Meet the People

Steve Marley Managing Director

Ashwood Sales Recruitment has been pivotal to our success since the business was founded by Steve Marley in 1986. Steve has a wealth of FMCG experience and as a hands-on business manager has successfully placed key people with many major companies across the UK and Europe, while building and developing the Ashwood business and brand.

Steve's philosophy is simple but highly effective - to understand both the candidate's needs and the client's business, before bringing the two together using a methodology that ensures mutual and lasting success.

Karyn Jepson-Cotcher General Manager - Marketing

After graduating, Karyn worked for 13 years in FMCG brand marketing with a number of major companies, including Smith and Nephew, Yardley, Chesebrough Ponds, Beecham and Wella. She moved across into recruitment in 1994 and spent a further 13 years with a specialist FMCG marketing recruitment agency. Karyn joined Ashwood in 2006 with the remit to establish and build what has now become a highly successful division.

Vaughan Sheen General Manager - Sales

Vaughan has over thirty years FMCG experience, gained within the Sales division at Mars UK, taking responsibility for the Convenience Channel, he was also a member of the Pan European Petrol Account Team. Fully trained in the Lominger Competency system, he also managed and coached account teams. Two years ago Vaughan joined the Ashwood sales team, managing senior sales management assignments in the FMCG sector within the UK, Ireland and European markets.

Magda Czul Head of Research & Insights

Magda leads an experienced, multi lingual, international team delivering our key Research and Insights service which has a fundamental part to play in attracting and recruiting the very best people. Taking a methodical and in-depth approach to each client brief, this service explores avenues including social media and business networking to get right to the heart of what the client is looking for. In this way we are able to create a shortlist of outstanding candidates which fulfils the client’s needs while challenging their preconceptions. Magda's experience includes academic research, project management, staff selection and recruitment, as well as managing and motivating large teams. Magda joined the Ashwood team in 2008 and since then has made a valuable contribution to a range of challenging assignments in the UK and across Europe.

Trevor West Non-Executive Director

Trevor joined Ashwood in mid 2008 with a remit of organisation development, people development and strategic business development. Previously Trevor worked for the Mars Corporation for over 30 years.

As a Trading Director with Mars, Trevor managed the Wholesale sector where he actively developed many key trading contact and still retains a high profile within the grocery trade.

One of Trevor’s passions is in the area of associate development and there are many ex colleagues now in senior positions who were coached by Trevor in their early days.