The trade body which represents recruitment professionals across the UK has launched a new dedicated regional group on the Isle of Man. The Institute of Recruitment Professionals (IRP) has been set up with the full support of the Isle of Man’s Chamber of Commerce. Their joint aim is to raise standards in recruitment on the Island and to this end the IRP will be closely involved with the future activity of Chamber’s recruitment working party, comprising of key members of several of the Island’s leading recruitment agencies, including Hamblin, OSA and Paragon. Debbie Harris, recently appointed as IRP’s Regional Director for the Isle of Man, has been involved in recruitment on the Island for the past 14 years and is a Director of Paragon Recruitment. Commenting on the establishment of the group, Debbie Harris said: ‘We want to promote the message that recruitment is a reputable and credible profession. Through the IRP, we now have a defined and supportive framework to assist individuals and organisations to establish and raise standards, as well as providing clients with an industry benchmark and a confidence in the level of service IRP members pledge to provide.’ The new group was launched at a meeting of the Chamber of Commerce whose Chief Executive Mike Hennessey said: ‘As the Island’s most comprehensive, independent business support and networking organisation, we welcome working in partnership with professional bodies which drive to improve standards and offer value to our members, which in turn benefits the Island and it’s economy.’ There are currently 60 members of the IRP working in the Isle of Man, many of whom are employed within the 12 corporate members of the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC), the body which operates the IRP. As the next step, Debbie Harris would like to hear from recruiters working at all levels within the Island’s industry network, or those considering a career within recruitment related capacities. She said ‘This is a fantastic opportunity to work together to tailor an offering which will make a positive and relevant difference to members, particularly taking into account the Isle of Man and our unique positioning. We want to encourage as many members as possible to take an active role in the strategy and ongoing development for the Isle of Man group, to ensure maximum personal and professional development opportunities, whilst promoting a positive and cohesive industry approach.’ Ends