The night air reverberated to the sound of fireworks and applause rang around as London's Grosvenor House Hotel hosted the Recruiter 2008 Awards for Excellence, supported by Thomas International.

The Grosvenor's Great Room was filled to capacity with recruiters from across the industry, who assembled in this sumptuous and glamorous setting to see the biggest and most comprehensive Recruiter Awards ceremony yet. There were 27 awards presented this year, eight more than 2007.

A number of award categories were redefined this year to recognise more tightly targeted sectors, including construction, engineering, financial services and banking, healthcare/medical, human resources, marketing, office support, and retail.

Awards were also introduced this year to recognise outstanding candidate and client care, and the best recruitment firms to work for.

DeeDee Doke, editor of Recruiter, opened the proceedings by telling the "achievers and dreamers" in the audience: "The oh-so high standard of entries this year is testament to the achievement of your ambitious dreams."

Doke also paid tribute to outstanding recruitment professionals whom the industry had lost in the last year, including the late Stephen Hill, founder and executive chairman of construction recruitment firm Hill McGlynn.

Comedian Dara O Briain compèred the awards with his unique brand of Irish wit. His masterly display of control over the audience ensured the business part of the evening was conducted at a sharp pace.

O Briain caused general amusement by asking — rhetorically, of course — what was the point of recruitment-to-recruitment agencies. He also pondered out loud whether there was a single rec-to-rec consultant standing at the very start of the supply chain.

Rock band Big Ocean provided the accompaniment throughout the night, crunching out well-loved rock anthems as the winners picked up their trophies. And the music played on well after the last award had been presented.



Awards Winners 2008

Gary Clark Individual Achievement Award presented by Recruiter
 Bob Wicks, the Verb Group

Best Accountancy Recruitment Firm sponsored by GAAPweb
Definitive Consulting

Best Construction Recruitment Firm sponsored by JobsGroup.net
Contract Scotland

Best Engineering Recruitment Firm sponsored by The Engineer
CBSbutler

Best Financial Services & Banking Recruitment Firm sponsored by totallyfinancial.com
WH Marks Sattin

Best Legal Recruitment Firm sponsored by The Lawyer
Laurence Simons International

Best Health Care/Medical Recruitment Firm sponsored by RBS
Science Recruitment Group (SRG)

Best Human Resources Recruitment Firm presented by Resourcing
Digby Morgan

Best IT Recruitment Firm sponsored by My Key Pay
Spring Group

Best Logistics Recruitment Firm presented by Logistics Manager
Hunters Solutions

Best Marketing Recruitment Firm sponsored by SimplyMarketingJobs.co.uk
EMR

Best Office Support Recruitment Firm presented by Tomorrow's People
Joslin Rowe

Best Public Sector Recruitment Firm sponsored by Guardian Jobs
LA International Computer Consultants

Best Retail Recruitment Firm sponsored by Thomas International
McCarthy Recruitment

Best Managed Service Provider sponsored by Insentua
Omni Resource Management Solutions

Best Recruitment-to-Recruitment Firm presented by Recruiter
McCall

Recruiter Hot 100 2007 Winner sponsored by RBS
Sheffield Haworth

Best Newcomer sponsored by Back Office Support Services
McCarthy Recruitment

Best Recruitment Marketing Campaign sponsored by MKH Advertising
Relay Recruitment

Best Recruitment Firm Website sponsored by Conkers.net
Search Consultancy

Best Job Board sponsored by recruiter.co.uk
guardianjobs.co.uk

Best Candidate Care sponsored by Coyle Personnel
Science Recruitment Group (SRG)

Best Client Care sponsored by Recruitment Software Solutions
Westaff (UK)

Best International Recruitment Firm sponsored by jobstoday.co.uk
Eutopia

Best Small to Medium Recruitment Firm to Work For sponsored by Mishcon de Reya
Contract Scotland

Best Medium to Large Recruitment Firm to Work For sponsored by Mishcon de Reya
MajorPlayers

Grand Prix Gold Award sponsored by McCall
LA International Computer Consultants