The champagne was flowing for FiveTen Group and Vedior after picking up an impressive seven awards between them at the Recruiter Awards for Excellence on Monday.

The two recruitment giants received seven of the 27 awards given out during a night of celebration at the Grosvenor House Hotel.

Among FiveTen’s trophy haul was Best Legal Recruiter awarded to Laurence Simons International, Best Marketing Recruiter, awarded to EMR and Best Financial Services and Banking Recruiter awarded to WH Marks Sattin.

Comedian Dara O’ Briain, who compèred the awards, praised the audience for their reception, telling Recruiter afterwards that it was one of the best awards ceremonies he has performed at.

Bob Wicks, chairman of Verb Group, was presented with the Gary Clark Individual Achievement Award to mark a life dedicated to the recruitment industry.

He told Recruiter: “I just think it is incredible. I have spent 38 years in this industry and to be acknowledged for the work that has taken place is absolutely superb. I am so grateful to the people who voted; all the judges who judged me. I have no idea how it all happened. This industry does not suit everybody but for those that it does it’s the best industry in the world and I love it.”

The overall winner, chosen by judges in a blind vote, was LA International Computer Consultants. Commenting on picking up the Grand Prix Gold Award, Scott Henry, managing director of LA International, told Recruiter:

“Honestly it never crossed our minds that we would win, not for a second. This award is what everybody works for. It’s the people in the company who have earned this award. The business does what is does but it’s our recruiters who do the deals. This is all about them.” LA International Computer Consultants also won the Best Public Sector Recruiter Award.

Craig Coverman, managing director of  Best International Recruiter award winner Eutopia, told Recruiter: “I couldn’t be more delighted. It’s testament to our staff, and the fact that we are doing some fantastic things internationally. Watch this space.

“We were up against some tremendous opposition. The reason we won is because of our focus on individuals.  When people move abroad it’s a big commitment. If you get it wrong domestically that’s one thing, but internationally it’s vital that you get everything right.”

Tim Sheffield, chief executive of Sheffield Haworth, winner of  Recruiter’s Hot 100 award 2007 for the recruiter with the highest gross profit per employee, (£191,129) told Recruiter: “It’s a great achievement, and reward for 15 years of building the business.

“I put it down to focusing on our sector, and having the ambition to grow the business. We only worry about ourselves not the competition. We focus on ourselves.” 

For full coverage of the awards see the 14 May edition of Recruiter magazine.