Seven Years In…

This July marks a full seven years of Camilleri Appointments. There’s always talk of the seven-year itch, but I can honestly say that I’m not experiencing this in the slightest… instead I am feeling a genuine sense of energy and invigoration.

What seven years looks like

On the surface, quite a lot has shifted in the organisation. We are a team of five now and support candidates at every stage of the recruitment process including the provision of on-boarding coaching from two dedicated coaches. We’ve rebuilt the website. We are running roundtable events for our network. I have an amazing community of people who regularly feed into and shape our proposition to ensure it is reflective of our network's current needs. As market conditions are rapidly evolving, it is important to be adaptable and acknowledge the changing needs of the transport clients that Camilleri Appointments serves. Through it all, the business has surpassed what I originally set out to build. Which is both wonderful and slightly terrifying.

There have been challenges, of course. I’ve had to ask for help regularly and will continue to do so as the organisation evolves, and I’ve been immensely grateful every time for the patience and kindness that is afforded to me by my vast network of other recruiters and transport professionals - which is just one reason why I will always try and help others if I can.

The reason why I originally set-up Camilleri Appointments, though, hasn’t changed a bit.

I set up on my own because I wanted to truly put people first (genuinely, not as a tagline). I wanted to build something where integrity was a non-negotiable. And I really wanted to be free to give back in the ways that matter to me, without having to justify these critical investments to anyone.

Our sponsorships of Rebuilding Futures Alliance, Women in Transport, and the UK Bus Awards are yearly commitments I’m incredibly proud of being able to make and on top of that we are investing in and creating thought leadership though the regular hosting of round tables and other industry events. Our network is critical to our continued success, and we are committed to adding value and strengthening our reach at every possible opportunity.

One of the things that has brought me the most personal joy is the mentoring that I do. I’m currently working with my fifth mentee through the Women in Transport ADVANCE programme - and every single conversation reminds me why this matters. When I present to new cohorts on the Women in Transport LEAD programme about my journey in business, I try to be as honest as I can. The wins, but also the wobbles and the moments of doubt. I think that honesty is more useful than a polished success story.

Always grateful

Seven years in, the thing I feel most is gratitude – for the clients who trust me and the candidates who let me be part of a significant decision in their career. And also for the people who have supported Camilleri Appointments and backed me without being asked.

There are days when running your own business is absolutely not fun, of course. But there are more days when a brilliant person finds the right role, a client comes back because they trust you, a mentee takes a leap they weren’t sure they could take. Those days make it worth every complicated one.

Here's to the next chapter and the exciting adventures that year eight will bring!