Our story
Allen Associates was established in Oxfordshire in 1998 by Kate and Rob Allen who are just as involved in the business today as they were back then. Their vision was to create a recruitment agency that they would genuinely want to use themselves which meant focusing on service and added value – rather than sales. In 2023, to mark Allen Associates’ 25th anniversary, Eleanor Bromage was appointed Managing Director, working alongside Kate in her newly-created role as Executive Chair and Marketing Director, and Rob as Finance Director, to continue to build on their vision.
We get to know our candidates and clients really well so that we are in a position to select the right people for the right roles in the right businesses.
We specialise in permanent and temporary roles at all levels in:
PA and Administration
HR
Marketing
Finance
Our purpose
Everyone needs a good reason to get up in the morning. At Allen Associates, we are driven by a genuine interest in people and a deep-rooted belief that what we do matters.
We love helping people to find fulfilling jobs and develop their careers.
We also love enriching organisations by recruiting the best people for their roles.
Read about our values and how they influence the way we work.
“I’ve worked with Allen Associates, as business partners, for a long time. As a HR leader in Oxfordshire, they are a constant and dependable resource to me, not only in sourcing candidates, but for market insights and trends, employment law and more.
Kate and Rob have created a business that is now a keystone of the Oxfordshire HR ecosystem. Allen Associates takes the time to understand who my business needs, beyond the skillset and the transactional, to find me people who will thrive.”
Ben Howells, Head of Talent, Osler Diagnostics, Oxford
Kate Allen a winner at the REC Awards 2025
Kate Allen, Founder and Executive Chair of Allen Associates, was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Recruitment & Employment Confederation’s 16th annual REC Awards 2025.
Allen Associates Shortlisted for Recruitment Agency of the Year
We're delighted to share that Allen Associates has been shortlisted for Recruitment Agency of the Year (1–19 employees) at the Recruiter Awards.
As an independent Oxfordshire recruitment consultancy, we're incredibly proud of this recognition. For more than 28 years, we've been building lasting relationships with clients and candidates, helping businesses find exceptional talent and supporting people throughout their careers.
This nomination reflects the dedication of our fantastic team and the trust our clients and candidates place in us every day. Following Kate Allen's Lifetime Achievement Award last year, it's another proud milestone for everyone at Allen Associates.
Thank you to everyone who has been part of our journey. We look forward to celebrating with our fellow finalists.
Community spirit
Most of our team lives and works in Oxfordshire and many of our clients and candidates are based here too. Over the years, we've established strong links with Oxford Hospitals Charity, the Ley Community, Oxfordshire Community Foundation, Reciprocate and Aspire Oxford.
We are headline sponsors of the annual OX5 RUN in aid of Oxford Children's Hospital. Learn more about this important cause and find out how you can get involved.
