Celebrating 35 Years – Q&A With Natalie Chapman

Celebrating 35 years of Contract Personnel, we caught up with director/company founder Natalie Chapman about her special anniversary, the highlights and her fondest memories along the way.

How do you sum up your special anniversary?

I have to be honest the anniversary completely crept up on me and I cannot believe it is 35 years since CPL evolved – I was just 23 years old!   I can honestly say I have absolutely loved the whole journey.  I have worked with some amazing people during my 35 years, not just work colleagues but also clients and temps.  Without the whole package we would not have had the success and growth.

What have been the biggest challenges you have faced?

Never have two days been the same and the challenges don’t ever completely go away – new challenges pop up, more recently Brexit and Covid, but we keep on rising to the challenges and come out stronger the other side.

Talk to us about our 24 hour on call service and how effective it has been?

Our 24 hour service, manned by the person who was running the desk was our unique selling point. We offer an unrivalled service and this enhanced the relationships we were able build and give to clients and temporary workers!  This I feel, is still echoing today!!

Have you had any funny ways of people avoiding interviews?

When it comes to why somebody can’t make it to work I thought I had heard every excuse in the book, at least once, but even those reasons keep evolving!

 How do you reflect on the current recruitment team and offering at CPL?

We have such a fabulous current team who are growing all the time and I am looking forward to what the future brings.  The desks are increasing week by week, this is down to hard work and determination.  The permanent placements are gaining momentum and we are building a name for permanent recruitment too.  We offer our clients and candidates an honest and reliable service.

And a special shout-out to Sarah and Di and rest of the CPL team.

Thank you ALL for being part of my 35 year journey.  A special mention has to go to my fabulous sister who has worked relentlessly and knows everything there is to know about legislation, procedures, HR, our systems, Legal Contracts and Employment Law, AWR etc, etc the list is endless.  Thank you also for picking up the reins again when needed and jumping back on the driving desk and rotating on-call – very much appreciated and respected, and to Di for all those amazing memories, blood, sweat and tears and so much laugher along the way.

To speak to Natalie and pass on your well-wishes, please call 01603 764044.