Our Senior Leadership Team
Andy Sweeney | Founder/CEO
Company Founder Andy Sweeney, has been CEO of The Best Connection Group for over 25 years. With a strong academic background, Andy holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Liverpool, an MBA from the University of Aston and is a proud Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants.
Qualifying as a Chartered Accountant in 1981, Andy discovered a real passion and talent for business, and a keen entrepreneurial streak. He developed his skills and knowledge further in business accountancy roles at Ladbroke PLC and United Trade Press, before launching a financial management consultancy which he ran for four years. It was after this that Andy joined forces with his co-founder Neil, to create the organisation that they continue to manage today.
Outside of work, Andy is a keen cyclist and explorer. He loves to take on new challenges and learn new skills as he has a passion for self-development. Andy can often be found with his head in a book, learning about new topics of interest.
Neil Yorke | Founder / Director
Birmingham born and bred, Neil is co-founder of The Best Connection Group, and a natural entrepreneur. After completing his business degree, Neil also pursued a career in chartered accountancy. Upon qualification he was appointed Financial Controller for a leading financial recruitment company, giving him an insight into the world of recruitment. Neil gained further experience as Finance Director within a Software Development company, before making the leap to establishing a business.
Former school friends, Neil and Andy joined forces in 1988, creating a management consultancy business. They continued to pool their skills and energies, and in 1991 The Best Connection Group was launched.
Neil plays an active role in operational management, facilities, communications, and strategy. Outside of work, he likes to unwind by getting creative in the garden, spending time sailing when the weather is fine and can often be found on the court keeping fit with a mean game of racquetball.
Lee Harris | Director
Lee has been with the company for just short of 30 years. Starting out as a recruitment consultant, Lee has worked his way through the ranks, helping develop the branch network and organisational structure to what it is today.
As well as being responsible for the 20 branches in his region, Lee manages our Central Sales team, who are dedicated to meeting the needs of our multi-location clients and those clients where we offer specific On-site support
Lee also oversees our Central Managed Solution team, a specialist group of experienced consultants who provide clients of all sectors and sizes bespoke solutions for their individual recruitment needs. Lee also sits as a permanent director within the Compliance, Quality and Assurance team.
Outside of work Lee has been married to Michelle for over 20 years and is a proud father to his son Tommy. Much of his spare time is now taken up supporting Tommy in the pursuit of his hobbies and interests. As a family they love to travel and socialise with friends and family and enjoy their football or just simply getting some air into their lungs on a good day out.
Darren Pollard | Director
Darren is a highly experienced veteran of the recruitment industry with over 30 years’ sales and management experience under his belt. He joined The Best Connection in 1992 shortly after the company’s inception, to drive industrial recruitment opportunities for the business.
As the company expanded, Darren first took on the leadership for the Birmingham-based Tyseley office as Branch Manager and soon went on to manage both new and established branches along with integrating acquired agencies’ branches into The Best Connection Group’s network. Darren was appointed a Director in December 2015 and currently oversees regional branch operations from Birmingham to Truro, South Wales and Oxford.
In his spare time, Darren works on his golf swing and spends time with his extended family, pet dog and tortoise. The family’s static caravan and VW T5 camper also provide a focus for weekend trips and time away from the office.
Dave Schilling | Director
With three decades of recruitment experience in the industrial, warehouse, distribution & driving markets, Dave is currently responsible for several TBC branches across the UK. Beginning his career in the retail sector and financial services industry, he quickly developed a passion for sales.
Dave’s customer-centric ethos is based on delivering an honest, quality service and willingness to go the extra mile. His view is that very few recruiters in the industry do an exceptional job which exceeds a client’s expectations, and this is something he believes makes The Best Connection unique.
In his spare time, Dave likes to spice things up and loves a good curry; he’s even had the privilege of cooking in a few local Birmingham restaurants. Dave also finds meditating brings great inner peace.
Darren Ainge | Director
As a Director at The Best Connection, Darren wears many hats. As well as maintaining engagement with the branch network, Darren is the stakeholder Director for our People Services division and Key Accounts team, with Corporate Social Responsibility and Equality and Diversity being very important to him. He also plays an active part in our relationship with the Recruitment and Employment Confederation attending their recruitment leaders’ meetings, which enables us to keep up to date with the latest developments in the recruitment industry and influence messaging to key decision makers within Government.
Outside of The Best Connection, Darren enjoys holidaying with his family and supporting his local football team – who apparently need all the support they can get!
Oliver Darley | Head of Legal
Oliver is a practicing solicitor who has been with the company since 2013. Working across the SWS Group, his experience spans employment law, commercial property, dispute resolution, commercial and regulatory work.
As the Head of Legal, Oliver is responsible for the Legal Department and ensuring that the team deliver effective legal support to the business. Oliver also acts as the company’s Data Protection Officer and works closely with the Information Security and Compliance Quality and Assurance teams.
Outside of work Oliver is an enthusiastic (but, by his own admission, not that proficient!) golfer and enjoys walks in the countryside and good food.
Jane Power | Business Assurance Manager
Jane joined the SWS Group in 2013 and has since taken on the responsibility for Compliance, Quality and Assurance plus Internal Communications for The Best Connection Group.
Throughout her extensive and successful career in business, Jane has worked in senior roles in cross-functional areas including Manufacturing, Sales and Marketing, Distribution and Training. Her career has also spanned international commerce and the SME sector.
Jane holds a professional Diploma in Quality Assurance and Management and plays a pivotal role in ensuring high quality standards are met and maintained across the business in accordance with ISO9001:2015 Quality Management System.
In addition to her compliance responsibilities, Jane manages the company’s internal communications functions which help to drive colleague engagement and business development activities.
Outside of work, Jane enjoys spending time with her family and has a passion for travelling. She enjoys the theatre and comedy clubs along with reading, walking and gardening when time allows.
David Morton | IT and Telecoms Manager
For over 25 years David and his team have been supporting The Best Connection by ensuring the critical data and communications infrastructure supports the business 24/7, 365 days a year.
Since joining the company in the late nineties, David has managed the relentless demand for modern IT services across the organisation as it has grown from 6 to 85 plus locations. During his tenure, David has expanded his IT team to include 14 trained professionals, who now make up the dedicated teams undertaking Helpdesk, Server and Infrastructure and Cyber Security functions that allow the business to function securely and efficiently.
David has also implemented many changes within the company, leveraging new technological developments including internet security, technical support, software upgrades and is currently working on stringent requirements to meet the ISO27001 standard.
Outside of work David, alongside his wife, runs a private, family-only, free taxi service to football, riding, gymnastics, sewing, Brownies, swimming and countless other local clubs and activities.
Roxi Sweeney | Head of Marketing and Digital
Roxi joined The Best Connection in 2017 with a strong academic background, including a BSc in Economics and Politics and a First Class MSc in Management from the University of Bath. Holding vocational Diplomas from both the Chartered institute of Marketing, and the Chartered Management Institute, Roxi now manages the digital team and the marketing team, responsible for all client and candidate communications.
As head of the organisation’s Digital Transformation project, Roxi’s view is that whilst modern systems and IT solutions should be used to enhance the client and candidate experience and drive efficiency and effectiveness, they should never replace the face-to-face personal connections that remain at the heart of the business. She is proud that the company remains a people-centric recruitment company, supported by the latest technology.
In addition to her professional achievements, Roxi has a passion for sports and leading an active lifestyle. With a background in competitive swimming, she has honed her discipline and determination. Always looking to challenge herself, Roxi particularly enjoys participating in Triathlon events, including Ironman competitions and marathons both locally and abroad.
Katie Yorke | HR Manager
Katie knows that our people are at the heart of everything we do, and she is passionate about ensuring our employee experience is the best it can be.
Upon joining The Best Connection in 2017, Katie found her vocation with the diverse range of people she worked with and embarked upon an MSc in Human Resources Management. One of her primary objectives is to ensure that the employee experience within the organisation is outstanding. An advocate of life-long learning and continuous development, she is immensely proud of the comprehensive Training programmes available to all employees.
Outside of work, Katie enjoys an active lifestyle and is a keen traveller. She is an avid sports enthusiast, with hockey being her primary passion. An adventurer at heart, Katie loves life at sea, and holds an Advanced Open Water Diver qualification.
In her downtime she loves nothing more than spending time with her beloved mischievous niece and her adored rescue dog Alma – both of which keep her on her toes!
