About us
With a rich history spanning over thirty years in the fashion industry, we are a family-run business that offers bespoke recruitment services. Our size allows us to treat each client and candidate as a unique individual, while our extensive industry knowledge provides the assurance of a large corporate company. Operating from our offices in Essex and London, we recruit top-tier head office fashion professionals for permanent and interim opportunities, both nationally and internationally.
Who are we
Karen Collier
Director / Client Manager
After leaving Colchester Institute and gaining a Diploma in Clothing & Distributive Trades in 1987, Karen embarked on a long career in the fashion industry. Karen worked her way up from a local clothing factory as a sample machinist onto the supplier side and then in buying offices for renowned fashion brands such as LK Bennett and Laura Ashley based in London. She travelled extensively throughout Europe and Asia to conduct factory audits and approve the brand's production, ensuring high-quality garments were achieved.
In 2009, Karen was made redundant from her Technical Manager role at Jacques Vert, a challenging time due to the recession and the scarcity of Technical Manager roles within the industry. However, her wealth of experience and determination led her to a new path. She decided to work freelance, and her expertise was in high demand. As her workload increased, she started contracting her work out to an experienced garment technologist she had worked with within the industry. Before she knew it, fifteen garment technologists worked through her, so she set up a fashion recruitment business founded in 2010. Karen knows only too well that you only go into recruitment if you love helping people, and to be able to do this within the fashion industry was her dream come true.
Richard Collier
Director / Talent Acquisition
After leaving King Edward VI Grammar School in Chelmsford in 1981, Richard embarked on a long career in the city, working for various Investment banks worldwide. He gained significant experience in Project and Export Finance, working alongside UK government agencies financing infrastructure projects and aircraft leasing supply globally, totalling more than GBP 5 bio. He was recognised for his "outstanding contribution to British Exports with an invitation to the Royal Garden Party in 2000.
To gain a fresh perspective, a new challenge, and that all-important work/life balance, Richard decided to join his wife, Karen, in a successful fashion recruitment business in 2016. He has brought his analytical mind and attention to detail approach to searching for our client's best talent while ensuring every candidate has a good experience with Karen Collier Careers Limited.