Global

Kathryn Doan is the Chief Vision Officer and business Director of the Talent Solutions Teams, including AgCareers.com, FoodGrads.com, and the De Lacy Executive Recruitment group of businesses. She has been a key member of the team for more than 20+ years. She is passionate about agriculture and food, connecting people, and developing strong relationships in the food value chain to develop strong rural communities.

Katie Hunter has 9 years of experience in recruiting ranging from student recruitment to agriculture and food. Katie grew up on a dairy farm and has a degree in Agriculture from the University of Guelph, and lives in Ontario. She is passionate about connecting people to careers in the agricultural and food industry. Hailing from a dairy farm, Katie's deep-rooted connection to agriculture fuels her dedication to connecting job seekers and employers within the sector.

Nicole Gallace is a Talent Solutions Manager with a focus on the food and beverage processing industry. With over 15 years of experience in recruiting, Nicole has honed her expertise in identifying and nurturing talent within the sector. After a decade of third-party recruiting, she noticed a significant gap in support for students and graduates starting their careers and the need to attract more individuals to the industry. In response, Nicole founded FoodGrads, which has since become an integral part of the Talent Solutions Team.

Melissa Schwartz’s passion for agriculture began at a young age on a blueberry farm along Lake Michigan, where she still resides with her husband in their newly empty nest. This early experience shaped her career and deepened her appreciation for the agriculture industry. As a certified Professional Recruitment Consultant, Melissa focuses on understanding each client's unique needs and connecting them with top-tier talent who aligns with their goals and vision.

Afnan Ashfaque is a Talent Sourcing Specialist at De Lacy Executive Recruitment, where she plays a key role in identifying top candidates for a variety of positions within the agriculture and food sectors. From sourcing technical experts to leadership candidates, she ensures that there is a strong pipeline of talent to meet client needs. Afnan works closely with our recruiters, providing essential support throughout the hiring process.

Lindsey Goldstein is the Recruitment Assistant for De Lacy Executive Recruitment. She has 10 years of experience in the recruiting industry and has been a part of DeLacy since 2022.

She got her start in Eastern NC where she grew up on a farm growing crops, raising hogs, cows and chickens. She continued to work in the agriculture industry throughout high school and college. Working on the farm with her family and also as a farm scout for an ag consulting agency. She studied Ag Business at Mount Olive College. After school, she relocated to Charlotte, NC and got her start in the corporate world with recruiting.

She and her wife reside in North Carolina, raising their son with the hopes of a shared passion for agriculture.

Amy Jones is part of the De Lacy Executive Recruitment team, supporting clients and candidates across the agriculture and food industries. Her work focuses on building strong relationships, understanding hiring needs, and helping connect the right people with the right opportunities.

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Grace Nugent, Managing Director of De Lacy Executive, combines a lifelong passion for agriculture with extensive industry experience. Raised on a farm and holding a degree in Agricultural Business Management, Grace has worked on farms in the UK and New Zealand, giving her a deep understanding of agricultural operations.

Joining De Lacy Executive in 2011 as a Trainee Recruitment Consultant, Grace quickly advanced through roles such as Recruitment Consultant, Senior Recruitment Consultant, Recruitment Team Manager, and General Manager. Now, as Managing Director, she focuses on business development, strategy, growth, building partnerships, and enhancing client and candidate experiences.

Grace is committed to helping clients with developing strong recruitment processes. She works closely with key clients to support them with their recruitment year planning and advice on succession future proofing their businesses.

Her comprehensive insight into the agricultural sector ensures that De Lacy Executive continues to excel in connecting top talent with leading agricultural businesses.

Jon began his career in secondary education eventually progressing to Head of Geography. It was a difficult decision to leave teaching, but his passion for agriculture led him to De Lacy Executive.

At De Lacy, Jon focuses on supporting the company’s growth in the UK and expanding its international portfolio. He also leads a professional and knowledgeable team of consultants from varying agricultural backgrounds, all individually committed to delivering excellent standards of service and doing right by you.

Jon is known for building genuine, long-term relationships within the industry. He takes the time to truly understand each role and business, recognising that De Lacy’s work can significantly impact people’s lives and organisations. He strongly believes in De Lacy’s ethos that successful recruitment is about trust, communication, thoroughness, and finding compatibility, not just simply filling a position.

With his roots in rural Leicestershire and having married into a sheep and arable farming family, Jon maintains a strong connection to agriculture and a vested interest in its people and future.

With over a decade of experience in recruitment, Ollie brings a wealth of expertise and enthusiasm to his role. For the past five years, he has specialised in agricultural recruitment, developing an in-depth understanding of the industry and building an extensive network of contacts.

As a Key Account Consultant at De Lacy Executive, Ollie delivers a comprehensive, end-to-end recruitment service, supporting both candidates and clients from initial contact through to successful placement. Oliver’s primary areas of expertise include arable/agronomy, pest control, anaerobic digestion, professional services, and biodiversity.

Committed to “recruitment done right,” Ollie prioritises genuine care and a personal touch. His dedication ensures that both candidates and clients find the perfect match, fostering mutual growth and long-term success.

Harry grew up on a smallholding in rural Shropshire, where he bred and sold chickens and ducks to local back garden poultry keepers. With many friends and family involved in farming, agriculture has always been close to his heart. After completing a marketing apprenticeship, Harry spent five years working in the medical industry. However, he soon realised his passion lay in agriculture, and he jumped at the opportunity to join De Lacy Executive, a company deeply rooted in the sector.

Starting as a recruitment consultant, Harry now holds a dual role within the business, drawing on his marketing experience to promote the company. He has had success in filling a wide range of roles and particularly enjoys working on positions in sales, marketing, poultry, livestock, and farm management.

His blend of recruitment and industry knowledge has contributed to his success in helping agricultural businesses find the right talent.

George brings a strong and varied background in recruitment to his role at De Lacy Executive, with experience across both the trades and IT sectors. Before joining the team, he specialised in placing electricians, gas engineers, and IT/software professionals, building a solid understanding of technical roles and what clients need to succeed.

Having grown up in the countryside, George has a natural curiosity for agriculture — particularly the ways in which technology and machinery are transforming the future of the industry.

At De Lacy, George delivers a full 360 recruitment service, from lead generation and business development through to matching talented individuals with like-minded businesses. He’s driven by the opportunity to make a real impact — helping organisations grow their teams and supporting people as they take the next step in their careers.

Rupert grew up on a family livestock farm in Warwickshire, where he developed a passion for agriculture. After earning a degree in languages, he pursued various roles in Tree Surgery, Arable Farming, and Contract Fencing. With a background in livestock, he also gained experience in combinable crops, foraging, and haymaking.

Rupert is particularly interested in the future of Agri-tech and sustainable farming, and how innovation will shape food production. His own experience navigating different roles in farming led him to recruitment, where he helps others find the right fit in the industry.

Fluent in French and Italian, Rupert brings strong skills in communication and problem solving to his work.

Edward comes from a strong farming background, spanning three generations in the Worcestershire and Herefordshire borders.

After graduating with a degree in Analytical Sciences, he went on to enjoy a career in hospitality where he has worked with local producers and suppliers, eventually managing his own bakery business. He has now returned to his roots in the agricultural industry, joining the De Lacy Executive Recruitment team in 2023.

David brings over a decade of experience in executive search, with a strong focus on the agribusiness and food sectors. His career includes ten years at Eden Search, where he most recently held the position of Development Director.

David’s strategic insight and extensive industry network make him a valuable advisor to the leadership team. In his role, he provides independent guidance on business development, growth strategy, and long-term planning, helping to shape the future direction of De Lacy Executive.

David’s deep understanding of the agri-food landscape ensures that De Lacy Executive continues to evolve as a trusted partner in agricultural recruitment.