From the four corners of the UK, companies large and small, from every imaginable sector, crowded into the Grosvenor’s Great Room to recognise and celebrate excellence in an industry that continues to defy the economic odds.

There were 27 award categories presented this year, one more than last year. New categories included Best Corporate Social Responsibility Strategy and Best Back Office Support Team. After a year’s absence, there was a welcome return for the Best Commercial Recruitment Firm award.

DeeDee Doke, editor of Recruiter, paid tribute to the “formidable achievements of the UK’s professional recruiters in 2008”. While 2008 had been “no easy time”, “the strong and the innovative continue to provide outstanding service to UK, European and global employers”.

Comedian Michael McIntyre, who compèred the Awards, virtually had the audience eating out of his hands as he regaled them with his ready brand of wit.

McIntyre even managed to wring laughs out of the recession from an audience that has felt much of its pain. One of the biggest laughs of the night came from his quick-witted quip to a software supplier in the audience: “Three million candidates, two vacancies: Who needs software?”

McIntyre’s exit from the stage left the audience gagging for more.