Saveena joined Reed just two weeks after finishing university and has since progressed through six roles in six years. She now leads Early Talent initiatives, supporting young professionals from application to scheme completion.
How I found Reed
Like most graduates, I was eager to get my CV out there, and Reed.co.uk was one of the first job boards I registered with. I didn’t realise at the time how impactful that would be. Just by uploading my CV, I was contacted about a role at Reed—and within two weeks of my final university exam, I had interviewed and been offered the job!
What really drew me in was the Reed name. It’s such a well-established brand, and as someone unsure of what to do next, I felt confident that a company like Reed would offer the support and opportunities I needed to find my path. I’m so glad I took that chance—it’s led me to a career I truly love.
Why I’ve stayed
Over the past 6.5 years, I’ve had six different roles at Reed. I’ve completed both the Graduate Scheme and the Apprenticeship Scheme, and I’ve also had the privilege of being the Religion, Race and Ethnicity Ambassador. The professional development I’ve experienced here has been incredible. I started with very little experience, and I’m so grateful to Reed for helping me grow. I know my hard work is recognised, and that keeps me motivated every day.
What I love about my role
I genuinely think I have one of the best jobs in The Reed Group. I get to see how we improve lives through work—especially with our Early Talent. From the moment they apply, we build relationships with them, support them through the recruitment process, and stay in touch throughout their time on our schemes. Watching them grow and succeed is incredibly rewarding.
Of course, being part of a two-person team can be challenging—we can’t always engage with as many internal co-members as we’d like. But we’ve tackled that by launching an Early Talent Committee with nine representatives to help us provide even more support.
What makes reed unique
One thing people might not realise is how seriously Reed takes corporate social responsibility. Since 1989, the Reed Foundation has owned 18% of the company, which means we effectively work one day a week for charity. That’s such a powerful and unique part of our business.
We’ve also been carbon neutral since 2005, and we’re always looking for ways to do more. For example, we planted 70,000 trees for the Queen’s Jubilee and even have beehives on the roof of our Holborn office. It’s refreshing to work for a company that cares about the environment as much as it does about its people.
My proudest moments
One of my proudest achievements was in FY19 when I set a record for the most screening calls completed in four weeks—over 150! That led to me being runner-up in a company-wide sourcing competition and shortlisted for the Managing Director’s Choice Award. It felt amazing to have my efforts recognised across the business.
The culture at Reed
Whenever someone asks me why I love working at Reed, my answer is always the same: the people. Reed is a family-run business, and that sense of family is felt in every team. Whether it’s the support from colleagues or the willingness of anyone in the business to help, it creates a culture where you feel truly valued. Considering how much time we spend at work, that sense of belonging is so important.
What’s next
Since joining the Early Talent team in 2020, we’ve rebuilt the Graduate Scheme to pre-Covid levels, relaunched the Undergraduate Placement Scheme, and piloted a Technical Graduate Scheme that’s now in its second year. Next, I’d love to expand our reach even further—especially to those leaving statutory education. There’s so much untapped talent out there, and I’m excited to see where we can go next.
A memorable moment
I always laugh when I think back to university—I was adamant I wouldn’t go into recruitment or join a graduate scheme. But within 18 months at Reed, I’d done both! I started as an Executive Assistant, moved into recruitment, and eventually found myself recruiting for the very scheme I’d joined. I’ve never looked back.
I’ll never forget the moment I realised recruitment was for me. I was working in the RPO team, filling a tough role for a bank, and it just clicked. That feeling of finding the right candidate never gets old—and now I get to see how those hires grow and thrive. It’s perfect.
When I’ve felt at my best
Being the Religion, Race and Ethnicity Ambassador has been one of the most meaningful parts of my journey. The Diversity and Inclusion channels at Reed are incredible—they allow you to be yourself and encourage you to learn about others. Knowing I’ve made a difference in people’s lives through this work is something I’ll always be proud of.