Our Team

Richard Collins

Chief Executive Officer

From automotive design engineer to CEO of a multi-brand recruitment and consultancy group, Richard Collins blends commercial instinct, technical understanding and values-led leadership to drive Insight Executive Group’s ongoing success.

With nearly 20 years of experience supporting public sector boards and project leaders, Richard is known for his trust-centric approach. He builds lasting client relationships based on loyalty, respect and a shared commitment to results. His expertise spans procurement, commercial management, estates, FM and digital transformation, making him a trusted advisor across a broad spectrum of public and private sector challenges.

Richard’s early career taught him to think critically and act decisively, qualities that have helped him scale Insight from a niche recruiter into a group of companies delivering recruitment, executive search and consultancy solutions.

An adventurer at heart, Richard once left it all behind to travel across Asia, marry in Thailand and volunteer with animal rescue charities in India. He has since co-founded a charity supporting animal welfare across the continent. These days, life is a little less extreme but just as rewarding, as he balances his role as Group CEO with raising two fearless daughters and a son while building his dream family house with his wife.

A born leader who thrives outside the conventional, Richard takes great pride in shaping Insight as a consultative and inclusive organisation — one where every voice is heard and every team member is treated equally.

Nick White 

Co-Founder, IEG and MD, Insight Executive Solutions (UK & USA)

Nick White co-founded Insight Executive Group with a clear ambition: to build a business where performance, trust, and culture go hand in hand.

In 2024, he launched Insight Executive Solutions, Insight’s US-based executive search and talent mapping consultancy, extending the group’s values-led approach into the North American market. Today, Nick leads Insight Executive Solutions across both the UK and USA, specialising in senior and board-level appointments within facilities, estates, and construction.

With a background in competitive sport, including a soccer scholarship in Texas, Nick brings energy, strategic thinking, and a competitive spirit to his interactions. He’s passionate about uncovering the hidden talent others often miss; whether it’s a standout C-suite leader, a future star consultant, or a critical hire for a complex brief.

Outside of work, Nick is a devoted family man who enjoys time with his son, stepdaughter and fiancé. He’s a loyal Brighton & Hove Albion supporter, a regular on the tennis court, and happiest around the BBQ with his family.

Sue Cooper

Chair

Sue Cooper joined Insight Executive Group’s board in 2018, bringing with her over 30 years of leadership experience within award-winning recruitment businesses.

As Chair, Sue plays a hands-on role in mentoring senior talent and guiding the strategic direction of the company. She’s known for her honest, grounded advice and her ability to get to the heart of what drives great performance and sustainable growth.

What attracted Sue to IEG? A values-led culture, a talented team, and a leadership group with both head and heart.

When not supporting Insight’s next chapter, Sue is busy with her grandchildren, walking or baking something delicious. A huge fan of personal development, she credits Sheryl Sandberg’s Lean In as a powerful influence on her own leadership philosophy.

Andrew Pyman

Director – Procurement, Commercial Management and Technology

Andrew is a respected board member at Insight Executive and a recognised leader in public sector procurement recruitment. With over 20 years of experience, he heads Insight’s Public Sector Practice overseeing permanent and interim appointments across procurement, commercial management and digital sectors.

His journey with Insight began in 2015 as a contractor. Through consistent performance and a clear drive to grow, Andrew quickly transitioned into a full-time consultant role, then into management, and now into senior leadership. His progression reflects both his ambition and Insight’s commitment to developing talent from within.

Andrew is known for his supportive leadership style and ability to balance commercial insight with a people-first mindset. He builds long-standing partnerships based on trust, delivery, and mutual respect — earning the confidence of clients, candidates, and colleagues alike.

A champion of teamwork and professional development, Andrew is also a proud family man and lifelong Everton supporter. When he’s not mentoring his team or leading critical recruitment programmes, he’s likely training for his next triathlon, half-marathon, or Tough Mudder.

Rob Parker

Managing Director

Rob Parker is a nationally recognised leader in FM and property recruitment, known for his honest, relationship-led approach and deep understanding of the public sector landscape.

Since joining Insight Executive in 2016 as a manager, Rob has grown with the business rising to Managing Director through a combination of personal drive, strategic thinking, and a commitment to long-term partnerships. He has led impactful interim and retained campaigns across NHS Trusts, local authorities, and central government, earning the trust of clients and candidates alike.

Rob is a rare kind of MD: approachable, grounded, and refreshingly straightforward. He leads by example, sets high standards through action, and inspires those around him to do the same.

Before recruitment, Rob was a professional water polo player, representing Great Britain at the 2012 Olympics and competing in Spain. He entered the industry through a charity supporting athletes in career transition and now channels that same high-performance mindset into ensuring his teams reach their potential.

A passionate advocate for self-improvement, Rob surrounds himself with mentors, devours business podcasts, and follows a disciplined routine built around fitness, fasting, and continuous learning. When he’s not working, he loves spending time with his wife and two daughters who are his greatest motivation within his proudest role of all.

George Hutcherson

Practice Lead – Estates and Facilities 

George leads Insight’s Estates and Facilities practice, specialising in recruitment for NHS Trusts and public sector property teams. His consultative style and deep sector knowledge make him a trusted partner for clients navigating complex hiring needs.

He began his career in Rec2Rec before moving into public sector recruitment, where he focused on estates, FM, and capital projects in higher education. Since joining Insight, George has built lasting relationships and become a go-to advisor for clients seeking honest, informed guidance.

A loyal West Ham fan and keen footballer, George balances his professional drive with a competitive edge on the seven-a-side pitch and quality time with friends.

James Herron

Manager, Public Sector Property and FM

James brings over 12 years of experience in public sector estates and facilities management recruitment, specialising in mid-to-senior level roles across the Midlands and North.

With a background in Law, James offers a strong foundation in analytical thinking and a methodical approach to problem-solving. He’s known for his thoughtful, thorough style, particularly when working on complex or niche briefs. He has built a reputation for consistently delivering results that align with both client needs and candidate aspirations.

James joined Insight in 2021, drawn by its values-led culture and deep sector focus. Outside work, he is a proud father and husband who planned and delivered his own wedding with just three hours’ notice during Covid restrictions (testament to his calm, composed approach when the pressure’s on).

Harry Allen

Manager, Public Sector Property and FM

Harry is a specialist in senior-level estates and FM recruitment across the NHS, higher education, and wider public sector. With a background that spans both blue-collar and leadership-level roles, Harry brings a uniquely holistic understanding to every assignment.

He focuses on appointing professionals into roles such as estates manager, head of estates, and strategic property leadership offering his clients well-rounded insight and a consultative, trusted approach.

Before entering recruitment, Harry spent a decade as a professional rugby player, signing with Saracens at just 15 and later playing for Harlequins. After injury brought his career to an early close, he transitioned into recruitment through an athlete support scheme bringing with him a winning mentality and relentless drive.

Now part of Insight’s FM and Property team, Harry is known for his strong sector knowledge, down-to-earth style, and genuine commitment to long-term partnerships.

Mike Kennedy

Principal Consultant
– Procurment and Commercial Permanent

With over 20 years in recruitment, Mike Kennedy brings a wealth of experience and a thoughtful, relationship-driven approach to permanent hiring. He joined Insight in 2020 from the Rec2Rec sector and quickly became a trusted partner to clients and candidates alike.

Mike supports a wide range of public and private sector clients, with a particular focus on mid-to-senior leadership roles. His strength lies in listening carefully, understanding the nuances of each brief, and making placements that align with both values and long-term goals.

Known for his precision and professionalism, Mike takes pride in delivering hires that last.

Outside of work, he’s a keen military history enthusiast and can often be found with a WWI or WWII book in hand during his commute.

Taj Singh

Practice Lead – Local Government & Transportation

Taj brings over 20 years of recruitment experience in construction, rail, and civil engineering, and now leads Insight’s procurement practice with a focus on transport, utilities, and local government.

He’s known for his technical understanding, deep sector knowledge, and a relationship-first approach that earns long-term trust from both clients and candidates. Taj joined Insight looking for a business that matched his values; where integrity and partnership matter more than volume. He found exactly that.

When he’s not building teams, Taj enjoys countryside walks with his family and cheering on Liverpool FC (especially when there are trophies involved.)

Adam Drewery

Manager – Service Provider Team

With almost two decades in recruitment, Adam plays a key role in growing Insight’s presence in the FM Service Provider market. Based in Cheltenham, he focuses on permanent mid-to-senior management roles across estates and facilities.

Adam is known for his ability to build new teams and quickly get to grips with new sectors having successfully transitioned into FM from a different recruitment discipline. His adaptability and strategic mindset make him a valuable partner to clients navigating change.

Once an aspiring stand-up comedian, Adam now saves his storytelling for client briefings.

Jonathan Smith

Senior Consultant – Public Sector Property & FM

Jonathan Smith (or Jonny to the team) supports interim recruitment across public sector property and procurement from our Cheltenham office.

He brings broad recruitment experience across a range of sectors and is especially skilled at spotting key role requirements and quickly identifying the right candidate fit. Jonny focuses on mid-to-senior level interim appointments in local government and beyond.

Jonny and Managing Director Rob Parker first crossed paths at nursery school—these days, their rivalry plays out on the golf course, where Jonny is edging closer to a single-digit handicap.

Anna Shenton

Principal Consultant – FM

Anna Shenton combines technical understanding and FM sector insight, having previously worked as a Lifecycle Engineer for one of the UK’s largest NHS Trusts.

Now based in Manchester, Anna leads FM recruitment across the North and Scotland specialising in managerial roles within service providers and estates teams. Her blend of engineering experience, communication and seamless recruitment skill makes her a trusted partner to clients looking for sector-savvy hires.

Anna enjoys cooking, hiking, and live music, and finds her greatest joy spending time with her young daughter who ensures there’s never a dull moment when she’s around.

Joe Warne

Consultant – Procurement and Commercial Management

Joe specialises in recruiting permanent procurement and commercial professionals across the NHS, central and local government, and the private sector from Insight’s Cheltenham office.

With a background in management and a naturally consultative style, Joe is quick to understand what both clients and candidates need. He’s known for spotting potential beyond the CV and creating placements that stick.

Joe thrives in fast-paced environments and brings curiosity to every assignment. Outside work, you’ll often find Joe with his family or involved in outdoor pursuits, in extreme cases you’ll find him kayaking across Loch Maree or cycling the D-Day beaches (though he’s still not forgiven the Highland midges).

Wayne Farmer

Senior Consultant

Wayne has spent over 15 years recruiting across procurement and supply chain, building a loyal network across both public and private sectors.

He’s known for his honest, thoughtful approach and strong ability to match the right people with the right roles. Wayne takes the time to understand what motivates candidates and what clients are really looking for, ensuring every placement is a strong, lasting fit.

As a dad of three daughters, Wayne balances recruitment life with family life and embraces Insight’s flexible culture to make both work. A lifelong Manchester United fan, he rewards himself with trips to Old Trafford whenever he can.

Kyle Hookway

Consultant, Public Sector Property and Facilities Management

Kyle Hookway brings energy, curiosity, and client-first thinking to his role at Insight Executive Group.

With experience supporting NHS and wider public sector clients, Kyle works closely with James Herron’s team to recruit into estates and FM roles. His focus on service and relationship-building has led to strong results and repeat business, often driven by on-site engagement and tailored recruitment campaigns.

Kyle is a passionate advocate of IEG’s values-driven approach and has actively contributed to CSR initiatives such as our Easter Giving campaign. Outside of work, he’s a fan of Greek mythology, with a dedicated tattoo sleeve to prove it, and a proud member of the 5am gym club, using early starts to stay focused and energised.

James Bennett

Principal Consultant

– Procurement and Commercial Management

James specialises in procurement and commercial management recruitment for local government, placing both interim and permanent professionals with precision and care.

With over 5 years of recruitment experience across Town Planning and Procurement, James brings a structured, people-first approach to every search. He’s known for his ability to see the bigger picture, build genuine relationships, and deliver results that last.

James brings the same energy to his personal goals – he once ran 4,280km (virtually!) from Beckenham to the North Pole to raise over £7,000 for charity. When he’s not recruiting, you’ll find him exercising, supporting Crystal Palace, or promoting mental wellbeing through sport and community work.

Katie Yianni

Operations Director

Katie is Insight’s Operations Director and a member of the board, bringing over 15 years of leadership experience across multiple sectors, with a strong foundation in recruitment operations.

She specialises in streamlining systems, improving efficiency, and delivering high-impact operational improvements that support the business as it scales. Known for her collaborative style and calm authority, Katie leads by example — motivating her team, working cross-functionally, and ensuring everything runs smoothly behind the scenes.

Katie is passionate about creating opportunities for younger generations, particularly through work experience and personal development. This commitment extends beyond her professional life — she has volunteered for several years with Chance UK, a children’s mentoring charity close to her heart. Outside of work, Katie stays busy embracing her Cypriot heritage, spending time with her large family and her young daughter, the newest addition to the clan. And through it all, she remains a devoted lifelong supporter of Tottenham Hotspur.

Shanelle Quamina

Compliance Officer

Shanelle brings structure and clarity to Insight’s compliance and onboarding processes, supporting a wide range of public and private sector recruitment assignments.

With deep experience in recruitment operations, she ensures every placement — interim or permanent — meets framework, PSL, and internal compliance standards. From CV processing and right-to-work checks to onboarding packs and candidate support, Shanelle keeps every detail on track.

As one of Insight’s longest-standing team members, she’s known for her approachable style, sharp eye for detail, and commitment to doing things right. When she’s not keeping our compliance running smoothly, she’s usually planning her next adventure.

Jack Oliver

Compliance Officer

Jack is a key part of Insight’s operations team, where he helps manage the growing demands of onboarding and compliance across our recruitment functions.

Since starting his career as an apprentice at 18, Jack has built a reputation for reliability, precision, and a results-driven mindset. With over five years of experience in compliance and onboarding coordination, he ensures that every process runs smoothly and meets the highest standards — whether for clients, contractors, or internal teams.

Jack’s calm, methodical approach and sharp attention to detail are reflected in the quality and consistency of his work, making him a trusted figure in the day-to-day running of our operations.

Farzana Ali

Compliance Officer

Farzana brings over a decade of compliance experience to the Insight team, with specialist knowledge of framework requirements and interim recruitment processes.

Detail-driven and highly organised, Farzana plays a key role in ensuring our candidate compliance packs are accurate, complete, and audit-ready. She thrives in the fast-paced world of interim recruitment, where no two days are the same — and her perfectionist streak ensures everything is done to the highest standard.

Outside of work, Farzana is a passionate home cook and baker. What started as a lockdown hobby has grown into a creative outlet, with friends and family often urging her to write her own cookbook – watch this space!

Sophia Izamis

Compliance Officer

Based in our Cheltenham office, Sophia plays a vital role in ensuring all compliance processes are in place so that candidates can begin their new roles seamlessly and with confidence. Working as part of our operations team, she supports both clients and candidates by overseeing each stage of the compliance process with precision and consistency.

Sophia joined Insight Executive after gaining experience with a local independent recruitment agency, where she quickly discovered her interest in the pace and variety of the sector. Drawn to Insight’s clear values and strong culture, she was motivated by the way these principles run through every part of the business – from client and candidate relationships to operational excellence.

Outside of work, Sophia enjoys long walks with her dog, completing jigsaw puzzles, cycling, and playing badminton – a sport she believes is one of the best ways to support wellbeing. She also has a passion for baking and often spends her weekends perfecting homemade treats.

Juliette Cooper

Marketing Consultant

Jules leads Insight’s marketing and communications, bringing over 15 years of experience across consumer, B2B, and recruitment marketing. Since joining the team, she’s helped shape how Insight shows up — online, in person, and everywhere in between.

Before Insight, Jules worked with well-known organisations including TES Global and Transport for London, where she led impactful campaigns like “Please offer me a seat” and “Travel Kind.” At Insight, she drives brand strategy, social media, content marketing, and events — always guided by our values of flexibility, trust, and inclusion.

Outside of work, mother of a teen and a toddler, Jules is a keen runner, gym-goer, and hiker, and is usually found researching and planning her next overseas venture.

Ben Shipman

Accounts Manager

Ben has been part of the Insight journey since the very beginning, working alongside our co-founders when the group launched back in 2015. Over the years, he’s become a cornerstone of our finance function.

Ben manages the transactional side of Insight’s finances, ensuring contractors are paid on time and invoicing is handled with care and precision. With over a decade of experience in financial services and an AAT qualification under his belt, he’s the go-to person for finance queries across the business. Whether it’s bookkeeping, accounts payable, or just a quick question about a payment, Ben’s calm, can-do approach keeps our accounts ticking over.

David Drummond

Non-Executive Finance Director

David brings a wealth of financial leadership and strategic insight to his role as Non-Executive Finance Director across all Insight Executive Group businesses.

Having started his career in a small accountancy practice before qualifying as an accountant within the Ministry of Defence, David went on to spend over two decades with PageGroup Plc. There, he held senior leadership roles including Regional Finance Director, overseeing business support functions across the UK, North America and global operations outside Europe.

Since retiring from PageGroup in 2018, David has continued to support recruitment businesses as a trusted advisor, providing commercial and financial guidance at board level.

At Insight Executive Group, he plays a vital role in supporting sustainable growth and financial governance across the group’s expanding portfolio of businesses. As Insight moves into its second decade, David’s experience and perspective help shape long-term strategy and ensure the business remains robust, agile and future-ready.

Outside of work, David enjoys pursuing his sporting interests and spending time with his family and grandchildren.

Matt Walsh

Financial Controller

Matt has been part of Insight’s story from our earliest days, helping to lay the financial foundations that have supported the group’s growth over the years. As a Chartered Management Accountant, he brings a strategic perspective to the groups financial position, working closely with the leadership team to ensure long-term sustainability and smart financial planning.

Known for his analytical mindset and forward-thinking approach, Matt is able to guide group decisions, uncover opportunities, and help shape the future of the business. His steady hand and strategic insight have been instrumental in driving Insight’s continued success.

Sue Sharp

Coach, Trainer, Facilitator

Sue is a coach and workplace strategist who has supported Insight’s team development from the very beginning, joining us in 2015. With over two decades of experience in recruitment coaching, Sue plays a central role in shaping how individuals at Insight grow personally and professionally.

She works closely with people across the business to build productivity, emotional intelligence, and leadership confidence. From aiding new managers step into their roles to supporting senior leaders in developing high-performing teams, Sue’s coaching is practical, insightful, and deeply impactful.

In addition to her coaching work, Sue partners with our operational teams on systems and process improvement projects and brings clarity and structure to how we work.

Outside of Insight, Sue is a poet, dancer, and traveller who brings a thoughtful and creative perspective to every challenge she takes on.

Brooke Walker

Business Operations Administrator

Based in our London office, Brooke keeps Insight’s operations running efficiently, she coordinates all Insight confreences and events, refines internal processes, and provides hands-on support across the business.

Originally joining on a short-term contract, Brooke quickly became a permanent fixture thanks to her adaptability, professionalism, and positive energy. She’s played a key role in major projects, including the relocation of our headquarters, and continues to lead on high achiever events and internal engagement initiatives.

Brooke brings a practical, straight forward approach to her work. Outside of keeping the Insight team in order, Brooke enjoys cooking, music, family time, and cheering on Chelsea FC.