Award-winning business leader Paul McCallum has revealed how flexible staffing partnerships are helping major UK events operate despite ongoing recruitment challenges across the hospitality industry.
McCallum, Founder and Managing Director of Leeds-based recruitment agency PJ Staffing and SME News’ Managing Director of the Year 2025, recently oversaw the deployment of more than 215 workers on a single race day at York Racecourse.
The teams supported hospitality, cleaning and operational services for crowds of up to 28,000 racegoers during the venue’s 2025 racing season. Across the season, PJ Staffing recruited and onboarded more than 500 agency workers to support fluctuating demand at the racecourse.
McCallum said the ability to scale workforces quickly has become essential for venues hosting major events. “Events of this size rely on a huge amount of planning behind the scenes,” he explained. “Crowd numbers change, weather affects attendance and operational needs shift throughout the day. Venues need a staffing partner that can respond quickly while maintaining high standards.”
York Racecourse is one of the UK’s most prestigious racing venues and hosts some of the country’s most popular meetings each year. During the busiest events, PJ Staffing manages teams across seven operational areas including hospitality, bar service, cleaning, litter picking and catering support.
The teams supported hospitality, cleaning and operational services for crowds of up to 28,000 racegoers during the venue’s 2025 racing season. Across the season, PJ Staffing recruited and onboarded more than 500 agency workers to support fluctuating demand at the racecourse.
McCallum said the ability to scale workforces quickly has become essential for venues hosting major events. “Events of this size rely on a huge amount of planning behind the scenes,” he explained. “Crowd numbers change, weather affects attendance and operational needs shift throughout the day. Venues need a staffing partner that can respond quickly while maintaining high standards.”
York Racecourse is one of the UK’s most prestigious racing venues and hosts some of the country’s most popular meetings each year. During the busiest events, PJ Staffing manages teams across seven operational areas including hospitality, bar service, cleaning, litter picking and catering support.
Paul McCallum with PJ Staffing team members at York Races
Staff begin checking in from 6.45am, with teams working across the venue throughout the day to ensure the racecourse is ready for guests and sponsors. The partnership between PJ Staffing and York Racecourse has been in place for more than six years, with the agency acting as the sole supplier for cleaning operations during race meetings. York Racecourse Chairman Bridget Guerin praised the contribution of the team, thanking them for helping keep the venue “clean and sparkling” throughout the season.
McCallum believes partnerships like this are becoming increasingly important as venues face recruitment pressures. “Major events depend on hundreds of people working behind the scenes,” he said. “The success of any race meeting ultimately comes down to the people delivering the experience for guests.”
Not one to rest on his laurels, McCallum and his team are already recruiting and preparing for the upcoming events season. At York Racecourse in particular, PJ Staffing is continuing to expand its workforce to ensure the venue has the reliable, experienced teams it needs to deliver race meetings at scale. “Our focus is always on making sure our clients have the right people in place, so events run smoothly,” he said. “We are already recruiting and looking ahead to the next season.”
Media Contact:
Danielle Windecker-Hilton
Sycamore Communications
danielle@sycamorecommunications.co.uk
07704 763269
ENDS
McCallum believes partnerships like this are becoming increasingly important as venues face recruitment pressures. “Major events depend on hundreds of people working behind the scenes,” he said. “The success of any race meeting ultimately comes down to the people delivering the experience for guests.”
Not one to rest on his laurels, McCallum and his team are already recruiting and preparing for the upcoming events season. At York Racecourse in particular, PJ Staffing is continuing to expand its workforce to ensure the venue has the reliable, experienced teams it needs to deliver race meetings at scale. “Our focus is always on making sure our clients have the right people in place, so events run smoothly,” he said. “We are already recruiting and looking ahead to the next season.”
Media Contact:
Danielle Windecker-Hilton
Sycamore Communications
danielle@sycamorecommunications.co.uk
07704 763269
ENDS