Candidate Source, which employs six people at its base in Coleshill, beat off the challenge of eight other challengers to be named Business of the Year (under 50 employees) at the high-profile event in Leicester.

Founder and Managing Director Michelle Davies (pictured) was praised for leading the company to 20% growth over the last two years, with the judging panel also pointing out the firm’s impressive approach to customer service and the introduction of new industry innovations, such as Emergency Candidate Boosts and employer branded adverts.

“There has been a lot of discussion about equality and celebrating women in the business world so for Candidate Source to claim one of the major awards is a fantastic achievement – especially when you consider the competition we were up against,” said Michelle.

“This accolade is for my brilliant team that regularly go above and beyond to ensure our clients get online advertising solutions that meet their requirements. It is a very competitive field and one that is regularly changing so the emphasis has to be on us being at the forefront of these developments.”

She continued: “The Women’s Award follows our success at the Recruitment International Supplier Awards last year and highlights that our approach is definitely working.”

Candidate Source was set up by Michelle in 2010 after she spotted a gap in the marketplace for a resource that would provide job board support to recruitment firms across the UK.

In just eight years, the Black Country-born entrepreneur has built a client base that features the likes of Forces Recruitment Services, Hart Recruitment, Innovation Recruitment, Kate & Co and Pertemps.

The firm works across all sectors and has significant expertise in candidate attraction, media buying and content creation.