NRL crowned recruitment company of the year

A North East recruitment firm is celebrating national recognition for nurturing engineering talent.

NRL, with regional branches in Blyth, Teesside and Sunderland, has been named the 2025 Recruitment Company of the Year (£50-£250 million) by APSCo UK, the professional body for staffing companies. 

The award recognises firms demonstrating strong growth, effective leadership and the ability to support talent pipelines within their sectors.

The rigorous selection process required detailed evidence of client and candidate service, colleague support and company culture, followed by a panel interview with NRL’s chief executive David Redmayne. 

Judges assessed how firms foster career progression, maintain regulatory compliance and deliver consistently high standards to clients.

NRL’s focus on diversity and community engagement, particularly in STEM, was a key factor in securing the award, while its high employee engagement also played a significant role, with 97 per cent of colleagues agreeing NRL is a Great Place to Work®. 

This has subsequently led to the company featuring on the UK’s Best Workplaces™ List, including Best Workplaces for Development™, UK’s Best Workplaces for WellbeingTM and Best Workplaces for WomenTM 2025 lists.

David, on collecting the Recruitment Company of the Year award, said: “It doesn’t get more prestigious than to be recognised by the leading voice in the recruitment sector for this highly coveted award. 

“We’re extremely proud to have been rewarded for our continued growth and success, which is a testament to our strong company culture and outstanding colleagues working across our business.

“As a family-owned business, accolades such as these hold both personal and professional meaning, and I’m proud that we can share it amongst our teams and clients.”

Samantha Hurley, APSCo UK’s managing director, added: “NRL impressed the judges thanks to their commitment to nurturing colleagues and supporting career development. 

“Staff retention and engagement rates were impressive for our sector, and this is clearly a winning formula when it comes to growing their client accounts and securing a future pipeline of talent for the industries they support. 

“Congratulations to everyone at NRL on their ongoing success and their APSCo UK award win – we're pleased to be celebrating with them.”

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