Draft:Pertemps Network Group

Pertemps Network Group is the largest independently owned recruitment agency in the UK. They work with both private and public sector clients, offering recruitment and staffing solutions. The company was founded in 1961 by Constance Watts. Their current CEO is Steve West.

The Financial Times named Pertemps as gold-rated on their 154 UK's Leading Recruiters 2024 list. As of November 2023, they have also been named in the Best Companies To Work For Top 100 List for 17 consecutive years.

In 2022, the company reported a turnover of £1.17 billion.

1961-1981
Constance Watts founded the first Pertemps branch in 1961, using a £500 loan from her husband. Situated in a small office on Temple Street, Birmingham, the company generated £50,000 turnover in its first year.

Constance's son, Tim Watts, first joined the business in 1971 after the opening of their Wolverhampton branch in 1970.

1982-2010
Tim Watts assumed control of the business from his mother in 1982. He remains in the business to the present day as Lifetime President.

Watts set up the Employee Benefit Trust in 1994, allowing staff to own shares in the company.

2012 merger
In 2012, Pertemps merged with Network Group to form the UK's largest privately owned recruitment agency.

2013-present
Pertemps celebrated 60 years in business in 2021. In this year, Tim Watts stepped back from the daily running of the business, with Steve West becoming Group Chief Executive Officer and Carmen Watson becoming Chair of the Group.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Pertemps won a contract to employ staff at testing sites.

Horse Racing
Pertemps has a long sponsorship history with the Jockey Club, the largest commercial horse racing organisation in the UK. They have sponsored the Pertemps Network Final Handicap Hurdle at The Cheltenham Festival since 2002. Pertemps also became the sponsor of the Group 1 July Cup in 2023.

Dragon Boat Race
Pertemps has taken part in Birmingham Children's Hospital's Dragon Boat race in 2022, 2023 and 2024. In 2023, they became part of the BCH Changemakers, a group of companies aiming to raise £1million a year for the hospital.

Blind Dave
Pertemps has a history of sponsoring Dave Heeley, also known as Blind Dave. For Dave's 2017 Great Run Series challenge Pertemps donated £1,000 per run. They also sponsored his 800-mile Escape from Colditz ride, where he made a final pitstop at the company's headquarters in Meriden.