Kate Allen, Founder and Executive Chair of Allen Associates, has been honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Recruitment & Employment Confederation’s (REC) 16th annual REC Awards 2025.
The prestigious ceremony, held at the Royal Lancaster Hotel in London on 20 November 2025, celebrated excellence across the UK recruitment sector.
This year’s awards featured 45 individual and 62 company finalists shortlisted across 19 categories, recognising achievements from innovative start-ups to established multinationals.
In an emotional acceptance speech, Kate Allen said:
“Receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Recruitment and Employment Confederation last night is an honour I will cherish for the rest of my life.
“I am deeply grateful to everyone who has contributed to this – colleagues, clients, candidates, suppliers, and the incredible leaders I’ve been fortunate to work under in my previous roles.
“I would also like to thank Neil Carberry and the entire REC team for their unwavering support of our industry and for this truly humbling recognition.
“We are incredibly lucky to work in Oxfordshire, a region with a truly thriving and ambitious economy—one built on innovation, talent, and the forward-thinking spirit that inspires all of us in recruitment to keep raising the bar.
“The UK recruitment industry is so much more than matching people with jobs. We open doors that change lives. We help businesses grow, strengthen communities, and champion social mobility and diversity every single day.
“Thank you for giving me one of the most meaningful moments of my career.”
REC Chief Executive Neil Carberry said the awards highlight the invaluable contributions recruiters make to businesses and communities nationwide:
“The REC Awards celebrate a profession that is central to the prosperity of the UK, contributing more than £40 billion directly to the economy every year and enabling billions more.
“But we also make a big contribution to addressing challenges in society – and it is so good to take time to celebrate those stories on a night like the Awards.
“Last night was a celebration of people and firms who have stood up to headwinds this year, and their successful approach should inspire others to make 2026 a big year.”
The annual awards are judged by a panel of experts from across diverse business sectors and are open exclusively to REC members. Categories recognise both individual professionals and company-wide excellence.
Allen Associates, a leading Oxfordshire-based recruitment consultancy specialising in PA & Administration, HR, Marketing, and Finance, has long championed a personalised, insight-led approach to supporting employers and candidates across temporary, permanent, and contract roles.
The firm also publishes its Oxfordshire Recruitment Market Overview, drawing on data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), Indeed Hiring Lab, and its own employer polling.
Read more: Oxfordshire recruitment market overview reveals 2025 hiring and retention challenges
The REC continues to champion high standards across the recruitment industry, advocating for excellence and supporting the sector’s vital contribution to the strength of the UK economy.
