the people people
the people people
Tamesides Multi-Award winning professional service provider and the North West trusted people partner.
We are committed to continuous growth in both knowledge and expertise. Our focus is on innovation and evolution to adapt to the local economy, enabling us to support our local community and businesses in achieving success.
Our mission is to be the recruitment agency of choice for local individuals, connecting them with local job opportunities.
Bennett Staff is an independently owned and operated recruitment agency, originally established in 1958 as Bennett Secretarial Services. Our foundation rests on the extensive experience of our late founder, Mr. Roy Bennett.
Today, the agency is led by our Managing Director, Claire Wolstenholme, and Operations Director, Robbie Harrison, both of whom began their careers as apprentices in the 90s, along with several other long-serving staff members.
For over 66 years, we have been transforming lives in the Tameside area, embodying our mission of "local people, matched to local work."
Based in Hyde and serving much of the North West region, we take pride in offering a comprehensive temporary and permanent recruitment service tailored to meet our clients' needs.
We have established a strong reputation as a market leader in staff recruitment services across various sectors, : including Commercial - All Office, Industrial & Distribution, Catering, and Hospitality.
We adhere to high business ethics and actively promote equality and diversity as fundamental principles in our operations. Our team thrives on each other’s enthusiasm for recruitment and is dedicated to understanding the needs of both our clients and candidates.
This commitment is evident in our daily activities. We aim for success, meet targets, and achieve our goals. We enjoy the excitement and challenges that come with each day, never knowing what job opportunities might arise.
Customer satisfaction is essential for our continued progress. Identifying the right talent for various roles is one of the more challenging aspects of our work. What sets us apart is our unique approach to making it happen.
We consistently strive to match the right candidate with the right job, serving as a one-stop shop for all your recruitment needs. We are an employment agency you can trust, dedicated to adding value and fostering positivity in everything we do.
We believe that building lasting relationships through transparency and collaboration is crucial to our success. Bennett Staff serves as an employment agency for permanent staff and as an employment business for temporary workers.
Claire Wolstenholme
Managing Director
Name: Claire Wolstenholme
Title: Managing Director
Summary of experience:
Originally started in 1990 as an Office Junior then progressed up the ladder covering many desks and learning all aspects of recruitment from secretarial, catering, and industrial. During this time I also attended private shorthand and several other courses. Loved every minute!
In 2000 I joined the board of Directors to take the business to the next level. 2016, I became Co-Secretary and MD.
My role now is still very varied if not more than before, it’s about keeping a bird’s eye view on absolutely everything from customer satisfaction, marketing, cash flow, keeping temporary workers and clients happy not to mention keeping our team happy with the help from my co-director Rob. Ensuring the business performs to its growth strategy whilst maintaining its original “family feel” culture and values.
Why I love my job:
Not many people can say after 33 years of service that they love their job – but I do! It’s all about the people and having job satisfaction. Our biggest asset is our team, they work so hard to give a “first-class service”. I feel as a leader, you have to lead from the top and treat people as you want to be treated this goes in every job not just mine.
The best thing about the North West:
Being a born and bred Lancashire lass, its about being part of the local community and giving back to those less fortune than me. I like to do my bit for local business and charity. We work hard then play hard.
In my spare time:
I am a firm believe of live for the moment, I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, we go away some weekends. I enjoy walking, music, spending time doing my garden.
Robbie Harrison FIRP
Operations Director
Name: Robbie Harrison
Title: Operations Director
Summary of experience:
I started with Bennett’s in 1999 as Branch Reception/Administrator, I worked my way up to support the sales team and became a Commercial Recruitment Consultant.
An opportunity arose in 2002 in our Oldham branch, within 2 years after I became Recruitment Manager, managing a team of staff.
In 2007 I became Operations Manager tasked to take Bennett’s to the next level, this was challenging but very rewarding. Then in January 2016 I was proudly appointed to be a Director of the business.
Why I love my job:
I love my job because I always have the desire to succeed and never fail. I enjoy the hustle and bustle of the business and the variety the role brings. Candidate and client satisfaction has always been a big focus of mine, and when we can see we’ve truly helped make a difference the their lives or businesses, it a great sense of job satisfaction. I know after all these years I’ve helped 1,000’s of people in to work and this is great to look back on, and gives me the determination through my team now to keep improving the business.
The best thing about the North West:
Apart from the fact it’s the home of football, it’s a great place to work, with genuine people and has a rich history in culture and business.
In my spare time:
I enjoy family walks and hiking with our Border Collie Milo, going to the gym and dining out. When I have spare time I also enjoy DIY and renovating our house.
Joanne Needham
Senior Recruitment Consultant
Name: Joanne Needham
Title: Senior Recruitment Consultant
Summary of experience:
I’ve been at Bennett Staff for over 25 years. During this time, I have covered all aspects of recruiting including Office, Industrial and Hospitality. My role as a 360 consultant covering both temporary and permanent roles in all sectors.
Why I love my job:
It’s never boring! I enjoy the challenge of hitting targets, meeting new people and working for a company that I can be proud to say has a great reputation.
The best thing about the North West:
The people!
What I do in my spare time:
I work hard and play hard! I love time away with my husband and friends whether its camping or trips abroad in the sun! I have 4 fantastic children and 6 grandchildren and cherish family meals and outings and sleep overs at mine.
Julie Maher
Accounts Executive
Name: Julie Maher
Title: Accounts Executive
Summary of experience: I joined Bennett Staff Bureau team in August 1999 solely as a Credit Controller. Bennett’s, as a company, has grown over the years so my position now as Accounts Executive has developed to accommodate the current employment legislation changes and the increasing turnover of Bennett’s as a recruitment company.
Due to the majority of our team being longstanding, we can work together and make our service to our clients and temporary staff efficient and professional and I think this is proven by the established clients and temporary staff, some of which have used Bennett’s long before I joined
Why I love my job:
Sometimes there are not enough hours in the day and the days go far too quick. Even though my job has a monthly and weekly structure, I love a challenge and no two days are the same. Boredom is not a word used in Bennett’s.
The best thing about the North West:
The North West has changed for the better in recent years. The opening of the M60 has made our area more accessible for commuters and larger companies are able to make bases in the North West making jobs and opening a wider range of opportunities.
In my spare time:
I have many hobbies and some of them have been rekindled due to lock down. Family and grandchildren do take up most of my time but my hobbies are gardening at home and on the allotment, knitting, sewing, D.I.Y. and cycling. I love travelling abroad, but due to recent circumstances, stay cations have been the only option.
Chris Maher
Senior Recruitment Consultant
Name: Chris Maher
Title: Senior Recruitment Consultant
Summary of experience:
I started working for Bennett Staff in March 2007 as a Branch Administrator, originally, I was unsure what work I was looking for, as time progressed I enjoyed my role more and more eventually dealing with permanent recruitment then moving on to manage and run a busy temporary desk covering all aspects of recruitment in a areas of Industrial, Office and Hospitality.
Why I love my job:
Each day is different, which doesn’t make my job mundane. I like the variation of people that I speak to from Owner/Director to general cleaners
The best thing about the North West:
I was born here, and I can’t think of anything greater.
Kirsty Ellor
Payroll, Compliance & Assistant Resource Consultant
Name: Kirsty Ellor
Title: Payroll/Compliance & Assistant Resource Consultant
Summary of Experience: I joined Bennett’s in March 2022, having worked in all areas of the accounts department over the last 14 years I have built up an extensive amount of experience using all different accounts packages. I have great communication skills and enthusiasm which is a powerful contribution to this industry.
Since joining Bennett Staff I have completed GDPR online compliance test and an in-house Telephone Customer Service test.
I am always in gear and ready to improve my skills to ensure I am up to date with the ever-changing technology to enable me to work to the best of my ability.
Why I love my job: Every day is different here, no two days the same! The fantastic team here are what makes every day a good day as everyone chips in equally for each other no matter of their job status to get things done and there is great encouragement all around the office.
The best thing about the North West: The North West is absolutely bulging with fabulous things to do and see and places to go! There is something for everyone! We are a very generous region and always one of the first to volunteer, we come together and offer for charitable events that are taking place in the whole region and the country.
What’s the best thing about being in Recruitment?
The best thing about recruitment for me is watching someone’s success story. The team here see our candidates go from unemployed to employed and further this many go on to be made permanent members of staff at their place of work. It’s always so nice to see and hear as this provides stability and even higher salaries as they become comparable employees which is fantastic!
When I hear of a candidate being made permanent it always makes me smile. I know from being a temp at Bennett’s myself before I became a permanent member of staff here, that feeling of being a success, knowing you are working hard to better your life and your future and it’s such a great feeling!
What i do in my spare time:
I go to the gym as I like to keep myself fit and healthy! At the weekends I spend time with my little boy, I love taking him to different places, play areas, beaches, fun fairs, parks and wherever we can to make special memories.
Courtney Turner
Recruitment Consultant
Name: Courtney Turner
Title: Recruitment Consultant
Summary of experience: I joined Bennett Staff in February 2022, having worked within the industry for a short time and prior to that a lengthy customer service background. My customer service background is within beauty, retail, administration, and telephone sales, dealing with new and existing clients from all over Europe. I had a small amount of recruitment experience before starting at Bennett’s, but I have continued to develop my skills and abilities along-side the fantastic team here.
Since joining Bennett Staff I have completed GDPR online compliance test and an in-house Telephone Customer Service test, and a Public Speaking Course, Face to Face Customer service and now in the process of completing my Recruitment Consultant Certification.
Why I love my job: Recruitment is like nothing I have ever done before; no 2 days are the same and the job can be competitive and challenging. These are just a few of the reasons why I love what I do. My biggest motivator is that I can have such an influence in peoples lives, I can help a person who is giving up and help them see light at the end of the tunnel. I like to use my energy to motivate those around me and help everyone be their best self and succeed.
The best thing about the North West: The best thing about the North West is the people, culture, and diversity. Every person I encounter has a completely different personality and is so diverse in their own way. The North West is brimming with talented people of all different countries, religions, and completely different walks of life and getting to work along side these people is a fantastic experience.
What’s the best thing about being in Recruitment? Id say the best thing about being in recruitment is bettering other peoples lives and tackling situations and challenges. I’m 100% a people person, so working with the public on a daily basis is so rewarding and seeing the effect I have on people is extraordinary.
Kelsie Morton
Recruitment Consultant
Name: Kelsie Morton
Title: Recruitment Consultant
Summary – I joined the team on the 23rd January 2023. Having over 8 years sales and customer service background and some knowledge of recruitment i thought this was the new challenge I needed. During my time so far i have successfully completed a GDPR online compliance test, an in-house telephone customer service test, Time management and public speaking course. Currently undertaking a Recruitment Consultant course.
Following the completion of training, and in-house coaching approaching my 12 months with Bennett’s i have been success in being promoted to Recruitment Consultant, recruiting for all sectors in Office, Industrial and Hospitality.
Why I love my Job – Being part of a vibrant out going team who are always happy to give a helping hand. Nothing is ever the same on a day to day basis
The best thing about the Northwest – The Northwest as many different varieties of restaurants. Which helps with having many different cultures and personalities, also Manchester City Football Club
The best thing about working in recruitment – Is knowing your helping someone shine in a new career and the ability to meet new people daily.
What I do in my spare time – I tend to go out for meals with friends and family. I also enjoy watching Manchester City Play, and making memories with my family.
Shane Wolstenholme
Maintenance
Name: Shane Wolstenholme
Title: Maintenance
I originally started with Bennett Staff in 2006 as a temporary cleaner, helping out when the permanent cleaners were off sick or on holiday.
I helped over the years with the maintenance and closure of the branches, repainting, putting shelves up, stock levels, and putting furniture together. Key holder responsibilities since 2007.
2015 we closed HO, which meant emptying all the stock, and furniture and leaving it in a good state of repair for the landlords. 2016 I became a permanent member of the team, having the responsibility for the upkeep of the main sales and accounts office. This includes all the maintenance, tip runs, confidential shredding runs, ensuring nothing runs out of stock, Painting, and all snagging jobs. On-call for emergencies. Due to the office being open to the public everything needs to be hazardous-free on a daily basis.
