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The Team

Andy Turner

Managing Partner

​One of the two First Choice’s owners, with a 50% shareholding, although Andy says his half of the company is smaller than Anne’s! He leads on our Industrial division and loves to work on improving our relationships with and service to clients. When he’s not in the office you might find Andy on the terraces at Burnley Football Club (poor guy), playing golf, or walking his dog with the family. He is the founder of the WACCL (Wakefield’s Annual Children Charity Lunch) and of Wakefield Works, a scheme to inspire the district’s unemployed.

Anne Lockwood

Managing Partner

​One of the two owners of First Choice, Anne’s main role is keeping business partner Andy in check! She leads on compliance, keeping us up to date with relevant legislation and making sure everything is running smoothly. She claims not to have any spare time and then lists her hobbies as spending time with her lovely grandson Sam, being a school governor, and spending time at her holiday home in Northern Italy. On Anne’s bucket list is doing an A-Z of city breaks – she’s done 15 so far!

Jo Hill

Administration

​Another of our friendly faces on reception is Jo Jo. You might speak to her on the phone or she could answer your email as she’s one of four fabulous office aces. Working closely with Ellie she makes sure everythingruns smoothly for candidates. When she’s not taking care of us in the office you’ll fine Jo travelling, on coastal walks or maybe even dancing! Family is very important to her, and she loves spending time with her gorgeous nephew.

Clare Haywood

Finance and Admin Manager

​Another office ace, Clare is our finance and admin manager.Be nice to her – she’s responsible for making sure everyone gets paid. She describes her specialist skills as giving and demanding money plus being handy with a calculator! Outside of work Clare is busy with her two children. She loves a good soak in the bath, walks with the family and going out with childhood sweetheart and husband John, often to see a good musical.

Yasmin Ratcliffe

Administrator

Heidi Wood

Commerical Team Manager

​A key member in our Commercial and Permanent division, Heidi spends her time liaising with clients to make sure we can give them a seamless service, matching the perfect candidates to their roles. One of our longest-serving members of the team, Heidi has been with First Choice for more than a decade. Outside of work you’ll find her keeping fit, mainly by cycling and helping her kids with their sports training. She also has a bit of an eye for interior design.

Jonathan Gaunt

Industrial Team Manager

Joanna Gornicka

Senior Account Manager

​Working closely with Heidi, Joanna G is part of Team Commercial. She spends her time at work registering candidates, helping them find suitable roles and liaising with clients about their requirements. With a Masters in engineering, environmental protection and development, Joanna is ideally placed to help our commercial clients. She loves a good book, socialising with friends and spending time with her children.

Kay Ringham

Account Manager - Commercial

Sammy Halliley

Account Manager - Industrial

Joanna Kurowska

Account Manager - Industrial

​One of our Industrial account managers, Joanna’s time at work is mainly spent interviewing candidates, texting her husband and keepingothers in check. She has leadership skills (some people say bossy, we don’t!) and seems to have magic powers to conjure up the right people for a jobat short notice. Outside of work she cooks delectable Polish goodies, spends time with friends and having lots of cuddles from her daughter Hanna, born March 2020!​

Mary Bletsa

Account Manager - Industrial

Kay Fieldelsey

First Choice Advantage LLP

Lauren Stead

Social Media Coordinator

​Filling in a brand new position at First Choice; Lauren is our Social Media Coordinator. With a background in TV & Media studies, she is responsible for adverts, promotional posts, content creation and all things social media marketing! Out of the office she is an animal care volunteer, self-proclaimed cat lady and loves to let off some steam with a workout at the gym.