Get to know us
Directors
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Naomi Asher
Co Founder and Joint Managing Director
- First Job:
- Sports Shop Sales Assistant
- Describe yourself in 3 words
- a) Happy
b) Positive
c) Productive - What do you love about Ashley Kate HR?
- The excellent, dedicated, professional team, the quality of candidates and clients and incredible pride in being seen as a market leader in HR
- What are the challenges you face in your current role
- Juggling everything and not getting too involved in other peoples work
- Describe your perfect day at the office?
- The teams all exceeding their targets and feeling fulfilled in their roles
- If you didn't work in HR Recruitment what would you do?
- Be a detective
- Who do you most admire?
- My Mum
- What are you reading at the moment?
- Chris Evans Autobiography and Tiddler (every single night!) to my girls
- What music are you currently listening to?
- Mama Mia soundtrack - the kids love it and you can't go wrong with a bit of Abba
- My Favourite?
- Food - Spaghetti carbonara (with Chips)
Place - Home
Activity - Being with family and friends - If you could change one thing... what would it be?
- Nothing about my life but a lot on a worldwide scale - would need more space!
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Hilary Scanlon FCIPD
Co Founder and Joint Managing Director
- First Job:
- Shoe Shop Sales Assistant
- Describe yourself in 3 words
- a) Easy-going
b) Caring
c) Committed - What do you love about Ashley Kate HR?
- Its always fast paced, there's never a dull moment, every day brings fresh challenges and working with a great team.
- What are the challenges you face in your current role
- Finding a work-life balance
- Describe your perfect day at the office?
- No IT issues
- If you didn't work in HR Recruitment what would you do?
- Would have loved to have been a professional pianist
- Who do you most admire?
- All the unsung hero's
- What are you reading at the moment?
- Alan Sugar autobiography (and my monthly Homes and Gardens)
- What music are you currently listening to?
- Take That
- My Favourite?
- Food - Anything with duck
Place - (two) South of France and Italy
Activity - Yoga - If you could change one thing... what would it be?
- Cancer wouldn't exist.
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Claire Baker
Group Operations Director
- First Job:
- Accounts Clerk at The Wood Group (Construction Company)
- Describe yourself in 3 words
- a) Thoughtful
b) Caring
c) Reliable - What do you love about Ashley Kate HR?
- I don't feel like a cog in a big wheel, opportunity to impact on the business.
- Describe your perfect day at the office?
- Period end - everyone to have hit all their targets and company record beat
- If you didn't work in HR Recruitment what would you do?
- Fire fighter, bad eyesight though so would settle for a cake shop
- Who do you most admire?
- Ant & Dec they have such a life
- What are you reading at the moment?
- Pregnancy & Birth not a massive reader (written whilst pregnant!)
- What music are you currently listening to?
- Take That, The Script, Michael Buble
- My Favourite?
- Food - Chocolate
Place - Las Vegas
Activity - Eating & Drinking with friends and family - If you could change one thing... what would it be?
- That the £1k I thought I had won on a scratch card a few weeks ago I had actually won
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Paula Shaw
HR Business Manager
- First Job:
- Fitness Instructor
- Describe yourself in 3 words
- a) Will try anything once!
b) Loyal
c) Honest - What do you love about Ashley Kate HR?
- Big enough to make a difference - small enough to be flexible to adapt to a changing market
- What are the challenges you face in your current role
- Being able to reach all our candidates as often as we would like to.
- Describe your perfect day in the office?
- All the positives of filling jobs, gaining new jobs and registering more new excellent HR candidates
- If you didn't work in HR Recruitment what would you do?
- PE Teacher
- Who do you most admire?
- Michelle Mone
- What are you reading at the moment?
- Nothing - I only ever read on the beach!
- What music are you currently listening to?
- Jeremiah's new album
- My Favourite?
- Food - chicken salad - jelly sweets
Place - Cyprus or my bed
Activity - any kind of fun gym class! - If you could change one thing... what would it be?
- British climate - we need more sun!!
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Carrie Fletcher
HR Recruitment Consultant
- First Job:
- Bridal Sales Assistant
- Describe yourself in 3 words
- a) chirpy
b) kooky
c) fun - What do you love about Ashley Kate HR?
- I love the specialism, HR is ever-evolving. Anyone can develop themselves; there are no limits.
- Describe your perfect day in the office?
- Knowing you've got the perfect match of role for candidate and candidate for client
- If you didn't work in HR Recruitment what would you do?
- I'd be a photographer with my own gallery and darkroom
- Who do you most admire?
- My father
- What are you reading at the moment?
- Neil Gaiman 'Neverwhere'
- What music are you currently listening to?
- Brandon Flowers, Ellie Goulding and Marina and the Diamonds
- My Favourite?
- Food - East Asian cuisine
Place - I'll let you know when I get there
Activity - having a good belly laugh! - If you could change one thing... what would it be?
- Poverty
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Gemma Stirrup
Head of HR Recruitment
- First Job:
- Huxley Associates on their grad scheme
- Describe yourself in 3 words
- a) Competitive
b) Determined
c) Resilient - What do you love about Ashley Kate HR?
- Seeing the business evolve: the fantastic client and candidate relationships we have developed along the way.
- What are the challenges you face in your current role?
- It's got to be keeping all my different plates spinning.
- Describe your perfect day in the office?
- Getting a fantastic role that offers someone the chance to develop their HR career and make a difference!
- If you didn't work in HR Recruitment what would you do?
- I would be giving Sarah Beaney a run for her money!
- Who do you most admire?
- People who take the time to give something back and don't expect any recognition or reward for their efforts.
- What are you reading at the moment?
- I would love to be high brow in my answer but at the moment it is most likely to be the Gruffalo, Lost and Found or Room on the Broom to my two year old.
- What music are you currently listening to?
- Kings of Leon
- My Favourite?
- Food - Sea food!
Place - Revelstoke, Canada
Activity - you probably guessed from the above, skiing is my passion! - If you could change one thing... what would it be?
- At the moment weather conditions in South Yorkshire. Ask me that at 2am on a night out and you might get a more philosophical answer.
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Amanda Underhill
HR Recruitment Consultant
- First Job:
- Apprentice Mechanic for Ford
- Describe yourself in 3 words
- a) Personable
b) Placid
c) Positive - What do you love about Ashley Kate HR?
- My colleagues. They are driven and provide an excellent service to all they represent.
- What are the challenges you face in your current role?
- Too many good candidates and not enough roles to place them in.
- Describe your perfect day in the office?
- All our candidates get to their interviews safely (written during a very snowy period!)
- If you didn't work in HR Recruitment what would you do?
- I would have loved to have studied Criminal Law.
- Who do you most admire?
- Sir Alan Sugar.
- What are you reading at the moment?
- Martina Cole - The Ladykiller.
- What music are you currently listening to?
- Rumer and Jamiroquai
- My Favourite?
- Food - Beef Wellington
Place - The Caribbean
Activity - Walking - If you could change one thing... what would it be?
- That we never went into a recession.
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James Beighton
Group Administrator
- First Job:
- Mortgage Customer Service Advisor - HSBC
- Describe yourself in 3 words
- a) Fun
b) Loyal
c) (Very) Hardworking - What do you love about Ashley Kate HR?
- The positive attitude of HR candidates and of course my supportive and professional colleagues.
- What are the challenges you face in your current role?
- Ensuring that each and every candidate and client receives the highest level of service.
- Describe your perfect day in the office?
- Arrive to a sausage sandwich and open my inbox to find no unread emails.
- If you didn't work in HR Recruitment what would you do?
- Realistically I'd become Sheffield United's first £5million Football player.
- Who do you most admire?
- Daily, Alexander Graham Bell, inventor of the telephone. At times in a work day I often wish the telephone didn't exist but to think that in a split second I can lift a piece of plastic and communicate across the world still amazes me.
In general, my Sister and anybody who has experienced family or loved one's serving in combat within the Forces. To remain calm, cheerful and optimistic through anything life throws at you is something I will always aspire too. - What are you reading at the moment?
- Chart Throb by Ben Elton.
- What music are you currently listening to?
- Falcon - The latest album by Manchester band The Courteeners
- My Favourite?
- Food - Tough one ...... I'll go with Piccalilli
Place - Bramall Lane - Home of my beloved Football Team
Activity - Eating - If you could change one thing... what would it be?
- How many hours there are in a day!
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Keeley McKay
Head of HR Recruitment
- First Job:
- Customer Service Supervisor - Sheridan Australia Ltd
- Describe yourself in 3 words
- a) Ambitious
b) Confident
c) Approachable - What do you love about Ashley Kate HR?
- The opportunity to develop and continuously learn from others.
- What are the challenges you face in your current role?
- Keeping candidates motivated about the recruitment market moving forward.
- Describe your perfect day in the office?
- Placing candidates in new and challenging roles.
- If you didn't work in HR Recruitment what would you do?
- I would work within the fashion industry so I could be surrounded by lots of clothes!
- Who do you most admire?
- Richard Branson
- What are you reading at the moment?
- Twilight - Breaking Dawn
- What music are you currently listening to?
- Kings of Leon
- My Favourite?
- Food - Italian
Place - Somerset
Activity - Whippet Racing - If you could change one thing... what would it be?
- More than 24 hrs in a day!
-
Kim MacNamara
HR Business Director
- First Job:
- Trainee Hotel Manager
- Describe yourself in 3 words
- a) Proactive
b) Persistent
c) Sociable - What do you love about Ashley Kate HR?
- Connecting with HR professionals and the fact that our placements make such a positive impact on our clients brand positioning.
- What are the challenges you face in your current role?
- Ensuring we continue to source innovative HR talent who will contribute to our clients' growth and profitability.
- Describe your perfect day in the office?
- Being offered sole supplier status to a client - enabling a truly effective HR personal service.
- If you didn't work in HR Recruitment what would you do?
- Always fancied myself as bit of a Lara Croft - a treasure hunter!
- Who do you most admire?
- Elle MacPherson - a perfect example of beauty and business brains!
- What are you reading at the moment?
- Paul O'Grady's autobiography
- What music are you currently listening to?
- Take That / Rihanna /Ellie Goulding /Paulo Nutini /Beyonce with a bit of the Buble thrown in!
- My Favourite?
- Food - Dark chocolate any offers?
Place - Walt Disney World - Florida - best fun ever!
Activity - Gym - I need to get fit for that hill climb in the Lakes! - If you could change one thing... what would it be?
- Why couldn't I have written the Harry Potter books first!
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Karen Dowthwaite
Senior Recruitment Administrator
- First Job:
- Catering Assistant
- Describe yourself in 3 words
- a) Reliable
b) Loyal
c) Caring - What do you love about Ashley Kate HR?
- Working with a dedicated team and being busy.
- Describe your perfect day in the office?
- A productive day where all work is cleared
- If you didn't work in HR Recruitment what would you do?
- I have always wanted to be a Florist.
- Who do you most admire?
- My Dad
- What are you reading at the moment?
- Cathy Kelly - Once in a Lifetime
- What music are you currently listening to?
- Take That and Peter Andre
- My Favourite?
- Food - Anything spicy
Place - Goodison Park (I support Everton)
Activity - Zumba - If you could change one thing... what would it be?
- I wouldn't change anything.
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Millie Gordon
HR Recruitment Consultant
- First Job:
- Waitress
- Describe yourself in 3 words
- a) Resilient
b) Positive
c) Confident - What do you love about Ashley Kate HR?
- Helping people find new careers, this changes their lives.
- What are the challenges you face in your current role?
- That there is only one of me and juggling the volume of jobs and candidates registered on a daily basis.
- Describe your perfect day in the office?
- Finding the right candidate for the right job.
- If you didn't work in HR Recruitment what would you do?
- Travelling around the world taking photographs.
- Who do you most admire?
- Bill Gates
- What are you reading at the moment?
- Grazia Magazine - if it doesn't contain dresses and shoes, it doesn't interest me.
- What music are you currently listening to?
- Anything Electro
- My Favourite?
- Food - Pasta or tapas
Place - The French Alps
Activity - Snowboarding - If you could change one thing... what would it be?
- That I could be in two places at the same time.
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Helen Oliver
Recruitment Administrator
- First Job:
- Receptionist
- Describe yourself in 3 words
- a) Cheerful
b) Easy Going
c) Calm - What do you love about Ashley Kate HR?
- The fast paced, busy environment
- What are the challenges you face in your current role?
- Making sure I manage all candidate applications in a timely and effective manner
- Describe your perfect day in the office?
- When one of my team place a HR candidate into a new job and they make a brew!
- If you didn't work in HR Recruitment what would you do?
- Work in a zoo with the monkeys!
- Who do you most admire?
- My Mum and Dad
- What are you reading at the moment?
- A text?
- What music are you currently listening to?
- Artic Monkeys / The Script
- My Favourite?
- Food - Lasagne
Place - Greece
Activity - Spinning / Skiing - If you could change one thing... what would it be?
- Don't change anything, mistakes are there to be made!
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Yasmin Khan
HR Recruitment Consultant
- First Job:
- Working in a Call Centre
- Describe yourself in 3 words
- a) Positive
b) Focused
c) Relationship Builder - What do you love about Ashley Kate HR?
- I love the variety in my position you just never know how your day is going to proceed.
- What are the challenges you face in your current role?
- Time management, what's the saying "time waits for no man".
- Describe your perfect day in the office?
- Days I make a placement with an overjoyed candidate and client.
- If you didn't work in HR Recruitment what would you do?
- I would be a counsellor.
- Who do you most admire?
- Those who are selfless.
- What are you reading at the moment?
- City of Fallen Angels
- What music are you currently listening to?
- Chart music
- My Favourite?
- Food - Pasta
Place - Amsterdam
Activity - Reading - Me time - If you could change one thing... what would it be?
- I think you shouldn't change anything because everything that's happened has got you where you are today!
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Leon Morley
HR Recruitment Consultant
- First Job:
- Customer Service Assistant in a Sandwich shop
- Describe yourself in 3 words
- a) Talkative
b) Clumsy
c) Friendly - What do you love about Ashley Kate HR?
- I love the fact that Ashley Kate HR has a good reputation in the market.
- What are the challenges you face in your current role?
- Getting everything done in a day.
- Describe your perfect day in the office?
- Placements - telling candidates they have a new position!
- If you didn't work in HR Recruitment what would you do?
- Footballer - Just waiting for the call from Newcastle Utd.
- Who do you most admire?
- Anyone who is extremely talented in their profession with good morals.
- What are you reading at the moment?
- Not a big reader. Tend to read non-fiction and magazines.
- What music are you currently listening to?
- Zero 7
- My Favourite?
- Food - Roast dinner
Place - Thailand
Activity - Playing football - If you could change one thing... what would it be?
- Add a few zeros on my bank account would be nice.
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Luke Hinchley
Administrator
- First Job:
- This is my first job.
- Describe yourself in 3 words
- a) Well-mannered
b) Scatter-brain
c) Up-beat - What do you love about Ashley Kate HR?
- Everybody that works here are extremely kind and it makes working here very enjoyable
- Describe your perfect day in the office?
- To have no undeliverable or out of office emails at the start of the day
- If you didn't work in HR Recruitment what would you do?
- Travel the world (given that I won the lottery)
- Who do you most admire?
- Bear Grylls
- What are you reading at the moment?
- Nothing currently but recently read a few books by Dr Raymond Moody about Near Death Experience
- What music are you currently listening to?
- South Korean Pop
- My Favourite?
- Food - Cake
Place - Whitby
Activity - Doing Nothing - If you could change one thing... what would it be?
- The impact that humanity is having on the environment
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Gemma Turner
HR Recruitment Consultant
- First Job:
- Christmas Sales Assistant at BHS
- Describe yourself in 3 words
- a) Positive
b) Fun
c) Organised - What do you love about Ashley Kate HR?
- I love being a specialist recruiter and being involved in the Networking Events that AK HR run. The team are great fun too!
- Describe your perfect day in the office?
- Being able to find all my candidates their perfect job and having lemon meringue pie for lunch.
- If you didn't work in HR Recruitment what would you do?
- Open an animal rescue centre.
- Who do you most admire?
- My parents
- What are you reading at the moment?
- Lance Armstrong's autobiography
- What music are you currently listening to?
- Mainly my old iPod stuff, so anything from Folk to House music
- My Favourite?
- Food - Sweet Chili Sauce with anything!
Place - Cradle Mountain - Tasmania
Activity - Walking my dog - If you could change one thing... what would it be?
- Bring back Coleman's sweet and sour sauce!!
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Jo Lewis
Administrator
- First Job:
- Copy Assistant, in a stationary store.
- Describe yourself in 3 words
- a) Tall
b) Headstrong
c) Chaotic - What do you love about Ashley Kate HR?
- Everyone I work with has a personality.
- Describe your perfect day in the office?
- A day when I clear my inbox, send my mailers and have to ask for something else to do!
- If you didn't work in HR Recruitment what would you do?
- Work for a British Formula One team.
- Who do you most admire?
- Danica Patrick (female NASCAR driver) - she's model gorgeous, super brainy and really kicks the boys around on the track!
- What are you reading at the moment?
- Nothing, but I just finished The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo. I'd recommend it to anyone with eyes...
- What music are you currently listening to?
- I mainly listen to metal and rock, but I like pretty much anything.
- My Favourite?
- Food - Mum's cauliflower & broccoli cheese with pancetta.
Place - South of France, Nice & Monaco.
Activity - Motorsport - If you could change one thing... what would it be?
- I would be shorter..
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Jo Pearson
HR Recruitment Consultant
- First Job?
Pot Washer – Australian Outback Bar & Diner (actually based in Bakewell, Derbyshire!)
- Describe yourself in 3 words?
a) Loyal
b) Calm
c) Honest- What do you love about Ashley Kate HR?
I like being part of a brilliant team that are experts at what they do.
- Describe your perfect day in the office?
Securing at least 3 offers of employment for my candidates, hitting my target by 10am and Mexican for lunch
- If you didn't work in HR Recruitment what would you do?
Run a small café or record shop on the beach in Cornwall or Australia
- Who do you most admire?
My folks
- What are you reading at the moment? .
The Hundred Year Old Man That Climbed Out of the Window and Disappeared
- What music are you currently listening to?
Father John Misty – Fear Fun
Jimi Hendrix – A xis Bold as Love
- My Favourite?
Food – Peanuts!
Place – Home or any beach or mountain
Activity – Snowboarding or playing guitar or seeing friends at the pub (too many to choose from!)
- If you could change one thing ... what would it be?
Not to go bald at 21!
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Lucy Stafford
HR Recruitment Consultant
- My first job?
Silver Service Waitress - I was terrible. On my first shift, I dropped a decanter of red wine over a man’s lap, he was wearing khaki chinos!
- Describe yourself in 3 words...
a) Loyal
b) Nice
c) Easy-Going
- What do you love about Ashley Kate HR?
That everyone is approachable and easy to get along with.
- Describe your perfect day in the office?
All candidates go to their interviews, get offered on the spot and start the next day!
- If you didn't work in HR Recruitment what would you do?
I would probably be a journalist or a lady of leisure.
- Who do you most admire?
My parents
- What are you reading at the moment?
The Wedding Bible / Wedding magazines
- What music are you currently listening to?
Fleetwood Mac – Rumours- I like to keep up to date
- My Favourite?
Food – Goat’s Cheese
Place – My living room, watching a great film with the fella
Activity – Drinking wine
- If you could change one thing... what would it be?
The English weather – I would like if we got all four seasons at the right time!
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Tom Speddings
HR Recruitment Consultant
- First Job?
Internet Shopper at Sainsburys
- Describe yourself in three words?
Big Loveable Rogue
- What do you love about working in HR recruitment at Ashley Kate?
The passion and dedication that everyone shows in their work and the focus the company has on being the market leader
- What are the challenges you face in your current role ?
I have a terrible memory, there’s going to be a lot of notes on my desk!
- Describe your perfect day at the office?
Smashing targets and then off to one of our great networking events to build some relationships!
- If you didn't work in HR Recruitment what would you do?
I would be running my own music festival “Speddingsbury”
- Who do you most admire?
Martin Johnson, an inspirational leader on the rugby pitch, a phenomenal force off it. I would love to have his mentality.
- What are you reading at the moment?
The Hairy Bikers recipe book…I love to cook!
- What music are you currently listening to?
I’m listening to a lot of different types, I simply like what I like, from Motown to dance music.
- My Favourite?
Food – My mums lamb Sunday lunch
Place – My bed
Activity – Rugby Union- If you could change one thing, what would it be?
I would get high street shops to start stocking men’s sizes…honestly how many of us are size XXS!?
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