Meet the team

Andy co-founded Acre with Tom Leathes in 2003 and is the company's Managing Director - driving forward Acre's growth plan. He works closely with the sales, marketing and support teams to ensure Acre's services offer the most effective recruitment solutions to our customers around the globe.

Andy's commitment to developing the leading recruitment business in the field of sustainability has seen the company's turnover increase year-on-year at a growth rate which has significantly out-performed the UK recruitment sector since 2007.

Andy is an experienced entrepreneur with a track record of building and exiting several on-line businesses in the property and financial services sectors. He was also a founder and Non-Executive Director of Top10.com Media Ltd, one of the UK's most successful and innovative online product comparison businesses which was acquired by uSwitch in June 2011. Andy graduated with Honours in Zoology from the University of Wales Swansea in 1999.

Richard joined Acre in October 2011 as a Non-Exec Director prior to becoming the Chief Executive in April 2012. He works very closely with the founder, Andrew Cartland, ensuring that Acre‘s growth is maximised as the business takes full advantage of the rapid growth in Sustainability around the globe.

Richard established his reputation by building the mid-market professional recruitment consultancy Martin Ward Anderson from £1m revenues in 1995 into a £40m business employing 225 people in 2006, when he successfully led the sale of the business to Randstad, the worlds 2nd largest staffing organisation. Richard remained with the business until late 2009 overseeing all of the post deal integration.

Between 2010 and 2012 Richard was one of one of four Board members of the Cornhill Partnership (a Barclays Ventures backed recruitment group), as well as CEO of one of the Group companies, Archer Mathieson. During this time Richard executed a rapid turnaround in Archer Mathieson culminating in a merger with its sister company BIE, creating the BIE Group.

Richard is also a Non Executive Director of Rees Draper Wright, a Management Consultancy recruitment business.

Ian joined Acre in 2010 as Chairman and plays a critical role in the company's ambitious growth strategy.

Ian has 25 years of experience within the recruitment market. His previous roles have included group board director roles for both Michael Page and Robert Walters.

During his 13 year spell at Page the business was transformed from a UK-centric financial recruitment company to the multi-disciplinary international recruitment company that exists today. Page and Walters both dramatically grew in terms of scale, profitability and market value while Ian was a director.

Jim works across a number of businesses engaged in the low carbon economy and has been a Non-Executive Director at Acre since 2007. His main responsibilities are in helping clients to form strategies at the pre-hiring stage, the evolution of climate markets and mentoring the management team on climate policies.

The founder of Malthus Capital, Jim invests in and advises management teams in the 'green' space. He is the event chairman of Green Mondays, the regular networking event for the sustainability community and is an Executive Director for the company behind Green Mondays and Green Strategy.

Jim works closely with climate policy makers and was previously MD of the RPS London Office - and CEO of the YO! Group (YO! Sushi and YOTEL!).

Tom co-founded Acre with Andrew Cartland after three years working in climate change and corporate responsibility consulting. As an Executive Director at Acre from during its founding phase, Tom worked with the Acre team to build the company's core client base around the world, and led our market leading research programmes and brand development.

Moving to a non-executive position, Tom is now engaged in innovative internet marketing companies including Top10.com, and continues to work with the Acre Board to drive our commercial strategy forward.

Graeme is a Consultant on Acre's Energy Efficiency and Carbon team, focusing on the consultancy, infrastructure, property and construction sectors.

Prior to joining Acre Graeme spent over seven years specialising in the recruitment of Town & Environmental Planning professionals to Local and Central Government organisations throughout the UK. During this time Graeme received multiple awards for his performance and played a significant role in developing and retaining many of the company's largest public sector client accounts.

Graeme holds a Bachelor's degree in Marketing from the Queensland University of Technology and previously worked in the insurance and accounting fields before embarking on his recruitment career.

Karyn sits on Acre's Energy Efficiency and Carbon team, and focuses on energy management and carbon reduction within the retail, FMCG and leisure industries.

Her clients include leading UK supermarkets and retailers, as well as global hotel and restaurant chains. Karyn specialises in identifying and sourcing professionals in energy procurement, energy management and efficiency, and carbon reduction experts for her clients.

Prior to joining Acre, Karyn built her recruitment knowledge and expertise in the Canadian market, working within one of the largest global recruitment firms. She managed a successful team in Toronto and worked with a diverse portfolio of multinational clients. Karyn gained her first degree at Acadia University which is located in Canada's first 'Fair Trade' town.

She is currently completing a Master's degree in Corporate Governance and Business Ethics at the University of London.

Michael is a Researcher on Acre's Energy Efficiency and Carbon Team, providing in-depth client and candidate research expertise as part of executive search projects.

He has a detailed knowledge of UK and EU environmental policies as well as practical experience in energy efficiency projects and carbon auditing.

Michael holds an MSc in Carbon Management from the University of Edinburgh. Additionally he has acquired a BA in Supply and Logistics Management and Business Management from Portland State University in Oregon.

Olivia is a Senior Consultant on Acre's Climate & Energy team and has built a solid and far reaching network of energy and carbon professionals.

She has a considerable track record in recruiting specialist sales, business development and marketing experts for organisations involved in the energy and carbon reduction markets.

Olivia's scope of work has included successful assignments in the US, UK, mainland Europe, South America and Asia on behalf of global utilities, aggregates, specialist consultancies and international corporates.

Following the completion of a degree in Applied Biology from Newcastle University, Olivia worked in PR and advertising, consulting to the UK's leading brands. Her interest in climate change and sustainability brought her to Acre in 2007.

Andrew sits on Acre's Environmental Team and has significant experience recruiting senior professionals across a variety of sectors. He leads Acre's work in environmental management, environmental risk and health, safety and environment (HSE).

Recently completed searches by Andrew include management level assignments within the financial service and renewable energy sectors. These projects have included a Corporate Director of Environment and a Director of Environmental Risk.

Andrew has a BA in Environmental Management from the University of Manchester and has undertaken further studies in relation to investment and finance in property.

Ben joined Acre in 2011 as a Consultant sitting on the EHS & Sustainability team.

His focus is on placing skilled EHS and Sustainability professionals throughout the facilities management, construction and property sectors, specialising in sourcing and identifying individuals for Manager/Executive and Director level posts.

Before joining Acre, Ben managed a division in a boutique recruitment consultancy working with a number of prestigious Central Government and not-for-profit clients. During his six and half year tenure he won numerous awards and managed the company's highest profile key clients.

Prior to his recruitment career, Ben studied media and communications and achieved a distinction in his studies.

James joined the Environment Team at Acre in 2008 and has since built a robust network of senior figures within the space.

His primary focus is placing skilled health, safety, and environmental professionals in the media, technology, and telecoms space.

In 2010 James won Acre's Directors Award for Achievement, in recognition of his commitment to quality and over-delivery. Achievements throughout the year included putting in place the senior management team for a UK Plc who launched a global Environmental consultancy group, and placing the Global Head of HSE for a major international player in the metals space.

James has previously held positions within the Climate Change team of one of the world's largest NGOs and holds a Bachelor of Commerce and Administration and a Bachelor of Science from Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand.

Mary is a Consultant on Acre's EHS and Sustainability Team specialising in the Natural Resources sector. Mary supports the careers of individuals within the extractives industry globally, working closely with a range of companies in the oil & gas and mining & minerals industries.

Previously Mary led the research process on Acre's Executive Search Team, and held a global remit across all of Acre's sectors, providing in-depth market research for senior and complex assignments.

Mary studied Italian language at the University of Foreigners at Perugia and has a BA in Philosophy from the University of Leeds. She is currently studying towards a Master's degree in Corporate Governance and Business Ethics at Birkbeck College, University of London.

Sara is a Researcher at Acre, working in the EHS and Corporate Responsibility teams - leading the research phase and providing in-depth market research for senior and complex assignments.

Sara has worked previously managing client and candidate relationships across the board in online recruitment systems. She has a BA in Architecture from Manchester University and a Postgraduate Diploma in Environmental Management & Sustainable Development from Manchester Metropolitan University.

Beth is a BScEcon Graduate from Cardiff University, Beth has over 10 years recruitment, management and training experience. She is responsible for delivering Acre's staff training and professional development program and managing best practice, improvement and innovation in client service delivery.

Beth sits on Acre's CR & Sustainability team and her focus lies within the banking, financial and legal sectors - specialising in identifying the right individuals to successfully develop and manage sustainability strategy within these organisations.

Beth has a demonstrable track record working in partnership with multinational organisations; recent work has included successful search projects to identify senior CR and sustainability strategists to work in Director and C-level capacities.

As part of Acre's Community Investment initiative, Beth is a regular volunteer with the Education Business Partnership to support GCSE students' confidence and professional and personal development.

Helen heads up the banking, finance and legal offering for Acre‘s CR and Sustainability team.

Her specialism is Corporate Sustainability, Socially Responsible Investment, Environmental Risk and EHS, with a client portfolio that includes investment and retail banks, fund managers, insurance houses and global law firms.

Helen has extensive recruitment expertise, having previously been instrumental in establishing a new European office delivering banking and finance hires for a leading recruitment PLC - and was also a high performer for a city based IT recruitment consultancy.

She has a BA(hons) in Sociology from the University of East Anglia and a first class BA(hons) in Textile Design from Central Saint Martins. In her spare time Helen enjoys making design pieces and avidly follows issues in sustainable business development.

Nadia is a Senior Consultant on Acre's CR and Sustainability team, focussing on the retail, FMCG and leisure industries. Her expertise covers ethical trade, corporate responsibility and sustainability communications.

Nadia provides in-depth consultation to her clients in order to identify and secure the best talent available.

Her successful track record includes executive search projects for number of high-profile recruits, both in the UK and mainland Europe. Nadia's network includes sustainability professionals up to C-level.

She began her recruitment career in the built environment and engineering sector, before joining Acre in 2009. Nadia is studying towards an MSc in Sustainability & Environmental Management, deepening her understanding of the industry and enabling her to keep abreast of emerging trends in the market.

Simone sits on Acre's CR and Sustainability team, and works with a range of high-profile organisations from within media, consultancies, NGOs, membership and industry bodies.

She provides expertise in sustainability, with particular focus on ethical supply chain, corporate responsibility and communications.

Simone is currently studying for her MSc Sustainability and Environmental Management and holds a Bachelor of Commerce, majoring in Human Resource Management and Economics.

Prior to joining Acre, she built her expertise and knowledge within one of the largest global recruitment firms, managing a portfolio of clients from SMEs to large corporations.

Simone has lived and worked in a range of locations in Europe, Australasia and North America and is passionate about sustainability issues on a global level.

Lydia heads up the Contract and Interim desk at Acre, a dynamic and rapidly growing business area within the company.

She focuses on supplying highly professional and credible sustainability professionals to undertake specific interim contracts, project work and consultancy for client organisations.

Prior to joining Acre, Lydia spent 4 years in financial and audit recruitment, working with a diverse range of clients from FTSE 100s and blue chip organisations, through to SMEs and individual consultancies.

Lydia studied Geography at Royal Holloway and focused her research on sustainability and development within the Third World, carrying out two major projects in various parts of Africa. She has a strong passion for sustainability, advocating the recognition of responsibility from a corporate, political and individual level.

Ellie joined Acre in 2008 an Administrative Assistant supporting the team in all aspects of their work. Her role quickly developed; currently she also performs credit control and data analysis functions within the company.

Prior to joining Acre, Ellie worked for a company specialising in installation and maintenance of wind turbines and wind farms. She has a passion for renewable and sustainable business and is currently studying for her third degree in Financial Mathematics at London Metropolitan University.

Norman is an experienced accountant who gained his chartership in 1980 with Ernst & Whinney, before joining Peat, Marwick & Mitchell in their Hong Kong office in 1981.

From 1984 onwards he has held a number of senior financial positions in commerce and industry. Norman has over ten years' experience of working in various part-time Finance Director and non-executive roles, for a number of public and private companies, across a broad spectrum of sectors.

Raina joined Acre in 2012 as an Office Administrative Assistant and supports the team with a wide range of administrative and office support activities.

Previously she worked as an Administrative Assistant/Purchase Ledger Control as well as a Junior Health and Safety Officer in the vehicle maintenance and leisure sectors.

Raina has studied Spanish and Latin American Culture at London Metropolitan University and has a strong passion for sustainability and building a greener future.

Steve oversees Acre's marketing which includes press enquiries, managed advertising campaigns and their online and offline brand presence.

Before joining Acre he worked for a UK utilities infrastructure company that specialised in large-scale sustainable network solutions.

Steve has a BA Hons in Journalism from the University of Cardiff and has experience of PR, graphic design, branding, digital marketing and website design and development.

Amy Clarke is Acre's Sustainability Strategy Advisor and focuses on delivering the Recruitment Readiness Assessments (RRAs). The RRAs help organisations looking to enter the sustainability market or gear up their sustainability initiatives though in depth consultancy prior to and to support the hiring strategy of pivotal members of the sustainability team.

Amy is the Founder and Director of The Bubble Consultancy, and is one of the UK's leading business sustainability specialists. She has spent 16 years advising large and small companies alike around the world on business strategy, corporate social innovation and social enterprise. Amy has held in-house positions with Microsoft UK and Bank of America Merrill Lynch, and also worked with a range of organisations including Orange, BP, Shell, Abbey (now Santander), EBRD, Barclays, Nationwide, PricewaterhouseCoopers, The World Bank and Ernst & Young; not-for-profits including The Royal National Theatre, Business in the Community, The Princes Trust, Bright Ideas Trust, Heropreneurs, Age Concern, Trees for Cities and Barnados; and several UK government departments, The United Nations Environment Programme, and the Welsh Development Agency. Amy is a prominent speaker and has contributed to numerous conferences including The Economist Conference, UNEP FI Annual Conference, Skoll World Forum and National CSR Conference.

Amy holds a BSc in Physical Geography and an MSc in Integrated Environmental Studies. She is also a trustee for The Prince's Initiative for Mature Enterprise (PRIME), one of HRH The Prince of Wales's charities.

Shannon Houde, MBA, is Acre's career coach and focuses on helping sustainability professionals match their values and skills to viable career options in the corporate responsibility and sustainability fields.

She has chosen sustainability career coaching to combine her experience as a hiring manager, a life coach and a CSR consultant, after having started her career 16 years ago in corporate recruiting.
Shannon has mentored and trained professionals in the field of CSR for more than 7 years with a focus on writing CVs as marketing tools, matching personal values to career paths, and interviewing with impact. She combines a wealth of knowledge from 10 years' managing cross-cultural teams and CSR projects in Asia, Europe, North and South America in both non-profit and corporate environments. Shannon's experience as a CSR consultant gives her insight to the staffing needs of companies across diverse industries. She has managed consulting projects for FTSE 250 companies such as Altria, Barclays Global Investors, Cadbury Schweppes, Deloitte, EMI, L'Oreal, Nokia, Reuters, UNICEF, Vodafone Group, WWF, and Yell.

Shannon holds an MBA in International Management, with a focus on CSR, from Thunderbird in Arizona as well as a BS in Sociology from the University of Colorado. She serves on the leadership committee of the Net Impact London Professional chapter.