Business Details
Your Trusted Recruitment Partner in the South East
At First Recruitment Services, we have built a reputation over two decades by prioritising both candidates and clients in the recruitment process. Our dedicated team of experts provides tailored guidance, from CV preparation to interview support, ensuring the best fit for temporary or permanent roles across Sussex, Surrey, and Kent. As an independent agency, we combine local market knowledge with a personalised approach, fostering long-term relationships with businesses and job seekers alike. Our commitment to equality and transparency has earned us recognition as one of the UK's top 100 recruitment agencies. With branches in Brighton, Haywards Heath, Horsham, and Maidstone, we deliver a flexible, client-focused service that adapts to evolving industry needs.Our management team brings decades of combined experience, ensuring exceptional service quality and continuous business development. We pride ourselves on being approachable, efficient, and responsive, whether supporting candidates through their career journey or helping clients build strong teams. Testimonials from satisfied clients and candidates highlight our dedication to creating positive professional experiences. From entry-level positions to senior management roles, we specialise in connecting talent with opportunity across multiple sectors. Our success stems from a simple philosophy: putting people first, every time.
Services
Hospitality Recruitment
Temporary Staffing
Permanent Placements
CV Guidance
Interview Preparation
Highlights and features
- We offer 20+ years of recruitment expertise in the South East
- Our dedicated experts provide end-to-end recruitment journey support
- We guarantee equal treatment for all candidates regardless of experience
- Our local market knowledge ensures better job-candidate matching
- We maintain transparent communication throughout the recruitment process
What people say
Lovely and easy to talk to
Great professional experiences
Reliable recruitment agency
Amazing service
Hard work and dedication
Services
Hospitality Recruitment
We specialise in connecting hospitality businesses with skilled professionals for temporary and permanent roles. Our candidates range from entry-level staff to senior management across hotels, restaurants, and event venues. With sector-specific knowledge, we ensure placements match both technical requirements and service standards.
Temporary Staffing
Our temporary staffing solutions provide businesses with flexible workforce options for seasonal demand or project-based needs. We handle candidate vetting and onboarding, ensuring quick deployment of reliable professionals across multiple industries while maintaining compliance with employment regulations.
Permanent Placements
We identify long-term talent solutions for businesses seeking to fill permanent positions. Our process includes detailed job analysis, candidate profiling, and interview coordination to ensure cultural and professional alignment between employers and prospective employees across various sectors.
CV Guidance
Our experts provide professional CV writing assistance to enhance job applications. We focus on highlighting relevant skills and experiences in a clear, industry-appropriate format that increases candidates' visibility to potential employers through both traditional and digital platforms.
Interview Preparation
We offer comprehensive interview training to improve candidates' confidence and performance. Our guidance covers common questions, body language, and follow-up strategies while providing sector-specific insights to help applicants stand out during selection processes.
People
Michelle Merritt
Managing Director
With recruitment industry experience since 1998, Michelle leads FRS alongside two other successful agencies. She focuses on exceptional service delivery and business development while balancing global travel with theatre interests.
Lara Love
Regional Director
With 20 years in recruitment, Lara develops FRS's support team and manages marketing initiatives. She combines professional expertise with pet rescue advocacy, often bringing office mascots Misty and Nala to work.
Claire Sipple
Group Operations Director
Having spent a decade at FRS, Claire oversees daily operations and business growth. An avid marathon runner and dog lover, she balances family life with managing the company's Kent-based expansion.
Mark Smith
Recruitment Expert
Known as '24/7', Mark has placed more candidates in Mid-Sussex than any living recruiter. A Brighton & Hove Albion supporter, he combines family life with his passion for successful candidate-client matching.
Questions
What recruitment services do you offer?
We provide temporary staffing, permanent placements, and specialist recruitment solutions across hospitality, logistics, and multiple other sectors in the South East region.
How does FRS differ from other agencies?
Our 20+ years of local market expertise, dedicated personal service, and commitment to equal treatment for all candidates create better job matching outcomes.
Which areas do you cover?
We operate throughout Sussex, Surrey, and Kent with branch offices in Brighton, Haywards Heath, Horsham, and Maidstone.
How can candidates apply?
Candidates can submit their CV through our website or contact our branch offices directly for immediate recruitment support and career guidance.
Do you offer 24/7 support?
Yes, our team provides round-the-clock assistance with candidate and client inquiries, ensuring timely responses to urgent recruitment needs.
Reviews (2)
D. Sern
Nov 10, 2020
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Positive:Professionalism,Quality,Responsiveness
Great experience from Mark, really perosnable didn't sound like an automated robot and really patient.
Great experience from Mark, really perosnable didn't sound like an automated robot and really patient.
Steph
Aug 22, 2019
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They originally called me about a job!.
Called back and asked to speak to Rebecca. Return call never happened!
AVOID!!!!
Called back and asked to speak to Rebecca. Return call never happened!
AVOID!!!!
