Benson for Beds

Please introduce yourself and your company
I’m Nicki Wynne, the Talent Acquisition Manager for Bensons for Beds, responsible for the team recruiting across all roles in the business’s 4 key business areas. – Retail / Logistics / Manufacturing and Support. Bensons have a long history within the local area, with the first bed store opening in 1972. The company has grown and evolved over the years and now has over 170 retail stores nationally, 5 Distribution Centres, a customer Contact Centre and large support office based in Accrington.

Tell me a little about your role
My role is to lead the in-house recruitment team in the promotion of Bensons across a wide range of platforms and media, to attract the best talent, showcasing our career opportunities and attracting a wide range of candidates for our active vacancies. Also taking on projects to improve or update systems and processes and build relationships with local and national partners such as Job Centre +, education providers, government funded schemes, apprenticeships.

How many employees do you have?
We employ c1700 colleagues across the 4 business areas in the UK. Specifically in the Accrington area, we have our support office (HQ) at the Globe Centre (near the train station), and just down the road at Huncoat we have our Customer Contact Centre, and one of our Distribution Centres.

What sector is your business in?
Most people will assume we’re Retail, and we do have a network of 170+ stores, but we also have a manufacturingsite in Huntingdon (Cambridgeshire) where some of our products are made in our own factory, and have an in-house Logistics team comprising of warehouse and distribution colleagues who deliver those products to customers homes.

Do you export or operate in different countries?
We are a UK based company and don’t currently export.

Tell me about the history of your company?iginally founded as a general store by
Originally founded as a general store by Cyril Benson in 1950, Bensons for Beds launched their first bed centre in 1972.
In 2011, the new Bensons for Beds business was launched, merging the existing Bensons for Beds, Sleepmasters and Bed Shed brands under one umbrella.
In 2020 Bensons for Beds was bought by Alteri Investors and started their mission to become the UK’s leading bed retailer with a strong omnichannel presence.
In 2021, Bensons for Beds operates over 170 stores across the UK and its website www.bensonsforbeds.co.uk. It is supported by its headquarters in Accrington, Lancashire, as well as distribution centres in Ayr, Huncoat and Tewkesbury, and delivery outbases in Dagenham and Huntingdon.
Bensons also has a group manufacturing site based in Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire where more than a third of its product range is made.

What different careers can be achieved within your company?