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Equine Jobs with Accommodation

Equine Jobs with Accommodation: myths, facts and the law

by Kelly Wallace Horne

Equine Jobs with Accommodation - live in horse jobsThe team at The Grooms List by Caroline Carter Recruitment speak to employers and job seekers all the time who are totally clued up about what their entitlements and responsibilities are in relation to horsey job vacancies where accommodation is on offer. When everyone is clued up it is, more often than not, a mutually beneficial arrangement where again, that all important win:win dynamic can make everyone’s life better BUT we do come across even more employers and job seekers who have less of an understanding concerning the legal and tax ins and outs of the matter.

As a Recruitment Agency, we take our responsibilities here very seriously and, if necessary, Caroline “gets involved” and tries to ensure all parties are aware of the consequences of consciously or unconsciously getting it wrong, and will try to steer them to the right specialists. If things do hit the fan, it can be financially catastrophic for employers and can leave employees labouring for years on miserably low wages that amount to little more than “pin money” at best!

 

The provision of accommodation with an equine job can be a grey area for both employers and employees, with so many varying arrangements from yard to yard and job role to job role. Get it wrong and:

  • At the very least an employer struggles to find and keep staff
  • The employee loses out on their salary entitlement
  • Worst case scenario, the employer and employee find themselves in very hot water

 

Here I will attempt to put a complex matter into as simple terms as possible, regarding the provision of accommodation with a job, based on situations regularly seen within the equine industry. By outlining:

  • The myths
  • The facts
  • The law

This article aims to provide basic guidelines but is in no way exhaustive – if you are in doubt about the provision of accommodation with your job it is strongly advisable that take a look at https://www.gov.uk/national-minimum-wage-accommodation or that you speak to the Equestrian Employers Association (EEA), your accountant, an employment or tax lawyer or, at the very last resort, HMRC or ACAS. Once you have clarity we would generally recommend in the first instance you feedback the details to your employer or employee and give them an opportunity to remedy the situation. If you are an employee, maybe encourage your boss to take proper advise going forward so that they can better safeguard themselves on all such matters .

 

The consequences of not playing it straight

It may seem a huge faff working out the National Minimum/Living Wage with Accommodation Offset Rates and other benefits which may be costly to the employer but the bottom line is, it’s the law. Just because the equine industry has functioned for years by offering yard staff “all-in-one” salary packages doesn’t mean it is exempt from these laws today. If you are an employee taking a new job, or an employer taking on a new employee, have a read of our article How to negotiate a salary in the equine industry, and make sure both parties are clear on their obligations and agreements before an employment contract is finalised.

 

The provision of accommodation with an equine job

 

Equine Jobs with Accommodation - Live in jobs with horses

The Myth:

“I am providing/receiving accommodation as part of the job so the salary package can merely be topped up with a take-home wage. £200 a week on top of decent accommodation with bills paid and livery for a horse is a good deal.”

 

 

The Fact:

It is not possible to discuss equine jobs with accommodation without first touching upon salary additions and bonuses. As we discussed in our article Equine Careers: Taking a Horse and pets to a new job, the equine industry presents a somewhat rare opportunity for employees to bring to and/or keep their pets, including horses, at their place of employment. It seems entirely logical for grooms to be offered a salary package which includes accommodation, livery for a horse (or even two), riding lessons, utility bills paid, WIFI and even SKY/Cable TV. If you were to add up the rental value of the accommodation, the utility bills, the provision of bonuses like WIFI/Sky channels, and the stable space and upkeep of a horse, then factor in an additional £150 a week on top, yes, it might seem like a good salary package – but it isn’t necessarily legal.

The National Minimum Wage is always the starting point when working out wages, regardless of benefits and bonuses that are thrown in, and there are very few circumstances where the National Minimum Wage does not apply. Even if you are providing/receiving a generous overall salary package, the National Minimum Wage still applies. Employers and grooms alike owe it to themselves to ensure they know the score when it comes to salary packages and the law.

 

In 2024, the UK Government is adjusting the age bands for the National Living Wage:

  • From 1st April 2024 the National Minimum Wage refers to all employees 20> years of age.
  • From 1st April 2024 the National Living Wage refers to employees 21< years of age.

 

The Law:

Employers providing accommodation can legally apply ‘Accommodation Offset Rates’ to the National Minimum/Living Wage, but that is all.

It doesn’t matter what the rental value of the property is, how recently it was refurbished, or whether the employee houses a menagerie of animals in there, the law states clearly that employers can only deduct the Accommodation Offset Rate from the National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage.  From 1st April 2024, the offset rate is £9.99 a day/£69.93 per week, which applies to every day that free accommodation is provided, not every day the employee works. The NMW rates are reviewed each year by the Low Pay Commission, which makes recommendations for change to the Government. Every year, from 1st April, the National Minimum and Living Wage rises, and the Accommodation Offset Rate rises too.

 

National Minimum/Living Wage Rates

Equine Jobs with Accommodation - working out a salary package

April 2024 – March 2025

Apprentice: £6.40 per hour

Under 18: £6.40 per hour

18-20: £8.60 per hour

21 and over: £11.44 per hour

 

For employers, it’s a criminal offence to not pay someone the National Minimum Wage or National Living Wage. Employers can read more about ensuring they’re staying legal here.

 

Accommodation Offset Rates

April 2023 – March 2025

£9.99 per day / £69.93 per week

 

Full details on the provision of accommodation with a job and the Accommodation Offset Rate can be found on the Government website here.

When accommodation is included as part of the salary package

Let’s look at the following job description…

Job A

  • 6 day week
  • free accommodation (suitable for a couple/family, has a garden, underfloor heating, and Sky TV etc)
  • bill free – all utility bills are paid
  • free livery for own horse
  • £500 weekly, gross

First of all, as previously mentioned, the single occupancy, garden, underfloor heating, and Sky TV, the utility bills and livery for the horse are NOT deductible from the National Minimum Wage. In terms of the gross salary, a 6 day week (let’s say it is an 8 hour day/48 hour week) with a gross weekly wage of £500 works out to £10.41 an hour. It’s clear to see that this wage is under the National Minimum Wage for everyone 21 years or older for 2024-2025.

If we apply the 2024-2025 Accommodation Offset Rate of £69.93 a week, from a legal perspective the gross hourly wage is increased to £11.87, which is above all National Minimum and Living Wage rates.

In a nutshell, in order to stay within the law this job is legal providing the employee lives in the accommodation (on-site or off-site) that is provided for free by the employer – but not if the employee pays a fee to their employer for the accommodation, sources and pays for their own accommodation, or “lives out” in their family home!

 

Charging employees a fee for accommodation

By law, employers can charge employees as much as they like for work-related accommodation, as long as it doesn’t reduce the employees salary below the National Minimum Wage minus the Accommodation Offset Rate.  Let’s look at the same job again, but this time the employer pays a higher wage but makes deductions for accommodation…

Job B

  • 6 day week
  • accommodation available (suitable for a couple/family, has a garden, underfloor heating, and Sky TV etc) to include bills
  • free livery for own horse
  • £570 weekly, gross minus £69.93 a week towards the accommodation, should you choose to take it

The increase in salary combined with the £69.93 weekly charge for accommodation presents a similar salary package, it’s just that job A offers a salary package including accommodation, whilst Job B gives the full salary and deducts the accommodation fee from the employee’s wages. Both methods are perfectly legal, providing everything is declared to HMRC by both parties. What an employer can’t do is pay the salary of Job A then deduct a fee for the provision of the accommodation as well.

 

When an employee lives out

If a job is advertised as live in or live out the employee is quite within their rights to choose the live out option, either by sourcing and paying for their own accommodation locally or by living at home with family. In this case, the Accommodation Offset Rate cannot be applied to the National Minimum/Living Wage, even if this means the staff accommodation is sitting empty. As an example, the salary for Job A would be illegal for all employees aged 21 years and older, whereas the salary for Job B would be perfectly legal without the deduction for accommodation. The National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage MUST be adhered to in order to remain legal, so you cannot pay a live out groom the salary that is offset against accommodation for live in employees.

 

Work in return for accommodation

Occasionally we have employers asking us to advertise a part time, full time, or flexi-hours groom vacancy for them with no wage but purely in return for the provision of accommodation. Seems unlikely, yes, but it does happen!

Equine Jobs with Accommodation - the National Minimum Wage Offset Rate

The myth: the employee’s work will fund the families accommodation whilst their partner works full time locally to provide a salary. If the employee works part time or flexi-hours they can supplement their household income by also working part time elsewhere in their free time. The house has a rental value of say £950-£1850 pcm, so this is an agreeable arrangement for a couple or family, and actually can present a profitable employment opportunity for a part time or flexi-hour groom.

The law: This arrangement may seem agreeable on paper but it is actually illegal under employment law. As above, there are very few circumstances in which employees are not entitled to the National Minimum Wage, and this isn’t one of them. The same rules apply as a full time live-in job – the National Minimum/Living Wage and the same Accommodation Offset Rates. Paying utility bills could be a huge grey area – is this included or a chargeable extra?

 

When accommodation is provided only some of the time

Equine Jobs with Accommodation - staying overnight for a job with horsesThe Daily Accommodation Offset Rate allows employers to apply a deduction in lieu of accommodation that is not a permanent provision. As an example, let’s look at an equine job with accommodation provided some of the time…

Job C

  • 5 day week
  • live out
  • some overnight shifts in the foaling season
  • salary: National Minimum Wage

Let’s assume this job is a 40 hour week (7am-1pm / 3.30pm-5.30pm). From April 2024 the gross hourly salary for a 21< year old is £11.44, or £457.60 for a 40 hour week. If during the foaling season the employee regularly lives in from Wednesday to Saturday to foal-watch, the employer is within their rights to deduct £9.99 per day (or night) that the employee inhabits the accommodation. Nothing more. In this instance, the weekly offset rate does not apply, even if no one else uses the accommodation in between times.

 

Equine jobs with accommodation – tax implications

It is the responsibility of both the employer and employee to ensure that they fully understand the tax implications and exemptions regarding the provision of accommodation with a job.

You can find out more about the type of accommodation you do and don’t pay tax on via the Government website here.

Employers can find out more about tax and National Insurance reporting obligations on the Government website here.

When your employer provides you with living accommodation because of your employment, you must include it in your tax return. HMRC provide help sheets for employees filing their self-assessment forms here.

 

As an equine recruitment agency, we believe we can have a role to play in our interaction with employers and employees by making accurate advice and resources easily accessible, in the right way, at the right time. We will not advise in detail in areas we are not experts in but we will refer you to associations and specialists who could help in your case more specifically. If you would like free, friendly, impartial, professional advice as a start point on any aspect of your job hunt or recruitment drive please do contact us.

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Both employers and jobseekers alike, if you would like free, friendly, no obligation recruitment advice from Caroline please do get in touch!

The content provided in this article is for informational purposes only. It is the responsibility of the individual to ensure that the information they are working to is correct and appropriate for their specific circumstances.

© Caroline Carter Recruitment Ltd and The Grooms List, 2024. Unauthorised use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Caroline Carter Recruitment Ltd and www.thegroomslist.co.uk with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

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*Salary £35,000 PA depending on experience and qualifications.*5 day week *Horse welcomed *Discretionary, generous end of year bonus *Overtime available *Very interesting role We have placed several staff with these employers over the years and most are still in situ with the feedback in all respects extremely positive. ‘Lovely family, a great place to work, nice people, more than fair remuneration Exciting Role on a small yard of 10 rare breed/schoolmaster horses for a really lovely private HNW family. The family reside in the UK seasonally and now needs an accomplished, calm, confident, self-starter with a passion for high standards of horse care and VIP client interactions to join the team. The daily role is inclusive of completing all yard jobs to a high standard, and exercising the horses both under saddle and in the carriage (opportunity to learn to carriage drive if not currently in your skillset). The horses need to be kept in a manner that keeps the horses suitably trained for their intended purpose and with a high level of turnout and yard. In the season the role is similar to a competition groom role, exciting and dynamic with different requests to fulfil on the main premises inclusive of pony riding, carriage driving, trekking, photoshoots, events and more! The ideal candidate would possess their HGV licence, but at minimum, the candidate will need to be confident driving a 3.5t and towing with a manual car and trailer with a willingness to obtain a HGV with the employer’s sponsorship longer-term. The candidate will need to be flexible regarding hours during the “season” the family are in residence as some events run into the evenings, this time is well remunerated and those that go above and beyond to make the residency period run smoothly are well rewarded with a very generous discretionary bonus at the end of the season. Daily working location is based in Hook, Hampshire, main estate based near Windsor, during the “season” you will be required to work from either/both locations. Could be live-in or live-out position but a relocation package is offered whereby the employer provides allowance for accommodation for 4 months, (giving time to look for own accommodation in the area). Amazing private facilities with space for 20 horses but family have <10 : International sized arena, own gallops and show jumps. Great hacking. Call Caroline and The Grooms List team on 0203 006 5730 or email info@carolinecarterrecruiment.com
*5 day week * IRO £25K pa +/- plus accommodation neg. 🙂 This vacancy has arisen due to internal promotion. We have placed staff in these roles previously and the feedback is always excellent 🙂 This lovely employer is a semi-professional carriage driver and he and his wife have a strong equestrian background. Good horsemanship skills on the ground with yard & horse management skills being a priority for the role . Candidates should possess all the usual skills, including the ability to turn a horse out Riding optional – the horses are ridden by their owners (hacked and schooled to a good level under saddle). An interest in carriage driving experience is helpful but not essential and there is an opportunity to learn to drive if you might be interested.  Outings to competitions are shared between the yard manager and this position. You would mostly be travelling to outings in the UK. There are 7 horses which are Dutch harness horses 16HH-16.2HH (2x mares and 5 geldings), these are typically WB Dutch dressage type horses. The employer is constantly back and forth to the yard/abroad where he runs a thriving business but is looking to be permanently based in the UK permanently in 5/6 years’ time. Integrity, self-reliance initiative and self-starters are a must for this role. Small family estate. Indoor and outdoor ménages, good hacking. Great facilities -walker/washdown etc. No room for a horse but lots of good yards close by. Please call Caroline & the Team on 0203 006 5730 or email caroline@carolinecarterrecruitment.com
Job Description English family relocating from Scotland are looking for a live-in groom to start June 2024. This is a full-time position with the requirement to work ad hoc Saturdays or Sundays as needed. The applicant will be in sole-charge of two perfectly behaved cobs and three (pretty perfectly) behaved shetland ponies. The family are currently looking to acquire three further horses / ponies to add to their team. The private estate is a working farm with excellent equine facilities. There is an outdoor arena with show jumps, miles of off-road hacking and plans for an extensive cross country course. This is a very happy and family focussed home, with young children, dogs and other livestock. HGV 7.5 ton license preferable, but for the right candidate the family would sponsor the required training and qualifications. CVs and references will be required. Minimum Requirements All yard duties must be performed to a high standard. Applicant must be a sensitive and confident rider and happy to work through any schooling or behavioural issues. Due to the size of the horses, the family require a lightweight groom, ideally one who is able to exercise and school small stocky ponies. Candidate must be energetic, a team player, with good social skills and the ability to work harmoniously alongside other staff. The family are also looking for a positive, happy groom who would also really enjoy riding with (and teaching where needed) the younger members of the family. A DBS certificate will be required. Accommodation details Idyllic one-bedroom flat adjoined to the main house, overlooking the farm and parkland. This flat is in excellent condition and there is a strong expectation that this standard of accommodation will be maintained by the successful applicant. – Council tax paid for – Water and heating paid for (T&Cs apply) – All other utilities to be covered by the applicant Benefits For the right candidate, this position offers: – The opportunity to bring with them their own horse – The opportunity to bring with them a maximum of two well behaved small pets (indoor cats only) – The opportunity to use the family horse box for personal use (when not in use by the family) Pension as standard  
We are now looking for an experienced competent rider to join our team. This Warmblood Stud is the home of Stallions and Broodmares. We have the pleasure of owning and producing beautiful and versatile warmblood horses.  Our bloodlines include some of the top in the  Country ;- Concorde, Kannan, Voltaire, Zirocco Blue, Cardento, Kashmir V. We are based in West Wales near Tregaron in a stunning rural location with purpose built equine facilities with an Equine Therapy and Spa onsite. Set in the midst of the idyllic Cambrian Mountains we are graced with beautiful outriding and our horses benefit with hacking out as part of their daily routines.  These quality Warmbloods are or have competed in show jumping competition in this country and abroad. This full time, live in or out role. We need a competent rider to join the team. Most importantly to work with our team,  getting the best from our horses. This will include general yard duties working as part of the team producing young stock and competing our stallions.   The role is 5 days per week and flexibility if we go out to shows at the week days and weekends. We are a mixed yard competition horses (stallions), youngstock, broodmares and general riding horses. We have some very well bred, exciting youngsters for the future. We are a very busy yard this could be a hugely rewarding role for the right person. Accommodation details – Live in is available for one and own horse considered.  
*Salary of £22,360 -£25K pa neg and prorate. depending on experience plus beautiful Cotswold stone cottage accommodation (without charges). *Fab CV opportunity *Single accommodation *World-class establishment *Well behaved dog considered Groom with some performance horse experience is required to work on a TEMPORARY basis whilst we find a permanent member of staff for an established and highly motivated team who work to a very high standard in an international dressage yard. Competent Grooms from any discipline considered. You must be a team player and as this is a non-riding position (some hacking, maybe,  if you are a particularly balanced and capable rider). It would suit someone who enjoys the Dressage environment and who wants to work with the best team of people & horses in the best of facilities at home. Please call Caroline & Team on 0203 006 5730 or email info@carolinecarterrecruitment.com
*Salary of £22,360 -£25K pa neg. depending on experience plus beautiful Cotswold stone cottage accommodation (without charges). *Fab career/CV opportunity *Single accommodation *World-class establishment *Well behaved dog considered Groom with some performance horse experience required to work within an established and highly motivated team to a very high standard in an international dressage yard. Competent Grooms from any discipline considered. You must be a team player and as this is a non-riding position (some hacking, maybe,  if you are a particularly balanced and capable rider). It would suit someone who enjoys the Dressage environment and who wants to work with the best team of people & horses in the best of facilities at home. This is a great training ground for those established in their career or ambitious individuals wanting to build a career towards yard management and /or competition grooming in the future. Please call Caroline & Team on 0203 006 5730 or email info@carolinecarterrecruitment.com
​*Stunning Cotswold location *IRO £400-£450 +accomm and no bills *5 day week * dog considered* Our client events her horses at all levels (BE90 – 4*)and has some fabulous advanced horses as well as some “up and coming” youngsters. This role is suitable for an experienced Groom who enjoys the competitive environment but is also happy when mostly home grooming. Relevant experience ideal including yard/stable/performance horse management. Youngstock experience a bonus as a few young horses brought in from time to time to bring on. Must be able to turn out to a good basic level. Must be passionate about horses and their care. … Please call Caroline & the Team  on 0203 006 5730 or email info@carolinecarterrecruitment.com  
CONFIDENTIALITY ASSURED *Salary IRO £40k totally negotiable depending on experience plus accommodation *Sponsorship available to suitably qualified non UK citizens *Partner, own horse and pets welcomed (but this is a role with lots of travelling home and internationally) Show Jumping Competition Groom required for a vacancy with a very ambitious and competitive family. Must be an experienced Show Groom in the UK and Internationally with an established referenceable record. Rider is a bonus but certainly not essential. Experienced driving  26t+ lorries and ideally articulated is key. 18 quality jumping horses and homebred/other young stock destined for a career in SJ/jumping all kept in top accommodation to the highest standards. Nice, flexible  accommodation Great team environment with a young, energetic, motivated and progressive team. Top-class facilities Fairly flexible on the number of days worked, can work around anything between 5 and 6 but obviously will be straight through when away at shows You will be well looked after and treated as the professional you have worked hard to become in this very inclusive environment. Must have experience with handling stallions. Please call Caroline & the Team on 0203 006 5730 or email info@carolinecarterrecruitment.com  
If you have an EU or German passport or the necessary immigration status plus an adventurous spirit and would like to turbocharge your CV – we would like you to get in touch soonest *Salary £2047.71 per month/£24,572.52 pa annum/£472.54 pw (Euros equivalent) *Food/accommodation and utilities small charge *Must have an EU or German passport *Dog considered *Short-term contract positions (6-9 months available), as well as long-term jobs, are available *This employer is happy to consider junior and senior, experienced or less experienced This is a unique opportunity to work in a world-class performance horse yard/ auction site/ sales/youngstock /sales and competition yards and on the same employer’s Stud & AI laboratory (during the Stud season) . The Stud role during the season has 2 key elements:  to look after broodmares and their foals. You would also be involved in vet checks and insemination, youngstock handling, stable management, feeding, health care, farrier, etc Grooms/Stud staff interested in working in their world-leading AI laboratory This position requires someone super meticulous and organised to fill and pack the orders for mares to be put in foal to their world-class stallions via AI  you don´t need any horse or lab experience at all. Enthusiasm and dedication to work alongside the best horses, riders, and horse people. This opportunity would be GREAT FUN and a second-to-none experience which would enhance your career anywhere you choose at home and abroad. Outside of the season you may well work with young horses/competition horses/auction bound horses etc etc whatever you r preference vs the yards requirements at the time. All up for discussion. This really does offer a rare insight into world-class horses, world-class facilities, and a truly remarkable experience for any Groom or Stud Person seriously interested in getting to the top of their game. There are also considerable opportunities for advancement and promotion possibilities if you wish to remain in Germany. Please note: Medical aid – by law both employer and employee have to pay 50% Statutory sick pay – the employer pays for the first 6 weeks of medical insurance,  after the 6 weeks they pay around 60-70% 3 meals per day will be provided when working on site, (one of which is a warm cooked meal), and the employee pays 163€ per month contribution All employment/immigration /legal administration – The employer will assist with this but there will be a joint responsibility between the employee and Employer. The agency, Caroline carter Recruitment Ltd. in its capacity as an introductory and not an employment agency,  does not get involved with this apart from in terms of communication between employee and employer if requested in writing/email by the employee or employer Covid-19  – The employee must have had the 1st and 2nd doses but it is not mandatory to have had the booster.  This will be at the employee’s discretion but the employer retains the right to restrict duties without it.   Please call Caroline & the Team on 0203 006 5730 or email info@carolinecarterrecruitment.com
Add considerable experience to your CV – why not consider as a short-term contract position (6-9 months available) as well as long-term jobs. If you have an EU or German passport, an adventurous spirit and would like to show what you are capable of or add to your CV, then this could be for you! *Salary £2047.71 per month/£24,572.52 pa annum/£472.54 pw (Euros equivalent) *Food/accommodation and utilities small charge * Must have an EU or German passport *Dog considered. One of the most professional performance horse yards in the world is looking to add to its team with two key Stud Roles to look after broodmares and their foals. You would also be involved in vet checks and inseminations, youngstock handling, stable management, feeding, health care, farrier, etc Grooms/Stud staff interested in working in their world-leading AI laboratory This position requires someone super meticulous and organised to fill and pack the orders for mares to be put in foal to their world-class stallions via AI  you don´t need any horse or lab experience at all. This employer is happy to consider junior and senior, experienced or less experienced. Enthusiasm and dedication to work alongside the best horses, riders, and horsepeople. This opportunity would be GREAT FUN and a second-to-none experience which would enhance your career anywhere you chose in the future both at home and abroad. A rare insight into world-class horses, world-class facilities, and a truly remarkable experience for any Groom or Stud Person seriously interested in getting to the top of their game. There are also considerable opportunities for advancement and promotion possibilities if you wish to remain in Germany. Please note: Medical aid – by law both employer and employee have to pay 50% Statutory sick pay – the employer pays for the first 6 weeks of medical insurance,  after the 6 weeks they pay around 60-70% 3 meals per day will be provided when working on site, (one of which is a warm cooked meal), the employee pays 163€ per month contribution All employment/immigration /legal administration – The employer will assist with this but there will be a joint responsibility between the employee and Employer. The agency, Caroline carter Recruitment Ltd. in its capacity as an introductory and not an employment agency,  does not get involved with this apart from in terms of communication between employee and employer if requested in writing/email by the employee or employer Covid-19  – The employee must have had the 1st and 2nd doses but it is not mandatory to have had the booster.  This will be at the employee’s discretion but the employer retains the right to restrict duties without it.   Please call Caroline on 0203 006 5730 or email info@carolinecarterrecruitment.com

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Caroline Carter Recruitment Ltd
The Stables
Fildyke Road
Meppershall
Bedfordshire
SG17 5LU

info@carolinecarterrecruitment.com
0203 006 5730 / 07747 686 118

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