ONE of the newest recruits of a Cleobury Mortimer-based building firm has received his contract of employment from the town’s MP.

Martin Roper is settling into his new role as an estimator for Cornbrook Construction after he attended a jobs fair in Bridgnorth, organised by Conservative Philip Dunne.

While walking around the stalls, he met business adviser Johnny Themans, of Bridgnorth-based Good2Great, who put him in touch with Matt Breakwell, managing director of Cornbrook Construction.

Two days later, Mr Breakwell interviewed Mr Roper and he started his new full-time job the following day.

Mr Roper, 53, of Bridgnorth, had been out of work since the beginning of the year after being made redundant. He is benefitting from a recruitment drive by Cornbrook Construction after it won major new orders.

Mr Dunne said: “This is a good news story. It was very heartening to see an immediate effect a jobs fair can have in helping find a new job.

“On this occasion all the right ingredients were there at the right time and I am delighted to have been able to contribute in a small way in getting one more local resident in a satisfying new job.

“This shows the value of these events and I will be organising more of them in the new year.”

Mr Roper said: “I am very grateful to Philip Dunne for taking the action he did in holding the jobs fair. Without it, I would probably still be unemployed.

“I have to thank Johnny as well. I only talked to him because I thought he was on the Shropshire Council stand next to his but he took interest in my situation and did me a huge favour.”

Mr Themans said: “Because Good2Great has been working with Cornbrook Construction, I knew they were keen to take on an experienced estimator like Martin.

“Philip’s jobs fair is also helping a successful local business forge ahead with expansion plans that should generate even more employment opportunities for local people.”

Mr Breakwell said: “We’re very grateful to Philip for sending Martin our way. As the economic recovery gains momentum, being able to recruit the right people at the right time is vital to our success.”