In a landmark year of recognition, Engage People has been awarded Best in Practice – Accountancy & Finance at the Employment & Recruitment Federation (ERF) Awards, while Rob Cullen, the company’s Insurance & Mortgages Recruitment Manager, earned the title of Consultant of the Year in Permanent Staffing. The firm has also been named a Finalist in the SFA National Small Business Awards 2026, shortlisted in the Workplace Wellbeing category.
For Engage People, these accolades are reflective of the deliberate culture the company has built since its founding in 2016. What began as a specialist recruitment consultancy has evolved into a purpose-led, high-performing business with a clear three-year scale-up vision and plans to expand across Ireland and internationally.
In an industry often associated with long hours and burnout, Engage People has taken a different approach. The company has intentionally designed a workplace centred on wellbeing, learning, and long-term performance. Wellbeing is embedded into every policy and decision, from leadership development and flexible work practices to community initiatives and a focus on meaningful, sustainable careers. This commitment is now recognised at national level through the company’s SFA Awards nomination.
According to Founder and Director, Paul McClatchie, “2025 has been a year of exciting growth for Engage People. In addition to growing our core business across Insurance, Accounting and Technology, we are launching our Executive Search business and a Property Division. Yazmin Scala joins us following an 8-year period with Raines and Boyden in the US and European Executive Search markets. Ben Lillington-Lester worked in the Property sector for 15 years, running a number of successful high profile Residential Sales branches before moving into Recruitment in 2019. He specialises in the Real Estate space and brings an exciting new dimension to our team. Engage People is on an exciting growth path and plans to open regionally across Ireland as part of our 2025-28 vision.”
For Rob Cullen, the ERF recognition highlights the strength of the wider team.
"I’m over the moon to have picked up this accolade. This award is an opportunity to raise the bar for our profession a reminder that recruitment, when done properly, is never just about placements. It’s about building reputations, for our candidates and for the firms we represent. I’m proud of how far I’ve come, but even prouder that every step has been built on relationships, not shortcuts. This award motivates me to keep raising standards to show that when you lead with integrity, collaboration, and genuine human connection, you don’t just change careers, you change the industry.”
As Engage People enters its next phase of growth, it’s clear that investing in people, clients, candidates, and employees, is the foundation of its success.