A WORCESTER-based permanent recruitment business has trebled its profits in just two years thanks to a major efficiency drive and an innovative partnership scheme in which recruiters set up their own consultancy from home.

AES (www.aesco.co.uk), in Park Street, has 11 recruitment consultants based in its offices, including two working directors, and 15 consultants who work from home.

Thanks to a successful transition to a paperless office, centred on a fully integrated computerised management system, the administration is handled by one part-timer.

The successful partnership scheme was launched to allow professionals to start their own recruitment consultancy from home. The benefit of the scheme is that it allows rec-ruiters to put in the hours they want as part of their work and life balance.

AES's new lease of life has seen turnover double for two consecutive years and profits treble over the same period. The company has also managed to buck the trend for high staff turnover in its industry by not losing any staff for a year, while still taking on one recruiter a month. "I was not aware we were unusual until an external training consultant came for a meeting," explained Colin Smith, aged 50, one of the company's working directors.

"She was a trainer, specifically for the recruitment industry, and has visited many organisations. It was her comments and observations which made us aware of just how unique we are."

Although the company has been in the permanent recruitment market for 18 years it was only recently that things changed dramatically.

"Three years ago we had a long hard look at our working practices, our office procedures and the way we dealt with our customers," said Mr Smith, who is a fellow of the Recruitment and Employment Confederation.

"Our customers needed sensible advice and assistance and at an appropriate price; they were not getting it. In addition, it didn't take us long to work out that we were getting limited repeat business.

"From that point we completely changed the way we looked at potential recruitment consultants and our recruitment processes. For example, the average age of an AES consultant now is 43 years old and we have two recruiters, who work from home, who are over 60 years old. I am embarrassed to admit that this would not have been the case three years ago."

Mr Smith added: "Employing people who can think for themselves, take responsibility for their actions and know how to develop customers has worked for us and has certainly made us more efficient.

"It has been an interesting an enjoyable journey over the last three years. We now work fewer hours, we all get better financial rewards and we are certainly less stressed. Stability and working with sensible people has certainly made us more efficient."