Two new directors officially joined the Board of the Recruitment & Employment Confederation (REC) at the organisation’s Annual General Meeting on Wednesday 22 June. Laura Clark and Sharon Seville were elected to the Board by their fellow members of the REC. Both have extensive experience in the recruitment industry and will bring new perspectives and fresh ideas to the organisation’s Board.

Laura Clark has been at The OA Group, which consists of OA Solutions and OA Recruitment, since 2008, starting as a consultant. She is now a shareholder and the group’s Managing Director.

Sharon Seville has been in the recruitment sector since 1993 and an REC member since passing her exams in 1997. She is the Owner/Director of the small, independent firm First Executive Recruitment. Sharon is also the local President of the Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce for Stockport and is also on two other boards, one as the Chair. As an REC Professional member herself, her focus will be on supporting the development of the REC’s offer for individual members.

Sarah Thewlis, Chair of the REC, and Managing Director at Thewlis Graham Associates, said:

“I am pleased to welcome Laura and Sharon to the REC Board. Their experience and insight from across the recruitment sector will be an asset to the Board. I look forward to working closely with them as we continue to ensure that the REC makes a positive impact for all stakeholders, including members, staff, partners, and the wider business community.

“I would also like to thank all the nominees who put themselves forward – it was a strong field of contenders.”

Laura Clark, Managing Director of The OA Group, said:

“I am looking forward to joining the REC Board, as my ambition is to positively impact the recruitment industry. I feel that by driving standards up, questioning everything and always looking forward to the future market, we can make a difference to our part of the economy.

“I believe in the power of diversity and voice, and I would like to be someone who holds a place on the REC Board to enable more role models with my background to have the confidence to step forward in the recruitment world.”

Sharon Seville, Director and Executive Head Hunter at First Executive Recruitment, said:

“I am excited to be joining the REC Board. Having been a member for 25 years I have seen a lot of changes in that time. The recruitment industry is facing unprecedented challenges, and even greater opportunities in our profession. I enter this role with an open mind, to listen to our members and encourage engagement across all industry sectors, with the aim of steering our ship towards recruitment being more widely recognised as a professional sector beyond the people within it. Enhancing our industry’s reputation, impact and contribution to the wider UK economy is incredibly important to me”