by business editor Trevor Sturgess

Pioneering firm RecruitmentGenius.com has celebrated its national award with a shimmy.

The business with offices in Sevenoaks and Maidstone was presented with the British Chambers of Commerce Award for the Most Promising New Business at a ceremony in London's Connaught Rooms.

Co-founders Geoff Newman and Callum Slade shimmied onto stage to collect the award, as all winners had been asked to do.

Chief executive Mr Newman explained: "You've got to celebrate these things. I was a bit disappointed no one else shimmied. They were all far too serious.

"When our name was called out, it was just euphoria. My wife Heather's heart skipped a beat. She was more nervous than I was."

He added: "This is testament to the hard work of our staff and the trust that several thousands of clients have placed in us over the past year. I've never had so much fun helping so many people to gain employment."

Recruitment Genius – which was a finalist in three categories of the Kent Excellence in Business Awards (KEiBA) 2011 – charges just £199 plus Vat for filling a job and is credited with shaking up the recruitment industry. It has focused on hiring apprentices for its team.

BCC director-general John Longworth said: "With focus, passion and determination, this business has developed a unique and accessible offering in the marketplace, which has seen it carve a high-profile niche in the industry.

"With just a £10,000 initial investment, its growth and success has been phenomenal. With solid plans in place for the future, RecruitmentGenius.com is certainly one to watch."