Providing a positive candidate journey can truly elevate your employer brand.

In addition to managing the Client Delivery team, I provide account management for some of our largest clients and run online demonstrations of Octo Platinum, while managing our job board partnerships. I have really enjoyed seeing my award-winning team develop and grow since I joined Blue Octopus in 2010.

Ideal night in: Games night with my husband, two children, and my beagle!

Contact Kelly Laurenson

E: [email protected]

My role is full of interaction – from managers to candidates.

There is no typical day for me, but that’s why I like my job. I manage a portfolio of clients in a variety of industries, and work in close partnership with them to fulfil their recruitment needs. A particularly proud achievement has been winning Onrec awards for our service, but there is so much I and the team have achieved since I started back in 2010!

When I’m not at work, I’m usually running here, there, and everywhere with my husband and two young children - we have recently discovered the world of camping!

Contact Kelsie Bolton

E: [email protected]

I work as an extension of my clients' HR teams to help them source top talent.

I've worked within the service team since June 2021 as Client Delivery Coordinator, taking control of my clients' recruitment. This includes posting their vacancies, proactively sourcing suitable candidates, organising interviews, and making offers to successful candidates.

My time away from work is often spent visiting my friends, who have ended up dotted all around the UK.

Contact Amelia Tempest

E: [email protected]

To find top candidates, it's important to post vacancies on specialist job boards.

I work part time within the service team helping to proactively search for suitable candidates and encouraging them to apply. I also post roles across the job boards, arrange interviews for employers and take calls from candidates or clients to help with their queries. My proudest work achievement since joining in March 2014 was being promoted within my first six months after successfully getting offers for a number of candidates that I had proactively searched.

I have two small children, so most of my time outside of work is taken up by them - but I do occasionally get to go out and socialise!

Contact Harriet Armitage

E: [email protected]

Good communication is key to a smooth recruitment process.

I've worked for Blue Octopus since March 2022, as a Key Account Administrator. I post vacancies across our wide range of job boards, arrange interviews, and take calls from candidates and clients.

When I’m not working, I love going on walks with my Dachshund, Bella, spending time with my family and friends, and drinking Gin & Tonic!

Contact Katie Ingham

E: [email protected]

To source the best candidates for our clients, we have to work proactively.

I've worked within the service team since May 2022, proactively searching for top candidates, arranging interviews for employers, and communicating with clients and candidates. I also undertake reference checks, right to work checks, and DBS checks for successful applicants.

When I'm not working, there's nothing I enjoy more than simply spending time with my family and socialising with friends.

Contact Jane Slater

E: [email protected]

We owe it to our clients to only put forward the best applicants for the role.

As Client Delivery Administrator, I seek out candidates on CV databases and prompt them to apply for roles that suit them, as well as book in interviews and ensure that all parties are kept up to date with the progress of an application. Since I joined in April 2023 it's been great to learn all about the industry and get straight on with finding top candidates for our clients. In my free time I enjoy going on city breaks, trying new places to eat with friends and family, and live music.

Contact Lucy Clarke

E: [email protected]

I love seeing partnerships grow after booking that initial meeting.

When it comes to attracting and engaging top talent, it’s more important than ever to clearly define the job role and to really sell your company culture. It’s a candidate-driven market. As Service Proposal Coordinator, I identify companies that we could support, and arrange meetings between Blue Octopus and their HR and recruitment departments to demonstrate how a partnership would be beneficial for all. It's really rewarding to see clients benefit from our services after I've got in touch and, on a personal note, it's been very rewarding to meet and exceed my sales targets each and every year since I joined in 2016!

My main passion outside work is football - I've been a Bradford City season ticket holder for over a quarter of a century!

Contact Alex Spivey

E: [email protected]

T: 07710 715 531

Solving problems is the best part of my role.

As Digital Director, I'm responsible for IT and software development. One of my most memorable moments has to have been working right through to 7am to migrate a client’s data during minimal impacting hours. I'm also proud to have built the onboarding module and dashboard feature of our Octo system.

Programming, coding, and software development are what I do for fun (honestly!) – so that’s generally what you’ll find me doing outside of work.

Contact Marc Wrench

E: [email protected]

Automation can lead to a smoother recruitment process if done well - which we do.

I've been with Blue Octopus since October 2020. As Senior Developer, I work on our systems with our Digital Director, Marc, and the rest of the team. Recently we have been working flat out to get our new updated version of Octo Platinum developed.

Outside of work I run and enjoy watching motorsport. I have done over 380 parkruns, over 100 races (from 5km to marathons, as well as the infamous Knaresborough Bed Race). I enjoy the British Touring Car Championship and Formula One, supporting West Surrey Racing and Williams, respectively.

Contact Geoff Hirst

E: [email protected]

I make sure clients get the most from our Octo Platinum ATS

As the Product Implementation Manager, I lead the implementation team, who oversee the configuration of all Octo Platinum applicant tracking systems (ATS) for new and existing clients.

I joined the company in early 2015, and am involved in the full process of the product build, from initial scoping through to delivering training. As the key product contact, I have a deep understanding of our clients’ requirements, and so the role sees me regularly collaborate with our IT development team. Together we identify, prioritise, and plan upcoming system improvements, and I support their rollout across the client base.

When not at work I enjoy cooking, travelling, and attempting to get my daily 10,000 steps (without accidentally falling into the pub along the way).

Contact Laura Cundall

E: [email protected]

I show clients just how much they can benefit from our fantastic Applicant Tracking System

As Product Implementation Coordinator, I guide clients through the functionality of our Octo Platinum applicant tracking system, showing them how they can monitor and review their applicants. I've been with Blue Octopus since February 2022, and it wasn't long before I was leading on product demonstrations to clients.

Outside of work, I like to do canvas painting, as well as nature and landscape photography.

Contact Romany Barton-Swales

E: [email protected]

Clients gain so much from using Octo over other systems

As Product Implementation Coordinator, I'm the middleman that connects new clients to our fantastic recruitment technology, getting them up to speed on making the most of their systems. I joined Blue Octopus in June 2023, and got stuck straight into training clients. Outside of Blue Octopus, whenever I'm not with my two amazing young kids, I love running ultra marathons and playing squash. I also enjoy video games and videography.

Contact Adrian Neamtu

E: [email protected]

Branding is the first thing a new client sees, so it needs to be strong and distinctive.

I joined Blue Octopus in November 2021 and was immediately given the task of a full company rebrand and new website - something nice and simple to get me started, in other words!

Day-to-day, I am responsible for Blue Octopus' PR and marketing output; everything from company literature, to our online presence, and writing blogs and articles. I also work with clients to ensure that their careers microsites get their brand across in the best way possible.

My interests outside of work include long walks in the middle of nowhere with my camera, learning foreign languages, and European history.

Contact James Sebright

E: [email protected]

With graphic design, no two jobs are ever the same.

As Graphic Designer, my responsibilities include everything from wireframing a website design for clients, creating logos, designing documentation, to photography editing. I create a wide variety of graphics, not just for our clients, but for Blue Octopus too. My proudest moment since joining the company in August 2021 has been working on our rebrand. It came with a multitude of challenges to overcome and a varied workload, but has allowed me to improve on my skills considerably.

Outside of work I am a bit of a car addict; driving is a passion of mine. I also enjoy kicking back and reading something thought-provoking and insightful, listening to music, and playing video games.

Contact Kieran Wilkinson

E: [email protected]

I run the accounts function at Blue Octopus.

Since I joined at the start of 2011 I have managed invoicing, credit control and supplier payments –  I also provide regular cash flow forecasts to the business. I work with a great team so there’s always something to giggle about.

I’m a member of my local book club… although it’s now more of a ‘dining out’ club. We never seem to talk about the book! I also enjoy Pilates, swimming, and long walks with friends.

Contact Judith Shaw

E: [email protected]