Our Consultants know that real success in marketing jobs recruitment is about building the right kind of relationships. Ones that are insightful, honest and co-dependent. It’s based on a desire to constantly build real-world, real-life relationships. Great placement isn’t about hurling masses of CV’s at clients, and understanding our candidates makes them much more than just a CV on a database. So whether you are looking for your next role, agency or client-side, in Brand or Category Management, Internal Comms or PR/Social, CRM to Insight and or Analytics... we are the people to talk to.
The Marketing Team
Sophie Brocklebank-Fowler
Business Manager
SpecialismMarketing - Brand Management, Innovation, Insights, Analytics & Digital Commercial - Category Management, Shopper Marketing, Trade Marketing & Revenue Growth ManagementWhy I joined BPRBetter Placed was immediately appealing to me because of the honest and friendly approach demonstrated from my first interview. I think their values and emphasis on meeting face-to-face really makes BPR stand out in the recruitment field and therefore accepting a position here was a no-brainer!Why you should send me your CVI understand that a job move is a big life decision, this means I will make the effort to get to know you and ensure every role I suggest to you is a role I believe will suit you. I am a great listener and eager to help you achieve your ambitions!The one thing you don’t know about meWhen I was four I crashed a tractor into a tree – the tree was fine, the tractor was not!
Louisa Harrison
Managing Consultant - Services
Specialist Area :I specialise in the recruitment of marketing professionals within the B2B sectors, with key areas including manufacturing, construction, chemical and automotive. Working with leading marketing, digital and creative clients and candidates across the Yorkshire and Midlands, I recruit a broad section of marketing jobs from Executive to Manager and Director. My focus on recruiting roles including but not limited to:Marketing ExecMarketing Analyst Product Marketing ManagerHead of ProductCategory ManagerDigital Marketing ManagerHead of MarketingWhy I joined Better Placed: When making the decision on the next step in my career, I wanted to work for a company which gave me the best opportunities and who also had a great reputation within the market. My gut instinct throughout the entire interview process was that the company stood out as a fantastic place to work, with a great culture and welcoming group of people who reaffirmed that Better Placed is the right place for me! And 3 years later plus a promotion, it’s safe to say Better Placed is still the perfect company for me and I absolutely love the people I work with. Why send us/me your CV: Better Placed, in my opinion, is one of the most connected and enterprising recruitment teams in the local region and we pride ourselves on market knowledge as well as having a personable & passionate approach when working with both candidates and clients.I have recruited Marcomms, PR, Product and Digital roles within many B2B businesses both big and small over the past 5 years and over time, have built a strong network. Recruitment is all about finding the right role for the right person by understanding each individual needs and wants. With my knowledge of the market and my interest in understanding each individuals requirements, I’m here to help every step of the way. Please get in touch and send me your CV! One interesting fact about me: I’m a terrible cook, but I’m partial to the odd bit of baking on a Sunday afternoon. Banana & chocolate chip muffins are my go too.
Beth Rollin
Manager
What I recruit for – The CPG MarketMarketing - brand management, innovation, insights, analytics, digital and social rolesCommercial – National account management, category management, shopper marketing, trade marketing & revenue growth management Why I joined Better Placed:Joining Better Placed was a very easy decision for me to make! I wanted to join a company that valued their employees and also took the time to develop long-lasting relationships with candidates and clients and Better Placed do just that. They definitely stood out from the rest of recruitment companies I interviewed with! Why send us/me your CV:To me recruitment is all about finding the right role, for the right person, so understanding your needs and wants is crucial! I have an honest and approachable recruitment style and will aim to find you the dream role by getting to know as much as I can about you and the factors that are most important to you. I have a portfolio of great clients across Yorkshire and the Midlands, ranging from dynamic SME’s to Blue Chip organisations. I’m keen to help you make the right move so ping me a message across on LinkedIn if you’re looking! One interesting fact about me:I’ve starred on BBC1 TV drama series Waterloo Road.
Rachel O'Sullivan
Partner - bpesearch & Board Director, Better Placed
I have built an exceptional reputation internally and externally since joining the Group in 2010. Now a Board Director, my expertise spans retail, e-com, hospitality and leisure sectors and I have a first class network throughout marketing and digital functions in particular. My clients range from major high street retailers to emerging scale-ups and disruptors and I've helped many individuals transition between the twoI'm not afraid to challenge traditional thinking and try to bring a fresh perspective to my client’s search criteria and I have a strong track record in helping women to secure leadership positions. I would like to think I have an incredible work ethic and a honest approach and this has proved a very successful combination throughout my career, and for that reason, I'm often the chosen recruitment partner for many businesses and candidates alike.
Dean Bartle
Board Director
As a Founding Director of the business, I've been part of the Better Placed journey since day one. Having helped grow the business to what it is today, my remit and focus day to day is business operations, developing the marketing strategy and brand for Better Placed, whilst still recruiting within the Agency, Retail and Leisure sectors across the north. Day to day I'm now based out of our Manchester office where we have big plans for 2024, to not only further grow the team, but also to build our recently launched tech offering, Better Placed Tech, with founding Director Jonathan Moran.
Leanne Wallworth
Group Operations Director
Why I joined Better Placed: BPR had a brilliant reputation in the market with both candidates and clients. The company values of honesty, transparency and quality closely matched the way I wanted to work as a consultant and it was this that made me introduce myself!My Role:A role to explore company systems, grow business functions & develop the brand to enable the organisation to reach new heights! Facilitate, coach and support the delivery of Operational Excellence to optimise value creation, working within the BPR values and standards to create a culture to deliver, empower and optimise performance.Better Placed is an Employee Owned Trust so the employees experience, engagement and motivation is integral to our ongoing success. To achieve our goals we need exceptionally talented, bright and driven people. As such, my role also encompasses People Operations: Designing, implementing and optimising the People process to create a seamless experience across the People Journey, enabling and empowering all employees to thrive in their roles. In addition to building inclusive teams via an effective attraction strategy, reward & recognition programs and general performance management, my day to day is also about ensuring people feel valued, heard and are given the right resources and support they need.One interesting fact about me: I have flown a small plane!
Alison Livesey
Director - Digital and eCommerce
With over ten years recruiting experience, I specialise in working with start-up & scale-ups to build out full teams in brands across the country.I have over a decade of experience recruiting at Head of and Director level, working mandates across brand, trading, ecommerce, digital, performance, conversion and analytics. I have a keen personal interest in working with B Corp and Carbon Neutral brands and have great success stories about brands with these accreditations, helping them grown from prefunding start-ups to private equity backed scale-ups.I love getting under the skin of a brand and understanding their nuances enabling me to find them the perfect employees who can thrive in their environment. I’m proud to say I have been part of the team leading Better Placed on their ED&I journey. It's a subject myself and my colleagues are focused on and actively encouraging conversations internally, as well as externally with our clients.I’ve taken time to engage with experts, carry out research and interviews to improve my understanding on the subject and to better equip myself to advise clients. I am part of the team who wrote our ED&I policy and statement of Intent, where our aim is to build a culture where our employees feel respected and valued for who they are as well as what they bring to Better Placed. I have developed an extensive network in some of the UK's leading disrupters and have built a reputation for long term partnerships focused on influencing real change. I am able to advise on hiring strategy, transformation and market trends.
Simon Stephens
Joint Managing Director
It’s hard to believe that nearly 20 years have passed since myself along with my budding entrepreneurs, Andrew and Dean founded and launched Better Placed in 2002. Clearly there’s been a good accumulation of grey hairs over that time but my network and relationships with a multitude of major financial and business services clients continues to thrive. My passion to drive Better Placed into new areas, sectors, regions and expand the Real Network remains undiminished. The knowledge, credibility and track record i have within the Marketing Industry and loyal network of Senior professionals makes me a compelling asset for clients who are looking to attract and secure Senior talent to further develop their businesses.Outside Better Placed, my passion revolves around my family, sport (Not just in an armchair capacity), good Red Wine and even better holidays. If i'm not coaching my eldest son’s junior Rugby team, you'll find me watching my Sons play cricket in the Summer or enjoying socialising with friends and family.The one thing you might not know about me is – I attended a US University on a Golf Scholarship and (despite my advancing years) still play off Scratch. I also remain the only successful London Marathon Runner at Better Placed and i'm proud of it!!!
Claire Eason
Business Manager: Marketing | Digital | Ecommerce | Analytics | Product
I am a seasoned recruiter with over a decade of experience recruiting for large scale multi-site consumer brands across retail, travel, and services in the North & Midlands. I am proud to have built many long lasting relationships over this time, based on trust, reliability and of course results! As a trusted advisor, I’ve supported clients through in-housing projects, full team builds and transformation projects across Marketing, Digital, Ecommerce, Insight & Analytics and Product. I have a keen eye for emerging trends and have successfully supported my clients in curating high-performing teams. Whether it's appointing visionary leaders or nurturing emerging talent, I thrive on the challenge of matching skills with aspirations and aligning ambitions.
Kate Siegel
Director
I specialise in Marketing & Digital recruitment for the Retail, Leisure, Travel, and Hospitality industries across both permanent and interim assignments. Interim is in area I’m particularly skilled in and I have an excellent track record of providing clients with this solution while they are seeking out their perfect permanent candidate. From big names in FMCG to luxury brands and cutting-edge digital startups, I've matched talent with opportunities across the board. Need a PPC whiz, an SEO expert, or someone to jazz up your brand? I've got you covered, from getting customers in the door to keeping them coming back. My client base is typically businesses over £50m t/o in size and I’m proud to say I partner with some of the most sought after employer brands the UK has to offer! At Better Placed, we do things differently. We're all about personal connections, not just ticking boxes. When you work with me, it's not just business; it's a partnership, tailored to what you need and where you want to go. With over ten years’ experience working in marketing myself, I've seen it all and I’m perfectly positioned to quickly understand my client’s needs and candidates’ aspirations. When you're with me, you're not just a piece of paper; you're the perfect fit for my client’s culture and aspirations. I'm here to help you grow, whether that's polishing your CV, acing your next interview, or building out a marketing team from scratch - I’ve got the experience and the network to help you achieve your goals. Beyond matching talent with opportunity, I’m passionate about supporting my clients in developing more diverse and inclusive shortlists and supporting them on their ED&I journey. I have been an been an ambassador for Women’s Health here at Better Placed, leading out on our accreditation with Henpicked to become a Menopause friendly employer in addition to starting a series of Health ‘matters’ Cafes across the business to drive awareness of women’s health in the workplace. Outside of work, you'll catch me at music festivals or chilling in my VW campervan, soaking up the good vibes. Let's team up and make things happen!
Alex Hamilton
Partner at bpesearch
Alex has been with the business for 10 years and is an integral part of the senior leadership team. In his current position he is responsible for scaling business across North American as Partner of our US Operations. He brings extensive experience in FMCG, Consumer Goods and Direct-to-Consumer (D2C) industries, having delivered leadership assignments within those markets in the UK & Europe.In the US, Alex’s focus is on senior-level appointments. Their knack for strategic thinking and deep industry knowledge shapes our operations, driving growth and innovation. Alex has extensive experience of dealing with large corporates through to owner managed or PE backed SME’s. He loves collaborating with forward-thinking founders and owners or engaging and advising HR and Talent teams to identify and attract the right talent for any given situation. By leveraging our commitment, creativity, and expertise, we help fuel transformational growth for our partner businesses.Alex’s leadership has been instrumental in strengthening our presence in the US market, forging partnerships, and opening up new avenues for success.
Tan Chaudhry
Consultant
Why I joined better placed:I needed a new challenge in my career and had been very aware of Better placed prior to having a conversation with them. As soon as I spoke with Better Placed, I instantly knew what my next career step would be. With my previous Marketing Recruitment Experience and the platform Better placed have it was an absolute no brainer! Why send us / me your CV:For me, the most important thing is finding the right role for the right person, getting to know your needs and what you are looking for in your next move, which is most important for me. With my knowledge of the Market, Industry and experience, I am here to help you make the potential daunting step of finding your dream role easy and simple! One interesting fact about me: I have presented a few talent shows in the Netherlands in front of thousands of people!
Leah Ross
Delivery Consultant
Specialist Area:FMCG/ConsumerWhy I joined Better Placed: The interview process with Better Placed was different from any other process I have been involved with. Each interview was a normal conversation which didn’t feel too formal. They made me feel very comfortable. They understood what I wanted from a new company and how they can help me grow. Best decision I have made!Why send me your CV:My open and friendly approach means that I can get to know you on a personal level, your career to date and your aspirations moving forward. During the process, I will be very hands on and give you the best experience possible. If you are looking, please get in touch with me!One interesting fact about me:I was on Channels 4’s Black Mirror
Andrew Gibson
Joint Managing Director
Specialist Areas – FMCG, Retail, Consumer DurablesI was one of the three founding members of Better Placed in 2001 and I've since been integral in building the business. My particular network has grown into many different areas over the last 19 years in recruitment, but always with a particular bias towards sales and marketing professionals into consumer markets.I now recruit senior executive and board level roles into both blue chip branded businesses as well as smaller, owner managed and private equity backed businesses. When I'm not recruiting for my clients, I am always looking for talent for Better Placed and making sure the business continues to attract people who care about the work we do and are constantly improving the way we do business.Outside of work I invest time and money in developing our house (which we started when the recession hit us back in 2008!), coaching and watching my kids play hockey and rugby and playing hockey and golf myself to keep (relatively) fit.
Christine Osei
Group Operations & Administration Assistant
Hello, I’m Christine Osei, the Group Operations and Administration Assistant at Better Placed and bpeSearch. I oversee the smooth running of operations across our Leeds, London, and Manchester offices, ensuring that both our daily administrative tasks and key projects are completed efficiently. With a strong background in recruitment and HR administration, I thrive on delivering organised and professional support.Outside of work, I enjoy going on holidays with friends and family. In my spare time I enjoy dancing/choreographing as well as going to watch musicals, which are great outlets for my creativity and energy!
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Testimonials
Steve Seddon - Brand Marketing Director
On The Beach
Cherie Cook - Director of Marketing
AO.Com
Katie Taylor - Senior Marketing Manager
Costa Coffee
"I use them because of their in-depth knowledge of marketing"
I have used Better Placed to recruit a number of positions for me at varying levels in roles I have held throughout my career. I choose to use Better Placed, and in particular Rachel, because of the in-depth knowledge she has of Marketing, which helps me find the most relevant candidates for the job.
"They are a brilliant bunch!"
I've worked with Better Placed for over 10 years from both a candidate and client perspective and have recommended Rachel and her team to many of my friends and colleagues. They are a brilliant bunch who really take the time to get to know what you are after and truly care about finding you the right role or the right person to join your team.
"Great to work with"
Kate helped me get my latest role and was really great to work with! Kate has loads of energy and is extremely passionate about what she does. During my job hunt she really took the time to understand what I was looking for in my next career move and helped me to identify a role where I could maximize my experience but also develop skill set further. Thanks again for all of your help!
What's going on ?
Marketing
bpesearch Joins Grocery Aid as their 100th Partner
Better Placed is thrilled to announce that our sister company, bpesearch, has become the 100th partner of GroceryAid, a leading charity supporting the grocery industry.For those unfamiliar with GroceryAid, it's a fantastic organisation that provides emotional, financial, and practical support to current and former employees of the grocery industry, including retailers, manufacturers, and wholesalers. Their services range from counselling and legal advice to crisis loans and homes for the elderly.By becoming an official partner, bpesearch has pledged to support GroceryAid's mission through various initiatives, including fundraising, awareness campaigns, and encouraging employee involvement.Andy Young , Partner at bpesearch commented: "We're honoured to partner with GroceryAid and contribute to their invaluable work supporting the grocery community. As a recruitment firm specialising in the food and grocery sectors, we've witnessed first hand the challenges faced by industry professionals. Joining forces with GroceryAid allows us to give back and make a positive impact."GroceryAid's Chief Executive expressed gratitude for bpesearch's commitment, stating that their 100th partnership milestone is a testament to the industry's generosity.We’re delighted to get behind bpesearch's commitment to the FMCG sector and admire their partnership with GroceryAid along with Andy Young's unwavering commitment to leading the ED&I agenda both internally and externally. As a respected industry voice, bpesearch's involvement will lend valuable expertise in creating tangible progress on ED&I.You can read the full post here: https://lnkd.in/eT4-v6_G .
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