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Meet Our Team of Experts

The Futures family began trading over 25 years ago and we’ve grown to a thriving team of 47. We’re proud of our family culture built on respect, team work and shared goals.

Our diverse team has a wealth of knowledge and expertise. We’re real, trustworthy, hard-working and dedicated to achieving the best results for you. You can find out more about the family here:

Tom Liptrot

A highly skilled strategist, business leader and expert in his field, Tom took his previous venture, Esprit People, from a two million pound turnover business to seventeen million in just 13 years. At its height, Esprit People had fourteen offices across the UK each run by expert recruiters. Following major success of his work, in 2002 Tom moved on to set up Permanent Futures, a specialist recruitment agency with four niche areas of expertise. Tom is responsible for overall strategy, operations and project/contract management and a strong team of 47 highly skilled staff.

Tom Ryan

Graduating with a 2:1 in Business in 2003, Tom has 18 years of experience in providing recruitment and resourcing solutions to the public sector. Tom specialises in social care systems and transformation programmes across adults and children’s services, and currently leads Futures public sector team comprising of 16 Consultants and Resourcers across social care transformation, education leadership and digital transformation. Following rapid success Tom moved from consultant to Director level and has been with Futures for 18 years, 15 of which as a Director.

Ryan Miller

Ryan is our Head of Public Sector, leading a team whose focus is to place Interims and Consultants into Local Government Social Care, Regeneration & Economic Development and Housing. Alongside this, Ryan also continues to work with Adult Social Care and Children’s Services nationally to place Interim Commissioners, Programme Managers, Service Re-Design and Transformation specialists, as well as mid-to-senior level Operational / BAU positions.

Outside of the office, Ryan juggles his time between his three daughters, early morning gym sessions and attending various Rugby League grounds around the north.

James Cottam

James joined Futures in June 2018 with over 2 years of experience in the industry. He supports both Local Government and UK Police Forces with a focus on providing Senior Interim resources and enabling transformation within Digital, IT, Corporate, Customer and Business Change. James has deployed full teams and individuals who have led highly successful multimillion-pound projects.

With a passion for sport and travel, you'll find James planning his next adventure in his spare time.

James Brennan

Joining Futures in 2017, James specialises in Social Care Systems and Performance Management. He liaises directly with Local Authorities to maximise their investment in Social Care Systems and report on children’s and adult social care data. His expertise has allowed him to deliver numerous timely, efficient and successful Local Government projects.

George Trifunovic

Before joining Futures in early 2023, George worked as a Recruitment Consultant for a year focusing on customer service and contact centre projects. Now he’s joined us in the Public Sector specialising in the NHS IT and Digital Transformation field.

Outside of work, George has a cat called Florence and enjoys cooking, golfing and hiking in the dales. He also goes to every Leeds Rhinos Rugby League game and all the festivals and gigs possible!

Craig Farnsworth

Joining Futures back in 2013, Craig is Head of Education South. He offers specialist Consultancy Services for School Improvement & Inclusion Recruitment. An ex-secondary teacher, he is also an experienced consultant who has in-depth knowledge and understanding of the Education Sector. Craig currently looks after the South East, East Midlands and East Anglia, and prides himself on offering quality candidates and a service that exceeds expectations.

In his spare time, Craig enjoys most sports but in particular Football and Tennis, the gym and reading.

David Robinson

A part of the Futures team since the start of 2017, David is a Leadership, School Improvement and SEN senior consultant who has worked in education recruitment since graduating with his Masters degree in 2015. He focuses on roles within Local Authorities to appoint the highest quality candidates for a broad range of management and consultancy assignments. David prides himself on efficiency without compromising customer service.

Outside of work, David composes music for video games, plays badminton, and spends time with his cat, Jigsaw.

Siân Womersley

Siân joined Education Futures in 2012 and brought a wealth of experience in delivering recruitment solutions that go beyond expectations. Siân works across the North West and West Midlands area working with clients on a long-term basis to establish a bespoke solution to senior and specialist needs that come up. As the Head of Education North, Siân is always keen to look at new approaches to attracting talent and is also very focused on ensuring the best possible service to both clients and candidates so that the team is chosen for all future requirements.

When she’s not at work, Siân enjoys spending time with her family, taking her daughters dancing and swimming, and seeing live music.

Jack Hyde

Starting his journey at Futures five years ago as an apprentice, Jack is now recruiting within the Education industry. Jack prides himself on his consistency, efficiency and dedication, building both client and candidate loyalty.

Outside of the office, Jack is a season ticket holder at Leeds United and enjoys playing football himself when he’s not out supporting.

Kerry Little

Kerry joined Futures in mid-2021 as a resourcer in our Education team. Prior to Futures, Kerry worked in an employee support role in a financial services company, bringing with her a wealth of skills.

in her spare time, Kerry enjoys spending time with her cat, Dali, attending gigs and festivals, painting, and making things from concrete!

Laura Rollison

Laura joined Futures in 2021 with a background in events sales. As a resourcer for our Education team, she is focused on finding the best education leaders, school improvement specialists and SEN professionals for our clients.

Outside of work, Laura enjoys spending time with her young family in the great outdoors and all things food.

Catherine Ellison

Catherine joined Futures in May 2022 as a Recruitment Resourcer with our Education Team.

Before joining us, she worked as a Business Studies Teacher with over 10 years experience teaching Business, specialising in Employment Law and Recruitment, to a diverse range of students in a high school and FE college setting.

In her spare time, Catherine enjoys mindful activities such as gardening, yoga and walking alongside being an avid skier!

Tamika Hitchman

Tamika joined Futures in January 2019 with a sales background as a lettings negotiator. As the Compliance Officer for the Education team, Tamika makes sure all of our Contractors are fully compliant and ready to be out working.

In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family, going to the gym and teaching dance lessons.

Chris Griffin

Chris is the Divisional Manager for the Manufacturing team. He heads up a team of 10 Consultants and Resourcers specialising in their own niche areas of the manufacturing industry. Outside of that, he has a keen interest in all things electronics and still retains billing relationships with electronics-related clients.

Hobbies include things that, believe it or not, are even more stereotypical than family, friends, music, football and socialising!

David Christie

Well networked, with relationships going back over forty years, David has worked in manufacturing as HR Manager, MD and for the last thirty years, in recruitment. David still remembers computerless recruitment when it was all about having a great memory.

David works three days a week and when he’s not here at Futures, you can find him out on the golf course or relaxing in some Spanish sunshine.

Mike Grossbard

Mike’s our ‘go-to guy’ for information on manufacturing, an Engineer by trade with over 30 years in Recruitment, working with both Blue chips and SMEs, there isn’t much he doesn’t know about manufacturing or the type of people in it. His specialist areas include High-level Technical staff, Sales Managers in Valves, Pumps Sealing and High Volume Manufacturing. Mike has the strong market knowledge and an even stronger network of contacts.

Outside of work, you'll find him chilling to an eclectic mix of tunes from Swing to Heavy Metal. He also likes to dance too only these days the slower the better!

Alex Myers

Alex joined Futures in 2018 after graduating from University with a 2:1 in Business Management. As a dedicated Consultant working across the entire manufacturing industry, you’ll find him building his strong manufacturing network to match the perfect candidate with the position at hand.

In his spare time, Alex plays a lot of sports including cricket, football, and golf. When he’s not playing cricket he can be found cheering on Leeds United.

Tom Ainsley

Tom joined the Futures team in 2020 as a consultant on our Manufacturing team. With 7 years of experience in the fitness industry, Tom made a career change to recruitment in 2018 and has never looked back.

Outside of the office, Tom enjoys CrossFit and spending time with his friends and family.

Giles Sinclair

Giles started at Futures in early 2023 to join our Manufacturing sector as a Managing Consultant! With over 25 years of recruitment experience, Giles is FREC qualified and has been specialising in Procurement and Supply Chain since 1990. At Futures, his primary focus is recruiting interim and permanent Purchasing & Supply Chain professionals across the entire Manufacturing sector.

Having spent the last decade coaching junior football up to u16s, Giles now enjoys being an armchair manager! When not watching sports, Giles enjoys walking in the dales or along the coast with his wife and Border terrier.

Paul McQuade

As Managing Consultant for Futures’ Technology Division, Paul is responsible for all things software development, programme management, business analysis and data engineering. Paul’s team has a particular focus on Microsoft’s ERP offering, Dynamics 365. He has worked in a variety of recruitment roles and industries over a 21 year career, taking him to London, Leeds, Manchester, Cape Town, and Kuala Lumpur – all from humble beginnings in Middlesbrough.

His passions include his 2 kids & his fiancé; travel; film; drumming; live music; and Middlesbrough FC!

Olena Zavalska

Olena joined Futures’ private sector in March 2023 as an Associate IT Consultant! For over 2 years prior, Olena worked in a variety of different sectors within recruitment before finding her passion in IT. Her last role was in the healthcare sector, resourcing doctors ready to relocate and join the NHS.

In her spare time, Olena is a huge dog-lover who enjoys playing the piano and cycling. She also speaks 4 languages… English, Ukrainian, German, and Russian!

Lucas Walsh

Lucas joined Futures in September 2023 after finishing his Business and Sports studies the year before. Now, he’s an Associate Consultant in the IT team within our Manufacturing sector where he’s working to provide the best technology professionals!

Playing for Leeds Tykes, Lucas spends most of his time at the rugby club! When he’s not playing rugby, he enjoys spending time with friends and family.

Mark Johnson

As Divisional Manager for the FMCG team, Mark’s positive attitude and leadership style not only rubs off on his team but also on clients and candidates on a daily basis. A part of Futures since 2013, he leads a team of 5 specialist Consultants and Resourcers with a sole focus on the FMCG industry and clients ranging from massive billion-pound turnover brand names to niche SMEs.

Outside work, we’re confident you will not find a bigger Cas Tigers Rugby League fan.

Jonathan Bell

A part of the Futures family for 6 years now, Jonathan has been successfully recruiting exclusively in the food industry, building strong relationships with some of the UK’s leading food manufacturers. Offering a comprehensive and consultative approach for both clients and candidates, he recruits for mid to senior-level roles for his client base of blue chips through to SMEs.

In his spare time, Jonny is extremely sporty, filling the majority of his spare time out on either the cricket field or the golf course.

Sarah Calder

Sarah joined Futures in early 2021 as a consultant in the FMCG Industry with over 4 years of recruitment experience across commercial and operational hires. She’s a natural at building and maintaining fantastic client relationships.

Outside of work she’s a keen gym goer, and marathon runner and loves spending time with her close-knit family.

Adam Lachowski

Adam joined Futures in September 2021 as an Associate Consultant with our FMCG sector. He specialises in recruiting engineers for the FMCG industry.

He brings over five years of experience working in the FMCG recruitment sector. His previous role was as an Onsite Coordinator for Gap Personnel.

Outside of work, Adam is very family oriented, enjoying most of his time with his little baby boy and his partner. He is extremely interested in sports, he plays football and badminton and enjoys watching other sports including football, boxing, MMA and other combat sports. He also enjoys gaming (when he has time!).

Abbie Burgoyne

Abbie is an Associate Consultant with our FMCG team. She specialises in flavours and ingredients.

She has over 10 years of experience in the recruitment industry. After leaving her previous company, she became self-employed for three years and gave birth to a healthy baby girl.

Abbie decided to join Futures in November 2021. In her spare time, Abbie enjoys spending time with her family, her young toddler taking up most of her time!

Brian Haigh

Brian joined the Recruitment industry in 2005, working for a global electrical manufacturer responsible for all aspects of recruitment. Prior to this, he spent 16 years working in the Engineering sector and served 3 years in the RAF.

Joining Futures in early 2020 as a Resourcing Consultant on the Manufacturing team and then moved over to our FMCG team in 2022. Brian enjoys speaking to candidates daily, building relationships and helping to place them in their ideal roles.

Walking, DIY and spending time with the family (especially his first grandson) are just some of the ways Brian likes to spend his time outside of the office.

Zoe Ruff

Zoe has joined Futures as an Associate Consultant with our FMCG Team. She will be working closely with our Recruitment Consultant Sarah Calder assisting across key commercial hires within sales, marketing and category.

Zoe is fresh out of Leeds City College studying Business. She has previously worked in customer service at Beelivery.

In her spare time, she enjoys horse riding and competing in local competitions!

Nathan Dransfield

Joining in October 2023, Nathan brought 18 months of recruitment experience working in the U.S. sector where he focused on Food Production roles. He has now continued this passion as an Associate Consultant in our FMCG team.

Outside of work, Nathan enjoys keeping active with walks and trips away! He has a passion for combat sports - training Muay Thai for 3 years and being an avid watcher of MMA and Boxing.

Nathan Hunt

Nathan joined Futures in September 2023 after being within the sales environment industry since coming out of university at Leeds Beckett where he achieved a Master's in Sports Marketing! Currently, Nathan is an Associate Consultant in our FMCG Team where he's focusing on the commercial side of the health and wellness industry.

Outside of work, Nathan likes to keep busy! Most days he is playing football for Ilkley, going to the gym, or renovating his house!

Harriet Parker

Harriet joined the Futures team in 2019 as a Resourcer. Educated to a degree level in Sociology, she is passionate about the Social Care industry and previously supported senior and strategic roles for Local Authorities. In 2021, she moved roles into our central team as our Business Operations Assistant.

In her free time, Harriet enjoys climbing and exploring new places.

Ryan Falcon

Joining the Futures team in 2017 after completing his A Levels, Ryan is a valuable part of our Accounts team. Payroll, purchase ledgers, contractor queries and setting up new starters are just some of his day-to-day duties.

Ryan is currently completing his Level 4 AAT Accounting qualification whilst working at Futures. Outside of Futures, Ryan is a Leeds United fan who can be found socialising with his friends and visiting new places.

Dylan Newton

After 2 years of completing a software development course at college, Dylan initially joined Futures as a Resourcer in the Manufacturing team. However, he found his passion in Compliance and soon made the internal move to a Compliance Officer position!

Outside of work Dylan spends a lot of time with family and friends and has a keen interest in programming and developing games.

Beth Cato

Beth is our HR & Talent Manager here at Futures. With a strong background in internal recruitment, Beth has over 20 years of experience in Talent Acquisition & Diversity for both Lloyds Banking Group and HSBC.

When she’s not here at Futures, Beth is busy completing a Counselling and Psychotherapy degree at Leeds Beckett and spending time with her husband, son and Labrador pup Bella.

Jessica Thompson

Jess has been with us since 2017 and during her time within the company, she has been a vital part of various teams, experiencing a variety of roles within the company.

During her maternity leave, Jess pursued her dream of studying for an Honours Degree and has now returned to us on a part-time basis, happily enjoying a balance of work, study and motherhood.

Jess has seized the opportunity to join our talent acquisition team as we expand. Futures is currently ranked as one of the top thirty fastest-growing recruitment companies in the UK. It really is an exciting time to join our recruitment team here at Futures, so don’t hesitate to get in touch with Jess for a friendly yet confidential chat.

Dan Wilson

Dan joined Futures 2021 as a Marketing Manager. He has over six years of experience in recruitment marketing, previously working at Logical Resources FMCG.

Outside of the office, Dan is a season ticket holder for Leeds United, loves music and enjoys spending time with family and friends.

Abigail Beeby

Abi joined Futures in September 2022 as a Marketing Apprentice after leaving sixth form! Since then, she passed her apprenticeship with a top grade of Distinction and is now a permanent member as a Marketing Executive.

Outside of work, Abi is a black belt in karate and enjoys acting, going to concerts, and supporting Leeds United!

Join the Futures Family

Futures is a friendly, forward-thinking and growing recruitment company that’s been around for 25 years. We recognise that it’s our people that make us successful. We’ve created a working environment which celebrates different individual personalities, rewards success, and allows you to make a real difference.



Who we've helped

We are proud to have worked with over 100 local authorities across the UK to help them deliver public sector transformation.



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