Meet the Team
Executive Team

Nick Day

Abu Choudhury

Tom Croughton

Steve Yardley

Ros Winchester

CEO & Founder
Nick Day
Nick Day is the founder of JGA Payroll Recruitment, a niche Global Payroll Recruitment Consultancy. An MA graduate, Nick is both REC and AIRS Qualified in recruitment practice and possesses over 15 years specialist global payroll recruitment expertise.
Nick began his career as a payroll recruitment consultant in 2002 where he developed to become one of the most successful experts in the industry with a proven track record of providing SME, FTSE and Global listed clients with niche Payroll candidates across all levels, all sectors and all locations.
Believing the industry needed a new approach to candidate search and selection, Nick decided to launch JGA Payroll Recruitment in 2008. Subsequently, JGA has followed a unique, proactive and focused inbound 24/7/365 digital strategy designed to engage passive talent so his team can provide clients with the best payroll candidates the industry has to offer – the top 15%.
Nick has developed JGA to become world-class payroll recruitment consultancy. They have access to phenomenal networks of specialist payroll professionals which they successfully access for client engagements every day. A leading payroll recruitment authority, Nick and his team specialise in placing permanent and temporary payroll vacancies ranging from EMEA & International Payroll Directors, Payroll Managers and Payroll Executives through to Payroll Administrators, Technical Payroll & HR Implementation Consultants and Project Managers.
JGA Recruitment continue to utilise cutting edge digital technologies and big data analytics to improve candidate attraction strategies to attract the best payroll talent for their clients.
If you need any assistance with your recruitment process or finding a new role, contact him on:
Email: [email protected]
Telephone: 01727800377
I have known Nick for 14 years. I have always been impressed by his professional manner and dedication not only to his work at James Gray Associates (JGA) but also to his family. He has worked hard to build JGA Recruitment into a very successful business. But what has impressed me the most about Nick, is that he has real integrity, a rare virtue in the world of recruitment. – (Ms) L.P

Director
Abu Choudhury
Abu began his career in 2009 as a Payroll Recruitment Consultant and now has almost 15 years’ experience specialising in Payroll, HR and HCM recruitment and is trusted by SME, FTSE and Globally listed companies across all sectors and locations.
A Director at JGA Recruitment, he has demonstrated passion for the Payroll and HR industry which has been recognised by Reward Strategy who have included him in the coveted Reward300 index. Abu is a CIPP Associate member, has consulted thousands of professionals seeking recruitment support and partners with many global Payroll and HR departments to offer agnostic advice to clients/candidates alike.
Father of two beautiful boys and married to an HR Director, Abu is keen golfer and motorcycle enthusiast and in his spare time enjoys spending time with his family and dining out.
Get in touch with Abu for:
• Recruitment support – Domestic and International
• Market advice and benchmarking
• Recommendations or referrals
Email: [email protected]
Telephone: 01727800377

Director
Tom Croughton
Tom is coming up to a decade in recruitment and during that time has supported 1,000’s of Global Payroll & HR-Tech professional to secure their dream jobs.
Tom partners with some of the most successful, household-name businesses globally. Recently – Tom has supported boutique HCM consultancies to grow into some of the fastest growing companies in the US.
Speciality:
I specialise in HR-tech recruitment for Dayforce, Workday, UKG, SAP, Oracle & ADP professionals.
Favourite hobbies:
I enjoy training, watching sports, eating out and playing golf (badly)!
Who is your hero:
A few for various reasons – David Attenborough / Liam Gallagher / Ricky Gervais
What artist/band is your guilty pleasure:
Either Queen or a good sea-shanty.
What’s your favourite food:
Anything from Nando’s or with lots of garlic!
Contact me for:
– Discussing technology trends.
– You have hiring requirements.
– You’re looking for a new role.
– To grab a coffee (or beer)!

Director
Steve Yardley
Speciality:
HR, HRIS, Payroll & Reward
Favourite hobbies:
Cycling
Who is your hero:
Olaudah Equiano
What artist/band is your guilty pleasure:
There’s no such thing
What’s your favourite food:
Tapas
Get in touch with me for:
HR, HRIS, Payroll & Reward Recruitment
Email: [email protected]
Telephone: 01727800377

Operations & Sustainability Director
Ros Winchester
Speciality:
The operational side of recruitment companies
Favourite hobbies:
Keeping fit, meeting up with friends, travel – can’t wait to plan the next destination (when possible)!
Who is your hero:
David Attenborough – total respect!
What artist/band is your guilty pleasure:
Take That!
What’s your favourite food:
I love both Asian food and seafood!
Get in touch with me for:
Anything relating to temps/contractors, accounts, billing – If you have queries, just give me a call, I’m here to make sure that everything runs smoothly!
Email: [email protected]
Telephone: 01727800377
Payroll Recruitment Team

Freddy Moorhouse

Paul Dargavel

Alexandra Walker

Liam Allen

Sophie Stokes

Matthew Pyne

Harry Cavlan

Aaron Jupp

Tom Verrent

Gregg Smith

Manager
Freddy Moorhouse
Speciality:
Payroll
Favourite hobbies:
Watching football & spending time with my nephew.
Who is your hero:
Cristiano Ronaldo
What artist/band is your guilty pleasure:
Robbie Williams
What’s your favourite food:
Steak
Get in touch with me for:
Discussing hiring requirements & the next step in your career

Associate Director
Paul Dargavel
Paul is an Associate Director at JGA who specialises in Payroll recruitment at board level. He also specialises is Payroll & HR Software Consultancy recruitment. Paul is one of our most experienced members of staff with over 20 years in Payroll recruitment! Paul enjoys working at JGA due to its low staff turnover compared to our competitors, as he sees JGA as a family. Clients see the benefit of this as well.
He is passionate about recruiting for the payroll industry because the biggest thrill he gets is from applicants who return to him seeking advice on how they can develop as payroll professionals and working with them to achieve that. Two achievements Paul has made whilst being at JGA are being the top JGA Consultant in 2017 / 2018 and being the JGA TFF Fantasy Football King! Outside of work Paul’s main hobbies including running (he really wants to do the London Marathon) and spending time with his family.
If you need any assistance in finding or placing a role in Payroll, please do not hesitate to contact him on:
Email: [email protected]
Telephone: 01727800377
Having used several other suppliers, I am delighted to recommend Paul as being a credit to the industry of specialist payroll recruitment. (Mr) A.D

Senior Associate
Alexandra Walker
Speciality:
Working with clients and candidates to fulfil new vacancies and employment seeking. Getting the perfect matches!
Favourite hobbies:
Fitness, anything involving fun and friends, I am a big foodie and I love a Netflix series!
Who is your hero:
Teresa Mendoza (if you know you know!)
What artist/band is your guilty pleasure:
Little Mix!
What’s your favourite food:
Everything Italian, cheese and wine, crisp and dips!
Get in touch with me for:
Fulfilling any of your job vacancies or if you are seeking a new position in payroll of any level, anywhere!
Email: [email protected]
Telephone: 01727800377

Associate
Liam Allen
Speciality:
Payroll Assistant to Payroll Specialist positions
Favourite hobbies:
Formula 1 and combat sports
Who is your hero:
My grandad
What artist/band is your guilty pleasure:
Oasis (Liam is the better brother)
What’s your favourite food:
Pasta with basically anything
Get in touch with me for:
Exciting new payroll positions
Email: [email protected]
Telephone: 01727800377

Researcher
Sophie Stokes
Speciality:
Creating a variety of different job ads, tailored to different people’s needs and experience.
Favourite hobbies:
Dancing, hanging out with friends, eating good food!
Who is your hero:
My grandma and grandad
What artist/band is your guilty pleasure:
Elton john, rocket man all day please!
What’s your favourite food:
Italian or Chinese, depends on the mood
Get in touch with me for:
Any roles that are within payroll or any advice within the industry!
Email: [email protected]
Telephone: 01727800377

Senior Associate
Matthew Pyne
Speciality:
Senior level HR/payroll/Marketing & E,D&I positions across multi industries
Favourite hobbies:
Horror films, attending gigs, listening to new music, quizzes, watching sport (too old for participation these days and after breaking my hip ice-skating some time ago!)
Who is your hero:
My Dad of course! Sadly, he passed earlier this year but was a truly great man. Teller of the best joke I have ever heard and always first to the bar
What artist/band is your guilty pleasure:
Chas n’ Dave (guilt free though). I love putting their classics on the pub jukebox and singing along. Gertcha!
What’s your favourite food:
Tomato soup – There are around 15 people here who can vouch for that
Get in touch with me for:
14+ years of recruitment expertise across multiple sectors. Market advice and updates. Salary benchmarking. Horror film recommendations and dating advice
Email: [email protected]
Telephone: 01727800377

Researcher
Harry Cavlan
Speciality:
Payroll Recruitment, HR Recruitment
Favourite hobbies:
Rugby, Going to the gym, Cooking and Socialising with friends
Who is your hero:
Christoph Waltz
What artist/band is your guilty pleasure:
The Beatles
What’s your favourite food:
Quesadilla’s
Get in touch with me for:
Payroll and HR recruitment enquiries
Email: harry@jgarecruitment.com
Telephone: 01727800377

Researcher
Aaron Jupp
Position:
Researcher
Speciality:
Payroll Recruitment/Resourcing
Favourite hobbies:
I’ve been climbing a lot of mountains recently! On my way to complete the UK three peaks…perhaps at time of posting I may have completed these!
Who is your hero:
My hero has to be somebody like my pal Jon
What artist/band is your guilty pleasure:
I’m very partial to a bit of Cher! I do believe in Love after love after love……….
What’s your favourite food:
Got to be Mediterranean food – something about the flavours just hits a spot for me!
Get in touch with me for:
Anyone looking for new roles in Payroll/HR – don’t hesitate to get in contact, and I’ll do my best to help you out!
Email: [email protected]
Telephone: 01727800377

Senior Associate
Tom Verrent

Researcher
Gregg Smith
Speciality:
Payroll Recruitment
Favourite hobbies:
Playing golf, running, and going to the cinema
Who is your hero:
Tiger Woods. He was my hero growing up
What artist/band is your guilty pleasure:
I’m usually a heavy metal man, but Dua Lipa is my guilty pleasure.
What’s your favourite food:
You can’t beat a homemade pizza
Get in touch with me for:
If you need any help with finding your perfect position in payroll, get in touch!
Contact Gregg Smith on:
Email: [email protected]
Telephone: 01727 800 377
HR Recruitment Team

Natalie Lloyd

Beck Cutting

Zoe Lewis

Sam Cainer

Associate
Natalie Lloyd
Speciality:
HR Recruitment
Favourite hobbies:
Cooking, snowboarding and knitting.
Who is your hero:
My dad – the most hard working, supportive and all-round positive person I can think of! He never gives up on being the best version of himself – and has always pushed me to strive for success!
What artist/band is your guilty pleasure:
John Mayer 😍 I could listen to his live sets all day!
What’s your favourite food:
A proper home-cooked roast dinner! (Always with extra roast potatoes to eat cold with garlic mayonnaise on Monday lunchtime!)
Get in touch with me for:
HR, Talent Acquisition and L&D Opportunities!
Email: [email protected]
Telephone: 01727800377

Associate
Beck Cutting
Speciality:
CV hunting, captivating calling & formidable formatting!
Favourite hobbies:
I play rugby, love cycling and listening to a wide range of music (<3 new music Friday)!
Who is your hero:
My mum and dad, celebs are overrated.
What artist/band is your guilty pleasure:
I couldn’t say 1 so I’ll give you 3: Lil Peep, Barry Can’t swim & The Hunna.
What’s your favourite food:
Curry, pretty much any kind!
Get in touch with me for:
If you are looking for a new role, or anything related to the above!
Email: beck@jgarecruitment.com
Telephone: 01727800377

Senior Associate
Zoe Lewis
Speciality:
Human Resources
Favourite hobbies:
Equestrianism – I have a horse!
Who is your hero:
My mum – I don’t know what I’d do without her.
What artist/band is your guilty pleasure:
Taylor Swift, yeah I know.
What’s your favourite food:
Anything from kinder!
Get in touch with me for:
HR roles that involve internal recruitment or employee relations!
Email: [email protected]
Telephone: 01727800377

Associate
Sam Cainer
Speciality:
HR, Payroll and Reward Recruitment.
Favourite hobbies:
Spending the weekend with my horse Heidi and portrait drawing (occasionally!)
What artist/band is your guilty pleasure:
Adele!
What’s your favourite food:
Cinnamon Buns!
Get in touch with me for:
Any assistance finding your next HR, Payroll or Reward opportunity or help growing your team!
Contact Sam Cainer on:
Email: [email protected]
Telephone: 01727 800 377
Operations Team

Ros Winchester

Aaron Herkanaidu

Alina Melkenbeek

Operations & Sustainability Director
Ros Winchester
Speciality:
The operational side of recruitment companies
Favourite hobbies:
Keeping fit, meeting up with friends, travel – can’t wait to plan the next destination (when possible)!
Who is your hero:
David Attenborough – total respect!
What artist/band is your guilty pleasure:
Take That!
What’s your favourite food:
I love both Asian food and seafood!
Get in touch with me for:
Anything relating to temps/contractors, accounts, billing – If you have queries, just give me a call, I’m here to make sure that everything runs smoothly!
Email: [email protected]
Telephone: 01727800377

Marketing Manager
Aaron Herkanaidu
Speciality:
Online branding, email marketing, & social media marketing
Favourite hobbies:
Going to cocktail bars, Taekwondo, video games, and playing the guitar!
Who is your hero:
Idris Elba. He’s just good at everything!
What artist/band is your guilty pleasure:
Barry White, what a beautiful man!
What’s your favourite food:
Do Party Rings & Cadbury’s Marvellous Creations count?
Get in touch with me for:
Any enquiries about JGA’s online marketing or brand partnerships!
Email: [email protected]
Telephone: 01727800377

Accounts and Credit Controller
Alina Melkenbeek
Speciality:
Accounts, Credit Control and Compliance.
Favourite hobbies:
Gym, long walks, cinema, cooking.
Who is your hero:
My mum, brain cancer survivor and an incredible human.
What artist/band is your guilty pleasure:
Denzel Washington, a man of great talent and intelligence.
What’s your favourite food:
Octopus and Asparagus linguine. (own recipe)
Get in touch with me for:
Any enquiries about JGA’ s invoicing, accounts or compliance.
Contact Alina Melkenbeek on:
Email: [email protected]
Telephone: 01727 800 377