Sarah Thewlis appointed as new Chairperson of the REC Board

The REC is pleased to announce that Sarah Thewlis has been elected as the new Chair of the REC Board, which is the executive body accounting for the REC’s performance as a business. 

Sarah is Managing Director of executive search firm Thewlis Graham Associates which she co-founded in 2010. She initially joined the REC Council in 2013 and has held several other non-executive positions including as Chair of a cancer support charity.

Sarah takes over from Chris Moore who has served the maximum term of seven years as a non-executive director and three years as Chair.

Sarah Thewlis, in-coming Chairperson of the REC, said

“I am delighted to have been elected as Chair of the new style REC Board. My predecessor, Chris Moore and Neil Carberry, the CEO, have together done a fabulous job in bringing positive changes to the organisation. There is still work to do if we are to deliver more to the membership. I am looking forward to delivering more regional support, embracing diversity and inclusion, and making sure that recruitment is given the recognition it deserves as we help to bring economic recovery to a developing world of work.”

Neil Carberry, CEO of the REC said

“Sarah’s appointment as Chair comes at a challenging time for our industry. Her wide commercial, recruitment and public body experience – in both executive and non-executive roles – will be vital to helping the REC stay focussed and effective in supporting members. Having been a Council member before her election, Sarah already understands the REC.

“The robust and competitive process for our new Chair, and for the other seats on the REC’s new board, is a further demonstration of the REC’s commitment to effective and engaged governance. Finally, I want to thank Chris Moore, on behalf of members and all REC staff, for the fantastic support he has offered recruiters over the past three years as Chair and several more before that on our Council. I am especially grateful for him staying on as Chair for an additional few months as we adjusted our governance plans during Covid-19.”

Chris Moore, the REC’s out-going Chairperson, said:

“I would like wish a very warm welcome to Sarah as the new Chair. Sarah is an excellent appointment and will be a major asset to the REC over the coming months and years which are going to be challenging. The work the REC does in supporting businesses and job seekers is so important, especially now as we face unprecedented challenges in the labour market. It has been a great pleasure to support the REC as Chairperson and the wider recruitment industry over the last few years and I wish Sarah, Neil and the team all the best for the future.”

In addition to the Chair, Mark Edwards of Sert, Michelle Mellor of CummingsMellor and Heather Salway of Ngage were elected to our new Board, where they will join Sarah.  Jeanette Barrowcliffe of Meridian and Rebekah Handford of Highpoint were appointed as our member-elected Directors.

Earlier this year the REC Council voted in favour of overhauling the REC’s governance structure. The new board will have a majority of elected REC members, with 6 seats, but it will also include four new Non-Executive Directors appointed from outside the industry to bring in different skills to support the REC to better serve recruiters.

Full press release can be found here:

https://www.rec.uk.com/our-view/news/press-releases/sarah-thewlis-appointed-new-chairperson-rec-board-1