A recruitment agency has celebrated its 35th anniversary in Swindon and the founder says her passion for the job is the driving force keeping her going.

Catherine Stubbs, 65, started Beavers Recruitment in Old Town in 1990 after working in other consultancies and realising there was a gap in the market for something more personal and inclusive.  

Since then she has been supporting local people and organising charity projects to give something back to her community, including working with Swindon Borough Council on their Shared Lives Scheme and recently buying a defibrillator for them.

At the 35th anniversary celebration on September 3, they also met with Owen’s World Foundation to discuss raising funds to support the installation of five bleed kits around Swindon.

Catherine said: “It’s amazing how quickly time goes but I’ve been incredibly lucky with the people I’ve met along the way and many of them have stayed in touch. There have been so many funny stories.

Christine Stubbs, founder of Beavers RecruitmentChristine Stubbs, founder of Beavers Recruitment (Image: Beavers Recruitment)

“I always feel really proud when people come back because that tells me we got it right. Maybe five or ten years later people come back in and they’re looking for a new job for whatever reason.

“Over the years we have dealt with loads of people, probably about 15 murderers, and you learn a lot about people. You learn that a murderer is probably a person you meet at the wrong time on the wrong day, but if you can get everybody out working then they have a structure to base the rest of their life on and they are at a job making new positive acquaintances.

“We work with probation and the council so that we can try and offer something for people when they come out of prison.

“I’ve been immensely lucky and I’ve met some wonderful people who have helped me along the way and worked for us for years. A lot of the people come and go.

“I have no plans to give up because I really enjoy what I do and it’s very fortunate. People know me and we try and work around the person. Not everyone has a perfect educational history, it’s just about trying to find the right companies for them. It’s been really good and really fun.”

“We want to continue to provide a local service, by local people for local people, and we look forward to serving the community”, Catherine added.