About
Get to know Gareth
After four years at university in Liverpool and on exchange in Rhode Island, a brief spell in advertising sales for a newspaper group led to a move into recruitment, where I found my long‑term professional home.
I recruited across the Oxford, Bristol, Leeds and South Wales markets initially, before moving to London to join Oakleaf in 2011, recruiting senior permanent roles within Financial and Professional Services, progressing to lead both teams.
In January 2020, I moved into an Operations Director role and subsequently became Group COO in 2022, working across Oakleaf’s expanding portfolio of specialist recruitment businesses. During this time, I was responsible for Marketing, Bid & Contracts, IT, Talent, Property and broader operational delivery.
In May 2026, I returned to a role closer to my roots and one I’m particularly passionate about, stepping into the position of Director – Head of UK Financial & Professional Services. In this role, I work closely with our talented UK Financial & Professional Services team, specialising in senior permanent HR roles and partnering with clients to recruit outstanding talent across the UK.
Away from work, I write a blog and co-host a podcast on college American football (details on request), keep an optimistic eye on Liverpool’s results, and hold a Harlequins season ticket. I’m always happy to catch up and talk about the market, sport, or most things over a coffee, beer, or a cheeky glass of red.