Over 1,000 guests packed into London’s Grosvenor House Hotel last Wednesday night to toast the winners of the Recruiter Awards for Excellence 2005, supported by Thomas International and hosted by comedian Jimmy Carr.

Driver agency ADR Resources made Recruiter Awards history by scooping the Gold Award for the second year in a row, presented by award sponsor Revoco. Emma Guyton, managing director of ADR Resources (pictured with ADR's Keith Churchhouse and, to left, Revoco's Ursula Little), said: “ We can’t believe it. I guess it was down to our innovative approach at tackling the overseas and the UK market.”

Ruella James scored a hat-trick by winning the award for Best Recruitment-to-Recruitment Firm for the third consecutive year.

Managing director Ruella Crouch said: “It’s unprecedented to win the award three years in a row. We’re definitely coming back next year.”

Joslin Rowe gained two awards, for Best Accountancy/ Financial and Best Office Support Agency. Alison Leach, associate director of Joslin Rowe, said: “I’m really excited about winning this award. It will mean that we will be able to get more business because of the acknowledgement we will receive. I am sure we will be back next year to defend it.”

Badenoch & Clark also celebrated a double by winning Best Public Sector Agency and the Award for Training and Development. Will Shepherd, executive director of Badenoch & Clark, said: “We’ll have to work even harder next year, because each year there’s new people we haven’t heard of. We’ll have to stay on our toes for what is a very competitive market.”

Bill Grubbs, chief operating officer of Spring Technology, which won Best IT Recruitment Firm for the second time, said: “It’s very prestigious to win the IT recruitment award two years in a row. We need to continue to be innovative with fresh ideas for the industry.”

Best Newcomer went to Northern Ireland agency Bond Financial Selection. Joint managing director Jonathan St Clare said: “The award gives us a lot of confidence and will give the business more impetus. We are looking to expand and this will allow us to take standards to the next level.”

Toni Cocozza, managing director of IT recruitment agency DP Connect, won the Gary Clark Award for outstanding contribution to the recruitment profession.

For all the winners, see page 23.