Our Story | Why We Started Encore Recruitment
Lucy Ratoff started Encore Recruitment in 2020, after working in fashion & lifestyle recruitment for over 20 years.
She built it around how she works.
The focus is to help people make hiring and career decisions they understand before they commit.
That requires taking the time to understand what sits behind a role, a move, or a decision before acting on it.
That approach is reflected in how we prioritise our work.
People first. Relationships second. Business third.
Our Founders
Encore Recruitment was founded by Lucy Ratoff and Paul Bryce.
Lucy brings over 20 years of experience in fashion & lifestyle recruitment across brands, retailers, suppliers, and importers.
Paul leads operations, research, and partnerships, with over 20 years’ experience in project and programme management.
Our Values
Our values: Connection, Spark, and Belonging guide how we work.
They shape how we approach conversations and how we decide to recommend people to each other.
They underpin our Belonging-Driven Recruitment approach and how we apply our Recommendation Standard.
Our Impact
From the start, we wanted Encore Recruitment to be a business for good as well as profit.
We do this through financial giving.
We donate a percentage of our revenue to social and environmental causes, with that commitment independently verified through our membership of 1% for the
Planet.
FAQs
When was Encore Recruitment founded?
Encore Recruitment was founded in October 2020.
Who are the founders of Encore Recruitment?
Encore Recruitment was founded by Lucy Ratoff and Paul Bryce.
What is Belonging-Driven Recruitment?
We start with people.
We focus on where someone is most likely to work well, not just where they can fill a role.
That’s what guides every recommendation we make.
Why fashion and lifestyle recruitment?
Our experience and network are built across fashion, accessories, footwear, beauty, and homeware, allowing us to support hiring and career decisions in these sectors.
What is 1% for the Planet?
1% for the Planet is a global organisation that verifies environmental giving. Encore Recruitment contributes a percentage of its revenue as part of this commitment.
Our Values
Connection beats disconnection.
It starts with listening. It grows through trust.
Trust is the foundation of everything we do.
Spark is where understanding becomes action.
It’s the moment the right person meets the right place.
It takes curiosity, care, and conviction.
Belonging follows connection and spark.
It’s when people feel safe to be themselves, to contribute, and to stay.
It takes effort from everyone — and when it’s there, work lasts.
Meet the Team | The People Behind Encore Recruitment
Our team brings over 20 years of experience in fashion & lifestyle recruitment.
You’ll work directly with people who understand the roles, the pressures, and the hiring and career decisions involved.
Our Recruiters
You will work directly with an experienced recruiter.
We take time to understand the roles, the pressures, and the hiring and career decisions people need to make.
You will always know who you are working with and what they are responsible for.
Why Experience Matters
Hiring and career decisions affect people, teams, and how a business performs.
A job description and a CV only show part of the picture.
Experience helps you understand what a role involves, where expectations may differ, and whether a move is likely to work in practice.
That’s what helps people see what they’re committing to before they decide.
FAQs
Who will handle my recruitment?
You will work directly with an experienced recruiter.
What experience does your team have?
Over 20 years of fashion & lifestyle recruitment experience across brands, retailers, suppliers, and importers.
Do you have sector specialisms?
Yes. We work across fashion, accessories, footwear, beauty, and homeware.
Can I speak to a specific recruiter?
Yes. You can contact a specific team member or ask us to introduce you.
