Leadership Team.
Mark co-founded Avanti in 2009 having previously managed a number of high-performing teams within an FTSE 250 recruitment company.
Over the years Mark has played many key roles in the business. Alongside the overall running of Avanti, Mark assists our contract division with day-to-day management and strategy.
Quick Fire Questions:
• Favourite Restaurant? Orwells in Shiplake.
• Favourite Film? Casino Royale – The best Bond film!
• Favourite Sports Team? Manchester United.
• Favourite Holiday Destination? Ibiza, for family fun.
• Any Pets? 2 cats, Jellybean and Sherbet.
Gary was a founding member of Avanti, having previously worked for a FTSE 250 recruitment business. Starting as a recruiter within the software development space, he ultimately became our CEO in 2016. With his passion for quality standards and people, Gary has played a key role in the growth and success of the business to date.
Quick Fire Questions:
- Favourite Restaurant? “Dinner” by Heston Blumenthal. The Meat Fruit is unbelievable!
- Favourite Film? Back to the Future 1 & 2 (but not 3)
- Favourite Sports Team? Liverpool FC, 1980’s glory hunter
- Favourite Band? Boys II Men and Oasis.
- Any Pets? 4 Gerbils called Spice, Louis, Coconut and Milk Toast – don’t ask!
David joined Avanti in 2011 after graduating from Manchester Uni. Starting as a trainee recruiter, he has progressed through the ranks to ultimately become Sales Director of our permanent and contract divisions. David is responsible for ensuring that Avanti delivers a consistent experience to our customers alongside the continued growth of both our permanent and contract divisions.
Quick Fire Questions:
- Favourite Restaurant? Orwells in Shiplake, go if you get the chance!
- Favourite Film? This changes a lot, currently it’s Children of Men.
- Favourite Boxset? The Wire, OMAR’S COMING!
- Favourite Band? Pink Floyd, picking their best album is impossible.
- Favourite Sports team? Chelsea, but before you judge, I’m old enough to remember when we were average!
James is our Commercial Director at Avanti.
James brings a wealth of experience from 20 years in the public sector, where he completed various roles spanning; IT Service Desk, Operations Management, Commercial and Compliance Manager.
In recent years he moved into the private sector, working for a global Fintech business as Compliance Manager. He has a solid grasp of ISO quality standards and operations management.
His role at Avanti involves ensuring that the day-to-day operations of the business run smoothly whilst overseeing quality and compliance across our business globally.
Quick Fire Questions:
- Favourite Food - Anything with a bit of spice, but I am also partial to a good burger.
- Favourite Film - Robocop (1987)
- Favourite Band - The Smiths
- Favourite Car - Ferrari F40
- Favourite Drink - Long Island Iced Tea
- Favourite boxset: - The Sopranos & Breaking Bad
- Hobby - Watching Pro Wrestling, Boxing and MMA
- Random fact - I got married on a boat under Niagara Falls whilst wearing a poncho (with members of the public shouting "don't do it!")
- Any Pets? - I have a Chiweenie (Chihuahua and Dachshund cross) called Poppy. She's a silly sausage
Saba oversees the Finance department at Avanti. Having previously worked with Avanti for over 3 years at her previous company, Saba has brought Finance back in house. Certifications include: BSc Degree, AAT, ACCA.
Quick Fire Questions:
- Favourite Food? Biriyani
- Favourite Holiday destination? Saudi Arabia - really enjoy the culture there.
- Favourite Film? Top gun, Jeepers Creepers, Annabelle and Get out
- Favourite Drink? Has to be a Latte – cant start work without one!
- Hobby? I love reading science fiction, my favourite is Frankenstein
James is a .NET Development specialist in the North of England and Scotland. He oversees a team of consultants in the software development space.
Quick Fire Questions:
- Favourite Restaurant? The Pot Kiln in Newbury, UK, is my all-time favourite
- Favourite Holiday destination? Cancun – stayed at Moon Palace, which is unreal
- Favourite Film? In Bruges – funny, witty and love Brendan Gleeson
- Favourite Car? Aston Martin DB9
- Favourite Box set? Has to be Band of Brothers
Cameron is our Contract specialist focusing on staffing up interim tech teams for our clients in the North of the UK.
Quick Fire Questions:
- Favourite Restaurant? The Pot Kiln in Newbury
- Favourite Food? Fillet steak – it has to be rare!
- Favourite Film? Click
- Favourite Band/Artist? The Wombats but also can’t beat Kate Bush at the moment
- Favourite Sports team? Sheffield Wednesday
- Random fact? I have two children Bradley and Belle who are 9 and 6
