A RECRUITMENT business named after a Harwich landmark is celebrating the milestone of helping 400 people find employment.

Lighthouse Personnel, a recruitment company based in Boxted, near Colchester, was launched in December 2017 with the ethos of being the opposite of the “cut-throat world” of recruitment.

Gerard Francis, 35, grew up near the Harwich lighthouses on Lower Marine Parade, but now lives in Colchester with wife Rosey who he co-founded the company with.

Mr Francis said he called the company Lighthouse because recruitment is about “guiding people in right direction” and his love of the lighthouse as a child.

Recruitment - (Left and right) Gerard Francis and Sam FelgateRecruitment - (Left and right) Gerard Francis and Sam Felgate (Image: Joe Nichols)

He also said he chose the name due to his faith, with the lighthouse being a symbol for God as it shines in the dark for others.  

Lighthouse Personnel, which is made up of Gerard and colleague Sam Felgate, have provided services to 114 clients, with 400 placements in nearly seven years.

The company helps people find roles in “predominately office jobs” in sales, marketing, finances, and customer service across Essex and Suffolk, with a “handful” being further afield.

Mr Francis added: “We are really proud of doing it the right way, helping people with their career search with their best interests at heart.”