Lethaby & Cook specialises in Civil & Structural and Mechanical & Electrical (M&E) recruitment, led by a team of the industry’s most experienced professionals. We collaborate with well-established organisations, offering tailored recruitment solutions to secure highly skilled technical talent for engineering, construction, and managerial roles. We provide both permanent and contract placements, as well as expert search and selection services.
Our Story
Lethaby & Cook represents the evolution of Claremont Building Services, born from the long-standing partnership and shared values of its founders, Bob Lethaby and Paul Cook. With over fifty years of combined recruitment expertise, Bob and Paul have established themselves as leaders in the field.
The foundation of Lethaby & Cook stems from their collaboration in the 1990s. Bob established Claremont Building Services in 1997, specialising in M&E recruitment, while Paul led the Civil & Structural recruitment division at Thomas Telford Ltd., the recruitment arm of the Institution of Civil Engineers, for more than two decades.
The rebranding and expansion to Lethaby & Cook marks a strategic enhancement, bringing Civil & Structural recruitment expertise into the fold alongside the well-established M&E division. This rebrand preserves the strong reputation and goodwill of Claremont Building Services, while aligning the brand more closely with the specialised sectors it serves.
Above all, our clients benefit from a recruitment service strengthened by the deep industry knowledge of both founders.
Bob Lethaby – Director of Mechanical & Electrical
Bob’s career began with Morson International, a leading UK recruitment outsourcing firm, where he successfully secured and managed one of their most prestigious M&E contracts at the Atomic Weapons Research Establishment in Aldermaston—a client known for its rigorous candidate selection standards.
Bob applied this same level of precision and professionalism to expand his reach across the South of England, earning a reputation for delivering reliable M&E professionals despite a challenging skills shortage. In 1997, Bob founded Claremont Building Services, allowing him to focus on serving prominent M&E contractors throughout the UK.
He has consistently sourced key personnel, contributing to the successful delivery of complex commercial, industrial, residential, and public sector projects, and playing an instrumental role in the growth and success of his clients’ businesses.
Paul Cook – Director of Civil & Structural Engineering
With over two decades at the helm of the Institution of Civil Engineers’ recruitment division, Paul has developed an extensive network of industry contacts and deep relationships with decision-makers across the sector. His experience spans working with consultants, contractors, and developers both in the UK and internationally.
Paul leads Lethaby & Cook’s civil and structural recruitment efforts, applying his unmatched insight to deliver effective recruitment solutions for engineering managers, directors, and other key professionals. Using both contingency search and direct search and selection methods, he has successfully completed some of the industry’s most demanding recruitment assignments.
A hands-on recruiter, Paul maintains close relationships with both his clients and the professionals he places, offering confidential, informed advice to support both organisations and individuals in achieving their goals.