FIVE MINUTES WITH: STEWART OLSEN - wants to boost Doncaster's economy and feels positive about a post Covid-19 business boom

Steward Olsen is the managing director of ORB Recruitment.

He was born and raised in Doncaster - he currently lives in Balby.

Stewart, 31, said: “My family are from the Thorn and Moorend side of town.

“I did move away when I was younger but Doncaster lured me back in and I have been back for 10 years.

“My family has roots in the coal mining industry, many worked down the pits.”

Steward feels that Doncaster has changed significantly over the past decade and he hopes to be a part of the new wave of investment and growth.

“The landscape has totally changed,” he continued.

“We have the airport now and the iport.

“I’m really hoping to fly the flag for Doncaster and I think it’s on the way up.

“I know it sounds as though I’m banging the same drum over and over here, but I think that

sometimes people are quick to talk ill of Doncaster and don’t actually realise what we have on our own doorsteps.”

In the last 12 months Stewart said that staff from ORB Recruitment have received 2.7 million in income.

“That money all goes back into the local economy and helps Doncaster grow,” he said.

“The business has tripled in size over the last 18 months and we are on track to make a 7.5 million turn over.”

Stewart started in recruitment when he was 20 years old in a telesales role.

He worked for several businesses before in 2018 he was made redundant.

This led him to starting up his own company named ORB Recruitment which currently employs 300 people across Doncaster.

The business is just three years old but Stewart believes they have had such success because of their approach to recruitment.

He said: “We see the value in the people that we work with.

“ORB is so much more than just another recruitment agency and we take pride in what we do, the people we work with and do our best to give back to the community too.

“Whilst we have plenty of jobs available for those that are looking, we also provide access to employment through up-skilling candidates as well as supporting those going through redundancy and various charity and CSR activities.

“We provide access to employment and training that isn’t available on the widespread market.”

The pandemic has made huge differences across many sectors and ORB Recruitment has not escaped from that.

“We saw a lot of people who had been made redundant coming to us,” he said.

“We helped with CV writing tips, financial advice and helped people to understand what they’re transferable skills are.”

But despite the pandemic Stewart says that the last three months have been the companies busiest period on record.

“The demand for staff is so high right now,” he said.

“There are plenty of opportunities in Doncaster.”

Because of this Stewart said he is not concerned about the upcoming end to the government’s furlough scheme.

There may be a spike in unemployment but he feels ORB Recruitment is in a good position to help those in Doncaster who need it.

ORB Recruitment specialise in health care, construction and engineering.

Stewart said: “The health care section of our business has worked tirelessly throughout the pandemic.

“We have supplied the NHS and care homes with staff when they desperately needed them.

“Construction is also an industry which has remained open for the majority of the pandemic.”

ORB Recruitment was recognised as the SME Business of the Year in the Doncaster Business Awards 2020/21.

Stewart is keen for ORB Recruitment to work within the community.

He said: “We actively support and sponsor two junior football teams.

“We recently made donations to both CAST and Mayflower Animal Sanctuary as well as sponsoring NHS recognition awards for our local NHS heroes who have worked tirelessly for the last year throughout the pandemic.”

Outside of work Stewart spends a lot of time with his wife and three children.

Including a brand new addition to the family, lockdown baby Ivan who was born just two days into the first national lockdown in 2020.

Stewart said: “My wife has been amazing with the baby.

“I’ve been juggling work with family life and enjoying long walks on days off.

Stewart is feeling optimistic about the future of his business and Doncaster as a whole.

He said: “ Now that there is a little light at the end of the tunnel, the future's looking bright moving forwards.

“Our second office in Edinburgh has now been launched and further increased demand will see our business continue to grow.

“As this happens, we will keep our focus and keep driving towards improving the town and doing our bit for the good of the communities within Doncaster.”

You can fine ORB Recruitment online here.

In these confusing and worrying times, local journalism is more vital than ever. Thanks to everyone who helps us ask the questions that matter by taking out a subscription or buying a paper. We stand together. Liam Hoden, editor.