ABOUT US

About Polly Symondson Recruitment Ltd

PSR is a recruitment consultancy specialising in the not for profit sector. With over twenty years charity sector and not-for-profit experience Polly Symondson Recruitment knows the qualities needed to make a great addition to your team.

What PSR can do for your charity

From a Community Fundraiser to Director of Fundraising, PSR can help you find the best person to fill the role. Only highly motivated and experienced individuals who share your values are considered; people who will complement your team and help your organisation fulfil its vision. See our ‘consulting’ page for details on our bespoke service. We leave no stone unturned when it comes to finding ‘the one’ for you. We promise to give you a shortlist of candidates based on quality and not quantity.

We strive to practice in accordance with the Equality and Human Rights Commission Equality Act 2010: Employment Statutory Code of Practice. We have always done so and are happy to work with our clients to ensure compliance and best practice as requested.

What PSR can do for your career

Whether it’s gaining your first role or a senior fundraising position you are looking for, job hunting can be daunting to put it mildly. PSR will work with you to find the right role to suit the skills you have with a cause you are passionate about.

If you’re looking for a job or a candidate, email or call PSR today to discuss your needs. We are looking forward to talking to you.

Who we are:

Polly Symondson – Director

Polly has developed her considerable experience in recruitment through working successfully as a Fundraiser, Consultant and Account Manager for national and international charities. Polly recognised that outside of London it was extremely difficult for her charity clients to recruit exceptional fundraisers, and equally challenging for job seekers

to find fulfilling roles. In 2011, Polly set out to change this and founded PSR with the aim of placing only the highest quality candidates with her ever growing list of clients. Not only providing a full recruitment service but also providing strategic team development through bespoke consultancy. The net result is that Polly’s candidates go on to raise significant revenue for great causes, which means Polly sleeps better at night!

Polly’s favourite band is The Cure and her best gig so far was seeing Damian Marley in Birmingham.

Elizabeth Palfreman – Recruitment Partner

Following an HR career in financial services and manufacturing Elizabeth came to the charity sector in 2001 when it became clear that her family could not cope alone with the progression of her father’s illness and discovered hospice care. This experience provoked a career change starting as a volunteer and becoming a Director of Fundraising covering all points in between before joining PSR in 2022.

A keen gardener Elizabeth follows the adage right place right plant, and this is the same when working with clients. Finding the organisation where you can thrive and grow, whether you are a seedling or a mature plant, is her driving force. Helping individuals reflect on experience to identify future opportunities is a particular strength and she is passionate about opening up opportunities in the sector for those who may think they will not find a home there.

Outside her work Elizabeth struggles with being a domestic goddess as she has her nose In a book, or is swimming, gardening or shouting at the sewing machine.

Divya Vardarajan – Relationship Development Partner

Having worked in grant making and in varied fundraising roles, Divya joined PSR in June 2023 with the belief that an open mind is the doorway to endless opportunities.  

She developed a strong drive for client care in her major gift roles. She is fascinated with the  unique set of backgrounds, interests, challenges and motivations that every client brings and enjoys creating different road maps for each of their journeys.

Divya is passionate about animal advocacy and dreams of starting her very own sanctuary for rescued farm animals someday. Her broad array of interests range from psych thrillers to interior design and even Japanese dramas. She bakes to boost her happy hormones and aspires to build a collection of fine Japanese and Italian pottery.

Steve Brackley – Director

Steve worked for over twenty years in the not-for profit, NHS and Private Healthcare industries and has been involved in recruitment at all levels within these sectors. Steve started his career as a nurse in the NHS before moving into clinical education and then moved to medical sales and service development in the private sector. Steve then returned to the healthcare setting in business development and senior management roles prior to joining PSR. Steve is delighted to bring his experience in business, sales and service development to Polly Symondson Recruitment.

Steve’s favourite games currently are Catan, Wingspan and Unstable Unicorns, in the summer he swaps these for cricket.