The town of Chippenham, on the River Avon in Wiltshire, is a hotspot for large businesses and job seekers. Due to its proximity to Swindon, Bristol and London, Chippenham has grown into a commuter town, however, it has a strong economy in its own right. Recruitment agencies are available locally and they support the employment market by facilitating permanent, temporary and contract placements.
Chippenham recruiters are spread throughout the town and are predominantly multi-sector services. Employers and candidates who are looking for an industry specialist, will find a nursing agency on the outskirts of the town, close to Pewsham. Chippenham railway station is based to the north of the river and is in walking distance of the majority of local agencies.
With firms such as Siemens Rail Automation and Invensys Rail, the rail sector is well represented in Chippenham and accounts for some of the recruitment activity in the area. Another strong sector for local jobs is IT, which is supported by innovative employers including SCISYS and IPWireless. While there isn’t a staffing service in the town that specialises exclusively in IT, a number of the multi-sector consultancies do recruit for technology vacancies. Other popular sectors for recruitment include retail, industrial and healthcare.
AgencyCentral lists 69 popular industries and categorise recruitment agencies based on what they cover, so you can easily and quickly find the ones which are most helpful to you.
Davis Green is an independent recruitment agency that helps fulfil permanent, temporary and contract requirements in Accountancy and HR. With teams in Swindon and Bristol, they work with businesses of all sizes, from small and medium enterprises, to multinational organisations, as well as individuals of all skill levels. They were established in 1999.
14a Forest Gate, Chippenham, Wiltshire, SN15 3RS
Founded in 2013 and based in Wiltshire, Whiteflare UK Ltd is a recruitment firm that specialises in recruitment for the Transport, Defense and Rail industries across the UK, Middle East and Australia. They offer interim and permanent executive resources, recruitment, and consultancy services. The company is a member of the REC.
Langley 2-5 Kington Park Malmesbury Road, Chippenham, Wiltshire, SN15 5PZ
Acorn Recruitment is a multi-faceted consultancy established in 1992 for various areas including, but not limited to, Aerospace & Defence, Energy, and Life Sciences. With 600 branches worldwide, they have experience in supplying employees for permanent, temporary and contract jobs, in addition to confidential executive search services and international placements. In the UK, they have offices in Newport and nearly 20 other locations.
Room 2 Station Hill House, Chippenham, Wiltshire, SN15 1EQ
+ 20 other offices
Chippenham sits close to the M4 at Junction 17, with fast links to Bath, Bristol, and Swindon, which shapes a busy local labour market for both commuters and in-town roles. Recruiters report steady demand from manufacturing, logistics, office support, and tech-leaning SMEs, with staffing agencies and employment firms handling roles from entry-level to specialist placements. Local employers value speed and retention, so recruitment consultants focus on shortlisting candidates who match skills and soft skills, not just CV keywords. Candidates often seek stability and training, and job seekers use temp agencies to step into permanent teams once they have proven their fitness and reliability.
Manufacturing and engineering remain strong, supported by suppliers across Bumpers Farm Industrial Estate and sites along the A350 corridor. Logistics and last-mile delivery are busy thanks to M4 access and rail freight links. Office support, finance, and customer operations cluster near the town centre and business parks, with healthcare and education adding a steady flow of public-sector activity. Executive search plays a part for senior operations, finance leadership, and technical management, while general recruiters handle warehouse, production, administration, and sales.
The area’s employer base mixes well-known manufacturers, regional logistics hubs, professional services, and public-sector anchors. Many businesses are mid-sized, so recruiters work directly with hiring managers who want quick shortlists and clear agency costs. Contractors support engineering upgrades and seasonal peaks, and staffing agencies often manage on-site or master-supplier models for higher-volume shifts.
Warehouse and picker roles often sit between £11.50 and £14.50 per hour, depending on shift. Production and assembly can track similar rates, with uplifts for nights and qualified machine minders. Office administrators and customer service roles commonly land between £22,000 and £26,000, with senior administrators around £27,000 to £30,000. Skilled maintenance engineers and CNC specialists can command £35,000 to £45,000, with team leaders and multi-skilled roles reaching £50,000 to £55,000. Recruiters will outline pay rates, recruitment fees, and any temp-to-perm charges before interviews, so employers can weigh agency costs against time saved and long-term retention.
Temporary hiring supports peaks in warehouse, customer service, hospitality, and production. Contract work is common for projects in engineering, IT support, and capital works. Permanent placements span office, sales, finance, education support, and skilled trades. Recruitment agencies and recruitment consultants help employers decide whether to hire staff on temp cover or move straight to permanent, and candidates can register with an agency to test a workplace before committing to a contract. Executive search tends to run on a retained basis for senior posts, with defined milestones and market mapping.
Chippenham Station sits on the Great Western Main Line, with frequent services to Bath, Bristol, Swindon, Reading, and London Paddington, broadening the catchment for both candidates and clients. The A350 links north to the M4 and south to Melksham and Trowbridge, and the A4 ties the town to Corsham and Calne. These commuter links influence start times, so many businesses set shifts around rail and trunk-road flows to widen the available workforce.
Industrial and logistics roles concentrate around Bumpers Farm and along the A350 approach, with further pockets on established estates near Langley Road and the Malmesbury Road side. Town-centre offices host customer service, finance, and admin teams, and business parks near key junctions draw professional services and tech. Recruiters will flag travel options and parking early, helping candidates plan and reducing first-week dropouts.
Forklift roles often need valid RTITB or ITSSAR certification, and many logistics posts ask for a clean driving record. Care roles require DBS checks, and schools or safeguarding posts are subject to stricter vetting. Food production sites may need allergen training and basic food hygiene. Employers should brief agencies on any site passes or induction modules so recruiters can book testing before start dates.
Hybrid working appears in finance, marketing, IT support, and account management, often with two or three days in the office. Fully remote roles tend to be regional rather than town-only, yet local candidates value hybrid patterns that cut A350 peak travel. Recruiters can screen for home-office setup, data handling, and self-management, which support productivity and retention.
How do Chippenham recruitment agencies charge for permanent hires?
Most work on a percentage of starting salary, often 12% to 20%, with lower or higher bands for volume or specialist roles.
Can temp agencies supply staff at short notice?
Yes, many run 24-hour desks for warehouse, drivers’ mates, production, and hospitality cover.
What documents should candidates bring when they register with an agency?
Photo ID, right-to-work proof, National Insurance details, certificates for any licences, and recent references.
Do agencies cover both temporary and permanent hiring?
Yes, most staffing agencies and employment firms in Chippenham handle temporary and contract work, as well as permanent recruitment.
Can recruiters help with job descriptions and interviews?
Yes, recruitment consultants can refine role profiles, set pay ranges, and manage screening and interview scheduling.
Where do employers find the best response to adverts?
Response rates improve when roles name the site location, shift pattern, pay rates, and training on offer.
Are hybrid options common for local office roles?
Many employers offer hybrid roles in finance, marketing, and account management, with on-site days scheduled in advance.
How far do candidates travel for work in Chippenham?
Many commute from Corsham, Calne, Melksham, and Bath, helped by the A4, the A350, and regular rail links.
What affects agency costs the most?
Scarce skills, notice periods, compliance checks, and the speed required can all influence recruitment fees and mark-ups.
Can an agency help improve retention?
Yes, a clear brief, realistic pay, good onboarding, and early manager contact raise the chance that new starters stay.