What is your name and role?
Brian Stahelin, Founder and MD
What is your organisation?
Stafflex Limited
What is your sector?
Employment Agency and Business
Can you describe what your organisation does?
We help employers make money by saving time on the recruitment of temporary and permanent staff within Office, Engineering, General Industrial and Education sectors.
How many staff do you employ?
Currently we have 22 direct employees and an average of 350 a week through temporary assignments.
What does your role entail?
With a recently appointed Senior Leadership Team in place, my role is primarily as Coach, to be available to the team for guidance and advice.
What attracted you to start/operate your business in Huddersfield?
Like many others who set up a business from scratch, I was at a watershed regarding what job to go into next. I had almost 25 years in the recruitment profession covering most roles in an organisation and servicing a wide variety of niche employment sectors throughout the UK. The opportunity to establish a business with only 3 miles travel to work, doing something I knew about and enjoyed, was an absolute must.
What are some of your biggest business achievements?
One is to have created, and with colleagues, developed a business generating £5m+ sales turnover and currently servicing up to 100 customers weekly, which is now at a positive tipping point for steady growth.
Additionally, as a result of being in business locally, being invited to be Chair of the MYCCI, Trustee of KAL, and Entrepreneur in Residence at The University of Huddersfield. I am also proud to be a founding member of Huddersfield Live, hosts of the Food and Drink Festival and Winter Festival in Huddersfield as well as Huddersfield Unlimited, Huddersfield Hub and KACCL (Kirklees and Calderdale Charity Lunch).
I am also proud to say that wherever possible we purchase goods and services locally. We also return a chunk of our turnover to local charitable and social organisations as a thank you to the area within which we earn our living.
Can you share any recent positive news about your business?
Yes! Our business has returned to pre COVID Pandemic levels and since 2020, we have since recruited 5 additional staff and developed a younger invigorated and aspirational Senior Leadership Team. We find Huddersfield to be a great place to do business, and we are constantly on the lookout for good people to join us as we plan ahead.
What advice would you give to someone looking to set up or relocate their business in Huddersfield?
Huddersfield is very well situated for trading across the North of England. Also accessible to road, rail, sea, and air routes to the rest of the UK, Europe and globally.
Research the area thoroughly, then connect and network with as many business groups as possible. It is an invaluable way to find suppliers and customers without needing to be pushy about it.
What are your hopes for Huddersfield 10 years from now?
It would be great if the current local rejuvenation plans were brought to fruition. The building of modern fit for purpose business accommodation would entice “white collar” as well as other service and manufacturing companies to remain, relocate or open in the town and surrounding areas. That will help Huddersfield be a ‘destination’ as well as more people spending their money with local grocery, retail, and hospitality outlets.
On a personal level, what do you love most about the town?
Whilst not an exhaustive location, it is not too big to be impersonal, and has good education facilities from primary school through to university level. It is hotbed for musicians, there is a range of sports, and it has a remarkable history as well as good links to transport. I can also see it becoming more cosmopolitan, but it is close to great countryside too. And of course, the people are friendly, which is always an important aspect to me!
Where is your favourite place to eat/drink in Huddersfield?
There is a wide variety of good restaurants in Huddersfield covering all styles of cuisine—too many good ones to single out a favourite! But my personal top choices would be somewhere Italian or Indian.
As far as pubs are concerned, for me, they must be unpretentious and serve hand pulled ales.
Are there any recommendations or local knowledge you would like to share with a visitor?
Go up Castle Hill with a map of the area to get a good idea of where places are. It’s also great to walk along the many canals, local parks, and hills Huddersfield has to offer.