A CASH-STRAPPED college has hired a recruitment agency to fill three six-figure posts despite having its own HR team.

City College Brighton and Hove is recruiting a headteacher, a chief executive officer and a chief operating officer and has appointed Peridot Partners to fill the roles.

The college’s chair of governors Julie Nerney is listed as a board member at the London-based recruitment agency.

The college is refusing to say how much it is paying out but experts believe the sum to be up to £100,000.

A company which offers the same service as Peridot said they normally look to gain between 24% and 30% of the salary.

The combined salary of the three vacancies at City College is £350,000.

A spokesman for the rival recruitment agency, who asked not to be named, said: “That’s pretty standard across other companies. If we were hiring for a clerk maybe we’d take 15%, but for these high-end jobs you’re looking at around 30%.”

City College boasts more than 750 full-time and part-time staff and say they are one of the top ten employers in the city.

But a spokeswoman said: “The contract value is commercially sensitive information and so cannot be shared. However, we can confirm that the amount quoted is incorrect. It is usual practice for colleges to use external consultants to undertake senior level recruitment and we can confirm that an open and competitive tendering process was undertaken.

“Five recruitment agencies expressed an interest and four of these recruitment agencies pitched for the contract.

“A panel of seven people including staff and governors reviewed written proposals and presentations and evaluated them against the needs of the college.

“Peridot Partners were appointed as they impressed the panel with their approach to the recruitment process and finding candidates of the highest calibre.”

The spokeswoman said Ms Nerney confirmed two board members had worked for Peridot and their interests were declared while they abstained from the vote.

She added: “City College is committed to Brighton and Hove but commercial contracts will always be awarded to those who best meet the requirements of the specification.”

Background

PLANS for £1.5 million worth of staff cuts at City College were first revealed by The Argus in April 2014.

Union bosses said staff had been left in the dark over the state of finances and days later bosses admitted they were struggling to pay suppliers.

It soon became clear nearly 50 full-time posts would be axed as part of a major restructure.

By February this year students were left in limbo because the college could not afford to pay examination boards.

That month, headteacher Lynn Thackway resigned and education trouble-shooter Monica Box was appointed as interim.