Ministry of Furniture launches recruitment business with social aims at its heart

Ministry of Furniture, which specialises in designing and creating inspirational workplaces and educational environments, has added a new string to its bow by launching a recruitment business with a difference – with social aims at the heart of the venture.

Ministry People will be headed up by Caroline Locke, an experienced recruitment professional who worked at national recruitment agency Hays for many years before founding award-winning agency Spotless Recruitment. The new company’s managing director will be Beverley Parker, the operations director of Ministry of Furniture.

The new business will primarily (but not exclusively) focus on the construction sector, matching tradespeople and other staff with potential employers. It will differ from traditional recruitment companies by allocating a percentage of its profits to a social fund dedicated to supporting local community projects relevant to the construction sites it supports.

It will also complement the work of Ministry of Furniture and sister company Ministry Graphics, a bespoke printer and design company, by offering another key service required on large construction projects, builds and refurbishments: people with the skills to do the job.

Ministry of Furniture emerged from Remploy Furniture when it closed, then the UK’s largest employer of people with disabilities. The social goals and commitment to inclusivity held by Remploy were embraced by Ministry of Furniture and Ministry People will continue this ethos mirroring the priorities of the former Remploy Employment Services.

Graham Hirst, managing director of Ministry of Furniture, said:

“We see this business as a natural complement to what we already do: we work side by side with contractors on large builds and construction projects. We already supply design and workplace solutions, but we can now partner with our clients at a much earlier stage in the timeline of a project: by supplying people with the skills required.

“We think this will become very relevant as we slowly come out of lockdown and construction sites start to pick up again across South Wales. It’s an area where we feel well connected but by working with someone of Caroline’s experience, we believe this venture can be a big success and gain traction in the market quickly.

“We are also proud of the fact that we will be putting social aims at the heart of this venture. We will be ringfencing a percentage of all profits aside to be used for community ventures agreed in partnership with the client and based on what local communities require.”