This December, we’ll be saying a heartfelt farewell to someone who has meant so much to so many, our colleague, mentor, and dear friend, Alan Metcalfe, as he retires after more than twenty extraordinary years with Zenith.
Alan’s journey with Zenith began on September 7th, 2003, when he joined a small but determined team of four – Angela Anderson, Laura McDanielson, and Ian Lawson, who shared a big dream and an even bigger belief in what Zenith could become. With early clients like Allied Bakeries, Bridon Ropes, and Print Design & Graphics, and the support of Faurecia and new financial backers, Zenith was on the cusp of something special, and Alan was right there at its heart.
Just a few years later, in 2006, Alan played a key role in securing the Pride Valley Foods contract, a turning point that allowed Zenith to grow, welcoming new faces like Helen Hawes, Nicola Jeavons, and David Jackson. Together, they helped shape the culture and spirit that still define Zenith today. Working from the Eco Centre in Jarrow, the team’s passion and drive soon outgrew the space, a sure sign that the business was thriving.
Then came the financial crash of 2008, one of the toughest times for the recruitment industry. But in true Alan fashion, he faced the challenge head-on, calm, determined, and always optimistic. Out of that adversity came a new beginning: Zenith People, founded in 2009 with fresh energy and a broader vision for the future.
As the business evolved, so did Alan’s role. Always a natural connector, he built meaningful relationships across the region through his involvement with the Advanced Manufacturing Forum (AMF) and the North East Chamber of Commerce (NEECC). His warmth and sincerity helped cement Zenith’s reputation as a trusted, well-connected partner, particularly within the North East’s manufacturing community.
In 2010, Alan was instrumental in developing new ways to support young people entering the workforce. Working with South Tyneside Council, he helped launch employability “bootcamps,” guiding participants through teamwork, confidence-building, and interview preparation. Every single person who took part went on to secure long-term work, and several, including Faye Turner, Steven Welsh, Georgia Callender, and Tamsin Chapman, have since risen to senior roles within Zenith. It remains one of Alan’s proudest achievements, and one that changed Zenith for the better.
By 2012, Zenith had moved to Monkton Business Park, and Alan once again helped steer the company into new territory, establishing a dedicated training division in South Shields. Though the team once joked that Zenith would never become a training provider, Alan also believed in the bigger picture, that supporting people’s growth, both professionally and personally, was key to lasting success. With team vision, we paved the way for Zenith Training, launched in 2018, now a thriving business, delivering apprenticeships and funded training in management, leadership, and manufacturing.
Throughout his career, Alan has been a steadfast champion of relationships, with clients like Phoenix Steel, Cell Pack Solutions, and Country Style Foods, with partners and stakeholders, and with countless business leaders who now call him a friend. His influence has stretched far beyond Zenith, through his service as Area Chair of the NEECC and as a board member of the AMF, helping to strengthen collaboration and opportunity for businesses across the North East.
When the world changed during lockdown, Alan’s steady hand once again guided the team through uncertainty, supporting key worker contracts and keeping morale strong. As Zenith emerged and rebuilt, Alan began to ease into a new rhythm, focusing on strategy, client development, and, as he likes to say, “a bit more golf.”
Now, after two decades of dedication, leadership, and friendship, Alan is ready to begin a new chapter, one filled with a little more freedom and all the adventures he’s put off for far too long. Over the coming weeks, he’ll be working closely with the team to ensure a smooth transition, leaving Zenith strong, confident, and inspired – just as he always has.
But this isn’t goodbye. Alan’s presence will continue to be felt in the values he’s helped shape, the people he has mentored, and the friendships that will last long after his official retirement. And we know he will continue to champion Zenith, wherever his next journey takes him.
From all of us at Zenith, thank you, Alan.
For your vision, your kindness, your humour, and your genuine belief in people.
You’ve built more than a career here – you’ve built a legacy.
Enjoy every moment of your well-earned retirement. You’ve more than earned it, and we couldn’t be prouder to celebrate you.
