top of page

The Global Family Business Champions

  • Instagram
  • Facebook
  • X
  • LinkedIn
  • Youtube
  • Spotify
  • bluesky

Jennie’s Unstoppable Rise



Almost 20 years after walking into a recruitment branch looking for a job with

responsibility, Jennie Hallsworth is now running it.


In 2006 she visited Wild Recruitment in Portsmouth and ended up working there.

She took to it like a duck to water and after a number of promotions is branch

director, responsible for the Arundel Street business which has 20 staff.


The mother-of-three has won multiple awards during her career and was crucial to

the continued success of Wild Recruitment through the Covid pandemic.

Jennie said:

“When I turned 30 I decided I needed to get a job with some responsibility. At the time I didn’t even know what recruitment was – I had no idea businesses existed that found jobs for people, and got paid for it."

“I had a sales background and ended up working as an account director at Wild. I

was brilliantly trained and learned about the industry."


“Michelle Merritt, one of the founders of the business, really believed in me and

gave me the responsibility I wanted. I worked in the industrial team, moved to commercial manager, then I was promoted to director, then sales director and now branch director."


“When I started it was my ambition to run the office, and now I am. It really is a

dream come true. It’s been quite a journey and looking ahead I want to continue our success and grow the business. We have four divisions and are the go-to agency in the area and we have a wide variety of job vacancies in numerous sectors.”


Wild Recruitment is part of Berry Recruitment Group (BRG) and Michelle Merritt,

now a BRG director, said:

“Jennie’s story is not uncommon in the business. It shows that we have a career path available to those who want to progress and retaining staff is really important to us."

“Jennie has grown with us and has been integral to the success of Wild, which

remains the one-stop-shop for recruitment in the region.”

Next Event
Autumn Budget Briefing 2026

Thursday, 29 October 2026

Webinar looking at the implications of the Autumn Budget with our partners at James Cowper Kreston

Most Recent Publication
Insight Guide - The Value Of An Outside Voice (Non-Executive Directors)

A Family Business United Insight Guide to Non-Executive Directors in a Family Business, in association with TWYD & Co.The right Non-Executive Director can be the most valuable person in a family b...

Jobs Board Advert.jpg
Most Read
The Malcolm Group - A Scottish Family Legacy Built To Last

The Malcolm Group has grown from humble beginnings into one of Scotland’s most respected names in logistics and construction. But while its operations are far-reaching, the heart of the business remai...

Family Business United Launches Second Global Think Tank Findings

Here at Family Business United we are delighted to announce the launch of our second Global Family Business Think Tank Report which summarises the thoughts of over 100 leading family business owners, ...

Family-Run Startup Grows Into Seven-Figure National Business

A West Yorkshire entrepreneur is approaching a decade in business – celebrating record-breaking growth for his vegetation management company.

Private Sector Remains Under Pressure - CBI Growth Indicator

Firms across the private sector expect activity to fall in the next three months (weighted balance of -13%), according to the CBI’s latest Growth Indicator. Nonetheless the pessimism has eased noticea...

Winners Announced At National Family Business Of The Year Awards

The family business community came together once more in London in the delightful surrounds of the Royal Geographical Society in South...

membership-advert.jpg

About the Author

bottom of page