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Meet the Directors

Eddie Austin

Founder and Chief Executive Officer

A recognised business leader, Eddie is an entrepreneur, board member and highly respected thought leader within the Education Recruitment Sector, the founder and CEO of Operam Education Group; his experience and knowledge within the education recruitment industry spans over 30 years in the delivery of global public and private sector services.

Eddie’s aptitude to identify opportunities and ability to develop creative solutions means that he naturally drives change for improvement. He is committed to doing this both at Operam Education Group and externally through supporting various UK and International organisations; he sits on the board of ‘The Sovereign Trust’, a specialist SEND multi- academy trust.

An inspiring leader, Eddie’s people skills means he is an accessible source at every level, with the ability to motivate and develop his staff, enabling them to reach their career goals whilst improving on service delivery. His success is rooted with the vision to improve learning capacity within the classroom and supporting social mobility. Eddie’s experience and knowledge of fast-moving emerging markets means he ensures first class stewardship of business, which he’s proven over decades, always delivering on his vision.

Andrew Frome

Chief Financial Officer

A highly commercial and entrepreneurial CFO with significant experience of running all financial aspects of global high growth, private equity backed service businesses. Andrew achieved two successful exits that delivered returns of over 5 times for investors.

Andrew was part of several bid teams who were responsible for negotiating commercial contracts with a value over £300m. He also, undertook corporate acquisitions of over £50m in value which included sourcing all funding.

Lead roles include experience in disposals, negotiating both the commercial terms and the detailed contracts as well as being part of the presentation team. Andrew is an inspirational and passionate leader not only to his own team but the entire company reaching international levels, helping to create an excellent culture throughout.

Andy McRae

Non-Executive Chairman

A commercially focussed and strategic leader with significant international business experience, largely within people-centric, multi-site, service sector companies with operations in Europe, The Middle East, North and South America and throughout Asia Pacific.

An individual with extensive Board level experience at CEO, MD and FD positions in both listed and private companies, including those with Private Equity backing; he has a proven track record of achieving sustained and profitable top and bottom-line growth.

Andy has significant M&A experience, both in the UK and internationally, including the negotiation of complex Joint Venture agreements. Equally at home in leading small, medium and large organisations, he possesses an unusual combination of a strong financial background and commercial sense. He has excellent interpersonal skills and has the ability to communicate, influence and relate to shareholders, clients, banks, leadership teams and field staff alike.

Sharon Bullock

Chief Operating Officer

Sharon has a wealth of experience and knowledge within the education recruitment sector, with a proven track record spanning over 25 years. Commercially astute, Sharon has led and developed high performing teams across the UK, providing clear strategies, solutions and inspiration.

An expert in her field, Sharon’s proprietary knowledge and sector insight, has been a significant contributor to industry wide and government recognised compliance and safeguarding initiatives. She has also transformed businesses by engaging key stakeholders in order to deliver high levels of client and candidate service.

Sharon possesses an enthusiasm and determination to drive business growth whilst energising the people around her, offering great leadership to her team.

Rob Johnson

Director

Rob represents the groups investor partner BGF on the Operam Education Group board. Rob has spent the last five years investing in growth orientated businesses across Yorkshire and the North East. His role spans the investment life cycle from origination through to execution and portfolio management, working alongside the management teams that BGF back to help them achieve their goals.

Will Maddock

Finance Director

Will is responsible for the finance and back office service provision teams across the Operam Education Group of companies, managing complex commercial programmes to achieve strategic objectives for the business.

A pragmatic and highly respected leader who creates robust strategies to translate vision into reality. Strong analytical, problem solving and decision-making skills with a passion for a challenge, together with excellent communication skills.