I've been interviewed (a few years ago now), and I know 2 members of the development team that left in the last year.
The perception that plusnet works people really hard is still prevalent, and I left the interview thinking that I wouldn't take the job. I suspect the reason that I wasn't even offered it was that I asked about the 50hr weeks and what was being done to make a reasonable work/life balance possible.

If you are still keen to recruit people into your Sheffield office then you need to continue to work on that reputation, and I think modify the way you assess people. I had to do a mini exam most of which was massively out of date and some of which I didn't think was particularly relevant, I'd guess that the exam hadn't changed since 2000 whilst the industry moved on.

Just my thoughts anyway, I'm not looking for work at the moment, although I can see the plusnet office from the window here.

Sounds good, I'd like to have a crack at something like that. I just left university last summer and haven't been able to get my teeth into anything like this at work yet.

I'd be wary of off-shoring too much btw. I've known a few companies who had some negative experiences and are still trying to undo some of the damage. Cheap labour's all well and good, but the old addage about peanuts and monkeys looms all too large.

Plus, a whole load of tasty buzzwords that can go on my CV

OK, cruel dig I know, but what else would you expect.

A worthwhile read, always interesting to see the direction you are heading.

Thanks.