executive Director.
Won APSCO's Innovator Of The Year Award
Our dedication to innovation and excellence was recognized in 2014 when we were awarded the prestigious APSCo 'Innovator of the Year' award, as well as the 'Best Candidate Experience Award' at the Recruitment Business Awards. Furthermore, we were thrilled to see Tom Rankin, who began his journey with us as an Apprentice, win the 'Best Newcomer of the Year' award at the IRP Awards. As a team, we also took part in the Herts 10k run and raised funds for the Rennie Grove Hospice, underscoring our commitment to giving back to the community.
Winner's Trip To Miami
In 2015, we celebrated our best performing consultants by taking them on an unforgettable trip to Miami, where they enjoyed an amazing time of team bonding and relaxation. At the same time, we were thrilled to receive recognition for our hard work and dedication. We won a prestigious award at the Hertfordshire Business Awards and were highly commended for the 'Investing in Talent Award' at the Recruiter Awards, which highlighted our commitment to nurturing and developing top talent.
Named Employer Of The Year
The year 2016 was filled with incredible achievements for our team. We proudly supported various charitable causes by completing the grueling Nuclear Races, raising funds for organizations such as the Niemann-Pick Disease Group, MacMillan Cancer Support, Willow, and the Great Ormond Street Hospital. In addition, we were honored to receive multiple awards, including the prestigious 'Recruitment Company of the Year' at the APSCo Awards for Excellence, and the 'Best Staffing Firm to Work For' award at the Staffing Industry Analysts' (SIA) Executive Forum. These awards recognized our team's unwavering dedication to excellence and our commitment to delivering exceptional service to both clients and candidates.
Names Business Of The Year
In 2017, we achieved significant milestones that reinforced our position as a leading recruitment specialist. We hosted our first Fintech meetup with Starling Bank, completed the challenging Coast to Coast Challenge and raised over £3k for Cancer Research. We were also awarded the 'Best Staffing Firm to Work For' at the Annual Staffing Analysts Executive Forum and named 'Business of the Year' at the SME Hertfordshire Business Awards.
Celebrated First Decade In Business
In 2018, we marked an important milestone as we celebrated our first decade in business and expanded our team to over 50 employees. We were thrilled to promote Sam McBroom to Director, recognizing his contribution to our success. Moreover, we were immensely proud to win the prestigious 'Best Staffing Firm to Work for UK' at the Staffing Industry Analysts SIA Awards for the third year in a row, reflecting our unwavering commitment to providing an exceptional employee experience.
Expanded To The US
2019 was an exciting year for us as we made our first foray into the US market with the launch of our office in Boston, Massachusetts, which specialises in Artificial Intelligence and Backend Engineering roles. We entrusted this crucial mission to Matthew Ferdenzi, one of our most accomplished consultants. Meanwhile, our exceptional performance was recognised as we were shortlisted for three categories at the Hertfordshire Business Awards and were finalists for the prestigious APSCo award in the 'Recruitment Company of the Year £3-10 million' category.
Celebrated Our 15 Year Anniversary
It was a remarkable year for us in 2022 as we achieved unprecedented success, including expanding our office to the entire building, marking our 15th anniversary, and treating the entire team to an unforgettable trip to Palma. We also had the pleasure of taking our top performers on a winners' trip to Miami, while our commitment to providing an exceptional workplace culture was recognised as we were named one of the Best Companies to Work For. Finally, we proudly raised almost £20k for charity through various initiatives.
Became An Employee Owned Business
We've already hit some major milestones in 2023 that we're incredibly proud of. First off, we became an employee-owned business, which means every single person on the team now has a stake in our success. It's a big step towards creating a company culture where everyone feels invested in what we do, and we're excited to see where it takes us.
We also had an absolute blast on our winner's trip to Mauritius! It was a chance for the team to celebrate all the hard work we've put in, and we definitely made the most of it. From relaxing on the beach to exploring the island's stunning scenery, it was the perfect opportunity to recharge our batteries and come back to work feeling refreshed and ready to go.
Join #LifeAtUR
Have you got what it takes?
We’re rapidly growing and doing amazing things in the world of tech recruitment and are on the lookout for driven and ambitious individuals to join us on our journey in the UK & the US.
Apprentices
Our Apprenticeship Programme takes a practical approach to learning and is a great way to continue your education while gaining hands-on experience.
Trainees
You don't have to have a degree to make a difference at UR. We welcome people from all different backgrounds thanks to our Trainee Programme.
Graduates
We're always on the lookout for driven and tenacious Graduates to join our teams in the UK and the US as Graduate Recruitment Consultants.
Consultants
Take your career to the next level with an international recruitment business that will match your ambition and support you all the way!
Team Leaders
We're on the lookout for experienced Recruitment Managers and Team Leaders to join our award-winning consultancies in the UK and the US.
Our Awards & Memberships
Team Testimonials
What the team thinks
We think the Understanding Recruitment Group is a great place to work, but don't just take our word for it, see for yourself what the team have to say!