Tom Spain

Date of appointment

Appointed to the Board as Non-Executive Director on 28 July 2021, Tom Spain was appointed as permanent Chair of the Board on 18 March 2024, having been Interim Chairman since May 2022.

Background and experience

In his early career Tom worked as a stockbroker at Edward Jones. Tom holds the Chartered Institute for Securities and Investment qualification in Private Client Investment Advice and Management, as well as Chartered Insurance Institute Financial Planner status. Tom is a Chartered Wealth Manager and member of the Chartered Institute of Securities and Investment, as well as a member of the Personal Finance Society.

External appointments

Tom Spain founded the business Henry Spain Investment Services Limited in 2010.

Albert Ellis

Date of appointment

Appointed to the position of Chief Executive Officer on 1 October 2020, having acted as an Independent Non-Executive Director for the Company from 17 March 2020.

Background and experience

Albert brings considerable experience in the staffing and human capital sector having spent over 21 years at Harvey Nash, the technology recruitment and IT solutions group. Albert held the position of Group Chief Executive Officer for 14 years, and prior to that, Chief Financial Officer. Previously, Albert also held a number of senior finance roles within Hays Plc, the FTSE 250 recruitment company. Albert is a qualified Chartered Accountant.

External appointments

Albert was appointed as a Non-Executive Director of HRnet Group with effect from 1 October 2022. HRnet Group, one of the largest Asia-based recruitment agencies, listed on the Mainboard of the Singapore Exchange (“SGX”), is the second largest shareholder in the Company (holding approximately 15% of the current issued share capital). Albert was formerly a Trustee of Asia House.

Daniel Quint

Date of appointment

Appointed to the Board on 18 May 2020. Appointed as Chief Financial Officer on 1 February 2021, having acted as Interim Chief Financial Officer since 17 December 2019.

Background and experience

Daniel is an experienced Chief Financial Officer and a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales. With over ten years’ board level experience with private and public companies, Daniel also spent five years at Robert Walters plc, one of the world’s leading professional recruitment consultancies, where he held the role of Finance Director (UK, Middle East and Africa). Most recently, Daniel was Interim Chief Financial Officer at AIM-listed Young and Co’s Brewery PLC. Prior to this, Daniel spent three years as Chief Financial Officer of SPIE UK, the leading energy, safety and environmental solutions provider.

External appointments

None.

Catherine Lynch

Date of appointment

Appointed to the Board on 1 January 2021.

Background and experience

Catherine is a highly experienced HR Director, with over 25 years’ experience, and is currently Chief People Officer at Essentra plc, a global manufacturer and distributor of plastic injection moulded components. She has held a number of HR Director roles at leading companies such as Rentokil-Initial plc, Flutter Entertainment plc, BGL Group, Santander and was Chief People Officer at Virgin Media for several years. Catherine is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (“CIPD”) and is currently a member of the Advisory Board of Dial Global, a community focused on inclusion, which Catherine is extremely passionate about.

External appointments

Catherine is currently Chief People Officer at Essentra plc, a global manufacturer and distributor of plastic injection moulded components.

Catherine is Chair of the Remuneration and Nominations Committees and a member of the Audit Committee. 

Amanda Aldridge

Date of appointment

Appointed to the Board on 17 April 2023.

Background and experience

Amanda has extensive audit, governance and capital market experience having worked at KPMG LLP (‘KPMG’) for 33 years until 2017, including 20 years as a partner. During her time at KPMG, Amanda held numerous positions including Head of the Retail Sector practice before becoming Head of Contract Governance in the Risk Consulting Division.

External appointments

Amanda is currently a non-executive director and Audit Committee Chair of Impact Healthcare REIT plc, The Brunner Investment Trust Plc, and The Low Carbon Contracts Company Limited, and is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales.

Amanda will also be joining the Board of Helical plc, as a non-executive director, from 1 April 2024.  It is intended that she will become Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee following Helical plc’s 2024 AGM.

Amanda is Chair of the Audit Committee and a member of the Remuneration and Nominations Committees.