The Mover magazine’s Richard Pegler sat down with Caroline Seear, CEO of Red Recruit Global, to talk about her journey in the removals sector, the changes she has seen - and her thoughts on where the industry is headed.
From business beginnings to career highlights, here’s what Caroline had to say.
Richard: Let’s start at the beginning: when did you establish Red Recruit Global?
Caroline: Red Recruit Global was founded in 2002, at a time when there were very few decent or ethical specialist recruiters in the removals sector, and the relocation industry was only just beginning to take shape. My son Olly had just been born, and I wanted the flexibility of being my own boss. At the same time, a lot of people in the removals industry were already reaching out to me for assistance, which showed me there was a real gap in the market. I was also encouraged by Reg Allen, founder of Harrow Green (now Restore). He was, and still is, an amazing person, an entrepreneur, and a leading light in the commercial moving industry. His encouragement gave me the confidence to take the leap and establish Red Recruit Global. Over the years, we’ve grown internationally, but removals and relocation remain very much at the heart of what we do.
Richard: For those who don’t know, what does Red Recruit Global do, and what’s your area of expertise within the removals sector?
Caroline: We’re a recruitment agency specialising in shipping, freight forwarding, logistics, relocations, fine art, removals, and sales and marketing. Within removals specifically, we recruit across the full spectrum – from porters and HGV drivers, to move managers, surveyors, and senior directors. Our strength lies in understanding both the “technical” and the “people” side of the industry, which allows us to match candidates not only on skills, but also on culture fit. In the removals sector, culture fit is by far the most important factor, as it is such a people-driven industry.
Richard: What first attracted you to the removals industry?
Caroline: It was the people. This sector is full of characters, with strong work ethics and a real sense of camaraderie. I liked that it was hands-on, fast-moving, and very much about trust. You are, after all, moving people’s homes and lives, and that is something deeply personal. Quite honestly, there’s no other industry quite like removals. It is completely people-orientated in a way that sets it apart from some of the other sectors we also recruit for, and that’s why it has always remained a personal favourite of mine.
Richard: What changes have you seen in the industry over the past few years?
Caroline: Technology has been the biggest driver of change ...
Photo: Richard Pegler, Publisher of The Mover magazine and Director of The Movers and Storers Show.