Our team
Hi there, nice to meet you. We are the JDers, a tribe of People lovers with a thirst for knowledge and a keen AI (get it?) on the future. We also love a quiz and are quite the collection of Science & Technology, History, Sports, Art, Literature & Culture enthusiasts, so we are almost there with our ultimate quiz team…but could always do with a few more specialist subjects in tow, what would yours be?
Here is a little insight into our much-loved line-up:
Sophie Lovell-Smith
Talent Partner
My catchphrase :
In the words of a
My fave Spotify playlist:
Songs to sing in the Car – got to love a power ballad, just to embarrass the kids
Dream dinner party guests?
Without doubt Gino Di Campo – he’s bonkers, he can bring his friends Gordon Ramsay and Fred Sirieix too for extra laughs.
Colin Dale
Talent Partner
My most-Googled holiday destination:
Bora Bora (see you there Kel!) and Vegas baby!
Mastermind specialist subject:
As office quizmaster hit me with your best questions! I never cease to surprise myself with my vast stash of useless knowledge #justcallmeMonkman
If I had to live in the past or the future:
An 80’s kid at heart I’d live in the past, doing the Rick and Roll to ‘never gonna give you up’, sporting a footballers perm with matching moustache, and sipping on Sodastreams… either that or the 15th Century, because I do love a good use of the word ‘Thus’
Georgie Feaver
Senior Project Manager
My escape:
My photos. Whenever I get a spare moment you will find me reminiscing through my thousands of photos. Epic experiences make memorable snaps.
My most Googled holiday destination
I love travelling so that’s a difficult one but my ultimate getaway would be to go on safari in the Masaai Mara, Kenya
If I was a vegetable:
I would be a sweet pepper
Jo Dalton
Founder & CEO
My catch phrase:
If it’s not a ‘Hell Yeh’, it’s a NoMy favourite ice cream:
Rum and RaisinMy most-Googled holiday destination:
The David Sheldrick Elephant Santuary in Kenya and the Bistate Lodge in Rwanda to see the gorillas, they are top of the bucket list just need to actually book it!If I had to pick to live in either the past or the future:
For anyone that knows me – Yes, its the future please :-)Dream dinner party guests?
Ada Lovelace, Rudolph Nureyev, Mohammad Ali, David Attenborough, Lady Gaga, Joe Rogan, Ernest Shackleton and my lovely Mum
Simon Gottschalk
Talent Partner
Mastermind specialist subject:
The pistes of Courchevel
Dream dinner party guests?
Dame Judi Dench, Bob Mortimer and Mel Giedroyc along with my wife and small group of my oldest and closest friends. Oh, and let’s have Barack Obama there too please… just because!
My fave Deliveroo order:
Sushi any time of day or night. Followed by… more sushi please!
Daniella Angel
Talent Partner
My 10%:
Anything creative or innovate, I’m energised by ideas, making, breaking and painting. My house is filled with my own abstract Pollock-style pieces.
My most-Googled holiday destination:
French Polynesia or anywhere with a buttery biscuit base beach… in a constant state of Wanderlust and booking my next long haul trip.
Dream dinner party guests?
A science geek at heart it would have to be Neil DeGrasse Tyson, Graham Hancock, Elon Musk, Hugh Jackman, Louis Theroux, Charles Darwin, Brian Cox
Kelly Tzelepis
Talent Partner
My 10%:
Process, Process, Process
My favourite ice cream:
Ferrero Rocher gelato please, yum!
My fave Deliveroo order:
Wagas (Praying they bring back my old fave, the chicken chilli men)
My most-Googled holiday destination:
Bora Bora (see you there Col!)
If I was a vegetable, I would be:
A carrot (rooted from the ground up, with strong morals and values)
Dream dinner party guests?
Ed Sheeran, Robert De Niro, David Attenborough, Michael McIntyre, Gordon Ramsay, Nelson Mandela, Angelina Jolie
James Brook
Leadership Coach and Psychologist
James is an experienced business leader, entrepreneur, leadership coach and management consultant. Following an international career with several global brands where he held leadership positions, he founded and ran several businesses, including Strengthscope®, a global HR Tech platform, which he successfully grew over 12 years before selling his stake in the business.
James is passionate about helping leaders optimize their talents and seeing Tech disruptors and innovators succeed and thrive. Drawing on his expertise in leadership psychology, executive coaching, organizational change and talent management, he has helped numerous companies, including Commvault, Farfetch, Gilead, PhotoBox, Novo Nordisk, Oracle, Takeda and Yahoo! to achieve their goals.
James is a regular speaker on leadership, coaching and the psychology of success and positive organizations. He has authored several books and his articles have been published in various publications, including Fast Company, Financial Times, CEO, Director and Personnel Today.
Richard Boastë-Kelly
Number Cruncher
My Success
Leaving the rat race and freelancing has meant I’m less stressed and have more time for the important people in my life
My Escape
Weekends at our Southampton retreat
My Things
Massive movie fan with over 1500 films in my collection
Fun Fact
I can drive a Steam Train, and have done on the Main Line – and it’s how I met my partner having shovelled five tons of coal
George
Chief Happiness Officer
My Success:
I once ate my dinner in under 8 seconds, a new world record apparently! Typically I am much slower, usually woofing it down in an average of 11 seconds.
My Escape:
Running around Ascot Racecourse or Virginia Water Lake and going swimming, doggy paddle of course!
My Stuff:
My hoomans, treats and my bed
Fun Fact:
I live quite near Windsor Castle and once met the Queen out walking… I’ve always fancied myself part of the Royal Family actually, the Corgis look like great fun
Our story
2019
We met a huge milestone this year, reaching 25k followers on LinkedIn. As well as several charity endeavours for Thames Hospice, walking 100’s of miles to raise funds for a worthy cause, and GBEA was a big theme as we attended all the regional and national finals across the UK. Also, lots of lovely new JD faces :)
2018
Amidst tonnes of growth, scaling the business, growing the team and venturing into new markets, we launch our new product (Leadership Development) as well as our new website (hello!)
2017
It was a busy year in 2017 as we went global, making our first hire across the pond, visiting TechCrunch Disrupt in NYC, hit a huge milestone completing our 150th Exec Search, threw a few more amazing parties and K
elly rejoined the team after Mat leave (we missed you Kel!)2016
We visited WebSummit in Lisbon, and the Great British Entrepreneur Awards where Jo judged Startup & Young Entrepreneur of the year categories (won by Simon Crowther of Flood Protection Solutions Ltd and David Tuch of Lightpoint Medical)
2015
Launched our Graduate scheme with Louisa as the first to join… and lots more amazing grads followed!
2014
An eventful year with our annual Client shindig at the Ivy Club JDDisrupt, a charity abseil for Cancer Research UK, and we take on our first projects outside of the UK tackling searches across Europe in Berlin, Stockholm and beyond
2012 – 2013
Our first home! Settled into our first office in Ascot and Jo hired her first JDer, Daniella. Jo also managed to take her first day off in 2 years!
2011
JD&Co was born. From the comfort of her kitchen table, Jo worked hard to get the business off the ground
JD&Co in numbers
28k +
Followers on LinkedIn
450
Projects delivered by the team
7
Office moves needed as we have expanded
2,850
Coffees consumed since day one
15
Honorary JDers of the four-legged variety
148
Cakes baked for charity (348 consumed 🤢)
Got what it takes to be a JDer?
Click here to start your career with us