Brian Colton
Principal Consultant
I specialise in permanent recruitment across the white-collar side of the construction industry. My role covers everything from entry-level positions through to director roles, focusing on middle management such as site managers, project managers, quantity surveyors, estimators, engineers, planners, and design managers so I’ve seen the industry evolve in many ways over the years.
I originally studied quantity surveying at university and spent time working in the industry before moving into recruitment. That background has helped me understand the technical side of construction and the realities people face in their careers. I don’t just send out their CV, I believe in working closely with candidates, understanding what they want, and making sure their next move genuinely works for them.
After more than two decades in recruitment, I’ve built a strong network of clients and candidates who know that I do things properly. I’ve placed some people multiple times across their careers and so trust comes from doing right by them in the first place. When someone hands you their CV, they’re looking for a job but they’re often looking for other life-changes too, whether that’s a promotion, a better work-life balance, or the financial means to support their family so I take it seriously.
The market has definitely become more competitive. There are more recruitment businesses than ever, and the candidate pool has shrunk – especially with more people retiring and fewer coming into the industry. Many companies have brought recruitment in-house to cut costs, which changes how we work. But despite that, there’s still a real need for people who know what they’re doing and who take the time to do it properly.
While I don’t work directly in the social value side of our business, being part of We Are Footprint and all the work we do to support people back into employment - it gives us a different offering in the market, and I’m proud to be part of a team that genuinely cares about people, not just placements. For me, it’s about integrity, consistency, and treating people with respect and it’s why I still look forward to doing it every day.
