Business Details
15 Years
experience
Trusted Engineering & Manufacturing Recruitment Experts in the North East
Established in 2011, Extension Recruitment has become a trusted partner in sourcing specialist talent for the engineering and manufacturing sectors across the UK. Our team combines over 100 years of collective experience with a deep understanding of the industries we serve, ensuring we match candidates not just to roles but to organisational cultures and long-term goals. We pride ourselves on our ethical approach, prioritising relationships over transactions and delivering tailored support to both clients and candidates. Our expertise spans automotive, aerospace, defence, and FMCG sectors, covering roles from operational positions to senior leadership. With a 93% client retention rate and 95% candidate satisfaction score, we maintain a reputation for excellence built on transparency, innovation, and a commitment to quality over speed.Our values of being industrious, innovative, empowering, ethical, and approachable guide every decision we make. We invest time to understand client requirements thoroughly, offering strategic advice on talent acquisition and providing candidates with career guidance, interview coaching, and CV support. Our North East roots and focus on work-life balance ensure a personal touch that differentiates us in the recruitment landscape. By leveraging cutting-edge technology and maintaining a relentless focus on candidate and client needs, we deliver results that drive sector growth. Our repeat business and glowing testimonials from managing directors, HR managers, and successfully placed candidates attest to our effectiveness and dedication.
Services
Engineering Recruitment
Manufacturing Recruitment
Senior Leadership Placement
Career Coaching
Talent Strategy Consultation
Details
- Year established: 2011
Highlights and features
- We offer over 100 years of combined recruitment experience in engineering and manufacturing sectors
- Our team provides tailored career guidance and interview coaching for candidates
- We guarantee a 93% client retention rate through personalised service
- We specialise in matching candidates to organisational cultures, not just job descriptions
- Our ethical approach prioritises transparency and long-term career growth
What people say
Exceptional candidates
Professional support
Cultural matching expertise
Thorough screening process
Personalised service
Services
Engineering Recruitment
Specialist recruitment for engineering professionals across automotive, aerospace, defence, and FMCG sectors. We source candidates with expertise in mechanical design, API exposure, and FEA analysis for roles ranging from graduate positions to senior leadership. Our rigorous screening process ensures cultural fit and technical competence, with ongoing support for both clients and candidates throughout the placement journey.
Manufacturing Recruitment
Comprehensive talent solutions for manufacturing businesses seeking skilled operatives, team leaders, and management professionals. We specialise in volume manufacturing environments, providing candidates with proven experience in operational efficiency and quality control systems. Our sector knowledge ensures placements that align with production demands and organisational growth strategies.
Career Coaching
Personalised career development services including CV optimisation, interview preparation, and salary negotiation guidance. Our consultants provide industry-specific insights to enhance job readiness, with a focus on long-term career progression rather than short-term placements. This support continues post-employment to ensure sustained professional growth.
Talent Strategy Consultation
Strategic advisory services helping businesses develop effective recruitment frameworks aligned with organisational goals. We analyse workforce requirements, market trends, and succession planning needs to create sustainable talent pipelines. Our data-driven approach combines sector expertise with innovative technology solutions for optimal resourcing outcomes.
Leadership Placement
Targeted acquisition of senior leaders and specialists for critical roles within engineering and manufacturing organisations. Our executive search service identifies candidates with proven track records in strategic management, operational excellence, and technical innovation. We conduct thorough due diligence to ensure leadership appointments drive business transformation and cultural alignment.
People
Elaine Irving
Managing Director
With 30 years' recruitment experience, Elaine founded Extension Recruitment to revolutionise industry practices through trust-based relationships and work-life balance principles. She combines strategic leadership with hands-on client engagement, leveraging expertise in recruitment, coaching, and client partnership to drive business growth.
Erin McClymont
Recruitment Operations Manager
Responsible for operational systems and procedures since joining in 2015, Erin ensures the team has optimal resources and technology. A recruitment expert in engineering and manufacturing sectors, she champions process improvement while applying her rugby-inspired teamwork ethos to support clients and candidates.
Claire Hutchison
Senior Recruitment Consultant
Bringing 30 years' recruitment experience, Claire joined Extension in 2022 as a passionate advocate for client-candidate relationships. Her energy and commitment prioritise regular communication and honesty, specialising in matching candidates to roles that align with both immediate needs and long-term career aspirations.
Louise Ash
Senior Delivery Consultant
With 28 years' industry experience, Louise specialises in engineering and manufacturing recruitment. Her decade in major agencies honed skills in identifying ideal candidates, now applied to support clients and candidates through Extension's values-driven approach focused on mutual growth and success.
Harry Chalmers
Mentor
A recruitment legend with 40 years' experience, Harry provides strategic guidance and hands-on support. His emphasis on honesty and integrity shapes Extension's ethical approach, offering unique insights to ensure the team maintains the highest standards in senior-level recruitment.
Questions
What engineering sectors do you specialise in?
We focus on automotive, aerospace, defence, OEM manufacturing, and FMCG sectors, with expertise in roles requiring technical specifications like API exposure and FEA analysis.
How do you ensure candidate quality?
Our rigorous screening process includes technical assessments, cultural fit evaluations, and reference checks to ensure candidates meet both immediate role requirements and long-term organisational goals.
Do you offer temporary placements?
While our primary focus is permanent placements, we can discuss temporary requirements on a case-by-case basis through our network of industry contacts.
What support do you provide to candidates?
We offer CV reviews, interview coaching, salary negotiation guidance, and ongoing career advice tailored to individual aspirations and industry demands.
How quickly can you fill a vacancy?
Typical placement timelines range from 2-6 weeks depending on role complexity, with urgent requirements addressed through our priority candidate network and proactive sourcing strategies.
Do you operate outside the North East?
While rooted in the North East, we operate nationally across the UK, leveraging our extensive industry connections to source talent for clients throughout the country.
