What have been your biggest achievements or learnings so far from building the desk together this year?
Melissa Popaj, Environmental Health Recruitment Consultant, “Between the three of us, we have developed a wealth of Environmental Health knowledge due to us all working various roles within our respective areas.
Since we have started, changes to legislation including the introduction of the Renters Right Act have resulted in a focus on Private Sector Housing roles especially within Ollie’s and my areas which has resulted in us developing a strong understanding of what councils looking for in clients across this discipline.
Teddy on the other hand, has worked more Food Safety and Environmental Protections roles which has resulted in him having more knowledge on these disciplines. This then compliments as it enables us as a team to have strong industry knowledge across all environmental health, resulting in us being able to assist both candidates and clients more effectively.”
How does your team’s industry knowledge allow you to act as a consultant and trusted adviser to both clients and candidates?
Melissa Popaj, Environmental Health Recruitment Consultant, “Because between the three of us we have such a strong understanding of Housing and Environmental Health, we’re able to offer more than just a recruitment service. We understand the pressures local authorities are facing, the skills they need and the challenges that can come with recruiting into these areas.
That means we can have more meaningful conversations with clients about what they actually need, rather than simply taking a job description and sending CVs. We can challenge requirements where needed, advise on the current candidate market and give realistic feedback around rates, availability and what is likely to attract the right people.
For candidates, it’s similar. Because we understand the sector and the roles they’re applying for, we can give them honest advice about whether an opportunity is genuinely suitable for their experience, as well as helping them understand the client’s expectations. I think that sector knowledge and honesty is what allows us to build trust. We want both clients and candidates to see us as people who understand their market and can give them useful advice, rather than just being another recruiter trying to fill a vacancy.”
What experience and sector knowledge does each of you bring to the team, and how do those different strengths complement one another?
Melissa Popaj, Environmental Health Recruitment Consultant, “I think our biggest achievement so far is definitely seeing how far the desk has come in such a short space of time. With Ollie starting the desk at the beginning of the year and Teddy and me joining a few months later, the rate at which we’ve grown is something we’re all really proud of.
We’ve built a strong client base, developed our understanding of the market and, most importantly, created a really good team dynamic. We’ve each brought different strengths to the desk, but we’ve learnt how to work together and support each other, which I think has played a big part in the growth we’ve seen.
One of the biggest things we’ve learnt is that building a desk takes consistency and patience. There are definitely highs and lows in recruitment, but having three people who can share ideas, knowledge and challenges makes a big difference. Seeing the progress from where we started to where we are now has probably been the biggest achievement for all of us.”
You’ve all joined Stonehouse this year - what attracted you to the opportunity to build the Environmental Health desk together?
Teddy Johnston, Environmental Health Recruitment Consultant, “I think that having the opportunity to build a desk from the ground up and build the foundations and connections to both our clients and candidates was a really exciting opportunity.
The 3 of us joining Stonehouse at similar times has also given us the time to learn from each other, both inside and outside the office. We each cover different regions, so there is a real sense of togetherness whilst still having ownership of our patch.
It’s been exciting to be part of the team building this desk from the start and I am looking forward to seeing where this goes”.
What do you look for in an Environmental Health professional that might not necessarily come across on a CV?
Teddy Johnston, Environmental Health Recruitment Consultant, “I think technical knowledge and experience are obviously important, but we also look for people that are approachable and genuinely passionate about what they do.
Environmental Health professionals deal with a huge range of people and situations so strong communication and rapport-building skills are important.
Personality is also a big part too and not just in interviews. Someone who you can work well with and bring a great attitude to their role always stand out to us!”
What have been your biggest achievements or learnings so far from building the desk together this year?
Teddy Johnston, Environmental Health Recruitment Consultant, “One of our biggest achievements has been our ability to build up our clients and candidates from the ground up.
We have also learnt from each other. We’re always able to share ideas, experiences and just help each other out across the desk.
We are still learning every day, which is the most exciting part – our desk is going from strength to strength, and we are all excited to see just how far we can take it”.
What are you currently seeing in the Environmental Health recruitment market, and what trends or challenges should clients be aware of?
Oliver Ellison, Environmental Health Recruitment Consultant, “The introduction of the Renters’ Rights Bill has triggered a sharp rise in demand for experienced Housing Enforcement Officers. Local authorities are actively expanding their teams to keep up with shifting legislative requirements and stricter compliance standards. As a result, councils are locked in direct competition for a limited pool of specialist talent, driving up market rates and forcing employers to offer more competitive pay and flexible arrangements to secure candidates.
Alongside housing, we are witnessing a clear upturn in demand for qualified Food Safety Officers. Many local authorities are facing inspection backlogs, prompting a push to onboard dedicated officers to restore regulatory timelines and maintain public safety standards.”
What are some of the biggest recruitment challenges Environmental Health teams are facing at the moment, particularly within local authorities?
Oliver Ellison, Environmental Health Recruitment Consultant, “The Environmental Health recruitment market is currently experiencing a severe shortage of qualified Environmental Health Officers (EHOs), particularly within local authorities. With permanent vacancies remaining unfilled due to a thin candidate pool, councils are increasingly relying on interim agency cover to bridge operational gaps. However, because fully qualified and active EHOs are in such high demand, they hold significant bargaining power and with a wide choice of opportunities making it exceptionally challenging for clients to attract and secure the right talent. With this in mind there has been a big push for Local Authorities to offer out apprenticeships to get younger and new officers into the market.”
When working with a client, how do you go beyond simply filling a vacancy to understand what they actually need from their next hire?
Oliver Ellison, Environmental Health Recruitment Consultant, “When we partner with a client, we look well beyond the checklist on a job spec. A candidate can be perfect on paper, but if they don't fit the team dynamic, the placement won't work long-term.
We take the time to understand the current team culture, how contractors and permanent staff interact, so we know who will thrive in that environment. We also ask direct questions about any past issues the client has faced with interim staff. Understanding those historical pain points allows us to vet candidates more rigorously and safeguard the client against similar issues.”