Business Details
25 Years
experience
Specialist Recruitment Services in Construction & Built Environment
Established in 2001, Fawkes & Reece has become a market-leading recruitment partner in the construction, civil engineering, and built environment sectors. Our approach combines traditional values with modern expertise, delivering tailored staffing solutions to top-tier clients across the UK. With over 140 dedicated professionals across six offices, we prioritise understanding client needs, ensuring precise candidate matching and long-term partnerships. Our services span permanent, freelance, and executive recruitment, supported by a talent pool of 500,000+ candidates. We maintain preferred supplier status with industry leaders through consistent service excellence, compliance expertise, and a commitment to innovation.Our teams sector-specific knowledge ensures we meet evolving market demands, from skilled trades to board-level appointments. Backed by 20+ years of experience, we navigate challenges like Brexit and economic shifts while expanding our reach through strategic acquisitions. Our valuesambition, care, and deliveryunderpin every interaction, fostering trust with clients and candidates alike. We provide transparent, data-driven solutions, including managed service programmes and vendor management systems, to streamline large-scale recruitment. Recognised for integrity and market insight, we partner with clients to build teams that align with their culture and strategic goals.
Services
Permanent Recruitment
Executive Search
Freelance Placements
Managed Service Programmes
Compliance Management
Details
- Year established: 2001
Highlights and features
- We have over 20 years of sector-specific recruitment expertise.
- Our dedicated account managers ensure tailored client partnerships.
- Nationwide coverage with six UK offices and 500,000+ candidates.
- Compliance and risk mitigation handled by in-house specialists.
- Proven success in placing candidates from trades to board level.
What people say
Responsive team
High-quality CVs
Trusted advisors
Market expertise
Reliable placements
Services
Permanent Recruitment
We specialise in placing permanent professionals across construction, civil engineering, and the built environment. Our consultants leverage sector-specific knowledge to match candidates with client cultures and technical requirements. With access to 500,000+ candidates, we deliver strategic hires from entry-level to executive roles, ensuring long-term retention and alignment with organisational goals.
Executive Search
Our executive search service identifies senior leaders and board-level talent for the construction and infrastructure sectors. We conduct targeted market research and discreet outreach to secure candidates with proven leadership and technical expertise. Clients benefit from our deep industry networks and rigorous vetting processes to fill high-impact roles efficiently.
Freelance Placements
We supply skilled freelance professionals for temporary and project-based roles in construction and civil engineering. Our compliant candidates include tradespeople, project managers, and technical specialists. With rapid mobilisation capabilities, we support clients' fluctuating workforce needs while maintaining strict adherence to payroll and regulatory standards.
Managed Service Programmes
Our MSP solutions provide end-to-end recruitment process outsourcing for large-scale hiring in the built environment. We manage vendor relationships, compliance, and data analytics through integrated systems. Clients gain cost predictability, reduced administrative burdens, and consistent talent quality across multiple projects and geographic locations.
Compliance Management
We handle all compliance aspects for freelance and temporary workers, including right-to-work checks and qualification verification. Our dedicated team ensures adherence to industry regulations and client-specific requirements, minimising legal risks. This service allows clients to focus on core operations while maintaining full regulatory confidence.
People
Ray Connolly
Founder and Group Managing Director
With extensive experience in executive headhunting and account management, Ray established Fawkes & Reece in 2001. He focuses on strategic appointments and team development, shaping the company's culture of excellence and client-centric service.
John Morgan
Group Finance Director
A CIMA-qualified accountant, John oversees financial strategy and compliance. With 13+ years in recruitment finance, he ensures robust systems and regulatory adherence while supporting business expansion across the UK.
Keeley Davis
Director - London
With 19 years in recruitment, Keeley leads the white-collar division and executive search. Her award-winning approach focuses on client collaboration, staff development, and maintaining high service standards for key accounts.
Chelsey Nuttall
Director - North
Over 10 years with the company, Chelsey drives business growth through strategic account management. She specialises in building long-term client relationships and delivering tailored recruitment solutions for major construction firms.
Gareth Richardson
Head of Client Solutions
Bringing prior client-side experience, Gareth leads the Managed Service Programme. He focuses on innovative recruitment partnerships, leveraging industry insights to optimise talent acquisition strategies for large-scale projects.
Questions
What sectors do Fawkes & Reece specialise in?
We focus exclusively on construction, civil engineering, rail, infrastructure, and the broader built environment sectors.
Do you operate nationwide?
Yes, with six UK offices in London, Southampton, Brighton, Bolton, Birmingham, and Northampton, we provide localised expertise nationwide.
How do you ensure candidate quality?
Our consultants conduct rigorous vetting, including skills assessments, reference checks, and cultural alignment evaluations to match candidates with client needs.
Can you handle large-scale recruitment projects?
Yes, our Managed Service Programme and Vendor Management System support mass recruitment across single or multi-site projects with compliance assurance.
What compliance measures are in place?
Our in-house team verifies right-to-work documentation, qualifications, and industry certifications for all freelance and temporary workers.
How quickly can roles be filled?
Using our database of 500,000+ candidates and proactive market engagement, we typically accelerate hiring timelines by 30-40% compared to industry averages.
Reviews (3)
Mike Hapton
Aug 25, 2021
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Useless. People start with ' you seem just what I'm looking for ' and then ghost you. A poor example of a recruiter. Seriously, up your game.
Sivil Ruskov
Jun 05, 2021
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I've work for these guys since I've started my carrier as a Construction Site Manager and they helped me a lot to progress to where I am now. Many thanks to Charlotte and Bill, much appreciated
Charlie P.
Dec 10, 2018
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Terrible company. Set me up for work twice and both times 'Joe' text me either 11pm the night before to say the jobs is cancelled, and once at 6:30am when I was in the way to the job. Don't use this agency, will mess you about and lie about clients pulling out etc.
