Meet The Team

Jim Richardson

Director

Jim graduated in 1989 from Birmingham University’s Department of Civil Engineering . Following a career in sales across a broad range of sectors Jim moved into recruitment in 1999 and progressed rapidly as consultant, sales manager and sales trainer. In 2004 Jim teamed up with fellow consultant Nick Lewis to set up Penguin Recruitment with the objective of creating a company both hard working and energetic but also supportive and fun. The name Penguin was chosen as an embodiment of our ideals – hardy, brave, dependable and fun.

Jim’s specialist recruitment areas are Civil, Geotechnical and Geo Environmental engineering. Outside of work Jim is a keen surfer and has represented Great Britain and Wales in international Stand UP Paddle Surfing Championships.  Jim owns three large dogs who like to bark.

Nick Lewis

Director

After graduating in 1996 in Leisure Management, Nick started his sales career in advertising sales before relocating to the Midlands and turning his career to recruitment. Rising through the ranks into a management position, Nick established himself as a top performing consultant and with his advanced business development skills, created and developed numerous new markets, passing on his recruitment experience to new members of the company.

Nick is a keen sportsman, currently playing competitive hockey, he has completed the London Marathon twice and the Great Run Events over 30 times including leading the Penguin Running Team to 1st and 2nd place in the Birmingham 1/2 Marathon Business Challenge. Nick owns a Tibetan Terrier and is married with 2 children.

Jess Storer

Operations Manager

Jess manages the operational side of Penguin. Jess’ responsibilities include but are in no way limited to accounts, payroll, HR and ensuring all offices run smoothly. Jess enjoys keeping fit and being outdoors with her family and dogs.

Matt Thompson

Associate Director

Matt has been with Penguin for over 4 years and in that time has developed excellent relationships with clients ranging from international multidisciplinary consultancies, SME’s and specialist engineering contractors. Matt offers a proactive and personable approach and as a result he has an advanced candidate and client network across the Engineering market in particular within Geotechnical, Contaminated Land, Remediation, Hydrogeology and Hydrology sectors.

Having been deeply involved in sport since a young age Matt will compete at anything whether it’s a charity golf day or a cracker eating contest in the office! Matt is torn when it comes to his greatest sporting achievement – it’s either be playing football at professional level in a European cup match or currently holding the 2014 Penguin Office Golf Trophy!

Mikaela Rabaiotti

Associate Director

I graduated from Cardiff University in 2011 having gained a degree in Business Management and Accounting and have been working in recruitment ever since, working my way up from Trainee Consultant to Associate Director level. Outside of work I enjoy regularly socialising with my friends and family. I enjoy frequent travel abroad and have visited many countries in Europe and further afield like the Middle East or Asia. When I am not in work, I can usually be found enjoying long walks around the wonderful beaches of Gower with my two dogs Dave and Frank (a Pug and a Labrador).

Amir Gharaati

Senior Sales Manager - Engineering and Environmental Recruitment

Amir joined Penguin Recruitment in 2012 as a Recruitment Consultant and has successfully progressed to Team Leader. He now manages a team of Consultants that cover a range of Engineering and Environmental disciplines. Amir personally specialises within the Noise and Vibration, Air Quality and Emissions markets across the UK.

In his spare time Amir competes across the country in Kick Boxing tournaments and when he’s not busy competing in sport, he can be found on long country walks with his lively Springer Spaniel named Ruby!

Matt Fraser

Senior Sales Manager - Town Planning

Matt joined Penguin in 2015 to help develop the Town Planning team, a rapidly growing sector in the industry. He came from a recruitment background having worked for one of the industry’s leading providers of Healthcare Professionals to the NHS for 13 years, rising to Divisional Director. Matt brings a wealth of recruitment experience to the table that helps his colleagues provide the highest levels of service to their clients and candidates.

Outside of work Matt enjoys all manner of sports and fitness, is actively involved in his local church and loves food (appreciating both quality and quantity, depending on the mood!).

Jordanna Morris

Sales Manager – Water and Environmental

Jordanna Graduated in 2011 with a BA Honours in Human Geography from Swansea University and joined Penguin in July 2013 following a role as a Lettings Negotiator.

Since joining the team in 2013, Jordanna has developed strong relationships with Clients in the Water Industry from both UK based and International Consultancies and she now specialises in Flood Risk, Hydrology and Drainage Engineering Recruitment.

Jordanna offers a friendly and enthusiastic approach to recruitment and she is happy to discuss Hydrology, Flood Risk, Drainage or Hydraulic Modelling at any time!

Outside of Penguin, Jordanna enjoys keeping fit, travelling around Europe (tasting all the different traditional food and wine) and looking after her ginger tom cat called ‘Rusty’.

Harriet Allan

Sales Manager – Planning and Sustainability

Harriet has over ten year’s recruitment experience, she started her Penguin career by helping to build and expand the Sustainability function which she still heads up. She also helps to run the Town Planning team, which includes building, maintaining and improving relationships with clients and candidates, supporting consultants to hit targets and training new members of the Penguin team.