- Employers
- Candidates
- Our Divisions
- About Us
- Contact Us
Robyn Holmes is the founder and Joint Managing Director of Prime Appointments, where she leads the company with a clear vision while upholding the family values at its core. She plays an integral role in defining the company's direction, balancing strategic decisions, and overseeing the team to ensure everything runs smoothly. Her leadership style focuses on inspiring and motivating those around her, as well as nurturing the next generation of leaders within the family and the business — watching her children Jack and Katie grow into talented leaders within Prime is something Robyn considers one of her greatest achievements, and seeing them carry forward the values she built the business on fills her with immense pride. Together, they share a true passion for what they do and a collective devotion to offering the very best service in the warm, friendly, family way that has always defined Prime.
Beyond leading Prime, Robyn is a committed advocate for the recruitment industry as a whole. She regularly attends industry events and has taken her voice all the way to Parliament to participate in discussions around recruitment and employment rights at a national level, and is regularly invited to contribute to local radio as a trusted voice on employment topics. Robyn believes strongly that the recruitment sector has a vital role to play in shaping fair, supportive workplaces, and she is passionate about ensuring those conversations happen at every level.
Outside of the office, Robyn has dedicated herself to Alzheimer's Society since 2018 — a cause close to her heart after Prime's co-founder, Margaret Locke, was diagnosed with Alzheimer's at just 51. Driven by a fierce personal determination to make a difference, Robyn has led the business on an extraordinary fundraising journey — from Golf Days and marathons to Memory Walks and bake sales — raising over £280,000 for Alzheimer's research and care, nearly triple the original ten-year goal.
In 2024, that commitment was recognised when Prime Appointments was named Corporate Partner of the Year by the Chartered Institute of Fundraising, nominated by Alzheimer's Society itself. "This project has been a labour of love," Robyn shares. "It's not just about Margaret's fight — it's about the collective strength of everyone working toward a brighter future for those impacted by Alzheimer's."
Her life's motto, "Inspiring others to think outside the box and create new possibilities," is something Robyn lives by in everything she does — driven by a powerful sense of purpose, a deep commitment to helping others, and an unshakeable belief in what this family has built together.
Jack is Joint Managing Director of Prime Appointments and a proud second-generation member of the family behind the business. As the son of founder and Joint Managing Director Robyn Holmes, Jack grew up watching Prime Appointments grow from the ground up, and is hugely proud of what the family has built together.
Today, Jack leads the business with a focus on growth, client relationships, and delivering exceptional recruitment services across Essex and Suffolk. He oversees the day-to-day running of recruitment, ensuring each division operates smoothly and that both clients and candidates receive the best possible service.
Beyond the day-to-day, Jack is actively involved in building Prime's presence across the region. A regular face at Essex and Suffolk Chamber of Commerce events, business leader forums, and networking groups, he is committed to strengthening Prime's position in the local business community and opening doors for clients and candidates alike.
One of Jack's proudest achievements is building a strong, dedicated team and being directly involved in hiring many of the people who make Prime what it is today. He's also proud of the long-term relationships he's built — placing candidates in roles who have since become valued clients.
Layla Drewell, Finance Director since 2022, is responsible for "all things finance" at Prime. She oversees the Accounts and Payroll teams, managing everything from budgeting and forecasting to cashflows, monthly and annual reporting, and compliance. With her vast experience, Layla ensures that all financial processes run smoothly in a constantly changing environment.
A highlight in her career was being flown out to Japan to train on new SAP software with the U.S. project team. Once back, she played a pivotal role in rolling out and implementing the system for the UK division. On top of the professional achievement, Layla had the chance to enjoy Japan's famous Cherry Blossom season and indulged in her fair share of sushi!
When asked, "If you could instantly become an expert in anything, what would it be?" Layla said, "Playing the piano." Who knows, maybe one day Layla will be swapping spreadsheets for sheet music!
Peter has been a Director at Prime Appointments for over 15 years, providing support to the leadership team and helping with the day-to-day running of the business. He plays a key role behind the scenes—helping maintain the office, assisting with various projects, and being on hand whenever needed.
One of Peter’s biggest contributions is organising the annual Prime Appointments Golf Day in aid of Alzheimer’s Society, an event that brings together clients, candidates, and the team to raise funds for an important cause.
Outside of work, Peter is a keen sportsman with a competitive streak. He has represented Great Britain in Real Tennis and currently holds the title of Over 50s British Doubles Champion. When he’s not on the court or the golf course, you’ll find him supporting the Prime team in whatever way he can!
Chris Mason is a Recruitment Manager overseeing the Warehouse and Food & Beverage divisions at Prime Appointments. He’s been with the company since 2010 and is part of the management team while still handling 360 recruitment duties.
Chris works with a range of clients across Essex, filling short-term, long-term, temp-to-perm, and permanent roles. He handles everything from advertising job openings and interviewing candidates to placing them in roles and supporting both candidates and clients through the recruitment process.
On the management side, Chris leads a team of three, ensuring daily operations run smoothly. He also works closely with the Senior Leadership Team to review and improve processes, as well as ensuring compliance is maintained, including GLAA for Food Manufacturing.
Chris is proud of his achievements at Prime, from his personal growth and the lasting relationships he’s built with clients (some of whom he’s worked with for 15 years!) to the successful launch and growth of the Industrial Permanent side of his division.
When asked about the most random fact he knows, Chris says: "It’s illegal to be in possession of a cow while drunk in Scotland!"
Alex Craig is a 360 Recruitment Consultant specialising in warehouse and manufacturing staffing across Essex. She manages the entire recruitment process, from sourcing and interviewing candidates to overseeing placements and ensuring client satisfaction. Whether it’s a last-minute temp booking or a long-term hire, Alex works quickly and efficiently to match the right people with the right roles.
She builds strong relationships with both clients and candidates, ensuring a great fit for every position. With a deep understanding of the industrial sector, Alex is committed to delivering recruitment solutions that meet the specific needs of businesses.
Alex is proud of how far she’s come in her career in such a short time, thanks to the support of a fantastic team who have helped her grow and learn along the way.
Known for her smile and positive attitude, she said that if her workday had a theme song, it would be “Happy” by Bruno Mars.
Brendan Barros-Crowe is a Recruitment Consultant specialising in the manufacturing sector across Suffolk. He recruits skilled professionals, including welders, CNC machinists, managers, production operatives, and warehouse staff. Brendan handles the entire recruitment process, from sourcing and screening candidates to managing compliance, negotiating contracts, and providing ongoing support after placements.
Brendan takes a personal approach to recruitment, meeting clients and candidates face-to-face whenever possible. These conversations allow him to build strong relationships and gain a deeper understanding of their needs, ensuring the best fit for everyone involved.
By sharing insights into salary benchmarks and industry trends, he helps businesses make informed hiring decisions while guiding individuals to roles that match their skills and career goals. Brendan is dedicated to making recruitment as seamless and effective as possible.
A proud moment for Brendan is successfully transitioning from healthcare to industrial recruitment. He quickly adapted to the sector, and his role has since expanded to include technical and engineering recruitment, managing both temporary and permanent positions.
If Brendan were to write a book about his life, it would be titled: "Be Right Back, Still Figuring It Out!"
Amy Lizzimore is a Recruitment Coordinator in our Warehouse and Manufacturing team. She plays a key role in supporting our consultants to find and secure the right candidates for a variety of industrial roles, whether temporary, temp-perm, or permanent.
Amy is responsible for screening applicants to assess their experience, ensuring they match the right roles based on their skills and career goals. She also coordinates face-to-face meetings with successful candidates at our Witham office, guiding them through the full registration process and making sure all compliance requirements, including Right to Work (RTW) checks, are completed.
Amy takes pride in identifying the ideal candidates for our consultants to speak with, ensuring that the process runs smoothly, and everyone is fully compliant.
A piece of advice Amy holds onto is: "You've only got one life, live it!"
Carl Bashford is the Recruitment Manager for Suffolk, overseeing recruitment across the manufacturing, warehouse, and food & beverage divisions for both temporary and permanent roles. While part of the management team, Carl is hands-on in every part of the recruitment process, from resourcing and screening CVs to sales and account management.
For candidates, Carl handles the initial screening, coordinates interviews, and supports candidates through the offer process. For clients, he manages everything from the sales and enquiry stage to advertising vacancies and guiding applicants all the way to interviews and job offers.
Beyond recruitment, Carl works closely with the Senior Leadership Team to streamline processes, review training, assess KPIs, set sales targets, and even run sales competitions. He’s always open to new ways of working, adapting to the ever-changing recruitment industry.
Carl is proud of his career, which began as a Trainee Consultant after university. A highlight for him was breaking the monthly revenue record for permanent placements in his first 18 months and opening the Bury St Edmunds office in January 2023. However his proudest achievement is getting ties removed from the Prime dress code.
If Carl could swap jobs with anyone in the office for a day, it would be Peter Holmes, being the Prime Appointments handyman is no easy tasks, especially when it goes side by side with tennis, golf and a slice of cake now and then!
Mark Everitt leads the Technical & Engineering Permanent division at Prime Appointments. After transitioning from a Senior Management role into recruitment, Mark quickly adapted to the fast-paced world of recruitment, gaining a deep understanding of the industry and the needs of both clients and candidates. Starting as a Trainee Consultant, Mark’s dedication and growth saw him progress within the company, eventually leading his own team.
Specialising in technical and engineering roles across multiple sectors, Mark’s expertise spans manufacturing, precision engineering, automation, and aerospace. He’s passionate about staying on top of industry trends and works closely with businesses to ensure they find the right talent, while also helping job seekers land fulfilling careers.
Mark’s proud of his journey from Trainee Consultant to Team Leader, where he enjoys mentoring newer consultants and supporting his team’s success.
When asked about something he’s always wanted to try, Mark shared, “I’ve always wanted to be in and sky dive from a helicopter!” We’ll sign you up for the next Alzheimer’s Society sky dive, Mark!
Simon Clark is the Team Leader for the Technical Temporary division at Prime Appointments, overseeing recruitment for manufacturing and engineering companies across Essex. Since joining the company in 2013 as a Trainee Recruitment Consultant, Simon has worked his way up to Team Leader, managing a variety of roles, including CNC Machinists, Welder Fabricators, Maintenance Engineers, and more.
Simon takes a consultative approach with candidates, offering advice based on their previous experience and matching them with the right roles in Essex. As a Team Leader, he sets both individual and team targets while keeping the team focused on Prime Appointments' long- and short-term goals.
One of Simon's proudest achievements is his ongoing partnership with one of the coolest car component manufacturers in the South East. Since 2017, he has helped them grow significantly, recruiting over 90 staff on both a temporary and permanent basis. It's been a rewarding experience seeing the company thrive, and Simon is proud to have played a part in their success.
When asked about his go-to karaoke song, Simon shared, “Busted - Year 3000.” But if we’re honest Simon doesn’t need a karaoke night—he takes every opportunity to sing around the office!
Julia has been in the Technical & Engineering recruitment industry for 24 years, with 9 of those spent at Prime Appointments. She started her career within Engineering and Design companies, and her natural interest in technology, combined with her extensive experience, allows her to quickly understand the roles she’s recruiting for and find the best candidates for the job.
Julia’s role gives her the chance to stay up-to-date with the latest developments in design and manufacturing, keeping her at the forefront of new job opportunities in these fields. She covers every aspect of the recruitment process, from sales and account management to consulting with both clients and candidates, right through to successfully placing the right person in the job.
Over the years, Julia has built long-lasting relationships with both candidates and clients, with some of the junior candidates she placed early in their careers now becoming senior clients. She is proud of her career achievements, including being named Sales Person of the Year at her previous company, out of over 300 consultants. At Prime Appointments, she won the New Business Sales Competition in 2021.
When asked what she could talk about for hours without getting bored, Julia replied, Music —a passion of hers that never fails to spark an interesting conversation or a tune on the kazoo!
Louie is a Trainee Recruitment Consultant at Prime Appointments, working within the Technical & Engineering division. He’s currently completing his Level 3 Recruitment Apprenticeship with DBC and is really enjoying learning the industry — from building client relationships to helping people find roles they’re excited about.
Since joining Prime, Louie’s hit the ground running. He’s already managing a number of temporary workers, speaking with clients, and growing in confidence each week. He’s enjoying the fast-paced nature of recruitment and finds it rewarding to know his work helps people move forward in their careers.
Outside of work, Louie’s big on sport. He’s captained his local football team, Heybridge, for around six years, and stays active by going to the gym and running.
Always happy to connect, Louie enjoys chatting with others in the engineering and recruitment space — or about football, if you get him started!
Laura Anne Smith is a Recruitment Consultant, specialising in the temporary office and finance desk at Prime Appointments. Since joining in 2018, Laura has become an expert in handling the full 360 recruitment process, from business development to candidate sourcing, and client relationship management. She takes pride in her ability to work independently, ensuring smooth day-to-day operations while supporting both clients and candidates.
In her role, Laura builds and nurtures relationships with clients in the office and finance sector, seeking new business opportunities and offering tailored recruitment solutions. She also manages the entire recruitment process, from sourcing and reviewing candidates to coordinating interviews and ensuring a seamless placement experience.
One of Laura’s proudest career moments was progressing from an Industrial Resourcer to a Recruitment Consultant on the office and finance desk. This achievement showcased her adaptability and growth in a new sector, marking a key milestone in her career.
When asked about a fun fact, Laura revealed, “I danced on Top of The Pops!” – Laura is our very own Prime dancing queen!
Connor Ellis is a Recruitment Consultant specialising in office and finance roles, including positions such as administrative assistants, accountants, business development managers, finance assistants, and office managers. His goal is to match the right talent with the right job, ensuring that both employers and candidates have their needs met.
Connor works closely with hiring managers to understand job requirements, company culture, and key qualifications. He sources candidates through job boards, networking, and platforms like LinkedIn, and plays a key role in reviewing CVs, vetting candidates on the phone, and assessing their skills.
Although Connor is new to the team at Prime, he's excited for what lies ahead and is ready to make an impact.
If Connor could instantly become an expert in anything, it would be: "The ability to speak all languages!"
Abi Finch is our Recruitment Coordinator for Office and Finance roles across Essex and Suffolk. She helps our consultants find the best candidates by reviewing CVs, sourcing talent through job boards and social media, arranging interviews, and keeping our database up to date.
She works closely with hiring managers to understand their exact requirements, making sure we always match the right people to the right jobs. With roles ranging from entry-level to director positions, every day brings something new.
Abi is great at building a pool of potential candidates, meaning we can fill jobs quickly when they come in. She keeps things organised and makes sure everything runs smoothly behind the scenes.
If she had to pick one type of food for life, it would be Italian—because a piece of bruschetta and a bowl of pasta never get old!
Katie Holmes is the Operations Manager at Prime Appointments and a proud second-generation member of the family behind the business. As the daughter of Joint Managing Director Robyn, Katie grew up watching Prime Appointments grow from the ground up, and is hugely proud of what the family has built together.
Having joined Prime in 2018, Katie built a strong foundation in recruitment — gaining first-hand experience of what clients and candidates need, and personally placing over 200 professionals into new roles across Essex and Suffolk. That grounding now informs everything she does in her current role.
Today, Katie leads Operations across the business, working closely with the directors to ensure Prime runs efficiently and compliantly at every level. This spans everything from maintaining regulatory compliance and streamlining internal processes, to keeping the team engaged, supported, and set up to do their best work. Katie keeps a close eye on how the business operates day to day, identifying where things can be improved and making sure the right structures are in place for Prime to continue growing.
When asked what small gesture makes her day better, Katie says, "A Costa coffee, a.k.a. a red cup of joy!"
Megan Eves is a Senior Marketing & Design Executive at Prime Appointments, responsible for managing social media, content creation, paid ads, SEO optimisation, and overseeing the company’s website content. With a strong design background, Megan’s experience in large-format print and brochure design has been invaluable in creating high-quality promotional materials. She also reports on marketing KPIs, organises events (including those for Prime’s charity partner, Alzheimer’s Society), and works closely with the management team to align the marketing department’s goals with the broader company strategy, ensuring all efforts support the business’s overall success.
One of Megan’s proudest achievements at Prime has been leading the website overhaul project, working with the team at This is Fever, and driving forward the new site’s successful launch. Additionally, she recently completed the Digital Marketing Institute Pro course, ensuring her skills remain up to date with the latest industry trends.
Michelle Kennedy plays a vital role in keeping the office running smoothly at Prime Appointments. From managing the reception area and greeting visitors to handling incoming calls and directing queries, Michelle ensures that everyone is welcomed and that operations stay on track.
She’s often known as the “work mum,” offering support and keeping the office environment positive and engaging. Her responsibilities also include overseeing facilities management, stock ordering, and ensuring safety protocols are in place. On top of this, Michelle coordinates the referencing process for new starters, making sure all necessary checks are completed for a smooth onboarding experience.
One of Michelle’s standout achievements has been developing a document that streamlined the registration process. By consolidating all procedures in one place and sharing it across teams, she helped reduce paperwork and increase efficiency across departments, all while minimising paper waste.
When asked what her workday theme song would be, Michelle said, "Telephone by Lady Gaga." – a perfect match.
Donna Maiden is a Project Coordinator at Prime Appointments, where she handles a variety of tasks, from setting up and testing new systems to ensuring compliance with legislation. She plays a key role in assisting with risk assessments for GLAA clients, making sure the company stays on top of legal requirements.
Donna also manages the onboarding process for new starters, ensuring all necessary documentation is completed and reviewed. She works closely with different departments to schedule training and make sure new team members have the resources they need. Additionally, she provides ongoing support to current employees, helping them with any challenges related to company policies or systems.
Her role involves gathering feedback from teams to ensure systems and procedures are effective and adaptable. Donna’s contributions support continuous improvement, helping the business run smoothly and stay on track for long-term success.
Donna was instrumental in implementing a new database system, working with IT to troubleshoot issues and ensuring everything integrated smoothly. She also helped update compliance protocols to match the new system, improving efficiency and reducing risks.
If Donna’s workday had a theme song, it would be “Let’s Go” by Calvin Harris ft. Ne-Yo or the A-Team theme— a perfect reflection of the Speedy problem solver she is!
Karen Yaxley is our Payroll Supervisor, responsible for managing and processing weekly payroll with precision. Her role covers everything from timesheet input and payroll processing to handling pension queries and tax code issues. She also ensures that statutory pay is processed in line with regulations and that every candidate is paid correctly and on time.
A highlight in Karen's career is her achievement of running payroll for 1,500 staff in her previous company. This accomplishment not only showcases her organisational skills but also her ability to maintain accuracy and efficiency in a large-scale operation. Managing payroll for such a vast number of employees required close collaboration with HR and finance, ensuring all calculations were accurate and compliant with regulations. The success of this project is a testament to Karen’s reliability and attention to detail.
When asked for a fun fact, Karen shared that "sloths cannot fart" … That’s enough said about that.
Georgie Cannon is the Office & Accounts Administrator at Prime Appointments, where she has a hands-on role in both payroll and office administration. Georgie manages the weekly temporary staff payroll, handling tasks like timesheet input, payroll processing, holiday requests, and pensions. She also tracks AWR updates and ensures the smooth operation of all payroll-related tasks.
On the office side, Georgie handles new candidates' HMRC and bank details to ensure they’re paid correctly and on the right tax code. On Fridays, she takes charge of the reception desk, answering calls, directing queries, and welcoming visitors. She also supports the consultants in building CVs and assists the marketing team with various tasks as needed.
Georgie is particularly proud of her ability to independently manage the payroll process when Karen, the Payroll Supervisor, was off. She ensured that all candidates were paid correctly and on time, with no errors!
When asked if she had to wear an outfit for the rest of her life what would it be, Georgie shared that it would be her wedding dress—she still loves it as much as the day she chose it and finds it criminal that such a beautiful dress is tucked away in a box!