Management
With over 100 years’ relevant industry experience, our Directors have combined their talents to create a business that has harnessed the best the industry has to offer. Read on to find out more about our management team and hear their thoughts on the future of The ReThink Group plc.
- John Sadiq, Non-executive Chairman, aged 69
John Sadiq started his career in market research, before broadening his experience into marketing and reaching company management level at an early age. He has held positions at a number of prominent companies including Chairman of Norwest Holst plc and Managing Director of The Gallup Organisation Limited as well as investing in and building up a number of successful and profitable companies. John has been Non-executive Chairman of the Company since March 2005.
“As well as having lots of industry experience, the team here is highly motivated. The management team rates amongst the best I have worked with and they are following a clear strategy of Customer and Employee satisfaction, and of always providing a first class service.”
- Jonathan Russell Butterfield, CEO, aged 45
Jonathan Butterfield has over 22 years’ experience in IT and IT staffing services, and is one of the Founding Directors of ReThink. He spent the early part of his career in technology training with Unisys Corporation, and then spent nearly ten years with Computer People Group plc which was sold to Adecco (UK) Limited. In 1996, Jonathan co-founded IT staffing company, Best International Group plc, which was acquired by Spring Group plc in 2003. He was also involved in the establishment of Zebra Managed Resources Limited, a recruitment process outsourcing company that was also acquired by Spring Group plc. As Managing
Director, Jonathan is responsible for overall Group performance.“There are no barriers to building a really great company with the management and staff involved at ReThink, and the management team here is more capable than any other I have worked with. We all care passionately about what we do and how that impacts our customers. With 25 percent of our staff having made substantial investments in the company, it’s easy to understand why our people go the extra mile.
- Patrick Martin Dundon, Finance Director, aged 47
Patrick Dundon is a Fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants. Patrick trained with Kidsons and has since been finance director at a number of organisations. He obtained group accounting experience at Pentland Group plc. At ReThink, Patrick is responsible for finance and administration.
“When I joined ReThink I soon realised we had a different offering from everyone else in the market. It’s a place in which individual talents can thrive, which has resulted in an energetic team with a loyal client base. I believe this platform has built the most dynamic business in the sector. “
- Michael John Bennett, Executive Director, aged 45
Michael Bennett has 15 years’ experience in the recruitment industry and was one of the Founding Directors of ReThink. His experience includes five years at Ajilon (UK) Limited, trading as Computer People, being one of the founders of Best International Group plc in 1997, and the Managing Director of Spring Group plc’s permanent recruitment practice. Michael is responsible for the Group’s London and southern operations.
“The pride of our people has always helped ReThink stand out from the crowd – without them we are nothing. To me, ReThink means hard work and passion. It means being proud of what we have achieved. It’s run in the style I have always wanted to run a company and hope our staff feel it’s the type of company in which they’ve always wanted to work.”
- Iain Philip Blair, Executive Director, aged 37
Iain Blair has 12 years’ IT staffing experience and was one of the Founding Directors of ReThink. After training with Ajilon (UK) Limited, trading as Computer People, Iain joined Best International Group plc and was promoted to head of permanent recruitment in the South West. Before joining ReThink, he was responsible for the delivery of permanent recruitment services for Sanderson Recruitment plc, the largest supplier of IT services in the South West. Iain is responsible for the Group’s south western operations.
“ReThink means what it says – we’ve gone back to basics. Recruitment is about people; you need to meet your clients' needs and treat candidates with respect. Too many of our competition have forgotten this. But ReThink should also equal fun! I want every employee to enjoy their time at work.”
- Andrew Lord, Managing Director, aged 42
Andrew Lord has 15 years IT staffing experience and was one of the Founding Directors of ReThink. After training with Rullion Limited, he joined Best International Group plc in April 1997 where he was responsible for the Birmingham, Edinburgh and Leeds offices. Andrew is the Board member responsible for the Group's northern operations.
“We have hired some of the most experienced and successful people in the industry, from which our candidates and clients all benefit. Personally, ReThink has been a platform to utilise the vast experience I have gained over the years, and I’m determined our brand becomes synonymous with the things I personally stand for. I’ve put my heart and soul into ReThink and will continue to do so.”
- Robert John O’Callaghan, Executive Director, aged 37
Robert O’Callaghan started his career in recruitment over 13 years ago, working within business development and delivery at Adecco (UK) Limited. He has since worked for the IT and technical divisions of Pertemps Limited, where he successfully grew a new Midlands-based operation and, before joining ReThink in March 2007, was Regional Manager for Monarch Recruitment Limited. Based in Birmingham, Robert runs the Group’s Midlands operation.
“There are many factors that set us apart from our competitors, and this is mainly due to the sheer talent we have at ReThink. We’ve an impressive track record of building and nurturing staff relationships, and our passionate belief in paying attention to detail has helped raise all aspects of service delivery. I’m genuinely proud to come to work every day.”
- Stephen Paul Salvin, Executive Director, aged 41
Stephen Salvin has been involved in a number of international businesses. As well as consulting roles at Electronic Data Systems Corporation and PriceWaterhouseCoopers LLP, he has been the founder and Managing Director of APS Limited, a UK consulting firm specialising in business process management. He has also held Vice President roles for Lava Corporation Inc., a Toronto-based workflow software company, OpenText Corporation Inc., a Canadian content management and collaboration software company and Microstrategy Inc, a business intelligence software company based in Washington DC. Stephen is the Managing Director of Aiimi (trading as RPS).
“I have never worked in a company that moves so quickly, that is fearless in making difficult decisions and consistently manages to take advantage of opportunities as soon as they arise. At the same time, it’s a company that makes ethical decisions, placing greater value on long-term relationships than short-term gains. Everything this company does is focused around delivering measurable value to our customers.”- John Eugene O’Sullivan, Non-executive Director, aged 54
John O’Sullivan has 25 years’ experience in recruitment, which has included senior roles in companies such as Ajilon (UK) Limited, trading as Computer People, Best International Group plc and Spring Group plc. He is currently a non-executive director or strategic advisor to eight companies, all within the field of human capital. John has been a Non-executive Director of the Company since March 2005.
“The future of ReThink will only be shaped by the quality of the people, all of whom are stakeholders, and all of whom are, quite simply, a cut above the norm. I’m proud to be part of an organisation that is becoming pre-eminent in its chosen fields and set the standard for others to follow.”
- Keith Ronald Hirst, Non-Executive Board member, age 68
Keith Ronald Hirst, CBE, is a graduate engineer who, over the course of his career, has held finance and general management positions on the boards of a number of private and public companies. In 2001 he was awarded the CBE for services to education, training and enterprise in the Black Country.
- Stephen Greenwood – CEO Asia Pacific, aged 48
Steve commenced his career in the recruitment/search sector with Love & Tate Plc, based in London. He managed significant clients such as The International Stock Exchange, Esso and BP gaining experience in all facets of the operation of the business. Steve relocated to Ireland in 1992, working with The Independent Newspaper Group, and returned to recruitment consultancy in 1998 when he began to build and develop Berkley Group with fellow director Fergal Brosnan, as a highly successful quality focused brand within the Sales/Marketing , Pharmaceutical/Life Science and IT/ Technology sectors, operating from offices in Dublin and Cork.
With the support of Enterprise Ireland , Berkley entered the Asian market in late 2008. Having worked on the project since feasibility stage, Steve, with his family, moved to Asia in January 2010 as full time CEO to continue to build Berkley’s regional operation based in Singapore. Steve has developed strong networks in Asia, and in January 2011 was elected to the board of The Irish Chamber of Commerce Singapore.
"I have always believed that in this industry our clients should receive the same level of focus, attention and care irrespective of market conditions, which is one of the reasons why Berkley has survived and thrived through several downturns. With high quality people, planning, vision, and above all a positive attitude anything is possible."
- Fergal Brosnan – Managing Director, Berkley Group, Europe, aged 37
Fergal Brosnan has over 17 years experience in Technology, Engineering and Resourcing. Fergal started his career within the Software and Hardware R&D Centre for Apple Computer, and worked in both the Irish and US facilities. He later took up QA & Test Manager roles in Cognotec Autodealing, an FX Trading Software company, and with Performix Technology in Dublin.
Fergal founded the IT and Life Science Functions within Berkley in 2000. In 2008 Fergal, along with his fellow Director Stephen Greenwood, undertook the establishment of an Asian base, with the set up of offices in Singapore. Fergal currently operates and manages the European operations for Berkley.
“We are driven by a quality of service and delivery, working in verticals in which we are experts. Too often the word Professional is utilised, but our company and people are the ultimate in professionalism. We review, plan, execute and deliver a premium level of service. Our commitment to partnering with both clients and candidates alike is long term. And to borrow a phrase, we plan on where the puck is going to be, not where it is.”
