Its ability to recruit, train, develop and retain key staff has been critical to the success of Orion Electrotech, a recruitment business with a turnover of more than £30 million.

The company, which supplies skilled labour and blue and white-collar contractors to the gas, construction, engineering and manufacturing sectors, aims to employ the best staff. Then it gives them the tools they need to pursue a successful career, with the help of its in-house training team.

Orion bucks the market trend for retaining staff and the average length of service is more than six-and-a-half years. This is thanks to excellent career prospects and a great working environment, along with being able to build strong relationships with clients.

A wide variety of incentives motivate staff and, for sales consultants, generous incentives are always on offer, including trips home and abroad, visits to local Michelin-starred restaurants and financial bonuses, on top of already competitive commissions. More unusually, Orion offers long-service awards, from one year upwards. They range from a bottle of champagne to £5,000 worth of holiday vouchers.

Orion is based in two sites in Reading and Aylesbury, but it ensures both offices work closely together to maintain a productive, close-knit environment and a true sense of belonging to one team. Annual company-wide events and a live information board in each office help to keep staff involved and unified.