Introducing Jean from 4Leisure Recruitment
As you know at Cover Ninja HQ we like cool people, particularly when they run cool companies.
So when we met Jean who heads up 4Leisure Recruitment we knew it would be love at first sight! 4Leisure Recruitment are the Big Dogs when it comes to leisure recruitment. They sort out the staffing needs for tonnes of the major brands and they source both permanent and temporary roles.
4Leisure Recruitment are big supporters of Cover Ninja and our mission, to not only find cover instructors, but to find the most applicable cover instructor and in turn to drive industry standards.
As let’s face it. Making our industry a better place has to be everyone’s end goal right?
So, we turned the spot to Jean and asked him some of our burning questions. We hope you enjoy the read!
- How long have you worked in the fitness industry?
A long, long time! I started with Holmes Place Health Clubs in 2000 and two years later set up 4Leisure Recruitment. We’re in our 18thyear and still growing, in fact this year will see one of our fastest growth periods.
- What surprising lessons have you learned along the way?
When I first started in recruitment, I was always surprised by the behaviour of people; the lengths they will go to, the creativity and fabrication that they will come up with as to why they didn’t go to work or turn up for an interview. These days, not so much. Although every once in a while a real cracker comes up but that’s a whole other blog! What I learned – be cynical. The team will tell you, I’m difficult to convince these days!
- Who are your biggest influences? Who or what inspired you to do what you’re doing today?
If I’m honest, I didn’t have any particular role models that inspired me to run my own business. It was a late night conversation that got a bit carried away and before we knew it, we’d bitten the bullet and gone out on our own. The naivety of youth! I’ve picked up inspiration from plenty of people along the way though and make a point of identifying people who are breaking the mould in their fields. I do love someone who challenges the norm and we continue to strive for this in recruitment. It’s also why we love the idea of Cover Ninja!
- What’s the best advice you have ever received?
Block out the noise. Take aim and commit. Can’t remember where it came from, possibly not even from business, maybe a sports coach. I’m not a rash decision maker but everyone’s got an opinion if you ask them for one and I used to let that put me off making decisions. I’ve got a fantastic network of minds to pull on now so I’ve always got input where I need it.
- Do you foresee any challenges ahead in the group exercise world and recruitment?
Staff sustainability will be key for all areas of the leisure industry. Operators will continue to be pressured by the increases in minimum wage and they are continually looking for solutions to reducing operating costs. We’ve noticed a fair increase in the demand for casual staffing as a result.
Group exercise has never been so popular and there doesn’t seem to be an end in sight. Since the boutique operators broke down, reconstituted and remarketed group fitness, there has been a substantial thirst for it. The only things to potentially hold it back will be market saturation but with the diversity on offer and still coming through, we’re some way off this and addition of more techy offerings will add another dimension entirely.
The other thing is the availability of qualified staff. However, the millennials and generation z seem more than happy to explore these diverse and inherently rewarding careers.
- What’s your favourite group exercise class?
I used to teach spin regularly but I’m a big boxing fan so I love anything that allows me to thump things legally! It’s also the perfect antidote to recruitment.
- What’s a non-fitness fact about you?
If I hadn’t have gone into leisure I might have been a mechanic or engineer. I seriously looked into those careers although my DIY would suggest I made the better choice.
If you would like to know more about 4Leisure Recruitment take a look at their website here.
If you would like to speak to Jean specifically (you should, he’s a top guy), drop him an email, here.
