The First Five Roles Every New Business Should Hire
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After starting a business and preparing to offer your product or service, you’ll be faced with the question of who to hire. Hiring the right people early can set the foundation for revenue growth and smooth operations.
Below, we’ll list the top five roles you should fill, and how using a finance and recruitment agency can help you find the right people more efficiently and avoid costly hiring mistakes.
Accountant or Bookkeeper
An accountant or bookkeeper is essential for laying the financial groundwork of your business. They should keep your finances healthy and HMRC obligations in check by budgeting and managing tax compliance. They’ll also manage the payroll setup.
Start-ups often underestimate how quickly financial issues can escalate, so hiring a finance professional early can help mitigate this risk. Many founders choose to work with an accountancy and finance recruitment agency to find qualified accountants who have experience meeting the unique requirements of small businesses.
Operations or Administrative Manager
As a founder, your time is pulled in every direction and can quickly leave you struggling to focus on the core of your work. Hiring an operations or administrative manager ensures that the day-to-day mechanics of the business run efficiently. Their work includes managing suppliers, overseeing systems, coordinating logistics, and handling internal processes.
The role is essential for helping you scale and structure your workflow, avoiding the burden of admin tasks while building your brand or securing clients. They can handle the practical aspects of work, such as office space use and maintenance, so you don’t have to.
Marketing or Social Media Executive
The online visibility of your company can significantly impact the number of new customers directed to your website or social media platforms. A marketing or social media executive will oversee the development of your online brand and manage customer communications.
They’ll be in charge of launching campaigns that attract attention and drive leads, and can boost your SEO. Establishing a strong digital presence, including a website, email newsletters, and Instagram posts, as soon as possible can help you stand out from the competition and build trust with your customers.
Sales or Business Development Representative
While founders often lead sales in the early stages of a business, it’s wise to bring in a professional with the right experience to boost long-term growth. A sales or business development representative focuses on generating leads, pitching products or services, and closing deals.
When hiring, look for individuals with experience in small companies or start-up environments. Their work will directly support income generation, so you’ll need someone who understands consultative selling.
Customer Service or Client Support Lead
Satisfied customers are more inclined to share favourable word-of-mouth and online reviews about your business and become repeat buyers. Your customer service or client support lead will handle customer interactions, responding to enquiries and feedback to ensure your service remains consistent.
The role is particularly important for service-based businesses or those operating in competitive markets, where customer loyalty is paramount. Hiring an experienced professional who can listen and effectively resolve issues can have a profoundly positive impact on your reputation and retention rates.

