Written by Andy Parke and Andrea Owen, Parke Lane People
In today’s fast-paced world of hiring, the recruitment industry is often seen through a narrow lens: CVs, commissions, and placements. But at Parke Lane People, we believe recruitment should be about more than just filling a vacancy. It’s about understanding people, businesses, and long-term potential. It’s consultancy, not just agency.
Recruitment Agency vs Recruitment Consultancy: What’s the Difference?
Andy: “A traditional recruitment agency is typically transactional. There’s a vacancy, there’s a fee, and there’s a race to fill the role quickly. That can work well for urgent hires or temporary cover. But it’s not the full picture of what recruitment can offer.”
Andrea: “A consultancy approach, on the other hand, takes time to understand the business, the culture, the team dynamic, and the long-term goals. We’re here to offer advice, shape strategies, and bring in candidates who are not just available, but right.”
What Makes Parke Lane People Different
We built Parke Lane People on core values: Trust, Transparency and Quality. These aren’t buzzwords. They shape every conversation, every placement, and every long-term relationship we build.
Andy: “For us, it’s not about the latest brief. It’s about finding your best fit. We’re not a bolt-on service. We’re part of your hiring strategy.”
FAQs We Often Get Asked:
Q: How involved are you during the recruitment process?
Q: What does a recruitment consultancy actually do differently?
Andrea: “We listen first. Then we advise. We might help a business reshape a job spec, restructure a team, or even decide whether recruitment is the right answer at all. We’re not here to push CVs. We’re here to provide solutions.”
Q: How do you find the right candidates?
Andy: “Some of our best placements have come from passive candidates – people not actively looking but open to the right opportunity. Because we work closely with clients, we can articulate why their role is the right next step. That level of insight helps people say yes.”
Q: Can you work alongside our internal hiring team?
Andrea: “Absolutely. We often complement internal hiring. In fact, we wrote a whole piece on this. We add value through market insight, access to passive candidates, and discreet hiring where needed. We’re another layer of expertise, not competition.”
Q: Do you work on confidential roles?
Andy: “Yes. When roles need to be kept under wraps, either internally or externally, we manage the process discreetly and professionally.”
Living Our Core Values in 2024
In 2024, we took deliberate steps to live our values. From launching an HR Forum to give back to our professional community, to being accredited by the Independent Schools’ Bursars Association (ISBA), we’re proud of the trust we’ve earned.
We also helped clients navigate new hybrid work models, supported tricky restructure conversations, and found the right people for growing teams in a changing world.
Specialising in Finance, Marketing, and HR Recruitment
Finance: From Finance Directors and Financial Controllers to Management Accountants and Accounts Assistants, we place people who can bring structure, clarity and confidence to your numbers.
Marketing Recruitment: Whether it’s a Marketing Director, Digital Lead, Campaign Manager or Marketing Executive, we understand what makes a great marketer tick.
HR Recruitment: From Heads of People and HR Directors to HR Business Partners, standalone HR Managers and Advisors, we work with clients across Oxfordshire and beyond to place professionals who understand the commercial and human side of people management.
Andrea: “Good HR is transformative. The right HR hire can shape culture, support leadership, and drive strategy. We take HR recruitment seriously.”
Final Thoughts
Andy: “Recruitment should never be just about CVs and commissions. It should be about people, culture and fit.”
Andrea: “If you want a recruitment partner who asks the right questions before they send a CV, who supports you through the highs and the hard bits, and who genuinely cares about getting it right, you know where we are.”