Strategic hire triggers recruitment drive as Leeds-based Bailie Group tops £50m

Having boosted headcount by 30% during the pandemic, family-owned communications specialist Bailie Group has announced the appointment of the company’s first learning and development manager and the creation of a further 116 roles – as the organisation marks a milestone of £50m turnover.

Placing people at the centre of its plans to grow revenue by 60% in the next three years, the group of agencies and consultancies will supercharge career prospects throughout the organisation with experienced learning and development manager, Andy Tupman, taking the lead.

Joining from StepChange Debt Charity, Andy brings over 20 years’ experience in implementing training processes for organisations including Yorkshire Building Society and First Choice holidays.

Specialising in developing award-winning early careers pipelines to entice the next generation of staff — as well as producing initiatives to maximise current employee prospects — Andy’s expertise will prove crucial as the business looks to grow, retain and attract talent.

Andy comments: “It couldn’t be a more exciting time for me to join the business following a period of sustained growth which has seen each of Bailie Group’s subsidiaries extend their offerings. This has presented a fantastic opportunity to welcome fresh talent with a range of skills as well as continuing to nurture those already embedded within our various teams.”

The latest recruitment drive follows a period of growth which has seen the organisation welcome 95 new members to the team, including 29 senior hires, over a two-year period. Meanwhile, a six-month project will see the Group enhance its employer proposition in a bid to encapsulate and communicate what makes Bailie Group an attractive place to build a rewarding career.

Striving to promote further diversity and nurture the next generation of leaders, the Group has also extended its apprenticeship offering – with a total of 21 vacancies ranging from cybersecurity to finance, and marketing to software development. With industry level qualifications starting at level 3, right through to degree apprenticeships, the new scheme presents applicants of all ages and backgrounds with an opportunity to take steps into a long-term career.

Commenting on the Group’s investment in talent, Lynne Poole, head of people at Bailie Group, shares: “We know how much value and vibrancy young people can bring to our business and at Bailie Group we have so much to offer – which is why we felt it important to offer a range of different apprenticeships across various levels within the business. And Andy’s experience putting in place pathways to success – for both new team members and existing colleagues – will prove invaluable as we continue to build our teams and bring fresh talent into each company, whether through apprenticeships or via more traditional routes.”

Andy continues: “There’s no question that the pandemic has impacted the educational experience for those starting out in their career journey – but we want to help ensure it doesn’t unnecessarily impact long-term prospects too. The circumstances have seen an increase in people pursuing the apprenticeship route, which is a really good indication that our openings will prove popular with people in the early phases of their career, or for those looking to change their professional pathway. Unlike many other schemes of this kind, our opportunities will extend far beyond the traditional apprenticeship route, offering permanent roles and ongoing learning and development plans. We’d love to see local people taking interest in the positions that we have on offer, and to see our investment creating a positive impact — especially in our local communities.”

Bailie Group — which currently comprises CDS, CDS Defence & Security, Newspress and Loop, plus the recent acquisition, Ubi-Tech — supports clients in a range of sectors, including government, defence, education, financial services, healthcare, housing and automotive. Typically delivering projects which keep people safer, help the UK transport system move more effectively, and better connect citizens with social services, for example, the goal is to strengthen the Group’s portfolio by acquiring further talent that can make a positive difference to UK society.

Currently employing 384 colleagues across the group, the 158-year-old business is targeting £80m turnover by the end of 2024.