When you hear “catering staffing agency,” you might think of urgent staffing needs and filling jobs quickly. At Platinum Recruitment, we go beyond that. For two decades, our story has been about growing careers and supporting the people behind them, both in our team and for our clients.
This article shares the real-life stories of Rob Forkan, CEO and Founder of Gandy’s International, Debbie Macleod, Employer Relationship Coordinator, and Jade Weeks, Senior Talent Acquisition Consultant at Carnival UK. You’ll discover how their time with Platinum gave them the confidence, resilience, and genuine connections that drove their success.
Have you ever wondered what truly makes a career fulfilling? Or how a supportive team can change everything? Their stories offer insights you can apply to your journey. Read on to discover why people are the backbone of Platinum and how they’ve helped us reach 20 years of success this year.
Our ‘Purple Blood’: The People-Powered Catering Staffing Agency
Forget the corporate talk. Our team is the heartbeat of Platinum. We often joke that we have ‘purple‘ running through our veins. Everyone is united in our goal: to do our best. This genuine spirit has driven us for 20 years.
We started small (with some questionable office furniture); however, our journey as a leading catering staffing agency has always been about our team’s unique traits and intense focus.
They’re more than just recruiters and office support teams. They solve complex problems, celebrate every win, and genuinely care. They bring infectious energy to the office daily. We wouldn’t trade them for anything!
Twenty years is a pivotal milestone. To celebrate, we invited two of Platinum’s true pillars, Jenny Temperley and Rob Cotton, to share their unique insight. In this heartfelt video, they talk about their favourite memories, share a few laughs like who’d last on a desert island (and who wouldn’t!), and beautifully sum up why Platinum feels like home.
How Our Catering Staffing Agency Ignited an International Brand
Rob Forkan’s Story
Rob Forkan is the CEO and Founder of Gandy’s International, a successful travel-inspired clothing brand. He credits Platinum with teaching him key values and skills for his own business.
“Placing a head sommelier for a luxury hotel group stands out,” Rob recalls. “I wasn’t much into wine then, but I researched the role deeply. That permanent placement gave me a real sense of achievement early on.” He also highlights bringing on Pennyhill Park as a client. That was a big moment and showed him high-level hospitality recruitment.
Platinum’s unique approach to employee growth truly sets it apart for Rob. “I remember I went out to work as a commis chef in real kitchens,” he shares. “That helped me better understand the roles I was recruiting for.” This hands-on training taught him empathy and how to learn in any job. “It even changed my home cooking – much to my wife’s delight!” he adds.
Honest, Energetic, and Supportive
Rob describes Platinum in three words: Honest, Energetic, and Supportive. He explains that integrity is central to everything, and the office has always desired personal and professional growth.
These core ideas shaped Rob’s path as an entrepreneur. “Platinum taught me the power of motivation and engagement,” he explains. “They knew how to get the best from people, not just with targets. They built a culture where everyone felt valued. That lesson stuck with me when I built my teams. A motivated person with purpose and support can achieve amazing things.”
When building Gandy’s, the communication and relationship skills he learned at Platinum were priceless. “Platinum taught me confident communication and how to reach the right people, even when it seemed impossible,” Rob states. “That experience was vital in Gandy’s early days. It helped me connect with key partners and influencers who might have been out of reach. It gave me the drive and resilience to start something from nothing.“
Beyond Placements: From Catering Staffing Agency to Confident Connections
Debbie Macleod’s Journey
Debbie Macleod was an Employer Relationship Coordinator at Locomotivation, a dynamic training company. Now a full-time mum, she reflects on how Platinum helped her personal and professional growth.
She describes Platinum as Innovative, Supportive, and Genuine. “Always one step ahead, with ambitious plans,” “supportive in work and personal life too,” and “friendly, hard-working people, with a great work ethic.”
Even now, Debbie acknowledges Platinum’s lasting impact.
“Today, I’m a full-time mum, but Platinum gave me the tools to build strong relationships. Whether I worked with employers looking for apprentices or with the apprentices themselves.“
Debbie shared a specific memory: “When Andy Sinclair’s CV came in for a consultant job, he was a chef with no recruiting experience. Platinum saw his potential. They hired him and gave him the chance to learn and grow. He’s done incredibly well. He’s a great example of Platinum truly valuing team development.” Today, Andy Sinclair is one of the Directors of Platinum Recruitment.
Rooted in Our Catering Staffing Expertise
Jade Weeks & Carnival UK
Senior Talent Acquisition Consultant at Carnival UK, Jade Weeks, highlights how Platinum gave her the essential building blocks for her successful career in talent acquisition.
Joining Platinum in 2008 when the team was small, Jade remembers building her client list from scratch and facing tough early sales calls. “Platinum always focused on real relationships and excellent service,” she says. “By the time I left, I had a proud client list. My clients trusted me to understand their business completely. That resilience still stays with me.” Beyond work, Jade fondly remembers the “unforgettable” social side and the “close-knit” team.
Fun, Authentic, and Determined
“The leadership and the culture,” Jade states, made Platinum unique. “There was always strong accountability, but a real focus on enjoying work. It wasn’t just about social events. People genuinely cared. They asked how you were, supported you, and wanted you to succeed. That kind of environment is rare.”
She describes Platinum as Fun, Authentic, and Determined. Jade sees direct connections between her time at Platinum and her current role at Carnival UK.
“Platinum gave me the foundation I needed,” she explains. “The skills I learned – finding talent, building relationships, and creating great experiences for candidates and hiring managers are things I use daily. That focus on people-first recruitment has shaped how I work in internal talent roles ever since.”
Among the valuable training, Jade points explicitly to how Platinum prepared her for challenging conversations: “Platinum gave me the confidence to have tough talks, manage expectations, and set clear boundaries. One thing that’s stuck with me is the verbal briefing method they taught me. I still use it today!”
Summary
These heartfelt stories from Rob, Debbie, and Jade clearly show what happens when a company truly invests in its people. They highlight how vital it is to support, empower, and help team members thrive. Through hands-on experience, building confidence, and fostering genuine relationships, you shape successful careers, build strong advocates, and contribute to a lasting legacy of excellence.
Want to learn more about the power of strong leadership? Are you intrigued to see what type of leader you are? Read our article Lead with Heart: Leadership Skills to Inspire and Motivate.
