Employment agency under fire for 'sexist' ads which specify bra size

A recruitment agency based in Ladbroke Grove has come under fire for placing job ads specifying bra size.

Matching Models in Acklam Road is currently advertising jobs for a PA and flight attendant who must have “long brown hair with B-C cup” and a “sexy driver” to ferry a client around London.

But equal opportunity groups have hit out at the agency, saying Matching Models is proof the battle for gender equality is far from won.

On its website, Matching Models describes itself as an “employment agency for beautiful, talented people” whose clients include Louis Vuitton, MTV, F1 and Harrods.

It also says: “It is almost politically incorrect to request someone to work for you that is both attractive as well as professionally equipped with the right set of skills. However, our company understands the importance of having the right people representing your company, because after all, first impressions count!”

Marching Models say it is providing a service for employers who want their staff “to look a certain way”.

One job is advertised as Sexy Driver London, with the successful applicant tasked with driving a “well known business tycoon and owner of a polo team” to and from the polo field.

The Fawcett Society is the UK’s leading charity campaigning for gender equality and women’s rights. Chief executive Sam Smethers said: “Ads like these are straight out of the 1970s. It is extraordinary that they are taking this approach and almost certainly falls foul of equality legislation.

“If we ever wonder why the battle for gender equality hasn’t been won, this is a timely reminder.”

And the chief executive from the Equality and Human Rights Commission, Rebecca Hilsenrath, added: “This is appalling, unlawful and demeaning to women. We will be writing to Matching Models and asking for them to clarify their hiring practices immediately.

“Matching Models are right about one thing; first impressions count, but the important stuff is not about your hair colour.

“If they wish to maintain their reputation, they should act like a business in the 21st Century and consign this type of sexism to the history books.”

Matching Models founder Nathalie Jansen, responded: “Our clients are uber-successful with high demands but the rewards are immense. They want the best and are prepared to pay top salaries to make sure their lives and business runs smoothly.

“A lot of clients want their employees to look a certain way as well as having the right qualifications and experience.”