Let’s consider the facts: the recruitment market shrunk by over 20% last year (2009) so the REC’s fall in revenue is understandable; our members were seeking to survive and obviously had less to spend on training, qualifications and other paid-for services. The REC management team supported by its Council took swift action to reduce costs, removing nearly £600k and making 11 staff redundant (15% of the REC workforce) with no impact on service delivery.

The staff, excluding the CEO, did get a 2% pay rise in 2009, however this was awarded at the end of 2008 when trading was good and the team had just delivered a stretching business plan and made over £200k surplus. The REC Council had few choices last year had we sought to break even, which would have meant large scale staff redundancies and huge cuts to member services. We decided instead to use part of our reserves to maintain services - and let’s remember that such a situation is precisely what our reserves (not profits) are intended for - such as our legal helpline, sector groups, standards, lobbying and campaigning because that’s what we as representatives of the membership thought was the right course of action during these challenging times.

In relation to Peter Cullimore’s leaked email, Peter has been a great supporter of the REC and our Finance chair until he stepped down last month on completing his term. His views have always been listened to, debated and discussed. The Council regularly reviews the financial information it receives. And, let’s be clear, the revenue deterioration last year was caused by the market. We have taken action to ensure that the REC will be around for many decades to come.

All REC members have the opportunity to vote for new Council members each year; the Council is structured so it is representative of the whole industry. However, we are non-executive directors who set strategic direction and provide oversight and scrutiny. We employ an excellent CEO and a team of experts to be visible and engage the membership on an ongoing basis. For example they met over 1,000 members last year face to face at ’On The Road’ meetings. We know that our members are highly satisfied as we measure this regularly and it has been improving steadily for the last 18 months.

The organisation is being restructured with a view to improving our service to members while at the same time continuing to reduce operating costs. We’re confident this is what our members want and expect.

Finally, the REC is an open and transparent trade body, one that we are all proud to be part of. All our contact details are on the REC website and any member is free to contact any Council member. We know that the REC is providing more value to its members and fighting on our industry’s behalf more effectively than ever before. Now more than at any time in the past there is a need for us to remain united and focused on the big issues that face us.

Angela Masters, chair REC, A+A Recruitment; Peter Searle, vice chair REC, Adecco; Jeff Brooks, vice chair REC, Prime Sourcing; Neil Smith, finance chair, Kinetic; Marshall Evans, policy committee chair REC, Staffline; Phil Westwood, standards committee chair REC
Also signed by 12 REC Council members