Multi-sector Relay Recruitment has awarded £250,000 equity in the company to new group business manager Laura Cousins, the first graduate of its staff development and stakeholding programme.

The Enterprise Management Initiative rewards business unit managers with training options and a growing profit-share if they reach a series of performance triggers. These include delivering budgets and opening new profit centres and getting them to make a profit within 18 months.

Managing director Steven Street told Recruiter: "This is unique in recruitment. The idea provides an exit strategy for me in the future and is a way to develop and reward the staff."

Laura Cousins added: "I have been given a vehicle to develop myself in a way that other recruiters of a similar size are just not offering. The model offers me short-term income in the form of salary; medium-term income through performance-related pay; and long-term capital value from my shareholding."

The programme is available to all Relay's staff and three have so far qualified to receive equity.