ARROWS GROUP PEOPLE feel on target for Olympic levels of achievement thanks to this recruiter's own in-house “high-performance academy”. The London-based global staffing firm has appointed Games gold medallist rower Greg Searle to spearhead its new academy, based on sporting performance principles such as compounding “marginal gains” in different areas for greater success. Arrows Group, a Best Company for a fourth consecutive year, finds people for technology, media, telecommunications and healthcare companies, and it's flying high. Established in 2003, it was ranked eighth last year in The Sunday Times HSBC International Track 200 for its worldwide sales. It has offices in Amsterdam, Munich and New Delhi and UK staff numbers grew from 96 to 116 last year. People give the private firm gold for Personal Growth (a top-40 positive factor score of 84%). Revenues grew by 27% to more than £37m last year, and employees feel there are few limits to being able to grow (81%). Each year £18,000 is invested in mentoring, online courses and coaching, and there are job opportunities abroad as well. Arrows Group recently held its first sales conference for the top three management tiers plus potential future leaders, brought together by Searle (who also works for another Best Company, Lane4 Management Group: see page 19). This kind of experience is valuable for the future (90%). Co-founders James Parsons and Adrian Treacy, chief executive and chief operating officer, are inspiring figures with a plan that people believe in (both 90%). One employee says: “They encourage colleagues to use their talent to the fullest, giving them the confidence to take an idea and run with it.” www.arrowsgroup.com
