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Tim was a nurse before deciding he'd like a career in sales. He sold door to door before moving into medical recruitment - the perfect way to combine his professional passion for sales, and his personal passion for healthcare and looking after people. He quickly climbed the ladder to director-level before deciding to found Star with Lucy in 2002. Tim injects fire, focus, strategic direction and vision to Star. Without doubt he's our ideas man with a knack for spotting people with the right skills to realise his vision. Tim does his job because he believes in people, not pieces of paper, and the ability of his team to help people change their lives for the better.
What's the best advice you've ever been given?
Two ears, one mouth - use them accordingly.
If you could visit your younger self, what advice would you give you?
Slow down, look at your goal, then work backwards from there.
What qualities are critical for professional success?
Drive and focus. Take personal ownership for whatever it is you want to achieve.
Tell us something about yourself that we don't know
I play the piano.
Describe your perfect Sunday
The family and I would go to watch Bath play rugby at the Rec, then I'd take my hero of a Labrador for a nice long walk, followed by a big roast dinner.
Lucy joined Proctor & Gamble Pharmaceutical's 'Management Development Programme' in 1997 after graduating from Sheffield University with a Business degree. With Procter & Gamble she gathered experience across sales, recruitment, marketing and management, before founding Star with Tim in 2002. Whilst Lucy's focus is mostly external, she's also passionate about our development too, helping everyone around her to nurture their strengths, and work out practical ways to develop themselves. Our 'Ferran Adria-esque high standards' (in her own words) begin with Lucy, and her fervent enthusiasm for the industry is present in all of us too. Lucy does her job because she adores watching people grow and achieve their potential - the 'eureka' moments that people experience when they learn something new about themselves, about business, and about one another.
What's the best advice you've ever been given?
It's always better to regret the things you did do, than regret the things you didn't do.
If you could visit your younger self, what advice would you give you?
Be true to yourself - don't try to be what you think others want you to be.
What qualities are critical for professional success?
Business curiosity. Successful people have an unyielding curiosity for everything - what makes people tick, how things work - it doesn't matter what; it's so critical in a climate that's currently driven by fear and complexity.
Tell us something about yourself that we don't know
I lived in Sweden for 6 months.
Describe your perfect Sunday
I'd watch the episode of 'Saturday Kitchen' that I'd recorded the day before, followed by a roast and then I'd feed the ducks with my family in the afternoon.
Gemma travelled the world after finishing her Business degree; she lived in New Zealand for a while before moving back to the UK and joining Star as our Office Manager. Now our Business Support Director, Gemma leads the support team and oversees all HR, legal and financial tasks. To Star she brings an almost supernatural eye for detail and the ability to think of eventualities that no-one else does. The things Gemma loves most about Star are the trust and confidence everyone has in each other's abilities and potential; hard work is always celebrated.
What's the best piece of advice you've ever been given?
Do the right thing, then even if you do have to do something unpleasant, you know you've done all you could
If you could visit your younger self, what advice would you give you?
Remember the 'life' in work-life balance and don't be afraid to look foolish on the dance floor- just enjoy yourself!
What qualities are critical for professional success?
The ability to pick your battles - what's a 'nice to do' and what's a 'must do.'
Tell us something about yourself that we don't know
I could pretty much recite all of the Rocky films word for word - perhaps not the sixth one yet, I haven't had twenty years' watching time yet!
Describe your perfect Sunday
Taking the family and the dog for a walk followed by a good old Sunday roast and an afternoon curled up on the sofa with a film
Through the 1990s Paul moved from Recruitment Consultant to Managing Director. In 2000, he created what became the largest, qualified social work recruitment agency in the UK with a turnover of approximately 40 million pounds at point of trade sale. Paul knows how to build successful businesses. To Star, he lends us his innate business sense, and an impartial viewpoint across all parts of the business, from recruitment and marketing, to strategic direction.
What's the best advice you've ever been given?
Always polish your shoes before an interview, and you must wear your suit - don't let it wear you
If you could visit your younger self, what advice would you give you?
I'd give myself 3 bits of advice. Read all your contracts carefully and don't underestimate your own bargaining power. Secondly, don't rush into decisions on account of fictitious time frames. And thirdly, don't invest in the American property market.
What qualities are critical for professional success?
Drive and interpersonal skills; it's essential that you're naturally able to work through and develop your own network, and those two skills will prove invaluable in helping you achieve that
Tell us something about yourself that we don't know
I've got two things! The first is I was a labourer in a garden in an episode of 'Homefront.' And I was on 'Eggheads' once.
Describe your perfect Sunday
A day with the family on the beach with a bit of kite surfing in the afternoon followed by a nice roast dinner
Sarah worked as a trainee accountant after finishing her A Levels, whilst completing her ACCA qualifications in her spare time. As her career progressed she moved from Assistant Finance Manager to Finance Manager posts before joining Star as our 'Financial Controller.' To Star, Sarah uniquely shares complete financial experience gathered across private practice and industry. Accuracy is very important in this role, and luckily for us, Sarah's a perfectionist; she's not satisfied unless everything's balanced and correct. The thing she most loves about Star is that everyone understands how valuable each person is to the success of the whole, and so works together to achieve what we need to.
What's the best advice you've ever been given?
Work hard and good things will come
If you could visit your younger self, what advice would you give you?
Study that little bit more and put in exam practice
What qualities are critical for professional success?
Unwavering determination to succeed at what you're doing
Tell us something about yourself that we don't know
As a farmer's daughter I can shear sheep, but wouldn't necessarily want to try that again now!
Describe your perfect Sunday
A good roast dinner, followed by a film and a bottle of wine - a nice, relaxing day spent with my husband
Kate's one of our longest serving employees and knows Star inside out. She began her career as a Recruitment Administrator, and is now our Business Support Executive. She helps take care of everything HR, Legal, and logistic-related, making sure our support is as good, and seamless, as it can get. To Star she brings guidance, precision and personality. She loves her job because she gets a huge sense of achievement from making the seemingly impossible possible; she also vividly believes in the abilities of the likeminded people around her.
What's the best advice you've ever received?
To do what your mother tells you
If you could visit your younger self, what advice would you give you?
I know it seems like it will be fun but really what good will it do you?
What qualities are critical for professional success?
Being honourable and respectful will get you a long way and will make the journey much more pleasant
Tell us something about yourself that we don't know
I have a phobia of owls
Describe your perfect Sunday
Cold, crisp winter's day, walking to the park looking out over Bath with my husband - my 2 ginger daughters squealing on the swings - pub lunch, followed by a huge nap with at least 1 daughter using my lap as a pillow
Laura worked in a few customer service and field-sales representative jobs before joining us. She was a skilled, thorough consultant, and a hit with clients and candidates. Now responsible for recruiting, and then training and developing all of Star's people, she takes an empathetic approach to her job, seeking first to understand each person's needs and learning style before sharing knowledge and best practice. Laura does her job because she enjoys seeing people reach the targets they've set themselves; the happier and more fulfilled everyone is in their role, the more inspiring and enjoyable Star is for everyone.
What's the best piece of advice you've ever been given?
Treat people how you expect to be treated yourself.
If you could visit your younger self, what advice would you give you?
Instead of seeking other people's advice first, you should always trust your own judgement.
What qualities are critical for professional success?
Be open and honest, and you should have a passion for the job you're doing.
Tell us something about yourself that we don't know.
I met Richard Branson at a garden party. He was an absolute hero.
Describe your perfect Sunday.
It depends on whether or not I've been out the night before. If I have, I'd spend the day watching films and eating comfort food whilst snuggled in my duvet. If not, a good spring clean and some retail therapy.
After graduating, Carly travelled for while before moving to Bath and joining Star as a Marketing Executive in 2007; she became Brand Manager in 2009. She's responsible for making sure everyone knows what Star's about and the services it offers; she also manages the rest of the marketing department. Above all else, she brings enthusiasm for the brand, and a steely determination to make sure Star's personality and the services we offer are out there for everyone to see. She does her job because she loves the people she works with, who trust her to do what she does well.
What's the best piece of advice you've ever been given?
Don't always assume you're right. And cut pizza with kitchen scissors, not a pizza slice. (Courtesy of Kate Hosker)
If you could visit your younger self what advice would you give you?
Never to worry, things always turn out how they should.
What qualities are critical for professional success?
The right attitude - don't assume you can't do something. If you can't do it now, you will be able to one day if you approach it in the right way and work out what you need to do to achieve what's being asked of you. And listen, whilst not assuming you're always right - challenging your perceptions and ideas is the only way to get any better at something. And prepare for everything - presentations, meetings, no matter what it is, do your homework before you go in.
Tell us something about you that we don't know.
I played in a steel drum band at school.
Describe your perfect Sunday.
I get a nice long lie in, but then when I do get up the sun's shining and there's music and movement in my house, and we'd eat pancakes with proper coffee for breakfast. We gather everyone up for drinks in a nice pub garden, and then a BBQ, drinks, music and a little bonfire on the beach as it starts to get dark.
Mark began his career as an RGN nurse in 1987 before moving to management roles before transitioning to medical recruitment in 1994. Three years later he opened his own business - a consultancy operating in the medical devices market - before becoming a Recruitment Business Manager with another agency; here he led a very successful Master Vendor partnership with a medical devices and equipment market leader. Mark joined us in 2011 as our Healthcare Business Unit Manager; he's now our Recruitment Manager, and oversees all our business units. Mark's a sociable character who's happiest when he's at the centre of things; he gets immense job satisfaction from helping other people reach their potential. What he loves most about Star is its team spirit, built on genuine trust and positivity.
What's the best advice you've ever been given?
There are two similar statements that I like and always stick to - it's not what you say, it's what you do, and you'll be judged on the results, not your words.
If you could visit your younger self, what advice would you give you?
Think things through in more detail, and always consider the consequences of your actions
What qualities are critical for professional success?
For me honesty and determination are key qualities, and the ability to plan incredibly well and manage variables - it's just as important to plan thoroughly for all eventualities, prepare for things that may or may not go how you want, and that goes for everything, not just your work.
Tell us something about yourself that we don't know
As a schoolboy I had trials for Oxford United Football Club.
Describe your perfect Sunday
It would start at 630am; I'd fetch the paper then read it cover to cover with a pot of coffee before my children get up. After that my son and I would go to the park for a kick around, then go home for Sunday lunch with the rest of the family. After we've eaten, we would all go for an afternoon walk in the woods.
Rich was already a successful recruiter before joining Star in 2007. He was promoted for the first time after only a year, and for the second time in 2010 to Vendor Manager; he looks after Star's Master Vendor business unit and Allergan's commercial business unit, covering everything from sales and marketing to market access and health economics, to sales operations and medical affairs, as well as managing his own recruitment team. To Star Rich brings a true willingness to help other people - to him, nothing is too much trouble. What he loves most about Star is that everyone is encouraged to look after each other; the sense of togetherness means everyone works together for the good of the whole.
What's the best advice you've ever been given?
It's better to risk everything than hold on to nothing.
If you could visit your younger self, what advice would you give you?
Don't buy clothes to grow into, they'll never fit!
What qualities are critical for professional success?
Honesty, respect, ambition and compassion.
Tell us something about yourself that we don't know.
I'm a keen photographer (Star encourages people to live their personal and professional dreams; any pictures you see on our website are courtesy of Rich. Visit Rich's website for more information.)
Describe your perfect Sunday.
I'd get up early -it's a sunny Sunday morning - and go to the beach, take some photos of the sunrise, then it's back home for breakfast and a catch up on the rugby. I'd take Madi - my Jack Russell - out for a long walk, and then spend the afternoon enjoying some good food with family and friends. I'd go back to the beach to watch the sunset, camera in hand.
Sam's career in recruitment began in 1998 with a high street agency; she's specialised in pharma recruitment since 2001. She joined Star in 2008 as a recruiter before she was promoted to Team Leader; a consistent top performer, she leads by shining example with a great sense of humour, and an unwavering determination to help others achieve their goals. She does her job because it's challenging, and so success is even more rewarding. She's loves working at Star because our values and her values are the same.
What's the best advice you've ever received?
Treat others as you wish to be treated.
If you could visit your younger self, what advice would you give you?
Work smart and always focus your efforts on things that will produce the outcomes you want.
What qualities are critical for professional success?
Positivity and a good attitude. You must be driven, results-focused, competitive, self-aware and disciplined.
Tell us something about yourself that we don't know
I'm a secret Take That fan (author's note - I had to prise this out of Sam).
Describe your perfect Sunday.
Mountain biking in the Chiltern Hills, ending up at a nice pub for a Sunday roast.
After graduation Andy spent 5 years working for 2 CROs in Clinical Data Management & Proposal Writing before transitioning into recruitment. Since 2003 he's been entirely focussed on searching and selecting the best clinical research talent for pharma, biotech and CRO clients in the UK. In this time he's worked for 4 high profile consultancies and latterly ran his own business successfully for 4 years. Andy joined Star in 2011 to lead our clinical business unit. He brings an in-depth understanding of UK clinical research and experience in just about every aspect of the clinical trial process. Andy has a great memory for people and takes an almost intuitive approach to recruitment; he often knows a candidate's next move before they themselves do!
What's the best piece of advice you've ever been given?
Get a good accountant
If you could visit your younger self, what advice would you give you?
I did a science degree, but if I were to go back I'd recommend a science degree with a commercial aspect to it too. Or I'd do a science degree that included a sandwich year in industry, for extra experience, and to prepare me for the realities of working life!
What qualities are critical for professional success?
The willingness to work hard - you have to be willing to prove yourself. And the ability to influence people is important.
Tell us something about yourself that you don't know
I've broken 12 different bones in my body
Describe your perfect Sunday
I'd play tennis at about 10am, then I'd have Sunday lunch at the pub with my three daughters and my wife. I'd watch a Tottenham match at 4pm, before all my daughters go to bed on time at 7pm. After that it's a good horror film and a pizza.
Dave's career began with customer service and commission based sales roles before he joined Star as a Resourcer. He quickly went on to become one of Star's most successful recruitment consultants before his promotion to Team Leader for the contract business unit. To Star Dave brings boundless energy, which suits the faster-paced nature of contract recruitment down to the ground. He loves his job because he enjoys energising people, and watching them take that energy and use it to achieve the things they want to for themselves, and for everyone in the business.
What's the best advice you've ever been given?
Don't try and do everything at once
If you could visit your younger self, what advice would you give you?
Think about your actions first
What qualities are critical for professional success?
Strength of mind; you should be willing to do whatever it takes to make something happen. And you need good organisational skills; without them your work load will get on top of you.
Tell us something about yourself that we don't know
I was the South West's chess champion at 13
Describe your perfect Sunday
A fried breakfast followed by sport, probably football, then a roast dinner back at home, and a film in the evening.
Ben enjoyed varied post-university experience taking in the army, sales and professional musicianship before finding his place in recruitment in 2004; he moved up the ranks from award-winning consultant with a global high street agency to the Commercial Director of a contract consultancy, spending many years in industry before joining Star as a Team Leader for the Healthcare Business Unit. To Star Ben brings an analytical approach to work, and a curious mind that always wants to know 'why' and 'how could we do things differently.' He loves working at Star because it's given him the chance to become an expert in a field he's actually interested in, and the opportunity to coach and inspire people he really cares about.
What's the best advice you've ever received?
It came from my Mum, and it was 'those with vision make history.' I think what she meant was that those who have the idea, and the ability to follow it through, make it into the history books. Although she may have been talking about actual vision - she was squinting and had her face quite close to the windscreen of the purple Fiat she was driving.
If you could visit your younger self, what advice would you give you?
Put down the Big Mac and go for a run young man.
What qualities are critical for professional success?
You should keep your aim in mind at all times, and make sure that what you're doing is mindful of your goal. Always strive for perfection. It's important to talk to people properly no matter what the medium, and change your approach depending on who you're talking to - there's a lot of noise these days, it's important to know how to get the best from people.
Tell us something about yourself that we don't know.
In 1998 I won the Kent Law Prize for arguing a case in front of the Royal Navy's Judge Advocate General; I won a certificate and a cheque for ten pounds which I actually had to cash after I graduated. We snuck the Admiral into a nightclub and afterwards got him his first kebab.
Describe your perfect Sunday.
It's important to wake up without a hangover, watch Andrew Marr, then do some exercise. Sunday lunch will last up until 5pm and will involve lots of beef and ale, and then I'll watch Country File - I can't live without John Craven - the man, the hero - and then try and get to bed early after some bad television and some prep for work the next day.
